January 15, 2014
Learning Eco-Driving

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Not only is eco-driving a way to drive that reduces fuel consumption and is better for the environment, but also forms part of the criteria on the practical test.

So here are Britannia Driving School’s top tips for eco-driving:

– Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
– Drive within the speed limit as not only is it safer but it also reduces fuel consumption.
– When slowing down or driving downhill, remain in gear but take your foot off the accelerator early. This reduces fuel flow to the engine to almost zero.
– Plan ahead to avoid congestion and road works, and to make sure you don’t waste fuel
– Don’t waste fuel warming up the engine, move off when the engine is cold.
– Reduce drag by removing accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes from the car when they are not in use.
– Check tyre pressure since under-inflated tyres are dangerous and increase fuel consumption.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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January 14, 2014
Manoeuvring Tips

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So you have started your driving lessons, you’re quite handy at pulling away and reversing, and you’re feeling pretty confident overall about your general driving ability?

One of the next steps you’re going to face is the challenge of learning the manoeuvres. Many driving pupils will say that this was by far the hardest part of the learning to drive process, and many road-legal drivers describe this as the most nerve-wracking part of the Driving test.

So what can you expect from learning your manoeuvres? Here are Britannia’s top tips to help you out with this:

The UK Driving Syllabus has 4 Set Manoeuvres –these are:

– The Turn-In-The-Road (Often incorrectly called a 3-Point Turn) – This requires a good level of clutch control and reversing ability.
– Reversing Around A Corner – This requires a high standard of reversing and steering ability.
– Bay Parking – Trickier than it looks, but an essential manoeuvre for use on car parks.
– Parallel Parking – A notoriously awkward manoeuvre, but practice makes perfect!

Sometime the examiner will also ask to see an Emergency Stop, although this is not strictly labelled as a Set Manoeuvre.

Most instructors will advise you to leave manoeuvres until later on in your learning to drive process to ensure that you have mastered the basic controls of the operation of a car before attempting anything trickier.

For all of the above manoeuvres, a good deal of clutch control and steering control are essential to master these. You will also need a lot of patience, as it is unlikely you will have these perfected on the first try, but if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again! We are sure you will be an expert maneuverer in no time!

Safe driving from Britannia!

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January 13, 2014
Failing The Practical Test

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In recent years, the number of people who can honestly say they passed their driving test first time is decreasing.

Even more surprising is the reason why people fail their test:

The obvious answer may seem to be manoeuvres, complicated junctions, and difficult hill starts. But this is not the real answer – observation at junctions, use of mirrors and signals is in fact why most people who are test standard fail their practical test.

These aspects of driving are considered the simpler aspects of driving so why are they the most common reason for failing?

What is perhaps the main reason for this is nerves on the day of the test. Observation at junctions can be a difficult judgment to make but with the added pressure of a driving test, this can amount to a driving test fail.

The solution to this is to emphasise observation at junctions, use of mirrors and signals whilst learning to drive so that they become second nature to you and are less likely to be affected by nerves on the day.

In addition, these aspects of driving are often overlooked as most learners find features such as manoeuvres more difficult. In fact, observation constitutes the main part of the driving test and should be one focused on when learning by not only the instructor but the pupil as well.

Britannia’s advice for driving test success is to persevere if you fail your driving test; there are reports of some people even taking over 30 attempts to pass their practical test.

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January 9, 2014
New Self-Driving Car By BMW

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Driver-less cars are not an unknown concept with Nissan and Volvo already unveiling their prototypes. And now self-driving cars just got cooler with BMW joining the race with its modified 2-Series Coupe and 6-Series Gran Coupe.

Both are fitted with a Lidar system – a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analysing the reflected light – 360 degree radar, ultrasonic sensors and cameras that track the environment. The technologies are coupled with electric braking, throttle and steering that is already fitted in all new BMWs.

The cars boast the ability to slide round corners at high speeds with exceptional precision. This ability of the cars to ‘drift’ by themselves has attracted the attention of motoring enthusiasts as it is a complicated technique that takes racing drivers years to perfect. Regardless of its notable stylishness, the system goes that one-step ahead to keep drivers safely on the road as it can help drivers in dangerous driving conditions.

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January 8, 2014
Assessing The Standard Of Experienced Drivers

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Of course there is much focus on the standard of driving of novice and teenage drivers. However, is it more a question of learning by example? Learners must be at a certain standard to pass the driving test and indeed that standard is quite high with it becoming increasingly harder to pass first time round. The government are also considering proposals to change the programme of learning to driving by requiring learners to complete a year’s ‘learner stage’ involving a minimum of 100 hours of daytime driving and 20 hours of night-time driving.

But should the focus be on experienced drivers? Young drivers evidently learn by example and it has been suggested that bad habits can be picked up as a child by observing the way your parents drive. The prospect of bringing in medical assessments for elderly drivers has been considered but perhaps all experienced drivers should be subject to a full assessment including a review of their driving, a medical assessment and an eyesight test before their licence is renewed.

