Driving test

Extended driving tests

A driver can have their driving licence disqualified if they are convicted of drink / drug driving or other driving offences that is necessary to result in a ban. A court can order that once the disqualification period has ended, that the individual must return to a provisional driving licence holder and go through the …

Don’t know? Don’t go!

When you are learning to drive there will be times when you have to start making decisions but don’t know what to do. “Do I go or stop?” It looks like the driver in the picture on the left has made a late decision to stop for the cyclist – this is possible because he …

How to get your first provisional driving license

The earliest your provisional license can become valid is on your 17th birthday, however you can apply for the license up to three months before your 17th birthday. The exemption to this is if you are receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate your provisional license can come into effect when you are 16, …

What to do if someone is following you….

The first thing to remember here, is that it’s rare to be followed by someone who might have bad intent towards you when you are driving. However, if you think that you are being followed, you need to keep calm and act rationally. The starting point is remembering that you are in control of the …

Yellow box junctions

There can be few things more irritating than waiting patiently to enter a yellow box junction, only to see cars from the opposite direction “trying their luck” and stopping mid-box – when it’s obvious that there is nowhere for them to go. Not only are those anti-social drivers preventing you moving when the lights are …

Parent’s grief…

The parents of a university student from the USA killed in a car crash as he typed a text have released his final message in a bid to warn other drivers against doing the same. Alexander Heit died shortly after the accident on April 3 on the outskirts of Greeley, Colorado. The 22-year-old’s parents have …

Driving and mobile phones – they don’t go together!!

A substantial body of research shows that using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone while driving is a significant distraction, and substantially increases the risk of the driver crashing. Drivers who use a mobile phone, whether hand-held or hands-free: are much less aware of what’s happening on the road around them fail to see road …

The left hand reverse

The driving test examiner will be looking for these key skills: Accuracy – The test examiner will be assessing your ability to reverse round the corner, not touching the curb or straying too far onto the other side of the road. Control – The examiner will be judging your ability to use the clutch to …

It’s 30 for a reason!

The difference of a few miles per hour can mean the difference between life and death. The faster someone is driving, the less time they have to stop if something unexpected happens. If you kill someone while speeding, you will have to live with the long-term emotional consequences. Speed limits are there for a reason! …

How to change gear – smoooothly

When you first start learning to drive, changing gear can seem very difficult! Getting into the wrong gear, stalling, kangarooing, hearing loud revving or grating noises that don’t sound very nice….it’s hard, isn’t it? Step by step guide 1. Most gear positions are shaped like a letter H. Some have more gears, and of course, …

Get the most from your driving lessons

1. Wear the right footwear It’s easier to control the pedals wearing comfortable shoes. Heavy boots can make it hard to perfect driving techniques and heels will get scuffed and give you less control. Choose thin, narrow shoes to give you the necessary ‘feel’ on the pedals. 2. Get a good night’s sleep Make sure …

Driving lesson nerves

It is perfectly normal to have first driving lesson nerves but try not to worry too much – your driving instructor is experienced in dealing with nervous learner drivers and they are expecting you to be a bit nervous. Your instructor should be patient and friendly and he or she won’t expect too much of …