Tips

When you’re driving your car, you’re not only responsible for your own safety and the safety of other road users, you’re responsible for the safety of your passengers too. If you have a child in your car, then you need to take extra precautions to make sure they have the best chance of not being injured should the worse happen and you’re involved in a collision.

Unfortunately, not everyone is heeding the advice given by police when it comes to child safety in motor vehicles. By police estimations, over thirty percent of children aged between eight and eleven are not using booster seats on car journeys when they should.

Why any child passengers in your vehicle need to be properly restrained

If a child in your car is not using a booster seat, then they are at serious risk of injury. For the first time in over twenty years the number of children who are seriously injured or even killed on the roads in the UK is on the rise. There’s a particularly alarming increase in the number of children aged eight or over who are killed in road traffic accidents.

Seatbelts are designed to be used by adults, or at least people of adult dimensions. Children between the ages of eight and eleven have yet to attain a suitable height, so they are at risk as they feel they have ‘grown out of’ baby seats or booster seats, meaning it can be difficult to persuade them to use one.

However, when a child between the ages of eight and eleven uses a seatbelt without a booster seat, their seated position means that the seatbelt typically cuts across their neck, instead of across the shoulder as it should and as it does with adults and older children. In the event of a crash, this positioning can cause injuries to the abdomen, spine, neck and head that otherwise would have been avoided.

Child booster seats – how the law views it

Children are required to remain in a booster seat until they reach their twelfth birthday, or until they reach a minimum height of 1.35 metres, or four feet, four inches. Children who are under twelve and who are also under 1.35 metres in height must use an appropriate child restraint suitable for their size when travelling in virtually any motor vehicle.

The definition of ‘child restraint’ on this occasion means a baby or child seat, or a booster seat or cushion.

If you do not follow the law, then you could receive a fixed penalty fine of £100 and possible penalty points. More serious flaunting – such as carrying an unrestrained child – may result in a more serious punishment.

The law is not meant to catch vehicle drivers out – it’s there to encourage road users to take their responsibilities regarding child passenger safety seriously. If you are carrying children in your vehicle, then make sure you take necessary steps to ensure that they are safe. Car accidents remain the biggest killer of children in Europe, with the ignorance of the above guidelines being a particular factor.

Even if you’re not that bothered about the appearance of your car, you still need to keep it clean if you want it to retain its value. Keeping your car clean will also help to prevent corrosion.

The best time of year to give your car a thorough clean is spring. Conditions in winter have mean it’s unlikely that underside of your car in a decent state. More than likely the underside of your car is coated in mud after a winter’s worth of driving. Mud usually contains salt, and salt will cause corrosion if it is not removed.

You will also need to attend to the interior of your car. Dampness has more than likely crept in over the winter, and you could find yourself facing problems if you don’t deal with it.

Exterior

Remove the grime that’s accumulated over winter with warm water and car shampoo. The best method of doing this is to start at the roof and work downwards. You’ll probably find stubborn dirt at the bottom of your car – allow this to soak before removing. Don’t forget the underside of sills and doors, and make sure all shampoo has been rinsed away before you allow the car to dry.

You will be able to attend to any stone chips yourself, but any extensive areas of corrosion need to be handled by experts.

Only completed, apply a layer of polish as this adds some protection.

Interior

You need to make sure that the inside of your car is given the opportunity to dry out completely. Wet shoes and clothes mean moisture has invaded over winter, and your car has never probably been given time to dry out. Moisture can cause discoloured upholstery and rotting carpets.

Choose a warm sunny day, remove the mats then vacuum the carpets. If they have become dirty then you might need to shampoo them – if so, only use a small amount of water otherwise this could add to the moisture build up. Leave the windows open to allow your car to dry out, but only if it is safe to do so.

Beneath

The underneath of your car suffers the worse during winter, and you need to get rid of mud and other debris. Use a hose to hose down the entire underside of your vehicle. Make sure you pay particular attention to the wheel arches.

If you notice any corrosive damage then its advisable to take your car along to a garage for an expert’s appraisal.

