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Tips for passing your test DRIVING TEST MARKING SHEET
IF YOU:
Read this section very carefully.
Take my 5 lesson "Pre-test course with demonstration drive.
Practice everything we cover as much as possible.
You´ve an excellent chance of passing your driving test FIRST TIME!!
There are no guarantees you´ll pass but you´ll be well prepared with Safety 1st Driving School.
The following guides you through each section of the driving test marking sheet. It is a guide on how to PREVENT marks on your driving test. It is impossible to highlight every single possible mistake but I highlight exactly what you are marked on in each section and the reasons why you lose marks.
POSITION:
On the straight:
Drive on the “left of centre” on the road and don’t drift too far into the centre or too far to the right unless there is a line of parked cars. If you drive behind traffic who is in the wrong position you´re more than likely will do the same.
You should not be driving too close to the kerb.
Drive over the split ramp on the left closest to the kerb unless you´ll be too close to parked cars.
Drive in the lane closest to the left unless it’s a bus lane. For example, there are three lanes on Ballymun road so the correct lane to drive in is the MIDDLE lane.
On Bends:
Keep tight to the left on bends and take tight blind bends in second gear to ensure you’re not too close to oncoming traffic and you’re in position to stop if required. Take into account any parked cars that may be at the bend and anticipate oncoming traffic.
Traffic Lanes:
Make sure you keep within the lines of your lane and you don’t drift into another lane on dual carriageways.
At Cross Junctions:
The rule is if you’re going LEFT or STRAIGHT at a cross junction then approach tight to the left and approach left of centre if you’re turning right ONLY unless the road markings suggest the left hand lane is only for turning left. If you are going straight or left at a red light, stop tight to the left unless there are parked cars close to the junction.
AT Roundabouts:
If you’re taking the first or second exit, approach it tight to the left unless the road markings suggest the left lane is for the first exit ONLY. Keep tight all the way to the left when taking the second exit. Don’t drift too far to the right after you pass the first exit. Approach left of centre or in the right hand lane if you’re ONLY taking the THIRD exit. Always attempt to drive half over or half around mini roundabouts when taking the second exit to the right. This is the best practice to ensure you don’t get too close to the kerb.
Turning Right:
Don’t CUT any corners by turning across the face of the turn and make sure you don’t go too far and have to over-steer to make the turn (swan-necking) Make sure you´re tight to "left of centre" at T-junctions and major to minor roads so traffic behind you can overtake.
Take into account any parked cars when turning right onto a narrow road where you may have to cut the corner in order to give the correct clearance to parked cars.
Turning Left:
Approach a left turn tight to the left and keep tight to the kerb as you complete the turn. When turning left at T-junctions you must be tight to the left where a car can move along side you to turn right at the same time where there is enough space to do so. Use double yellow lines as a guide to keep tight and a cyclist should not fit up your inside.
Stopping:
Don’t block an entrance and make sure you can see the back wheels of the vehicle in front when stopped in traffic. Make sure not to hit the kerb or rub your tyres off the kerb when parking. Don´t park too far from the kerb and park tight on narrow roads. Ensure to stop at the first continuous white line at junctions.
Following Traffic:
Keep a safe following distance and no “tail-gating” REMEMBER: “Only a fool breaks the two-second rule” and double in wet conditions. Give learner drivers plenty of time and room.
OBSERVATION:
Moving Off:
Check left blindspot, all of the mirrors and over the right blindspot “right shoulder” before you move off. You must do this also if you’re stopped to allow an oncoming vehicle clearance. If you’ve had to give right of way you must check over your right shoulder once again before you move off. If you move off and then check the shoulder it is too late.
Overtaking:
Check your rear-view and right wing mirror when overtaking a parked car i.e on the left. If overtaking from a stopped position and there is the possibility a vehicle could come in your blindspot, check over your right shoulder also.
Changing Lanes:
If changing from the left lane to the right lane, check your rear-view mirror and right wing mirror and a very quick glance over your right shoulder before moving to the right-hand lane. Do the opposite for changing from the right-hand lane to the left lane. The glance over the shoulder should only be a split second and your mirrors should be adjusted correctly. If you use your mirrors in good time before you change lanes, it is ok to just use the mirrors but a glance over the shoulder is even better just before you move over in case you missed something in your mirrors.
