Automatic driving test

capefear

Is it possible to pass the test in a month if you do one or two automatic lessons a day mon - friday. Starting as a complete nervous beginner with no car to practice in?

cherryghost

First off the waiting list for the test is 3+ months. And you have to wait 6 months to take the test anyway for first timers. So I wouldnt pack all your lessons in as quick as possible. Pace it out, take your time. Do all the lessons, you'll have plenty of time after to decide if you need more lessons, or get a car yourself to practice in also.

scrumqueen

cherryghost wrote: »

First off the waiting list for the test is 3+ months.

What are you basing this info on?

RSA site says for my centre in Dublin currently, 6 weeks?

punisher5112

Ask your instructor.... Get a preview test before you decide....

Totally doable but it all depends on who and how good they are.

DesperateDan

scrumqueen wrote: »

What are you basing this info on?

RSA site says for my centre in Dublin currently, 6 weeks?

And you have to wait 6 months to take the test anyway for first timers.

That's the important bit ^

HannahR31

scrumqueen wrote: »

What are you basing this info on?

RSA site says for my centre in Dublin currently, 6 weeks?

The RSA website hasn't got updated wait times since they've been back operating. Word on the ground from instructors is 3 months because of backlog and reduced capacity due to covid.

I wouldn't rush it anyway unless you really take to it like a duck to water. There's a lot to driving when you first start.

bmc58

And if you do your test in an automatic,I think you will be limited to driving automatics only.(I think)

punisher5112

bmc58 wrote: »

And if you do your test in an automatic,I think you will be limited to driving automatics only.(I think)

Of course one is... Sure why would anyone do it in a manual then....

Wishbone Ash

scrumqueen wrote: »

What are you basing this info on?

RSA site says for my centre in Dublin currently, 6 weeks?

That might be for those eligible to apply. A first timer (in category must have a LP for 6 months before taking a test.

Wishbone Ash

bmc58 wrote: »

And if you do your test in an automatic,I think you will be limited to driving automatics only.(I think)

Yes, if you past the test in a vehicle with automatic transmission, you may only apply for a restricted licence.

scrumqueen

HannahR31 wrote: »

The RSA website hasn't got updated wait times since they've been back operating. Word on the ground from instructors is 3 months because of backlog and reduced capacity due to covid.

I wouldn't rush it anyway unless you really take to it like a duck to water. There's a lot to driving when you first start.

No I think they are updating them, as mine was previously 6 weeks and yesterday it was down to 4.2. But as you say, no rush if you can afford to wait that is!

woody84

scrumqueen wrote: »

No I think they are updating them, as mine was previously 6 weeks and yesterday it was down to 4.2. But as you say, no rush if you can afford to wait that is!

Where did you see the info on waiting times?

scrumqueen

woody84 wrote: »

Where did you see the info on waiting times?

On the RSA Website HERE

HannahR31

scrumqueen wrote: »

On the RSA Website HERE

I wonder is this post by them not accurate anymore: HERE

scrumqueen

HannahR31 wrote: »

I wonder is this post by them not accurate anymore: HERE

Ah ok, I hadn't seen that statement.

Well all I can tell you is that the interactive map that shows the wait times, even if it is wrong is definitely decreasing for my centre as it dropped from 6 to 4.2 since retesting started.

QJJQJDE

scrumqueen wrote: »

Ah ok, I hadn't seen that statement.

Well all I can tell you is that the interactive map that shows the wait times, even if it is wrong is definitely decreasing for my centre as it dropped from 6 to 4.2 since retesting started.

It most definitely hasn't gone down, with the massive covid backlog that's still there, and they're working at a reduced capacity

HannahR31

QJJQJDE wrote: »

It most definitely hasn't gone down, with the massive covid backlog that's still there, and they're working at a reduced capacity

Ye I definitely wouldn't rely on the map because my boyfriend applied for his test 5 weeks ago and hasn't got a date yet (and when he applied it said he would get at least 4 weeks notice) - and on the map his test centre says the wait time is 4.8 weeks.

