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Learner Drivers

Repeating your test

What to do if you're unsuccessful.

If you're unsuccessful, your tester will give you a statement of driving test outcome. They will also quickly go through where you went wrong. This will help you identify areas to practice and improve on before you re-sit the driving test. 

You will need to apply for a new test through our online customer portal MyRoadSafety.

How to apply

driving-test

Re-tests

If you failed your car  test and reapplied, there's no need to contact us. We will automatically send you another invitation 10 weeks after your failed test.  This may take longer in some centres with high demand. 

Our customer agents can't offer short notice re-tests or cancellations so please wait for your invitation.

If you failed your test in another category (e.g. bike, bus, truck) and have since reapplied, we will invite you to book a re-test as soon as we reach your application in the queue.

Please note, the waiting time estimator won't show a date for re-tests.

 


Useful information

These are the most common reasons that people fail their driving test: 

  • Inadequate observation moving off, at junctions, at roundabouts and when changing lanes 
  • Failure to anticipate the actions of other drivers 
  • Incorrect road position on the straight, on bends, turning left, turning right, at roundabouts, and when overtaking 
  • Inadequate progress at junctions, roundabouts, on the straight, and when overtaking 
  • Incorrect or inadequate use of mirrors and signals 
  • Non-compliance with traffic controls, eg road signs and markings and traffic lights 
  • Incorrect, inadequate or inappropriate use of vehicle controls, including gears, clutch, accelerator, steering, handbrake, footbrake, and secondary controls 
  • Excessive speed for the road or traffic conditions 
  • Failure to yield the right of way to others 
  • Lack of competence in the reverse and U-turn manoeuvres 


The most common additional reasons that people fail their motorcycle test: 

  • Failure to perform a U-turn correctly 
  • Inadequate control at slow speed 
  • Inadequate observations to the rear 
  • Incorrect or inadequate hand signals. 

All driving tests conducted by the Road Safety Authority are operated in a fair manner and in accordance with the standard procedures for conducting a driving test.

However, if you feel you have been tested unfairly and want to challenge the decision, you can make an appeal to the district court under Article 33 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. The court can examine whether or not the test was conducted properly. If it finds that the tester did not conduct the test in accordance with procedures the court can direct that a further test be offered to you free of charge. 

If your driving test wasn't conducted because you failed to meet certain conditions (e.g., if your insurance was out of date or your vehicle was unroadworthy), please note that this is not grounds for complaint. 

All applicants are sent the Checklist for your driving test with their booking confirmation email / letter, and it is your responsibility to ensure the requirements listed in this leaflet are met on the day of your test. 

We understand that you may feel disappointed directly after an unsuccessful driving test and encourage you to take some time to reflect on the test and review your test result and any faults incurred with your Approved Driving instructor (ADI).

Formal complaints

If, having taken time to reflect on your driving test, you still wish to make a formal complaint about how your driving test was conducted please complete the online complaints form.  We will review and endeavour to respond to you within 20 days.

It is not possible for us to deal with third party complaints (i.e., from anyone other than the driving test applicant). 

If you are unhappy with the service, you can contact the office of the Ombudsman by email [email protected] or by telephone 01/6395600 or letter at 6 Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2, D02 W773 .

 
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Services MyRoadSafety portal

You can now easily manage all your driver services, tests, permits and licences online on MyRoadSafety.