Motorist fails test for 12th time, despite driving for 45 years

godtabh

Link

A MOTORIST who has been driving for 45 years failed his driving test for the 12th time yesterday, and slated the testing regime as unfair.

How can some drive a car for 45 years and not pass a test? How is he still on the road?

Wossack

"It is soul destroying -- I know I am a good driver. I am a very safe driver," he said.

au contraire Mr Heffernan

Leonard Hofstadter

Wossack wrote: »

"It is soul destroying -- I know I am a good driver. I am a very safe driver," he said.

au contraire Mr Heffernan

If he was a good driver he would have passed the test:rolleyes:.

eringobragh

...bet he still drove back from the test centre alone :rolleyes:

Stark

However, Mr Heffernan would also have failed on the basis that he had four grade two faults under a single heading -- for 'observation/moving off'.

Sure what do you need that for, the other cars on the road have brakes.

dr.fuzzenstein

It's the typical "I Am Entitled To Drive!" mentality that gets me.
Every single person that is capable (just) of even applying for a driving licence, expects to pass the test and get a licence.
If that is the case, why not just scrap the test and give every single person (and cat and dog while we're at it) in the country a licence?
A test should theoretically determine whether you're fit to drive and if you fail X amount of times, maybe you should be told "Sorry, but you should not be on the road, if you cannot pass after 10 times, you're not fit to drive. You can't re-apply, here's a buss pass"

Diar

26 faults:eek:

How is he a good driver?

dgt

Hang on... He must have been one of the very first to go onto the provisional system...

Wasn't it up to about 1968 you could walk into the tax office and buy a licence?

Either way, safe driver me arse :pac:

nacimroc

Being told your not safe to drive on the roads 12 times should be a good indication that they are not safe on the road? It took him 45 years to do 12 tests? Got to love this country!

Its a shame that someone has to be killed by one of these drivers before the papers make a big deal of it and they cop on and put a limit on it.

twowheelsonly

If he's driving that long how come he didn't get a licence during the amnesty in the late 70s'/Early 80s' ?????

dr.fuzzenstein

It is obscene and wrong!
In Germany I enrolled in a driving school and first had to pass my theory test before being let near a car. Then I would do a set minimum number of lessons, ONLY in a dual controlled car WITH a qualified, licenced instructor and only EVER in the context of a driving lesson.
Then I did my test, failed and had to do a certain minimum amount of lessons extra before being allowed to resit my test. Passed this time (phew!) and then and only then was I allowed to sit in a car on my own and drive.
And I was still under probation. Had I gotten any points (which I did) I would have to do a refresher course with assessment at the end that I was fit to drive (which I was, phew again!).
Had I sat in my car with my dad and drove around with him giving me "lessons" I would have been had fro driving without licence and insurance, and he would have been had for allowing a person without a licence being in control of a car.
THAT is how that is done, Mr Heffernan would have forced to pass his test or get very well acquainted with public transport.
The German system makes you appreciate the privilege of being allowed to drive, rather than moan about the fact that someone wants to take away your God given entitlement to be on the road.
HOW IS THAT DIPSTICK DRIVING???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eringobragh

Everyone I know on a learner permit drives alone..no issues one girl driving a year before me still hasn't passed (driving since 04)...she went to do her test recently and said "I don't care, just need to do it to get another permit"...beggars belief

In the UK, Australia and probably most first world countries they wouldn't dream of getting behind the wheel unaccompanied!

..and lets be fair the Irish take on the Full Licence is a pretty simple test in comparison to the countries above...not as easy to get as it was 10 years ago, but you still don't have to jump through hoops like Australia.:cool:

eringobragh

twowheelsonly wrote: »

If he's driving that long how come he didn't get a licence during the amnesty in the late 70s'/Early 80s' ?????

too lazy to fill in the form I reckon...if hes only done 12 tests in 45 years that says it all,.

Sure it'll be grand..:pac:

Rovi

twowheelsonly wrote: »

If he's driving that long how come he didn't get a licence during the amnesty in the late 70s'/Early 80s' ?????

'Twas October 1979, see this post of mine in an old thread.

