Tips

Following the big overhaul of car tax that took place last year, this year sees in some new and additional changes. Effective from April 1, 2018 they will have an effect on a large proportion of drivers, not least diesel vehicle owners. The rationale behind many of these changes is to encourage drivers to opt for less polluting cars. It is worth noting that these new changes apply to passenger cars only and not to vans or commercial vehicles so you may still be exempt. Read on for our summary of the new vehicle tax changes and how they may affect you.Read more

One of the key things that drivers learn early on is about stopping and parking. It is all too easy to get confused by the rules that apply, particularly when you are just starting out – after all, there is so much to remember! Add to that the various restrictions that individual councils may introduce in their areas, and it can be very easy to get caught out. This month we take a quick refresher on what the main rules are with regard to stopping and parking to help you keep them at the forefront of your mind as you go about running your daily errands.Read more

It is a question that comes up often during driving lessons and not just from new drivers but also from those who ask for a reminder of some of the rules. We thought we would run a quick refresher this month, covering two important elements of driving that are particularly applicable in urban areas: box junctions and dealing with slow-moving traffic.Read more

The recent cold spell has given way to slowly rising temperatures and before we know it, it will officially be springtime and with that comes the rain. The Highway Code sets out a few basics for wet weather driving, but we are going a step further this month by letting you know what you need to be aware of and giving you some tips and tricks to have up your sleeve should you get into problems.Read more

It has been widely reported recently that since the abolition of the tax disc the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has lost out on over £100 million in revenue. This is one of the reasons that the DVLA has stepped up its efforts to track and catch those who dodge paying their car tax. This month we take a look at vehicle tax, what you must do to ensure you are fully paid up, and what happens if you are not.Read more

This winter has already seen a few very cold spells and we are only just getting into January which is typically one of the coldest months in the UK, so it is safe to assume that we can expect more cold weather before the winter is out. While black ice is not uncommon on minor roads at the best of times, particularly in more rural areas, those of us living in more built-up areas may not be as accustomed to it and not always have the skills and experience of driving in such conditions. This month we take a quick look at the basics of driving in snow and ice and set out a few tips to staying safe and getting to your destination without incident.Read more

You will recall a couple of months ago we covered the new driving test that is came into force on Monday the 4^th of December. For a quick recap, here is the previous blog entry. At the time there was a limited amount of information available on how the new test would be run and there was little detail on the specifics and only headline information on what it would entail. The Department of Vehicle Standards Agency has released further information, which will be helpful to both instructors and learners ready to take their test. We have compiled a short summary for this month’s article.Read more

Have you recently passed your driving test? Congratulations! We know it’s no easy feat – there is lots to learn in terms of theory and skills and plenty to keep in mind as you take your first tentative steps on the road without an instructor by your side.Read more

Following the recent announcement that driving tests will be changing from the 4th of December 2017 (see our previous blog for full details) further changes are coming to the way in which new drivers learn how to drive.Read more

Learning to drive is, for many, essential but it is also an exciting time for the younger generation. However, the increased expenses that come with being a new driver are making it quite difficult for youngsters to start driving. A major expense to consider is the often prohibitive insurance premium which new drivers need to pay.Read more