Driver Tester Recruitment Campaign 2017 – 2018 (closing - 5.30pm Friday 5th January)

IP freely

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

Hi folks,

I didn't spot this thread until now. I'm through to the driving test round, due to have a test on Friday. I'm a bit nervous having sat my car test 15 odd years ago, and a bike test about 10 years back I'd say. Anyway, I'll give it a shot.

Does anyone know what the situation is with the 2 year contract? I mean, is it an initial 2 year contract who will be renewed on performance etc, or is it 2 years and out the door, or re-apply for your job?

Its only a panel we will be going onto if we pass the test / Garda vetting. The last panel was made over 2 years ago and has just been exhausted according the recruitment agency. The panel is much larger this time too (they didn't tell me how many last time of this time) so we might not get a call out for 2 years maybe more to see if we want to start.

The job itself is 2 year fixed term then if everything is going ok I'd imagine you'll get offered another term or made permanent. You could be told to sling your hook and thinks for all your hard work but if you are good at the job then thats unlikely.

I found a driving instructor who was once a driving tester and some time booked with him. Hopefully he can give me some solid pointers.

IP freely

Also not got a clue if they use a variance of the actual driving test route it but this youtube channel has up videos of the possible Tallaght routes from 3 years ago, might be worth watching guys.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFT9aKST4W0CjnOkvJOwo7w

natnifnolnacs

IP freely wrote: »

Its only a panel we will be going onto if we pass the test / Garda vetting. The last panel was made over 2 years ago and has just been exhausted according the recruitment agency. The panel is much larger this time too (they didn't tell me how many last time of this time) so we might not get a call out for 2 years maybe more to see if we want to start.

The job itself is 2 year fixed term then if everything is going ok I'd imagine you'll get offered another term or made permanent. You could be told to sling your hook and thinks for all your hard work but if you are good at the job then thats unlikely.

I found a driving instructor who was once a driving tester and some time booked with him. Hopefully he can give me some solid pointers.

Thanks. Yeah I'm aware of the panel and that it may not lead to anything immediately (or even at all!) but I guess I was considering not doing the test if it was 2 years and out the door as I'm currently permanently employed and couldn't leave that for 2 year contract with no chance of renewal. I've emailed them for clarification... I'm sure they will just send back a non committal rewording of what's stated in the information booklet.

Thanks for the link too, I found those videos last week so have been working through them. I had a driving lesson booked for yesterday but that got cancelled due to the snow, so I'll have to try book something in for the this week!

Henry Ford III

So you have to be available for 7 weeks training in Dublin (who pays for your accommodation etc?) and then you might never be called?

That's nuts. How could you hope to keep your current job?

natnifnolnacs

Henry Ford III wrote: »

So you have to be available for 7 weeks training in Dublin (who pays for your accommodation etc?) and then you might never be called?

That's nuts. How could you hope to keep your current job?

I assume you get offered a job subject to completing the training. They aren't going to train 400 people half of whichmight never be called for a job. They will probably train up 20 at a time, but you need to pass to take up the position.

That's my guess anyway!

D Trent

Has anybody done the driving test ??
Do they ask you road signs and the like ?
Or just hop in the car and away you go for the hour

natnifnolnacs

D Trent wrote: »

Has anybody done the driving test ??
Do they ask you road signs and the like ?
Or just hop in the car and away you go for the hour

I have it tomorrow. I've been looking at the road signs and that, I assume they will ask.

IP freely

Didn't get asked any road signs but got asked a few questions (how to check lights youself/if you indicate and it's flashing fast) controls when inside the car before setting off too.

Be prepared for the test. It's not easy. My driving part was over an hour long. Exhausting, my reverse around the corner was uphill and had to stop 3 times for traffic too.

Personally I think I messed up a few times, unfamiliarity with the area still lots of snow piles around the place and 3pm traffic didn't help me. The route I was taken on was not on any of the videos I seen on YouTube (except for through tallaght itself) and I was also brought into,I think based on signage, the square shopping centre car park and told to find the exit, which was hellish as I don't have a clue where I was.

According to my Google map location history (which doesn't seem accurate) I was mainly around tallaght but was also in firhouse, ballympunt and newlands cross.

Hope this helps anyone going to do the Test, good luck.

