As mentioned in the last edition of the iPad Mag, I am currently trying to get my motorcycle licence and for the next few months I will be writing about how I am getting on and how you too can also apply for your licence. The tips and advice in this column and my previous one can apply to both motorcycle, moped and car licences. So let's get cracking.
I had managed to book my theory test, but the hard bit was passing it. I get terrible exam anxiety so I was dreading the theory test. The only advantage I saw was that it is a computerised exam, and I am better at those than written tests.
So I started studying, and I actually started reading the rules of the road nine months ago. Now, I'm not that slow at reading, but the text heavy format just makes the 264 pages so dull and uninteresting. I found myself having to put the rules of the road down after reading about two pages; I was just so bored. I kept thinking that there has to be a better way to help people learn. So I did a little bit of research/procrastination and discovered that in Sierra Leone you learn the highway code by playing a board game. I then Googled flights to Sierra Leone, but thought it a bit far to travel just to pass my theory test!
Now, of course, you can just take your theory test without actually reading the rules of the road, but I have been driving for years and I was really surprised by some of the rules and regulations in the book and I didn't think that I would be able to pass without some sort of revision. So I headed to the library to use the driving theory test programme that's installed on most library computers. I found this a brilliant way to study. The programme has 1,010 pages of questions, the same bank of questions that are asked in the real test and the programme also has mock theory tests that you can take, which records your scores and progress and breaks down your results by section so you can see what sections need more study. I found this resource invaluable, and it is free to use. Bonus.
I spent three hours using the programme the day before my theory test and an hour the day of the test. And guess what? I passed my theory test and got a score of 40 out of 40. The theory test itself consists of 40 questions and you have 45 minutes to answer them and you need to get 35 correct to pass.
So if you want a tip to pass, don't spend too long reading the Rules of the Road, spend most of your time reading the Official Driver Theory Test book and practicing the questions. Again, the computer version is better than the book as it means you get used to using the computer, which you have to use in the test centre, and the answers on the computer actually come with explanations, which give clarity to them and help your learning.
If you fail the test (you won't, think positive) you can resit it once three working days have passed, but good luck finding an available test time that soon. There is no limit to how many times you can sit the theory test.
So what happens when you pass? Firstly, congratulations! You did great. When you pass, you will receive your Theory Test Certificate, which is laminated and has your photo and signature on it. You then need to go and get an eyesight test. The eyesight test must be done even if you already hold a licence; for example, I already hold a car licence, but I am adding another category to my licence so I have to get my eyes tested. The test costs €20 and you pick up the eyesight report form from the optometrist or download it here: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Licensed Drivers/Eyesight_Report_D_502_Form.pdf.
You have to apply for your learner permit within one month of having the eye test done. If you apply more than a month after the test you will need to sit and pay for the eye exam again. Furthermore, in order to apply for your permit, you must have passed the theory test within the past two years; if you miss this deadline, you will have to pay for and sit the theory test again, and you don't want to redo all of that!
You have to apply for your learner permit in person, as they will take your photograph and signature, which will appear on your permit. You can walk in and queue up at any of the centres or you can book your appointment online, which will save you waiting all day. Book your learner permit appointment by clicking here.
Before you go to your chosen National Driver Licence Service centre download and fill in this form: https://www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/LearnerPermits/D201_Learner_Permit_app_form.pdf.
Make sure you gather all the ID and documents required, including proof that you are normally resident in Ireland. On the day, it should take no more than 30 minutes to get everything done. Currently, the learner permit fee is €35 and you can pay using cash, cheque, bank draft, money order, debit card, credit card or prepaid credit card. You should receive your permit in the post within eight working days.
Some people must supply a medical report, as well as an eye exam report. You can check medical report requirements by clicking here.
Once your learner permit arrives you are ready (in theory at least) to take lessons in order to pass your bike or car driving test. But that's for the next installation...