Author: ADMIN

Oxford Learner Driving Academy Car Buying Tips

Cars with diesel engines were once the most highly sought after of all engine types. In fact, diesels have historically commanded a premium over identically specified petrol vehicles, even in the used market.

But prices have slumped since punitive reforms to the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) came into force in April 2017 and further reforms were announced that are set to be enacted in April 2018.

Emergent technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/electric hydrids are gaining a foothold in the UK car market. These new technologies are generally considered to be better for the environment, but what’s best for your wallet? Read on to find out.

Car Buying Tip # 1: The rise and demise of diesel

Way back in 2001, then chancellor Gordon Brown introduced revised tax rates for all newly registered cars. Rather than being based on engine size as before the taxation bands were based upon the amount of carbon dioxide a vehicle emitted. This move was prompted by the EU’s imperative to meet the requirements agreed in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

Technological advancements at the time meant that diesel cars could be built to emit less carbon dioxide than their petrol counterparts. As a result of this, diesel vehicles often fell into the vastly preferential road tax emission bands at the lower end of the scale,

Spotting a rare opportunity to slash the cost of motoring, British drivers switched to diesel cars in droves. During the ’00s the number of diesel cars on Britain’s roads more than doubled from 3.45 million to 8.1 million.

But all good things must come to an end sooner or later. Even before Brown’s road tax reforms in 2001, scientists knew that whilst diesel engines burn fuel more efficiently and thus emit less CO2, diesel cars also emit higher levels of nitrogen oxides.

Some nitrogen oxides (NOs) are greenhouse gases and others are immediately harmful to human health. Petrol cars can mitigate NO emissions more effectively by using catalytic converters. The rapid spike in popularity of diesels during the early 21st Century led to dangerous levels of NO build up in our larger cities. This is is why we now find ourselves on a diesel witch hunt.

Car Buying Tip # 2: Time to put the brakes on

The first tax hike for new cars came into effect on 1st April 2017. This saw some diesel owners that previously paid no road tax at all on their old car facing the prospect of paying a ‘standard’ £140 a year (after their first year of ownership) should they choose to upgrade to a new diesel within the same emissions band.

The silver lining is that the first year of road tax is still based upon emissions. This means that for the most environmentally friendly cars the first year’s tax will be much lower. However, this cost is paid by the manufacturer and most likely passed on through the ‘on-the-road’ cost of the car, so this is unlikely to make much difference to consumers.

In April 2018, all diesel cars registered on or after 1st April 2017 will be subject to further increases in VED. This time, the change is simpler, with the charge for each emissions class being moved up a band. This means that from next month any car that was registered on or after 1st April 2017 that isn’t ’emission free’ will attract a tax charge of at least £130 a year once the car is a year old.

In summary, combined with rising diesel fuel costs these developments make buying any new diesel car far less appealing than it was a few years ago.

Car Buying Tip # 3: Petrol is back in demand

The popularity of diesels is now plummeting. This is due to a combination of rising running costs combined with plans to levy surcharges or even enact outright bans on diesel cars in some city centres. Owners of diesel cars are now finding it harder to sell their vehicles as list prices fall through the floor.

As a result, the cost of petrol vehicles has begun to go up as demand for these ‘cleaner’ cars has risen. Buyers are increasingly likely to find that prices of second hand petrol cars are more than they expected. What’s more, as the price of petrol itself continues to creep up (albeit at a slower rate than diesel), drivers will yet again find running costs increasing in the coming months.

Car Buying Tip # 4: Going electric

The mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has long been held back by issues with performance, range, and cost. Even modern EVs on a full charge will struggle to cover a fraction of the miles offered by a traditional vehicle with a full tank.

Nothing short of a vehicle from a premium range will be suitable for longer road trips without regular charging stopovers. This wouldn’t be such a problem if there were more charging points. This is especially true in a county like Norfolk where finding even a traditional petrol station that’s still open can be a challenge at times.

The good news is that research cited by The Guardian claims that EVs are now the most cost-effective vehicle in terms of total cost of ownership. For the time being, generous government subsidies are underpinning this figure by substantially reducing the initial purchase price. And because EVs are zero emission at the point of use, they are also exempt from road tax.

The rising cost of running traditional vehicles will no doubt encourage the uptake of EVs, bringing down the cost of purchase and ownership further, even once the subsidies are removed.

Car Buying Tip # 5: Zipping around the city

Where EVs really excel is in city centres — the very place where diesels are now so unwelcome. If your journeys are typically less than 50 miles you can silently zip about town on a full charge or less for a fraction of the cost of a traditional vehicle.

In spite of notable black spots in rural areas, Britain already has one of the most extensive network of charging points in Europe. You can bet this is set to continue to grow substantially as people abandon combustion engines in search of cheaper motoring.

So, EVs are now cheap and increasingly practical. But unless you can afford to fork out for a new or nearly new car, you’ll still have to carry on burning fossil fuels for now.

Car Buying Tip # 6: Hybrid — the best of both worlds?

