I wasn't allowed sit Irish driving test for breaking ‘ridiculous' little-known rule – I couldn't believe it
AN Irish lad who was turned away at the driving test centre due to a little-known rule has issued an urgent warning to other learner drivers.
Graham Quinn from
4
A learner driver shared how he was turned away on day of his test
Credit: Journalist Collect
4
He didn't have a green stripe on his insurance disc
4
And he has now issued an urgent warning to other learner drivers
Credit: Getty
After spending months on the waiting list and hundreds of hours practising on
When the day came around, the aspiring driver took the day off work and booked a pre-test for €50 that morning.
Graham spent all that day driving around before going to the test centre, where he went through the theory test questions and the hand signals with his examiner.
He said: "Everything was fine that morning – I booked a day off work for the test and had a pre-test that cost me €50.
READ MORE IN MOTORS
"When I got to the test centre it was like normal – the tester was a very nice lad and when we went through all of the theory questions and the hand signals, which went perfectly.
"And then he took a look at my insurance disc and said the test couldn't continue because there was no green line on it."
The insurance disc is a document that you must have with you during your driving test to prove your car is
Drivers can show proof of insurance without the green stripe, but it is a requirement of the RSA to have it in colour when taking your driving test.
MOST READ IN MOTORS
And although Graham showed his valid insurance disc, he got turned away because it didn't have the green stripe.
He said: "I couldn't believe it - I had my insurance disc there but the line was cut off.
"The tester was nice but it just didn't make sense.
"I had done everything correctly besides have this green line.
Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads
"Not once was it mentioned in the pre-test I took that morning, I didn't know what to say – it was like a Mexican standoff between us.
"He said it's mentioned on page six of the RSA's list of requirements when taking the test – but if it's that important it should be mentioned on the first page – or even under insurance."
Graham was turned away and told to re-book his test and try again with the one that has a green stripe.
After another €85, he decided to reach out to the RSA to see if it could help him.
The RSA told him that although he had his insurance, the green stripe is a requirement for taking the test and he must apply all over again.
'A problem with the system'
Graham said it is now the main thing he would warn learners about before taking the test because it is so little-known.
And he believes that insurance discs going
He said: "Before anything else, I'd tell people to make sure they have that green line before taking the test, because they will turn you away if not.
"It is ridiculous though – it's not a problem with the testers but a problem with the system.
"If they changed to a digital format where you didn't have to print it out there wouldn't be a problem, it would make these things far easier."
4
He was set to take the test at Finglas Test Centre
Credit: Social Media Collect
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Best car for new drivers revealed as budget-friendly classic knocking premium motor off top spot
THE best car for new drivers has been revealed, taking the esteemed title away from the much loved Audi A1. Advertisement 4 The VW Golf has been crowned the best motor for new drivers Credit: Supplied 4 The Golf has been praised for its good value, safety, and stylish look Credit: Getty With the The BMW1 Series also narrowly missed the top spot, but by offering premium quality, plenty of space, a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and low running costs, the Golf has a lot of appeal to Autotrader's Editorial Director Erin Baker, said: 'The Golf continues to prove its timeless versatility. 'It's the car of voice for new drivers looking for a fun, dependable set of first-time wheels that won't break the budget.' Advertisement Motors news The starting price of a new VW Golf is roughly £28,000, however they can be bought second hand for under £5,000. Beyond the Golf and Audi A1, other cars that have been proven popular among new drivers include the This year, over 225,000 people voted in the Driver's Choice Awards. Autotrader explained that each year they ask car owners to share what their car is like to live with to find out what the Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Among the other motors recognised as the best to buy in 2025 were Kia's EV3, which was awarded the prestigious title of New Car of the Year, and the BMW I4, which was crowned Best Car for Families. Voters elected the Omoda 5 for Best Value Car, the Land Rover Defender 110 took the cake for Most Loved Car, and the Porsche Macan was chosen for the Most Fun Car to Drive. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further In terms of the best brands in the business, Lexus was declared most reliable, Dacia was crowned the best value, and BYD was awarded the most loved. 4 The Audi A1 has been knocked off of the top spot Credit: Advertisement 4 The Golf has been dubbed reliable and very safe for new drivers Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Every driver in Britain must make vital car check as temperatures soar and heatwave ‘likely' this weekend
