Author Archives: Kerry Smith

Driving Test Backlog

If you are currently trying to book a driving practical test and struggling you are not alone! There is a backlog with the DVSA which has been on going since Covid Lockdowns restrictions eased.

At the moment even driving schools are struggling to secure tests and the DVSA have spoken out about a 6 month wait, which means June/July is what is becoming available on the booking site.

This situation is very frustrating not only for learners waiting for take their test but also driving schools and instructors who are trying to book tests for their pupils! Cancellations do pop up every now and then but its all about being on the test booking site at the right time.

What we would like to discourage is pupils becoming desperate and paying over the odds for tests, when giving out your driving license details to unauthorized operators they can then use your details to their own advantage.

Some desperate to pass learners have even booked tests in unknown areas to them in hopes to pass, but the disadvantage to this is not having a good knowledge of an area especially the test routes could go against you on the day of the test. Its always a good idea to have a good few lessons on the routes the test center you plan on taking your test at use. Our instructors who are taking you to test will always take you on those test routes to get you familiar with them in preparation for the test, which not only helps calm nerves as you feel prepared and know the routes but also gives you a head start on practicing on the roundabouts etc.

If a cancellation does pop up and you manage to secure it, please be mindful that you also need to make sure your instructor can do the test date/time and goes to the test center. Also if its too short notice this could also be a problem, a new instructor would need to arrange some assessment lessons before committing to take you to test. An instructor has the right to refuse to take you to test if they don’t feel you are ready.

Below is a breakdown of how the estimated backlog works;

2022	Estimated demand for tests	Max number of tests that can be carried out	Excess tests rolled over to following month
Jan	244377	130622	113755
Feb	332689	130622	202067
March	427539	130622	296917
April	476619	130622	345997
May	520581	130622	389959
June	502589	130622	371967
July	482797	130622	352175
Aug	463005	130622	332383
Sep	443213	130622	312591
Oct	423421	130622	292799
Nov	403629	130622	273007
Dec	383837	130622	253215
Jan ’23	364045	130622	233423
Feb ’23	344253	130622	213631
March ’23	324461	130622	193839
April ’23	304669	130622	174047
May ’23	284877	130622	154255
June ’23	265085	130622	134463
July ’23	245293	130622	114671
Aug ’23	225501	130622	94879
Sep ’23	205709	130622	75087
Oct ’23	185917	130622	55295
Nov ’23	166125	130622	35503
Dec ’23	146333	130622	15711
Jan ’24	126541	130622

Rebecca at Britannia said:

Everyday i log onto the Business Account to look for tests for pupils, it did ease up a little in Novemeber/Decemeber but now in January 23 it is at what feels like a standstill, i think the DVSA strikes are now adding to the problem. We hope it will ease up ASAP.

Top 10 Causes For Failing The Practical Driving Test

In this blog we will explain the top 10 reasons people fail the practical driving test in Great Britain, below are some examples of the types of mistakes people make.

41.7% was the pass rate between January and March 2022

The driving test pass rate was 47.1% between January and March 2022. Many people who failed their test made at least one of the mistakes:

1.Not making effective observations at junctions:

You must make effective observations before moving into a new road
Make sure it is safe before proceeding

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Observations’ fault on your driving test result.

2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing directions:

Make full and effective use of mirrors
Check the mirrors carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed
Use the mirror – signal- manoeuvre routine effectively

some examples:

Not using mirrors when exiting a roundabout
Not checking mirrors when on a dual carriageway

Any mistakes you make in this area when changing direction will be counted under the ‘Mirrors – Change direction’ fault on your driving test result.

3. Not having proper control of the steering:

You must be able to steer the car as smoothly as possible and at the right time.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Control – Steering’ fault on your driving test result.

4.Incorrect positioning when turning right at a junction:

You must be able to position the car as close to the center of the road as is safe.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Junctions – Turning right’ fault on your driving test result.

5. Not moving off safely:

You must be able to move off safely while making the correct observations:

On a slope or hill (gradient)
From the side of the road
From behind a parked vehicle, so you have to move off at an angle

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Moving off – Safety’ fault on your driving test result.

6. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights correctly:

You must take notice and respond correctly to traffic lights

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Response to signs – Traffic lights’ fault on your driving test result.

7. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving:

position the car correctly for your intended route
position the car in the middle of marked lanes
only change lanes when necessary

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Positioning – Normal driving’ fault on your driving test result.

8. Not corresponding correctly to traffic signs:

You must be able to understand and be able to react to all traffic signs

Any mistakes you make in this area will show as ‘Response to signals – Traffic signs’ in your result.

