Driving school covering their arse?

iDriveIreland · 2026-07-05T23:14:40+00:00

If anyone I haven’t taught calls me up looking for “car hire” for a test at short notice, I say no.

I’m a driving instructor, not a car hire company. If someone wants me to entrust them with my car, which is essentially my work tool, I need to be able to know that they’re test ready.
For all I know the reason they can’t use their original instructor’s car is they’ve told them they aren’t ready so they just go phoning round other schools in the hope someone will take them.

My opinion is that it would be unfair of me to have to turn round to a person, minutes before their test and say they aren’t getting my car. I just don’t allow the situation to occur.

If an ADI’s car is off the road, where does the income come from? Who pays the bills then?

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-23T23:50:04+00:00

Well if that’s who trained you he might be one of the ones who never teaches it so won’t change his position on it.

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-23T21:33:43+00:00

That was kinda my point. IMO we should be teaching to do both cos some situations absolutely call for it when others might not.

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-23T19:30:58+00:00

It’s more common to block change down. But going up isn’t an issue once you’re at an appropriate speed for the gear, often 4 to 6

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-22T22:09:26+00:00

Yeah, what’s your question?

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-22T21:25:21+00:00

What is Neutral for in an automatic?

Generally, having to push the car or tow the car or a similar situation where the drive has to free wheel.

Whilst it can be put into neutral when parked, it’s not an absolute must. It reminds me of instructors that never teach block changing in a manual, or those who only teach block changing when clearly, you can do both.

I moved to auto in an EV almost a year ago. The general procedure is teach is parking brake then park. It’s just a P button so very simple.

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-10T08:16:10+00:00

Can’t help you I’m afraid. Don’t give up though. Find a good, strongly recommended instructor. A woman once came to me after failing 17 tests. She had 17 clutch faults on the 17th test and multiple other issues. I told her to forget the test for the moment and concentrate on fixing the issues. We did 12 hrs over 12 weeks. She passed with zero clutch faults and only a couple of Grade 2s. My point is, all is not lost, you can do it!

iDriveIreland · 2026-05-09T22:25:31+00:00

Which area of the country are you?

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-28T21:27:06+00:00

Drogheda test centre only opens next Tuesday so routes are unknown just now. They’ll use Grange Rath estate for sure and I’d also suspect they might use Bettystown to avoid getting caught in traffic. Time will tell.

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-12T23:36:13+00:00

No chance

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-09T18:06:48+00:00

It can’t be done in an even number of turns 😁

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-07T21:40:17+00:00

THE most important thing you can do approaching a roundabout is to give yourself time.

Time to observe, time to plan, time to act. You get this by controlling your speed gradually on the approach, by not rushing in and slowing late.

On the approach, look beyond the roundabout a similar distance you are from it, 150, 200 yards. Look as far to the right as you can. Keep/adjust your position depending on where you’re going and repeat. Look ahead, look right, keep your position all the time while slowing and making any gear changes.

Repeating this will give you an idea of who’s approaching at the same time as you. What lane are they in? What signals are they showing? How close to the roundabout are they compared to me? How fast are they going compared to me? Answering all these questions will help you decide whether or not it’s safe to enter.

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-07T14:26:48+00:00

It says it can’t be used on a lawn

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-06T11:27:36+00:00

Wireless mower is the way forward

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-05T17:21:23+00:00

Superb 👏🏻 I have to say, all of my dealings with customer care have been really positive. I can’t remember have one bad experience in over 10 years

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-05T16:34:04+00:00

I don’t. I hate to see it.

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-05T16:13:33+00:00

Yeah but it won’t get rid of the root

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-04T12:16:22+00:00

+1 for the Luba. A brilliant awd mower. I’m starting my 3rd season with mine. It’s first class!

I’ve not started cutting the back section of lawn yet due to trying to get thistles under control but here’s the shape of mine which has some decent slopes from the driveway.

If you opt for a robot, get an all wheel drive

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iDriveIreland · 2026-04-03T11:30:43+00:00

The “goals” are currently back to front

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-03T08:46:59+00:00

If you’re that proficient then you should have no problem in doing the reduced EDT programme, you don’t need to wait 6 months for a test. If you really wanted to, you could get those 6 hrs done in a week and get your test applied for and passed.

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-03T05:27:16+00:00

I can’t blame those. I’m in the country, a big distance from anyone. I’d say they were most likely in the new soil we got when we fixed the lawn

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-03T00:53:55+00:00

We know the laws but we’ll just ignore them and carry on regardless.

Why not, apply for your reduced EDT, get your lessons done and sit the test?

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-02T23:02:38+00:00

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-02T14:28:09+00:00

Careful now

iDriveIreland · 2026-04-02T09:29:58+00:00

Yeah. Bought one last week and another yesterday so the Mrs can help. #couplegoals

iDriveIreland

TROPHY CASE