Getting a driving test

edwardkiley

Hi
I am currently doing driving lessons and I hope to do my test asap.
I am on my 8th driving lesson. I am under a strict time schedule for a job getting a license. I was wondering if its possible to apply for the test and be in the waiting list for a test even if I dont have all my lessons done and/or what the quickest way to get a test is?
thanks

Gatling

Considering there is a huge backlog already due to the lock downs you won't be getting a test date anytime soon ,I've seen posts on here recently saying they got one straight away but I'm not believing that for one minute

cherryghost

You can apply before finishing lessons but your application won't trigger in the rsa system until your instructor adds in the 12 lessons. Then you have at least a 3 month waiting list

punisher5112

You also must have the learner permit at least 6 months before you can do a test.

edwardkiley

cherryghost wrote: »

You can apply before finishing lessons but your application won't trigger in the rsa system until your instructor adds in the 12 lessons. Then you have at least a 3 month waiting list

so their is no point in applying until I have finished the 12 lessons?
Like it wont speed up anything?

QJJQJDE

edwardkiley wrote: »

so their is no point in applying until I have finished the 12 lessons?
Like it wont speed up anything?

I don't think it will, however I booked my test as soon as I finished my lessons, and the next monday I called up the RSA and they gave me a cancellation date 9 days in advance. My test is on Wednesday afternoon, after having booked the test just over a week ago.

Gatling

Got this from the RSA

As a result of the above measures, our capacity to undertake driving tests has reduced significantly. To manage these capacity issues, we are scheduling tests in order of test application date while also facilitating the delivery of emergency testing for essential workers.



We are experiencing low cancellation rates, so our available capacity is quickly taken up. We are currently working on plans to address the capacity issues.



Because we are still catching up on scheduling tests for customers who applied before and during the suspension period, information on waiting times for driving tests is incomplete. We will however be providing this information in the coming weeks so that customers have an indication as to how long they may need to wait for a test at individual test centres..





I'd take with a very large pinch of salt anyone saying you can get a date in a week ,if you didn't have a date already booked prelock down it will be months before we see any real movement on test dates

dowhatyoulove

Gatling wrote: »

Got this from the RSA

As a result of the above measures, our capacity to undertake driving tests has reduced significantly. To manage these capacity issues, we are scheduling tests in order of test application date while also facilitating the delivery of emergency testing for essential workers.



We are experiencing low cancellation rates, so our available capacity is quickly taken up. We are currently working on plans to address the capacity issues.



Because we are still catching up on scheduling tests for customers who applied before and during the suspension period, information on waiting times for driving tests is incomplete. We will however be providing this information in the coming weeks so that customers have an indication as to how long they may need to wait for a test at individual test centres..





I'd take with a very large pinch of salt anyone saying you can get a date in a week ,if you didn't have a date already booked prelock down it will be months before we see any real movement on test dates

I’ve just got a test date through this morning - not at the test centre I want tho but it’s my home town so I’m hoping I’ll be ok. Interestingly they had more than one appointment in that particular place meaning if I fail at least I know I’ll be able to try again

QJJQJDE

dowhatyoulove wrote: »

I’ve just got a test date through this morning - not at the test centre I want tho but it’s my home town so I’m hoping I’ll be ok. Interestingly they had more than one appointment in that particular place meaning if I fail at least I know I’ll be able to try again

Yeah, there's actually plenty cancellations, especially with people wanting to not do it during school hours, which is back this week. Not sure what Gatling is on about, telling OP that short notice test posts should be taken with a grain of salt, myself and a fair few others got one as well. Sitting it Wednesday

Olwas2014

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Yeah, there's actually plenty cancellations, especially with people wanting to not do it during school hours, which is back this week. Not sure what Gatling is on about, telling OP that short notice test posts should be taken with a grain of salt, myself and a fair few others got one as well. Sitting it Wednesday

I have my test at 08:25 in the morning in a week just as school runs are starting and in my town there’s hardly any toad thst doesn’t pass a school 😩

Olwas2014

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Yeah, there's actually plenty cancellations, especially with people wanting to not do it during school hours, which is back this week. Not sure what Gatling is on about, telling OP that short notice test posts should be taken with a grain of salt, myself and a fair few others got one as well. Sitting it Wednesday

How did you get on? ðŸ˜

QJJQJDE

Olwas2014 wrote: »

How did you get on? ðŸ˜

Failed by a big margin. Oh well

dowhatyoulove

I managed to get a test in my preferred test centre thankfully - only week difference in length of time so cancellations are definitely coming up!

cherryghost

I got mine in via cancellation today, early next month. In Tallaght.