This guy has allegedly been driving since 1967 (45 years ago), but I too strongly suspect he only started accumulating Provisional licences fairly recently.

corktina

The gards should be targetting him so that if he turns a wheel unaccompanied, he gets booked. He didn't fail the test marginally, he failed it quite badly. Did he ever take any lessons I wonder?

inforfun

Driving, just like most things requires talent or skill.
If you lack that talent/skill you should walk or take public transport.

Fair to say that this guy lacks the talent/skill to drive a car and should not be near a steering wheel.

There should be a limit on the amount of tests a person can take. Fail 5 times, sorry, you are just not capable and you probably never will.
You can fail a test once maybe twice due to bad luck but not 12 times.

dr.fuzzenstein

corktina wrote: »

The gards should be targetting him so that if he turns a wheel unaccompanied, he gets booked. He didn't fail the test marginally, he failed it quite badly. Did he ever take any lessons I wonder?

Fiddy bucks he didn't.

demanufactured

Hes probably never had a proper driving lesson in his life.
And just drove around the same way everyone else doea during his test....one hand on the wheel...laxy-daisy .

keithclancy

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It is obscene and wrong!
In Germany I enrolled in a driving school and first had to pass my theory test before being let near a car. Then I would do a set minimum number of lessons, ONLY in a dual controlled car WITH a qualified, licenced instructor and only EVER in the context of a driving lesson.
Then I did my test, failed and had to do a certain minimum amount of lessons extra before being allowed to resit my test. Passed this time (phew!) and then and only then was I allowed to sit in a car on my own and drive.
And I was still under probation. Had I gotten any points (which I did) I would have to do a refresher course with assessment at the end that I was fit to drive (which I was, phew again!).
Had I sat in my car with my dad and drove around with him giving me "lessons" I would have been had fro driving without licence and insurance, and he would have been had for allowing a person without a licence being in control of a car.
THAT is how that is done, Mr Heffernan would have forced to pass his test or get very well acquainted with public transport.
The German system makes you appreciate the privilege of being allowed to drive, rather than moan about the fact that someone wants to take away your God given entitlement to be on the road.
HOW IS THAT DIPSTICK DRIVING???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you also get a tub of this free when you go to pay for the lessions:



:pac::pac::pac::pac:

Wasn't there a licensing amnesty anyway back in the 80s ?

Colonel Sanders

That is not to say a licence means you can drive. Most idiots I see on the road do not have L plates up. As I've said before I passed a driving test that did not involve going about 60 km/h FFS

You need to renew your licence every 10 years. IMO every driver should have to resit the test at least as often

godtabh

The threatening of legal action should get him a bank like it would if you did the same on boards

inforfun

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

That is not to say a licence means you can drive.

True, but at least it should filter out the worst clowns.

Tallon

I need to see that test result sheet!

keithclancy

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

You need to renew your licence every 10 years. IMO every driver should have to resit the test at least as often

I think this would be seen as a money making exercise.

What about all the non Irish license holders living in Ireland ?

Tallon

Tallon wrote: »

I need to see that test result sheet!

He failed on:

Position:
Stopping -
Grade2

Observation:
moving Off -
Grade2
Grade2
Grade2
Grade2

Mirrors:
Turning Left -
Grade1
Grade1

Signals:
Changing lane -
Grade2

At Roundabouts -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Vehicle Controls:
Clutch -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Gears -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Handbrake -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Speed:
Speed limit -
Grade2

Traffic Controls:
Road Markings -
Grade2
Grade2


:eek:

inforfun

Does he even have eyes,ears,arms and legs?

galwaytt

captainspeed wrote: »

If he was a good driver he would have passed the test:rolleyes:.

I agree that there's something amiss here with this guy and the test.

But the Irish test - an 'NCT' for drivers - isn't a driving skills test at all. It's merely being able to demonstrate your ability to do what you're told. Driving skills, per se, don't come into it.

Having just gone back and passed my truck test last year, and my last driving test of any kind being in 1988, I still believe that to be the case.

No excuses for not learning 'how to pass' after 12 attempts, though, either. There really should be no clause to allow you to drive 'ad nauseam' on a permanent series of Provisionals though. After x attempts, you should get a bar of some kind.

Stark

keithclancy wrote: »

I think this would be seen as a money making exercise.

