This week, I said I’d highlight a number of small issues that regularly cause potential confusion and often lead to marks.
- STOPPING DISTANCE: When stopping behind vehicles in traffic, you are supposed to stop one car length back from it. We generally teach: “Tyres & Tarmac”, ie. you need to see the bottom of the vehicles back tyres and some tarmac. Basically, if that vehicle broke down could you get around it.
- 2 SECOND RULE: When driving on the open road, you need to keep a 2 second distance from the vehicle in front of you (4 Seconds in Wet Weather). Best to check this on Youtube to understand.
- CHECKING MIRRORS: No, you don’t need to constantly check mirrors. Check when needed before any turns/junctions/manoeuvres etc but don’t be checking every 2 seconds when just driving on the straight.
- NOT A FAIL: Generally, conking out (stalling) the car is not a fail. Touching a kerb during a manoeuvre isn’t always a fail. There are more of these situation misconceptions, but for another article.
- LEFT REVERSE: Yes, you can lower your left mirror during the manoeuvre, but ensure you return it to the original position afterwards.
- MANOEUVRES: For the Left Reverse and Turnabout, you don’t need to signal. (For the Turnabout, I’d teach to use it moving off, but if you forget, it’s not a mark)
- CAR CLEANLINESS: Yes, it should be reasonably tidy, but it doesn’t need a full valet! Just ensure it’s reasonably clean and most importantly, the windows are clear.
- IN THE OFFlCE : You will be asked Signs, 5 Rules of the Road and 2 Hand Signals in the office before the driving element of the test. (It’s generally 5 signs/Q’s)
- Yes, you can talk to the tester. Ask them to repeat an instruction, ask for a breather etc (only when parked before a Manoeuvre for this is recommended).
- LIGHTS: Signals and Brake lights are the ONLY essential lights that MUST be working. (AII should work, but test would still be carried out if a headlight wasn’t working)
Brendan Tierney is a Brand Ambassador of KennCo Insurance. KennCo Insurance understands that getting car insurance for your first car can be challenging. That’s why they offer affordable and reliable young driver car insurance. KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland. #brandambassador
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