Perhaps you love the idea of an electric car but live in a rural area where there are no charging points? Or maybe you can’t park close enough to your house to charge your car overnight? In these cases, a hybrid car could be the way to go.

The biggest benefit of hybrids is that you get two engines in one car. The drawback… is that you get two engines in one car. You pay twice for the engines and then your car has to lug those two engines around (with fuel too, don’t forget). One of these engines will always be redundant at any given point in time.

Whilst driving stop-start around the city, your electric engine runs the show. If the battery runs flat, or when you pick up enough speed your petrol engine kicks in. No plugging in overnight, or forgetting to charge, or running flat without a charging point to be seen.

At first glance, a hybrid will give you both the environmental kudos of electric combined with the performance and range of a petrol engine. So long as you remember to refuel, you’re golden.

But hybrids don’t come cheap — you’re paying for two engines, remember? And you still have to pay for fuel, which is already eye-wateringly expensive and is set to carry on going up. Plus, the government isn’t interested in giving you a tax break any longer — hybrids still pollute when running on petrol and that’s all the government cares about. The standard rate of vehicle tax will be set at £130 from next month for hybrids, a mere £10 annual saving over and above a standard petrol car.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles are generally considered to be the best for the environment. But older models still aren’t that common so unless you can afford a new or nearly new car, an EV might not be a realistic option right now. Charging points might also be non-existent where you live at the moment.

For the time-being you might have to plump for petrol until the EV market matures and preloved vehicles (and charging points) are easier to come by.

Even if you can’t save money by going electric right now, we can still help you save money on the cost of driving. Once you successfully complete our Pass Plus course you will be able to save on the cost of your insurance. You’ll also be a safer and more confident driver to boot!

Call us on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form.

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance for Young New Drivers UK

Young drivers in the UK are statistically more likely to have an accident and make a claim. This has the knock-on effect of sending their car insurance costs sky high.

Getting the best cheap car insurance for young drivers can feel like an impossible task, but there’s plenty you can do to help keep costs down. From picking the right car to increasing your excess, our tips go back to basics so that you can consider a wide range of insurers, not just those that offer telematics or pay-as-you drive insurance.

Read our nine top tips to help you find cheapest car insurance for young drivers.

1. Pick one of the cheapest cars to insure for young drivers

When looking for your first car, the cost of car insurance is often a big factor in the buying process. All cars on the market belong to one of 50 different car insurance groups — the cheapest cars to insure for new drivers can be found in groups one to five. This is particularly important for young male or female drivers with fast cars, which are typically more expensive.

2. Steer clear of car modifications

Car modifications, such as alloy wheels and body kits, often appeal to young drivers wanting to personalise simple-looking hatchbacks or medium-sized cars. However, avoid them if you want the best insurance for young drivers — modifications are known to increase premiums by hundreds of pounds. Again, this is the sort of thing that young drivers with fast cars, or those who want a fast car, should be aware of.

If you are absolutely determined to modify your car, consider if you would be happy to replace the modified parts with cheaper ones, otherwise the costs of the premiums could be much higher.

3. Consider a black box policy

Black box policies (also known as telematics) use an app or a small device installed in the car to monitor usage and driving behaviour. These types of policy can help to cut the cost of car insurance for young drivers as insurers are able to base premiums on actual driving behaviour rather than assuming every young driver is at risk of making a claim.

If there ever was a way to get the cheapest insurance for young drivers, then black box insurance is top of the list. In fact, drivers aged 17-21 with zero no claims could save an average of £1,282 by choosing black box insurance over a standard policy (based on quotes generated by uSwitch between November 2016 and January 2017).

4. Pay per year, not per month

With the average car insurance premium for young drivers into the thousands of pounds, it can be tempting to stagger payments rather than shelling out for the cover all in one go. It’s usually much cheaper to pay for the whole year in advance rather than paying monthly, if you can afford to. You’ll avoid the monthly interest charges and could save a substantial amount.
5. Consider increasing your excess

Choosing to pay a higher voluntary excess on top of the compulsory excess you’re quoted — the amount you’d have to pay up front if you made a claim — can significantly reduce the cost of your car insurance. However, make sure you’re able to afford to pay the excess if you do have an accident — young drivers with little money could struggle to stump up £500 or more after a crash. Furthermore, statistically speaking, young drivers are more likely to make a claim within the first year of driving, so beware that you could end up forking out the higher voluntary excess early on.

6. Think about the level of cover you need

Comprehensive car cover is normally the most expensive type of car insurance — it covers both your car and other vehicles if you have an accident. Third-party cover — the most basic level of cover — covers claims against you if you’re involved in an accident and injure someone. It also covers the cost of repairing or replacing the other person’s car, but not your own. Assess how often you plan to drive, what you can afford to cover, and what type of superficial car damage you might be prepared to live with. Learn more with our guide on the different types of car insurance.