And don’t forget …

… to check your tyres for wear and tear, and for signs of baldness – the legal minimum depth of tread is 1.6 mm, but it’s advisable for your safety and the safety of your passengers to never allow the depth to fall below 2 mm. Also look for signs of damage, and don’t forget to check the spare.

Finally, check the oil, coolant and washer  levels, and all tyre pressures, although you should already be doing this once a week anyway.

We want to update you on the Government plug-in car grant changes which will be taking effect on 1 March 2016.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is a team working across the Government to support the early market penetration of ultra-low emission vehicles – Currently those vehicles which produce 75g/km CO2 or less. In 2013, the Government announced that it would make £500m available to support OLEV in its work, to accelerate the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles as a means of bridging the additional cost gap (over an equivalent standard petrol or diesel vehicle).

The plug-in car grant was launched in 2011, enabling motorists to receive a 35% discount, up to £5,000, off the basic purchase price of an eligible car. This was originally to remain in place until either 50,000 qualifying cars had been sold or until 2017, whichever came sooner.

Current status of the plug-in car grant (January – March 2016)

Registrations of ultra-low emission vehicles have taken off in 2015 following the release of more affordable new cars into this sector.

OLEV has reassured the market that even when the current grant (£5,000) expires on 29 February 2016, it will still honour any existing deal placed on its system, provided that the vehicle has been allocated to a customer and is delivered and registered within nine months of the grant finishing.

A spike in grant uptake is expected in the last few weeks of February. Currently, all valid orders that are successfully submitted onto the plug-in grant system before midnight on 29 February will benefit from the £5,000 grant. However, there could be circumstances during February under which OLEV may restrict the number of £5,000 grants that can be paid out.

New plug-in car grant levels from 1 March 2016

In April 2015, OLEV announced that the grant would be reviewed and qualifying vehicles would be classed in three separate categories, based on CO2 emissions and zero emission range.

In December 2015 the Government also announced new grant rates based on the environmental performance of the vehicle, in line with the previously announced categories:

Category 1 – £4,500

Vehicles must have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range of at least 70 miles

Category 2 – £2,500

For vehicles which emit less than 50g/km CO2 but can only travel between 10 and 69 miles on electricity alone

Category 3 – £2,500

For vehicles with CO2 emissions of 50-75g/km and a zero emission range of at least 20 miles
The grant will be maintained at these levels until March 2017 or until a set number of vehicles is sold within each category, whichever is sooner.

A further review of grant levels will occur when 40,000 Category 1 vehicles and 45,000 Category 2 and 3 (combined) vehicles have been sold.

As of December 2015, 23,000 claims had been submitted for Category 1 vehicles and 28,000 claims for Category 2 and 3 vehicles.

A price cap will also be introduced from 1 March 2016 for Category 2 and 3 vehicles in order to maximise the number of motorists who can benefit. Vehicles that cost £60,000 and above will no longer be eligible for the grant. Category 1 vehicles will qualify for the full grant (£4,500) regardless of their purchase price.

What vehicles are currently eligible from 1 March 2016?

Category 1 vehicles

• BMW i3
• BYD e6
• Citroen CZero
• Ford Focus Electric
• Kia Soul EV
• Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive
• Mitsubishi iMiEV
• Nissan e-NV200
• Nissan Leaf
• Peugeot Ion
• Renault Fluece
• Renault ZOE
• Smart fortwo electric drive
• Tesla Model S
• Toyota Mirai
• Volkswagen e-up!
• Volkswagen e-Golf

Category 2 vehicles

• Audi A3 e-tron
• BMW i8
• BMW 225xe
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Toyota Prius Plug-in
• Vauxhall Ampera
• Volkswagen Golf GTE
• Volvo V60 D6 Twin Engine
• Volvo XC90 T8 Twin

Engine Category 3 vehicles

• Mercedes-Benz S500 Hybrid
• Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Those lucky people who learnt to drive before 1996! They didn’t have to pass a theory test before they were awarded their driving licence. If you are learning to drive, then unfortunately you do have to take this test, although on the positive side this means you are better prepared for life on the road.

