January 5, 2021
Driving and riding lessons and tests – National lockdown

On 4 January, the government announced a new national lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus.

You can read more about the lockdown measures on GOV.UK

Driving and riding lessons

Driving and riding lessons, including CBT must not take place until the restrictions are lifted. This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks.

Driving and riding tests

All driving and riding tests have been suspended from 5 January until the restrictions are lifted.

We’ll email candidates who are affected by this to let them know we will reschedule their test.

If you have booked a test for any of your pupils you will receive an email to let you know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.

We’ll then send you an email with the new time and date as soon as possible; please ask your pupils to be patient.

If the new time and date is not suitable for you or your pupil, you can choose a different time and date on GOV.UK. You will need your pupil’s driving licence number to do this. Your pupil does not need to pay again to do this.

Theory tests

All theory tests will be suspended until the restrictions are lifted.

We will email anyone who has booked a test and is affected by this to let them know their theory test is on hold and that they will need to reschedule it by visiting https://www.gov.uk/change-theory-test.

If you booked your pupil’s theory test you will need to log into the booking system and rearrange their test for a new date and time.

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December 18, 2020
Could you be fined up to £5,000 for one of these christmas driving mistakes?

If you’re driving home for Christmas or going anywhere in the car make sure you’re staying safe, here  some tips to avoid getting in any trouble

In the run-up to Christmas, many drivers might want to get in the festive spirit as they make their way to finish up their Christmas shopping before heading home to visit the family.

Some might want to decorate their vehicle for the occasion, while others will be blaring Wham! or Mariah Carey and sing along at an incredible volume.

But despite the holiday fun, the most important thing is to always be safe in the car.

Driving at Christmas can be exciting, however there are some little-known things that could put your safety at risk and invalidate your insurance.

“Whilst singing along to christmas songs and adding decorations to your car may seem like fun, they could also be a huge distraction and land you a hefty fine or increased car insurance premium.

“Keeping your car safe from crime is also increasingly important during the festive season, as the winter months are notorious for car theft.

“Always keep your vehicle locked and avoid leaving expensive items on display.”

Hereare the top three Christmas driving mistakes to avoid to save you from fines of up to £5,000.

Decorating your car for Christmas

Last month, over 3,240 Brits searched google for ‘car reindeer antlers’ and a staggering 10,320 have been looking for ‘Christmas car decorations’.

Whilst Christmas car decorations may definitely add some festive cheer to your motor, they could also invalidate your insurance policy, as companies may refuse to pay out on claims if you’re involved in an accident.

This is because decorating a car is considered a vehicle modification. Companies invalidate cover because upgrading the aesthetics of a vehicle can make the car more attractive to thieves and criminals. It could also mean your car insurance premiums increase, as the likelihood of you claiming on a policy would have also increased.

Anything from snowflake stickers to tinsel could cause the agreement to be compromised, so it might be worth keeping the festive décor to just your home.

Having a festive sing-along

When the weather gets colder and the twinkling lights are switched on, we love nothing more than a Christmas sing-along, but it seems the car isn’t the best place to belt out a bit of Bublé, as those who sing and dance behind the wheel could be hit with a hefty fine of up to £5,000 if they get caught.

Alongside this, you could also pick up a ‘driving without due care and attention’ or even a ‘dangerous driving’ charge.

The penalties can be severe, with a fine of up to £5,000 and nine points on your licence in the most serious of circumstances.

Driving with a tree on top of your car

It’s not illegal to drive home with your Christmas tree tied to your roof but you could land in trouble with the law if it’s not tied down securely enough.

The Highway Code states motorists must secure their load and ensure heavy and sharp objects are safe.

Your Christmas tree must also be small enough to be transported safely. Large trees should not be carried by small cars or vans, as they could easily fall off and cause an accident, which would invalidate your insurance policy.

Police officers will stop drivers if they deem a load to be too great and can issue fines of £100 for breaking the rules.

To avoid increasing your risk of an accident, or landing a fine from the police, ensure your Christmas tree is properly fitted to your car roof before driving home. If you’re in doubt, ask a professional to help assist you tie the tree down.

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November 9, 2020
Boy of 6 memorised the whole Highway Code!

A TRANSPORT-mad six-year-old boy can recite the entire Highway Code from memory.

And Nathan Henry-McGhie is even teaching his mum Peta to pass her driving test.

