getting to the test centre

blatantrereg

How do you get to the test centre, if you're not supposed to drive unaccompanied..?

Gavin

Drive accompanied?

Is this a trick question ?

**Timbuk2**

Drive accompanied, have accompanying driver wait in waiting area for you to finish test (alternatively they could go on a walk, shopping, etc.), drive home accompanied (test lasts about 40 minutes in total).

clappyhappy

As Gavin said....

Isn't it illegal to drive without a fully licensed driver if you are on a provisional?? And they will fail you straight away if you arrive unaccompanied, happen to a girl that I worked with in Limerick, examiner didn't even sit into the car. Don't chance it!!

Alanstrainor

You should always drive accompanied.

But, at the same time, the test only starts when you are called by the tester from the waiting room. You could fly to the test centre if you wanted and it wouldn't make a difference.

cruizer101

clappyhappy wrote:

And they will fail you straight away if you arrive unaccompanied, happen to a girl that I worked with in Limerick, examiner didn't even sit into the car. Don't chance it!!

Seems a bit crazy, I turned up bit early and my mum went off to have have cup of tea and do bit of shopping, so she wasn't around til I gave her a ring after test.

blatantrereg

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You should always drive accompanied.

But, at the same time, the test only starts when you are called by the tester from the waiting room. You could fly to the test centre if you wanted and it wouldn't make a difference.

I do only drive accompanied. I dont own a car or live with family, so getting chances to drive in general is bit limited.

Do you not have to bring the car to do the test in? Do they have cars there that you can use? Obviously not ideal because I wouldn't be accustomed to the particular vehicle - but is that an option?

I've seen driving schools/instructors saying that you can use the car for the test. In that context, would the instructor just accompany you to the centre, and wait for you there then, typcially?

Wishbone Ash

clappyhappy wrote: »

they will fail you straight away if you arrive unaccompanied, happen to a girl that I worked with in Limerick, examiner didn't even sit into the car

Urban myth. How one gets to the test centre isn't within the examiner's remit.

Some people who are unsuccessful at driving tests tend to blame anything other than their own shortcomings.

Wishbone Ash

blatantrereg wrote: »

I've seen driving schools/instructors saying that you can use the car for the test. In that context, would the instructor just accompany you to the centre, and wait for you there then, typcially?

Yes - normally the instructor will bring the candidate for a last lesson prior to the test and then accompany them to the test centre. The instructor will then usually go for a cup of tea or chat to the other instructors or examiners while you are doing your test. (The DOE do not provide vehicles for tests).

mathepac

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

.... (The DOE do not provide vehicles for tests).

Very true but they do have a new service that might interest OP and other learners.

Started earlier this month, the RSA Proxy Driver Scheme is aimed at raising the numbers of learners' permit holders passing the practical test.

RSA PDS matches learners with experienced licence-holders based on age and certain key physical characteristics and on payment of the €500 fee, they send the PD to the test-centre with a fully taxed and insured car and they sit the test.

Learners who avail of this scheme need to be aware that if, having availed of the RSA PDS , they fail the test, they are barred from ever holding a driver's licence.

Learners who are interested in participating in the RSA's PDS should write, enclosing €490 cash deposit, to Uncle Gaye Byrne, RSA, PO Box 123, Riga, Latvia.

**Timbuk2**

mathepac wrote: »

Very true but they do have a new service that might interest OP and other learners.

Started earlier this month, the RSA Proxy Driver Scheme is aimed at raising the numbers of learners' permit holders passing the practical test.

RSA PDS matches learners with experienced licence-holders based on age and certain key physical characteristics and on payment of the €500 fee, they send the PD to the test-centre with a fully taxed and insured car and they sit the test.

Learners who avail of this scheme need to be aware that if, having availed of the RSA PDS , they fail the test, they are barred from ever holding a driver's licence.

Learners who are interested in participating in the RSA's PDS should write, enclosing €490 cash deposit, to Uncle Gaye Byrne, RSA, PO Box 123, Riga, Latvia.

If you have nothing helpful to contribute to the thread, then don't post.

mathepac

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

If you have nothing helpful to contribute to the thread, then don't post.

Gavin wrote: »

Drive accompanied?

Is this a trick question ?

Alanstrainor wrote: »

.... You could fly to the test centre if you wanted and it wouldn't make a difference.

Do you mean like the two preceding are helpful? I believe they are as helpful as mine, but they seem to have escaped your even-handed comments on OT or unhelpful posts.

What do the posters think?

**Timbuk2**

mathepac wrote: »

Do you mean like the two preceding are helpful? I believe they are as helpful as mine, but they seem to have escaped your even-handed comments on OT or unhelpful posts.

What do the posters think?

Gavin's post was answering the question, and Alanstrainor's post was helpful but you deleted the actual advice from your quote!

If you have any further questions PM me or another mod, this is dragging the thread off-topic.

ProudDUB

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Yes - normally the instructor will bring the candidate for a last lesson prior to the test and then accompany them to the test centre. The instructor will then usually go for a cup of tea or chat to the other instructors or examiners while you are doing your test. (The DOE do not provide vehicles for tests).

Not strictly true. The driving instructor has to log all of the 12 mandatory lessons being as being done (on the RSA website) BEFORE the the student will be assigned a test date. The first available date will be assigned & it will typically be several weeks after the last official lesson of the 12 mandatory has been completed. In other words, you can not go for your 12th & last lesson on the day of your test, and then show up at the test center an hour later to do your test.

When I was shopping around for lessons, I was quoted a fee for any additional sessions that take place after these 12 lessons are completed. Many driving schools offer a pre test session with an instructor where they can assess how ready you are do do your test & give you pointers on areas where they think you may fail. But there will be a fee for it. If you want your instructor to come with you on test day, and/or use his car to do your test, there will be a fee for that too.

Find out when you are booking your lessons, what happens on test day or the day before it, and what (if any) courtesy sessions they will offer you. Don't take it for granted that an instructor being there to hold your hand on test day is included in the price of your lessons.

scotty1

It is the law that you have to take a number driving lessons with a school of motoring your question should not arise as all driving school's will give you the last lesson before your test and accompany you to the test center if you own a car bring a qualified driver with you
.

blatantrereg

Does that law about a log of lessions apply to everyone?
My second provisional is expiring pretty soon I dont know if I have lessons logged officially - took a good number before that law came in.

woodchuck

blatantrereg wrote: »

Does that law about a log of lessions apply to everyone?
My second provisional is expiring pretty soon I dont know if I have lessons logged officially - took a good number before that law came in.

Assuming you got your first provisional before April 2011 then the log of lessons doesn't apply to you (but someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm wondering about the OPs question too. I'm probably going to look into booking my test soon and so far I've never driven unaccompanied. Ideally I'd obviously bring someone on the day to keep to the letter of the law, but depending on the date that might not be possible. Has anybody ever had a first hand bad experience with this when they arrive at the test centre?

teR_

Buy a slave who holds a valid full driving licence for more than two years.

SORTED.