Top 7 Manoeuvres You’ll Need to Master for the Irish Driving Test

Feeling a bit nervous about the driving test manoeuvres? You’re not alone. These seven exercises are designed to prove you can handle the car safely and smoothly in everyday Irish traffic. With the right practice and a few tricks of the trade, they become second nature.

This guide walks through each one step-by-step, flags common mistakes I see learners make on test day, and shows you exactly what the tester is looking for. If you’re preparing for your test, this is your go-to checklist.

Who this is for

This guide is for learner drivers in Ireland who are preparing for their driving test. It’s especially useful if you’ve already completed your EDT lessons and are now focusing on pre-test practice. Whether you’re learning manual or automatic, these are the core manoeuvres you’ll need to demonstrate.

1. Turning Left

Left turns seem straightforward, but they’re where many small errors creep in. As you approach the turn, check your mirrors and signal in good time. Keep your speed controlled and position correctly for the road you’re turning into.

• Look early: Scan for pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic.
• Positioning: Keep close to the left without clipping the kerb.
• Slow and steady: Drop to 1st gear if needed, especially on tighter turns.

Tip from the road: Many learners cut the corner too tight on narrow streets. Give yourself room—better to be slow than to mount the footpath.

2. Turning Right

Right turns bring more variables: oncoming traffic, traffic light sequences, and often tighter angles. The key is positioning and observation.

• Signal right well in advance and check your mirrors.
• Position near the centre line but don’t cross it before turning.
• Wait for gaps: Don’t turn unless it’s safe, even on a green light.

Common pitfall: Rolling through a right turn without checking the blind spot for cyclists or pedestrians. Take your time and make it smooth.

3. Hill Start

In Ireland’s hilly towns, hill starts are a must. The goal is to move off smoothly without rolling back or stalling.

• Handbrake on until you’re ready to move.
• Find the bite before releasing the handbrake.
• Check blind spots again—traffic behind you might be closer than you think.

Mini-scenario: You’re parked uphill on a narrow street. Build the bite gently, ease off the handbrake, and use the accelerator smoothly. No panic, no rollback.

4. The Turn in the Road (Three-Point Turn)

This manoeuvre shows you can reverse direction safely on a quiet road. The aim is to complete it in as few turns as possible, but three is fine if needed.

1. Position close to the kerb, signal right, check both directions.
2. Turn the wheel fully left, move off slowly forward until the car is across the road.
3. Stop, select reverse, turn the wheel fully right, and reverse back until you have room to turn again.
4. Move off forward to complete the turn.

Tip: Always look in the direction you’re travelling, and use your mirrors. Smooth steering wins here—avoid jerky movements.

5. Reversing Around a Corner

This manoeuvre tests your ability to reverse in a controlled manner while maintaining observation. It’s often done around a left corner for safety.

• Pre-position: Line up about 30cm from the kerb.
• Go slow: Use the clutch bite to control speed, not the accelerator.
• Look around: Constant observation, especially out the rear window and mirrors.
• Finish smoothly: Straighten up early enough and stop safely.

Common mistake: Drifting away from the kerb because you’re not checking over your shoulder frequently. Keep the line steady.

6. Parking on the Left (Parallel Parking)

Parallel parking is a real-world skill. The tester wants to see accuracy, safety, and calm control.

1. Signal left and check your mirrors. Stop alongside the car in front, leaving room to pull forward.
2. When clear, pull forward alongside and stop.
3. Reverse slowly, turning the wheel to bring the car into the space.
4. Adjust left and right to straighten up, staying roughly 30cm from the kerb.
5. Finish straight, within the parking space boundaries.

Tip: Use reference points—when your door mirror lines up with the car in front’s rear bumper, that’s your cue to start turning.

7. Bay Parking (Forward & Reverse)

Bay parking varies by centre, but you’ll be asked to park in either a forward or reverse bay (often marked lines on a private site). The technique is similar: slow, controlled steering, and constant observation.

• Line up correctly: Start wider if reversing—give yourself room.
• Steer at the right point: Usually when your door mirror meets the bay line.
• Check for overhang: Ensure the front doesn’t swing wide.
• Finish centred: The tester expects a neat fit, not perfection every time, but close.

Note: Some test centres have marked bays for practice—use them in your pre-test lessons to build confidence.

