..
"Cavan has the lowest waiting times for
Driving tests in Ireland" (approx.
2-4 weeks)
The Cost of a car Driving Test is now €75 , all other vehicle tests is now €110.. these price reviews came into effect /april/'09
The
driving test is a rigorous and very demanding examination of your driving
ability. This page gives you an overview of the process and regulations.
There are currently approximately 250`000 learner
drivers in Ireland on our roads. That’s roughly one in 4 people!.75`000 of this number is waiting to be called for their test. Statistics
show that 45% of people fail the test. The Pass Rate with the Erne
School of Motoring is on average 85%. Applicants fail for one of two
reasons. They are not ready to pass due to lack of training, or that
they make a fatal mistake during the test, perhaps because of lack
of concentration or letting the test situation understandably get to
them.
| It is important to remember that all applicants
start the test with a pass essentially. There are no preconceptions
or prejudice towards any individual applicant regardless of age or
nationality from the examiners. All you have to do is drive well and
to the standard the examiner requires, follow his or hers instructions
to the letter and to the best of your ability and keep your driving
tight, uniform and safe and convince the examiner that you are not
a learner anymore. Having been prepared with one of our instructors
with some lessons on the content of the test you will have the best
chance of ensuring a good result. Fail to prepare….prepare
to fail!! |
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The driving tests are conducted out of 54 test centres all over the
country and where and your test can be arranged for the centre you nominate
on your application form.
Driving Examiners recommend
that applicants have at minimum 5 lessons in preparation for their
driving test.
You can now apply and pay for your driving test
online (see 'How to apply' below). A driving test is a compulsory requirement
for motorists who has been issued with two 2-year provisional driving
licence. It's important to be aware that you may not apply for a 3rd
or another provisional licence for any category of unless you
sit a driving test. The waiting times vary from county to county; so
it is advisable to apply for a test about 10 months before your second
provisional licence is due to run out.
If using the cancellation system, a common trend is people apply in
a panic, wait for their application to be processed and then be called
for testing. They then take lessons shortly beforehand in the hope of
bluffing their way through. This is highly inadvisable and never works.
Get Prepared with The Erne School Of Motoring first and we will advise
you on the best approach. Then get Applying!!
A driving test is designed that you..
- Drive with due regard for the safety and convenience of other road
users.
- Possess the knowledge and skill to drive competently in accordance
with those rules.Know the Rules of the Road
On the day of your test, give yourself plenty
of time to arrive at the test centre with at least ten minutes to spare.
Give yourself a little down time beforehand. When your name is called
and you are brought into the examination room, your test officially
begins. The examiners are very polite and frank in their approach.
Don’t take personally
the fact they do not typically speak to you during the practical part.
Prior to your driving test you should study the Rules of the Road, and have
learned all the Road Signs which are available on this site with the link
above or from our homepage, The booklet which is published by the Department of Transport
is available from most good book shops priced around 4 euro. It
is also a good idea to practice driving as much as possible on all types
of roads and in all types of traffic situations. This will improve your driving
techniques and build your confidence, which is essential to convey to the
examiner on the day of your test.
For a detailed map of where the Driving Examiners use in Cavan town, where the manouvers like the Reverse and the Turnabouts are performed , take a look at our route map below where you will also get directions to Cavan from all corners of the country.
Detailed Cavan Driving Test Routes Map!!
The Irish Driving Test
Your driving test will take approximately 30 to 40
minutes to complete. You will be given clear instructions throughout
the test, but if you don't hear correctly or understand something, ask
the examiner to repeat it. Don’t panic if you make a mistake or
throw in the towel during the test. It may not be as serious as you think
and it may not mean you have failed.
 The
test begins with a check of your provisional licence and it's validity,
then a brief assessment on your knowledge of the rules of the road. Afterwards,
you proceed to the vehicle with the examiner will ask you to test your
indicators & brake lights and they will check for valid tax and insurance.
Then you will be asked to lift the bonnet and show them where the following
is located.
- Brake Fluid
- Engine Coolant
- Engine Oil
- Dipstick
- Power Steering Fluid
- Window Washer Vessel
Once in the car, you will be asked to show the following
auxiliary controls in the cockpit.
- Back Window Demister
- Fog Lights
- Air Conditioning
- Window Washers
- Front Window Demister
- Temperature Controls
- Directional Airflow Controller
The aspects of your driving that will be assessed include road positioning;
overtaking and passing; anticipation and observation; correct use of
mirrors and signals, progress; speed; compliance with traffic lights,
road signs and road markings; and proper use of your vehicle controls.