The lad began studying the152 page road users guide just six months ago when he found it lying around his home.

Now Nathan can recognise every road and traffic sign, knows the names of each bit of legislation and can recount each section word for word.

Construction management student Peta, 30, said: “He became obsessed with the book.

“I have my driving theory in December so he tests me on sections. The thing is that he entirely taught himself to read it.”

His memory of the driving bible has become so refined he has even instructed a taxi driver on the rules of the road.

Nathan, who was diagnosed with autism in February last year, has a photographic memory and an interest in transport.

He can also name all the stops on the London Underground.

Peta, from Welling in the capital’s South East, added: “His memory is just so impressive. I’m super proud of him.

“When he was two, he could count from one to 100 — he could be the next Albert Einstein.”

For those of us who need help with their road signs we offer help on our website.

 

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November 4, 2020
Britannia lockdown update.

As of tomorrow we have to close our offices but not our business.
We are still open!
Our doors maybe closed, but we are still working for you,with us working safely from home we can continue to provide the same level of service to all our pupils and instructors through our usual phone,email and livechat contact details.
Whilst we may not be meeting in person you can be assured we are just as keen to look after everyone and will commence usual services as soon as the government restrictions have been lifted
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November 2, 2020
Update On Lockdown Measures.

Update on lockdown measures in England

Following the announcement on Saturday 31 October 2020 around further lockdown measures being introduced in England, we are working closely with the Government to agree the impact these will have on DVSA services.

All driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates soon.

We’ll keep you updated on the situation and provide further guidance when we’re able too.

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November 2, 2020
Will Driving Lessons go ahead in the November Lockdown?

After Saturdays  announcement by Boris Johnson on the second National Lockdown in England from Thursday 5th November 2020 to Wednesday 2nd December 2020, what does that mean for driving lessons and driving tests?

Q: When will we know if driving lessons can continue during the November National Lockdown?

A: We are awaiting information from the DVSA, as soon as we receive this we will communicate this on our website and to our Driving Instructors

Q: Will Theory Driving Tests be suspended due to the November National Lockdown?

A: It is currently unknown, as above, we are awaiting information from the DVSA. Please keep an eye out for emails from your booking.

Q: Will Practical Driving Tests be suspended due to the November National Lockdown?

A: It is currently unknown, as above, we are awaiting information from the DVSA with regards to Practical Driving Test. Please keep an eye out for emails from your booking.

Q: I have a driving lesson before Thursday 5th November, is it okay to continue?

A: Yes, we are still taking bookings and our Driving Instructors will remain teaching driving lessons, whilst we await confirmation from the DVSA that we can continue.

Q: If driving lessons are temporarily stopped again, can I still book lessons with you?

A: Yes! Like with the first Lockdown our lovely customer service advisors will be working to help our Instructors fill their diaries and ensure you can learn to drive as soon as possible.

Q: Will driving lessons and driving tests continue for Key Workers, regardless of the lockdown?

A: During the first lockdown driving lessons and driving tests did continue for essential workers, whilst they were cancelled for everyone else. We will update you with confirmation on this when we hear from the DVSA.

Q: I have my Practical Driving Test booked between 5th November and 2nd December, what should I do?

A: We recommend that you speak to your Britannia Driving School Instructor, we will keep them updated with the latest information from the Government and DVSA. And please check your emails regarding your booking.

A spokesperson for the Agency said: “We are working closely with Government to agree the impact of the lockdown in England on DVSA services.

“We will update customers as soon as possible.”

The DVSA will contact you directly if your test is affected by local restrictions in England and Scotland.

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October 29, 2020
War veteran driving instructor ‘has to stand in rain’

A disabled war veteran driving instructor said he has been repeatedly forced to sit outside during wet and windy weather because of the closure of test centre waiting rooms.

Andy Small, from Cornwall, said blanket national closures due to Covid-19 were “ridiculous”.

“All instructors now have to sit or stand, outside, for up to 40 minutes while tests take place,” he said.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said it was reviewing the situation.

Mr Small was medically discharged from the army in 2010 and has rheumatoid arthritis.

He served in the Gulf War, completed two tours of Bosnia and was awarded the Royal Warrant in 2005.

He said he could not stand for long periods so when pupils have been taking their tests, he would be sitting in the car park in a camping chair, holding an umbrella.