AT Cross Junctions:
Scan a cross junction as you drive through it or turning left or right at traffic lights to ensure it is safe to continue and never trust a green light. For example, if turning left or right at a “T-junction” with traffic lights, check both directions before you turn. Check for pedestrians crossing if the light is green or cars who are still turning in front of you.
At Roundabouts:
Give right of way to the right and approach roundabouts in second gear. Scan them to the right on approach and again before you continue and make sure you don’t have to stop and watch for cars who don’t indicate coming around who may cause you to give right of way.
Turning Right:
Scan up the road to check for oncoming traffic turning left and going straight on but also check up the road you’re turning onto to make sure no pedestrians are crossing as you turn. At T-junctions turn in second gear if you can see clearly. it’s best to turn in first gear when your visibility is blocked with parked cars on either side. Check both directions on approach at least twice and once more before you make your turn. If you cannot see clearly to the right and left, turn in first gear.
Turning Left:
Check to the left as well as to the right at least twice on approach and when turning left at a T-junction and the same when making a major to minor left- turn. Make sure to check for the vehicle turning right coming from the opposite direction at junctions who may cut across you unexpectedly. If turning left at a T-junction and you cannot see clearly to the right and the left, turn in first gear.
REACTION TO HAZARDS
A hazard is anything that causes you to reduce speed or change road position. You must take full OBSERVATION by reading the road as far you can see scanning for “hazards”. You ANTICIPATE what “may” happen and you then REACT when it happens by:
How to React to a Hazard: You must react IMMEDIATELY by coming off the gas, covering the brake immediately with your right foot. braking, braking and changing gear and/or emergency stop.
Examples of hazards:
• Pulling in on a narrow road when an oncoming vehicle has already pulled in for you resulting in confusion and holding up the road.
• Braking hard and reacting late when the traffic in front slows down suddenly
• Not covering the brake approaching a green light that may change to amber or red
• Not anticipating a car coming from a side road that may turn out in front of you.
• Reacting late for a pedestrian or child who may walk out in front of you
• Pulling in too late for an oncoming car when the parked car is on your side on a narrow road
•Reacting late to a vehicle cutting a corner in front of you
•Looking down side roads when it’s more important to focus on the road in front of you
•Still looking to the left when you’ve committed to turning right hence taking your eyes off the road.
•Over use of mirrors causing you to react late to change in road conditions in front of you.
•Causing a rough ride by driving too fast over ramps or driving in pot-holes that can be avoided
•Failure to cover your brake when driving around a blind bend to show anticipation to an oncoming vehicle.
•Splashing pedestrians with puddles in heavy rain where you could at least slow down
•Causing another vehicle to stop or change direction because of late reaction
•Looking at the driver tester´s marking sheet instead of concentrating on driving!
MIRRORS:
You must use your mirrors effectively BEFORE you indicate and in advance of Moving off, check your rear-view mirror ONLY every 20 SECONDS on the straight, when overtaking, changing lanes, exiting roundabouts by checking your left-wing mirror, your rear-view and left and right wing mirrors when turning left and right and if you come to a sudden stop at an amber light, check your rear-view mirror to make sure it’s safe to stop. Don’t check your mirrors too much!
CLEARANCE/OVERTAKE:
Pedestrians:
Always brake gently well in advance approaching pedestrians or be ready to stop if necessarily for children or young teenagers. Give pedestrians lots of time and space if crossing the road and and watch for them when walking out from between parked cars. Watch for pedestrians who may not look properly before crossing or who may run across a road with their head down in heavy rain.
Cyclists:
Give cyclists lots of room or “clearance” and wait for a safe opportunity to overtake by staying well back and dropping to second gear if necessary. Give extra clearance to cyclists who may move out to overtake parked cars or who leave the path and cycle onto the road without taking any observation.
Stationary Vehicles:
Give the “width of a door” clearance to parked vehicles or drive very slowly passed parked cars where it’s not possible to give the required clearance. You should not be driving unnecessarily too close to parked vehicles. Take them into account when turning onto narrow roads. Sometimes you must “cut” the corner to ensure you’re not too close to them as you turn. DRive up the middle of a narrow road with parked cars on both sides to give equal clearance.
