South Meath Driving School

The present Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme goes some way in meeting the demands of a learner preparing for life in the driving lane. However, with a mere twelve compulsory lessons, it falls far short of the Australian or Continental standard, which, in the main, imposes thirty or more such lessons plus ongoing  practice sessions. It was a missed opportunity by our Transport  Department to bring us up to a level that now appears beyond the horizon should the current adopted system remain in place for the long term. We are told it is subject to review in a year or two – why should there be such need so soon after implementation and the years of research used before implementation? The answer lies in its basic groundwork. Its concept lacks substance. The fatal accident statistics remain damning in that the category age of 17 to 25 for young men shows no sign of abating.

It was upon those aforementioned countries and others that the Road Safety Authority based its interpretation of the current adopted standard, the Theory Test, NCT, Graduated driving Licence, practice and the driving test. For now, we play with the hand which we are dealt and await further change.

Opportunity for the student  plays a large part in this EDT programme. That means access to a car, having insurance under the Road Traffic Act and the availability of a sponsor, like a parent or friend, for plenty of practice thus allowing the learner to gain the essential hours of experience in all the aspects of good driving –  better observational skills, consideration for other road users, appreciating a high standard of safety, exercising self control and the dangers associated with risk taking and aggressive driving.

Having acquired those skills and experience, together with a study of the Rules of the Road, the time comes for getting to the driving test as it now stands and won’t change much in the near future. With notice of the test comes a sheet titled ‘Final Checks for your Driving Test.’ There’s two full pages of suggestions for preparation and they should be analysed carefully, especially with regard to Learner Permit, the vehicle and discs displayed on the windscreen. There’s a cursive check done on the vehicle by the tester for roadworthiness, maintenance levels and compliance with the law. This includes brake lights, indicators, ‘L’ plates, amber lenses being amber and not a faded white etc. With all of those in order, the engine is started up by the student with a view to getting on the road – but not just yet. Should a ‘systems warning light’ appear on the panel, the test is cancelled. Just like that. This warning light can be simple or serious, from windscreen washer being too low to alternator failure. As far as the tester is concerned it’s black and white: the test is cancelled without argument. Harsh words. There’s no comeback for the poor student, except through a renewed application and pay for same again.

While the technicality of such a mechanical problem is acceptable, what of a brake light or indicator bulb blowing during the half hour warm up practice before the test. There’s no opportunity allowed for repairs. A whole day has been taken off work for the test and even the experience of it, win lose or draw, is also lost. A brand new car can suffer such technical failure as a blown bulb. So, isn’t it cruel treatment in the light of all the preparation? The applicant is blameless in such instance, yet the same result stands. I will put this proposition to the RSA and see what is their response. Pit such instance against that of a tester falling ill; the applicant is merely told the test is cancelled and will be given a new date in due course – yes, go home, with the good news that you haven’t failed or lost your application fee, but you must get another day off work when notification arrives again. Meanwhile, there’s more preparation in the form of fine tuning with a driving instructor and the small headache that goes with the day itself.

Of course there’s other areas of this test which fall far short of the finished article. Now you must know about motorway driving, getting on and off the motorway, dealing with the woefully different speed aspects, correct lane positioning, tolls etc. But, it’s all a bit like the advertisement for Harp lager some years ago with Sally O’Brien and the way she might look at you and how that thirsty man would love to quench his thirst ‘if he had a pint of Harp.’ A learner is not allowed drive on the motorway even while under instruction with a driving instructor. Then, a few hours later, that 17 year old passes his test and is permitted to negotiate the spider’s web that is the motorway, alone.

On our regional roads and narrow country roads where most fatal crashes occur, there is no test. How many can change a wheel or drive in adverse weather conditions? Those challenges remain excluded from our revamped test. No matter, there will be another review down the road or is it just a further kicking of the can?

Then there’s the Test Report Form – next,  I’ll look at aspects of the marking system and some of its technicalities.