8 myths about the driving test – Latest car stories – MSN Cars UK.

8 myths about the driving test – Latest car stories – MSN Cars UK.

CONGRATULATIONS to Gemma Ramsden who passed her driving test today with 4 minors and a compliment from the Examiner, all our best wishes for 8 weeks time
Martin
www.love2drive.co.uk

Please make sure you check out driving instructors and their schools before you part with your money

If they are so cheap it must be for a reason

400 ‘instructors’ put lives at risk | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express.

Heres a few tips on choosing your driving instructor

What to look for and questions to ask

1. Get recommendations :  

Ask your friends or family which driving instructor or driving school they learned with.

2. Ask if the instructor is fully qualified :

A fully qualified driving instructor will be registered with the DSA  and must display their green badge car wind screen when giving paid driving lessons

If a pink badge is displayed then it is a trainee driving instructor, and they have NOT passed all of their exams

3. Ask if the instructor is doing any CPD (continued professional development)

A good driving instructor will keep themselves up to date with new practises, developments and current legislation

4. Check out the car

The car should be modern , clean inside and out and in good repair and taxed

5. Be wary of cheap deals and lessons 

Many driving instructors and schools offer cheap deals and lessons which can seem like great value. However ask yourself how that they are making a living or profit which all businesses must do.

They will have to cut costs somewhere and this is usually in fuel and so you get less driving time, or they do their errands in your time  or cutting lessons short.

Reliability may be a problem as they are jugging clients or 2 jobs.

They are possibly working long hours to compensate and so not able to give you the QUALITY driving tuition you have payed for and should expect.

The more expensive driving instructors and schools are more expensive for a reason

they will be professional, reliable, patient ,courteous and importantly they will give you quality driving lessons

Quality driving lesson will reduce the amount of hours required and attempts at the practical test

If you are not happy with your instructor, find another, you are entitled to Quality driving instruction.

6. Speak to the instructor and ask questions, a good instructor will welcome you asking questions and should actively encourage you to ask.
some examples 

How long have you been a driving Instructor?
Do you have male or female instructors?
Are all your instructors fully qualified?
Can I have the same instructor for all my lessons?
What type of cars do you use?
Are the cars dual controlled?
How old are the cars?
DO I have the same car for every lesson?
Do you have a individual pick up service?
Do you work weekends?
Can you pick me up after school, work or college?
How much are your lessons? (the cheapest seldom means the best!!! ).
Do you have discounts for block booking?
Which Test centre do you use?
What’s your pass rate?( be-careful with this one it can easy be manipulated)
How long is each lesson?

7 .Request to meet the driving instructor or ask for an intro lesson again a good instructor will be more than happy to do this. 

8. A good driving instructor will also ask questions about YOU 

Martin

www.love2drive.co.uk

Some really good info for learner drivers and learning to drive form Rospa road safety .

Helping Learner Drivers.

The Theory test is changing today but no need to worry it will still be the same multiple choice format and required pass marks the only difference is you wont be abe to learn the questions and answers by rote as they will no longer be published.
However you will need to study and revise, there is plenty of material out there to help you with that and all the software companies have updated their software in line with the new questions
With a current 1st time pass rate of 46% its down to you to make sure you study and revise your driving instructor will help if your having any problems
Better testing for better drivers
From Monday 23 January, the driving theory test will no longer use pre-published questions in a move to stop candidates from learning answers by rote.
Until now all the questions used in the driving theory test have been published. These changes will mean that learner drivers and riders gain a better understanding of driving theory, because they can no longer rely on simply learning which options are correct for individual questions.
Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:
“By bringing a stop to publication of theory test questions we aim to encourage candidates to prepare by learning each topic area thoroughly rather than just memorising the questions and answers.
“The intention is to improve candidates’ knowledge and understanding of driving theory, so that they are more able to retain and apply it when they are on the road.”
The familiar theory test books and software still offer revision questions for candidates to test themselves and assess their progress. They now also have exercises so learners can practice applying their knowledge on each topic to case studies. There are also new sections of revision support for motorcyclists and a free e-book for car drivers.
The agency has also launched its first iPhone apps for theory test revision, which also help candidates to study and monitor their progress at their convenience as they approach their test date. These are available from the iTunes Store.
DSA books, electronic books and software are available to order or download from TSO at tsoshop.co.uk/dsa and all good bookshops.
________________________________________
Martin
www.love2drive.co.uk

Heres a few tips on choosing your driving instructor

What to look for and questions to ask

1. Get recommendations :  

Ask your friends or family which driving instructor or driving school they learned with.