Engine No.9

IP freely wrote: »

Didn't get asked any road signs but got asked a few questions (how to check lights youself/if you indicate and it's flashing fast) controls when inside the car before setting off too.

Be prepared for the test. It's not easy. My driving part was over an hour long. Exhausted. Me reverse around the corner was uphill and had to stop 3 times for traffic.

Personally I think I messed up a few times, unfamiliarity with the area and 3pm didn't help me. The route I was taken on was not on any of the videos I seen on YouTube (except for through tallaght itself) and I was also brought into a shopping centre car park and told to find the exit...

Cheers for that. Very helpful. Did they tell you after whether you passed the test, like in the state test?

IP freely

pajopearl wrote: »

Cheers for that. Very helpful. Did they tell you after whether you passed the test, like in the state test?

Was told not to expect a response on how I got on until Tuesday or Wednesday fortnight.

Engine No.9

IP freely wrote: »

Was told not to expect a response on how I got on until Tuesday or Wednesday fortnight.

:eek:

natnifnolnacs

Finished my test earlier today. As posted previously, it isn't easy. Fairly ignorant drivers really don't help when you are trying to change lanes, or navigate unfamiliar roads.

I was caught out badly by some of the new speed zones - 30kmph roads in some of the estates. It depends what way they mark it I guess!

Suaeva

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

Finished my test earlier today. As posted previously, it isn't easy. Fairly ignorant drivers really don't help when you are trying to change lanes, or navigate unfamiliar roads.

I was caught out badly by some of the new speed zones - 30kmph roads in some of the estates. It depends what way they mark it I guess!

Thanks so much for all that! Did they make you lift the bonnet etc? Absolutely dreading it!

natnifnolnacs

Suaeva wrote: »

Thanks so much for all that! Did they make you lift the bonnet etc? Absolutely dreading it!

No, they ask a few technical questions suck as how would you test the handbrake, how would you test brake lights on your own...no rules of the road stuff at all.

Then down to the car and they tested the lights and indicators. Bonnet wasn't lifted so it pretty much is a full hour driving with a tiny bit of theory.

D Trent

Has anyone established if the highest scoring 10 20 30? are put on a panel or will it be lads start your training now

natnifnolnacs

D Trent wrote: »

Has anyone established if the highest scoring 10 20 30? are put on a panel or will it be lads start your training now

I believe they are aiming for a panel of 100 people. I can't see them being trained all at once, so I'd imagine they will train in batches to fill available positions.

natnifnolnacs

I've not heard a peep since, has anyone heard anything?

Suaeva

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

I've not heard a peep since, has anyone heard anything?

They said they’d be doing tests until wed/thurs this week so it’ll probably be Easter week

natnifnolnacs

Suaeva wrote: »

They said they’d be doing tests until wed/thurs this week so it’ll probably be Easter week

Thanks for that. i thought they were finished testing last week, so that makes a bit more sense. I'll continue to wait (im)patiently so!

piobhan

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

Thanks for that. i thought they were finished testing last week, so that makes a bit more sense. I'll continue to wait (im)patiently so!

I had my test Wednesday 14th, they said to us on that day to enjoy the bank holiday weekend and we would know by the end of this week apparently, good luck to whoever is left in it.

Funny, I met a lad who was at the same assessment day as me in Mullingar, you know who you are, pm me if you want and let me know how you got on,

Engine No.9

Anybody heard anything yet?

natnifnolnacs

I just got an email there - pass! Now I have to tell my current employer to expect a reference call.....They are contacting references starting next Monday so I'd imagine everyone should hear today.

IP freely

Got the same email. I'm Buzzing!!!

I really didn't think I don't that great on the test TBH. Must have been overly critically myself.

natnifnolnacs

IP freely wrote: »

Got the same email. I'm Buzzing!!!

I really didn't think I don't that great on the test TBH. Must have been overly critically myself.

Yeah, I was fairly sure I had failed.

The problem now is we still have no idea if there are vacancies in our jurisdiction, and if there are, how far up the list are we?

aka_alex

I got email too, am thrilled as thought I'd done a bad test. Well done to all who got through.

Bambi12

Didnt get any emails not to confident

simpletruth

Yeah, it's over now it seems for those of us that didn't get an email. Commiserations folks.

