Driving Test Preparation

LDC ADI 34490

For anyone with a driving test coming up shortly.

Here is a copy of the Driving Test Report Form http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/the-driving-test/DrivingTestReportForm.pdf

Below are pointers to what you need to be aware of for Observation (othercategories to follow as I put them up on my blog)

Observation

Moving Off

• Moving off from the kerb to your right, check middle and right mirror, right shoulder blind spot, signal if safe and move off while looking the direction you are going.
• Moving off to the left at T Junction, check middle and left mirror, left shoulder blind spot and move off while looking the direction you are going.

Overtaking

• Check middle and right mirror, signal right, glance over your right shoulder (90 degrees) out the driver side window (do not look behind you) and pull out.
• Ensure you can see vehicle you’ve overtaken in middle mirror before moving back in.

Changing Lanes

• Check middle and right mirror, signal right, glance over your right shoulder (90 degrees) out the driver side window (do not look behind you) and pull out.
• Moving into left lane check middle and left mirror, left shoulder glance and move to left lane if safe.

Cross Roads

• Scan ahead on approach for any potential hazards.
• Check appropriate mirrors on approach.
• If stopped at a closed junction where your view is restricted, creep your vehicle forward under control while leaning forward and scanning to the left, to the right and in front.
• Make sure you can see clearly both sides before moving off.
• While moving, make sure to be looking the direction your car is going.
• Once you are on the new road scan ahead and have a quick glance in your middle mirror and right mirror to get familiar with what is behind you.

Roundabouts

• Check appropriate mirrors on approach.
• Scan ahead and split your vision on approach for any potential hazards.
• Do not focus only on what is in front of you in your lane of traffic. You also need to get an idea of what’s happening with any traffic approaching from your right hand side at the roundabout so make sure to check early.
• Once you see the gap, be prepared to take as long as the traffic in front of you is clear.
• Check middle and left mirror and left shoulder glance exiting roundabout.

Turning Right

• Middle and Right mirror on approach
• Scan ahead on the road to see if there is any traffic approaching from the opposite direction.
• Very important to ensure you look into the new road you’re turning into for any hazards.
• Once you’ve turned scan ahead and quick check in your middle and right mirror to see what’s behind you.

Turning Left

• Middle and Left mirror on approach.
• Scan ahead and ensure you look into the new road you’re turning into for any hazards.
• Once you’ve turned scan ahead and quick check in your middle and right mirror to see what’s behind you.

Other ADI please feel free to add.

Thanks,
Padraic

LDC ADI 34490

For those with a driving test coming soon.

Check http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/the-driving-test/DrivingTestReportForm.pdf for the Driving Test Report Form

Positioning

On the Straight

• Correct position is slightly to the left on the straight.
• Don’t drive to close to the white line in the centre of the road.
• Give plenty of clearance (1 metre or a doors width) to parked vehicles.

On Bends

• Make sure you are not too tight on the left going around a left bend or to close to the white line in the centre going around a right bend.

In Traffic Lanes

• Keep within your road lane markings unless you need to move around an obstacle.
• If there are no road markings use the edge of the road on the left to help you with your positioning.
• Stay safe distance to vehicle in front.

At Cross Roads

• If turning left keep to the left side on approach.
• If turning right keep to the right side on approach.

At Roundabouts

• If going “left” keep in left lane on approach.
• If going “straight” keep in the left lane on approach and keep lane discipline by staying out in the left lane as going around the roundabout. Do not cut in too tight when crossing roundabout.
• If turning “right” keep in right lane on approach and stay in close to roundabout until exiting.

Turning Right

• Position vehicle close the white line in the centre of the road.
• If you need to stop make sure the front of you car is approx in line with the middle of the road you are turning into.
• Do not cut the corner.
• Get back into normal driving position to the left as soon as you can.

Turning Left

• Keep your position towards the left and take the corner neatly by following the inside of the corner
• Don’t swing to wide or cross the white line in the new road you’ve turned into
• Don’t mount or clip the kerb. Pay particular attention to back left wheel, it takes a shorter route than the others!

Stopping

• Don’t stop on pedestrian crossing or yellow box when going straight ahead.
• Don’t cause an obstruction.
• Make sure you can see the “tyres on tarmac” of the vehicle in front of you.

Following Traffic

• “Only a fool breaks the two second rule”.
• Wet weather doubles it.
• Make sure you can stop within the distance that you can see to clear ahead of you.

Other ADI's please feel free to add.

Thanks,
Padraic

LDC ADI 34490

Reaction to Hazards

This is all about anticipation and reaction i.e. the earlier you see something the sooner you react to it. Make sure you look well ahead of you.

A hazard is anything that might make you change your speed or your direction. There are moving hazards and static hazards e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, speed bumps, potholes etc

Get as much driving experience as possible in all road, traffic and weather conditions.

Some examples of good anticipation:

1. Never take the actions of another road user for granted. Be prepared to stop even if you have right of way!
2. Always look several cars ahead of you rather than at the car that’s directly in front. If you see brakes light ease of the gas while having a quick glance in your middle mirror and then apply the brakes if necessary.
3. When driving in traffic be wary of the vehicle in front is they are driving unusually slow, they may be looking for somewhere to pull in and park. Leave them plenty of room to manoeuvre. Often they may drive passed a parking spot, stop and reverse into the spot to park. Remember reverse lights are white so be ready to react if you see reverse lights coming on. You don’t want to stop to close and have to reverse yourself.
4. Watch out for your vulnerable road users i.e. pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Pedestrians often walk in between vehicles (if raining they may be running) cyclists may swerve to avoid potholes / puddles.
5. Always leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front, make sure you have enough time to stop within the distance ahead of you that is clear.

To summarise, you must “React promptly and properly to hazards” so as soon as you see a potential hazard ahead ease of the gas while checking your middle mirror, cover the brake and apply if necessary.


Thanks,
Padraic

LDC ADI 34490

Mirrors (Use properly, in good time and before signalling)

The “Mirrors” category overlaps very much with the “Observations” and has already been covered in the Observations post. However the following two aspects have not yet been covered.

On The Straight

· Check your mirrors regularly, especially the middle mirror, every 10 seconds or so is sufficient. You must be aware of what is in front of you and behind you at all times when driving

Slowing / Stopping

· Always check your mirrors before slowing down or stopping. You must always be aware if there is anything behind you. A good tip is every time you come off the gas pedal have a quick glance in your middle mirror



Best of luck,
Padraic