Intensive pre-driving prep for a 3rd driving test (ideally North Tipp/ Limerick)

bearamy98

Hi,

I have done my 12 EDT lessons and a few more since (so about 19 lessons in total, mostly a year or two ago) but despite practicing as much as I could, I have recently failed two driving tests (one at the end of March and one last week), mainly for cutting out when trying to move off and other little things like that so am gutted but now as determined to get it the next time.

I’m a nervous/ anxious person in general so that probably doesn’t help my driving, especially in the test situation.

So my parents would like me to do a few pre-test lessons that hopefully would help to allow me to work on these issues so that I can be a better driver and hopefully pass my next/ third test.

So now I am just trying to suss out which driving instructors might be able to cater to my needs and offer the best deal/ value for money as well as the best tuition.

My preference would be to apply for my test in the next few days (once I’ve heard back from people saying what they can offer me), get a date as soon as possible and then do some intensive test prep in the run-up to the test (ideally like those ones you see advertised that can have you driving in less than a week).

Is intensive driving lessons/ test prep (ideally in as short of a length as possible rather than having maybe one lesson per week for a few weeks) something that is commonly available to learner students? I just prefer the idea of getting it over and done with in a shorter length of time rather than stretching it out unnecessarily

And if so, how much would it cost and how many lessons and hours would be included?

And if not, how much would normal lessons cost and can they be tailored to work towards test prep?

So does anyone know of any good intensive pre-test driving lessons/ courses? (Ideally in the north Tipp or Limerick area but if there was any good value ones further afield I’d be willing to travel)

Sorry for long enquiry and all of the questions, I just don’t want to fail my test for a third time over silly things so want to make sure that if I’m spending my hard-earned money on another test and lessons/ test prep that it will have been all worth it!

MascotDec85

There are a few things to establish before anyone can fully answer or indeed some of these questions you can ask yourself to determine whether or not you are truly ready to resist the test.

You’ve done around 19 hrs driving with an ADI. This includes the 12 EDT lessons. During the time, have you done any additional practice? If so, how much and to what extent? ie. is it full and proper practice or a bit of practice in car parks? Did you follow the advice in the EDT booklet recommending 3hrs of practice between each EDT lesson?

Are you under pressure to sit/pass the test in the shortest time possible and/or by the cheapest method possible? - this might not be helping your anxiety.

Do you genuinely feel able to control the car, anticipate and react appropriately to most hazards which might present themselves to you on test or do you still feel you need the guidance of someone beside you, talking you through what to do?

I think these questions need answered, maybe not on this public forum in their entirety but at least in your own head.

The question also is, do you need the added pressure of a short test date looming and you cramming in all these lessons in the hope you’re ready for it. That, to me, is unwanted stress and for someone, by your own admission finds these test situations hard, I don’t think will help you.

I hope that helps you somewhat.
Intensive courses can work, but they aren’t for everyone. You could end up throwing good money after bad.

Rubberchikken

i agree^^.
what you really need is plenty of practice with an accompanying licence holder.
its grsnd to get the intensive lessons and pass the test but if you're an anxious driver how will you cope with a full licence on your own?

practice snd more practice and you'll fly through that test.

good luck

bearamy98

Thanks guys!

I like driving so generally am relatively calm when driving but do get frazzled and panicking if something keeps going wrong for me or I’m holding up people or that (unfortunately my anxiety affects me a lot more in day-to-day life, especially in social situations, so at least it doesn’t usually affect my driving as driving is something I want to be able to do)

There would have been a few periods of time over the almost three years I’ve had my learner permits where I mightn’t get to practice for a while but generally in fairness my parents do try to let me drive to or from work with them or practice on the local bypasses and around the town (the town would be more at the weekends when it wouldn’t be as busy) and i’ve driven to or from (but mostly to) Castleconnell on the old Nenagh-Limerick road (they wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing me into Limerick city itself just yet) and occasionally in other areas as much as they can (i’d probably get to practice to some extent maybe about 20-30 minutes each time and maybe 4,5,6 days most weeks) so thankfully my practicing hasn’t been confined to car parks by any means

That’s why it frustrates me when I do screw up as I try to revise some theory most days and do get out to practice and thought I had gotten over my difficulty with changing gears or not fully being in gear and cutting out and that. Like on the day of my test last week, I drove almost perfectly before hand on my way up to the test centre and have drove fairly well in the few times I’ve been out since, but yet can’t pull it off on the day”

I don’t need my licence for anything in particular yet, but given that I’ve spent the bones of €300 on driving lessons and tests at this stage (my parents paid for the EDT ones and then because I wanted to do my test myself we agreed that I’d fund an extra few lessons and the test fees myself since they’re not in a position to), and it’s the only the thing I really want and am working towards at the moment, I would love to get it as soon as I can since I’ve invested so much time and money into it all.

And it would be great to get it so that it could help to reduce the insurance bill and I work varied hours at work so it would be great if I could bring myself to and from work with one of our cars if they weren’t using it or hopefully soon I’ll be able get myself a car and then it will save them having to ferry me around as much

Oh and the reason I’d prefer to do intensive prep rather than normal is that I hate when things drag out over a long time and there’s long gaps between lessons or that so I prefer to get things over and done with so that’s why I like the idea of reapplying soon, getting a date and then doing intensive prep in the run up to it so that I would get it over and done with in a shorter length of time and also it would mean that I wouldn’t have too much time to be worrying about any mistakes I’d make and then start worrying am I ready for the test or not and not having time or wanting to change it

So even though at times I’m frustrated with it all and might feel like abandoning it all, I know it’s something i really want to be able to do and would deeply regret it if I abandoned it, that’s why I want to get it so that I can be proud of myself, be more independent and don’t leave it lingering too long so that I don’t get disheartened and give up on it all

Thanks again for all yer advice and concerns!