At some point during your test, the examiner may ask you to demonstrate
the hand signals as well.
The examiner will give you six instructions
throughout your test to carry out.
- Move Off numerous times.which
includes the “hill
start”
- Turn
Left.
- Turn Right
- Reverse around a kerb
- Pull in along the left numerous
times
- Do a Turnabout in the
road.
When you come back to the test centre the examiner
will bring you back into the examination room to give you a good result
hopefully. If you pass, you will be given what’s called a Certificate of Competency,
which is valid for 2 years .This is not a full driving licence as such,
so you have to apply for a full licence during this 2 year period, you
will have to complete your driving test again if you don’t!. If unfortunately
you fail your driving test, you will be given a detailed list of your
mistakes, which you should study and put right before you sit your driving
test. Your instructor can explain the aspects and reasons of the failure
as the examiners are not permitted to discuss this with you.
Rules
- There are a number of things you need to do in
preparation for your driving test and a number of legal requirements
you must comply with.
- You must have a current provisional licence to
sit a driving test.
- Current motor tax and insurance discs and an NCT
certificate (if applicable) must be displayed on the vehicle you
are using.
- L-plates should be displayed on the front and
rear of the vehicle.
- The vehicle should be roadworthy and all tyres
should have a minimum depth of 1.6mm - the legal thread depth limit
for tyres in Ireland.
- Everything should be in perfect working order,
e.g., windscreen wipers, indicators, mirrors, etc.The interior and
exterior of your car should be clean.
- From 14 February 2005 to explain how a technical
check would be carried out on your vehicle, you will be required
to open the vehicle bonnet and close it securely.
Facilities for motorists with a disability/non-English
speakers
It is possible to apply for your driving test to
be conducted through Irish. You will need to complete the Irish language
version of the application form and submit as normal. If English is
not your first language, you may have an interpreter accompany you
for this part of the test. Your interpreter may not be your driving
instructor and they cannot accompany you on the practical part of the
test. The tester may show written instructions for this part of the
test and display them as appropriate..
If you have a hearing impairment you may have an
interpreter present for this part of the test. Your interpreter may
not be your driving instructor and they cannot accompany you on the
practical driving part of your test. The examiner may show written
instructions for this part of the test and display them where necessary,
the examiner will probably use basic sign language to assist their
instructions. You should also note that if the vehicle you present
for the test is adapted to suit a disability ,for example, it has additional
controls, it will be noted on your full driving licence if a
pass is deserved. If you have special needs, you are required to indicate
this on the application form for your test so that any necessary
arrangements will be in place when you arrive for your driving test.
Cancelling your driving test
If for some reason you are not able to sit your driving
test on the intended day for whatever reason, you can cancel the test
but you will have to re-apply again through the appropriate channels You
should try to notify Driver Testing immediately if at all possible
if you need to cancel or postpone your test. Waiting lists are very
long throughout the country and someone else could avail of your time
slot.
You will not loose your test fee if you give at least 10 days notice
and if you have not already cancelled your test more than one driving
test appointment. Cancelling your driving test will mean that you go
back to the end of the waiting list unfortunately again at the nominated
test centre. You may cancel your driving test any time. You can contact
information for Driver Testing under 'Where to apply' section below.
Once in a blue moon due to unforeseen circumstances
or adverse weather conditions the Driver Testing Service may need to
cancel your test at short notice. Every effort is made to notify the
test candidate immediately. In circumstances such as this, the department
of Driver Testing will arrange a further test free of charge at the
earliest date possible.
The Department will also consider reimbursing certain out of pocket expenses,
e.g., hire of vehicle on the day of the cancelled test, on receipt of
the appropriate claim in the Department. View contact information under
'Where to apply' below.
Costs for the Irish driving test
The fee for the category of test must accompany your
driving test application. If applying online which can be done on this
page ,you must have a credit card and the appropriate fee will be charged.
Category of Vehicle Fee
for Test in Ireland
Payment should be made by cheque, postal order or money order. These
should be crossed and made payable to the Minister for Transport. Fees
are non-refundable
Categories A, A1, B, EB, M and W cost 75
euro
Categories C, C1, D and D1 cost 110 euro
Categories EC, EC1, ED and ED1 cost 110 euro
These revised costs came into effect on 07/04/2009
How
to apply
You can apply and pay for your driving test online
by click on the right hand link. You will need a credit card to do
this VISA or Mastercard. You also need to have a valid e-mail address).
