Need help to pass the driving test?
Are you a learner driver or a full licence holder who needs help to pass the driving test. This learner driver blog is here to help you. Check out the posts and search for posts.
If you are looking for help with the questions that the examiner will ask you at the start of the driving test. Then I have a quick video on it
I have also put a link to all the questions that could be asked. Don't forget that the examiner will ask you one show me question and one tell me question at the start before the driving test begins. You will be expected to know these. If you get a question wrong you will be marked on the driving test sheet with a minor.
Image copyrightPAImage captionFines for using handheld mobile phones would increase
Learner drivers in England and Wales would be given the chance to take lessons on motorways under government plans to improve road safety.
Lessons would be in a dual-control car with an approved instructor - currently drivers can only go on motorways once they have passed their practical exam.
Other plans include a crackdown on dangerous drivers, by providing police forces with more money for enforcement.
The proposals will be put out to consultation next year.
There will be a £2m research project into how to improve motoring education for learner and novice drivers.
Increasing penalty points for drivers who use a handheld phone at the wheel from three to four, with fines rising from £100 to £150 - a proposal announced by ministers on Sunday
Changes to laws to improve cycling safety and additional funding for cycle training in schools
Strengthening compulsory basic training for learner motorcyclists and encouraging greater post-test rider training
At present, fewer than half of learners pass their practical test first time - a statistic the government says it wants to improve.
"We will encourage a higher percentage of learner drivers to aim to pass their driving test the first time around, when they are truly ready for independent driving," the document states.
"In doing so, we will consider whether more should be done to support and reward a broader range of driving experiences, such as night driving and motorways, ahead of candidates obtaining their driving licence and whether restructuring the costs of the driving test would incentivise learners to undertake more pre-test practice."
'No time for parents'
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, welcomed the announcement of motorway lessons.
He said: "Mile-for-mile, motorways are our safest roads but can be intimidating places for novice drivers.
"The important thing is the official seal of approval provided by the approved driving instructor who will accompany them down the slip-road.
"This is definitely not the time to have mum or dad in the passenger seat."
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "Logistically, motorway driving can never be compulsory but for the many who live close to them, this offers a step change in their confidence and safety in our most important economic routes."
The strategy also sets out plans to give £750,000 to police forces in England and Wales to improve their ability to identify and prosecute drug-drivers.
'Hidden killer'
AA president Edmund King said drug driving was "the hidden killer" and extra efforts to tackle it were "welcome and overdue".
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said Britain's roads were some of the safest in the world, but more could be done to improve them.
"We are delivering common-sense proposals that balance tougher penalties for dangerous drivers with practical steps to help youngsters and other more vulnerable groups stay safe on our roads."
Northern Ireland is responsible for its own road traffic legislation, including driver and vehicle testing, road safety policy and vehicle standards.
A short video in Milton Keynes with my pupil. We were working on his observations and control of the car with the Parallel parking for his driving test. Hope you find it interesting.
As with any manoeuvre, you need good observations and good control of the car you are driving. This short video is one of my pupils leaning the left reverse.
Hope it helps you to understand the left reverse manoeuvre. Safe driving
Whenever I am helping learner drivers with roundabouts to understand how to approach and exit them correctly I always get asked about spiral roundabouts. The sort of things they say are "they are confusing, too many white lines crossing over one another, worried about all the cars."
So I have done this video in Milton Keynes covering the spiral roundabout at the end of the A5 heading towards Aylesbury. I hope you find it helpful.
Keeping your vehicle well maintained is important all year round, but doubly so in winter. For example, worn tyres won't hold the road in wet conditions as well as those with with a good, deep tread.
Make sure all exterior lights are working correctly and that windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. Check the oil, coolant and washer fluid levels. And, don't leave home on that long trip over lonely country roads without enough fuel for the journey.
The following checks will help ensure your vehicle is ready for winter:
Note: Before carrying out these checks, make sure your vehicle is cold and parked on a flat, level surface.
Car Battery - the RAC attends more call-outs for batteries than any other problem. During February 2012 we went to more than 50,000 battery-related call-outs. Remember, if your car has not been used for a period of time, the battery may need charging before you come to use it. The RAC Shop stocks a range of battery chargers and battery testing devices.
Coolant - ensure that coolant is between the minimum and maximum markers. It is also important that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant. If you're uncertain, have a look at your handbook or get a local garage to check the strength. Anti-freeze is cheap but damage from a frozen engine can be very expensive to put right.
Tyres - check tyre condition to see if there is adequate tread. Look for damage such as splits or bulges and check the pressure. If you live in an area particulary at risk of snow consider purchasing winter tyres or snow socks which give you greater traction and control.
Screenwash - make sure you have enough screenwash and that the concentration is suitable for cold conditions. Not all screenwash is the same so look for the temperature it protects down to. You should be looking for protection down to down to -10 degrees C and if you live in areas subject to the greatest extremes of weather, down to -20 degrees C. If you don't use a good quality screenwash there is a danger your washer pump could freeze which might lead to the fuse blowing and your wipers not working because they are often on the same fuse.
Wiper blades - check wiper blades for damage and replace if necessary. When wiper blades become frozen to glass it is very easy to damage them when freeing them up.
Show me questions for the driving test. Hyundai i20.
Hope this short video helps you to understand where and how to answer the questions on the Show me tell me part of the driving test. The car is the Hyundai i20 2014.
Check out my Youtube channel for more videos on driving
Iget asked by my pupils, what is better. A one hour lesson or a two hour lesson. I will saythe two hour lesson has more benifits. Let me explain.
One hour lesson Cost £25 It takes about 10 minutes from the start of the lesson to get back to where you left off from your last lesson. This is down to being a bit rusty and still trying to learn the task from the last lesson.
If we work on hill starts we could end up driving to a suitable place that could be 5 to 10 minutes away. Then we work on hill starts we could end up spending 20 minues practicing this, which then leaves you only 20 minutes left of your lesson which does not include driving back to your home. So you will not get the time to drive to different areas unless we miss somthing out.
Two hour lesson Cost £45 It takes about 10 minutes from the start of the lesson to get back to where you left off from your last lesson. This is down to being a bit rusty and still trying to learn the task from the last lesson.
If we work on hill starts we could end up driving to a suitable place that could be 5 to 10 minutes away. Then we work on hill starts we could end up spending 20 minues practicing this, which then leaves you about 1 hour and 20 minutes left of your lesson to work on learning more skills. It also gives more time to drive to differant areas to gain more experience and pratice. Then leave about 10 to 15 minutes to get back home.
A. 1 x 2 hour lesson, you take 10 minutes to get back to where you were from previous lesson.
2 x 1 hour lessons will take 10 minues x 2 ( 20 minutes)to get back to where you were from your previous lesson.
B. The DVSA states it takes an average of 48 hours training with a driving instructor plus 20 hours private lessons with your mum and dad. So if you were having 1 hour a week with no gaps then it will take you about 11 months to take your driving test.
If you were taking 2 hours a week then you could be taking your driving test by 4 to 5 months.
The new driving test being tested includes using the sat nav. Hope this short video helps to explain
Includes driving into a parking bay and reversing out and parking on the right side of the road. Part of the driving test will include using a sat nav for 20 minutes of the driving test. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC94rkNhixyVA2N_UYTQyVeg
The turn in the road manoeuvre and left reverse are being dropped.
