Tips

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.

Driving in the city can be confusing and stressful. The city streets are riddled with intersections, one way streets and bus lanes. Traffic levels are very high and there are pedestrians everywhere.

Learning how to drive safely on city streets is very important. Studies have shown that 30% of collisions occur whilst driving in the city.

Before you drive into a city, you must prepare yourself for traffic jams and swarms of pedestrians and cyclists in every direction. Road observation and awareness of other road users is critical.

If possible you should avoid cities during rush hours. Rush hours occur during weekdays and are generally between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 6pm. Rush hour traffic will not only delay your journey, it will cause you frustration, increase the risk of an accident, and could give rise to unnecessary confrontations with other drivers.

Driving in busy traffic

When driving in busy traffic, watch out for signals from other drivers at all times. If someone in front of you signals to indicate they wish to switch lanes, make sure they have seen you and give them space to manoeuvre. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, look out for pedestrians trying to cross the road in front of you and cyclists and motorcyclists riding alongside your vehicle.

Pedestrians

In city streets, pedestrians are a major hazard. There are many of them, they are very vulnerable, and they may not be aware of you or other vehicles. When you are turning into a new street, take a good look to make sure it is clear of pedestrians. Do not rely on pedestrians to notice you and stay out of your way. Be especially aware of older people with slower reactions.

Cyclists

Like pedestrians, cyclists are very vulnerable and will always come off worse if they are involved in a collision with a car. Before turning, make sure you look over your shoulder to check for cyclists or pedestrians. Cyclists do not always follow the rules, so watch out for cyclists on the wrong side of the road or running stop signs. Always maintain plenty of distance between your vehicle and passing cyclists.

One way streets

One way streets are used because they increase traffic flow and reduce vehicle and pedestrian collisions. Make sure you look at the one way road sign to check the direction of traffic. You will also see that all the cars on a one way street are parked facing the same way. Remember that on a one way street traffic can overtake on either side.

Bus and tram lanes

Many city and towns designate specific lanes for buses and trams. Look out for markings on the road setting out these lanes. Bus lanes may or may not be for the exclusive use of busses. Look out for road signs which will explain the times during which busses have exclusivity. Always give way to trams as they cannot be steered and cannot stop rapidly.

Call us today

At Lanes School of Driving we offer individually tailored intensive driving courses with one to one tuition. Our courses cover driving in the city and many other aspects of driving. We have both male and female instructors available.

Why not give us a call today on to find out more.

Driving gives you the freedom to travel anywhere on your own. You may be considering learning to drive, so there is an important change to the Driving Theory test that you will need to be aware of.

First of all, let’s understand what the driving test entails. It is made up of 2 parts:

1. Driving Theory Test
   This is a standard computerised desk based test and you need to have knowledge of the different aspects of driving to pass this test. But you need not worry, because a driving school can help you with the required knowledge and study material which is beneficial in passing this test. This test has the following two subparts:
   1. HPT or Hazard Perception Test
   2. Multiple Choice Questions

   You must pass this before you take the practical test. The theory test is delivered on behalf of DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) which is planning to reduce the fees charged for conducting the test based on the competitive tendering. The cost of car and motorcycle theory tests will fall by £6 in October to £25, with a further cut of £2 a year later. The theory tests are set to offer better value for money while continuing to meet these rigorous standards.

   Note:  For Lorries and buses the HPT and the multiple choice questions are completed on separate dates.

    

2. Driving Practical Test
   No changes in the fee structure or the format of this test have been made yet, though DVSA is considering the overall balance of cost and income across all fees. The idea is to make the Practical test comply with the “user-pays” principle. According to this principle, the user of the service pays the full cost of that service and it is not subsidised by another user paying for a different service. DVSA is planning certain changes to obtain an overall balance with respect to the services and the costs involved.

Government Intervention and why is it necessary:
The fee is a part of the legislation and any amendment in the same can be undertaken only by the Parliament and requires consultation.

Changes and their effect:
The purpose behind these changes is to reflect the reduced fees paid by DVSA to the theory test contractor. These contract revisions are all set to start in autumn 2014. As the revised contract is going to reduce in two steps, these savings will also be implemented in two stages – in October 2014 and October 2015.The same will apply to tests taken for cars and motorcycles, including abridged theory tests, CPC tests for Lorries and buses, vocational license acquisition tests, delegated tests and ADI Part 1 tests.

All said and done let’s watch how these changes add value to you, the consumer, because ultimately that is what matters the most.

What next?
If you have any questions about the theory test and the training we can provide you on the theory test, or if you wish to book your first lesson, please give us a call today. We would love to hear from you.

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 alternatively, if you complete the contact form we will respond within 24 hours.

