Failed driving test

cmos_ajay · 09-07-2012 11:32AM

There is a quota system in the driving test. If 50 percent people fail, then they will have to pay 85 euros again to repeat the test. Its a money making racket guys. Wake up to the reality.

Faith+1 · 09-07-2012 03:54PM

cmos_ajay wrote: »

There is a quota system in the driving test. If 50 percent people fail, then they will have to pay 85 euros again to repeat the test. Its a money making racket guys. Wake up to the reality.

That is a complete and utter myth. If you put the work in both theory/practice you will pass the test. It's not rocket science.

RacoonQueen · 10-07-2012 05:56PM

Failed in Churchtown. Got the failed before I got in the car feeling. Was ridiclously nervous, just not comfortable with the guy. Torrential rain just before I went in to the centre, muddled couldn't get my road signs. Fine on hand signals and under the bonnet. Fudged up my reverse around the corner and that threw me then I only went and clipped someones mirror. Straight fail for that anyway but he'd already given me a grade 3 for my reverse around a corner. Two kids on bikes on the road/path of the road I was reversing onto. Not really much I could do. Mostly pissed off about the 85 yoyo, nerves are the main reason I failed.

GFish · 11-07-2012 02:11AM

Faith+1 wrote: »

That is a complete and utter myth. If you put the work in both theory/practice you will pass the test. It's not rocket science.

Agreed. Those testers who are failing Ajay and Shagger and their like are doing exactly what they are being paid to do.

Driving does require a basic level of skill, but if you can't acquire that basic level, nobody wants you on the road. We pay driving testers to protect us from the few who can't.

GFish · 11-07-2012 02:52AM

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Failed in Churchtown. Got the failed before I got in the car feeling. Was ridiclously nervous, just not comfortable with the guy. ....

That sucks. But don't let it get to you.

Driving is a pretty basic skill - you sit in a tin box whose every movement you control. Making it go forward, back, left, right, etc are all basic mechanical skills:

left, right, forward, back, start, stop, change up, change down, mirror, signal, etc

You need to practice them until you don't need to think about them at all. Do it in a carpark, a field, your own drive, etc. Do it until your head is sick of it but your feet and hands can do it without your head even thinking about it

Then you can learn to drive - which is about anticipating and making decisions:
Is it safe to pull out?
Am I too close to the car in front?
What could go wrong now?
Is my speed safe?
Is the road slippy?
What could go wrong now?
What if that lorry shed it's load?
What could go wrong now?
Suppose a dog ran out in front of me now?
Suppose a dog ran out in front of the car in front of me?
What could go wrong now?

I'm sure there are bad testers, and I'm sure good drivers get failed unfairly now and again. But in general, I don't see any evidence that the testers are setting the standard too high.

RacoonQueen · 11-07-2012 11:13AM

GFish wrote: »

Agreed. Those testers who are failing Ajay and Shagger and their like are doing exactly what they are being paid to do.

Driving does require a basic level of skill, but if you can't acquire that basic level, nobody wants you on the road. We pay driving testers to protect us from the few who can't.

Ajay and Shagger probably aren't booking tests in the first place.

GFish wrote: »

That sucks. But don't let it get to you.

Driving is a pretty basic skill - you sit in a tin box whose every movement you control. Making it go forward, back, left, right, etc are all basic mechanical skills:

left, right, forward, back, start, stop, change up, change down, mirror, signal, etc

You need to practice them until you don't need to think about them at all. Do it in a carpark, a field, your own drive, etc. Do it until your head is sick of it but your feet and hands can do it without your head even thinking about it

Then you can learn to drive - which is about anticipating and making decisions:
Is it safe to pull out?
Am I too close to the car in front?
What could go wrong now?
Is my speed safe?
Is the road slippy?
What could go wrong now?
What if that lorry shed it's load?
What could go wrong now?
Suppose a dog ran out in front of me now?
Suppose a dog ran out in front of the car in front of me?
What could go wrong now?

I'm sure there are bad testers, and I'm sure good drivers get failed unfairly now and again. But in general, I don't see any evidence that the testers are setting the standard too high.

I think for a lot of people who feel they were failed unfairly it's because they are generally good drivers but get done over with nerves or while their observation may be good, they might miss a thing or two the examiner sees, it is the sort of test that you could do 5 times and fail on different things each time. I couldn't use the gears, clutch, brake etc right(basics) then once you do one thing wrong you know you should get right it's hard to bring yourself back from that. Going into it saying there's nothing to be nervous about it, you're well able for this - but soon as I had some oul fella in front of me I seized up.

