Irish Driving Test A Racket?

kowloon · 07-11-2012 12:38AM

I failed a bike test for turning up with and out of date licence, hadn't realised.
No real moral to the story, but I hope that by highlighting mistakes I'll seem more human and thereby gain your trust.

blacklilly · 07-11-2012 12:46AM

I failed my first test, will be booking another test soon but I'm dreading it. I know most people think themselves good drivers but I know I'm decent and safe. My driving instructor was shocked I didn't pass first time.
Also I know someone who has passed their test but is too afraid to drive! I also know plenty of people who are crap unsafe drivers and have their licence.
Maybe I'm bitter but its pi*sess me off!

PizzamanIRL · 07-11-2012 12:49AM

Most of the things I had to do in the driving test go out the window when I get into the car.

If only the instructor could see how I drive now.

MistyCheese · 07-11-2012 12:56AM

I just passed my theory test on Saturday.

I'll be back to comment on the driving test in six months - two years time.

Turtyturd · 07-11-2012 03:20AM

Freddy Smelly wrote: »

i failed it 3 times before i passed it.

first time i failed it i was penalized for stopping to avoid a lorry running a red light and almost crushing me... the tester told me i should not have stopped and he failed me... i promptly booted him out of the car.

A friend of mine failed for gesturing to a woman pushing a pram not cross the road as a car was coming up the inside lane and she couldn't see it.

Sometimes a little common sense from testers wouldn't go amiss...emergency handbrake turns shouldn't be covered by this though.

Capt'n Midnight · 07-11-2012 04:10AM

maintown34 wrote: »

it's roughly the same amount of money to do the test in the North. .

Good luck with the R plates,

though by the time you pass your test you'll have to wear noobie plates down here

SuperInfinity · 07-11-2012 06:04AM

Everyone laughing at the idea of a handbrake emergency stop need to cop on a bit to yourselves and stop thanking each other, that's just herd mentality. A handbrake emergency stop is a valid idea, it's not just for acting up.

There's a school of thought that says that the handbrake emergency stop is so unlikely to be of use and so unreliable that it's not worth ever learning or knowing about. However if the brakes give, then yes it would be a good idea to have a clue how you would/could use it. Granted it'd ruin the car to practice it...

It sure beats shifting down in gears in case your brakes fail. One minute they're telling you never to put the car in neutral, the next they're telling you to do it every single time you slow down to switch the gears.

It's not written down anywhere about staying as close to the inside of the road as possible when going around a bend. What if there were a cyclist there? Sure, you'd be highly likely see him on time, but you'd be far more likely to see another car coming onto your side of the road. It's not a good thing to do or way to drive on principle.

The same with turning right. There's no car within half a mile to the right of you, the safest and best thing to do is to make an angle and slightly cut the line. And again it's not written anywhere what exactly you're supposed to do. Oh sure, someone else will tell you, that's hardly very professional to have things going word of mouth like that. I thought we were meant to be a literate society.

I agree with the OP, the driving test is a racket. I have no problems with strictness, it's just those things that most people aren't going to know the first time(s) they do the test, and then there's this arbitrarily ticking off the boxes as you're just driving along normally, some ****ing joke. I had half a mind to say "stop that you stupid ***ing twat, this is perfect driving", which it was.

keithclancy · 07-11-2012 08:49AM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Everyone laughing at the idea of a handbrake emergency stop need to cop on a bit to yourselves and stop thanking each other, that's just herd mentality. A handbrake emergency stop is a valid idea, it's not just for acting up.

There's a school of thought that says that the handbrake emergency stop is so unlikely to be of use and so unreliable that it's not worth ever learning or knowing about. However if the brakes give, then yes it would be a good idea to have a clue how you would/could use it. Granted it'd ruin the car to practice it...

It sure beats shifting down in gears in case your brakes fail. One minute they're telling you never to put the car in neutral, the next they're telling you to do it every single time you slow down to switch the gears.