Olwas2014

Gatling wrote: »

Considering there is a huge backlog already due to the lock downs you won't be getting a test date anytime soon ,I've seen posts on here recently saying they got one straight away but I'm not believing that for one minute

I got a test after a week of completing my lessons on July 31st with three weeks notice. Sat the test yesterday and I passed. I have applied for the test in January before I even had my lessons finished. Maybe it just depends on the test centre and how busy it is. I did it in Tralee

QJJQJDE

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I got a test after a week of completing my lessons on July 31st with three weeks notice. Sat the test yesterday and I passed. I have applied for the test in January before I even had my lessons finished. Maybe it just depends on the test centre and how busy it is. I did it in Tralee

Congratulations! Been following your threads a bit whenever you posted to this forum. You may remember me from when I mucked up my test last week :P

eastie17

My son passed his test same day as he got his LC results. Day of Days

What we forgot is that of course you cant legally drive solo with the N plates until you have the licence issued, so appointment booked for that as well.

cherryghost

eastie17 wrote: »

My son passed his test same day as he got his LC results. Day of Days

What we forgot is that of course you cant legally drive solo with the N plates until you have the licence issued, so appointment booked for that as well.

I booked as soon as I got test date. Thers about 1 month waiting in my area for licencing. Hope I pass now...

Olwas2014

QJJQJDE wrote: »

Congratulations! Been following your threads a bit whenever you posted to this forum. You may remember me from when I mucked up my test last week :P

I was following yours too and I was hoping you would pass. I mucked up the hill start well after moving off from it, I went into gear 2 too quickly and the car struggled but i went back to 1st. I thought I failed but he only gave me a grade 1 for gears. He said it was a steeper hill than usual on a test route (test route that i never covered with an instructor but i think he was trying to avoid traffic from schools etc.) Two progress faults one turning right and one turning left. Two faults for reaction, hit a speed bump too fast and braked too hard in traffic and one fault for not looking left enough going through crossroads controlled by traffic lights. I was two or three faults from failing but looking back all these could have been avoided but I was a ball of nerves its bound to happen. I was a bit quick going forward into the bay parkng at the end so the wheels tipped the kerb and my instructor saw this happen and he thought I failed at the very end but only got a grade 2 and grade 3. I never hit a kerb while parking before so nerves are a big hindrence in tests. Have you rebooked for another test? I got an NDLS appointment on the same day for two hours after the test through a cancellation and got the licence applied for otherwise I would have been waiting until the 1st of October!

I really wish you luck and hope you get it the second time, remember its common to fail the first time so don't let it disheaten you, My family and I thought I would too due to being too nervous. Good Luck!

QJJQJDE

Olwas2014 wrote: »

I was following yours too and I was hoping you would pass. I mucked up the hill start well after moving off from it, I went into gear 2 too quickly and the car struggled but i went back to 1st. I thought I failed but he only gave me a grade 1 for gears. He said it was a steeper hill than usual on a test route (test route that i never covered with an instructor but i think he was trying to avoid traffic from schools etc.) Two progress faults one turning right and one turning left. Two faults for reaction, hit a speed bump too fast and braked too hard in traffic and one fault for not looking left enough going through crossroads controlled by traffic lights. I was two or three faults from failing but looking back all these could have been avoided but I was a ball of nerves its bound to happen. I was a bit quick going forward into the bay parkng at the end so the wheels tipped the kerb and my instructor saw this happen and he thought I failed at the very end but only got a grade 2 and grade 3. I never hit a kerb while parking before so nerves are a big hindrence in tests. Have you rebooked for another test? I got an NDLS appointment on the same day for two hours after the test through a cancellation and got the licence applied for otherwise I would have been waiting until the 1st of October!

I really wish you luck and hope you get it the second time, remember its common to fail the first time so don't let it disheaten you, My family and I thought I would too due to being too nervous. Good Luck!

Yep, rebooked my test there recently. Was dead set on just taking the bus for the rest of my life but I slept on it and decided I'm just going to keep attempting the test until I pass, or go broke. Ringing away every day now trying to get a cancellation .