7. …but don’t assume third-party is the best insurance for young drivers

It pays to compare quotes with different levels of cover before you buy. According to the Association of British Insurers, the average third-party, fire and theft premium is more expensive than comprehensive cover because it’s often chosen by younger drivers with a tendency to make larger claims. Bear this in mind before you compare car insurance for young drivers. Also, don’t search for cheap car insurance for the price alone. You still need to assess what type of cover it is you need. Sacrificing quality of cover over the price could end up costing you more in the long term.

8. Add a named driver, but beware of ‘fronting’

You can reduce car insurance costs by adding an extra named driver to the insurance policy – especially if they’re older and more experienced on the road, regardless of whether they are male or female, although you should avoid those with points. Putting the policy in a parent’s name, with the young driver as a named driver when they’re actually the main driver – known as ‘fronting’ – is illegal and can result in insurers rejecting claims.

9. Increase security and limit risk

Adding extra car security features, such as an alarm or immobiliser, can often help you get cheaper cover. Car insurance can be cheaper still if you park your car in a garage or driveway overnight rather than leaving it on the street as insurers see this as a further way of minimising risk.

Our driving school is unique in that every single one of our expert, qualified drivers has extensive local area knowledge and a reliable familiarity with all of the test routes you’ll be taking – and this includes our new driving instructors in Bicester too.

Our company values mean that you get to rest easy and feel safe, on every road and during every lesson. We’re here for you – and that’s why we have been chosen as one of the Top 3 Driving Schools in Oxfordshire.

With the safety of dual-control cars in addition to expert, DVSA registered driving instructors, our goal is to support developing your confidence in a supportive and stress-free environment – until you’re ready to take the next big step and conquer a driver certification test!

We are 100% committed to sitting by you, teaching you, training you, and ultimately encouraging your new driver skill-set until you feel ready to take on the roads alone.

At Oxford LDA, we’re very proud to offer every single one of our learners exceptional client-care, we also pride ourselves on offering great service, plus well-trained driver teachers too. We’ve transposed these values to our new location too, so if you need a driving lesson in Bicester, be sure to contact us.

It’s our job to make your journey toward driver certification easy – and enjoyable. So if you’d like to learn new skills in a safe, positive and quality assured driver environment, be sure to drop us a line and tell us a little about you, your goals, and what you need. We’re here to help!

We know that every learner comes with a unique set of abilities, personality and sometimes fears as well – so we’re sure to integrate those understandings, to benefit your development. Because no two people are totally alike, we respect that sometimes, you might need a different style or approach to teaching – and that’s okay, we go with your flow.

Many new drivers have a reluctance to undertake certain driver aspects, such as roundabouts, reverse parking, or complex traffic rules, and with good reason. Sometimes, driving can feel overwhelming, that’s why we make every challenging aspect more transparent, and even offer helpful tools, like our tailor-made YouTube speciality videos built purely for your benefit:

Okay, so my teenage years ship sailed a long time ago, but somehow I’ve reached the age of 34 without ever learning to drive. For years, it didn’t seem important – but recently, I’ve realised that I’m losing a lot by not getting my L plates. I can’t do road trips across California, I can’t do favours for friends with kids, and I would be completely useless during an alien apocalypse.

I’m not alone in being a 30-something (driving) virgin. My generation of city-living, bike-riding, eco-minded and digitally savvy professionals is – in stark contrast to our parents – decidedly meh about cars. More and more of us are putting off those driving lessons, for longer. And the downer is that this only makes it more difficult. “At the age of 17, the pass-rate last year was 57%, but for drivers at the age of 35, it had dropped to 38%,” *

*Figures/statistics from 2014

Excerpts from Anna Hart from Grazia magazine when she bites the bullet and books her very first driving lessons. And doesn’t kill anyone!

And not only is it statistically more difficult, learning to drive terrified me. So Grazia set me the challenge of passing my test in 2015, because if I can do it, then trust me, anyone can…. So far, I’m three lessons in, with my nerves-of-steel instructor Mario. Amazingly, I genuinely enjoy my first few lessons. I’ve done a roundabout! I’ve been in fourth gear! I’ve done a really terrible turn-in-the-road! Not bad, for a girl who still has to do that miming-writing-with-a-pen thing to determine my left from my right.

“At this stage, your learning curve is quite steep,” agrees Mario, warning me that the real challenge comes later. Being a terrible learner driver is easy – I feel triumphant simply because I haven’t crashed into a schoolbus. It’s becoming a good learner driver that is hard.

I promise to be 100% honest about the ups and downs. If you, like me, were on the fence about learning to drive, then hopefully this will give you the incentive you need to get in the driver’s seat.

Prevously, Grazia writer Anna Hart wrote about the challenges of learning to drive when you’re 30, blogging about it here.

WATCH OUT WORLD: I’m officially a driver. Today I had a sunny drive around Wanstead with a nice man called Kevin, only stalling twice and swearing once, and at the end of it he said the magic words: “Well done, Anna, I’m going to pass you today.” Nothing prepares you for the flood of joy that comes from passing your driving test. Particularly if, like me, you’ve postponed learning to drive for years, making excuses, developing weird phobias, and convincing yourself a skill that any 17-year-old boy appears to master in six weeks will remain tantalisingly out of your grasp forever.

