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!

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When it comes to driving, concentration is everything. If you’re sat behind the wheel, things can often change in a split second, so you need to maintain your focus to make sure you can always react exactly as you need to to avoid making any mistakes or putting yourself or others in danger.

Because of this, keep an eye on how much you talk whilst driving. We’re not saying to be silent 100% of the time you’re in the car, but holding long, in-depth conversations with your passengers – Or talking on the phone, even – Can cause you to lose your focus and puts you at a higher risk of missing something important.

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With the bank holiday approaching it’s likely you will want to get away, make the most of the good weather and enjoy some quality family time. And of course, if you’re going on a trip, you might also be planning on towing a caravan or trailer – and with so much space available it’s all too easy to overload!

Your driving licence lists the different categories of vehicle you are permitted to drive, including the size of caravan or trailer you are allowed to tow.

The weight of the loaded caravan or trailer must always be within your car’s towing capability. The combined weight of the loaded car and loaded caravan or trailer must be below the maximum ‘train’ weight for your vehicle. To ascertain what your loaded caravan or trailer weighs, take it to a local weighbridge, or weigh everything separately and then add it to what’s known as the caravan’s ‘Mass in Running Order’ or MRO (90% full fuel tank and the driver, but no other load apart from standard equipment/tools).

Unless you’re very experienced and confident, experts recommend that the weight of your loaded caravan or trailer shouldn’t exceed 85% of your car’s MRO.

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You have the right to report a car or vehicle if you suspect it has been abandoned – signs of which include the vehicle having been stationary for a long time (at least 21 days) subject to extensive damage – such as rust, broken windows or burn damage – missing registration plates, flat tyres or missing wheels.

Any vehicle considered to be abandoned is dealt with using the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 which contain relevant legislation used to remove abandoned vehicles from both public highways and private land. The whole process generally takes between 3 – 4 weeks.

The abandoned vehicle section cannot deal with cars that are taxed; by law they can’t be considered abandoned unless they have undergone serious damage and/or neglect.

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We’ve all done it at some point – parked up, gone off to do whatever needs doing and then come back to wonder where on earth we left our car… Well, Google has launched a nifty phone app that can be used to find where you parked your car, so say goodbye to aimless wandering around car parks!

All you have to do is set your parking location by turning on the option to “know where you parked” and allow Google Maps to access your motion and fitness activity. Tapping on the pin label will bring up a card where you can set a reminder to pay any parking meters, take a photo of your parking space, share your car’s location or make any handy notes. It really is as cool and simple as it sounds!

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You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t inform the DVLA of a medical condition that may affect your driving, and may even be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result. Anxiety is no exception.

While a little bit of anxiety may keep you alert and focused on what’s around you, experiencing a panic attack behind the wheel can be alarming. The symptoms of a panic attack overwhelm the senses and make it extremely difficult to focus.

If you haven’t yet, visit your GP and/or take an anxiety test to find out more about how panic attacks and anxiety can affect your ability to drive safely. A person who suffers from anxiety is in absolutely no way a potentially dangerous driver – like any medical condition, if managed accordingly it should have no impact on any aspect of their lives.

Safe driving from Britannia!