Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Routes (2026)
Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Centre is located on Pottery Road in Dublin and is one of 7 Driving Test Centres in Dublin and has been open since 2015. It is a largely suburban driving test route with a variety of housing estates and roundabouts as well as some busy junctions in Deansgrange and Bakers Corner. It is also referred to as the Deansgrange Driving Test Centre or Pottery Road Driving Test centre but they are all the same and the test routes are all the same.
Where is Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Centre
The Driving Test Centre is on Pottery Road in Dun Laoghaire and is also often called the Pottery Road Driving Test Centre or Deansgrange Test Centre. It is located across the road from the Lidl which is often used as a starting point for Pre Test Driving Lessons. It is easily found on Google Maps and is the Test Centre pictured above.
Pass Rates for Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Centre
The Pass rate for driving tests in Dun Laoghaire/Deansgrange in 2021 was 52.6 which compared favourably to all other Dublin Driving Test Centres. For example, Tallaght and the 2 Test Centres in Finglas are both 48% and the 2 in Mulhuddart are 45%
Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Routes
The Driving Tester can bring you anywhere in a 5km radius of the Driving Test Centre. In Dun Laoghaire the most common routes are towards Bakers Corner, Sallynoggin, the N11 and Watsons Estate.
The Test Routes App has 8 separate driving test routes for Dun Laoghaire. These have all been used on driving tests in the previous 2 months.The App can be downloaded for free from the Playstore or iOS.
How to use the Testroutes app ?
STEP 1 :
Download the App onto your mobile phone
STEP 2 :
Register your details and Driving Test Centre
STEP 3 :
Unlock the Routes
STEP 4 :
At the Test Centre select a Route
STEP 5 :
Follow all directions to complete the route
STEP 6 :
Repeat for all remaining routes
Download Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Routes (2026)
Do you prefer to download a hard copy of the latest driving test routes for you to print out and keep? Simply click on the link below and you can download the very latest Irish driving test routes. All routes are regularly updated by local driving instructors with intimate knowledge of the routes to ensure you are fully prepared for your driving test with no surprises.
Driving Test waiting times for RSA Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Centre
The current waiting time for the driving test at Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Centre is 15 Weeks. The average waiting time nationally for the driving test is 15 weeks. The waiting times for both Ballina and Dun Laoghaire are 9 weeks. This means if you log into your MyRoadSafety Account and change your Test Centre to Ballina or Dun Laoghaire you will receive the invitation to book the driving test much sooner. If you have already been waiting for over 10 weeks you will get an email from the RSA within the next few days.
Once you receive the invitation to book your driving test you can change the location back to your preferred location. In the example above they were able to select Naas from the drop down menu and get a date within 12 weeks as opposed to 9 months which is the standard waiting time at Naas.
To Pass your Driving test in Dun Laoghaire you need to complete 12 stages:
- Apply for and pass your Theory Test
- Apply for your Learners permit with the NDLS
- Upon receipt of the Learners Permit book driving lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
- Complete 12 EDT Driving Lessons as a minimum
- After agreement from your ADI apply for the driving test
- Get familiar with the Driving Test Route by using The Test Routes App
- Take Pretest Driving Lessons
- Learn all the Road Signs, Questions and Technical Checks
- Watch Youtube videos for the driving in general and Tallaght Test Centre in particular.
- After receiving an email from the RSA choose a suitable day/time for your test
- On the day, turn up at least 15 minutes early and await a phone call from the tester.
- Driving normally on the day and don’t drive differently just because its a driving test.
When is the best day or time to pass the driving test in Dun Laoghaire?
There are times of the day when the traffic around Raheny is lighter. Generally speaking, Mondays and Fridays are busier than Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays and morning times are quieter than afternoons. The busiest time for driving tests in Raheny is Friday afternoon so it is best to avoid choosing this time if possible. If you have an option of between 9:15-11:55am Tuesday to Thursday or the very rare Saturday morning slots then snap it up while you can.
After you receive the email from the RSA and go to choose a Test time it will only give options for 3 days. If neither the times or dates or suitable simply come back the next day and the options will have moved on a day. If you log on early in the morning you will have the best choice available. But don’t worry – If you are good enough to pass the day or time won’t make any difference!
Where do testers bring you on the Dun Laoghaire test route?
The Tester can bring you anywhere within a 5km radius of the driving test centre. The best way to familiarise yourself with the test route area is to book Pre Test Driving Lessons or to download the Test Routes App.
Where is the reverse around the corner done on the Dun Laoghaire Test Route?
These are most commonly done in Watsons estate but there are other less well known places the tester can bring you. The Test Route App will have a complete updated list of the most common places used.
Where is the turnabout around the corner done on the Dun Laoghaire Test Route?
