Learning to drive and practising on Learner Permit

Mixomatosis

Good Evening,

I'm stuck in a bit of a conundrum with regards to practising for my upcoming driving test, and was wondering if anyone on here could help or provide suggestions.

The problem :

I have my driving test coming up in 6 weeks, which I will be taking in my own vehicle. I booked it because I feel that I am ready (from a practical aspect) to hopefully pass the test.

Now, I am looking for ways to get in more practice. I hope to hone my reversing skills, thoroughly learn the test route, and make my driving bulletproof so that I pass first time.

Given that I have a learner permit, to facilitate this I need the assistance of a fully licensed driver.

Up 'til this point I have practised using 2 methods :

1) Investing in 20+ hours of formal driving instruction (not including EDTs, which have been completed too)
2) At the weekends, having a family member visit and accompany me on the road for practice purposes.

Going forward, and until my test in 6 weeks time I would like to be able to get out on the road more frequently. Due to the learner permit restriction on driving alone, the logistics pose a bit of a challenge.

My family lives about a 2 hour drive from my current location, so their help is out of the question during the working week. None of my friends currently possess a full driving license (city folk ), and therefore I can't pursue that route.

Honestly, driving alone on a learner permit is out of the question for me, whether or not it is widely enforced etc.

I was wondering if anyone else had found themselves in a similar situation, in that family are not in a convenient location to assist with further practice, and friends are not 'equipped' to help.

Is the only solution to shell out ~35 euro per hour for further formal driving instruction?

Any comments / input would be welcome!

ProudDUB

Cast a wider net.

Do you have any work colleagues that would appreciate a lift to/from work?

Do you have any older neighbours who would appreciate a lift to the shops, doctors appointments, gym, golf club, Mass, hospital visits etc etc? There are many people who no longer drive or own a car of their own, for what ever reason. But as they still have a drivers license, they meet the accompanying driver criteria.

Are their any charities (such as Meals on Wheels) around, that would appreciate a driver donating their time, in return for having another person in the car with them?

If the usual coterie of friends and family are not available to you, try thinking outside the box a bit.

Redser87

Or if the above doesn't work, how about asking a neighbour to sit with you in return for babysitting services etc..

Mixomatosis

Thanks for the replies and input!

About 1 week later and I'm coming up empty. I 'advertised' my services to my local gaming community, in the hope that someone could do with a personal chauffeur - but no luck just yet.

I'm residing in North County Dublin and don't really know my neighbours well, or indeed at all.

Giving lifts to/from work won't work out as I'd have to drive unaccompanied for at least a large part of the route (to pick up / drop off).

I'm still investigating the charity work as an angle, good suggestion. However I work 9-5 Mon->Fri so probably couldn't volunteer my services at a time that would be useful. I'll keep looking.

At this point, I'm wondering whether there's a niche market for 'quasi' driving instructors. i.e. someone with a Full License for more than 2 years, who would be willing to sit in a passenger seat of a 'L' drivers vehicle for a small fee. Not to instruct, just to be there, and observe

Other than this, really, it looks like I will definitely have to splash out on further 'lessons' to get some practice in the next 5 weeks.

ArtOfEscape

I've seen a few posts in this forum from licensed drivers offering accompaniment in exchange for donations to a charity that's important to them -- might be worth having a search for those Best of luck!

LilyShame

Been down this long road Op!
I looked into everything suggested here. I donated to another forum contributors initiative and together we raised 750 Euros for his chosen charity. An excellent scheme. Google ' my charity L drivers accompany volunteer' and you get the jist. So maybe you could replicate?
I have shouted out here for some RSA input to this increasingly common problem. No response. I had the ear of an interested driving tester who suggested I email RSA HQ outlining the idea. No response. My next port of call is an appropriate TD! RSA need to be seen to be in line with global best practice....but gardai don't have resources to enforce. So basically many don't follow the rule.
I think in oz they have a panel of mentors that learners can draw from. This would be useful here for all those learners who need a willing volunteer ...brave volunteer! In the meantime this law is not observed by the majority.

LilyShame

PS. I looked into the quasi instructor idea. You can't pay someone..ie they can't make revenue out of sitting in car with you. It would skew the market for ADIs. Hence charity idea. Thats the official line on it.

Also you can't carry a drunk or stoned full licence holder for the obvious reason that they are your second pair of eyes. So no offering to bring colleagues to the pub etc.

But yeah I do empathise with you as it can be hard to find a willing mentor. The charity donation page might be a good start for you!

Mixomatosis

Fantastic ideas! Thanks for the help

ArtOfEscape

LilyShame wrote: »

Also you can't carry a drunk or stoned full licence holder for the obvious reason that they are your second pair of eyes. So no offering to bring colleagues to the pub etc.

Has there been any statement about this from the RSA or Gardai? I don't deny that a drunk sponsor would be of limited help but I remember that when this was discussed on the forum before, there didn't seem to be any guidance out there that explicitly ruled this out, only that the sponsor had to have had their licence for two years. Nor was there anything that said that the sponsor had to be in a position to take over the vehicle etc. if the need arose, just that they had to be in the car - their role wasn't clearly defined. Just curious!

Redser87

Would you put up a thread on the Dublin forum? You might just find someone who would be prepared to sit with you in return for babysitting or taking out their bins while they are on holiday or something.

chocolate boy123

You can go on living social , groupon and grab one. A lot of the time they offer deals such as 2 lessons for 30 euro , spend them lessons doing your reverse manoeuvre etc. Buying more lessons is last resort but if it comes to it at least you'll be getting 2 for 30 instead of one for 35.