Driving lessons advice for someone who hasn't driven in 5 years

antimatterx

From 2018 to 2019, I made several attempts to pass my driving test, taking many lessons and practicing with my parents, but I failed four times. After my last attempt, I lost motivation and stopped trying. I didn't reschedule the test or inform my instructor, and I stopped driving altogether. Then, when COVID hit, I just never went back to it.

Now, in my late 20s, I really need to get my license as it's affecting my life. I feel stuck because I can't even consider moving to a new place without it. I haven't driven in 5 years, but I've kept renewing my permit all this time.

What should I do now? Booking a test and a pre-test isn't enough at this point. Financially, I'm in a better position now and willing to invest in getting my license. Should I book a lot of lessons with an instructor? I've rejoined the queue for a test with RSA, but I'm unsure how long the wait will be.

Any advice?

thegame983

There are mandatory EDT lessons that you have to do (which is annoying) and as far as i know they have an expiry date (2 years, i think - i might be wrong).

So you have to do them before applying for your test.

Have you tried maybe going for an automatic? Much easier, especially if you have failed a few times.

Do your homework. Get 100% in the theory questions before you get in the car. Know your hand signals. If you get some of these wrong your tester will know you're not serious about passing.

I found these youtube channels helpful

https://www.youtube.com/%40admdrivingschool5033

https://www.youtube.com/%40DaneTygheletsdrive

extra-ordinary_

What did you fail on and was it different things each time? Book some lessons with a recommended instructor and see how they assess your driving.

antimatterx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217028#Comment_122217028

I've never heard of the edt lessons expiring. In any case I did them in 2015, I was able to do a test in 2019. They are checked as complete in my RSA account and I was able to request a test date this now.

Yeah I have thought about Automatics alot. The world is probably heading that way with EVS, but I don't want to limit myself if I don't have to. I may reconsider if I fail my test 2 or 3 more times.

Thanks for the links

antimatterx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217038#Comment_122217038

Observation, Reactions, Traffic and Vehicle controls are the categories with a hell of alot of grade 2s when I look back at my tests.

Pretty horrendous when I look back 5 years on

thegame983

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122217042#Comment_122217042

If it's checked on your RSA account then you're grand.

Re: automatic. If your comfortable driving manual, then your comfortable, no need to change. In fact, it might mess your head if you change things up.

As above poster said, get a few lessons and see where you stand.

It's all about observation. Checking my mirrors BEFORE I indicate was something that took me a while to get into my muscle memory.

User1998

Brush up on the theory and do some automatic gearbox lessons and pre tests and you should pass first time