9. Not having control of the vehicle when moving off:

You must be able to move off under control, including on a slope or hill (gradient), from behind a parked vehicle and at junctions.

Any mistakes you make in this area will be counted under the ‘Move off – Control’ fault on your driving test result.

10. Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking:

You must be able to parallel park at the side of the road
You must be able reverse to park in a parking bay

‘UK’s Most Confusing Bus Lane’

Whilst driving avoiding bus lanes is always top priority for motorists to avoid being given a fine, but motorists have been caught of guard by a confusing bus lane in Clapham Common in South West London.

The bus lane has been the talk of the town, having been the cause of more than 15,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) since october 2021, totaling up to an outstanding £1.9 million in fines! Since being made permanent in 2000, Clapham Park Road bus lane is thought to of brought in an estimated £6million in fines.

Richard Newell, appealed his fine and won, after he was caught turning into the bus lane. Local drivers have stated that the signs warning drivers not to use the bus lane to turn left are unclear. Motorists have claimed there is an arrow marked on the road that urges them to use it.

The fine being issued for early payment is £65 rising to £130.00, It means Lambeth Council has pocketed between £985,075 and in excess of £1.9 million, a Freedom of Information request shows. With March 2022 being the highest issuing for fines.

An AA spokesperson said these kind of lanes are “scary” as they’re expected to be rolled out across the UK.

“It is beggars belief that, after all these years of driver protests and traffic penalty tribunal adjudicators allowing appeals because the junction layout and signage is flawed, this bus lane continues to trap so many drivers,” they added.

“When is the local authority going to accept that motorists don’t throw themselves like lemmings into bus lanes for the ‘joy’ of getting a fine in a cost of living crisis?

“Probably never, because it’s such a nice big earner for the council.

“This year, adjudicators have again condemned this bus lane and, clearly, enforcement with poor signage isn’t fair or doing its job in keeping the lane free for buses – simply because it is issuing so many fines.

“I suspect the locals are very aware of what they should do at this junction but, for anyone coming from outside the area and unfamiliar with the road, it’s a potential nightmare.

“The adjudicator’s concern about how well the warning signs show up at night is a problem the AA has seen with other London bus lanes that have turned into fines’ magnets.

“What really scares the AA and drivers is that this type and quality of enforcement is now being rolled out to councils across England.”

The lane is signposted with filter lights for buses, cabs and bikes – which some could find confusing.

However, a spokesperson for Lambeth Council said: “Our bus lanes are clearly marked and comply with all regulations and standards.

“People who illegally drive in bus lanes cause delays to bus passengers and other commuters.

“We regularly check our signs and road markings where we enforce using CCTV to ensure we are compliant, and the vast majority of motorists who use Lambeth roads every day do so without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

“The bus lane in Clapham Park Road is clearly marked and complies with all regulations and standards.

“However, if a motorist feels that he or she has been issued with a ticket unfairly they are able to challenge it and we have an independent appeal process.”

Beccy at Briannia says:

This Bus lane sounds very confusing and causing lots of problems for not only local residents but visitor mainly.

NYE Drink Driving

New Years Eve is a fun time of the year with many celebrating the new year by having a few drinks, but with taxi prices being at a all time high on new years eve some people can be tempted to drink drive! An estimated 7,800 people were killed or injured in drink driving accidents in the UK in 2019, those figures alone should be enough to deter you from even thinking about picking up your car keys after having a drink!

Drink driving kills drinking alcohol slows down your reaction and impairs your judgement making your driving unsafe and putting you and others at risk essentially at greater risk of an accident. The safest and best advice is to avoid alcohol completely if you have to drive. And remember, if you do drink, there could still be enough alcohol in your system the next morning to mean you’re over the limit, and not safe to drive.

Many of the functions that we depend on to drive safely are affected when we drink alcohol:

The brain takes longer to receive messages from the eye
Processing information becomes more difficult
Instructions to the body’s muscles are delayed resulting in slower reaction times

Drinking affects your reaction times, your vision and your ability to concentrate, which means you can’t control the car as well. And you’re more likely to engage in risk taking behavior after drinking,³ which can mean your driving is more dangerous.

There are strict alcohol limits for drivers in all parts of the UK – and they are different in Scotland than England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The limits are based on the amount of alcohol detected in someone’s breath, blood or urine.

It isn’t possible to work out how many units of alcohol will put you over the limit. That’s because it varies from person to person, depending on:

Your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
The type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
What you’ve eaten recently
Your stress levels at the time

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the drink driving alcohol limit for drivers is:

80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (the ‘blood limit’)
35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath (the ‘breath limit’)
107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine (the ‘urine limit’)

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive and there is no reliable way to drink and stay within the limit. The advice from the police is clear: avoid alcohol altogether if you plan to drive. If you need to have transport, try these top tips to enjoy an alcohol-free night out.