Now I finally know how to pass your driving test, and I also know how not to, because two weeks ago, I flunked my first driving test. Failing your driving test is not a pretty feeling. It’s pretty much the worst Tinder date of your life. The examiner feels sorry for you, they wish you well, but they can’t wait to get away from you and they’re stuck right next to you. You feel guilty and apologetic but also crazily desperate to prove to them that you’re not a total loser after all. Failing your driving test is one of the worst ways to spend 40 minutes I’ve ever come across. But now that I’ve passed, I can see exactly how I nailed failing the first time around.

Here’s my failsafe way of failing your driving test:

1. Expect to fail. I told myself that I was bound to fail, that all the best drivers fail first anyway, that I shouldn’t really expect to pass. Then, things went surprisingly well, but I’d already worked myself into such a pitch of nerves and doom that I made a dumb error (okay, I nearly squashed a pedestrian on a crossing) and flunked on that one serious error.

2. Rush it. Because my attitude was ‘let’s get this fail over with asap’, I did everything far too quickly. And got rattled. And then tried to squash a pedestrian. Be cool!

3. Be tough on yourself. Pre-test, my inner mantra was ‘Oh FFS, you have to go flunk your test today, UGH’. Afterwards, it was, ‘You knew you were going to fail, and you FAILED, you massive, massive loser.’ Obviously, I would not let anyone other than me talk to myself this harshly. And guess what: it really doesn’t help.

4. Give up. Halfway through, I stalled. And then tried to move off with the handbrake on. And I convinced myself I’d failed, and got so despondent and stressed that I made the serious error that actually caused me to fail.

This time around, I did everything right. I took three 2-hour lessons with my instructor this week in preparation. I did yoga every day this week. I skipped coffee and drank heaps of water and ate well before my test, instead of dehydrating myself massively because I was so worried I’d need to pee halfway through. I wore clothes that made me feel good, having planned a preppy ‘I am such a good driver!’ outfit earlier this week. I even wore my hair in pigtails, because that helps the examiner see that you’re checking the mirrors. But the most important thing I changed? How I talked to myself. “What a lovely day to pass my test! I can’t wait to pass my driving test today! Golly, passing my test is going to be SUCH FUN, that lucky instructor next to me!” I know, I know. But you don’t need to be a positive-thinking automaton for your entire life. Just the morning of your driving test.

And when you pass, all of this, and all of the lessons, are totally worth it.

I excitedly told my mum, my husband, and a even a couple of London Underground staff who got in my way.

I suddenly realised that I had no plans for the evening, because I couldn’t quite imagine a time after my test ever arriving; it was like a big wall in my diary had finally come down and I could look into the future. A future in which I can rent a Mustang and drive the Pacific Coast Highway. Or pop over to a friend’s house in West London without spending four hours on public transport or £60 on Uber. Or be a useful daughter, picking up my parents from the airport instead of having to rely on them all the time like a teenager. A future in which I get to one day shop for a CAR, which is even more exciting than shopping for a new coat.

Oxford Driving Lessons and Surrounding Areas

Call now on 01865 722 148 or send a message via the Contact Form online and schedule in your driving lessons today!

Learning to drive Apps – we find some that might help you along…

If you are taking driving lessons right now, revising for your theory test or preparing for your practical driving test an App for your smartphone, iPhone, or tablet might help you along…

For iPhone and iPad from iTunes:

The Official Theory Test Kit for Drivers from iTunes for iPhone or iPad at £4.99

Includes theory test questions and the The Official Highway Code (Nov 2012).

Also available individually:

The Official DSA Theory Test for Car Drivers at £2.99

The Official Highway Code at £3.99

From Google Play for Android:

Driving Theory Test – UK Car

£3.46 by Vialsoft, who also do a FREE version.

This includes a mock test in full exam setup.

UK Driving Theory Test from Webrich Software at £1.99

This includes the official test bank of 970 questions which can be studied by topic, they also do a FREE version.

The AA Theory Test for Car Drivers at £1.99 for Full Version

There is a ton of other learning to drive apps, paid and free versions and of course we recommend using a reputable app site like Google or iTunes and reading reviews first to check for any potential problems and to see which suits you best.

Thinking about learning to drive in the UK? Here is what to do next…

If you are thinking about learning to drive in the Oxford (UK) area, or indeed any location, here is short guide on what to do next.

Work out how affordable driving lessons are for you:

Think about how you will be paying for your lessons and how much driving lessons cost. How often can you afford to have driving lessons? It’s also worth thinking about the benefits a driving license will have for you, can it improve your career prospects, save you money on public transport, help you in your personal life. There are many reasons why having a driving license can help you get ahead.

Get a provisional driving licence.

You can apply up to 3 months before you are 17 for a provisional driving license to drive a car, and start learning when you are 17 or more. It will cost £50 and you will need to be a resident of Great Britain and provide your past 3 years addresses, have identification and your National Insurance number if you know it, to find out more and apply its:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

Decide when you will take your driving lessons in the UK.

