The Driving Test

 Book your PRETEST LESSONS by calling   085 135 28 68

 Bring your Learner Permit with you into the test centre

 Preparing your car for the test 

  • If you pass in an AUTOMATIC car your licence only permits you to drive automatic cars.  If you wish to drive MANUEL cars in the future you will have to apply again and sit another driving test.
  •  Make sure Insurance Disc, Tax Disc and NCT Disc(if required) are up to date and clearly displayed. NOTE that letters of confirmation or receipts of payment will not be accepted, only the actual disc will be accepted.  Failure to have these discs will result in your test being cancelled and your fee being forfeited.  YOU WILL HAVE TO APPLY AND PAY AGAIN.
  • Cars with extremely tinted windows may be deemed "unfit" to take your test in, by the tester.
  • "L PLATES" must be displayed on the front and back of the vehicle.  NOTE that the red L must have a white background.  DO NOT CUT THE L OUT OF THE WHITE BACKGROUND.
  • The inside of the car should be clean, free from excessive dust or dampness.
  • The seat belt on the tester's side should be fitted and in good working order.  NOTE that, by law testers are exempt from wearing a seat belt, so don't pay any attention if they do not use them.  You must still wear your seat belt.
  • Break and Indicator lights should be working properly, and the proper colors.
  • Head restraints must be in place.
  • Tyre thread depth must be a minimum of 1.6mm

What to expect during your driving test

  • Arrrive at test centre at least 15mins before your test time, park in space outside and take a seat in the waiting area inside.
  • Tester will call you into office and ask you to present your learner permit.  He will check your permit to ensure that it is valid, is for the category you are sitting your test for and that it applies to you.  He will ask you to sign a form to state that you are properly insured to drive the vehicle you are using for your test.
  • You will be asked questions on rules of the road, including identifying and explaining some road signs.
  • Tester will then accompany you out to your vehicle for the practical part of your test to begin.
  • You will be asked to explain some basic features of your vehicles engine, e.g. brake fluid, oil, washer fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant.
  • asked about wheels/tyres e.g. thread depth (1.6mm), tyre surface even, nothing stuck in surface of tyre (screws/foreign objects etc.), tyre pressure, rim of wheel not cracked/dented, nuts are tight.
  • You will sit in car and tester will ask you to show that indicators and lights are all working.
  • Tester will then sit in car and ask you to demonstrate some secondary controls of the car e.g. lights, demister, wipers, hazzard lights etc.
  • You will then leave the test centre and follow the directions given to you by the tester.
  • You will be asked to pull in on side of a road.  Take off again.
  • Left/Right hand turns, Roundabouts
  • Hillstart
  • Hand Signals
  • Reverse around a left hand corner
  • Turnabout to face opposide direction on the road (formally called "3 point turn")
  • Drive around approx 8Km
  • Return to test centre and park in available space.
  • Return to office with tester where you will be given your result.

 For the duration of your driving test, the tester will be marking you on the following areas

  • Observation -Blind spot and mirrors,
  • Road position
  • Speed
  • Progress
  • Anticipation and reaction to hazzards
  • Use of Mirrors and Signals
  • Compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings
  • Use of vehicle controls - Steering, clutch, braking, acceleration, gears

All of the above areas can easily be covered in Pretest lessons.  I strongly advise that people give adequate time when preparing for their driving test.

Generally it is best to use the car which you learned to drive in or are most familiar and comfortable with driving.  If you wish to hire the driving school car for the driving test that can be arranged and the cost is €65.   A small reduction will be made for students who have taken a minimum of 8 Lessons with Craig Healy School of Motoring.

Book your PRETEST LESSONS by calling   085 135 28 68

Further information on the driving test can be found on the RSA website which can be found on the "Useful Links" page