The police are allowed to stop any vehicle at their discretion and can breathalyze you if they have reason to suspect you have been drinking. They often set up drink driving check points over periods such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

You could also be required to take a breathalyzer test if you’ve committed a moving traffic offense (such as a banned turn or going through a red light) or been involved in an accident.

To investigate whether you are over the drink drive limit, police will carry out a screening breath test at the roadside, using a breathalyzer.

If you fail this test, or if they have other grounds to believe that your driving was impaired due to alcohol, you’ll be taken to a police station and given a final breath test. At the station you will need to provide two more breath specimens into a complex breathalyzer.

The lower of the two readings is used to decide whether you are above the drink driving limit.

If it is needed, the police also have the power to require a sample of urine, or for a blood test to be carried out by a medical professional. Failure to provide a sample is a criminal offense.

From everyone at Britannia we would all like to wish you a Happy New Year all the best for 2023.

Driving home for Christmas

Are you driving home for Christmas? Maybe your going away or collecting relatives? In the days leading up to Christmas the roads will be inevitably busy, if you are driving around the Christmas period here are some helpful tips to help keep it a stress free and safe time for all.

Planning out your journey and checking local travel news to check for any accidents or unforeseen things that may impact your journey. Planning your routes will help you save time and get to your destination on time and hassle free.The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic on a dark and cold Christmas eve!

If you are going to be enjoying a few Christmas drinks, make sure you are sober enough to drive the next morning,Whether it’s OK to drive the next morning depends on a lot of different factors, including how much you drank and if you’ve left enough time for your body to get rid of the alcohol.The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on a few things, including the amount you take in, over what period of time and the speed at which your body gets rid of it.

Even if you feel sober enough you may not be, you must ensure that you have left a long enough gap between when you had your last alcoholic drink to getting behind the wheel.

We have already had some ice and snow this winter and we all know the Great British weather can be unpredictable most times, during periods of snow and ice it is best to only travel if absolutely necessary. Make sure you have a de-icer in your vehicle in case you need to clear your windscreen before leaving. An ice scraper would also be useful for this alongside new wiper blades to ensure a clear view when driving.

Driving in the dark can be tricky, especially around Christmas time in cold conditions. Make sure all of your car lights are working before setting off on your journey to ensure other drivers can see you. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the car in front, especially in icy conditions.

If you are not planning on traveling over the Christmas period it is best to check on your vehicle, switch on your engine and let it tick over for a while. This way you reduce the risk of your car not starting when you need it. If you have a garage its a good idea to keep your car inside to help protect the windscreen.

Whilst out shopping for presents remember to always take your presents in with you, don’t leave them in your car especially where they are visible to opportunists! If you need to store them in your car for any reason, keep them in your boot covered and locked.

Drivers Face A £100 On Spot Fine For Winter Attire

Drivers could face a £100 on the spot fine and 3 points on their license for layering up winter clothes!

When temperatures plummet it is tempting to layer up to help us keep warm, but it is very important to not bundle up too much as that can restrict your movement whilst driving. The car experts at Confused.com have warned that you could face a fine and points on your license if they prevent you from using the controls properly. Long scarves and oversized scarfs could be the culprits which end you hot water.Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Road accidents can often be more common during the winter months because of the bad weather, density of traffic and difficult road conditions. It’s extremely important to ensure your vehicle is ready for the winter months, to make sure you are driving as safely as possible.

“No matter the weather, there are scenarios when your insurer may not pay out on an accident. Your car insurance should cover you in all weather conditions, but they may not pay out if you’ve broken a traffic offence which has caused an accident or failed to maintain your vehicle. For peace of mind, you should check the list of significant exclusions and limitations on your car insurance policy before setting off.”

You must stay within the highwaycode rules, as rule 97 stipulates “Drivers must wear footwear and clothing which does not prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner.”

If you are in an accident you could be deemed as driving without care and attention, which would land you £100+ plus 3 points on your license.

Some tips to stay warm whilst driving:

Park in a garage if you have one
Park your vehicle near a wall or inside a carport or garage. Anything that blocks the wind helps to keep the engine warm.
Cover your vehicle with a full-sized car cover overnight or a windshield.
Check your heating is working to its full capacity.
Give yourself time to heat your car up before you set off, turn the heating on in your car to warm it up 10 mins before you set off.
Consider purchasing a in car heated cushion.
Bring a flask with a hot drink for when you are stuck in traffic or at traffic lights.
Have a hot meal before you leave.