To pass your theory test with flying ‘L’ plates, here are eight tips to help you succeed.

Book it!

You can’t pass a theory test without booking it! There are 160 sites around the UK where you can take your theory test, and you can book online. The test costs £30 and you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

Revise, revise, revise

The theory test is just like any other exam. If you don’t revise you are not going to pass. There will be 50 multiple choice questions, and you need to get at least 43 correct – that’s 86 percent! So, find yourself a theory test handbook and get revising!

Learn to recognise hazards

Once the multiple choice section is over, it’s time for the hazard perception test. You’ll be shown video clips, and you’ll be expected to spot potential driving hazards in each one. The best way to prepare for this section of the test is to make a habit of spotting potential hazards while you are driving.

Take a mock

There are several places online where you will be able to take a mock theory test. Make sure you can score at least 86 percent on your mock before your real test, even if it means rescheduling it. You’ll be wasting both time and money if you’re not sufficiently prepared.

Don’t be in a rush!

There’s nothing worse than taking a test when you’re not in the best frame of mind for it. Make sure you plan effectively for your arrival at the test centre – turn up at least half an hour early. If you are using public transport then factor in time for delays. Catch an earlier bus or train if you can – it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Don’t forget your provisional licence photocard

No excuses will be allowed – if you forget your licence photocard, then you will not be allowed to sit your test, it really is as simple as that. To double your anguish, you won’t get your test fee back either.

Use your practice time

You’ll be given fifteen minutes before your test to get used to using the touch screen computer, and to the layout of the questions. If you are having difficulty, then tell one of the invigilators.

Keep calm!

You’ll have fifty-seven minutes to answer fifty questions. If you get stuck on one, move on to the next one and come back to it when you have time. If you need to take a breather at any time, do so.

No one really likes taking tests and exams, but you have to take your theory test if you want a full licence. Just follow our tips and you’ll give yourself the best chance of a pass.

With over 100 years of experience in teaching pupils to drive throughout London, Kent & Surrey, we can help you pass your test whether you are 17 or 70, male or female, nervous or not – we have the know-how.  With DSA registered, Approved Driving Instructors throughout London, Kent & Surrey, we can pick you up from your home, school, college or office and you will NEVER have to share your car with another pupil.  Call us today on  to speak with our helpful team to discuss the options available to you.

Once they approach their later teens, most children will want to learn how to drive. Not only is it a modern ‘right of passage’, it’s always a way for your child to express their independence. It will also scale down your services as a taxi service!

However, a parent worries enough about their children without having to worry about them being on the road in charge of a motor vehicle. Here are some tips on how you can remain calm about the thought of your child being alone on the road.

Their first steps as a driver should be under the supervision of a professional

 If you can drive, then you may think that driving lessons are a waste of time. You can drive, so why can’t you teach your offspring to drive?

The truth is, driving a car and teaching someone to drive a car are two very different things entirely. When you put someone in front of a steering wheel for the first time, they are likely to be extremely nervous, and should an unexpected situation arise, they will panic.

A professional driving instructor will know how to handle first-time drivers – they have of course handled countless first-time drivers throughout their instructing career.

Most driving instructors also have dual-controlled vehicles, so that they can safely intervene if a dangerous situation does arise.

 Learning to drive is all about learning how to pass your test

How long is it since you passed your test? Twenty years ago? Twenty-five? How much can you remember about it?

Even if you can remember a lot about your driving test, you’ll find that the modern driving examination has changed a great deal since then. Would you be able to pass a modern-day driving test? Do you always drive in the manner that would pass the scrutiny of an examiner?

Again, if you want your son or daughter to learn how to drive properly, safely, and in a manner as desired by a driving test examiner, then it’s much better if you leave it to the professionals. They will know the correct way in which you should drive if you want to acquire a driving licence.

Eventually, your child will become confident enough for accompanied driving

Once your child has had enough lessons, they will be confident enough to drive with you accompanying them. When this time arrives, you will need to cement what they have taught by their instructor. Make sure you encourage them to drive defensively – to anticipate problems before they occur and to keep an eye out for potential hazards.