Looking at the pass rates on the RSA website 47% for Churchtown, would think that is quite poor assuming that largely people are competent drivers when applying. :eek:

GFish · 21-08-2012 06:05PM

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Ajay and Shagger probably aren't booking tests in the first place.

I think for a lot of people who feel they were failed unfairly it's because they are generally good drivers but get done over with nerves or while their observation may be good, they might miss a thing or two the examiner sees, it is the sort of test that you could do 5 times and fail on different things each time. I couldn't use the gears, clutch, brake etc right(basics) then once you do one thing wrong you know you should get right it's hard to bring yourself back from that. Going into it saying there's nothing to be nervous about it, you're well able for this - but soon as I had some oul fella in front of me I seized up.

Looking at the pass rates on the RSA website 47% for Churchtown, would think that is quite poor assuming that largely people are competent drivers when applying. :eek:

I just bolded some of the reasons why you might not yet be ready to drive without supervision.

JohnMc1 · 27-08-2012 11:12AM

Tommie Kelly wrote: »

I just passed but I do think that the whole Progress element encourages unsafe driving.
Making people do things as fast as humanly possible, adds more stress and more danger to the road. Fine if you are going stupidly slow, but getting marked down because you don't instantly get to 50kph is, in my opinion, wrong and dangerous.

Just my two cent.

Agreed. It seems like an excuse to penalize people. I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted to say "Do you want me to drive carefully or do you want me to drive like a ****ing moron? because its seems like my only way to pass is to drive like a ****ing moron."

Progress and Observation are the two the testers really love to abuse. You get faulted if you observe too much and you get faulted if you check too little. No middle ground for these two areas.

caroline2k10 · 06-09-2012 04:31AM

Did my driving test today in woodview limerick failed by 2 grade 2's sickend but gonna reapply straight away

challengemaster · 07-09-2012 01:10AM

Mister Jingles wrote: »

And fair enough as much as €85 is a rip off its not going to change, I've even heard that it could possibly become even more dearer sometime in the future but like with the NCT for those who don't pass first time it should be cheaper to do it again. It would probably encourage more drivers to sit their test and not stay on their permit too long.

Not 3/4 years ago I believe the test was only €35 to sit, then €55 and now €85. Why the massive increase (not directed at you GFish) ?

I'm surprised nobody picked up on this yet, but here's your answer:

You do not pay the full whack for the driving test. Nowhere close to what it actually costs to run, even at €85. The test was and still is subsidised by the government, however with the recession and tightening budgets, the amount they can afford to subsidise the tests obviously decreased. Back when things were good and money was aplenty, they could afford to heavily subsidise the test and as such, €35 - 55 were the fees.

People tend to forget that driving is not a right, it's a privilege, and in fact there's no reason for government subsidy in the first place. So as much as a "rip off" you see it to be, you're about €1500 better off than other countries.

And no, it should not be cheaper again to repeat. The actual cost to run the test hasn't changed, so why should the government reward failure in something they're already being generous about? And when you consider the relative standard of the test, it's not difficult. There's absolutely no logical reason to reward anyone failing it.

That's like suggesting that should you fail college exams through your own fault, the college forks out the 7-9k for you to repeat the year. Living in cuckoo land I'm afraid. If anything the government should drop subsidy of the repeat and cost of the repeat test should go up, which would encourage people to actually pass their test first time around.

areyawell · 07-09-2012 03:45PM

So failed my driving test for the second time.
Got three grade 2's for Hazards which I have no idea what for. Didnt get one reaction to hazards the first time I did it. Met no bikes, pedestrians or anthin on the route. Asked the instructor and he wouldn't tell me at the end of the test.

One grade 3 for oberservation turning left in a housing estate. It was a T junction and there was a road on the right leading onto the road I was going onto. Said at the end of the test I never looked right. Of course I looked frickin right! No one is that stupid to go left without looking right.

1 Grade 2 for Rules/Checks - I knew everything about the engine, and all the signs still got a grade 2. How i got a frickin grade 2 there I dont know. Didnt get any marks the first time I did it.

