5 Community Routes Co. Carlow

Carlow (Talbot Hotel) Test Centre | Route Profile

A temporary RSA facility established at the Talbot Hotel to handle high demand in the Carlow area. Its routes often include residential estates and busy hotel entrance junctions. Base location: Carlow Talbot Hotel, Graigue, Portlaoise Road, R93 Y504.

Pass Rate 61.5%

Wait Time 9 weeks

#1 Fail Reason Applicants often fail due to poor positioning on the approach to the hotel entrance, especially when navigating the tight turns around the Graiguecullen area. Improper clearance when passing parked cars along the narrow side streets is another common issue recorded by examiners. Track these zones in the app →

Red Zone: Lunchtime between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM is the worst period because of the high volume of traffic entering and exiting the hotel and nearby retail parks. Early evening tests can also be tricky as local sports clubs in the area begin their activities.

Local Hazards

Exiting the Talbot Hotel onto the busy Portlaoise Road (R448) requires excellent timing and observation. Many routes head into suburban estates where frequent speed limit transitions between 50km/h and 30km/h are common.

Community Advice

Be particularly vigilant about the roundabouts immediately adjacent to the hotel entrance. Traffic can become congested quickly, so practicing your gap selection in this specific area is highly recommended.

Arrival & Parking Protocol

Tip: The test centre operates from the Talbot Hotel where ample parking is available in the main hotel lot. Candidates should look for designated RSA spaces and typically reverse into a spot to simplify the move-off at the start of the exam.

Driver Reviews

Community Feedback

"I found the staff at this temporary center to be very welcoming and helpful in settling my nerves."

Community Feedback

"The waiting area in the hotel is quite comfortable, making the pre-test wait much more pleasant than expected."

Internal Guide

Plan Beyond Carlow (Talbot Hotel)

Use these related pages to compare centres in Carlow, tighten up likely fail points, and arrive with the car and paperwork sorted.

Browse all test centres Compare route counts, pass rates, and wait times across Ireland. Review the fault matrix Understand the mistakes that most often convert a solid drive into a fail. Run the vehicle checklist Cover the practical checks before test day and avoid preventable issues. Read the FAQ Get quick answers on routes, coverage, and how Slidis works.

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