| Is Luck part and parcel of passing the Driving | | | | to isolate and repair. Eight years ago with just 70 |
| Test? I don't think so. Of course there are many | | | | miles on the Clock in a brand new car all the |
| circumstances that come together on the day of | | | | electrics went and three Auto Electric Engineers |
| your Test which can be both positive and | | | | were unable to pinpoint the fault. The General |
| negative. However, as in Life, so it is on the | | | | Manager, finally found the problem, so experience |
| Driving Test, we can create our own Luck and | | | | as much as University Degrees play a big part in |
| give ourselves a better than average chance of | | | | keeping your Motor running. |
| passing. | | | | (5) Pre-set the heater controls if bad weather is |
| How do we create our own Luck? Well I guess | | | | expected and even if it isn't. If like us you live in |
| it's all about positioning your self; and I am not | | | | Limerick you will know that it is possible to |
| talking about the Nearside lane, or the Apex, or | | | | experience sometimes Three Seasons in one Day. |
| the Pedestrian Walkway, or the Chevrons, or the | | | | We have had Frost in June before now. In order |
| Fourth exit. What I am talking about is making | | | | to prevent your windscreen and windows from |
| sufficient preparations in all the important areas so | | | | misting up set the heat switch to 75% and the |
| that there is nothing left to chance and that all the | | | | Direction switch to full- frontal. Heavy rain after a |
| aspects that you CAN have control over are | | | | fine spell will often mist up windscreens and |
| dealt with. That leaves your brain more focused | | | | windows in double quick time and on a Driving |
| on dealing with the outside world that is racing all | | | | Test you should not be fiddling with switches and |
| around you and which requires your complete | | | | taking your eyes off the road. |
| attention. | | | | (6) It goes without saying that all paperwork |
| We are going to discuss some of the essential | | | | relating to your car should be in place, current and |
| pre test preparations of your Car. | | | | visible. That's Road Tax ... Insurance ...and N.C.T |
| Let's get started: | | | | Cert... Garages are notoriously bad at ensuring all |
| (1) It should be spotless inside and out...get rid of | | | | paperwork and logbooks are intact after you |
| all danglies, furry dice and every scrap of rubbish | | | | purchase a second-hand car, so don't be shy and |
| so that there is nothing to fly around and distract | | | | get tough with them if there are excuses. I have |
| you. I worked with a girl once 29 years ago who | | | | had to make available the Driving School car at |
| was much too fast a Driver. She bent over to | | | | very short notice for a Driving Test because a |
| pick up something that fell of the dashboard, had | | | | recent purchase by the pupil came with no |
| a head -on collision and died in Hospital the next | | | | accompanying documents. The car could not be |
| day. She was 26 years old. | | | | taxed and therefore was unacceptable to be used |
| (2) Tyres should be checked for legal tread depth | | | | for a Driving Test. As it so happened this Driver |
| and if in doubt replace them. A couple of years | | | | was very well prepared and well capable of |
| ago I had a pupil drive all the way from Dublin to | | | | handling a strange car with just four hours of |
| do a Test in Shannon in a car that was only 18 | | | | practise. A driver who has not had enough lessons |
| months old. The Examiner refused to conduct the | | | | or practise would not be allowed to use our |
| Test due to a worn Tyre.There were other faults | | | | School Car for A Driving Test for obvious |
| as well. | | | | reasons. |
| (3) Ensure all Brake lights are functioning. Carry | | | | (7) Final point for today and that is make sure |
| spare Bulbs with you and learn how to replace | | | | your windscreens inside are cleaned well since |
| them when they fail. I have had two bulbs go | | | | glare from sunshine makes it quite difficult to see |
| immediately before a Driving Test. A test will not | | | | clearly. |
| be conducted with failed brake lights. | | | | Follow this series for some good tips on Driving |
| (4) Electric windows need to be fully functioning. | | | | Test Preparation and bring Lady Luck onto your |
| Electrics are a very complex sub system in a car | | | | side. |
| and do give trouble. They are sometimes difficult | | | | |