DRIVERS have been warned to make a vital car check as temperatures across the UK soar. The easy check can save you thousands and makes sure that your car won't overheat in the 3 One easy check on your car could save you thousands this summer Credit: Getty 3 The check is more important than ever when temperatures are higher Credit: Getty If your coolant levels are too low, then Vehicles don't actually use more coolant when the weather is hot, but overheat much more easily when the coolant is low. When refilling your coolant, your engine must be off - for your own safety. Then, fill the tank up to the "full" or "max" mark. Read More on Car News If your car overheats, the cost to repair it can be astronomical so this one easy check could save you a huge amount of money. In the event that your car does start overheating, you must pull over as soon as you can - when it is safe. Switch on your If possible, open your bonnet and take a big step back in case hot steam rushes out. Most read in Motors Finally, leave your car for 30 minutes to let the engine cool down. There are several other checks that can keep your car road-ready in the hot weather. Car expert urges drivers to do two maintenance checks before summer heat – 'quarter test' could save on a tow Tyre pressure can be affected by This can cause your tyre pressure to skyrocket, which comes with a host of issues. Not only does this increase the chance of tyre wear, but it can cause damage to your suspension - which is costly to repair. Some engine oils should also be replaced during periods of hot weather, if their viscosity will be affected by heat. The news comes as the UK braces for a heatwave which has already begun to smash records. Yesterday, Britain saw its hottest day of the year so far with In order to qualify as a heatwave, temperatures must be consistently reach a threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days. In the North and West of England, that temperature is 25C where it is 30C in the South. This weekend, meteorologists expect that the South East could see highs of a sweltering 33C, as the heatwave continues. Today, experts have warned that parts of the country could experience highs of 29C which has led thousands of Brits to flock to beaches across the country. 3 You may have to let your engine cool for half an hour, if it overheats Credit: Getty
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: Paddon targets Donegal success on first competitive Irish outing
Reigning and double European Rally Champion, New Zealander Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) gets his first competitive taste of Irish rallying shortly after eleven o'clock on Friday on the 14.3km Malin Head stage, the first of the weekend's twenty stages of the Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally. Although the three-day Letterkenny-based event is the fourth round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the fact that both Keith Cronin and Matt Edwards, have for different reasons, paused their rallying, some of the usual shine has been taken from the series. However, the presence of Paddon along with Kesh driver Jon Armstrong and Moira's William Creighton has cranked up the competition level in the north-west. Paddon has faced both and indeed top seed Callum Devine in last year's Rali Ceredigion in Wales, where the New Zealander took a comfortable victory. However, Donegal will be very different as Paddon told the Irish Examiner yesterday morning. "We (with his Cork born co-driver David Moynihan) have just completed all our recce (reconnaissance), the stages are very fast and technical at the same time. It's going to be very difficult to be at the same speed as the locals when you don't have the knowledge of the roads. We're going to do the best job we can but its difficult when you don't have the experience. Ceredigion was even, we had the same amount of experience but coming here is different as they (local drivers) know the roads so well and we have respect for that. "First and foremost we've come here to enjoy ourselves. The second pass through the stages will be quicker, but until you actually drive them for the first time and have a feel of all the bumps and how the car reacts you don't know. For sure on the second pass you would be more confident." He concluded: "It's a big challenge for us both, obviously Dave (co-driver) has got to learn my pacenote system and for me it's a different voice that you hear in the intercom and how I interpret the words. A challenge is good, it makes it more exciting." Paddon will try and add his name to other luminaries that have triumphed in Donegal like Achim Armbold (1975), Ari Vatanen (1978) and Sebastien Loeb (2007) all of whom have added to the event's legendary status. Top seed Devine will be followed off the start line by Jon Armstrong - fresh from a fine third place on last weekend's Rally Poland and without the shackles of a championship bid, he's unlikely to hold back. In any case, such is the pace, there's no time to adopt a wait and see process when seconds or even parts of, are crucial. Creighton missed the last round of the BRC but arrives in Donegal as leader of the BRC courtesy of his victory in the East Riding Stages and second on the Carlisle Stages. At the wheel of the MEM Castrol-backed Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, he is fulfilling a personal desire. "Donegal is a rally that I've always wanted to contest in a Rally2 car. It's such a special event for Irish rallying and the atmosphere is second to none. The pace at the front of the ITRC is very strong. There's no room for error. It's important to find a good rhythm from the beginning of the rally. But that's what makes it such a brilliant challenge." Others in the top ten are Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Citroen C3 Rally2) and Welsh ace Meirion Evans in the second of the MEM Castrol Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars, who will be aiming to go one better than last year when he finished 17.4s behind Devine. "I'm happy with where I am with the Yaris Rally2 at the moment and I hope I can translate that into a really strong performance again. Our speed on the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney was really good and we managed to move our pace forward a bit more on the Jim Clark Rally. It would be great to go one better this time." Today's first leg is a loop of three stages repeated twice with servicing in Carndonagh.
