Finally!

Savman

Passed today at SGS Ballymun centre, have to say the feckin relief is something else. Now, some observations on the whole topic of L drivers on the road etc etc. That was my 4th attempt in 3 years driving. I failed both first and second attempts at the Finglas centre, with the same tester. It was like groundhog day, I knew he was never gonna pass me the second time. Third time I went to Raheny and failed using a family member's car (my car's NCT was out). I don't think I did anything dangerous or silly in any of the tests, and I felt hard done by the 2nd and third times in particular.

But whatever. I spent 2hrs with an ISM instructor who, while being a good tutor, just showed me how to do what needed to be done to pass the test and not really make me a better driver in any way. So it's definitely true that we teach people how to pass an exam rather than teaching people how to drive, which is a different thing entirely. The sad truth is, I'm no better a driver today than I was yesterday and my very basic principle still applies when on the road: try not to hit anything. I had to bit my tongue on here in the last few months with some of the ignorant and condescending comments people made towards Provisional Drivers, like they were the cause of all the country's problems.

I should point out that I was able to build up 3yrs NCB on a private policy and another 2yrs NCB on a commercial policy, both in my own name. So while the high horse brigade might like to believe Provisional Drivers are dangerous lunatics, in reality this simplistic generalization is nothing more than road rage spilling onto a web forum. Everyone has someone to blame and everyone seems to point the finger at someone else, the government, the polish, the nigerians, the L drivers, the gardai, the infrastructure, the RSA, feckin Gay Byrne...a little responsibility wouldn't go astray tbh.

I'm not saying I'm a perfect driver, heaven knows I'm not and some will say I'm one of the lucky ones who got "pushed thru" by a softy softy SGS backed by an authority desperately trying to clear a backlog before July 1st. I can say to anyone who might think they are in for an easier ride with SGS to think again, the guy I had was probably more thorough and prenickity than any of the aulfellas I had before. Really made it clear I was up against it but was also good enough to point out afterwards where my faults occured and why. At least I know he could actually back up his score sheet with some good advice unlike the usual routine of "here's your sheet, now feck off and don't speak to me" - total cop out IMHO.

A female friend of mine went for her test with SGS only last month and passed simply because the tester took a liking to her, flirted with her the entire time and offered to pass her if she "gave him a hug":rolleyes:
So no matter how good a system, when people are involved it will always be flawed, so it's pointless championing this perfect system that only passes good drivers and fails really bad drivers. It don't work that way at all folks.

So, in hindsight, the end justified the means because I was forced to perk up some aspects of my game that definitely help in the long run, but I also got a cold hard lesson in how screwed up the system really is. I won't be quick to get on the case of L-drivers because I was one for so long and the only advice I can offer is to try not to let it get on top of you. You can pass with flying colours or you can just be unlucky and get a moany aul fecker, just keep reapplying and keep the chin up!

This is just one man's journey to that illusive pink club, I'm just glad it's over with tbh...now it's back to the "every man for himself" mentality and normal service can resume.