It's not written down anywhere about staying as close to the inside of the road as possible when going around a bend. What if there were a cyclist there? Sure, you'd be highly likely see him on time, but you'd be far more likely to see another car coming onto your side of the road. It's not a good thing to do or way to drive on principle.

The same with turning right. There's no car within half a mile to the right of you, the safest and best thing to do is to make an angle and slightly cut the line. And again it's not written anywhere what exactly you're supposed to do. Oh sure, someone else will tell you, that's hardly very professional to have things going word of mouth like that. I thought we were meant to be a literate society.

I agree with the OP, the driving test is a racket. I have no problems with strictness, it's just those things that most people aren't going to know the first time(s) they do the test, and then there's this arbitrarily ticking off the boxes as you're just driving along normally, some ****ing joke. I had half a mind to say "stop that you stupid ***ing twat, this is perfect driving", which it was.

I think the problem was that everyone went off 'word of mouth' back in the day, at least now theres some sort of structure to getting your license.

P.S. Irish lessons + test is cheap, my missus is after spending about 2400 euros so far.

Death and Taxes · 07-11-2012 09:12AM

maintown34 wrote: »

yes. Today. By 2 grade 2's.

Learn to drive properly in accordance with the rules and you will pass no problem.
Or, you could take your sour grapes, turn them into vinegar and sprinkle it on the chip on your shoulder

Maximus Alexander · 07-11-2012 09:18AM

I found the test way too easy. I passed first time without ever even taking a lesson, so I don't believe that they're out to get you. If anything it needs to be made harder.

Sunnyisland · 07-11-2012 09:26AM

I remember back in the 80,s there was so much of a backlog that the Government of the day decided that anyone with two provisional licences could exchange them for a full one,no tests.This included hgv licences as well. Just thought I would share this unimportant information.

corkgsxr · 07-11-2012 09:45AM

They do fail for no reason.

I was failed for being half the car over the line at the lights by cuh

At that lights I was behind 2 cars.

cournioni · 07-11-2012 09:51AM

After having some stupid twat pull out right in front of me at a cross road while texting on Sunday night while in a line of traffic travelling at 45kmph, I think the driving tests should be even more strict in this country.

PogMoThoin · 07-11-2012 10:03AM

The test here is a pure farce, we are a nation of chronic bad drivers, I'm not sure how loyts of those out there ever passed a test.
You don't drive at faster than 50kph in the test, but once passed you are allowed you drive unsupervised on a 120kph motorway, madness.
The test should include parking in an enclosed area, like a shopping centre car park. A 360' turn in a quiet area proves nothing.
I'd also be of the opinion that anyone over 40 should resit their test every 10 years and anyone over retirement age resit every 3.

Wibbs · 07-11-2012 10:04AM

h3000 wrote: »

I know first hand of three people who done their driving test over the last two years and none of them should have passed. I'm not trying to be an asshole, their driving just was not good enough. One person in particular passed on their third attempt but still had not successfully reversed around a bend :eek:

So as someone said above its stricter it needs to get. Some people think they have a right to be on the road (not a dig at you op) without any training or assessment.

+1 I know similar disastrously bad drivers who passed. One guy hit the gate post of the driving test centre on his second attempt. He got it on his third attempt with the same instructor. The guy has no road sense whatsoever and it's very evident after 5 minutes of sitting in the passenger seat when he's driving. There isn't a straight panel on his car.

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Everyone laughing at the idea of a handbrake emergency stop need to cop on a bit to yourselves and stop thanking each other, that's just herd mentality. A handbrake emergency stop is a valid idea, it's not just for acting up.

I suppose it's slightly valid if all else failed, but if you're going say 40 mph and try to stop on the handbrake, good luck. It'll take ages, or it'll lock up your rear wheels and control will likely be lost. At motorway speeds? It would be like stopping the queen Mary.

It sure beats shifting down in gears in case your brakes fail. One minute they're telling you never to put the car in neutral, the next they're telling you to do it every single time you slow down to switch the gears.

