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Driving School Ireland
www.DrivingSchoolIreland.com
087 6688797 - 071 9162311

STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING DRIVING TESTS


Notes


The tester's nameplate must be displayed on the desk facing the applicant.


The wording as set out in these Procedures must be followed.


Meeting The Applicant

  1. Greeting. Call the applicant's full name - Mr./Ms. etc. Say "Good morning/good evening/hello", etc. "Please take a seat at the desk".
  2. Identify: "May I have your address, please?"
  3. Vehicle Type: "What type of vehicle have you for the test?"
  4. Provisional Licence: "May I see your Provisional Licence please?"

All applicants must produce a current Irish Provisional Licence for inspection before the start of the test. 'Visitor's Licences' are not acceptable. The photograph on the Licence should be checked for proof of identity. The Licence must be valid for the category of test being conducted. Pre-dated Provisional Licences are acceptable - see Office Notice DT 9/2004 relating to pre-dated Provisional Licences.


The tester records the Provisional Licence serial number on the facing sheet.


If the Licence is in order the Tester hands it back to the applicant saying - "that's fine, thanks" or if the Licence is not in order say, "Sorry, I am not permitted to conduct your test - your Licence is e.g. out of date, or, not valid for the category of vehicle you propose to use", etc.


Where a Provisional Licence is missing both the signature and the address, the test should not be conducted. A non-conducted report sheet should then be completed and issued


Suspected Impersonation


If impersonation is suspected, see Office Notice 12/01.


On no account should testers accuse anyone of being an imposter. Testers should take reasonable steps to establish the identity/ entitlement where the Licence has been accidentally damaged in e.g. a washing machine, etc. Where the serial number is not legible it is in order to record the red document number in its place.


In all cases the Licence is returned to the applicant.


Testers should not ask any questions relating to code-numbers, which may appear on Provisional Licences from time to time. Where code '100' appears on the Provisional Licence the test should not be conducted and the candidate should be informed that another test will be arranged by the RSA. The file should be sent to Head Office in Ballina for forwarding to the Supervisor. A non-conducted report sheet should be completed and issued.


Facing Sheet


Present the facing sheet to the applicant and indicate the statement relating to the condition of the vehicle and insurance cover, saying - "Would you please read this statement and if you're satisfied it is in order, sign it and date it. ?"


An additional identification check may be made if necessary by holding on to the Provisional Licence while the applicant is signing the facing sheet. The tester should be satisfied regarding the insurance status of the vehicle presented for test by checking that a current insurance disc is on display, and ensuring that the test candidate signs the declaration confirming that he/she is properly insured to drive the vehicle.


See Office Notices DT 4/03 and 5/03 relating to insurance matters and the driving test. Where an applicant has difficulty in reading the statement, the tester should read it aloud, and indicate the relevant passage with a biro. If the applicant refuses to sign the facing sheet, the tester should inform the applicant that the test cannot be conducted and advise the applicant to re-apply. A non-conducted report sheet should be completed and issued.


The tester should not ask any questions relating to the condition of the vehicle, or insurance cover, or request production of an Insurance Certificate. Any information volunteered by the applicant should be noted on the front of the facing sheet.


Where a female applicant has been married since the test was applied for, and the name which she is now using is different to that which appears on the computer sheet and/or the Provisional Licence, the tester should enquire politely as to which name she wishes to go under, and proceed with the test. The applicant may wish to sign the facing statement with her new (married) name. The tester should note this fact, and any change of address on the computer sheet.


Concluding the preliminaries, the tester says - "Thank you. Now I'd like to ask you some questions on the Rules of the Road."


Oral Test


18 questions, including 10 sign questions (from both sides of the sign card), must be asked. A question which is 'developed' counts as one question.


Obligatory subjects for all categories: Pedestrian Crossings, Traffic Lights, Headlights (dipping), Road Markings, Right of Way and Road Signs.


Further questions on additional topics from the Rules of the Road may be asked.


Questions on the following topics must also be asked in relation to the relevant categories:


Categories A, A1, M

Rear Observation, Skidding, Road Position.


Categories EB, EC1, EC, ED1, ED, W

Two questions based on the 'Towing' topic in pages 48 - 50 of the 'Rules of the Road', and also on coupling/uncoupling the trailer from/to the drawing vehicle.


Categories D1, D

When, where and how to use the red warning triangle.


What to be aware of when planning a journey.


All the relevant questions should be posed to every candidate.


On concluding the oral test, the tester says "Thank you, that's the end of the oral part of test. We will now go out to your vehicle for the practical part."


Note: The Tester must accompany the applicant to the vehicle (except in rare and exceptional circumstances).


The tester must wear the high-visibility jacket/vest as required.


At The Vehicle


The Tester checks:

  1. That 'L' plates are displayed to the front and rear, (except categories A, A1, M and W). A roof sign displaying proper 'L' plates is acceptable. Where an 'L' plate(s) is/are missing and can be obtained within a short walking distance, the applicant may be advised of this, and given reasonable time to get it/them provided this does not interfere with the time allotted for the test. The tester should not suggest to, or advise the applicant to drive in order to obtain 'L' plates.
  2. That the Insurance Disc is in order, (not A1, A, M or W). See Office Notice 11/93. Photocopies are not acceptable.
  3. That the N.C.T. Disc is in order, if required, (Cat. B, EB). See Office Notices 11/01 and 1/2002.
  4. The Tax Disc, where it is necessary to establish the taxation class, or licence category. See Office Notice 14/2004.
  5. The registration number, and records it on the Report Sheet.
  6. Whether the vehicle (including motorcycles), has automatic transmission, and if so, tell the applicant that if they pass the test, that the licence will be limited to automatic transmission. (See Additional Procedures for particular categories).
  7. H & S requirements. See Office Notice 18/2002 and 7/2004 relating to 'Final checks for your Driving Test', and related procedure where a test is not conducted.

    The brake-lights and indicators should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly. When checking the brake-lights and indicators, the applicant should be asked to ensure that the ignition is turned fully to 'on'.

    Where ignition warning lights do not come on when the ignition is switched on, it is not in order to proceed with the test. However, see Office Notice 7/2004 for where a warning light does come on, and stays on after the engine has been started.

    Where an applicant starts the engine the applicant may be asked to switch it off before the tester enters the vehicle, or checks the brake-lights and indicators.

    Where any 2 out of 3 brake-lights are working, the test should be conducted. If necessary, it is in order for the tester to press the brake pedal to demonstrate to the applicant that the brake-lights are not working.
  8. Technical Checks. The applicant should be asked to verbally explain how he/she would perform a check on any 3 of the following, selected at random by the tester:

    (a) the tyres (b) the lights (c) the reflectors (d) the indicators (e) the engine oil (f) the coolant (g) the windscreen washer (h) the steering (i) the brakes (j) the horn.

    In the case of (e), (f), or (g) above being selected, the bonnet will have to be opened and closed again securely, by the applicant. The P.A.S. fluid and the brake fluid may also be checked in this manner, if desired.

    Inability to lift and secure the bonnet also constitutes a fault.

    The steering may also be checked by examining it for excessive play, (non-P.A.S.) or by turning it from side to side with the engine at tick-over. (P.A.S. only).

    The brakes may also be checked by asking the applicant how he/she would know if there was a fault with:

    (a)the handbrake, or
    (b)the footbrake. The tester may exercise discretion in relation to the weather conditions at the time.
  9. Where a vehicle with automatic central locking is presented for test, the test should be conducted in the normal way.
  10. Wheelchair seats and stretchers should be counted as seats, when they are properly secured.
  11. Where a vehicle is presented with a flat spare wheel the test should be conducted.