Even though driving tests are run at a net cost to the State.

godtabh

Tallon wrote: »

He failed on:

Position:
Stopping -
Grade2

Observation:
moving Off -
Grade2
Grade2
Grade2
Grade2

Mirrors:
Turning Left -
Grade1
Grade1

Signals:
Changing lane -
Grade2

At Roundabouts -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Vehicle Controls:
Clutch -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Gears -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Handbrake -
Grade1
Grade1
Grade2

Speed:
Speed limit -
Grade2

Traffic Controls:
Road Markings -
Grade2
Grade2


:eek:

Where did you get that?

Colonel Sanders

Stark wrote: »

keithclancy wrote: »

I think this would be seen as a money making exercise.

Even though driving tests are run at a net cost to the State.

The standard of driving on the roads is appalling. Anything that can improve it might be worth a try

Seeing as you'd already have a licence there'd be nothing to stop you being taken on a motorway. Life time ban for sitting in middle lane or crawling along at 60K

Tallon

godtabh wrote: »

Where did you get that?

keithclancy

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

The standard of driving on the roads is appalling. Anything that can improve it might be worth a try

Seeing as you'd already have a licence there'd be nothing to stop you being taken on a motorway. Life time ban for sitting in middle lane or crawling along at 60K

Well then fix the test then, having tests every 10 years for drivers just wouldn't be feasible, theres a waiting list for people just getting their license now ffs

eringobragh

That report is a disgrace..more x's then sense.

gufnork

When I lived in England, my neighbour passed her test on the 22nd attempt. She gave me a lift back from town once just after she passed. She was as good a driver as anyone else I've come across.

Some people just go to pieces when taking tests. I wonder if a system of continuous assessment is the way to go. A single practical test strikes me as being a good way of ensuring that a lot of people take several attempts to pass, thereby generating more money for everyone except the poor potential driver.

dr.fuzzenstein

gufnork wrote: »

When I lived in England, my neighbour passed her test on the 22nd attempt. She gave me a lift back from town once just after she passed. She was as good a driver as anyone else I've come across.

Some people just go to pieces when taking tests. I wonder if a system of continuous assessment is the way to go. A single practical test strikes me as being a good way of ensuring that a lot of people take several attempts to pass, thereby generating more money for everyone except the poor potential driver.

Can I get 23? Anyone got 23? 22 going once...
(Obviously still hope for that guy:rolleyes:)

CiniO

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

It is obscene and wrong!
In Germany I enrolled in a driving school and first had to pass my theory test before being let near a car. Then I would do a set minimum number of lessons, ONLY in a dual controlled car WITH a qualified, licenced instructor and only EVER in the context of a driving lesson.
Then I did my test, failed and had to do a certain minimum amount of lessons extra before being allowed to resit my test. Passed this time (phew!) and then and only then was I allowed to sit in a car on my own and drive.
And I was still under probation. Had I gotten any points (which I did) I would have to do a refresher course with assessment at the end that I was fit to drive (which I was, phew again!).
Had I sat in my car with my dad and drove around with him giving me "lessons" I would have been had fro driving without licence and insurance, and he would have been had for allowing a person without a licence being in control of a car.
THAT is how that is done, Mr Heffernan would have forced to pass his test or get very well acquainted with public transport.
The German system makes you appreciate the privilege of being allowed to drive, rather than moan about the fact that someone wants to take away your God given entitlement to be on the road.
HOW IS THAT DIPSTICK DRIVING???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looked nearly the same for me in Poland 13 years ago when I was doing my licence.
First theory lessons with driving school. Then after than my driving school would do a theory test to check if I know the rules, before they could let me in the car.
After that 30 hours of lessons with an instructor in dual-control car.
And after that a driving test in official driving test centre which consisted of theory test and driving test.
Only drawback is that tests were always done in the city, therefore no one was really checked how they can drive on country roads or motorways. I think this was changed since.

2Scoops

To be fair, there are only 12 or 13 grade 2 errors there - he was closer than some might think to actually passing. Looks to me like he never got a lesson in his life, though. He might be surprised to learn all the stuff he's not doing correctly.