These are most commonly done in Watsons estate but there are other less well known places the tester can bring you. The Test Route App will have a complete updated list of the most common places used.
How long is the driving test in Dun Laoghaire?
The driving test is a minimum of 7.5km and 25minutes long. Normally the driving part of the test will take 30-35 minutes.
Can I change the date/time of my driving test in Dun Laoghaire?
If your test is more than 10 days away you can change the time and date of the test for free. If it is under 10 days you will lose your fee if you need to cancel unless you have covid, in which case you can cancel and reschedule for free.
What is the format of the driving test in Dun Laoghaire?
1: Enter the waiting room 15 minutes before your test starts.
2: Inside the Test Centre answer some questions including 12 Road Signs and 12 questions on the Rules of the Road.
3: Go to the car and do the under bonnet checks
4: Tester will check the insurance disc, tax, NCT, brake lights and indicators.
5: Inside the car do the Technical checks and hand signals.
6: Drive for 30-35 Minutes which includes a reverse around the corner, hill start and turnabout.
7: Return to the Test Centre and after being seated receive the result.
Where is the Hill Start done on the Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Route?
These are most commonly done in Watsons estate but there are other less well known places the tester can bring you. The Test Route App will have a complete updated list of the most common places used.
How Dun Laoghaire Driving Test Routes Work
There isn’t one fixed driving test route in Dun Laoghaire — there are typically around 8 routes, many of which overlap.
Examiners use a number of set routes that follow the same road networks and residential areas. While the exact route can vary, you’ll find that the same streets, junctions, and estates are used repeatedly.
Most tests begin by leaving the centre on Pottery Road, heading towards Bakers Corner and Glenageary, or towards Killiney and Watsons Estate. These areas are commonly used for a mix of residential driving and manoeuvres such as reversing.
They are also where core driving skills are assessed, including observation, positioning, and control in tighter road conditions. Bakers Corner in particular can be very busy, and you need to show the right balance of assertiveness and patience to navigate it safely. It’s also quite common to encounter traffic here, so you should be prepared for delays and stay calm under pressure.
From there, routes often link onto slightly busier roads such as Rochestown Avenue or Glenageary Road, before returning to quieter estates like Churchview for manoeuvres such as the turnabout or reverse around a corner.
Unlike some other test centres, Dun Laoghaire routes tend to involve a lot of junction work and smaller roads rather than long stretches of main road driving. You’ll often move between estates and connecting roads, with examiners using this to assess how well you adapt to changing conditions.
Because of this, once you’ve driven a few of these routes, you’ll start to recognise the patterns. What feels unfamiliar at first quickly becomes more predictable.
That’s why practising in the same areas makes such a difference — it allows you to focus on your driving rather than worrying about where you’re going next.
Junctions and Roundabouts in Dun Laoghaire – What to Watch For
Junctions and roundabouts are some of the main areas where learners lose marks in the Dun Laoghaire driving test.
Unlike Tallaght, where larger roundabouts tend to stand out, Dun Laoghaire is more about tighter junctions, smaller roundabouts, and constant changes between residential roads and busier connecting routes. This means you need to stay alert at all times and be ready to adjust your speed, positioning, and observation quickly.
Areas around Bakers Corner, Graduate Roundabout, Glenageary, and Rochestown Avenue can be particularly demanding, as traffic can build up quickly and visibility is not always straightforward. Bakers Corner in particular can become very busy, and learners need to show enough confidence and assertiveness to move safely through it.
Many learners perform well on quieter roads, but start picking up marks when they encounter busier junctions or roundabouts where more decision-making is required, especially when lane discipline becomes important.
A common issue is hesitation when it is safe to move, particularly at busy junctions with a steady flow of traffic. On the other hand, some learners rush the decision and don’t take enough time to observe properly before entering. Examiners are looking for a good balance — safe, steady progress without unnecessary delay.
Typical mistakes at junctions and roundabouts include:
- Not checking properly before emerging
- Hesitating too long when it is safe to proceed
- Poor positioning on approach
- Missing mirror checks before changing direction
- Approaching too fast, reducing time for observation
- Not reacting early enough to pedestrians, cyclists, or parked cars nearby
Once you become familiar with the junctions and roundabouts used in the Dun Laoghaire routes, they become much easier to manage. Like most parts of the test, it’s not just about knowing the rules — it’s about recognising the situation early and reacting calmly and naturally.
Practising these areas in advance can make a big difference to your confidence on the day of the test.
Explore Driving Test Routes in Nearby Areas
You can also explore driving test routes in nearby locations:
- Tallaght driving test routes
- Wicklow driving test routes
- Raheny driving test routes
- Finglas driving test routes
See all locations on our driving test routes homepage.