Engine braking will defo kill speed in an emergency foot brake failure, with throwing in the handbrake as you scrub off speed. Far better and safer than the latter on it's own.

That said I pretty much never go down the gears when coming to a stop a la the official driving test way. Ditto for always feeding the wheel when turning. The idea largely comes from the original British driving test that was based on the metropolitan police driving course from the 50's(we basically copied it). Both come from a time of drum brakes which were about as reliable as a baby's arse and huge steering wheels that wouldn't look out of place on a bus. Things have changed as you will find if you ever get the chance to drive a vintage car with drum brakes and no powersteering. The latter will give you great muscle defintion in your upper arms and the former will give you grey hairs the first time you want to come to a halt.

I don't go down the gears while stopping for one reason. I'd rather coast into someone(or something) than drive into them. It's far too easy to slip off the clutch pedal and jump forward and I've seen that one more than once.

CardBordWindow · 07-11-2012 10:08AM

Without doubt they fail people for the stupidest reasons.
A friend of mine did her test. Did everything perfect, delighted with herself, and then they failed her just because she hit a pedestrian. Ridiculous! Especially when he wasn't injured at all. :pac:

lukesmom · 07-11-2012 10:10AM

Op I'm sorry you failed your test. I know too well how devastating it can be. I did my test 4 times.
1st time I drove about half a mile with the handbrake up - instant fail Jesus I nearly melted into the seat with embarrassment. 'eh ye mite wanta let yeor handbrake down. Cringe!
2nd time I had a few lessons and failed by only one bloody grade 2.
3rd time I was sure I'd pass! Even saw my parents car in front of me towards the end of test and said 'that's my mam and dad on front'. Got back to test centre and has failed miserably by about 4 grade 2's!!!
I roared crying

4th time I passed!!!! Had to get him to tell me again I'd passed because I couldn't believe I'd finally got it this time.
Keep applying for test, observation is key. Not good enough moving eyes left and right you have to actually move your head, exaggerate a little.
My driving instructor told me evrrywhere junction, crossroads, roundabout I come to, pretend I've lost someone and I'm looking for them.
Don't give up trying, never give up

jester77 · 07-11-2012 10:13AM

maintown34 wrote: »

They don't have strict pass limits, but still fail people for the most idiotic of things. Things that have no relevance to safe driving whatsoever. The test error catagories are broad and vague, along with the fact there are so many ways they can screw you, you have to drive perfectly and bear luck/not insult the tester to pass. Just look at the UK test for example, much less room for subjective tick boxing. It's your word against theirs. Ignorant people too, rude as hell. Don't give these conmen your money, do you test elsewhere.

Am I wrong for thinking like this, or are the RSA really as unaccountable as most other institutions in this country? Are they really doing much to ACTUALLY prevent road deaths, or is it just another load of QUANGOS milking the unsuspecting public? Has anybody ever tried to challenge any wrongdoings by this body and won?

At least you get to drive home

deelite · 07-11-2012 10:14AM

I passed first time and coming out out of the Test Centre I was so cocky I took the motorway - wasn't allowed on it when I was a learner, so I was "entitled" to go on it. I got lost, had no idea where I was heading, took me at least an hour to get back on the right road.

Shenshen · 07-11-2012 10:19AM

maintown34 wrote: »

They don't have strict pass limits, but still fail people for the most idiotic of things. Things that have no relevance to safe driving whatsoever. The test error catagories are broad and vague, along with the fact there are so many ways they can screw you, you have to drive perfectly and bear luck/not insult the tester to pass. Just look at the UK test for example, much less room for subjective tick boxing. It's your word against theirs. Ignorant people too, rude as hell. Don't give these conmen your money, do you test elsewhere.

Am I wrong for thinking like this, or are the RSA really as unaccountable as most other institutions in this country? Are they really doing much to ACTUALLY prevent road deaths, or is it just another load of QUANGOS milking the unsuspecting public? Has anybody ever tried to challenge any wrongdoings by this body and won?

