Failed driving test

redarmy1929 · 11-12-2012 07:54PM

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!

Really, i was told by a driving instructor that the tester can bring you back early.

starlit · 11-12-2012 10:38PM

That's unusual for a test to go for a short time like that? Generally tests are suppose to go on for at least a half hour to 40 mins, max an hour. Depends how quickly you get through the test - oral and technical questions and how long it take to get through the test route can vary from test to test. Testers are on a schedule.

If there are things to take note of if you failed, take it on board, whether or not you think you did it perfectly according to yourself, you might have missed something that a tester taken note of. Some are harder markers than others.

Observation and mirrors are the usual things. Have to really show the tester you are doing so and nearly get everything else almost perfect to pass. Its a lot of luck, practice and patience really! Kind of have to keep at it. Work on what you are making the mistakes in and make sure not to do them on the day of the test but sometimes nerves get the better of people and only so few can control it. I think just do the test, not think about it, drive like you usually do is the best approach and best advice I can give regarding completing a driving test, confidence isn't enough its ability to do things near perfect and spot on it all fall into place.

romy.ferguson · 11-12-2012 11:16PM

RacoonQueen wrote: »

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)

yeah i think the whole thing is a set up to make money..because if you look up the RSA guidelines for marking, the pink mark is ''complete disregard for or causing an obstruction in the process of what your doing''!..i failed 'pink mark' at a 'STOP' sign, 300 metres from finishing my test!.the examiner said 'you kinda stopped and gave a quick look and moved on, but you didn't come to a complete stop which your supposed to do'.Fair enough, i accept that, but i don't think it deserved a pink mark for COMPLETE DISREGARD and i didn't CAUSE AN OBSTRUCTION, give me a blue mark, but if he had gave me a blue mark i would have passed the test...so it was just funny being 300 metres from passing and getting a pink mark.plus you cant appeal the results, you can take them to court but then the judge cant reverse the result, you just get i assume a free repeat test....would you be bothered appealing on the basis???!.i think not!.hence this is why they get away with marking whatever way they want!!but the observation on reverse would have probably got her a pink mark as she could have hit someone if she didn't do the observations properly..that is to say IF she didn't!

oh and yes, even if you fail in the first 20 secs, they carry on with the test, because you've paid 85euro to do it, so they mark your paper for where you went wrong so that you can correct these mistakes!

RacoonQueen · 12-12-2012 12:29AM

There doesn't seem to be any consistency from one tester to another. She got marks for 3 blue marks for things she didn't get anything for last time and things she did get marked on last time she didn't get anything for.

It's fair to say that, for example the way I would mark her is going to be different to how Faith +1 would mark her. Maybe she would deem it safe to move out into a junction in an area where Faith also thought it was safe but where I thought it wasn't.

Other than him saying she couldn't reverse around a corner (she can) there wasn't anything that was 'unsafe' - frustrating to get marked down on completely different things to a previous test. She doesn't think her observations were any different to how she did them in her previous test, where she didn't get marked down.

Motor-Ed · 12-12-2012 08:08AM

It is expected by Spring 2013 the Learner can take their Instructor on test with them, hopefully this should clarify some of these issues. At least you will have a second opinion.

RacoonQueen wrote: »

There doesn't seem to be any consistency from one tester to another. She got marks for 3 blue marks for things she didn't get anything for last time and things she did get marked on last time she didn't get anything for.

It's fair to say that, for example the way I would mark her is going to be different to how Faith +1 would mark her. Maybe she would deem it safe to move out into a junction in an area where Faith also thought it was safe but where I thought it wasn't.

Other than him saying she couldn't reverse around a corner (she can) there wasn't anything that was 'unsafe' - frustrating to get marked down on completely different things to a previous test. She doesn't think her observations were any different to how she did them in her previous test, where she didn't get marked down.

deadman1972 · 12-12-2012 08:35AM

Actually the tester can stop the test early if you make a straight red mistake that amounts to dangerous driving:) If you are driving like a muppet you hardly expect the tester to put their life at risk any longer than they need to?