What other commitments do you have, whether it’s work or study when will you fit in your lessons, and when is a good time to learn? – when you are not too stressed or tired is best as you will be able to concentrate more and be more open to learning. It’s good to have lessons at different times of the day too to experience day and night driving conditions and varying levels of traffic in your local area.

Find a qualified driving instructor or driving school, talk to them and book your first lesson/s.

If you don’t live in the Oxford area then a search in Google or another search engine for any of the following in your area will help:

• Driving lessons
• Learn to drive
• Affordable driving lessons
• Local driving school
• DSA qualified driving Instructors

Don’t forget your driving instructor must be DSA and ADI qualified and registered. Find out more about who can teach you to drive, including the rules if friends or family help you with extra lessons here:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-who-can-teach-you

If you are looking for driving lessons in Oxford or the surrounding areas then you need look no further your Oxford Local Driving Academy can help with:

• Fully qualified, registered instructors who are experienced and patient
• Lessons available round the clock, seven days a week
• Great offers and intensive driving courses available
• Excellent pass rates and extra help with difficult local areas, like roundabouts

Get in touch today for friendly advice and to book your first lesson with Oxford LDA.

Driving Test Theory – Shocking new pass rate stats

New statistics have found that the theory test pass rate has fallen to its lowest level in over the last ten years.

The pass rate of the theory test has fallen by a quarter over the last decade. It has also been proven by the Department of Transport that women were more likely to pass their theory test than men, as found by the Sunday Times.

We will look at how the test has changed over the last decade to decipher why pass rates have plummeted and some tips to help you pass the test.

Theory test timeline

Here is a timeline for what has changed in the theory test over the last 10 years:

Photo credit and article courtesy of insurelearnerdriver

Edmund King, President of the AA said that: “Some people assume you can pass the theory test with a few lessons and a bit of common sense but you can’t. Some of the questions are actually quite obscure. “ King then went on to add, “The test is obviously very necessary but perhaps part of it could be a bit more mainstream and relevant to the reality of driving.” King also gave an example of these more obscure questions: “Following a collision, someone has suffered a burn. The burn needs to be cooled. What’s the shortest time it should be cooled for?”

The obscure questions could be one of the reasons as why the pass rates have dropped by 20% in just 10 years.

Here are some of our tips to help you get through the theory test:

• Check your answers and revisit tricky questions
• Get a good nights sleep
• Get yourself a revision schedule
• Be in the right frame of mind

For more tips on taking the theory test, click here

Make sure you are brushing up on your Highway code study and getting some private practice in as well by speaking to us on 01865 722 148 or you can send a message via the Contact Form online.

5 things to do whilst practising outside of your driving lessons

we always say at InsureLearnerDriver, practising outside of your driving lessons is a key ingredient to boosting your chances of passing your driving test. Not to mention it can do absolute wonders for your confidence behind the wheel!

But even private practice can become tedious if you’re doing the same thing repeatedly. So, here’s some things to put on your to do list to shake up practising outside of your driving lessons.

Drive to different places

Practising outside of your driving lessons doesn’t have to be dull and boring. Fancy a trip to the drive-thru? Go for it. Want to go shopping? Do it! All you need is an accompanying driver that meets your insurer’s criteria and you can drive anywhere (apart from motorways).

It’s a little taste of the freedom that comes with passing your test, so make the most of it.

Drive at night

When you pass your test, we very much doubt that you’ll only drive during the daytime. Even though it is not a requirement for the driving test, it is extremely beneficial to practice this before you pass. Don’t be intimidated by it, the best time to do this for the first time is with an experienced driver next to you.

Drive with different passengers

We love our parents very much. However, sometimes they can make driving an even more stressful experience… It can be a good idea to invite different people to be your accompanying driver (if they’re willing!).

If you’re insured on an InsureLearnerDriver policy, the criteria for the accompanying driver is anyone over 25 and has held an UK, EEA or EU licence for at least 3 years. It does not have to be the owner of the car if you have a borrowed policy.

Practice the “show me, tell me” section

Hopefully, you would run through the “show me, tell me” part of the driving test with your instructor. However, we understand that during driving lessons, time is limited. Try running through your revision for the questions whilst sitting in your parked car.

Your car is a good setting to practice these questions because the subject of the questions is most likely right there in front of you! It might help you remember far better than reading a book.

Click here to see our page on “Show me, Tell me” questions.

Dedicate time to parking practice

Parking is one of the most difficult parts of not only learning to drive but driving as a whole, with limited time during driving lessons you may not always be able to practice it.

It takes time and practice to be able to master such a skill, especially when it comes to parallel parking! Practising parking outside of your driving lessons will hopefully feel a little bit less stressful! Source

You can now learn to drive on the motorway in the UK

Today marks one year since the rules changed to allow learner drivers to practice driving on motorways, with a driving instructor.

The changes were brought in to help give learner drivers the opportunity to get a broader driving experience before taking their driving test and improve their confidence driving on the motorway unsupervised.

Call us on 01865 722 148 or message via the online Contact Form to schedule your driving lessons in just a few seconds.