1 Grade 3 for Obeservation on reverse? I looked in the left mirror reversing and also out the back window. looked all around me as well and all the mirrors to see if anything was coming. 2 Driving instructors said I was perfect at it. Got no thicks for using mirrors

Other couple of ticks on observation,. Do I need to turn my head 180 degrees or sumtin and tell him I'm looking right or sumtin. Second time doing it on the same route and got way more thicks than last time. Of course the test was in the highest failure rate centre in Ireland, KILKENNY. I failed the test the first time because I hit the kerb on reverse. Woulda passing it otherwise.

starlit · 07-09-2012 07:59PM

Take note where you were marked down on and work on them. That is as much as you can do other than practise as much as possible to pass the test. Its straight forward but sometimes the nerves can get you or not enough preparation.

I wasn't far off from a pass but just made two mistakes I shouldn't have only for them I'd have passed. Anyway since then I am challenging myself with the driving more in the hope I pass the test eventually. I didn't think I pass first time anyway but felt it be 50 50 if I did or didn't at the time. It's probably better I didn't pass first time meaning it gives me a chance to work on things I need to take note of.

Hazards and observation and other things usually cost people a fail. Its hard going if you miss a pass by two faults. It was the case for me but in a way I rather that at least I know I have the confidence and reached a certain standard to get to that stage of passing.

lukegriffen · 07-09-2012 08:20PM

challengemaster wrote: »

You do not pay the full whack for the driving test. Nowhere close to what it actually costs to run, even at €85. The test was and still is subsidised by the government, however with the recession and tightening budgets, the amount they can afford to subsidise the tests obviously decreased.

I don't think that's true, there was a spokesman on radio 1 last week who said the driving test is now fully self-sufficient (obviously due to rising costs for learners), it was costing the taxpayer about 17 million a year X years ago, but nothing now.

Onomeanacon · 29-09-2012 01:05PM

I couldn't imagine my test going any better for me but then I failed with 20 Grade 2 faults and 3 Grade 3s (2 for not stopping at stop signs and 1 for being too reckless entering a roundabout which I know didn't happen). Any instructor I've ever had said that I have a good awareness of when I've make a mistake because I tend to be very hard on myself.

When I complained and pointed out where I thought he was wrong the tester backtracked a bit but still said that he didn't feel "comfortable". He tore into me and basically asked if I had even had lessons. It was pretty much the worst personal experience I've ever had.

If I had failed with the typical 9 or 10-ish faults I could have taken it. I don't think I can ever drive again if I'm actually that bad.

Can I chalk it down to that tester being an *expletive deleted* to me or should I just take the bus?

ZombieMed · 29-09-2012 01:36PM

My sis failed several years ago. As I had helped teach her and monitored her driving she was a pretty decent driver. We went through the failure report after as she was very upset and basically looked at it as constructive criticisms..

The tester marked you as not doing something even though you were sure you were - so make it doubly apparent next time - practice doing everything to the letter as you drive - be conscious as you drive about what you weren't doing to make it apparent and a habit.
The tester said you had done something you felt you didn't - monitor yourself or have someone else do so as you're driving to see if you might do it once in a while, without realising.
Take a pre-test lesson a few days in advance to see if you're still doing anything wrong - request the instructor to be particularly critical. This gives you a few days to fix whatever bad habits remain.

After you've been driving for a while it's automatic to let your body get on with the driving, sometimes you might not even realise what you're doing wrong.

I passed my test first time, in a Dublin centre. On the day I was extra aware of what I was doing and tried to show that I was checking blind spots, keeping up with traffic, stopping smoothly. I think I'm a good driver (I know everyone does but I'm just saying I'm a competent driver) but that I was particularly aware of where I could go wrong on that day and aimed to cover those errors - good drivers fail because they forget the specifics and concentrate on just driving as normal. Also, I get a little nervous during tests so I waited until I was very comfortable driving before taking the test. Anyway, I didn't pass because I'm a good driver but just because I didn't make enough of those little mistakes to fail.

ZombieMed · 29-09-2012 01:39PM

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Two kids on bikes on the road/path of the road I was reversing onto. Not really much I could do.

Same thing with reverse around a corner on my test, except that I said to the tester that I was going wait until the kids moved past the car before I'd reverse.. cue 60 seconds of waiting and then a decent reverse with no pressure.

I also get a bit nervous.. just wait until you are very comfortable with driving so nothing should change if you're nervous.

JohnMc1 · 29-09-2012 01:59PM

Onomeanacon wrote: »

I couldn't imagine my test going any better for me but then I failed with 20 Grade 2 faults and 3 Grade 3s (2 for not stopping at stop signs and 1 for being too reckless entering a roundabout which I know didn't happen). Any instructor I've ever had said that I have a good awareness of when I've make a mistake because I tend to be very hard on myself.