Other Traffic:
Give “other traffic” like oncoming traffic as much clearance as possible especially, large, vans, trucks and buses in tight situations with parked cars on narrow roads. Try to pull in as much as you can especially where another vehicle has already overtaken one or more parked vehicles.
Other Objects:
Other objects like glass, wheelie bins, animals, loose bushes or anything that may be in your path on the road are there to be avoided so stay well away from them.
Overtake Safely:
You must overtake i.e bus, parked vehicles SAFELY. This means that an oncoming vehicle should not have to slow down to let you through because obstruction is on your side. Give plenty of clearance to the object or vehicle you are overtaking. If you choose to overtake a cyclist or parked car you should not be too close to oncoming traffic where it would be dangerous to overtake. Stay well back until you get a safe opportunity to overtake.
SIGNALS
You must give the correct signal in good time when:
Moving off, overtaking, changing lanes, at roundabouts, turning left & right, stopping.
Make sure you’re indicating RIGHT when moving off and cancel your indicator after you park. You must indicate left when pulling into park. Make sure you indicate at the correct time at roundabouts and it looks well to indicate to the right when overtaking or changing road position even if there’s no vehicle behind you. Don’t indicate too early and cancel it promptly after you’ve completed your turn.
Make sure you know your HAND SIGNALS and don´t mix them up!
NEVER BECKON OTHERS BY FLASHING YOUR HEADLIGHTS OR WAVING AT PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER ROAD USERS TO TURN OR CROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. THERE’S POTENTIAL FOR DANGER AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!!!
MOTORCYCLES:
This section is on for driving test applicants for Category A: Motorcycles.
ALIGHTING:
This means that you must get out of your vehicle safely at the end of your test. When "alighting" from a rigid or articulated truck, make sure you use the handrails and steps and face inside the vehicle as you go down. Never jump down off any of the steps or this may cause an injury that is easily avoided.
PROGRESS:
Alot of driving test applicants feel that it is safe to drive 10km/h under the speed limit. The myth is that the slower you drive and the safer you are so you should pass the test. This is completely FALSE!
• MOVING OFF: Don’t take too long to move off and go as soon as you’ve a clear gap but still giving right of way.
• ON THE STRAIGHT: Get to 50km/h and 4th gear on main roads as soon as possible and drive at 40 km/h in housing estates or 30km/h on tight roads with parked cars on both sides. If the speed limit is 50km/h drive at 50km/h and don’t let it drop under the speed limit unnecessarily. There are roads where you are required to drive at 60km/h so you should be driving at the speed limit. You can’t do this if it causes you to drive too close to the vehicle in front in slow moving traffic or in bad weather conditions but again don´t let it drop to 55km/h when you should be at 60km/h.
Overtaking:
You should take the first opportunity you get to overtake. Overtake straight away once you’ve a safe gap i.e driving behind a bus approaching a bus-stop. Keep back and anticipate the bus will pull in. Once it indicates to pull in scan the road for a safe opportunity to overtake, drop your speed and gear if you need to and accelerate to overtake and don’t change your mind. Drive back to the "left of centre" of the road after overtaking.
At Roundabouts:
Drive up to roundabouts and approach them in second gear so you can go if it’s clear or stop smoothly and safely if you need to. Take early observation and wait for a safe gap and take it as soon as it comes. You should not have to stop when approaching roundabouts and watch the angle of vehicles’ wheels on a roundabout who may come past you without indicating.
Turning Left/Right:
Look assess and decide whether you’ve a safe gap before turning left and right. Assess the distance and speed of traffic plus their distance from you, don’t be over-cautious and go if it’s a clear gap. If you’re not sure if you go can make it safely, then don’t go, use your instinct and wait for your next chance to go.
Changing Lanes:
When changing lanes it’s important to indicate well in advance to give drivers in that lane a chance to allow you to change lanes. Look for a safe gap in your mirrors. If a gap develops where a driver slows down to let you change lanes, take it as soon as possible and don’t slow down.
