What’s Changed in the 2026 Rules of the Road?

A Guide for Irish Learner Drivers Book Published: May 2026 The RSA has published a new edition of the Rules of the Road for 2026. While many of the core driving rules remain unchanged, there are some important updates that every road user should know about. The biggest changes concern e-scooters, e-bikes and e-mopeds, which…

Why Are Driving Test Waiting Times Getting Worse Again in Ireland?

Driving Test Waiting Times are Starting to Rise. If you’re learning to drive in Donegal right now, you’ve probably noticed something worrying happening again: driving test waiting times are starting to rise. After some improvement during late 2025, many learner drivers hoped the backlog crisis was finally easing. Unfortunately, recent official figures suggest things are…

How to Deal With Aggressive Drivers as a Learner Driver in Ireland

Why Aggressive Drivers Are a Real Problem for Learners If you’re learning to drive in Ireland, you’ve probably already experienced it. Someone is sitting too close behind you. A risky overtake. Beeping because you didn’t move fast enough. Unfortunately, aggressive driving is one of the biggest confidence killers for learner drivers, especially on rural roads…

Overthinking While Driving: A Common Learner Driver Struggle

And How to Overcome it Overthinking while driving is one of the most common issues we see with learner drivers in Ireland, especially in the run-up to the driving test. It affects learners of all ages and backgrounds, and it often worries parents just as much as the driver themselves. If driving feels mentally exhausting,…

Grade 2 vs Grade 3 Faults Explained

Introduction One of the biggest causes of confusion after a driving test is being told, “You failed due to a Grade 3 fault.” Many learners believe they only made a small mistake. Others pass with several Grade 2 faults and are unsure why those mistakes were allowed. The truth is, the same action can be…

Road Fatalities in Inishowen, County Donegal (2019-2023)

Overview and Data Sources Inishowen is a peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland – a largely rural region with several small towns (e.g. Buncrana, Carndonagh). Official road traffic fatality statistics in Ireland are compiled by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) from Garda Síochána collision reports. However, data is generally reported at national and county levels rather…

ADAS Explained

What Learner Drivers Need to Know If you’re learning to drive in Ireland, you may have been hearing a lot about something called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – or ADAS for short. As of July 2024, a new law means that all new cars sold must include several ADAS features. But what exactly are these…

The Real Risks of “Fronting” Car Insurance in Ireland

Some families try to cut the cost of a young driver’s insurance by putting a parent down as the “main driver” and listing the young person as a named driver, even though the young person is the one who actually uses the car most. In Ireland and the UK this practice is commonly called fronting…

The Cost of Getting on the Road Can Be Prohibitively Expensive

Learning to drive is often seen as a rite of passage…but for many learners, driving lessons are a significant financial barrier. In Ireland, the true cost of learning to drive can quickly rise into the thousands. Without access to a car for practice, many learners find it harder to practice and improve, and confidence suffers,…

Understanding Anxiety and Nerves as a Learner Driver

Navigating the Journey Learning to drive is a significant milestone, opening up new avenues of freedom and opportunity. However, for many learner drivers, it can also be a source of considerable anxiety and nervousness. Understanding the root causes of these feelings can be the first step towards overcoming them. Let’s explore the common reasons behind…