Bray driving test centre?

GAN

I read in the paper this week that Bray is getting a driving test centre. Does anyone have any more details on where it will be and when they are starting to take applications -- I need to have another go at the test but will hold off applying for a little while if the Bray centre is going to be up and running soon.

The Real B-man

Heard its opening in 2weeks operating out of the Ramada its a SGS Test Center.

GAN

crap, if it's SGS that means you won't be able to apply directly. I reckon I'll have to apply to Wicklow and hope that I get sent there.

pirelli

What class of vehicles are they doing.

owlwink

hopefully if I get sent there I will have 3rd time lucky:D

xIsabelx

I hate that it's an overflow centre....I bet if I apply for Wicklow, I'll get Wicklow town or Arklow.

Apparently the Bray centre will be commencing testing on April 1st and they'll be doing 24 tests a day.

GAN

Wow that's pretty impressive if they reckon they'll get through 24 tests a day. Have applied to Wicklow so fingers crossed I get sent there -- it is literally a four minute drive from my front door so if they're doing it on the basis of proximity then I should be in with a good chance. I put a little note on the online form asking fror Bray so fingers crossed!

mcgiggy

It is now up and running....wooohooo

loobylou

Anybody know the test route yet?

AMIIAM

leaving @ recycling centre, Boghall road. Left towards Ballywaltrim. Right @ traffic lights, next left, right @ next T junction, down Herbert Road tolights @ Royal Hotel. Straight through lights (if green) down to level crossing @ dart station. after intersection, turning right along seafront where emergency stop will be tested. from there, turn right up Putland hill where you will be stopped and asked to do a hill start. From there, to vevay, turn left to Boghall road , right again to test centre

owlwink

Good to know but they bloody well sent me to wicklow again. Damn it

Creamy Goodness

it's only been two years since i passed my test but what in the hell is an emergency stop?

i've got pictures of them asking you to do one and just imagining someone slamming their foot on the brakes. :eek:

owlwink

that's about the jist of it

Creamy Goodness

is that new or what?

to me it seems like a very dangerous manouvre to be doing anywhere. what the hell happens if there's oil/black ice/rain on the road?

tomreee

hold on, the test centre is at Ramada, whats this all about the recycling centre on boghall?

Welsh Wizard

Cremo wrote: »

is that new or what?

to me it seems like a very dangerous manouvre to be doing anywhere. what the hell happens if there's oil/black ice/rain on the road?

Too be honest if there was such dangerous road conditions then i wouldn't say they'd ask you to perform it..

My missus past her test today, it started from ramarda and then went on to somewhere, was listening but the liverpool match was on..:rolleyes:
She'll post the route tomorrow at some stage...

Bit of advise for you though, when driving on the n11 and not overtaking anyone then use the inside lane...:)

provisional

Hi Welsh Wizard,
(First time posting on this forum so hope I am doing it right!). Big congrats to your wife - am very envious of her! Am taking my test (AGAIN) in Bray at beginning of May and would be so grateful if your wife could post the test route taken. Had my last two in Wicklow and they were a nightmare so am hoping this might be a bit better and that I will have third time lucky! (If not I am going to throw in the towel I think!). Thanks in advance.

Welsh Wizard

She's not quite my ball and chain yet...
She'll be home for around 5.30pm, I'll ask her to log on and post the correct route...

The Real B-man

Cremo wrote: »

it's only been two years since i passed my test but what in the hell is an emergency stop?

i've got pictures of them asking you to do one and just imagining someone slamming their foot on the brakes. :eek:

Exactly Emergency Stop? what do they que the Child running across the road

tomreee

just passed my test this morning, this was the route i was taken on (Route 2)

left out of testcentre, left at roundabout down the vevay road, onto Newcourt road, cuala road, Putland road(hillstart here), vevay road again, turn into Charnwood(?) (just past tesco) 3-point turn in estate, vevay road into the town, down to quinnsboro road, loop back up to Florence road, back down the main street, up Herbert road, King Edward road, killarney road all the way to the end, back down the southern cross, stopping by Earlscroft(?) to reverse around a corner, before finishing in ramada again.

Hope thats some help to someone, its not too bad at all

provisional

Certainly of help to me tomreee - thanks for posting and congrats you must be thrilled. Hate that roundabout at the garage at the Southern Cross Road but apart from that it sounds OK. Did they ask you to do (how to do) a lot of the technical checks? Sorry about all the questions!

Chatterb*x

New to this so bear with me!!
Did my driving test on Tuesday afternoon in Bray on route 1 and passed!!
The route posted leaving from the recycling centre is wrong as they go from the Ramada hotel, also they dont test emergency stops in your driving test, so I wouldnt bother following the directions on that post..

Ok here goes.... its long but if you know Bray I am sure you will be able to follow these directions!!

