A Wexford Weekly columnist recently interviewed driving instructor and popular YouTuber Dane Tyghe to learn the facts and myths regarding driving tests…
The dreaded driving test. Every year, thousands of learners undertake the Road Safety Authority’s assessment to determine whether or not they are qualified for a full Irish driving licence. It is the culmination of numerous hours of practice and months of patient waiting.
Everybody’s reaction to the test is different. Some approach it with a quiet confidence, while others anticipate it with a sense of anxiety. Nervousness is understandable as it can be quite easy to fail the test if the correct driving procedure is not practiced. According to the RSA, in 2022 Wexford had a pass rate of 50.9%, meaning roughly half of those who took the test that year did not pass.
However, if you have practiced enough before the test, there is no reason you cannot be one of the 50.9% who pass. We caught up with Wexford driving instructor Dane Tyghe to get an expert’s opinion on driving test myths, mistakes and the best ways to prepare for the test.
Dane Tyghe is a seasoned driving instructor with 15 years of experience under his belt. He is also active on YouTube, where he regularly posts driving lesson videos aimed at learners of all calibre. His videos are watched by thousands all over the country and his channel currently has 71.2 thousand subscribers.
What are some myths about the driving test some people might not be aware of?
‘There are so many of these and they range from driving too slow to excessive mirror checks. For example, some learners seem to think that making an effort to drive very slow and not be decisive at junctions can lead to the driving tester realising that this is a very safe driver. The truth is that a safe driver is one who has the ability and confidence to react at a normal speed and in normal circumstances.
Some learners worry about the theory and road signs part of the driving test, especially if they have some learning difficulties. I always stress that the theory and signs is only a small part of the overall test and even if you get all of the questions and signs wrong, the most you can lose is a single mark.
Sometimes learner drivers over-exaggerate mistakes and they think that a standard fault is a serious one. For example, if you roll back or clip the kerb, it doesn’t mean you fail the test. Very often it’s your reaction to the fault that the tester is watching out for. So, if you can recover and regain control of the car in an efficient way then that will look good. So, if you hit the kerb at a slow speed and you don’t mount it then you’ll be fine but if you hit it at speed and one or more of your car tyres leave the ground, then that’s probably going to be a fail.’
What are some common mistakes to watch out for?
‘This will always vary from person to person but I think two very common mistakes that learners make is driving too slow and not looking behind enough on the reverse around the corner. It’s important to drive in a practical, confident and normal way. On the reverse around the corner, the learner must observe behind them so that you can see any cars or people that might be nearby. So many people just focus on the mirrors which creates big blind spots and this will cause the driver to lose out on observation.’
What are some of the more unusual ways that people have failed their test?
‘There are two that spring to mind. A number of years ago, a lady from East Africa was doing her test and her English was limited. The tester was not confident that she understood his directions so he refused to conduct the test. In another example, there was a printing mistake on the Insurance disc in which the car registration number on the disc had an 8 instead of a 6 which technically invalidated it. This caused the tester to refuse to conduct the test.’
You receive emails from all across the country asking for advice. What are some of their most common concerns?
‘They could ask me about specific junctions in their area that cause a bit of confusion. They also ask for advice on how to handle nerves. But the most common question is from learners who fail and they feel that they got inadequate feedback from the tester. So, I would analyse their report sheet and offer some tips and advice on how they can improve next time.’
What is the best advice you can give a learner who is about to take their driving test?
‘If you are doing your test then plan ahead and give yourself time to get lessons and practice. Too many people rush into the test when they are not ready and this leads to failure more often than not. There is no set amount of lessons that a learner should get because it depends on the person but at least 3 or 4 in the week of the test would be a minimum. Getting the lessons closer to the test date helps to keep the information fresh in the head.
So many learners are going to feel nervous and anxious in the leadup to the test. Nerves can be good as they focus the mind and they show that you are taking the test serious. The real trick is to channel the nerves in the right way – if you can use the energy the nerves give you and direct it to concentrating on your driving then you will be fine. The only difference between nervousness and excitement is perspective; they both share the same psychological and physiological characteristics! Pretend that you’re really excited about doing the test and your mind will begin to follow suit.
Always remember most of the things you worry about don’t usually happen.’
If you have a driving test coming up or know someone who does, you can find Dane on YouTube here. He also has an active Facebook page where he regularly posts videos and updates.
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