When I complained and pointed out where I thought he was wrong the tester backtracked a bit but still said that he didn't feel "comfortable". He tore into me and basically asked if I had even had lessons. It was pretty much the worst personal experience I've ever had.

If I had failed with the typical 9 or 10-ish faults I could have taken it. I don't think I can ever drive again if I'm actually that bad.

Can I chalk it down to that tester being an *expletive deleted* to me or should I just take the bus?

You should file a complaint with the RSA. He has no right to tear into you during a test [or even after]. Sadly alot of these testers are powertripping jackasses. For €80+ we all deserve to be treated with respect.

Shakti · 30-09-2012 08:31PM

the tao of driving tests says 'one must become like tester to pass test',

weeks leading up to test one must become hyper critical of every small defect in everyday life especially in the lives of others and write lengthy scathing driving critiques on internet forums, one must wear matching socks at all times and regular bowel movements must be established and strictly adhered to this daniel san is .... 'the way of the tester'.

Einhard · 01-10-2012 07:13PM

So I failed on Friday and I can't really complain. I was alwatys on the backfoot as it were, as I had to use my instructor's car and I've never really gotten used to it. My own is up for NCT, so couldn't use that. Anyway, thought I had failed within 10 minutes because he kept on scribbling away in his pad. Went through the test, and just as we were coming to the end, a lorry pulled out in front of me. In normal circumstances, I would have stopped, but they're so feckin anal about progress, and I stupdily tried to slip in alongside the truck. Ended up clipping the kerb and getting a straight red. Didn't mind so much as I assumed I had already failed about 5 times over going by the amount of scribbling her was doing.

Got back to the centre, and lo and behold I had failed, but only on that one red. I had gotten 5 blues, and all the rest of his scribbling was greens. I had completely forgotten that he'd note the greens because my instructor didn't in pre-tests. So if I hadn't clipped the keb I'd have passed. Head=Wrecked!!

Still, it was a good experience and I've re-booked. Hope to do it again in a different car in a few weeks.

intellectual dosser · 01-10-2012 07:29PM

Did my test a few months ago.

Turned onto a road - there was a large box truck coming the other direction waiting at the traffic lights I had just come through. It was blocking half my side. The car in front went up on the footpath - which I have no option of doing.

I could have stayed, holding up the traffic behind me at the traffic lights causing gridlock = probable fail.
I could have gone up on the footpath = definite fail.

I eased forward using the clutch to see if I could squeeze through. Was almost past him, my heart was dancing and then *CLUNK* as the wing-mirror hit off the rear-lights bar of the lorry. Heart sank - I had to drive around for another 20 minutes knowing I'd failed the test, that it was all a huge waste of time and I'd have to come back.

Got to the depot - instructor brought me into the office - and painfully slowly told me I had PASSED.

I managed to catch myself before saying "I'd sworn I'd failed as soon as I hit the truck" and got the fcuk out of there as fast as I could.

Faith+1 · 01-10-2012 07:30PM

intellectual dosser wrote: »

Did my test a few months ago.

Turned onto a road - there was a large box truck coming the other direction blocking half my side. The car in front went up on the footpath - which I have no option of doing.

I could have stayed, holding up the traffic behind me causing gridlock = probable fail.
I could have gone up on the footpath = definite fail.

I eased forward using the clutch to see if I could squeeze through. Was almost past him, my heart was dancing and then *CLUNK* as the wing-mirror hit off the rear-lights bar of the lorry. Heart sank - I had to drive around for another 20 minutes knowing I'd failed the test, that it was all a huge waste of time and I'd have to come back.

Got to the depot - instructor brought me into the office - and painfully slowly told me I had PASSED.

I managed to catch myself before saying "I'd sworn I'd failed as soon as I hit the truck" and got the fcuk out of there as fast as I could.

You should of called your story "The parable of the lucky git"!:D

thewelk · 01-10-2012 07:31PM

intellectual dosser wrote: »

"I'd sworn I'd failed as soon as I hit the truck"

hehe This quote, for me, sums up the Irish driving test perfectly!

Faith+1 · 01-10-2012 07:35PM

thewelk wrote: »

hehe This quote, for me, sums up the Irish driving test perfectly!