GFish · 22-11-2013 08:55PM

Einhard wrote: »

So I failed on Friday and I can't really complain.
... and just as we were coming to the end, a lorry pulled out in front of me.

Thanks for the memory!

When I did my test 35 years ago, I approached a bend on a small road only to find a Council truck coming at me - well on my side of the road. I braked hard and steered onto the grass margin. I came to a halt and listened to my heart thumping and to the truck driver blasting his horn at me as he passed with inches to spare.

I apologised to the tester and he said "Just carry on". We got back to the test centre; I parked, and I said "Sorry about that", fully expecting to have failed.

He said "Don't worry about it; you did the right thing and you passed. By the way, I got his number, so I'll report him. Keep driving like that".

Cool memory - I could drive that route today I remember it so well.

Nidgeweasel · 03-01-2014 02:53PM

Failed today. Hugely dissapointed. That 'making progress' thing is a total nonsense. Marked down 3 times on turning right by doing everything 'by the book' and diligently. Apparently I should do the test again driving as I usually do and not how I think I should be driving. Decent advice though maybe although the issue is if I do that and then fail again.

Marked down for observation a lot which was surprising because I nearly had whiplash making sure he could see me looking.

Managed to get a cancellation for next week. Doing it in my own car next time instead of instructors which was suggested.

Journeyman_1 · 04-01-2014 01:05AM

Lots of people try to be too safe on their test, you're not the only one. Drive normally and pretend the tester is just a sat nav, giving you directions. Also make sure you aren't overdoing the observations as you can get marks for looking sideways too much.

GL.

matt70iu · 08-01-2014 07:14AM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Failed today. Hugely dissapointed. That 'making progress' thing is a total nonsense. Marked down 3 times on turning right by doing everything 'by the book' and diligently. Apparently I should do the test again driving as I usually do and not how I think I should be driving. Decent advice though maybe although the issue is if I do that and then fail again.

Marked down for observation a lot which was surprising because I nearly had whiplash making sure he could see me looking.

Managed to get a cancellation for next week. Doing it in my own car next time instead of instructors which was suggested.

The whole "progress" thing is a very grey area and somewhat subject to the opinion of the tester. Very annoying to have failed on it though... I did.

Passed next time around. That time... I had gotten more lessons and went in believing and knowing I was good enough to pass. Somehow that shows in your driving and got no marks for progress that time around.

Just stick with it and you will get there in the end.

Best of luck

Feu · 08-01-2014 12:59PM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Failed today. Hugely dissapointed. That 'making progress' thing is a total nonsense. Marked down 3 times on turning right by doing everything 'by the book' and diligently. Apparently I should do the test again driving as I usually do and not how I think I should be driving. Decent advice though maybe although the issue is if I do that and then fail again.

Marked down for observation a lot which was surprising because I nearly had whiplash making sure he could see me looking.

Managed to get a cancellation for next week. Doing it in my own car next time instead of instructors which was suggested.

I passed today! 4th time's a charm :rolleyes: I sort of cried and made a weird cough/hiccup noise after asking him to repeat himself!

i got 2 Grade 1 and 2 grade 2 for observation - for looking in the mirrors too much, but tester correctly queried whether i did this as it was the test situation which i confirmed to him. He said to tell anyone doing their test they don't need to constantly check side mirrors if you are driving on a normal straight-ish road, as you are taking your eyes off the road too much. Just lucky i didn't fail for it! - In previous tests I was marked down for not observing enough (as I don't turn my head dramatically enough, so over did it a bit today). Hope this helps some one else.

on a slightly related note, i feel the tester got the measure of my "overall" driving, and realised I was safe and competent, which i feel didn't happen in other tests - i.e. I get extremely nervous in any test situation e.g. interview, tests, and so was very nervous in the driving test situation - not nervous about driving, and I felt on previous occasions that my nerves were assessed and went against me.