“The inclement weather conditions will only deteriorate over the coming months,” he said. “There is no cover.

“A number of instructors have underlying health issues which will be made worse.

“This will lead to many experiencing a physical and financial difficulty because they’ll become ill and need time off to recover.

“Now a tiered lockdown has been introduced across the country, surely test centre waiting rooms should be reopened using a similar approach?”

He said it was ridiculous to have a blanket closure when “some areas of the country are at lower risk than others”.

Mr Small said he wanted the DVSA to look at waiting rooms based on the size of the test centre.

“We have five examiners covering Bodmin and can maintain social distancing guidelines with no difficulty,” he said.

“The examiners can sit in our cars, inches from strangers, but we’re not allowed to be in a waiting room that can accommodate us with social distancing.”

The DVSA said it was working with the Health and Safety Executive and driving instructor associations to ”review our centres”.

“We are initially reopening nine waiting rooms and to ensure everyone’s safety we will review the measures we put in place and get feedback from staff and our waiting room visitors before we open anymore,” it added.

Bodmin test centre is not one of the nine. Our automatic instructor Jane has said its very difficult in some of these treacherous weather conditions if there is no cafe nearby, to seek shelter with a warm drink.

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October 8, 2020
Overturned planters and oil-slicked roads: low-traffic neighbourhood backlash

London motorists have hit back against an influx of barriers that enforce road closures and traffic diversions in certain neighbourhoods.

In Ealing, frustrated drivers overturned heavy wooden planters – even daubing them with the words: ‘abuse of power’.

Other disgruntled locals have resorted to pouring oil on spaces left for bikes to pass through, making riding conditions unsafe for cyclists.

In the past four months, 200 locations have been earmarked for a “cost-effective way of delivering safe and attractive streets for walking and cycling” – with 141 of the zones found in London.

Fears are growing that the sudden installation of low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes during the coronavirus pandemic are inciting ill-feeling between local residents.

Protests have been held in Ealing, Wandsworth and Islington, with residents in Hackney set to follow suit. Meanwhile, petitions demanding the removal of LTN schemes have attracted hundreds of signatures.

Giulio Ferrini from walking and cycling charity Sustrans said: “Lots of people understandably don’t want to travel on buses and trains during a pandemic so there’s a real risk those with cars will just drive more, causing gridlock and adding to dangerous levels of pollution, unless councils provide viable alternatives by making walking and cycling safer. This is what low-traffic neighbourhoods can do.”

Claire Holland, Labour deputy leader at Lambeth Council said: “It is a culture war between those who want to drive wherever they want, whenever they want, at whatever speed they want – compared to the right of everybody else to get around peacefully and effectively.”

Residents involved in the One Oval group, which protested against a local LTN scheme, argue that the roadblocks displace traffic to less prosperous areas with already heavily-polluted roads.

Sam Cooray, who lives on the border of a LTN, says advocates of the scheme “are not representative of working classes, of BME communities, of the disabled, of local businesses.”

People on both sides of the argument claim they have been bullied and intimidated online as tensions continue to escalate.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

“Nobody can deny that low traffic neighbourhoods are well-intentioned and there are doubtless some well-designed schemes which have widespread local support due to the valuable benefits they are delivering. Unfortunately, it also seems there some schemes that aren’t working well and are causing problems for residents, drivers and businesses.

“Rather than just ignoring these issues, authorities should be willing to listen to everyone affected and make changes to rectify them. Councils should also be actively looking at impact assessments and monitoring all schemes to ensure that unintended consequences – such as increased congestion and displaced traffic, worse journey times, increased difficulty for delivery drivers doing their jobs and access problems for emergency vehicles – are properly understood and avoided.

“The fact that the Goverment gave authorities just weeks to introduce schemes  for the reallocation of road space is a reason why some schemes aren’t working. Councils were told they did not need to consult – yet if they didn’t take the cash on offer, they risked missing out on it altogether.”

“As the lockdown has eased, councils now have an opportunity to consult properly and we believe the Government should require that they do so for new schemes. This is important so local authorities can understand the impact that schemes will have on all road users and residents, and can improve the design of any new scheme accordingly.

“We know that safety concerns remain a barrier to getting people out of their vehicles and on to two wheels so there’s also an argument for local authorities to look at spending some of this money on areas which cause the greatest safety hazards for cyclists, namely junctions and roundabouts. By tackling these, more drivers may be encouraged to use bicycles for some of their shorter journeys.