Kerry at Britannia says:

“As someone who is always cold, i would say following the advice above would most definitely offer some warmth during the winter months. But most importantly making sure your control of the car is not obstructed whilst driving is of upmost importance, you can always take warmer items with you for when you get to your destination and store them in the boot or backseat etc.”

Tips For Driving In Ice Or Snow Conditions

This time of the year is when the weather really takes a turn for the worst and roads can become icy. Learning to drive on roads that are icy can be tricky, when the ice becomes slippery it can cause accidents. Its easy to loose control on icy roads as steering wheels may also be more stiff due to the cold weather.

So what can you do to combat icy roads?

When weather conditions are particularly bad such as ice or snow, the first question you should as yourself is ” Do i need to make this journey? ” If the roads are very icy.

Plan your journey, give yourself plenty of time to get where your going as rushing whilst driving on slippery roads is very dangerous. Also check weather reports before heading out.

Make sure your vehicle is de iced and no snow or ice remains on the roof of your vehicle and that your lights and license plate are completely clear.

Check your tyre tread at regularly, the legal limit is 1.6mm, during snowy and icy conditions it would be a good idea to change them whenthe depth wears down to 2.5/3mm. You could also consider changing to winter tyres.

Keeping your ‘ coolant reservoir ‘ topped up with Anti Freeze, it prevents the water in your engines cooling system from freezing. Antifreeze comes in various formulas, and these should not be mixed with each other. Your vehicle handbook will tell you what type of antifreeze you need, and the correct ratio of water and antifreeze to put in your radiator. (You can also buy ready-mixed antifreeze for greater convenience.) You’ll find the ‘coolant reservoir’ under the bonnet – but, again, check your handbook for the exact location. Once you have a bottle of correctly mixed antifreeze, pour it into the reservoir, up to (and no higher than) the ‘maximum’ level marking.

Once your out on the road, Keep in mind the tyres will no grip wont be as effective as normal, so allow yourself extra room between your vehicle and the one in front.

Be on the look out for patches of ice and try to avoid them if possible, or drive carefully and as slow as safely possible.

Main roads should be clearer than rural roads which could have a heavy build up of snow and ice, so make sure you are checking up ahead.

Rebecca at Britannia says: If you feel unsafe at any point whilst driving, or feel like the conditions are too dangerous then always pull over when safe and take a moment to consider if you should continue.

How Many Driving Lessons Will I Need?

Learning to drive is a very exciting time, once you have your provisional license you are ready to book in professional driving lessons!

But how many will i need? Is a regular question we get asked here at Britannia Driving School. There isn’t actual set amount as each pupil is different and learns at different speeds. In this blog we will delve into the average number of lessons needed to pass your test and our intensive driving courses we offer.

As we stated above there is no set amount of lessons legally required in order to pass your test, however on average a learner needs 20 hrs of practice and approximately 45 hrs of driving. Every learner is different so for instance some may take 40 hrs and some may take 70. It really doesn’t matter, what matters is that when it come to taking your practical driving test and passing you are a confident and safe driver.

Choosing an instructor is a crucial part of it, here at Britannia all our driving instructors are fully approved by the DVSA.

Another thing to consider is passing your theory test as soon as you feel ready, this will give you a chance to book your practical driving well in advance. There is at the moment a backlog in regards to booking tests, so if you are able to start looking or use our test booking service we can help you book a test.

An intensive Driving Course gives you the opportunity to do a bulk amount of lessons in a shorter amount of time. Here is our intensive course information:

15 Hours

£494.25

• 2 hours intensive driving tuition a day for 6 days

• 3 hours for the day of the test

• This intensive course is suitable for those who have recently failed a driving test and just require a brush up (Failed with less than 7 minors)

21 Hours

£691.95

• 3 hours intensive driving tuition a day for 6 days

• 3 hours for the day of the test

• This intensive course is suitable for those who have recently failed a driving test and just require a brush up (Failed with more than 7 minors)

27 Hours

£889.65

• 4 hours intensive driving tuition a day for 6 days

• 3 hours for the day of the test

• This intensive driving course is suitable for those nearing test standard

39 Hours

£1,285.05

• 6 hours intensive driving tuition a day for 6 days

• 3 hours for the day of the test

• This intensive driving course is designed for the complete beginner. Most people will achieve a high standard of driving and will normally be ready for their practical driving test after completing this course which covers the whole DSA syllabus.

