had 5 lessons before my last test and was driving perfectly but was failed for not making reasonable progress
This also happened to me... I was coming out of a junction turning left and 3 cars were approaching in sequence from my right, indicating left. In the belief that you shouldn't trust an indicator as permission to pull out in front of a car, I waited till the exit was clear... I was marked once for each car - which along with a few other minor errors failed me.
Those responsible for setting testing standards need to cop themselves on and identify the priorities. It's not rocket science to tell whether someone is a safe, responsible driver or not. Provided this has been identified, some leeway should then be given for minor errors which do not endanger safety.
400,000 people need to take the test, yet candidates are being failed for the most ridiculous minor faults, e.g. being "too safe". On the other hand, you can legally step into a car for the first time and drive off unaccompanied, provided you've held your provisional two years. That makes no sense to me.
The priority should be to pass those driving safely, ASAP, and then reform the system so that a full licence is required to drive unaccompanied.
The private testing company SGS seem to be exercising more common sense, perhaps due to a word in the ear from Martin Cullen. However that's not much good for those of us without a SGS centre in their area.
John J,
The waiting time is up to 62 weeks in Irish driving test centres (4-6 weeks in Northern Ireland). I assumme our wonderful and competent government will be addressing these waiting times in line with the rest of the world in their 'raft of new legislation'!
Well I'm not having a go at L drivers and I refuse to accept that they are as much to blame for road accidents as people make out. You will always get idiots, with or without a full licence. Most people out there just need to get from A to B.
I can only speak for myself when I say that, despite being on a provisional, I do my best to drive safely, obey the rules of the road and show courtesy for other road users. Doesn't seem to count for anything on the day of the test though.
It's easy for those with full licences to get up on their high horse, but how many of them are truly perfect drivers? How many could pass their test if repeat testing was introduced?