Not sure if it's a racket, but I'm preparing to take my test shortly. And talking to my instructor, there are way more grey areas than there are clear guidelines you could use as reference.
And yes, it'll be your word against their's if there should be any problems. Why can your instructor not sit in the car with you, the way other countries handle it? At least you had a witness then?

Doff · 07-11-2012 10:23AM

Passed it first time no problem, Don't know how. Like I'm a sensible driver but I was only 22 doing it and the lad was pretty ignorant. Thought it was fail as soon as I said hi and he didn't say hi back, just got on with it.

UCDVet · 07-11-2012 10:24AM

I think it's hilarious that they make Irish folk spend all this time and money on a driving test; but they let tourists from other countries who don't even know what side of the road to drive on - drive all they want. Legally.

It's insane.

I came to Ireland and rented a car from the airport. I can't even drive stick (which is all they had for me to pick from). I couldn't pass a driving test and I shouldn't be allowed to drive.

--Kaiser-- · 07-11-2012 10:28AM

The Irish driving test is pathetic, 20 mins of not driving faster than 50 kph. If you can't pass that first time then the odds are you can't drive for ****

h3000 · 07-11-2012 10:28AM

UCDVet wrote: »

I think it's hilarious that they make Irish folk spend all this time and money on a driving test; but they let tourists from other countries who don't even know what side of the road to drive on - drive all they want. Legally.

It's insane.

That's the same for most countries around the world though.

Shenshen · 07-11-2012 10:32AM

cournioni wrote: »

After having some stupid twat pull out right in front of me at a cross road while texting on Sunday night while in a line of traffic travelling at 45kmph, I think the driving tests should be even more strict in this country.

I think improved enforcement of existing laws concerning bad driving (speeding, using a handheld phone, failing to indicate properly, parking in dangerous places) would serve you much better there.

But then, I also think it would be a good idea to have to re-sit a small test every 5 or 10 years or so. Rules change, cars change, and people have no idea about it as they're not forced to keep themselves informed.

Valetta · 07-11-2012 10:33AM

maintown34 wrote: »

. Just look at the UK test for example, much less room for subjective tick boxing.

I took up tick boxing this year.

Hoping they make it an olympic sport for 2016.

TwoShedsJackson · 07-11-2012 10:36AM

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

The Irish driving test is pathetic, 20 mins of not driving faster than 50 kph. If you can't pass that first time then the odds are you can't drive for ****

Where was that - mine was twice as long and I got up to 100 kph on it.

UCDVet · 07-11-2012 10:38AM

h3000 wrote: »

That's the same for most countries around the world though.

True - it's not strictly an Irish thing; but I think it's ridiculous everywhere. Especially when it involves opposite-side-of-the-road driving.

Wishbone Ash · 07-11-2012 10:41AM

Freddy Smelly wrote: »

he failed me... i promptly booted him out of the car.

MaxSteele wrote: »

I know this chap ....

.....He drove the instructor(tester) out into the middle off nowhere and told him to get out to f*ck.

Yea - great stories and urban myths that have been doing the rounds for years about the 'hard men' who throw the tester out of their vehicle. Perhaps you could explain how that was accomplished since the examiner does not reveal the results of the test until you are back in the Test Centre office?

realies wrote: »

I remember back in the 80,s there was so much of a backlog that the Government of the day decided that anyone with two provisional licences could exchange them for a full one,no tests.This included hgv licences as well. Just thought I would share this unimportant information.

You are referring to the "Amnesty" of October 1979 and it was only given to those who had a 2nd Provisional Licence in Category C (now category

and who had already applied for a test and were in the system. It was not given to those who hadn't bothered applying and it only applied to category C, not any other categories. The waiting times for a car test was over 2 years at the time.

Akrasia · 07-11-2012 10:53AM

My girlfriend failed her test because she didn't look over her shoulder every time she was taking off from a start (including stopping at traffic lights and in stop start traffic.

I don't know anyone who physically looks over their shoulder every time the car takes off. I check my mirrors, but expecting you to look over your shoulder is a but ridiculous

Irish Driving Test A Racket?

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