With an intensive course we will book you a test in for straight after your intensive course finishes. With the backlog being taken into account we do need notice in advance to be able to secure a test date and also make sure the instructor is free for the duration of the course and of course the test.

Combating driving through tunnel fears

Gephyrophobia is the fear of crossing bridges while claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed spaces. Perhaps the fear of driving through a tunnel is a combination of both. Overcoming this fear will help you to gain control of your life and avoid accidents or risky driving maneuvers!

How do you know that tunnels are causing you anxiety? Imagine that you’re driving down the road beneath the open sky. You feel relaxed but alert and know that you have full control over your vehicle. However, all of that begins to change as you approach an oncoming tunnel.

Tunnel anxiety may manifest physically. You might feel shortness of breath, an increased heart rate, and it may even feel like your eyes are struggling to focus. Your hands may begin to shake or your body temperature may increase.

In this blog we will delve into driving through tunnel phobias, we will be looking at safety tips in case of an emergency and how to stay calm.Driving through tunnels can cause anxiety for some drivers, the long narrow road along with the darkness can cause panic.

Is driving through a tunnel safe?

Before we get into the in’s and out’s of overcoming your fear, let’s address the safety aspect. Perhaps you worry that your safety levels decrease once you enter a tunnel.

In actuality, statistics reveal that fewer accidents occur inside of tunnels than they do on the open road. It’s not entirely clear why this is the case but may have to do with drivers’ heightened alertness that is brought on by driving through a dark, enclosed space. It may also be that the discouragement of changing lanes or abruptly changing speeds in a tunnel could also contribute to a low accident rate.

In other words, you have little to fear when driving in a tunnel. Remembering this could be an important part of overcoming your tunnel anxiety!

Try some grounding techniques such as deep breathing: draw a deep breathe in through your nose and let it out slowly though your nose. Another relaxation technique is to tense your muscles (safely whilst driving), try tensing your muscles tight and then slowly releasing which sends a signal to your brain that the coast is clear!

Driving through tunnels safely :

Make sure you get in the lane you need early
Make sure your lights are on, even on the sunniest of days won’t affect the dark tunnel
Watch out for speed limit changes as you approach the tunnel, so stay vigilant as you approach and enter the tunnel
Having the radio tuned into local traffic news will help you be aware of any issues regarding the tunnel before you enter it.

Once you are in the tunnel :

Make sure to keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and other road users, this will allow you time to react accordingly to any problems that arise
If you become anxious just remind yourself that driving through the tunnel is only a very small part of your journey, Focus of visualizing yourself emerging safely out the other side of the tunnel.

Traffic in the tunnel :

Allow space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
Turn your engine off if traffic comes to a standstill
Never leave your vehicle unless there is an emergency

If you break down in the tunnel :

Pull over to the left
Switch on your hazard lights
Turn off your engine
Use an emergency telephone to call for help

Kerry at Britannia says:

I used to have a fear of driving through tunnels, I used to feel a sensation of not being able to breathe etc. Since trying these tips i have managed to overcome my fears and can now drive stress free through tunnels and enjoy my drive.

New permit proposal to drive across British city

Drivers may soon need a permit to drive through Oxford if drastic new plans go ahead. The strict plans have been slated by motorists, who would be capped at just 100 days of travel through the city a year. Oxfordshire county council proposes to keep track of city residents through automatic number plate recognition. Up to three permits will be issued per household, only residents within Oxford will be able to apply for one.

The limits would run between 7am-7pm, £70 fines will be issued for motorists without a permit. This rule would apply to all vehicles except buses, coaches, vans, lorries, emergency services, blue badge holders and care workers.

The council plans to make a decision whether to implement the permits next month. This has caused quite a stir amongst motorists who have branded the idea “ridiculous”.But Robin Tucker, the chair of Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, recently defended the councils plans. He told the BBC ” Currently our buses are slower than a horse and cart, our city doesn’t feel safe enough to get around. ”

“We need to see measures including traffic filters, a clean air zone and ways to encourage people away from commuting by car so we can all move freely and get where we want to go.”

The county council’s website says the plans are “designed to reduce traffic, make bus journeys faster and make walking and cycling safer.

“When they are operating, private cars will not be allowed through the traffic filters without a permit.”

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said the filters will aim “to reduce the need to travel in private cars and make walking, cycling and public transport the natural first choice.”

Respondents were also asked about plans to expand the Zero Emissions Zone, and 69% were in favour, with 23% against.

Rebecca at Britannia said:

” Permits can help reduce traffic flow and help residents move more freely around there home town, but also could be problematic for other road users. I’m sure whatever decision is made it wont be made lightly and all motorists will be considered.

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