Put yourself second – if you suggest something and your child say ‘but my instructor says I should do this’ then agree with your child and their instructor. No matter what you may think, the way that your instructor says driving should be performed is the correct way!

When then the time comes and your child wants to drive, follow the above tips if you want to give them the best chance of obtaining their licence. Don’t forget to bin your ‘Dad’s Taxi’ or ‘Mum’s Taxi’ stickers as well!

Lanes School of Driving has been teaching pupils to drive for over 100 years. Our school is well established in London, Kent, and Surrey. If you are local to us please give us a call today on 020 8166 5678. Do not worry about making your way to your local Lanes driving school. We can pick you up from your front doorstep.

Don’t worry, if your town is not listed here, we will still come to your door and pick you up – at no extra charge!

… then welcome to the club. The amount of people who didn’t pass their driving test first time in some areas outnumbers those who did two to one. The key thing to remember is that if you did not pass your driving test first time, then you are certainly not alone. It is most definitely nothing to be embarrassed about.

So, don’t give up, book a few more lessons, and book that second test. There is one benefit of taking your driving test a second time – you simply will not be as nervous as you were first time around! The day of your second test will not be as daunting, and that’s guaranteed. You will know mainly what is in store, and there is now absolutely nothing on the test that will hold any surprises for you.

The worst thing you can think is “well, obviously driving is not for me!”

 If you don’t pass first time, then you are obviously going to feel disappointed, especially if a number of your friends managed to pass on their first attempt. There are plenty of reasons why you may have failed – perhaps you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, or you just felt too nervous on the day. Not everyone is the perfect driver every single day of their lives – not even people who have passed their test and have been driving for years.

Remember that you took driving lessons and your driving test in order to enable you to be able to drive. You cannot drive legally without a licence, and you cannot obtain a licence without taking your driving test. Just think of all that time, effort and money you’ll be wasting if you don’t take your test again.

Most people who want to learn to drive do manage to pass in the end, no matter if they pass first time, second time, third time … one person eventually passed on their forty-eighth attempt!

Take your lessons and your next test as seriously as you did your first attempt

Once you commit to retaking your test, well done! No one likes a quitter!

Don’t be tempted to take your lessons leading up to your next test for granted. You will have failed your first test on something. Take the time afforded to you to practise what you failed on. The more you practise, the better armed you’ll become not to fail for the same reason.

Make sure you keep taking driving lessons with your instructor – don’t just fill up the time until your next test driving with friends and family. If you’re letting things slide, then your instructor is trained to spot them. Will your friends notice that you’re not checking your mirrors enough? Or that you are braking too late?

Remember that failing your driving test first time is never the end of your driving career, and it actually puts you in some very illustrious company. The 2009 World Formula One Driver’s Champion – Jensen Button – failed his first test too!

With over 100 years of experience in teaching pupils to drive throughout London, Kent & Surrey, we can help you pass your test whether you are 17 or 70, male or female, nervous or not – we have the know-how.

With DSA registered, Approved Driving Instructors throughout London, Kent & Surrey, we can pick you up from your home, school, college or office and you will NEVER have to share your car with another pupil.

Call us today on 020 8166 5678 to speak with our helpful team to discuss the options available to you.

Obtaining your driving licence is seen as a right-of-passage, mainly as it comes at a time when most people are closer to the end of their teens than they are to the beginning (although you can of course learn to drive at virtually any age!). However, no matter how exciting piloting your own vehicle seems, it’s still something most people are very nervous about. Driving is a huge responsibility, after all.

Some people require only a handful of lessons, but for others it’s a much longer process. One thing is crystal clear though – you should never attempt your driving test unless you are completely ready for it.

It’s recommended that most drivers undertake at least forty to fifty hours worth of driving practice with a qualified instructor before they go on to take their driving test for the first time. Once you’re comfortable with driving, extra practice with a suitable family member or friend is also a good idea.