Business as usual

By now, for many of you the prospect of taking a learner on the motorways may not seem that special anymore. In fact, it will probably be another key milestone to tick off for driving on high speed roads to prepare another learner for a lifetime of safe driving.

It’s a credit to the ADI industry that so many of you have taken this major change in your strides and adopted it as business as usual. There haven’t been any reported incidents involving learner drivers on motorway since the changes were brought in last June 2018. This didn’t come as a surprise to me given the professionalism of the industry and your drive to find ways to improve the standard of driving for learner drivers and help them be better prepared for a lifetime of safe driving.

The Government have asked for feedback from Approved Driving Instructors around the UK to let them know what they thought about the changes, how they have implemented them, what your pupils thought and any challenges. Here are a few of the responses:

“Immediately the rules changed (and before) I discussed the benefits of having a motorway lesson. All of my previous test pupils have been very keen to have the opportunity to drive on the motorway. Being in Cambridge, the M11 is not quite as notorious as the A14 but we have had lessons lasting 2 hours to ensure M25 experience as well.

“Feedback from the pupils has been 100% positive. Understanding the difference between a motorway and a dual carriageway us one thing, actually experiencing the difference is a superb opportunity.”

ADI in Cambridge

“In Hartlepool we are a good 30 minutes from the motorway but I have still been able to deliver over 20 separate lessons on the motorway. A1m to be precise.

Although this is not a smart motorway and I have been unable to let my pupils experience this side of the experience, all my pupils have expressed increased confidence at the thought of journeys involving motorways once they pass. All of them have also found the motorways much easier than the use of dual carriageways where more hazards tend to appear.

“All-in-all using the motorways has proven a rewarding and positive experience.”

ADI in Hartlepool

Looking ahead

The aim of allowing learners on motorways was to help reduce the number of novice drivers involved in incidents on high speed roads, and we won’t have these figures until the 2018 casualty statistics are published later this year.

We should remind ourselves of why we wanted to allow learners on to motorways – they are after all amongst the safest of our roads. I think it important to remember the role an ADI has in helping a new driver in become a safer driver; encouraging learners to learn how to drive on a motorway with a professional driving instructor as part of their continuing lessons and development as a new driver.

6 Months Later

A guest post by Finbar King gives further insight:

In this blog post, guest author Finbar King tells us a bit about his experience driving on the motorway for the first time. Finbar is AA president Edmund King’s son.

Being one of the first learners to drive on the motorway

One of the weirdest experiences in my driving career so far came when my dad asked me if I wanted to be one of the first ever learners to drive on a motorway…

With the new rules coming into force at midnight on 4 June, my dad and driving instructor Mark hatched a plan that involved me driving onto the M25 at seconds past midnight – how exciting!

The countdown to midnight

To start with, we did a couple of practice runs up to the large roundabout next to the M25 which we timed. Then, at a couple of minutes to midnight, I set off in my instructor’s car with my dad in the back filming.

We decided that depending on the timing I would either do one or two laps of the roundabout while waiting for it to turn midnight. As it happened, one was enough and off I drove to join the M25 seconds after midnight.

How I found my first motorway drive in the UK

As it was only a few minutes past midnight, it wasn’t too busy as I joined the motorway. I’d driven on quite a few dual carriageways before so I wasn’t too nervous about joining the fast-moving traffic. I felt like this helped really prepare me for motorway driving.

My first drive went really well, although my instructor did have to tell me to slow down as my speed began creeping up at one point. My dad then sent some of the coverage to a journalist and pretty soon the whole video and photos appeared on the This is Money website, which was pretty surreal.

Starring on Good Morning Britain

Following the success of my first motorway drive in the early hours of the morning, we met a film crew from ITV’s Good Morning Britain who wanted to film me live on the motorway. They set up cameras on the windscreen and the reporter squeezed in the back. I was glad that my dad told them not to interview me while driving, as it was quite a nerve-wracking experience!

This time it was M25 rush-hour with many more trucks and cars – the normal heavy Monday morning traffic! I felt I did OK, but I’m glad I’d experienced the drive with just my instructor first.

Some of my schoolmates told me later that the presenter Piers Morgan had said I looked scared and this was an accident waiting to happen. But what does he know?

A really good idea

My instructor Mark definitely made sure I had enough practice before we even thought about driving on the motorway.

We practised things like:

• an appropriate speed to join a motorway or fast moving roads
• when to indicate and how to safely change lanes
• how to keep a safe distance from the car in front
• how to safely leave the motorway

“I think the change in the rules for learner drivers is a really good idea and I think that every learner should have at least one motorway lesson before driving on the motorway unsupervised.”

First experiences of driving

Finbar continues: My first experiences of driving were on our family holiday in France or Spain, go-karting. The most exciting place was racing on the main go-kart track adjacent to the famous Le Mans 24-hour circuit in France. I normally did OK and sometimes beat my dad who can be very competitive!

The only other driving I had done was at the Silverstone Classic a few years ago when the Porsche Circuit was opened up to under 15s. That was great fun and my parents were amazed that I could drive a car with gears after about three minutes of tuition! We also went pretty fast – or so it seemed.