Is there anything people can do in this scenario, where nerves are so bad it truly affects their confidence, and testers assumes this person is not a confident driver?

gpat14 · 08-01-2014 02:33PM

Feu wrote: »

I passed today! 4th time's a charm :rolleyes: I sort of cried and made a weird cough/hiccup noise after asking him to repeat himself!

i got 2 Grade 1 and 2 grade 2 for observation - for looking in the mirrors too much, but tester correctly queried whether i did this as it was the test situation which i confirmed to him. (1). He said to tell anyone doing their test they don't need to constantly check side mirrors if you are driving on a normal straight-ish road, as you are taking your eyes off the road too much. Just lucky i didn't fail for it! - In previous tests I was marked down for not observing enough (as I don't turn my head dramatically enough, so over did it a bit today). Hope this helps some one else.

on a slightly related note, i feel the tester got the measure of my "overall" driving, and realised I was safe and competent, which i feel didn't happen in other tests - i.e. I get extremely nervous in any test situation e.g. interview, tests, and so was very nervous in the driving test situation - not nervous about driving, and I felt on previous occasions that my nerves were assessed and went against me.

(2) Is there anything people can do in this scenario, where nerves are so bad it truly affects their confidence, and testers assumes this person is not a confident driver?

1- Very understandable you'd pick up grade 2's for this, when driving on a straight road you should quickly check your rear view mirror every 10 secs or so and that's it. Check side mirrors after signalling to turn right, left and when going right/left/changing lanes and so on but doing it while driving on the straight is indeed "taking your eyes off the road too much". Silly enough way to pick up grade 2's in all honesty, only really have yourself to blame if you failed down to this with all due respect

Wrt observation just use your intuition and common sense more than anything, when I did mine I checked blind spot while going left (which was right thing to do but did it a bit late before turning) and got a grade 2 as I didn't look enough into the road I was turning into. perfectly understandable. Just do the checks you need and be careful not to overdo it with observation. That was only mark I had against me in observation and I didn't dramatise it or make it overly blatant. Just drove as I usually would.

2- The majority of people will be nervous, especially first time round. They're not out to solely assess your confidence on the road. Many learners can be too confident on the road if anything.

If you don't pick up enough grade 2's or a grade 3 and you are literally shaking throughout, it won't matter you still pass. While blaming nerves for a slight error or hiccough early in the test would be understandable, it's hard to put obtaining 4 grade 2's for one thing, or 6 in one aspect, 9 in total solely down to nerves tbh. The test is fair in all honesty.

As for grade 3, they are given for potential dangers or dangers, and in fairness while nerves might be a contributing factor to committing one, it cannot be used as a valid excuse.

To be fair your instructor seemed a sound bloke for letting you off with checking side mirrors, but you're right it's a good lesson to those who haven't done test

Feu · 08-01-2014 02:58PM

gpat14 wrote: »

. Silly enough way to pick up grade 2's in all honesty, only really have yourself to blame if you failed down to this with all due respect

I don't think that's fair, if you have been noted before for insufficient observation, obviously in the test situation you will overcorrect due to a combination of nerves and desire to pass, this is the direct result of feedback from test situation, and is very common

gpat14 wrote: »

.
To be fair your instructor seemed a sound bloke for letting you off with checking side mirrors, but you're right it's a good lesson to those who haven't done test

eh thanks

i passed because i worked my butt off and am competent, not because my tester was sound and "he let me off" with mirrors.

gpat14 · 08-01-2014 03:09PM

Feu wrote: »

I don't think that's fair, if you have been noted before for insufficient observation, obviously in the test situation you will overcorrect due to a combination of nerves and desire to pass, this is the direct result of feedback from test situation, and is very common

eh thanks i passed because i worked my butt off and am competent, not because my tester was sound and "he let me off" with mirrors.

I didn't mean to come across as harsh wrt first part but in all honesty I do think it's a silly mistake to make no matter how many times you did it.