Leave the Ramada Hotel and turned left, down to the roundabout and back around onto the southern cross. Up the southern crosss to the roundabout at Woodies, took right turn off the roundabout and a right onto Killarney road, down past the graveyard, head towards the traffic lights at the church, turned left at the lights. Passed the post office and took a right at the end of the road, down past the green tree and right into Killarney Park (not sure if its Park or Heights but the first estate on the right. Did my 3 point turn there then took a right out of the estate, continued on and took the next right, passed Silverpines and straight ahead, took a left at the end of the road and headed down into the town. At the top of the town, took the first left (think its Parnell rd or sq, loads of road works!!) followed that road and took a left at the end, followed the road and took a left up into Ardmore - this is where I had to do my hill start, on the ardmore hill (steep!!), up the hill staying to the left and did my reverse around the corner (the second last corner on the left on your way out of the estate), back out of Ardmore to the left, passed Silverpines again, straight ahead, right onto Killarney road, passed Fairyhill, continue on to the lights, took a left there onto the Boghall rd, continue to the end of the bog road and take a right, through the roundabout, right at the next roundabout and right back into the Ramada car park!!! Phew!!!! Thank god thats over....

Good luck to you all

Splendour

Does anyone have a phone number for this test centre?

I drove into the business park beside the Ramada (as per signpost), but couldn't find it. Can I apply directly through this centre?

Creamy Goodness

knew they'd use ardmore hill as the hill start, fair fecks to ya for getting your test.

that hill is a bugger to even the most experienced drivers

jellybaby21

They are bringing in the 'emergency stop' to the test next year as well as parallel parking on the right and left side!!!

Welsh Wizard

Had to do the emergency stop when i done my test 9 years ago.. but that was in the u.k.


What is this going to mean come July...?
Is there going to be more or less cars on the road...?
Will it take less time to get anywhere when only fully licenced drivers are on the road..

AMIIAM

Very surprised to learn that " Emergency Stop "! is irrelevant in Ireland. It is mandatory in the UK, rightly so.Ever wondered why your insurance premiums are so exhorbitant? Also driving on theM50/M/N11is a nightmare for experienced drivers. No lane discipline. IE ones who sat a proper driving examination. As for parking, "abandoned vehicles " seems more appropriate to me. Also, why cannot the grossly obese mammy not walk the grossly obese pup to school instead of cluttering already stressed out traffic layouts with more poorly trained drivers? I rest my case.

Welsh Wizard

The test centre is in behind the hotel... You cant apply directly, you have to apply to Wicklow and if you get outsourced you may get Bray!!

xIsabelx

I heard that one of the routes brings you down to Greystones to the Esso garage and turning in to Redford, where you do your 3 point turn, reverse bend and hill start. (but that could just be a rumour) I also heard they bring you down the meath road. But I can't understand why any route would start anywhere other than the southern cross where the centre is.


I do a hill start on the putland everyday, so that'd be class if I had to ever do it there.
Never been to Ardmore hill...gulp!


QUESTION: Anyone know which test centres in Wicklow are for which locations? I went to book my test and it said:

"Choose your test centre"

WICKLOW
WICKLOW NO 2


Was there always two Wicklows???

provisional

Hi,

Probably a very silly question, but have just had a pre-test this morning (with a pre-tester who sadly did not know any of the routes!) and who gave me really no answer to one of the concerns I have. When driving back to the Bray test centre up the Southern X road (towards the Vevay Road direction), you have to go into the outer lane for much of the road due to a bus lane. The turn into the SGS test centre at Ramada is just after the end of the Bus Lane, equally the left arrow turn for that entrance too is just after the bus lane. Driving instructor told me that due to bus lane and arrow positioning that I cannot go into the bus lane for left turn, equally when I asked what if bus or traffic (alot of cars go into that lane anyway) are coming down, can I stop in right hand lane before making the turn (which seems pretty dangerous to me) - she thought for a while and then said well no you are not meant to stop in the right hand lane and hold up the traffic! Her advise was to pray that there was nothing coming on the left lane! Anybody know what I can legally do without getting myself a 'fault mark'? Was hoping pretest would settle my nerves, has just made me 10 times worse! Thanks in advance.

foxy06

provisional do you think you could pm me the name of the person you did your pretest with?

Chatterb*x

The only difference between wicklow 1 & 2 is where they start..
One starts from the grand hotel the other starts from the murrogh

Chatterb*x

Provisional,
Well my instructor who used to be a tester in Wicklow told me NOT to go into the bus lane when turning back into the test centre...
If there is a bus or traffic in that lane you just have to indicate and wait until your way is clear...
Hope this helps...
Would you mind sending me your instructors name via pm as she sounds like one to steer clear of....

girliegirl

If anyone's looking for someone to do a pretest with for the Bray route I would strongly reccommend John Butler, PM me for his number if you need it. I used him a few years back and passed first time... as did my sister, brother, brother-in-law in waiting (!) also two neighbours. Saying that, it was out in town, but one of my neighbours did the bray one and passed first time last week and also used him. All of us passed first time, i dont know anyone who had him who hasnt tbh. correct me if i'm wrong!!