At Traffic Lights:
A green light means you “Go” or “Proceed with Caution” Go when it’s clear at a green light or a filter light and be ready to go in first gear if you’re the first or second car so you can go as soon as the light changes to green. Don’t wait for a filter or green arrow if you could have gone on the green light. You’ll be expected to be able to change gears as well as turning right or left at traffic lights. Don’t press your brake at a green light to scan the junction. Look and go at the same time. Make sure you don’t miss a filter light when turning left or right when the main light shows RED.
VEHICLE CONTROLS:
Accelerator:
Don’t over rev the engine when moving off, at hill-starts or reversing and make sure you make smooth gear changes. As a guide, your rev counter should not go above 2000 revs when moving off. Check your rev counter if you have one. 2000 revs is at the point “2” or “20” depending on the kind of car. You should not cause the front wheels to “spin” in wet conditions.
Clutch:
Make sure you “BRAKE THEN CLUTCH” to stop and not “CLUTCH THEN BRAKE” Release the clutch after you change gear, don’t clutch too early after you brake to stop. Remember to use the clutch only to stop or change gear. If you press the clutch without changing gears you’re “COASTING” Keep your left foot away from the clutch when not using it otherwise you’re “riding the clutch” if your left foot is constantly hovering over it. Bring up the clutch slowly and smoothly when moving off without causing a "jerk"
Gears:
Make smooth gear changes and make sure you move off and turn in the correct gear. Move up the gears 1st – 4th gear quickly up to 50km/h by matching the gear to the speed. Make turns in 2nd gear and remember if the car engine is too loud you’re driving too fast for a low gear and making the engine work too hard. If the engine is struggling or “labouring” you’re in too high a gear for a low speed. Move up to 3rd gear as soon as you’ve turned left or right. 2nd gear is for turning and 3rd gear is for driving! You don’t need to use 5th gear for the driving test.
Footbrake:
You must use the footbrake smoothly by coming to a smooth stop without any kind of a "jolt" at the end even if you have to come to an emergency stop.
Handbrake:
Use the handbrake when stopped for 10 seconds or more at junctions, in traffic and especially on any kind of a hill. Even if you don´t roll backwards you may still be marked for failing to use the handbrake properly. Press the button in when operating it. Make sure not to roll back on hills or upward slopes and take it off before you drive forward. There’s no need to apply the handbrake every time you stop for a few seconds because this may cause you to be too slow at junctions for overusing the handbrake.
Steering:
Hold the steering wheel with two hands at the “10 to 2” position unless operating the handbrake or changing gears. “Feed” the wheel by pushing and pulling it through both hands and try not to “cross your hands”. Stop in gear with both hands on the wheel. Keep at least one hand on the wheel at all times when stopped in traffic. If you change to second gear as you are turning try and put both hands back on the steering wheel as soon as possible.
Secondary Controls:
If it’s dull or overcast use the parking light if it’s quite dark and light is fading use your dipped headlights especially in light or heavy rain plus use your windscreen wipers to keep your front window clear. Use your demister system to keep your front and back window clear and keep all other windows and mirrors clear with a cloth. Open you front windows slightly, this will stop them from steaming up in wet conditions. You should not have to use your hand so clear your front windows. Make surey ou know where all of the secondary controls are in your vehicle, i.e rear demister.
SPEED
Road/Traffic Conditions:
There’s a big difference between making good progress and driving too fast for road or traffic conditions. Slow down well in advance when approaching junctions or traffic by reducing speed and dropping gears especially approaching pedestrians, zebra crossings or in housing estates. You should be able to stop if required without having to put excessive pressure on the brakes. Don’t approach or take junctions, roundabouts, turning left or right too fast. Slow down and creep passed parked cars if you they are opposite each other on a narrow road.
Speed Limit:
Keep to the speed limit. The speed limit on all roads is 50km/h unless the speed limit sign says otherwise i.e 60km/h. If you’re exceeding the speed limit, reduce it immediately and keep an eye on it and watch out for speed limit signs!
TRAFFIC CONTROLS
Traffic Lights:
Always anticipate a green light won’t stay green forever but an amber light means:
Stop if it’s unsafe to do so. You must stop if you can stop safely at an amber light. An amber light does not mean that you put the foot down on the gas pedal and accelerate through an amber or red light when you could have stopped. Don’t slow down too early at a green light. Remember a green light means “Go!”