Yet, important to remember location of employment is dependent on waiting lists and relocating far from home might have been problematical, would have for me anyway.

Suaeva

Anyone get a regret email yet? Or are they still sending out emails to the ones who passed?

mark3f

Still waiting on news too, I'm not feeling confident though.

Engine No.9

Still waiting. Called looking for feedback but straight to voicemail

Suaeva

Don’t feel confident either but I would like to be put out of my misery!

Engine No.9

They rang me back. Yer man didn’t have my feedback to hand apparently but said all candidates will be notified by COB Wednesday

Suaeva

Thanks for that!

pajopearl wrote: »

They rang me back. Yer man didn’t have my feedback to hand apparently but said all candidates will be notified by COB Wednesday

natnifnolnacs

My references were checked yesterday. It still seems odd to me that they are checking references before you know if there is a job or not!

natnifnolnacs

Still no contact regarding medical or vetting so I've sent them an email asking about the panel itself. Are we numbered and how they decide who is offered a job etc. Hopefully will get some sort of response!

Has anyone else heard back?

Jusayinisall

natnifnolnacs wrote: »

Still no contact regarding medical or vetting so I've sent them an email asking about the panel itself. Are we numbered and how they decide who is offered a job etc. Hopefully will get some sort of response!

Has anyone else heard back?

Nothing here either, was starting to think they forgot about me! Has anyone received any feedback at all yet?

sean3318

Yes, I still haven't heard anything back regarding vetting and medical. I presume we will hear something this week.

natnifnolnacs

I spoke to the recruiters about an hour ago. They have handed over the first batch of people that have had their references checked. The bad news, is that apparently the RSA won't offer jobs based on location. You could be offered a position anywhere in the country, and if you say no you are off the panel.
That's the way they worked the last panel is what the recruiter said! A fairly ridiculous system, but I guess you can just hope to get something within a commutable distance and then put in for a transfer.

sean3318

I spoke to the recruiters two weeks ago as well. The told me that the RSA wouldn't be offering the jobs based on location. They have advised them not to do that as the last time they had a panel, they didn't manage it wisely.

I think we will have to wait and see what happens. If they don't offer the jobs based on location they will run in to difficulties. I had heard that they were looking for a lot of testers in Tallaght.

Tanky89

Has anyone heard anything yet at all? Had references checked nearly two weeks ago now

sean3318

I haven't heard anything either. Seems very slow

Tanky89

Wonder should i make contact im sure they have been plagued. Maybe they are pushing the rsa to make choices based on location

sean3318

I thought it would have moved quicker when they had started to contact references. It will take a while for the Garda vetting to go through and organise a medical.

Tanky89

sean3318 wrote: »

I thought it would have moved quicker when they had started to contact references. It will take a while for the Garda vetting to go through and organise a medical.

Would they normally inform you of the vetting process or just get it done before an offer is made

sean3318

Tanky89 wrote: »

Would they normally inform you of the vetting process or just get it done before an offer is made

I would imagine they would get it done before an offer is made. Once you are on the panel you will get an offer. By the time you get vetting and a medical done, it could take 6 weeks. Training is 7 weeks. It would take at least 3 months to have everything in order to start a job.

natnifnolnacs

If training is in Tallaght I wonder will they be expecting people to commute?

sean3318

https://rte.ie/r.html?rii=b9_21349240_83_13-04-2018_

This is interesting. They are under a lot of pressure to get testers.

SCOOP 64

sean3318 wrote: »

https://rte.ie/r.html?rii=b9_21349240_83_13-04-2018_

This is interesting. They are under a lot of pressure to get testers.

20,000 no shows for test and not phoning to cancel,they will be charged anyway, thats a high amount, why not show up and take test, fail or pass.

sean3318

http://www.thejournal.ie/learner-driver-test-waiting-list-3957263-Apr2018/

It looks like the Department of Transport hasn't sanctioned the panel yet. That seems to be the hold-up.

There are currently 102 driving testers, a 20% drop in the number of assessors in 2007.

There are 8 testers starting in May. I'd say they are from the previous panel that was established.

They are going to take on testers in blocks of 20 and train them up.

Tanky89

Any update chaps 😊