KILDARE Driving Academy (KDA) based in Naas, Co Kildare offers a full range of car, trailer, truck, bus and motorbike lessons.

At KDA they understand that no two pupils are the same, and so lessons are always tailored to the individual’s needs. Approved driving instructor and owner Des Ward was awarded the Road Safety Authority ‘Leading Light in Road Safety Award’ and ‘Driving Instructor of the Year Award’ in 2015, and Des along with his team of approved instructors pride themselves on providing expert tuition and preparation for all driving exams.

Horse owners will be most interested in trailer and truck driving lessons. For trailer lessons, you will need to sit a car theory test if you have never done one before and you will need to hold a category BE learner permit for a trailer.

Once you have your trailer learner permit you can apply immediately for your trailer driving test. You can apply yourself or Kildare Driving Academy can do it for you.

The number of lessons required depends on the individual, but generally two lessons coupled with practice will get most experienced trailer drivers through the test. Clients with no trailer experience will need more.

KDA have a manual Land Cruiser jeep and a trailer which can be rented for both lessons and the test.

TRUCK TEST

Eighteen-year-old Susan Dunne pictured, on the day of her debs, after passing her rigid truck test with KDA. Two weeks later Susan passed her articulated truck test with KDA

If you are thinking about a career in driving or just need the truck licence for private use, the minimum age for driving a rigid truck is 18 years with a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and 21 years without CPC. You must also hold a current car full licence before you can apply for your truck learner permit.

Lessons at KDA are provided by an RSA approved driving instructor with years of truck driving experience, which is a major advantage when preparing for your driving test, as you will learn everything you need, to become a safe and competent truck driver which is what your tester and potential new employer is looking for.

First, the pupil becomes more familiar with the truck and learns how to perform all relevant checks before driving. When the pupil is ready, the practical driving begins. The lessons cover all driving situations that may be encountered in a driver’s working day and also what is required in the driving test.

KDA have a Mercedes Sprinter which can be used for the category ‘C1’ and ‘C1E’ tests and a DAF CF75 which can be used for the category ‘C’ test. The DAF CF75 truck used is a full-size truck with a split gearbox which will better prepare you for real life driving and also give you the confidence to drive any size rigid truck. The truck is also partially loaded to give a sense of carrying weight. KDA now have a DAF CF85 for artic category CE which is used with a full 45ft curtain side trailer to prepare you better for artic driving.

For further information you can call the KDA office on 045-937435 or mobile on 087-2226001.

TESTIMONIALS

Shane Power

Shane Power (centre) after winning team silver at the European Young Rider Eventing Championships (Photo: Lotta Gyllensten)

“Des is very good at his job. He takes a real, genuine interest in you and what you do and you can tell he really wants to help you succeed. I have to say it was great fun doing the lessons. Des made sure I was well prepared for my test, the mock test he did with me just before my real test was very helpful in preparing me mentally.

I passed my rigid truck category ‘C’ test last April and would 100% recommend Des and KDA to anyone.”

Shane Power after passing his rigid truck test with KDA

Ashley O’Sullivan

Ashley O’Sullivan representing the Kildare Hunt Club at the Dublin Horse Show in 2014 where they won the hunt chase championship (Photo: Tom Sinnott)

“Des is an absolutely brilliant instructor, he’s so patient and really knows how to get the best out of you. I applied for my truck and trailer test at the same time, as I knew there was a waiting list, and ended up getting a date for my truck test first. I passed my rigid truck category ‘C’ test first time out and the whole process was effortless thanks to Des’ help.

Two weeks later I was back to do my trailer test and passed that first time too. I couldn’t recommend Des and KDA highly enough.”

Ashley after passing her rigid truck test with KDA

Susan Dunne

“I was 18 when I went to do my truck tests and so I had to do a CPC also. Des was excellent in helping me prepare for the theory and once I had the CPC it was onto the driving.

I had never driven a truck before my first lesson with Des, so I was nervous but Des’ funny personality made it a much more enjoyable experience than I expected it to be and I can gladly say I passed the test first time out.

I might also add that the day of my test was also the day of my debs! I had to go to the test all dolled up, it was all very stressful but the pre-test lesson with Des was excellent to get all the mistakes out of the way. Just a few weeks later I went back and did the articulated truck test and passed that too.