You failed and don't know why
You have a result sheet with boxes marked and a debrief that lasted about a minute. We start from those marks and work out what actually caused each one.
Pre-test lessons · Tallaght test centre
Pre-test lessons in Tallaght: find your faults and fix them.
Kris specialises in fault correction for the Tallaght test, and knows every route the centre uses. If your test is booked there, or you've failed there and want to know exactly why, he runs a mock test on the real Tallaght routes, marks it the way the tester marks, then works on the faults that would fail you until they stop happening. From €110 for a two-hour session, and Kris can meet you at the test centre.
Book pre-test preparation 90 Google reviewsWho this is for
Three reasons people come to Kris before a Tallaght test
Your test date is coming
A mock test a few weeks out shows where you stand while there's still time to fix it, rather than finding out on the day.
The same fault keeps coming back
More driving with your accompanying driver won't fix a habit nobody has spotted. Kris names it and gives you a fix you can practise.
Why the result sheet isn't enough
The tester tells you what. Kris finds out why.
The feedback you get at the desk is short by design. The RSA's procedures for testers say a typical verbal debrief should last no longer than 30 to 60 seconds. When several faults were marked, the tester will generally talk about two or three of them, and describes the type of fault rather than the place on the route where it happened. That is fair to every candidate, but most people leave knowing which box was ticked and not why. Finding the why is the part Kris specialises in. Already have your sheet? Run it through the free test result analyser first and bring the plan to your first session.
How fault correction works
Mock test, cause, fix
A mock test on the Tallaght routes
Kris meets you at the Tallaght test centre, or picks you up within our area, and you drive a full mock test on one of the actual Tallaght test routes. It's marked under the same headings and grades as the official report sheet.
The cause, not just the box
A mark on the sheet shows where a problem surfaced, not what led to it. The debrief goes through each Grade 2 and Grade 3 and what happened just before it.
Fixed where it happens
Then you go back to the same kinds of roundabouts, junctions and manoeuvres and repeat them until the fix holds without a prompt. If you're ready, you'll hear it. If not, you'll hear what's left.
How the result is decided
What actually fails a driving test
The RSA's marking guidelines set four fail thresholds. Reach any one of them and the result is a fail.
One Grade 3
A single dangerous or potentially dangerous fault, or a total disregard of a traffic control, is a fail on its own.
Four of the same Grade 2
Four Grade 2 faults on one aspect, for example observation at roundabouts. This is where a single habit fails a test.
Six under a heading, or nine in total
Six or more Grade 2 faults under the same heading, or nine or more Grade 2 faults across the whole test.
Grade 1 faults are minor slips. In practice testers no longer record them, and they play no part in the result. If you want the detail behind each grade, read Grade 2 vs Grade 3 and why did I fail my driving test.
Local knowledge
Where Tallaght tests are lost
The RSA doesn't publish test routes, but we know every route Tallaght uses, and the same few situations decide most tests on them.
Multi-lane roundabouts
Roundabouts come up often, including multi-lane ones around the town centre. Lane choice and signalling on them is the single most important skill for this centre.
Dual-carriageway speed
Sections like the Belgard Road and the Tallaght bypass need confident, appropriate speed. Hesitancy at higher speeds is a common fault here.
Luas crossings and estates
The Red Line crosses some routes, and its signals must be obeyed like any controlled crossing. Then come the estates, with speed ramps and schools. The full picture is in our Tallaght test centre guide.
Your instructor
Spotting faults is Kris's day job.
Kris is an RSA Approved Driving Instructor for both cars and buses, and an approved Driver CPC trainer who works daily with professional drivers. Assessing driving against a standard is what he does all week. Learners he has prepared have passed at Tallaght, including with zero faults. Meet Kris.
Prices
Pre-test prices in Tallaght
Simple pricing, no hidden extras. A one-hour lesson on a single weak point is from €60.
Pre-test package
from €110
Two hours: a mock test on a real Tallaght route, marked like the RSA sheet, then fault correction.
Book thisTwo-hour recorded lesson
€160
Filmed from inside the car, so you can watch your own driving back, with a debrief on what the camera caught that you didn't.
Book thisTest car hire
€170
A fully insured, dual-controlled car for your Tallaght test, with 1–1.5 hours of practice first.
How it worksGoogle reviews
What learners say about Kris
★★★★★
"I passed my driving test today in Tallaght with zero faults. I highly recommend Smart Driving Academy — they are very clear and know precisely what you need to work on in order to pass."
★★★★★
"I highly recommend Smart Driving Academy. Kris's dedication and lovely personality made the entire experience enjoyable and stress-free. His practical tips ensured we were well-prepared — I passed my test at Tallaght without having my own car!"
★★★★★
"Kris helped me massively with my test and lessons — I passed my test first time! He is very patient and someone I would highly recommend for lessons and mock tests."
Common questions
Pre-test lessons in Tallaght: FAQ
I failed my test at Tallaght. Where do we start?
With your result sheet. Bring it to the first session, or run it through our free test result analyser beforehand. The first session is a mock test on a Tallaght test route, then targeted work on the marks that failed you.
Do you know the Tallaght test routes?
Yes, all of them. The RSA doesn't publish routes, but Kris knows every route used at Tallaght and runs your mock test on them, so nothing on the day is new to you.
Why didn't the tester tell me exactly where I went wrong?
Testers are trained to keep the debrief general. The RSA's procedures say it should take no longer than 30 to 60 seconds, generally cover two or three of the marked aspects, and give an example of the type of fault rather than point to where on the route it happened. Your sheet shows which boxes were marked. Working out what caused each one is the first job of a fault-correction session.
What fails a driving test in Ireland?
Any one of four things: one Grade 3 fault; four Grade 2 faults on the same aspect; six or more Grade 2 faults under the same heading; or nine or more Grade 2 faults overall. Grade 1 faults are minor slips that testers no longer record in practice, and they play no part in the result.
Can you meet me at the Tallaght test centre?
Yes. Kris can meet you directly at the centre, which suits mock tests and pre-test lessons on the roads around it. That also works if you live outside our usual pickup areas.
Can I use your car for the test?
Yes. Test car hire at Tallaght is €170 and includes 1–1.5 hours of practice before your slot. Doing your pre-test sessions in the same car means nothing about it is new on the day.
Do you teach automatic and manual?
Yes. Kris teaches in both automatic and manual cars.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what the first mock test shows. Many learners take two or three pre-test sessions. Kris will tell you honestly where you stand and won't push sessions you don't need.
I failed. How do I get another test?
You reapply for a new test through your MyRoadSafety account, or with a postal application form. From the following week you can see your estimated time to an invitation on the RSA's online estimator. Use the wait to fix what was marked, so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one.
Test at Tallaght, booked or failed?
Find the faults before the tester does.
Book online or call Kris on 087 394 8102. More on Tallaght: the test centre guide, test car hire and driving lessons in Tallaght. Testing at the new Leixlip centre instead? See pre-test lessons for Leixlip.