A new requirement for learner drivers will look to include compulsory driving lessons.

Pupils will be required to fill out a logbook which they will receive once they sign up for lessons with an instructor. They will be required to take a minimum of 36 hours and the logbook will have to hold details of all lessons and include night time driving.

Learners will then be put under a two year restriction period, where they will be required to display ‘R’ plates. ‘R’ plate drivers will be allowed to drive on the motorway however, they will be subject to many of the same restrictions as an ‘L’ plate driver.

Research has shown that a large majority of accidents that involve drivers aged 17-24 are connected to a lack of experience. The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are already implementing a revised practical driving test to help bring those at test standard up to post test standard.

Currently this is set to be introduced in Ireland and there are no immediate plans to bring the scheme over to the UK however, with the driving test over 75 years old, changes need to be made to keep up with current times.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Many pupils learning to drive will experience performance related stress on the day of their practical test. This can be for a number of reasons, those who are adversely affected by nerves, those that need to pass for their job and for everyone else there is all the time and money they have invested.

There are a few simple pointers to consider before your test:

Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before

Eat something that will not leave you hungry but will not make you feel uncomfortable

Try not to feel pressured by other people

Before you arrive at the test centre, concentrate and drive to the best of your ability. A good drive beforehand will reassure you that you are capable of passing

Do not treat the examiner any differently to your instructor, most individuals are nervous on test and the examiner will try their best to put you at ease

Your instructor can also help in lots of ways, firstly by allowing you to go up on test only when they feel you are ready. They should also take you around the test routes you may cover and explain the requirements of the practical test. They should prepare you for all situations you might meet and make sure you can comfortably carry out all 3 manoeuvres.

There is lots of material available to help you prepare for the practical test and how to be a competent and safe driver once passing your test.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “With plenty of practice and a calm approach there is no reason why you should not pass first time. You must remember that if you fail, it is not the end of the world, you can retake the test. If you are unfortunate enough to fail, use the experience to help prepare yourself for the next test.”

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

The independent driving section of the practical driving test will come into effect on the 4th October 2010.

Newspaper reports have suggested that the independent driving may lead to an increase in people failing the test however, this is based on early research when independent driving was still going through the trial stages. Current studies have found that there is no significant fall in the pass rate.

The key thing to remember is if you go off course (this can happen to even the most experience drivers) you will not fail and be left to orientate yourself back to the test centre, the examiner will put you back on route.

Learners have asked whether using a sat nav is acceptable and the answer is no. You are meant to be making your own decisions as opposed to listening to step-by-step instructions.

A short video can be found on YouTube explaining more about the independent driving aspect which has been published by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency).

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Most standard insurers base a quote on the driver’s age, employment status, address, marital status and estimated mileage.

At least 2 millions drivers are thought to be uninsured in the UK and many of drivers are under 25. The Co-op says that with higher premiums for younger drivers and inflation rates it is leading to an uninsurable generation.Those under the age of 25 can pay anything up to £2000 for car insurance and for many who are still at college or university, it is almost impossible for them to find this kind of money.

The Co-op is working alongside other insurers to promote a new scheme which will allow drivers to pay as they go and make huge saving by driving during off-peak hours.

Drivers wanting to take advantage of this scheme will be required to complete a short online training course and answer questions such as the dangers of not wearing a seat belt or speeding and the effects that drink and drugs can have on an individual’s driving behaviour.

A black box will be placed in the car which will be able to record when the car is being used. If the driver drives in what is known as the red hours (11pm-5am) they will be charged an additional £45 on top of their payments. It is thought that most car accidents involving young people happen in the red hours.

There are also lots of other insurers who allow drivers of all ages to pay for single day use or monthly use of their vehicle. This will especially help those who hold a provisional licence and want to learn in their parent’s vehicle.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Speed limits are implemented to not only reduce accidents but to keep traffic moving smoothly.

The general speed limits for cars and motorcyclists are:

30mph in a build-up area with street lighting

60mph on a single carriageway

70mph on a dual carriage way or motorway

However, the speed limit is not the same for all vehicles, cars towing trailers or caravans, buses, coaches and good vehicles all have varying speed limits to abide by.

You will find in some instances that the speed limit is temporarily changed. Take for example on a motorway, generally if there has been an accident, the speed limit can be reduced to 40 or 50mph.

Surprisingly there are not only maximum speed limits but occasionally you will find minimum speed limits as well. Driving to slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. By holding other drivers up you may encourage them to overtake dangerously or cause tailbacks affecting thousands of motorists.

When acknowledging speed limits, it is also important to take in to consideration the road conditions and weather conditions. Driving down a country lane with a speed limit of 60mph is not appropriate if it is icy of raining heavily.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Driving can be stressful at the best of times, but for those that have a physical or cognitive disability it can be even more difficult without the right support.

Driving as a disabled person can bring immense freedom and independence. The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre (QEF) in Surrey aims to develop ADI’s skills and provide a register which gives details of such instructors who can provide adapted vehicles and teaching methods in your area.