2. Ask if the instructor is fully qualified :

A fully qualified driving instructor will be registered with the DSA  and must display their green badge car wind screen when giving paid driving lessons

If a pink badge is displayed then it is a trainee driving instructor, and they have NOT passed all of their exams

3. Ask if the instructor is doing any CPD (continued professional development)

A good driving instructor will keep themselves up to date with new practises, developments and current legislation

4. Check out the car

The car should be modern , clean inside and out and in good repair and taxed

5. Be wary of cheap deals and lessons 

Many driving instructors and schools offer cheap deals and lessons which can seem like great value. However ask yourself how that they are making a living or profit which all businesses must do.

They will have to cut costs somewhere and this is usually in fuel and so you get less driving time, or they do their errands in your time  or cutting lessons short.

Reliability may be a problem as they are jugging clients or 2 jobs.

They are possibly working long hours to compensate and so not able to give you the QUALITY driving tuition you have payed for and should expect.

The more expensive driving instructors and schools are more expensive for a reason

they will be professional, reliable, patient ,courteous and importantly they will give you quality driving lessons

If you are not happy with your instructor, find another, you are entitled to Quality driving instruction.

6. Speak to the instructor and ask questions, a good instructor will welcome you asking questions and should actively encourage you to ask.
some examples 

How long have you been a driving Instructor?
Do you have male or female instructors?
Are all your instructors fully qualified?
Can I have the same instructor for all my lessons?
What type of cars do you use?
Are the cars dual controlled?
How old are the cars?
DO I have the same car for every lesson?
Do you have a individual pick up service?
Do you work weekends?
Can you pick me up after school, work or college?
How much are your lessons? (the cheapest seldom means the best!!! ).
Do you have discounts for block booking?
Which Test centre do you use?
What’s your pass rate?( be-careful with this one it can easy be manipulated)
How long is each lesson?

7 .Request to meet the driving instructor or ask for an intro lesson again a good instructor will be more than happy to do this. 

8. A good driving instructor will also ask questions about YOU 

Martin

www.love2drive.co.uk

Another accident on the M20 involving a lorry side swiping and the M20 closed between J8 and J9 Ashford
So what can you do as a driver to reduce the risk of this increasingly common accident
Here is a few tips that could save your life …

1.Check out the lorry and it behaviour as you approach ask yourself these questions , is it foreign? is it keeping a good line? how close is it to the vehicle in front could the driver be considering a overtake ? can i see the driver ? has the driver seen me? ….if you can see the trucks mirrors the driver will be able to see you.

2. Keep your distance from the vehicles in front

3. always be aware of where other road users are around you

4.Always beware of whats beside you in the third lane

5. Dont drive along next to a lorry if you cant overtake hold back until you can pass it in one go

6. Keep a eye on the cab of the truck and the indicators be prepared to move to the right or slow down if the truck starts to change lanes ….. expect that it could occur

7. Have an escape route when passing a lorry , consider moving into the third lane to overtake, if its safe and you not going to get undertaken or hold up a faster moving vehicle.

8. Do not overtake lorry if someone is overtaking you in the third lane hold back until the lane is empty so you have somewhere to go if the truck decides to change lanes.

9. Do not overtake another vehicle that is passing a lorry

I hope these tips are of help

You might want to consider some practical training give me a call on 07500556095 and we can discuss any questions you may have
Martin
www.love2drive.co.uk

.GOOD NEWS FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY !!!

if any of you guys are looking for car insurance might be worth a look at the co-operative 
I have just been informed of a 21 year old Insured with the co-operative with a black box installed ..he has just received bonus discount a £224 for the last 3 months because his driving reached the required the level, his acceleration, braking and cornering were monitored, this discount is ongoing throughout the year and he is driving a 1.6 honda civic and originally payed £2400 

Martin www.love2drive.co.uk

ARE ANY OF YOU GUYS INSURED WITH THIS COMPANY? YOU MAYBE UNINSURED

BBC News – Aston Midshires: Drivers warned of invalid motor insurance.