PASSING YOURDRIVING TESTIN IRELANDTHE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

NOEL BYRNES

Preparing for your practical driving test can be daunting.Passing Your Driving Test in Ireland takes the stress out of the

experience by providing up-to-date and clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions on every part of the driving test.

• Explains the new Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) system,and contains the tester's report sheet, marking guidelines andimages from the Essential Driver Training (EDT) logbook

• Contains ‘top tips’ sections based on learners’ most frequentlyasked questions

• Explains clearly and with examples how the marking systemworks, guiding you point by point through the marking sheet

• Provides clear and simple illustrations and a comprehensivelist of Irish road signs

• Includes a final test checklist and recent legislative changes• Includes frequently asked questions from examiners, alongwith sample answers

• Includes National Car Test (NCT) requirements with recentchanges explained

Written with the new GDL system in mind, Noel Byrnes guidesthe learner driver through the maze, from information onbooking the theory and practical driving tests to the finalprocedure at the end of the practical test. This book is essentialreading for all those preparing for their practical driving test.

NOEL BYRNES is an approved driving instructor currentlyregistered with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). He has workedas a driving instructor for several years. He has substantialexperience in dealing with test candidates and RSA examiners.

9 781871 305562

ISBN 978-1-871305-56-2

ORPEN PRESS

PASSIN

GYOUR

DRIV

ING

TEST

INIR

ELAND

THE

ESSENTIA

LGUID

ENOEL

BYRNES

www.orpenpress.com

OR

PENPR

ESS

Driving Test cover 31/05/2012 12:48 Page 1

PASSING YOURDRIVING TESTIN IRELAND

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

Noel Byrnes

ORPEN PRESS

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page iii

Published byOrpen Press

Lonsdale HouseAvoca Avenue

BlackrockCo. Dublin

Ireland

email: info@orpenpress.comwww.orpenpress.com

© Noel Byrnes, 2012© Diagrams, Orpen Press, 2012

ISBN 978-1-871305-56-2

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior,

written permission of the publisher.This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or

otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without thepublisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in

which it is published and without a similar condition including thiscondition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Printed in Slovenia by Almarose, d.o.o.’Layout and diagrams by Susan Waine

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page iv

How to Use this Guide

This guide was written with the purpose of providing the new

learner driver with all the necessary information needed to

pass the practical car driving test in Ireland. It also aims to

provide an understanding of recent changes in legislation which

affect the process of becoming a fully qualified driver in Ireland.

Information is provided on how to choose an approved driving

instructor (ADI) and the documentation you need to have in your

possession before you are allowed to sit your test. It also

incorporates information on the Essential Driver Training (EDT)

syllabus, which was introduced on 4 April 2011.

To complement this guide and aid clarity simple illustrations

of driving manoeuvres are also included.

To finally demystify the practical driving test, the actual driver

tester’s report form is included and broken down into detailed

explanations. This means that you will know exactly what the

driver tester is expecting from your driving.

Using this guide combined with lessons from an ADI will

hugely increase your success rate.

ix

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page ix

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page x

Contents

1. How to Choose Your Driving Instructor 1

2. Understanding the Graduated Driving Licensing System 3

� Your EDT Logbook 4

3. Step-by-Step Guide to the Practical Driving Test 6

� Stage 1: At the Driving Test Centre Office 6

� Stage 2: Checks at Your Vehicle 7

� Stage 3: In Your Vehicle and on the Road with the

Tester 8

� Stage 4: Return to the Test Centre Office 10

4. Essential Documentation and Preparation of Your

Vehicle for Your Driving Test 11

� Essential Documentation 11

� Essential Vehicle Preparation 11

5. Driver Tester’s Report Form and Marking Guidelines 14

� Tester’s Report Form 14

� Tester’s Marking Guidelines 15

� Understanding the Marking System 15

6. Step-by-Step Breakdown of Tester’s Report Form (Top Tips

Included) 18

� Rules/Checks 18

� Position 19

� Observation 24

xi

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page xi

� Reaction to Hazards 26

� Mirrors 28

� Clearance/Overtaking 29

� Signals 30

� Motorcycles 33

� Courtesy 33

� Alighting 34

� Progress 34

� Vehicle Controls 36

� Speed 39

� Traffic Controls 40

� Right of Way 42

� Reverse 44

� Turnabout 46

� Parking 48

7. Sample Questions with Answers 50

� Questions 50

� Answers 53

8. The Essential Top Ten Checklist to Pass the Test 58

� Confirm Test Appointment 58

� Permit 58

� EDT Logbook 58

� Vehicle 58

� Vehicle Discs 58

� Rules of the Road 58

� Under the Bonnet Checks 58

xii

Contents

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page xii

� Vehicle Secondary Controls 58

� Route Knowledge 58

� Regulation ‘L’ Plates 58

9. How to Apply for Your Theory and Practical Driving Tests 60

� Booking Your Theory Test 60

� Booking Your Practical Test 61

10. Illustrations of Vehicle Positions and Manoeuvres 62

� Driving on the Straight 62

� Turning Left 62

� Turning Right 62

� Emerging at Junctions 62

� Roundabouts 62

� Hand Signals for Other Road Users Behind You 63

� Hand Signals for a Pointsman 63

� Zebra Crossings 63

� Yellow Box Junctions 63

� Stationary Vehicles 64

� Turnabout Manoeuvre 64

� Reverse 64

� Stopping Distances 64

11. Irish Road Signs 65

� Regulatory Traffic Signs 65

� Mandatory Signs at Junctions 66

� Bus/Tram/Cycle Lanes 67

� Traffic Lane Control Signs in a Tunnel 67

� Warning Traffic Signs 68

xiii

Contents

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page xiii

� General Purpose Warning Signs 69

� Warning Signs for Schools and Children 71

� Warning Signs for Road Works 71

� Motorway Signs 74

� Information Signs 75

� Tourist Information Signs 76

Useful Websites 77

Glossary of Frequently Used Terms 78

xiv

Contents

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page xiv

How to Choose a DrivingInstructor

Since 1 May 2009 all driving instructors in Ireland have to be

registered with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). In order to

