just failed my first attempt in Wicklow earlier today got 14 grade 2's overall
I had no problems with the tester although he was very thorough on the rules of the road questions and the under the bonnet checks and secondary controls. He spoke clearly and calmly when giving directions
I was asked numerous questions on signs including:
1. Clearway
2. pedestrian zone
3. crossroads.
4. signal controlled level crossing
5. Dangerous bend
6. Roundabout
8. Pelican crossing
9. series of dangerous bends
Also four or five, along the lines of,
What are the rules of the yellow box at a junction?
Who should you give way to at a roundabout?
when should you use dipped headlights?
what are the rules regarding double yellow lines?
Under the bonnet
Point out and how would you check the following:
oil filler cap, brake fluid/clutch fluid, screenwash, engine coolant, dip stick
He then checked the headlights, tires, indicators front and rear, stop lamps and brake lights
Inside the car i was asked to display the front and rear screenwasher, headlights, dipped lights hazards, front and rear fog light, air conditioning,rear demister.
When we finally got underway, I should have known it was not going to be my day as the heavens opened straight away, I had to give way to four pedestrians and two cyclists before I even got out the gate(the road was completely free earlier when I was practicing). I was quite nervous at first but steadied up I felt my driving was good and confident even with hailstones at one stage lashing off the window!
It was even funny when I was instructed into a housing estate to do the hill start and reverse around corner. There were two learner drivers on Pre-tests practicing, I may have picked up a grade 2 reaction to hazard here not 100% sure as a result of this. When we got back I was given the bad news and the tester offered to give me feedback but not discuss the test itself.
He said I was a good driver but had failed in areas on observation moving off, turning right and at cross junctions, he said although I made good use of my mirrors but I neglected the blindspot on a couple of occasions. He also gave me 4 grade 2's in vehicle control, all four were on the clutch and he informed me I was coasting, this was something I was not aware of at all and would have failed on this alone. I guess I picked up some bad habits over the last couple of years I was unaware of!
So it's back to working on my observation and clutch control for me, hope this can help someone else taking their test