Traffic Signs:
You must “STOP” AT A STOP SIGN. This means you bring your vehicle to a complete dead stop hence it should not still be rolling at all. Go if it’s clear at a YIELD SIGN. Follow all other traffic signs.
Road Markings:
Don’t stop on cycle tracks at junctions and make sure you keep yellow box junctions clear by not “stopping” on them. Don’t drive over “hatch markings” (black and white stripes) they are there to keep that area of the road clear.
Pedestrian Crossings:
Don’t block or stop on pedestrians crossings at junctions especially when turning right.
Garda/School Warden:
Stop for a Garda, person in charge of roadworks or a school warden when required.
Bus/Cycle Lanes:
Don’t drive in bus or cycle lanes. Try to wait for the broken white line when a bus lane ends before changing lanes. You can use bus or cycle lanes to overtake a vehicle in front of you who is turning right. As soon as you do overtake you must drive back out of the bus /cycle lane as soon as possible.
RIGHT OF WAY:
Giving right of way means that a driver who has right of way shouldn’t have to come off the gas pedal, certainly should not have to press the brake and definitely should never have to stop. Assess the speed and distance the other driver has to travel before deciding if it’s safe to:
Turn right/left, overtake, changing lanes, at roundabouts, at junctions or when moving off.
REVERSING AROUND A CORNER
This is the trickiest manoeuvre of the whole test and takes practice. You’re assessed on competency, observation and giving right of way.
Competently:
Keep the vehicle reasonably close to the kerb all the way around so don’t drift too “WIDE”
Don’t take forever by constantly stopping and starting the whole time.
Don’t risk being inch perfect to the kerb and run the risk of hitting or mounting the path
Don’t constantly steer and correct yourself start to finish with the steering wheel
Observation:
Look over both shoulders before you begin.
Turn your body around to face over your left shoulder and continue looking “BEHIND” you as much as possible.
Use your ring wing mirror to check for any traffic behind you to the right of your vehicle
When you can no longer see up the road in you right wing mirror, you must pause on the brake and check to the right for your blindspot before you continue
Use your left wing mirror to check your position in relation to the kerb
Look around the corner to check for traffic or pedestrians at the corner you’re reversing around
Continue doing the above until the driver tester asks you to stop.
TIP:
There is no need to indicate to the left or use the hazard warning lights when doing this manoeuvre.
Take off your seatbelt if you like but remember to put it back on.
Right of Way:
If a car comes in front or behind you wait until it has passed you before you continue
If a car behind you cannot turn left or right, you must position the car back where you started so the car can turn
If a pedestrian is walking along the path beside you close to your car, wait until he/she is out of harm’s way before you continue.
TURNABOUT:
There’s a myth that the turnabout must be completed in 3 moves – “3 point turn” Remember you may reverse more than once if you like especially in a tight narrow road. Take into account the width of the road and the length of your vehicle.
• Park tight to the kerb to have maximum space to work with
• Don’t park opposite a driveway if you can avoid it or opposite a parked car, tree, pole or lamp-post
• Slow with the car with clutch control and fast with your hands.
• Look over your right shoulder for your blindspot
• Don’t forget to indicate right before you move off.
• Give right of way to oncoming traffic or traffic behind you.
• Use clutch control to control the speed and make sure not to “bump the kerb” on either side
• Apply the handbrake if the road has and up or down slope.
• Look “all around the house” up and down the road and over both shoulders before you begin to reverse and as you reverse backwards
• Its’ fine once you’ve checked over both shoulders to use the mirrors to judge the path behind you.
• If you don’t think you can finish without hitting the path, STOP AND REVERSE AGAIN.
• There’s no need to indicate right before you finish.
• Check up and down the road to give right of way before you complete your manoeuvre
PARKING:
Parking is part of the test and you must be able to park within the white lines with the car reasonably straight. You will not be asked to reverse park into a car space, If it is not straight fix it but make sure if you reverse you must look behind you and it should not take too long. If parking at the side of the road ensure sure you don’t hit the kerb and finish within 18" of the kerb.
GOOD LUCK!!:)
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