Yeah and people have near to perfect drives and fail.... Love this Country I do!:rolleyes::D

intellectual dosser · 01-10-2012 07:40PM

Faith+1 wrote: »

Yeah and people have near to perfect drives and fail.... Love this Country I do!:rolleyes::D

I should have pointed out that the test went absolutely fine apart from that. I think I got 3 blues - and one was for checking my spots too much when taking off.

Im not stupid enough to say, or even think, that Im a deadly driver. Would still have walked away gutted if I had failed because I felt I was doing the right thing - and maybe thats why I was passed despite the 'mishap'.

Faith+1 · 01-10-2012 09:58PM

intellectual dosser wrote: »

I should have pointed out that the test went absolutely fine apart from that. I think I got 3 blues - and one was for checking my spots too much when taking off.

Im not stupid enough to say, or even think, that Im a deadly driver. Would still have walked away gutted if I had failed because I felt I was doing the right thing - and maybe thats why I was passed despite the 'mishap'.

My friend had his test 3 weeks ago and failed because he clipped the kerp on a roundabout, you passed after clipping a truck!!! I'd say it was your lucky day dosser!

thewelk · 02-10-2012 06:03AM

intellectual dosser wrote: »

I should have pointed out that the test went absolutely fine apart from that. I think I got 3 blues - and one was for checking my spots too much when taking off.

Im not stupid enough to say, or even think, that Im a deadly driver. Would still have walked away gutted if I had failed because I felt I was doing the right thing - and maybe thats why I was passed despite the 'mishap'.

It sounds like the tester was just using a bit of common sense. That in itself is a stroke of luck.

romy.ferguson · 03-12-2012 06:07PM

challengemaster wrote: »

I'm surprised nobody picked up on this yet, but here's your answer:

You do not pay the full whack for the driving test. Nowhere close to what it actually costs to run, even at €85. The test was and still is subsidised by the government, however with the recession and tightening budgets, the amount they can afford to subsidise the tests obviously decreased. Back when things were good and money was aplenty, they could afford to heavily subsidise the test and as such, €35 - 55 were the fees.

People tend to forget that driving is not a right, it's a privilege, and in fact there's no reason for government subsidy in the first place. So as much as a "rip off" you see it to be, you're about €1500 better off than other countries.

And no, it should not be cheaper again to repeat. The actual cost to run the test hasn't changed, so why should the government reward failure in something they're already being generous about? And when you consider the relative standard of the test, it's not difficult. There's absolutely no logical reason to reward anyone failing it.

That's like suggesting that should you fail college exams through your own fault, the college forks out the 7-9k for you to repeat the year. Living in cuckoo land I'm afraid. If anything the government should drop subsidy of the repeat and cost of the repeat test should go up, which would encourage people to actually pass their test first time around.

Who died and made you Taoiseach?.

RacoonQueen · 11-12-2012 06:30PM

ZombieMed wrote: »

Same thing with reverse around a corner on my test, except that I said to the tester that I was going wait until the kids moved past the car before I'd reverse.. cue 60 seconds of waiting and then a decent reverse with no pressure.

I didn't know at the time what to do. Wondered if I should say something but was too scared to mention it. That tester was not the sort of person I wanted to converse with.

My friend failed today. With TWO pink marks for the reverese - one for obvservation and one of competetency. Now, she admits she went wide going around but other than that she got around without hitting the kerb etc. She also stopped when a car came out of the road she was reversing into and started all up again and got pink marks. In her last test she went a little wide on the reverse AND cut out and just got a blue mark. Also, she did this maybe 10 - 15 minutes into her test and was out for another 20 minutes or so after that. Is it normal for people to be kept out for 35 - 40 minutes? especially when they had 'failed' that 'early' on?

EditL my bro in law is shocked as he did his test in the same centre and made a complete mess of the reverse, including hitting the kerb and passed. So why does she get pink marks when she does it somewhat competently(going wide aside)

Faith+1 · 11-12-2012 06:34PM

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Is it normal for people to be kept out for 35 - 40 minutes? especially when they had 'failed' that 'early' on?

Yep. The examiner has to conduct the full driving test unless the candidate requests the test to end. For €85 I'd want the whole test!

RacoonQueen · 11-12-2012 06:36PM

Faith+1 wrote: »

Yep. The examiner has to conduct the full driving test unless the candidate requests the test to end. For €85 I'd want the whole test!

Whats the point though if they've already failed? Especially keeping them out that long - usually it's about 25 minutes. Someone else came back within about 15 minutes.

Failed driving test

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