Despite enjoying those early outings I hadn’t really thought much about learning to drive until other people in the sixth form started having lessons and more and more pupils could be seen studying for the theory test in the library.

As I began to approach my seventeenth birthday I thought I better do the same!

Starting driving lessons

Once my provisional licence arrived in the post it all seemed a bit more serious.

My dad then set me up for some lessons. I guess I was a bit nervous before my first lesson and had to check with my dad which pedal was the clutch and brake!

But as soon as I met the instructor, Mark, he set me at ease. In fact, he even remembered me from Silverstone a couple of years earlier which was nice.

A busy first lesson

I was quite surprised what I got up to in my first two-hour lesson. In fact, I’d got used to using gears, we actually went on a dual carriageway and navigated quite a major roundabout.

I was pretty pleased when I heard Mark telling my dad that I had a good road sense and positioning, and that I’d done really well on my first lesson.

Practising with family and friends

Although my mum and dad both have pretty big automatic cars, my dad managed to borrow a Seat Ibiza which I found really good to drive and meant that I could practise between lessons with my parents.

The first time going out with my dad was a bit different to my normal lessons. We tended to stick to local residential roads close to home. There was one junction where I could practise a hill-start and after a few attempts I seemed to get it right.

There were a few things that my dad said he learnt differently. This was things like, he would change down through the gears whereas I was taught at certain speeds it is OK to go from fourth to second.

However, it was reassuring that he agreed ‘If Mark has told you that, then he is right’. He seemed pretty pleased with my progress and it helped my confidence to go driving between lessons.

After several more weeks I also started going out with my mother and fairly regularly gave lifts to my school-mates for the five-mile drive to the station. Again this gave me confidence when I heard my mates say that I was a decent driver.

Taking my test

When the day came I don’t know who was more nervous, my dad or me, and we were both ready far too early.

After waiting a while, my examiner called my name and asked if my instructor was there. I said no but my dad was. And that was it, the test had begun.

During the driving test

Once I pulled out of the car park I felt fine and the nerves died down a bit. We went on a variety roads throughout the test, including some  country roads. I also had to follow directions from a sat nav.

I was then asked to perform a parking maneuver. It took me two attempts to get 100% straight which I later found out cost me a minor which was annoying as I’m a bit of a perfectionist!

The rest of the drive went okay, although I did also have to navigate a motorised lawn mower which decided to block my path on the road!

Passing driving test with flying colours

I thought I had driven pretty well but there is always that element of doubt. Did I look in my mirrors? Did I change gear at the right times? Did I take too long to overtake the cyclists?

Luckily, the examiner put me out of my misery and told me I had passed. What a relief! Both Dad and I were very pleased.

Being able to drive just makes things easier and means that in the evenings I don’t have to rely on my parents for lifts.

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What to expect during your driving test UK – Minors and Majors – Faults

You’ve had all your lessons, you’ve passed your theory test and now you’re ready to take your driving test; but what you do when you arrive at the test centre? And how can you ensure that you have the best chance of passing your test?

Minor and major driving faults during driving test UK

During your driving test the examiner will use a driving test report form, also known as a DL25 to mark down any faults that you make during your test. The driving faults are classed in three categories:

• Minor (a fault which is less serious and doesn’t impose any danger to other road users)
• Serious (a fault which is potentially could be dangerous)
• Dangerous (a fault which involve danger to other road users)

How many minor and major faults can you have on driving test UK – Fail / Pass

You are allowed up to 15 minor faults during your test, however committing any serious or dangerous fault will result in failing your test. Also committing more than 3 faults from one category count as a serious fault.

The first question you may have is what happens when you get to the test centre? Once you’ve met the examiner he/she will check you’re:

• Provisional licence including the counterpart.
• Ask you to sign the declaration form (DL25 FORM) to ensure you are UK resident, and the vehicle is ensured.
• Give you an eyesight test which involves reading the number plate of a vehicle from a distance of 20m.
• Will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions also known as “show me tell me questions”.

Then you will be asked to sit in the driving seat and make yourself comfortable. Your practical test will last between 38 to 40 minutes. You will be driving through various routes including 10 minutes independent driving. You will be also asked to carry out a manoeuvre, possibly control stop. (Emergency stop)

The manoeuvres you may be asked to perform during driving test UK

The manoeuvres that you may be asked to perform will include:

• Reverse parking
• A turn in the road
• reversing round a corner
• Parallel parking

When the examiner asks you to perform a manoeuvre he will show you where to do it and when. For example, he may ask you to drive to a certain location on the road and then do a full turn. He will give you an adequate amount of time to perform the manoeuvre, so take the time to plan what you are going to do and ensure that you carry out all the necessary safety checks.

When your examiner is assessing your manoeuvre they will mark down a fault if you do not have full control of the vehicle, do not carry out the necessary safety checks or do not respond to other vehicles or pedestrians. You will not know which manoeuvres the examiner will ask you to do so it is important that you prepare by ensuring that you can do all of them successfully.

