Apps cut driving test waiting times by monitoring cancellations at nearby centres
If you're looking to get your driving test done as soon as possible, it might be worth downloading the DriveNow app or the DrivingTest Helper IE app.
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DriveNow helps you find earlier driving test dates by monitoring cancellations across all Road Safety Authority (RSA) test centres in Ireland.
You can get instant notifications when a cancellation becomes available at your preferred test centres.
DrivingTest Helper IE can also notify you of cancellations. As well as this, it can automatically book them for you to ensure you do not miss out on a slot.
Its system continuously monitors driving test centre across the State, giving learner drivers the edge in securing earlier test dates.
One review of the DrivingTest Helper IE app states: "Helped me get a test within two weeks. Very easy to log in every two hours. Would recommend 100%."
Another says: "App is amazing add your preferences and you will get a slot accordingly. And if you have any query's the individuals are willing to answer any questions and are truly very helpful 100% recommend for anyone."
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Why manual gearboxes are still king
In car sales terms, the automatic gearbox is king. Last year four in five cars (78 per cent) left UK showrooms with a self-shifting transmission. It's a dramatic fall from grace for the traditional manual gearbox: sales of cars with clutch pedals were only overtaken by autos in 2020. What's more, AA Driving School figures show that in 2024 one in five new drivers chose to take their test in an automatic. This was nearly double the number from five years previously. Red Driver Training's chief executive Seb Goldin added: 'We've seen a marked increase in automatic-only drivers taking the test, typically in urban areas.' There are multiple reasons for the shift towards autos. For a start, manufacturers are increasingly following customer demand for autos and not offering manual gearboxes on some or even all of their models. Automatics are becoming more affordable and more widely available, too. And the default transmission for electric vehicles is effectively an automatic. But despite the manual gearbox seemingly having had its day, drivers are still divided on its benefits. Here we look at the case for and against changing gear yourself. Manual pros Driving enthusiasts love them Driver coach Ivan Thompsett from Total Car Control is a fan: ' A manual gear change is so much more fun. On a good, open and flowing road, an auto is never as engaging, as stirring, as a manual gear stick. 'Get a good manual in the right car on a good road and you'll struggle to find a more satisfying driving experience.' They are great for performance cars Andreas Preuninger, the head of Porsche's GT division, says: 'For me personally, it has always been super important to have a manual gearbox. A manual gearbox is lighter, which helps with fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. 'It also allows for more horsepower because the internal resistance is significantly lower than in a PDK [semi-automatic] transmission.' They are cheaper to buy The big-selling Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo with a manual gearbox is £21,555; the same car with an auto costs £23,285. Manual technology has been around for years and manufacturers have been able to spread the development costs over time and vehicles. In addition, manuals are less complex: the driver changes gear by pressing the clutch pedal and moving the lever rather than relying on electronics or twin clutches, now featured on many autos, for controlling and ensuring seamless changes. Learning to drive is cheaper than with an auto Although being taught with a manual will give you a more versatile driving licence, it will also cost less than qualifying for an automatic-only licence. Driving schools charge a premium for automatic-only lessons. Seb Goldin, the chief executive of Red Driver Training, explains: 'On average, a lesson costs £35 an hour and we'll charge £5 more for lessons in an automatic. 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BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
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Apps cut driving test waiting times by monitoring cancellations at nearby centres
There are apps that can alert you of driving test cancellations, and one can even automatically book a slot for you. If you're looking to get your driving test done as soon as possible, it might be worth downloading the DriveNow app or the DrivingTest Helper IE app. Advertisement DriveNow helps you find earlier driving test dates by monitoring cancellations across all Road Safety Authority (RSA) test centres in Ireland. You can get instant notifications when a cancellation becomes available at your preferred test centres. DrivingTest Helper IE can also notify you of cancellations. As well as this, it can automatically book them for you to ensure you do not miss out on a slot. Its system continuously monitors driving test centre across the State, giving learner drivers the edge in securing earlier test dates. One review of the DrivingTest Helper IE app states: "Helped me get a test within two weeks. Very easy to log in every two hours. Would recommend 100%." Another says: "App is amazing add your preferences and you will get a slot accordingly. And if you have any query's the individuals are willing to answer any questions and are truly very helpful 100% recommend for anyone."
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