Before booking your driving test it definitely helps to know what things are more likely to thwart your chances of passing, in order to make sure you don’t fall victim to any of them!

Always observe at junctions. Check properly before pulling out and not just give a cursory glance – use your brain as well as your eyes and examine exactly what’s happening all around.

Your mirrors are there for a reason – all three of them – particularly when it comes to changing lanes, negotiating hazards, carrying out manoeuvres and pulling off. During your test it needs to be made obvious to the examiner that you’re constantly checking your mirrors.

It’s always important to position yourself correctly on the road for two reasons; for best possible view of the road ahead, and so you can be seen by other road users. Do not invade other road users’ space, and be sure you don’t drive too closely to parked cars or cyclists.

Remember ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’, not just when taking your driving test but for the rest of your driving life. It’s not just about signalling though; you need to do it when the time is right and whatever you do, don’t forget to cancel your indicators when they’re no longer required!

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That time of year is fast approaching – while it might seem convenient to dive behind the wheel after a couple of drinks at the pub, the results of drinking and driving could be devastating.

Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink may result in 3 months’ imprisonment, up to a £2,500 fine or possibly even a driving ban. Furthermore, drink driving puts not only your life but the lives of others at risk, and could easily result in fatalities. Remember that drinking affects your ability to react as quickly and sensibly as you would when sober. Your brain takes longer to receive messages from the eye; processing information becomes more difficult; you may also experience blurred and/or double vision, which affects your ability to see properly while driving.

The amount of alcohol you would have consumed to be considered over the limit depends on things such as your weight, age, sex and metabolism. Obviously it also depends on the type and amount of alcohol you’ve been drinking, whether you’ve recently eaten, and your stress levels.

Always be rational and THINK before getting behind the wheel of your car. Do you really need to drive, or could you not walk, get a lift from someone who is sober or make use of public transport? By being sensible, you can relax, look forward to and enjoy the festive period!

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Speed cameras are in place for one reason; to promote safe driving thus potentially save lives. If you don’t respect the speed limit, it’s perhaps worth understanding the consequences or you may find yourself faced with a fine and three points on your licence that come with it, or worse – the injury and/or death of a pedestrian on your conscience.

Exceeding the speed limit, even by one extra mile per hour is illegal. If you’re flashed by a speed camera or pulled over by a police officer, you may be prosecuted, required to attend a speed-awareness course, (that you will be expected to pay for) or you may just be given a verbal warning – all dependant on how extreme the offence.

Just keep in mind that driving too fast when not permitted can potentially result in horrific consequences. Protect yourself and others by driving at the correct speed.

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It’s always advisable to plan you time when preparing to pass your driving test – right from the beginning when you embark on your first lesson. Manage your expectations and set yourself goals, don’t try and run before you can walk (or drive before you can steer!!!) Ensure that your lessons are regular, taking long breaks between lessons will make it harder to grasp the knack of driving and remembering the do’s and don’ts of particular manoeuvres.

It also helps to monitor your progress; establish what you’ve learned after each lesson or every few lessons, this will also give you a sense of personal achievement. Moreover, why not get your theory test done and out of the way? At least that’s one hurdle you can get over enabling you to concentrate solely on your practical driving skills.

A mock driving test is always advisable; your instructor will usually recommend this before taking your official test. That way, you will know what to expect which promotes confidence and learn how to manage your nerves as well!

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Studies reveal that the ideal age to be passing your driving test these days is 25 – with the likelihood of fewer accidents and less motoring convictions. Apparently the younger you are when you pass your test, the more likely you are to have an accident in your first five years of driving.

Based on data from more than a million motorists, the insurance company Admiral discovered that male learner drivers pass their test at a younger age than female learners, with 44% of them passing before the age of 19, compared to 37% of women. As many as 59% of men, but just 46% of women, pass their test the first time, whereas 7% of women take more than three attempts to pass their test while compared with 4% of men.

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No car lasts forever, and however attached you may get to your fine four-fendered friend, there will come a time when you’ll want to trade up and sell your old motor – the process of which can be quite daunting, as expected.

There are some important factors you need to consider beforehand. First, it is important to ensure your old car’s bodywork, tyres and electrical systems are thoroughly checked and it has undergone all necessary repairs. Naturally, cleaning your car inside and out can makes it look more appealing and more likely to sell at a good price. Remove any clutter from the foot wells and inside doors – maybe even consider having it valeted for that professional finish!

When pricing your car be realistic; perhaps look online or consult a car price guide to help you. Having all the relevant documentation is essential – potential buyers will want to see the vehicle log book (V5) and MOT certificate as well as any receipts, service records and handbooks.

By following the right method, the sale of your old car can run smoothly and stress free, enabling you to relax and look forward to investing in a new one…

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With winter on its way, you might ask yourself as a driver – should I consider getting more suitable tyres for the cold weather? Winter tyres are designed to offer maximum grip in cold conditions, such as rain, ice and snow. They have a softer compound and deeper tread, which helps improve contact with the road.

You can tell a winter tyre from normal tyres by the snowflake emblem on the sidewall. The supplier you buy your winter tyres from should also fit them for you. Winter tyres work best at temperatures below 7 degrees celsius. Without question, they outdo normal tyres when it comes to traction, cornering grip and braking in cold weather conditions – even if there isn’t any snow or ice.

The cost of winter tyres will depend on your car and the size of its wheels, but they are generally more expensive than normal tyres, as you would expect. That said, they may well be worth investing in as they offer additional safety and peace of mind!

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Upon hearing the wail of an approaching siren, drivers will instinctively do what they can to move out of the way as fast as possible.

Even though this is ideally the right thing to do, you still run the risk of being hit with a hefty fine – purely because road laws still apply in the event of encountering an emergency services vehicle, and you’ll still be required to comply with relevant traffic signs.

In your haste to get out of the way of an approaching police car, fire engine or ambulance you could inadvertently enter a bus lane, a yellow box junction or drive through a red traffic light, which could result a fixed penalty notice for £100 and three penalty points on your licence.

The Highway Code states that in the event of encountering an emergency services vehicle, do not panic but take appropriate action to allow it to pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If it is safe to do so pull over, but avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or on narrow roads.

It is vital not to endanger yourself and/or others and avoid driving onto the footpath. When approaching a junction or roundabout, do not brake harshly as the vehicle behind you may not have the same field of vision.

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Hopefully we all had a great Bank Holiday weekend to start this week off – We know we did! But here at Britannia, we think about more than having a lie-in on our days off, or where we’re going to for the weekend… We’re thinking about our driving pupils of course!

If you had a driving lesson this Bank Holiday Monday, you may well have noticed more traffic on the roads than usual. It’s a good idea to bear this in mind for future reference, as when driving on Bank Holidays after you’ve passed your test, you may want to reconsider your route to avoid the typical traffic associated with Bank Holidays!

Safe driving from Britannia!