GAN

Hi provisional, could you also PM me her name, I booked a lesson with someone for Friday morning and want to make sure it's not her!! That advice made no sense whatsoever! Also I'd love the number of that guy that the previous poster mentioned, if you could PM me that would be great

Chatterb*x

Hi,

I also have the number of an excellent driving instructor. He used to be a tester in wicklow and anyone I know that has been out with him has passed, including myself, first time!!
His name is Noel Gaskin so if anyone wants his number just I can pm it to them.

foxy06

I can recommend Noel Gaskin too. Don't have his number anymore but I passed first time with him and I left it til very close to the test to get my pretests with him.

tomreee

I didnt actually have to go around the roundabout at the statoil station, they let me turn off on that new link road just before and go straight onto the southern cross.

I dont remember them being too detailed on the technical checks, just ran over tyre thread depth and oil checks, etc, nothing too complicated. I'd just glanced over the stuff the night before and I was fine.

GAN

I sat up the front of the bus on the way home today so I could have a look at that left turn into the test centre. There is a clear break in the white line at the turn, which would suggest to me that you stay in your normal lane, then indicate and turn when the way is clear. I would say going into the bus lane first would get you a fault.

red girl

had lessons on bray test routes with my instructor passed with flying colours brilliant patient instructor.jim yorke

Teacherman

I failed my test three times in Tallaght. The first two times I deserved fully. The last time I was unsure which direction to go and he said "follow the road". I went straight ahead rather than to the right which he meant-the road ahead had a NO ENTRY SIGN BUSES ONLY! My fault I suppose.

Have applied to Bray where I now live. Well Wicklow and hopefully I will get Bray. Im very depressed over the whole thing and wonder if there will be a huge clampdown July 1 ?

GAN

I failed my test first time in Tallaght -- I found the route very hard, not to mention the stress of the heavy traffic getting to the test centre in the first place. Fingers crossed you will get Bray -- did you put a note asking for it on your application? I did and it did the trick, am doing the test tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be third time lucky, but at least now you don't have to wait so long, I got a test this time in ten weeks.
Not sure what kind of a crackdown they are planning -- I suppose like anything it depends on whether the guards have the manpower to police it. But my driving instructor did tell me the other night that they will apparently have the power to issue a 1,000 euro on the spot fine, plus four penalty points, to any learner driver caught driving on their own, which is pretty nasty!

GAN

Passed, thank god! Did route 1 and it was fine, no problems. Went out around 10.30am which is a time I would recommend because all the school and rush hour traffic is gone and the roads aren't too busy. For lessons on the route would recommend Ben at Driveschool Ireland, he's excellent.

xIsabelx

Chatterb*x wrote: »

The only difference between wicklow 1 & 2 is where they start..
One starts from the grand hotel the other starts from the murrogh

Oh, because I applied for my test in Wicklow. Then I went away to America for 2 weeks and only got back two days ago. The day I went away, a letter came in the post scheduling my test for June 30th in the Grand Hotel centre. I wasn't sure if this was the same as doing it in Wicklow town.

Either way, I don't feel great about doing it, I know I'm not ready at all. I didn't think I'd get it so soon and it's only 2 and a half weeks away at this stage!

ellejay

Hi Gan, congrats on passing your test! I've a couple of pretest's booked with a lady instructor, could you pm me the name that provisional sent you please? I'm very worried now cause my test is in two weeks and could have been wasting my time with the lady instructor I have.
Thanks a million.

Splendour

Anyone know what the Arklow testing centre route is like?
Asked if I could take test in Bray and was given Arklow. I don't know the roads in Arklow at all.

hiheyhello

Hey , I have booked my test through SGS directly for Bray today which seems unusual consedering people are going on about having to be turned down by wicklow?I rang them up and was giving a date and time:p . . .

Anyway back to my question , Im a permit holder and have to wait 6 months(stupid rule) my test is early September. Would there be any chance that I could possibly do my test earlier(cancelation or somethong}

I was reading about people recomending John Butler if anyone has his number can they please p.m me;)

dreamingoak

I passed first time in bray, (although i had been driving roughly 3 years on a provisional) did 2 pretest lessons with noel gaskin. He's patently mad, but he will get you through your test. I definitely recommend him.:D

MEJ

does anyone know if one of the routes goes along the N11? My driving instructor mention briefly about going out to fossaro as part of the route

wicklow joe

yep they put a new route on and goes from the southern cross onto the n11, onto the dargle road, into fassaroe do the turnabout then around to james everiit park for turn about back out onto the dargle, n11 and home

take it easy

foxy06 wrote: »

provisional do you think you could pm me the name of the person you did your pretest with?

could u please pm me the name and no of your instructor