THE DRIVING TEST
The Driving Test in Ireland takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Throughout the test you will be given clear instructions, but if you don't understand something, ask the examiner to repeat it. Do not panic if you make mistakes during the test. It may not be as serious as you think and it may not mean you have failed. When you return to the test centre your examiner will bring you back into the examination room to give you the result. If you pass, you will be given a Certificate of Competency, which is valid for 2 years. You MUST bring this to your local tax office and exchange it for your new Full Irish Driving Licence as soon as possible because you CANNOT drive on a Motorway with just a Certificate of Competency. If you fail to apply for a full licence during this 2 year period, you will have to complete your Driving Test again. If you fail your Driving Test, you will be given a detailed list of your mistakes, which you should study and rectify before you sit another Driving Test.
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 Learner Permit to sit a Driving Test. Everything should be in perfect working order, e.g., windscreen wipers, indicators, mirrors, etc.
The Practical Driving Test.
To apply for your test, you must have held a learner permit for at least 6 months. The driving test for cars lasts half-an-hour to 40 minutes and includes:
Your driving will be assessed in the following situations:
Parking Aspects of your Driving Assessment will include:
Road positioning
Overtaking and passing
Anticipation and observation
Use of mirrors and signals
Progress /Speed
Compliance with traffic lights, road signs and markings
Use of the vehicle controls (accelerator, clutch, gears, brakes and steering)
Use of secondary controls such as wipers, de-misters, etc.
You can download a copy of the Examiners Driving Test Assessment Sheet below so that you can see for yourself exactly what he will be marking you on. By studying this sheet and getting in plenty of practice with your ADI, you should master all of these faults thereby increasing your chances of passing your test on the very first attempt.
You can download and print the Driving Test Application Form below or alternatively, you can apply online through my Links page and click on the appropriate link.
You can also download the Final Checks For The Driving Test right here. ___________________________________________________________________________
Driving Test Fees.
The following fees are applicable to the Driving Test with effect from
01 February 2011.
Category Of Vehicle Fee
A, AM, A1, A2, B, BE, W €85
C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E €120
CPC Driving Test (Bus and Truck Category) €152 (Driving Part 1- €120, Part 2- €32)
All Fees are NON REFUNDABLE.