S28382

Its way too easy to pass the test in this country, there should a refresher test for full time drivers every few yrs and it might just get rid of the retards that drive in this country. Religion should be got rid of in school and driving education should be brought in to replace it.

lau1247

eringobragh wrote: »

Everyone I know on a learner permit drives alone..no issues one girl driving a year before me still hasn't passed (driving since 04)...she went to do her test recently and said "I don't care, just need to do it to get another permit"...beggars belief

The minds boggles.. if she make any good attempt at it she might save a good bit on the old insurance and applying for tests..

Cienciano

keithclancy wrote: »

Yes, you also get a tub of this free when you go to pay for the lessions:



:pac::pac::pac::pac:

Wasn't there a licensing amnesty anyway back in the 80s ?

You might have to pay for lessons in germany, but insurance is a fraction of what it is here. My mate paid around €1500 to do all the lessons and tests for his motorbike over there, but when he got his first bike, a 650cc enduro style bike, insurance cost him €70. At the same time I was paying €2100 for insurance on a 125cc that would barely do 55mph.
I'd happily pay for the licence if it meant a better quality of driver and much cheaper insurance.

alias no.9

galwaytt wrote: »

But the Irish test - an 'NCT' for drivers - isn't a driving skills test at all. It's merely being able to demonstrate your ability to do what you're told. Driving skills, per se, don't come into it.

The test is verifying that you can competantly operate a car, have you the skills to get into any car on your own and drive off without posing a risk to other road users. It marks the begining of really learning to drive rather than the end. I don't know about others, but when I get into an unfamilair car, I revert to something akin to the driving test style until I get a feel for it.

goz83

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

You need to renew your licence every 10 years. IMO every driver should have to resit the test at least as often

Don't be giving that Varadkar fellar any ideas. He will scream "Safety" but rub his dirty filthy hands all the way to the bank.

loobylou

2Scoops wrote: »

To be fair, there are only 12 or 13 grade 2 errors there - he was closer than some might think to actually passing. Looks to me like he never got a lesson in his life, though. He might be surprised to learn all the stuff he's not doing correctly.

4 marks for observation moving off, so most likely never checked his blindspot. Had he done that he would have been only one fault away from a pass.

keithclancy

Cienciano wrote: »

You might have to pay for lessons in germany, but insurance is a fraction of what it is here. My mate paid around €1500 to do all the lessons and tests for his motorbike over there, but when he got his first bike, a 650cc enduro style bike, insurance cost him €70. At the same time I was paying €2100 for insurance on a 125cc that would barely do 55mph.
I'd happily pay for the licence if it meant a better quality of driver and much cheaper insurance.

I was joking. :pac:

But you can do the driving license in a one week intensive course, costs 3500 euros. Mate in work did it a few months ago.

Missus is doing her Dutch license now, it'll cost her around 2400 in total.

Indricotherium

Is there any way someone with a full license can do the test, just for kicks.

I'd like to see how I'd get on.

Tallon

Indricotherium wrote: »

Is there any way someone with a full license can do the test, just for kicks.

I'd like to see how I'd get on.

Are you happy to go back to a Provisional should you fail?

Mar4ix

It is indeed ridiculous, that shows how driver teaching system is wrong. I think thats is the right way getting driving license in Germany. , how was mentioned .

Just for information, i know in Soviet Union times, to get driver license, students had to know car components and how they build, like how build is engine, whats common problems, and how fix . My father did it, he never had difficulties fix car , as he did that course. these days he getting lazy, goin to garage to do some heavy stuff...

Indricotherium

Tallon wrote: »

Are you happy to go back to a Provisional should you fail?

LOL no, but it might but to bed some of the excuses about how the test was easier when I done it from the OH.

corktina

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

That is not to say a licence means you can drive. Most idiots I see on the road do not have L plates up. As I've said before I passed a driving test that did not involve going about 60 km/h FFS

You need to renew your licence every 10 years. IMO every driver should have to resit the test at least as often

Most L drivers unaccompanied dont display L plates

goz83

corktina wrote: »

Most L drivers unaccompanied dont display L plates

They would be asking to be pulled over if they did. Would be like a man walking into the ladies rest room to take a dump. You shouldn't do it, but if you do, don't get seen doing it.

TwoShedsJackson

Indricotherium wrote: »

Is there any way someone with a full license can do the test, just for kicks.

I'd like to see how I'd get on.

Ring a driving school, I'm sure they'd be happy to charge you €70 to drive around with you for an hour and fill out a test form.