Driving test in Ireland

[tinaabbot]

Does anyone have any recent experience of their DCs (or themselves) booking a driving test more quickly? My dd was really hoping to be driving this summer but the estimate is end of August for a test. It would make life much easier if she could get herself to her summer job. I know there is all sorts of apps that claim to book cancellations, but a bit nervous about using them and the warnings on the RSA page.

DD did her test last autumn. She applied for it at the end of Dec, was offered a test in July when she was away on her J1, and did the test in Oct. So the wait can be very long.

All you can do is ring around and put her name on cancellations unfortunately. Assume shes done her theory already?

Yes, theory done, 12 lessons done, all ready to go. @Itsanewdawnitsanewdayitsanewlife4me, when you say ring around, who do you mean to ring?

@turkeyboots, it’s such a long wait isn’t it, glad your daughter has it done now, I’m sure she was delighted.

Maybe try a different part of the country?

Not got anyone learning in my household but is it possible to book for a test then do lessons. (Not that that's any use for your daughter)

@JeremiaBoogle, no, you need the evidence of the lessons in the system before you book

The problem with using a random test center is that there are quirks to each set of routes which you won't know. Our local test center is 1hour away in a town I never go to, so had to organise some additional pre test lessons there. It paid off as DD pass first time though.

Agree @turkeyboots, my daughter doesn’t really want to go to a random place for a test, as there does appear to be quirks to the routes, and especially things like reversing around a corner. Some of the local ones are really tricky.

In case this is useful for anyone else, my daughter did get a cancellation and passed her test today 🎉

It was a matter of logging on to the RSA website every morning, going to the book test link and checking the local test centre, then refreshing by closing the map and checking again. If you just refresh the page it locks you out!