Otherwise, you can download an application
form for a driving test (pdf) here, or obtain a copy from your
local Motor Taxation Office.
It is a yellow form and the correct fee must
accompany your completed application.
Where to apply
Driving Testing Section,Government Offices,Department
of Transport,
Ballina,Co. Mayo.
Telephone: LoCall: (1890) 40 60 40 (calls charged at local rate from
anywhere in the country) or (096) 24200 Fax: (096) 24400E-mail:drivingtest@environ.irlgov.ie
Just passed your test? Here are some insurance tips you need to know
For many first time drivers, passing their test is the easy part – it’s finding affordable first-time car insurance that’s the real challenge. In order to qualify for the cheapest insurance premiums, you need a track record of safe driving behind you, but if it’s your first time behind the wheel you’re starting with a clean slate and no insurer knows how responsible and safe a driver you’re going to be.
Insurers don’t want to take risks with their money, and unfortunately the inexperience of the first time driver combined with the fact that younger drivers tend to take more risks on the road, means that in the eyes of the insurers, you’re the riskiest customer there is.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. While you might not be offered the cheapest insurance rates available, there are plenty of things that you can do that will at least help to keep the cost of your insurance down. In the meantime, you should concentrate on driving safely so that you can build up your no-claims bonus which will help you find even cheaper car insurance in the future.
Choosing the right motor
The type of car that you choose can have a big effect on the price of your insurance. Large cars that are more difficult to handle, and cars that are capable of reaching super-speeds are a real no-no as insurers are likely to doubt your ability to drive them safely. So when you go looking for a first time car, remember that in insurance terms the smaller the engine size the better. Check out individual insurer ratings for vehicles so you have a guide as to what cars are deemed less risky.
It’s not just the size and engine power that needs some considerations, but also the cost of repairs. By choosing a standard model whose parts are easy and cheap to repair you’ll be reducing the potential cost to your insurer should you need to make a claim. Cars whose spares are readily available are cheaper to insure than rare models or modified models.
Choosing the right insurance
Different types of insurance have different prices, and the more comprehensive the policy, the more you’ll have to pay for it. Third party fire and theft cover is popular among first time drivers as it’s the cheapest. However, if you should have an accident, this type of insurance will only pay for damage caused to other driver’s vehicles and property and any injuries caused to them by your vehicle.
This means that you’ll be left to foot the bill for any damage to your own car, unless your car is stolen or damaged by fire through no fault of your own. This type of policy is only really an option if you have enough money, or have bought a cheap enough car, that the cost of having to replace it is realistically affordable for you.
If you do opt for third party fire and theft cover, then you should definitely consider taking out some added breakdown cover too. Having an accident or breakdown in the middle of nowhere is no fun, and the cost of towing your car from the road alone will cost more than most breakdown policies will, so it’s a worthwhile investment.
Choosing the right driving school..
Many insurers now recognise specific driving schools, like Erne, and offer discounts to those who have learnt to drive there. It pays to do a bit of research and find out if insurers offer discounts through any motor schools in your area.
Choosing to prove that you’re a responsible driver..
Insurers look very favourably on those who have taken advanced driving courses, such as defensive driving courses and the Pass Plus course in the UK. Anything that shows the insurance companies that you are serious and responsible in your attitude towards driving, as well as giving you added experience and confidence on the roads, is of great benefit. Many insurers will offer you at least 10% off your first policy if you pass such a course - just make sure that you check which courses are recognized by which insurers before you go spending your hard earned cash on any extra tuition fees.
Choosing the internet..
It also helps if you shop around as much as possible when you go shopping for insurance, as not all insurers are alike, and many are keen to help out first-time and younger drivers. Use the internet as a search tool as here you’ll find the biggest selection of insurers and prices, and the internet makes it really easy to compare policies.
You’ll often find that insurers offer their cheapest rates to customers who sign up to online policies, as it means less paperwork and less cost for them, and hence savings for you. Keep your search criteria as broad as possible, checking out specialist insurance brokers as well as big name insurers like Kwik Fit Insurance who offer reduced rates if you take out a car insurance policy with them online. By keeping your options open like this, you’ll be less likely to miss a money-saving deal.
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