That’s a lot of driving time, and fitting it in with school and work can be a problem. If you’re learning to drive in the winter you have the additional issue of finding daylight hours in which to practice.

The good news – our driving instructors are flexible. If your current instructor will not make flexible arrangements – then give us a call!

There are also other ways in which you can comfortably fit your driving tuition around your schedule:

Don’t be tied to being picked up from home

– if you’re working or at school then you’ll probably have a commute. You can save time by being picked up from your school or workplace for your lesson, take your lesson, and then be dropped at home. You can also ask about having driving lessons in your lunch break.

Sacrifice some weekend time

– you may of course think that week days are for work or study, and weekends are for play. You can easily sacrifice a little of your ‘playtime’ so you’ll become a qualified driver sooner.

Take tighter lessons

– you may feel that a one hour lesson is standard, but your instructor is likely to be willing to offer you shorter lessons. If you can’t find an hour at a time, then two half-hour lessons are just as useful. In fact, when you are driving for real it’s unlikely every car journey you make will last an hour anyway.

Get out of bed!  

– If you really can’t find the time to fit in your lessons, how about sacrificing an hour’s sleep and setting your alarm earlier? If you can fit in some early morning tuition it will at least get you used to crack-of-dawn driving once you’ve passed your test!

Obtaining your driving licence gives you independence and freedom and stops you from being reliant on public transport and other people. A little bit of creative scheduling will soon see you finding the time to fit in all those all-important driving lessons!

You want to learn how to drive, and you have decided to take driving lessons. You will be investing your time and money so you can pass your driving test. Choosing an experienced and properly qualified instructor will make your learning process so much smoother and quicker.

If you want to know how to choose the best driving instructor, here are some pointers:

Qualifications

In the UK, all driving instructors must be approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The DSA licences fully qualified driving instructors as Approved Driving Instructors.

Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) should have a green badge on display in their car window. This badge will give you the assurance that they have been assessed as being able to teach at a competent standard.

The DSA also certifies Potential Driving Instructors (PDI). These are still undergoing initial training and are not fully qualified. They can be identified by a pink badge in their car window. Trainee instructors offer discounted prices, but their pass rates are substantially lower than those of Approved Driving Instructors.

Approved Driving Instructors are required to undergo a grading process every few years to ensure continuing quality in their standards of instruction.

Qualities

As well has having the right qualifications, a good driving instructor should demonstrate the right qualities.

There are stories of driving instructors blaring loud rock music during lessons, or using lessons as an opportunity to do their grocery shopping. Luckily these examples are rare.

A good instructor should always be on time and turn up in in a car which is clean and well maintained. The instructor should have a plan drawn up from the DSA syllabus prepared for each lesson. During your lesson the instructor should be attentive and aware at all times. The instructor should be polite and respectful and should never shout or get angry with you.

Car

Some instructors use flashy cars to attract students, but they are certainly not required, and may actually be a distraction from learning. Also, extremely large cars like people carriers and 4×4’s are hard to manoeuvre and are not suitable for learner drivers. A good instructor should be able to teach in any standard car.

Your instructor should be expected to have dual-controls their car with an extra set of pedals for the instructor to operate from the passenger seat. This will enable the instructor to safely take over the controls should you get into difficulty.

Pass rates

Some instructors may use pass rates to try and attract students. Do not take notice of these. Pass rates are easy to fake and impossible to verify. Pass rates do not reflect the varying abilities of students. An instructor who specialises in first time or nervous drivers is going to have lower pass rates than an instructor who takes pupils with previous driving experience.

Call us today

Lanes School of Driving has over 100 years experience in teaching the public to drive. Today we are one of the largest independent driving schools in the UK. All of our instructors are DSA registered Approved Driving Instructors and they give lessons on a one to one basis. You can choose a male or female driving instructor. Our fleet of cars include automatic and manual drive.

If you are looking for a driving instructor, give us a call today and our experienced staff will be happy to advise you further. Also, we provide driving instructor training for those interested in becoming a qualified instructor themselves.