Manual vs Automatic: What’s the Difference for Manoeuvres?

The manoeuvres themselves are the same, but the car changes the process slightly. Here’s a quick comparison:

| **Aspect** | **Manual** | **Automatic** |
|————|————|—————|
| **Gears** | You must handle gear changes smoothly, especially in hill starts and slow-speed turns. | The car selects gears for you, reducing the risk of stalling during manoeuvres. |
| **Stall risk** | Higher during slow-speed work if clutch control is poor. | Very low, but you must avoid “creep” when parking—use the brake firmly. |
| **Focus during manoeuvres** | Managing clutch, brake, and accelerator together. | More attention on steering and observation, less on gear selection. |
| **Test suitability** | Required if you want to drive a manual car after passing. | Easier for learners struggling with clutch control, but limits you to automatic vehicles. |

Tip: If you’re learning manual, spend extra time on slow-speed clutch control before test day. For automatic, practice gentle braking to avoid jerky stops.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to check blind spots—especially when turning or changing direction.
• Rushing—the test isn’t a race. Slow is smooth, smooth is safe.
• Over-correcting steering—gentle movements are better than big jerks.
• Ignoring mirrors—check them before every signal and manoeuvre.
• Stalling on the hill start—practice until it’s muscle memory.
• Poor positioning—aim for a consistent 30cm from the kerb.

What to Expect in a Lesson Focused on Manoeuvres

When you book a lesson specifically to practice manoeuvres, your instructor will likely take you to a quiet area with appropriate space (a private car park or a quiet estate). You’ll start by demonstrating the manoeuvre, and they’ll guide you on the fine details: when to look, how to steer, and where to position.

Expect lots of repetition. It’s normal to do each manoeuvre several times in one lesson. Your instructor will also link them to real-road scenarios—like a tight turn onto a narrow street or a hill start on a gradient—so you learn in context, not just on a test site.

Remember: learning isn’t about perfection. It’s about building confidence and safe habits.

Why Choose Epic Driving School

Epic Driving School is a small, local Irish driving school focused on real learning and real confidence. Lessons are carried out by experienced RSA-approved instructors in modern dual-control cars. We offer tailored lessons for manual and automatic, and our pre-test lessons are designed to polish your skills before the big day. Our goal is simple: help you pass safely and enjoy driving for life.

Call to Action

Ready to tackle these manoeuvres with a pro? Book a pre-test lesson with Epic Driving School and get hands-on practice in the exact style you’ll need on test day. Our instructors will help you feel calm, confident, and in control.

Start your driving journey today—visit Epic Driving School to book your lesson.

FAQs

1. How many lessons should I book to master the manoeuvres?

Most learners benefit from 2–4 focused lessons before the test. It depends on your starting level—some need more time on hill starts or bay parking, others less. A pre-test lesson can help you decide.

2. Can I practice manoeuvres on my own before the test?

Only if you have learner insurance and are accompanied by a qualified driver. Practice in a safe, private area first—never on a public road without supervision.

3. Are the manoeuvres the same for EDT and the test?

EDT covers all the skills needed for the test, including manoeuvres. However, EDT focuses on broad road safety; pre-test practice is more targeted and intensive.

4. Does the test centre dictate which manoeuvres I’ll do?

Yes, testers choose based on the area’s layout and traffic. Some centres emphasise bay parking, others might prioritise hill starts. Your instructor will know local trends.

5. How can I avoid stalling during hill starts?

Practice finding the bite point until it’s second nature. Use the handbrake to hold the car, then ease off gently while adding a little accelerator. Stay calm and smooth.

6. Is parallel parking always on the test?

It’s very common but not guaranteed. The tester will choose from the list of manoeuvres, so you should be ready for any of them.

7. What if I make a small mistake during a manoeuvre?

It depends on safety. A minor error like slight drifting might be forgiven, but a safety-critical mistake (like ignoring a pedestrian) could fail you. Focus on safety above perfection.

8. Can I use an automatic car for the test?

Yes. Passing in an automatic means you’re only licensed to drive automatic cars. If you want to drive manual later, you’ll need to retake the test.

9. Do Epic Driving School lessons cover all manoeuvres?

Yes, our lessons include all seven manoeuvres, tailored to your learning style. We also offer pre-test lessons to fine-tune your technique.