“Councils should also be considering how they can reduce through-traffic into towns and cities. We believe there’s an urgent case for creating more park and ride-type facilities, potentially taking advantage of not just buses but cycling, walking and scooting. Electric bicycles, and if fully legalised electric scooters should also be offered at such facilities to maximise options for those open to using such schemes.

“Managing road space is an extremely difficult job for urban planners, but in order to bring about lasting benefits for all, it’s essential any changes take proper account of the needs of residents, businesses and road users.”

Modelling by King’s College London on the UK’s first LTN which started in 2014, found the scheme has boosted life expectancy and air quality, without pushing up pollution on main roads.

Do you live near an LTN or similar traffic diversion sceme? Share your experiences in the comments below.

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September 16, 2020
How long does it take to become a bad driver after passing your driving test?

A survey shows drivers forget to wear seat belts after only four months of driving.

It takes motorists just 10 weeks to become a “bad driver” after passing their test, according to a new poll.

A survey of 2,000 car owners found the average new road user lets bad habits creep in less than three months after ripping the L-plates off.

And one in 10 admitted they began to forget what they learned two weeks or less after passing their test.Not holding the steering wheel in the correct ‘10 to 2′ position and failing to check their mirrors every time they make a manoeuvre were among the earliest flaws to emerge, while 40 per cent of women believed they had developed bad habits since passing their test, compared to just 32 per cent of men.

The study found women admitted one of their biggest flaws was reaching into their bag to rummage for something while men confessed to tailgating and even running a red light days after passing their tests.

“Passing your driving test is, for many people, one of the hardest things they’ll ever have to do,” said David Carter for Accident Advice Helpline, which commissioned the research. “And for many of us, that testing day could have come years or even decades ago – plenty of time for bad habits to creep in.

“Lots of drivers are happy to admit to bad practices when behind the wheel, most of which are harmless. But it’s important to stay vigilant with observation and safety, as letting your guard down for too long could result in an accident.”

The survey found on average it takes just four and a half months to become a “middle-lane hogger” on the motorway, while others admitted to putting their safety at risk by driving without a seatbelt on the odd occasion, less than four months of having their full licence.

The poll also showed it takes just over five months for drivers to feel comfortable fumbling in their bag for something while driving.The average driver will have run a red light within five months and six days of passing their test, while illegal U-turns take place after five months and nine days.

Fifty-three per cent of respondents agreed that they have more bad driving habits now than the day they passed their test.

David Carter added: “Bad driving habits can compromise safety and the research suggests it’s all too easy to let our driving standards slip.”

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September 2, 2020
How many Test centres are there in the UK?

LEARNERS can now book driving tests again following the hiatus caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

But how many driving test centres are there in the UK?

There are about 380 driving test centres in the UK.

Some operate part-time, but most operate full-time.

If you’re in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can now book a driving lesson as the website reopened on Wednesday, August 26.

Each driving test centre has unique driving test routes that are planned by the examiners around the respective local areas.

Test routes will vary dramatically depending on where they are located – with city dwellers more likely to have harder routes because of busier roads.

How do I find my nearest test centre?

Finding your nearest driving test centre is easy.

If you are learning with an instructor, speak to them about your nearest and most suitable test centre.

You can also check which test centres are closest to you using the gov.co.uk website.

When you’re learning to drive, it would be a good idea to practice on the routes which your test centre uses – so that you can become accustomed to the roads.

Which driving test centre has the highest pass rate?

According to DVSA data examined by Driving Test Tips, these are the test centres in the UK with the highest pass rates.

Gairloch Driving Test Centre in the Scottish Highlands is statistically the top pass rate centre – with 86.5 per cent of learners passing their tests.

Nine of the top 10 test centres based on pass rates are all in Scotland or the Highlands – including Mallaig, Isle of Tiree, Inveraray, Ullapool and Islay Island.

Which driving test centre has the lowest pass rate?

Test centres in busy cities such as London often have lower pass rates compared to those with less traffic density and less complicated roads and traffic system.

The driving test centre with lowest pass rate in the whole of the UK is in Birmingham, The Pavilion – with a pass average of 28.6 per cent.

Speke in Liverpool has the second-lowest rate, followed by Birmingham South Yardley and Erith in Kent.

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