Post by gillian on Jun 28, 2011 11:53:18 GMT 1
Hi All,
My friend and fellow RC member Emma, done her EB driving test (for pulling horseboxes) recently and I asked her to jot down some information on the actual test as it is relatively new and it looks like it will become compulsorary soon. The Garda have been checking licences lately and I have been asked twice in recent times for my licence.
By the way Emma did pass hers. Well done Emma and thanks,
Driving Test Tips for Passing the EB Test
By Emma Kelly
Before Sitting the Driving Test:
Theory Test once passed you can apply for a Provisional Licence. You must hold this Provisional Licence for 6 months before you can apply for your driving test – however, it can take up to 8 weeks to be assigned a test date so take this into consideration when apply for the test.
Day of the Driving Test:
Need to ensure you arrive on time and when parking your jeep and horsebox, ensure that you are ready to pull out and have manoeuvred in such a way that it is easy to view the road in both directions. When you arrive at the test centre you will be asked a series of questions from the RSA Driving guidelines book. These will most likely be questions on what the various signs mean/stopping distances/how to hitch and unhitch the trailer/horsebox.
Next you move outside and the driving examiner will ask you to open the bonnet and point out certain parts of the engine (e.g.: Where do you top up water/brake fluid/engine coolant/steering fluid/windscreen washer? Check for oil). You might then be asked what is the loaded and unloaded weight of your horsebox? What is the tread depth of tires allowed? The examiner will check the lights on your horsebox and that the safety cable is in place. Inside the car, you might be asked how you put on hazards/windscreen washer etc. Make sure inside and outside your vehicle is clean and tidy.
Then you take the driving test – this is simply driving around town, over every speed bump you should be in second gear, no coasting allowed, move on when you are able to so don’t drive too slow. Max speed limits to be adhered to but overall maximum speed for a jeep towing a horsebox is 80KPH.
You will be asked to reverse around a corner from a primary to a secondary road. You will be asked to choose which direction do you want to reverse? That is to the left or right? Reversing to the right is normally the easiest. While reversing, it is important that you do not cross either white line, do not hit the footpath and when completed you are a foot away from the path, a few meters away from the junction and that the vehicle and trailer are in a straight line. You ARE allowed to “shunt” meaning pull forward to straighten up. You are allowed to do this as many times as possible and it is better to do this than chance bumping into the footpath. The examiner will normally get out of the jeep and watch from the footpath. You are allowed to let down both windows to listen for on-coming cars. You are allowed to reverse using your mirrors or you can look out and back through the open window.
You will NOT be asked to do a three-point turn.
Know and practice the correct way to enter/exit/signal on a roundabout. These can be found in the handbook.
You might be asked what are the various arm signals if your indicators are not working.
You must constantly check your mirrors, even the rear view as there is a chance that someone could be stepping across the jeep and horsebox while stopped at lights for example. You can move your mirrors slightly prior to the test, so that you need to move your head to look into the mirrors so that the movement is exaggerated and the examiner will see you checking mirrors.
Good Luck and I hope this will be of some help to you.
Gillian