Do you agree that passing a driving test should entitle you to a licence until you are 70, or should all drivers be subject to frequent assessment? Let Britannia Driving School know your thoughts by clicking the comments link below:

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January 7, 2014
The First Driving Lesson

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As someone who has recently had their first driving lesson (yesterday), I am all too familiar with the commonplace nerves before finally starting to learn to drive. Some of the more common fears include whether or not you will like your examiner, whether you will take to driving naturally, and even fears of having a driving accident!

Whilst it is perfectly natural for the first lesson to be nerve-racking, many learner drivers will say that their first lesson was in fact one of their more enjoyable lessons! Most driving pupils will have been looking forward to starting driving for some time, and the thrill of finally sitting behind a wheel and operating a car can be huge boost. Whilst typically on a first lesson you will not be shooting off down dual carriageways and performing flawless reverse parking, you should in most cases be allowed some time of actual driving, after a discussion regarding how a car actually works.

If you are nervous about how well you will perform on your early driving lessons, it is good advice to get an elder person such a parent or relative to give you some basic driving lessons in their car (remember, they must be 21 or over and have been driving legally for a minimum of three years!). This will help to put the more nervous learners at ease and give them more confidence when they finally get behind the wheel with an ADI.

It is important to get on well with your instructor – this will help the process of learning to drive to become much easier on both parties, and encourage your driving ability. If you do not like your driving instructor for any reason, perhaps they are not the instructor for you, and consider changing. Also it is important not to overestimate oneself – learning to drive comes in baby steps, everyone started learning to drive the same way, so do not feel disheartened if you feel you have not done as well as you hoped, you will get there.

Finally, fear not about having an accident. All driving instructor’s cars should be dual-controlled, and your instructor will be a professional with a history of experience of bad drivers behind them. If you were going to have an accident, they would be able to see it a long way off, and will be able to prevent any mishaps.

Safe driving from Britannia!

What was your first driving lesson like? Share your experiences in the comments section below!

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January 6, 2014
Too Much Emphasis On Manoeuvres?

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The practical driving test is constantly critiqued and suggestions made on how to improve the way the test is conducted. One main suggestion is the emphasis placed on manoeuvres in the practical test.

The practical test currently consists of 35-40 minutes of driving including a 10 minute independent drive and one manoeuvre. There are currently growing concerns over the number of accidents involving new drivers and what can be done to prevent this.

One suggestion is that due to the structure of the practical test, much emphasis is placed when learning to drive on the manoeuvres since they are perceived as the most difficult aspect of driving. However, the time spent in perfecting the manoeuvres is perhaps better spent on providing the learner with great driving experience.

Since manoeuvres are not a factor in reducing the number of accidents on our roads, they should perhaps be signed off by the instructor whilst the practical test would merely focus on whether the learner would be a safe driver.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

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January 2, 2014
Motorist Distractions

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An American study into the impact of mobile use behind the wheel has found that all motorists take their eyes off the road for six minutes every hour they drive.

Teenage drivers increase the risk of having a crash by eightfold when using a mobile whilst driving. Experienced adult motorists are also affected by using a mobile behind the wheel, with the risk of crashing or narrowly avoiding a collision is more than doubled.

The study found that any that takes the driver’s eyes off the road can be dangerous and poses more of a risk for novice drivers.

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December 19, 2013
Cars For Cheap Car Insurance

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The excitement of passing a test is deciding which car you are going to buy. On the other hand, the biggest worry is finding the cheapest car insurance with few cars attracting cheap car insurance for new drivers.

The Ford KA is the cheapest car to insure for new car drivers – with an average premium of £1,651.40 for 17-18 year-olds. The Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Mini One all also attract cheaper car insurance. The more energy efficient models will be in the lower insurance groups – the Suzuki Swift and Vauxhall Corsa all fall into this group.

When considering which car to buy it is best to ask your instructor’s opinion – they can advise you on not only what sort of car would suit you but also one which is not likely to be too expensive to insure.

Here are some tips on finding cheaper car insurance:

– Consider becoming a named driver on a parent or partner’s insurance policy.
– Do your own research on insurance quotes – don’t just rely on comparison sites as they don’t necessarily list all insurers.
– Consider insurers that uses a Black Box to calculate insurance.
– Pay upfront if you can as this works out cheaper than paying through instalments.

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December 12, 2013
Identical Twins Pass Test On Same Day

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Identical twins Luke and Nicholas Jarvis-Smith, from Newcastle, have passed their driving test just an hour apart.

The twins, who are currently studying for their A-Levels, are naturally competitive but when it came to the driving test they wanted both of them to pass.

Nicholas took his test first at 8.20am and passed and had to wait with his granddad for Luke to complete his test. The twins helped each other through all stages of learning to drive and were very happy when they both passed.

It’s never been so simple to start learning to drive, Britannia Driving School offers the first lesson at £10.50 to get you started. With a range of intensive courses to suit all abilities and a number of instructors to choose from, you could be joining Luke and Nicholas in passing your test.

The right instructor will tailor make lessons to suit your pace and abilities and will make sure you are confident when it comes to taking your test.

Luke and Nicholas’s mum, Joanna, now points to the cost of finding car insurance for the twins, adding ‘I think their dad will have to sell a kidney or something to afford that’.

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