Throughout the test, the examiner will check that you move off safely and that you are in control of the car by making sure that you use the mirrors correctly, check your blind spots, are aware of other road users and show that you can coordinate the use of the cars main controls. At the end of your test your examiner will add up these faults and this will determine whether you have passed or failed.

Areas marked and assessed during the practical driving test UK:

1a) Eyesight – There are no minors that can be incurred here but you must be able to read another car’s number plate. If you fail this, unfortunately it is an instant fail.  Check on your first lesson whether you will need glasses when taking your driving lessons.

1b) Highway Code – Before embarking on your driving test you will have completed your theory test where you will have been a series of questions on the Highway Code.  Although if you passed your theory test you will not be asked any further questions, you should still be fully aware of this code.

2) Controlled stop – Not everyone will be asked to carry out an emergency stop but if you do you need to follow the commands of the examiner and maintain control of the car at all times.  In essence avoid the car skidding out of control.

3-5) Reverse – You will be asked to demonstrate that you can control your car by safely reversing to either the left, the right or into a parking bay.  It is important to be observant at all times.

6) Turn in the road – This needs to be carried out slowly as many serious and dangerous faults can be made here.  Not having control of the steering wheel can mean that you over steer and end up on the curb.  Observation is key in ensuring that you are fully aware of other vehicles around you and what they are doing while you are manoeuvring.

7) Vehicle Checks – This is commonly known as the show me, tell me section of the test.  Failure to answer one of the questions will result in a minor.

8-10) Taxi Manoeuvre, Taxi Wheelchair, Vehicle and Trailer Combinations – Not applicable for the standard driving test.

11) Precautions – Ensure that you are seated in the correct position to take your driving test.  If you have taken a lesson prior to your test you will already have your mirrors and driving seat correctly adjusted.

12) Control – Avoid harsh steering and coasting (having the clutch depressed for long periods).

13) Move off – Demonstrate that you are able to move away from standstill smoothly and safely at all times.  This is also applicable when moving off from a gradient in the road.

14) Use of mirrors – It is very common for minors to occur when you fail to check your mirrors when changing direction and speed.  Ensure you check your mirrors as often as possible even if you feel there is not a need to.

15) Signals – The purpose of this section is to let people know what your intentions are.  Always signal in good time allowing other drivers time to respond and once you have carried out your manoeuvre you need to put an end to the signal.

16) Clearance to Obstructions – Always allow plenty of room between you and other cars and potential obstructions.  Always be fully prepared to stop if you see a young child run out or someone open their car door without giving you any prior warning.

17) Responding to signals – You will need to demonstrate that you can react quickly to all road markings and traffic signal.  This includes reacting to traffic lights and obeying signals by traffic wardens, police and school crossings.  In addition to this keep an eye out for signals from other road users and always be ready to act.

18) Use of speed – Act with care and always driving in accordance to the road conditions such as ice, fog and rain.  Bear in mind that as a new driver you would have your driving license withdrawn if you are caught speeding and exceed six points or more in the first two years of driving.

19) Following distance – Remember to keep a safe distance from you and the car in front.  If the roads are wet or icy the distances need to be increased.  You need enough space to act if the car in front was to brake without prior warning.

20) Maintain progress – You need to show that can drive confidently at the appropriate speed and maintain this.  If approaching hazards you must do so at a safe and controlled speed.  Driving slow can also cause dangers just like driving fast can.

21) Junctions – The ability to judge your speed when approaching a junction and this includes roundabouts and safely stop the car in plenty of time.

22) Judgement – Using your judgement overtake cars if there is a need to always allowing plenty of room.  Give extra room for cyclists as they can sway without notice.

23) Positioning – Try to avoid straddling over two lines and position your car on the road sensibly, keeping to the left where possible.  If there are parked cars that you need to overtake, take the correct position quickly and safely.

24) Pedestrian Crossings – You will need to demonstrate that you are fully aware of the many types of pedestrian crossing and show consideration towards pedestrians at all times.  If you see a crossing slow down and stop if there are pedestrians visible.

25) Position – When asked to bring your car to a standstill, find a safe and convenient place to bring the car to a safe standstill position.  Try to avoid obstructing the road and potentially causing a danger to other road users.

26) Awareness – Be fully aware of other road users at all times and their actions.  You need to plan ahead and try and predict how the other car users are going to react.  Also take particular attention to vulnerable road users including cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.

27) Ancillary Controls – Even if you don’t use all the controls in the car, you need to be fully aware of how they all work and when they are needed.  These can include windscreen wipers, heat controls and indicators.  You need to demonstrate that you can use these controls without the need to look down looking for them.

28) Eco Safe Driving – If applicable

29) Health Declaration – If you have any health conditions that have changed since you originally applied for your license, then you will need to make the test centre aware of these before taking your driving test.

30) Residence – You can only take a UK driving test if you originate from the UK or European Economic Area or have li

ved in

the country for at least 185 days in the last twelve months.  Remember you will be asked to provide proof.

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