Basic adaptations to a car can make a huge difference to those with physical impairments, such as a simple bolt on the steering wheel to a complex joystick which allows the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and steering using just one hand.

Of course it is not just new drivers that will benefit from this style of teaching but those who hold a full license and may have acquired a disability during their driving years.

Those teaching learners with disabilities may also find they encounter communication problems however, this should not hold them back once having received training from QEF. ADI’s will learn how to deal with people with hearing and speech difficulties and how effective certain methods are, including using forms of sign language.

The structure of the body and how it works along with basic knowledge of various medical conditions and the impact this can have on safe driving will be taught on the course provided to ADI’s at the QEF mobility centre.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “The Queen Elizabeth Mobility Centre is allowing people with disabilities the chance to achieve outdoor mobility and learn in an environment that is safe and supporting to their needs. Any ADI that joins the course and goes on to teach those with disabilities will have the pleasure of knowing that their job has changed the lives of so many individuals.”

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Road tax used to be a standard charge based on the size of your car’s engine however, now it’s a little more complicated.

Tax rates can range from £940 to nothing at all. The rates are calculated by assessing the car’s CO2 emission level. The lower the car’s emission levels the cheaper the road tax. You can normally find the car’s CO2 emission details in the logbook or registration certificate (V5C).

The tax will also now depend on how old the vehicle is. Vehicles registered after March 2001 will be taxed differently to those registered before.

Vehicles registered before March 2001 will continue to be taxed based on the engine size with those over 1549cc paying more than those will a smaller engine.

You can visit the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) website for a full breakdown of costs.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia

Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

The first traffic lights were introduced in 1868 outside the Houses of Parliament in London. The lights used red and green gas lamps with a lever at the base to show the appropriate light. However, this exploded shortly after and it was not until 1912 that the first electric traffic light was invented.

The first three-colour traffic light, much like we use today was introduced in 1920.

The colour red and green used to represent stop and go is thought to derive from maritime rules whereby, port (red) and starboard (green).

You will find that the red light contains some orange in it and the green contains some blue, this is in place to support those with red-green colour blindness.

Alarmingly over half of the UK population do not know their traffic light sequence.

Surveys have revealed that only 48% of those asked correctly identified that the colour that follows an amber light is red. The rest of the population thought it was a green light that followed an amber signal. This is extremely worrying when amber is preparing us to stop.

The correct traffic light sequence is as follows:

Red: Stop and wait behind the stop line

Red and Amber: Stop at the stop line. Do not pass until the green light shows

Green: You may continue ahead if the way forward is clear

Amber: Stop at the stop line. You can only pass through an amber light if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close that to stop might cause an accident

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “Interestingly in the Philippines on a Sunday, they often turn the traffic light off. However, this is only as dangerous as over half the UK population not knowing the correct traffic light sequence. If you are a car or motorcycle driver and feel rusty, take a look at the Highway Code and familiarise yourself with the rules of the road, you may be surprised at how much you had forgotten.”

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

Since early April pupils have been given the option as to whether they want their instructor or any another observer to sit in the back of the car. With more and more pupils taking up on this offer, it is important for the observer to know how to behave and what is required of them.

Firstly what seat should you sit on in the back of the car: examiners recommend sitting behind the pupil as this is thought to be least distracting. However, you must also consider what is most comfortable for you, as moving around too much can be off-putting for the pupil.

You may also want to consider changing your seat when the pupil is carrying out a manoeuvre. The pupil’s visibility is key and if you keep moving it could be very distracting.

It may be helpful for both you and the pupil if you take notes, especially if they do not pass the test so you can debrief them about where they went wrong. But be sure not to take copious notes as this may worry the pupil into thinking they are not doing very well.

Make sure you eliminate any form of distraction; make sure your phone is switched off, try not to fidget too much or kick the back of the seat etc.

Despite the myth that looking the way the examiner has instructed the pupil to go will lead to the pupil failing, as long as there are no secret codes, such as excessive nodding or tapping the seat, it is natural to look left, right and behind you and the pupils test will not be abandoned.

Finally it is important to remember that you are there to observe. It is not for you to get involved in the discussion at the end of the test. If you have legitimate concerns and want to follow them up, then speak to the test centre manager or contact the DSA (Driving Standards Agency).

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(0)

At present the practical driving test allows learners to be guided along the test routes and given instructions throughout the test. However, from early October this is set to change.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are looking to close the gap between those at driving test standard and those at post test standard and believe that introducing independent driving will help do this.

The test will include a 10 minute period where by the pupil must drive unassisted and will be asked to drive to a destination following traffic signs or drive following a series of verbal directions – prompt cards will be available.

Independent test routes are currently being designed and diagrams being produced.

But don’t panic, this does not mean you have to have the memory of an Elephant, if you get lost or take a wrong turning, you will not fail for this and the examiner will put you in the right direction.

It was initially feared that this new approach would mean a significant number of people failing the test but research has shown this not to be the case. It is hoped that those that do pass the test will have a bit of real life experience on the roads and be able to attack the roads on their own once they pass.

What are your thought on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Comments(1)