become an approved driving instructor (ADI) a three-part

instructor’s examination has to be passed. In addition to this,

each instructor must pass Garda vetting and be tax compliant.

As choosing your instructor is one of the most important

decisions you will make it is essential to know that your

instructor is approved and registered with the RSA. Please see

the tips below to help you choose the right instructor for you.

Top Tips� Confirm that your instructor is an ADI registered with the

RSA. Ask to see their ID issued by the RSA.

� Use recommendations from friends, family and work

colleagues.

� Ask about the suitability of the driving school vehicle. Is it

fitted with dual controls?

� Does the ADI provide a door-to-door service?

� Is your ADI registered to provide the Essential Driver

Training (EDT) syllabus?

1

1

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page 1

Ensure that your ADI’s training schedule will fit yours. For

example, if you can only take lessons at weekends make sure that

your chosen ADI works weekends.

2

Passing Your Driving Test in Ireland

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page 2

Understanding the GraduatedDriving Licensing System

If you received your first learner permit on or after 4 April 2011

you are required to complete the Essential Driver Training

(EDT) programme. This is basically a programme of staged

learning and licensing where the privilege of being allowed to

drive on the road is acquired through a structured experience

over a period of time. This consists of completing twelve EDT

lessons (each lesson being one hour in duration). In addition to

this, the ‘six-month rule’ applies, which means that you must

have held your first learner permit for a minimum of six months

before you are allowed to sit your practical driving test. Learner

drivers will not be able to obtain a driving test date until the RSA

has received confirmation from the learner driver’s ADI that the

twelve EDT lessons have been completed. Learner drivers can

now check their own lesson records by going to www.rsa.ie and

using their licence number and personal details to sign in to the

‘My EDT’ link.

Your ADI will bring you through each of your EDT lessons in

detail:

� Lesson 1: Car controls and safety checks

� Lesson 2: Correct positioning

3

2

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page 3

� Lesson 3: Changing direction

� Lesson 4: Progression management

� Lesson 5: Correct positioning

� Lesson 6: Anticipation and reaction

� Lesson 7: Sharing the road

� Lesson 8: Driving safely through traffic

� Lesson 9: Changing direction (more complex situations)

� Lesson 10: Speed management

� Lesson 11: Driving calmly

� Lesson 12: Night driving

Your EDT Logbook

At the end of each EDT lesson your instructor will fill in and

stamp your logbook, which must also be signed by both the

learner and the instructor. This is a vital course to complete in

order to be safe on the road and to be allowed to actually sit your

driving test. Keep your logbook carefully in a secure location. (See

examples on next page.)

4

Passing Your Driving Test in Ireland

Theorytest

Theorytest

Practicaldriving test

Repeat testuntil you pass

Practicaldriving test

Repeat testuntil you pass

12 EDT lessonsHold permit for

6 months

Learner Permit issued before 4 April 2011

Learner Permit issued on or after 4 April 2011

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page 4

5

Understanding the Graduated Driving Licensing System

Passing Your Driving Test 31/05/2012 12:51 Page 5

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sample.indd 1sample.indd 1 10/09/2012 16:40:2910/09/2012 16:40:29

PASSING YOURDRIVING TESTIN IRELANDTHE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

NOEL BYRNES

Preparing for your practical driving test can be daunting.Passing Your Driving Test in Ireland takes the stress out of the

experience by providing up-to-date and clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions on every part of the driving test.

• Explains the new Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) system,and contains the tester's report sheet, marking guidelines andimages from the Essential Driver Training (EDT) logbook

• Contains ‘top tips’ sections based on learners’ most frequentlyasked questions

• Explains clearly and with examples how the marking systemworks, guiding you point by point through the marking sheet

• Provides clear and simple illustrations and a comprehensivelist of Irish road signs

• Includes a final test checklist and recent legislative changes• Includes frequently asked questions from examiners, alongwith sample answers

• Includes National Car Test (NCT) requirements with recentchanges explained

Written with the new GDL system in mind, Noel Byrnes guidesthe learner driver through the maze, from information onbooking the theory and practical driving tests to the finalprocedure at the end of the practical test. This book is essentialreading for all those preparing for their practical driving test.

NOEL BYRNES is an approved driving instructor currentlyregistered with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). He has workedas a driving instructor for several years. He has substantialexperience in dealing with test candidates and RSA examiners.

9 781871 305562

ISBN 978-1-871305-56-2

ORPEN PRESS

PASSIN

GYOUR

DRIV

ING

TEST

INIR

ELAND

THE

ESSENTIA

LGUID

ENOEL

BYRNES

www.orpenpress.com

OR

PENPR

ESSDriving Test cover 31/05/2012 12:48 Page 1