Driving Test Centre Routes in Ireland

Driving Test Centre routes do vary considerably around the country. In general the distances covered will be uniform approximately six miles but the experience can be very different. Let us look at the differences and then examine whether or not you should contemplate booking a Test at a Test Centre further afield that appears to give you a better chance of passing first time.(It Won’t!)

Firstly let’s get the main stumbling block to passing a Driving Test out of the way. The overriding factor in the poor first time and subsequent Driving Test pass rates is lack of preparation. You have to have built up a fairly high standard of driving competence before you commence your Driving Test preparation. It’s no good trying to learn the basics two or three weeks from your Test appointment because it will take all the effort and time you can muster to cover all the Driving Test preparationactivities. These would include getting to know the area where your test will take place and covering every road and junction in the vicinity at different times. Reversing manoeuvres poorly carried out lose many candidates valuable marks and so should be practised until you can do them in your sleep!

The Driving Test Centre routes are not available to download or to buy in text form so there is only one way to get a detailed knowledge of your local Test routes and the particularly difficult hot spots and that is by taking some instruction from a qualified Driving Instructor who already knows all (or almost all) of the variances in the Test routes.  Particular Hot spots that can and do cause great difficulty to Learner Drivers on their Driving Test need to be practised thoroughly so that you get a good idea of what to expect and don’t get caught out or tripped up. Being prepared is the best way to ensure a Driving Test pass. This takes time; effort and outlay.

Hot spots badly handled will lead to failure on the Driving Test even if you regard yourself as a moderately competent Driver. Feedback from Pupils that have taken their Driving Test is the method by which Instructors learn about the Driving Test Centre Routes. Driving Instructors do not follow candidates on their Driving Tests but they do keep their eyes open in order to recognise Driving Examiners that are obviously undertaking Tests.

There are notices posted in the waiting rooms of Driving Test Centres requesting Driving Schools not to be practising on Driving Test Centre routes during normal business hours. While this is an admirable attempt at leaving Test routes free of drivers who are practising so that Test candidates are not distracted, it is not really possible to avoid being on Driving Test Routes during the day.

 It is a free country after all and not every Learner Driver can take lessons at night after the Test Centres are closed. In any event, Test preparation should be carried out in daylight because this will replicate the Driving Test situation more accurately.

In small Towns there may not be much of a choice of suitable Driving Test Routes but having said this, with the growth of the economy and the increase in Traffic on Irish roads over the last five years it is still a formidable obstacle to gain a first time pass in a smaller location.  Small towns quite often have just one basic Test Centre route with a few minor variations. This does not mean that the Test is any easier to pass in a smaller urban locality; in fact unless you are practising regularly in your chosen location, booking a Driving Test in an out of the way location is likely to give you some nasty surprises.

Driving Test Centre Routes Scrutiny ==>>>