HOW TO BECOME A GOOD DRIVER

When you take driving lessons you’ll be learning how to operate a car and get from one place to another, and how to manoeuvre and park safely when you get there. The real learning comes once you’ve passed your driving test and you’re let loose on your own! None of us are born with the skills required to be a good driver and it doesn’t just happen overnight; being a good driver is something that you need to work on over time. Here are a few tips to help you become a relaxed and more confident driver:

Practice makes perfect – After passing your test try not to leave it too long before you start driving, if you’ve not got your own car then see if a relative will insure you to drive theirs. It’s a good idea to drive in different weather conditions to get used to them and build up your confidence in snow, rain, high winds etc as your car will handle differently in different weather. Once you have your license it’s advisable to take a Pass Plus course as this will give you the opportunity to gain experience driving in city centres, country roads and motorways with an instructor at your side.

Avoid distractions – As a new driver who is trying to build up their confidence it’s important to limit distractions whilst driving. If you’re carrying a passenger who is likely to talk and gesticulate while you’re driving then maybe ask them to sit in the back or keep quiet. Try to avoid hanging things from the rear view mirror as this can interfere with your field of vision, causing blind spots and distracting you.

Read the road – As you begin to drive more often you’ll get better at reading the road and reacting to potential hazards in a timely manner. If you’ve limited your distractions as per the point above then you’ll be better equipped to be aware of what’s going on around you. You can’t always rely on other drivers to use their brakes and indicators as they should so it’s important to be vigilant and keep a safe distance.

Be decisive – Hesitation is not one of the qualities of a good driver! If you’ve read the road properly and decided to do something then don’t hesitate if it’s safe to do so. If you need to change lanes then you should indicate’ check your mirrors, and once a clearing opens move over, don’t hesitate as you could miss your chance, confuse other road users or cause an accident.

Understand your vehicle – Before setting out on a journey make sure you know the workings of your vehicle. Locate the wiper controls, fuel cap, radiator controls etc so that you’re not fumbling around whilst driving, thus not paying attention to the road. Make sure you also understand how your vehicle handles i.e. acceleration, turning circle, maximum speed etc.

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 and book your first lessons with us for just £9.99 alternatively, if you complete the contact form we will respond within 24 hours.

6 TIPS TO GET LOWER CAR INSURANCE AS A NEW DRIVER
New drivers are often hit hard by high insurance premiums. In today’s post we share the secrets to getting the lowest quote possible as a newly qualified driver.

1. Choose the right car
Insurers look at the type of car and use certain criteria to form a picture of you as a driver and to establish the risk of accident. In order to get the best quote we recommend choosing the following:

• The AA recommend light coloured cars such as yellow and white but also say that red scores well in lowering insurance quotes for women.
• Engine size should be kept as low as possible as inexperienced drivers with high powered cars are assumed to have more accidents. Don’t go over 1.6litres.
• Apart from engine size you should also look for a diesel fuel engine not a petrol one. Petrol cars are associated with speedy driving but in fact choosing diesel will have little effect on the take off speeds and performance of the vehicle. New diesels have come a long way and are considered easier to drive for new drivers, especially if you learnt in a diesel. Still insurers seem to penalise petrol cars so choosing diesel is a good way of avoiding higher charges.
• Choose a 5 door car. Small cars often only have 3 door, the driver, front passenger and boot while rear passenger have to climb behind the front seats. These cars are usually cheaper and suit younger drivers who probably won’t have many passengers. However 5 door cares are associated with older (and thus more responsible) drivers, perhaps families and so receive lower insurance quotes.

2. Install a black box
A ‘black box’ records everything about the way you drive. It is the same device installed in aircrafts that we always hear about if there’s an accident. Careful drivers can prove they are careful, never break the speed limits and drive economically, all things that car insurers will reward with lower insurance premiums.

3. Take a Pass Plus course
A Pass Plus course is another good way of showing your insurers that you take good driving seriously. This is a series of driving lessons that cover city driving, motorway driving, night driving, all weather and driving out of town. The course will cost around £200 so you should get a quote first and compare it with what you’ll save by doing the course.

4. Park it in a secure place
Parking in a garage or in a secure car park with limited access will greatly reduce the risk of theft and break-ins, lowering your insurance premium.

5. Fit an alarm
Fitting an alarm is a good deterrent to thieves and vandals. You can invest in an immobiliser too which will prevent your car from being stolen and greatly reduce your car insurance premium.

6. Add an experienced driver to the insurance
Adding an experienced driver to your policy will improve your own quote. They don’t even have to be the primary driver or drive the car a lot. A parent with 20 years driving experience is preferable to a partner with fewer years experience.

With 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 and book your first lessons with us for just £9.99 alternatively, if you complete the contact form we will respond within 24 hours.