QJJQJDE

HannahR31 wrote: »

Ye I definitely wouldn't rely on the map because my boyfriend applied for his test 5 weeks ago and hasn't got a date yet (and when he applied it said he would get at least 4 weeks notice) - and on the map his test centre says the wait time is 4.8 weeks.

Cancellation is where it's at. Was on hold for 25 minutes and got a test date for next Wednesday afternoon, currently bricking it

HannahR31

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Cancellation is where it's at. Was on hold for 25 minutes and got a test date for next Wednesday afternoon, currently bricking it

He needed a few more weeks of doing routes I think! Would have had a stroke if he'd been given a date so soon.

Good luck! It'll fly by; quickest half an hour of your life.

QJJQJDE

HannahR31 wrote: »

He needed a few more weeks of doing routes I think! Would have had a stroke if he'd been given a date so soon.

Good luck! It'll fly by; quickest half an hour of your life.

I’ve feck all experience myself, drove me own car for about a week, done all my lessons in the span of 2 months, gonna pump out all the practice I can in the next week and hope for the best. I need a license by October and coronavirus having hit I didn’t get much of a chance to do much more practice than I currently have done.

I’m probably not gonna do much regarding the test route as I’m doing it in Loughrea and it can only get so complicated there

I’m confident enough, especially if the driving is as short as I heard it was. Gonna reverse around all the corners I can find and wing it I guess ;D

GalwayyGirl

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Cancellation is where it's at. Was on hold for 25 minutes and got a test date for next Wednesday afternoon, currently bricking it

Same thing happened to me. If you try calling them they might tell you what available cancellation dates are coming up.

HannahR31

QJJQJDE wrote: »

I’ve feck all experience myself, drove me own car for about a week, done all my lessons in the span of 2 months, gonna pump out all the practice I can in the next week and hope for the best. I need a license by October and coronavirus having hit I didn’t get much of a chance to do much more practice than I currently have done.

I’m probably not gonna do much regarding the test route as I’m doing it in Loughrea and it can only get so complicated there

I’m confident enough, especially if the driving is as short as I heard it was. Gonna reverse around all the corners I can find and wing it I guess ;D

Some unsolicited advice for you so Every little helps.

I've heard multiple times of instructors teaching the reverse round a corner by adjusting the wing mirror way down (to see the corner easily) but people then forgetting to put it up again before moving on! If you can at all do it without adjusting the mirror. If you sit up really tall you accomplish almost the same view in the mirror anyway.

Also I think the pre-driving bits of the test are SO important (the theory questions especially). You want to give the impression from the word go that you know what you're doing. The testers are only human; if you nail the theory stuff with confidence they will be more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt in a 'hmm will I mark that or not' situation. The test is a game; you have to win over the tester as best you can and then just don't do something stupid during the driving.

Darc19

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Cancellation is where it's at. Was on hold for 25 minutes and got a test date for next Wednesday afternoon, currently bricking it

You’ll be lucky with the weather. Meant to be OK.

Remember, all the tester is checking is if you are OK on the roads.

They are not trying to catch you out.

QJJQJDE

HannahR31 wrote: »

Some unsolicited advice for you so Every little helps.

I've heard multiple times of instructors teaching the reverse round a corner by adjusting the wing mirror way down (to see the corner easily) but people then forgetting to put it up again before moving on! If you can at all do it without adjusting the mirror. If you sit up really tall you accomplish almost the same view in the mirror anyway.

Thank you for all the advice, it's definitely putting me a bit more at ease - after all it can't be that difficult of a test in such a short amount of time. I don't think I'll be lowering my mirrors anyway because in a day-to-day situation I wouldn't be doing that, and I want it as normal an experience as possible when I drive, without all the gimmicks of lowering mirrors.

I will definitely study your advice, along with the theory questions and road signs!
Thank you so much!