I never said that's the reason why you passed at all, I've no doubt you are a competent driver you wouldn't have passed otherwise, but to be fair in your own words he asked you whether you usually do that in a test situation and I inferred from your post he didn't grade you for it as a result, I'm sure plenty would have. It would have built up a couple of grade 2's maybe, but it wouldn't be enough to fail, given you only had 2 aside from that, unless you really kept doing it, so by no means am I saying that's the reason you passed- you would have passed it well anyway IMO

My last bit was meant to be a positive comment, then again it can be hard to put it across well in writing. If you only 2 grade 2's that's very good going, fair play

Aisling(",) · 08-01-2014 07:33PM

I've just failed my test yesterday for the 5th time in Raheny and have rebooked to do it in Finglas.

I've had some barely fails and some asolutely stupid mistake fails but I'm going to keep trying.
I'll get it eventually and hopefully those 15 lessons and by now approx. 15 pre-tests will finally help.
Each time I fail on different things and it is frustrating especially as I've been driving everyday for 3 years.

God loves a trier though so I have to get it someday.....right:rolleyes:

Nidgeweasel · 09-01-2014 10:18AM

matt70iu wrote: »

The whole "progress" thing is a very grey area and somewhat subject to the opinion of the tester. Very annoying to have failed on it though... I did.

Passed next time around. That time... I had gotten more lessons and went in believing and knowing I was good enough to pass. Somehow that shows in your driving and got no marks for progress that time around.

Just stick with it and you will get there in the end.

Best of luck

Passed it on Monday. Drove with more 'agression' and how I normally drove not how I thought I should be plodding along. On a different day I could definitely have failed again as I had a lot of Grade 1's which he could have bumped up to a 2.

Cheers for the comment.

spurious · 09-01-2014 10:25AM

Aisling(",) wrote: »

I've just failed my test yesterday for the 5th time in Raheny and have rebooked to do it in Finglas.

I've had some barely fails and some asolutely stupid mistake fails but I'm going to keep trying.
I'll get it eventually and hopefully those 15 lessons and by now approx. 15 pre-tests will finally help.
Each time I fail on different things and it is frustrating especially as I've been driving everyday for 3 years.

God loves a trier though so I have to get it someday.....right:rolleyes:

Your story sounds like me. I found Finglas a much more pleasant place to drive in. It didn't seem to have as many of the 'cars flung up on the path both sides of the road' as Raheny has.

I had the same history, failed for different contradictory things every time in Raheny. I looked for a cancellation in Finglas, got one very quickly and passed straightaway.

kitten_k · 09-01-2014 12:42PM

Done a mock test with my instructor last night and it was awful! Test on Monday!!

Have another mock test tomorrow night so hopefully that goes better!

B_Rabbit · 09-01-2014 12:50PM

As far as negative testers go, I think they definitely exist. I did my test recently, and thought I did very well. It was my 2nd time. The first time I got 4 grade 2's and a grade 3. Somehow on the 2nd test I got like 12/13 grade 2's ?? He crucified me completely. My instructor wasn't impressed, and a week later he rang me to tell me that that tester failed 8/9 applicants that day, and the girl who passed was a disastrous driver..

0ph0rce0 · 09-01-2014 12:55PM

What you need is the chick tester that did the test with me.

Got down the road, she says get the tunes on.. Tunes went on.

Coming up to the shop she says you want to pull over and get a drink in the shop, I said yes. Had a chat and a water.

Then we stopped when she asked to have a smoke. We had a smoke and back to the test center.

Got back and said i passed. Happy Days

Great Tester Indeed

matt70iu · 09-01-2014 11:33PM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Passed it on Monday. Drove with more 'agression' and how I normally drove not how I thought I should be plodding along. On a different day I could definitely have failed again as I had a lot of Grade 1's which he could have bumped up to a 2.

Cheers for the comment.

