Drivers in England will get 10 minutes’ grace before being fined if they stay too long in council-owned car parking spaces, the government has announced.

The changes are expected to come in within weeks and will apply to all on-street and off-street council parking spots. Other measures in the Deregulation Bill include a right for residents and local firms to demand their council reviews parking in their area.

The motive behind this new change is that for too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists have felt like criminals, causing significant damage to shops and business. Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long term.

Councils will also be given more guidance that they cannot use parking fines to make a profit.

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The driving test is, for many, one of the more nerve-racking experiences of our lives. There is just so much to remember – Seat-belt, Gears, Handbrake, Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre – the whole process can be really daunting.

With so much to remember, it is no surprise that on occasions more often than you would think, some items are forgotten – Particularly the essential items that are needed to take the test in the first place.

Yes, the documents needed to sit the test are amongst the highest ranking things forgotten during the test. Some people are simply just not aware of what is needed to take the Theory and Practical tests. For your Theory, you will need both parts of your driving license – The photocard and the Paper counterpart. Without both halves of the whole, you will not be able to sit the test.

If you have the old-style paper license, then you will need a signed driving license and a valid passport.

If you have misplaced either of these, be sure to apply for a replacement license well in advance – as it can take 15 days for the replacement to arrive, so you may need to rearrange your test.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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A Mercedes left in a multi-storey car park for three years has finally been removed after racking up more than £14,000 in parking tickets. The car had been sitting in the Broadway Plaza sheltered parking area in Birmingham city centre for so long a two inch layer of dust covered the car.

The black Mercedes C-class was discovered to be unlocked, and the company who own the car park, APCOA, found the logbook which gave the name of a driver from Coventry. APCOA charges £13 a day per parking space, which means the owner was facing a possible £14,235 bill for taking up the spot.

All attempts to get in touch with the owner failed and it was also found that the back axle is damaged, meaning the car, worth around £40,000 new, could not be driven away. Last Wednesday APCOA finally towed the car away after being granted permission from Birmingham City Council.

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It may have come as a surprise to some people when David Cameron revealed that he hasn’t driven a car in four and a half years. He is not allowed to drive for security reasons.

The declaration of war in 1939 was the event that changed ministers’ travel habits. Before this, only the home secretary was allocated a police car. As for other ministers, they had to provide their own or take public transport. As the country went to war, it was decided that six 20-horsepower Austin chauffer-driven cars should be permanently at the disposal of the War Cabinet.

The official government car service then came into being in 1946. Today, the car used by prime ministers is a rather James Bond-like Jaguar. The leader of the opposition is the only MP entitled to an official chauffer-driven government car who isn’t a minister. All former prime ministers are entitled to one as is the prime minister’s spouse, since the days of Cherie Blair. Samantha Cameron, it was reported, requested a female driver instead, as she was more comfortable with a woman taking her children to school.

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New drug driving laws that came into effect yesterday have been causing lots of controversy across the UK. The laws, which aim to cut down on drivers using illegal drugs before getting behind the wheel, are leaving many legitimate and prescription drug-takers scratching their heads wondering whether they are still fit to drive.

The new rules sets limits at a very low level for 8 drugs commonly associated with drug-driving, for example cannabis and cocaine. However 8 prescription drugs are also included within the law, such as amphetamine and diazepam, which has left some legitimate users concerned about the rules restricting their ability to drive if they are using their medication.

However the authorities such as police have advised that if you are using your medication within the recommended dosage advised by your doctor, then you should be fine to drive, as the laws have taken this into account. However if you do have any queries regarding driving using medication, then you are advised to contact your general practitioner before getting behind the wheel.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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A motorist has been caught driving at 128mph in a 30mph zone in East Grinstead, West Sussex. This has been called the worst case of speeding; it would be bad enough on the motorway, let alone on a 30mph road.

Research found that people are far more likely to admit to speeding on the motorway, whereas compliance with speed limits is better at lower speeds. People understand the consequences of speeding in built up area. This is why it is unheard of to have a speeding case that high on a 30mph road.

Meanwhile, the proportion of motorists admitting to speeding on 30mph urban roads has been declining for the past few years. 42% of drivers admit speeding in 30mph limits, down 15% since 2010.

A spokesman for the IAM said that it believed an improvement in driving skills and attitude was the key to reducing the numbers of people killed and injured on UK roads. He added that advanced driving tuition was also needed.

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When most people think about passing the driving test, they most likely think straight away of the practical driving test. After all, this is probably the most nerve-racking part of the entire experience of learning to drive!

However one milestone that many seem to overlook is the Theory test. This is just as important as its practical counterpart, as you will need to pass both in order to become a qualified driver. But how do you prepare for the Theory test?

– Do your research. Take mock tests as often as possible in the run-up to your Theory test. This will help you get used to the questions, learn the correct and incorrect answers and also to adjust to the Test-style conditions. Remember that there is a Multiple Choice section as well as a Hazard Perception section, so be sure to brush up on both!

– Prepare for the day. Once you are confident you will pass your Theory test, you can apply and will be given a date and time for your test. Be sure to arrive early, and to bring both parts of your license (you will not be allowed to sit the test without them!)

– Take your time. Remember to stay calm and not rush through the exam, as this is when mistakes happen. You have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions, so read each question thoroughly and consider each possible answer before making your choice.

Best of luck from Britannia!

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A mother was forced to wait 30 minutes before the driver of the Audi parked next to her returned since he has parked so close she couldn’t get in.

Stephanie Adams had parked her white Vauxhall Corsa at the Lace Market car park in Nottingham but when she returned she found a navy blue Audi A5 Sport TDI Quattro parked just millimetres from her car. She was so appalled that she took a snap of the cars almost touching and posted it on Facebook.

She said that on first seeing the cars she wondered about how she was going to get out but then wondered how she would even get in the car. She contemplated climbing over the child seat which is in the passenger seat but thought she wouldn’t be able to reverse out anyway.

Whilst waiting for an attendant to show how the Audi had parked, she bumped into who she thought was the driver. She described him as about 25 and wearing a suit and said ‘he looked a bit flash’. When the attendant arrived and she went to show him the car, the Audi had gone. Surprisingly, there was no damage to either car.

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Since the introduction of independent driving in the driving test, many have pondered the question of when the sat-nav will be brought in as a compulsory part of the practical test?

Well it seems like it may be sooner than many people think. Under plans for a new “shake up” of the test, learner drivers will be expected to follow directions on a sat nav in an attempt to mirror real world driving situations.

However if you’re not a fan of satellite navigation, don’t fear – The revised test will only be in place at 20 driving test centres across the UK, as a means of testing the practicality of the amendment before a full launch across the country.

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Safe driving from Britannia!