No worries, delighted you passed in the end. Happy driving!

whatlliwear · 09-01-2014 11:50PM

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

What you need is the chick tester that did the test with me.

Got down the road, she says get the tunes on.. Tunes went on.

Coming up to the shop she says you want to pull over and get a drink in the shop, I said yes. Had a chat and a water.

Then we stopped when she asked to have a smoke. We had a smoke and back to the test center.

Got back and said i passed. Happy Days

Great Tester Indeed

Where did you do your test??

Faith+1 · 10-01-2014 02:52AM

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

What you need is the chick tester that did the test with me.

Got down the road, she says get the tunes on.. Tunes went on.

Coming up to the shop she says you want to pull over and get a drink in the shop, I said yes. Had a chat and a water.

Then we stopped when she asked to have a smoke. We had a smoke and back to the test center.

Got back and said i passed. Happy Days

Great Tester Indeed

Yeah I'm sure that happened :rolleyes:

0ph0rce0 · 10-01-2014 09:55AM

Faith+1 wrote: »

Yeah I'm sure that happened :rolleyes:

Yes that did happen

Don't be jealous now

To the other poster, it was in Deansgrange when they were using that SGS crowd, I think that's the name. The woman was bang on.

I walked in with another girl and she got some oul lad who looked a right c**t, glad i didn't get him, cause she failed

Faith+1 · 11-01-2014 02:53AM

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

Yes that did happen Don't be jealous now

To the other poster, it was in Deansgrange when they were using that SGS crowd, I think that's the name. The woman was bang on.

That's all you had to say! That SGS Crowd were a complete joke, nothing would surprise about them!

kulano · 01-03-2014 07:57PM

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

My instructors said that different in passing between Galway and Dublin is because in Galway less people go on exam and more in Dublin(???)which is totally bull****.Its easy to see how it works,I read somewhere that test centers has to have that kind percent of people passing or not,so as you can see so many fails and dont know why.I will tell you the other fascinating thing I heard.Besides of this that I dont have a car,thats the only excuse why I failed.So I told my instructor that I will buy a car which he recommended by himself but then I said to him:"But I heard its illegal to drive alone,so do you recommend me to buy?"So after that he changed mind and he said he doesnt support that,hahahah.Well guys are full of ****,sorry if somebody thinks that is all perfect done,but it is not. I have much more stories to tell,much more.Just have open eyes guys.

kulano · 01-03-2014 08:05PM

Jimoslimos wrote: »

I have experience of doing the test in two countries,

Failed in Ireland
Passed in UK

My opinion (and yes, a subjective one) at the time was that my driving wasn't any better in passing the UK test, even though it was far more thorough.

I also was impressed that my tester (in the UK) offered to explain the reasoning behind the faults that I had clocked up.

I'm sure testers here (and elsewhere) do their best to be objective but its human nature to let personal bias slip in sometimes - unintended or not. Personally I'd like to see TWO examiners present on all tests.

My friend passed in Tallaght,all the time sth wrong in Raheny.I know some people passed in Raheny,but place is tough,sorry to say that.Unpleasant atmosphere.

kulano · 03-03-2014 12:15AM

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Passed it on Monday. Drove with more 'agression' and how I normally drove not how I thought I should be plodding along. On a different day I could definitely have failed again as I had a lot of Grade 1's which he could have bumped up to a 2.

Cheers for the comment.

Good he didnt bumped up.

HUIBIN · 04-06-2016 09:54PM

I passed my test in Tallaght, have failed 5 times in Tallaght last year. I am so glad I passed 6th time. Have spend more than 1k on getting a driving license.

Sleeper12 · 04-06-2016 10:08PM

HUIBIN wrote:

I passed my test in Tallaght, have failed 5 times in Tallaght last year. I am so glad I passed 6th time. Have spend more than 1k on getting a driving license.

I was about to reply to the op but realized just in time that this thread is 8 years old.

Congratulations on passing the test.

Failed driving test

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