It’s that time of year again, the dreaded MOT. Hopefully you have been taking perfect care of your car, or at least saving for this rainy day since last years’ service, to avoid crippling yourself financially in order to pay for costly repairs that could have been easily avoided. Here at Britannia we like to help drivers save money, so here are our top tips for pre-MOT tests you can do at home:

– Lights: Alost 1 in 5 of all MOT failures are due to a simple dead bulb. Test all of your lights; main beams, dipped beams, front lights, rear lights, brake lights, for lights, hazard lights, even your reverse lights (not essential to pass an MOT, but this should be taken care of anyway!) Also ensure that all lights are the correct colour… you don’t want to fail your MOT because your rear light isn’t quite red enough!

– Tyres: The legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm, any less is not considered legal on UK roads, and this will cause you to fail your MOT. Also ensure that your tyres are not damaged – small scratches, abrasions, and cuts that would otherwise not be noticeable can be cause enough for a failure on your test. Also check that your front two wheels are the same size, and your back two are the same size – if you’re not sure, measure… the MOT providers will!

– Windscreen: Ensure that there are no chips or scratches on the windscreen that could potentially obscure the driver’s field of vision. Small chips can be easily repaired by many companies that provide a service free to most motorists with fully comprehensive insurance, so there really is no excuse for allowing minor damage such as this fail your MOT.

– Brakes: Whilst testing your brakes does require some technical know-how, you should test them yourself regularly anyway. Ensure that the pedals are not worn away and can be easily pressed and depressed, the handbrake should hold the car steadily on a hill, and if you have ABS, the warning light should disappear after the car is started.

– Other common causes of fail: Check that your steering wheel and windscreen wipers are working effectively and without issue, and that your horn is loud enough to attract the attention of other drivers, that your exhaust is not too loud or damaged in any way, that all of the mirrors on your car and secure and untarnished, and the bodywork needs to be safe and secure, i.e. without particularly sharp edges or sections missing, and all doors need to be able to be opened from the inside as well as the outside, all seatbelts need to be fastenable without problems.

Check all of these points prior to taking your car for an MOT, to be on the safe side, and potentially avoid wasting valuable money on repairs that could have so easily been avoided if you had followed these simple steps.

Safe driving from Britannia!

What are your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the comments section below!

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has amended its online guide to the ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) register, changing it from a downloadable pdf to a web page format that can be viewed on Smartphone and tablets.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “The update guide is a great improvement and can be viewed by visiting the Gov.uk website at bit.ly/10HHBIG.”

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

It’s Friday, and we all can’t wait to finish work for the week and join the commuters on the journey home. But as we climb into our cars to face the rush hour traffic, remember that the roads are busier than ever at this time of day. Here are a few tips to help you cope with this motoring mayhem:

– Drive steadily. Although it is frustrating being stuck in an endless stream of traffic, driving faster in such a high volume of vehicles will only lead to more problems when you suddenly don’t have enough space to break…

– Keep an eye on the road ahead. Although this goes for any driving situation, it is especially vital in rush hour, as this is the time of day most likely for accidents to happen, and you need to be particularly aware of any sudden needs to stop or change route. This could save you valuable time also, as you figure out what is happening several cars in front.

– Stay in the correct gear. This is always a tip for good driving, as it will help to reduce fuel consumption and save you money. Change gear up when you can maintain your speed in the next gear without pressing the accelerator, and change down when it won’t put unnecessary strain on the engine.

– Plan your route. This could save you valuable time in the long run, as you may wish to travel earlier or later to avoid the traffic, or use a different route altogether. This could save you lots of time, as well as fuel and money.

– Finally, stay calm! Stress is not going to help get you home quicker, so stay calm. Take deep breaths when you feel yourself getting worked up, and try to relax as much as possible. Remember, a tense driver is a bad driver.

Drive safely in rush hour traffic this weekend.

Safe driving from Britannia!
What are your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the comments section below!

The penalty point system aims at deterring drivers from driving badly or dangerously. If you are found violating a road traffic law or driving badly, penalty points will be recorded against you.

The accumulation of just a few penalty points can results in imprisonment, a large fine and prohibition from driving for a minimum of 12 months. In some cases your vehicle could also be confiscated.

Courts are obliged to endorse penalty point on a licence, depending on the nature of the offence.

Your licence will be revoked if your penalty points reach 6 or more as results of offences you have committed during your first two years of driving. You will then have to re-take your theory and practical tests, and re-apply for your provisional licence.

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

Whilst driving in the sun might seem all fun, it comes with is inherent dangers too. Problems such as your car overheating can be annoying; however the most prevalent threat comes in the form of the dreaded sun strike.

The glare from the sun is caused when the sun’s rays hit your windscreen at a low angle, causing a blinding light across the front of the vehicle. However this is more than just a nuisance – due to its nature of obscuring the vision of drivers, it can become a highly dangerous situation to be in when behind the wheel. Here are some top tips to avoid sun-strike when driving:

– Use your sun visor – This often overlooked tool, when utilised properly, really does help to block out excess light. Use it to shield yourself from dangerous glare, and continue driving safely.

– Ensure your windscreen is clean – smudges, smears and other blemishes across the windscreen can exacerbate the already dangerous glare – clean your windscreen at least once a week to reduce the risk of obscured vision behind the wheel.

– If you are driving around roads you know well, you will be familiar with the areas where sun-strike occurs most. Try to avoid these if the sun seems a bit harsh today, take a different route or prepare yourself for being momentarily short-sighted.

– Keep the dashboard clear – Reflections of bits of paper, old receipts and parking tickets will obscure your vision even more, an unnecessary handicap. Don’t increase your chances of driving headfirst into disaster.

– Finally, drive safely – Whilst driving safely is always recommended, it is especially important with sun-strike. Kill your speed, and maximise the distance between yourself and the car in front. In the event of having to break sharply, you will be glad you allowed yourself more stopping distance.

Take it easy out there drivers – the sun is great while it is here, but it make sure you always drive safely.

Safe Summer Driving from Britannia!

What are your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the comments section below!

We all know the feeling in summer; you can’t wait to get out on the road in your car and drive with all the windows down in the sun, catching some rays…

But you won’t be the only one heating up this summer; your car is more likely to overheat now than ever. Here are some top tips to avoid this catastrophe:

– Turn off the air con, turn on the heater: I know it sounds ludicrous, but the AC will use up lots of energy from the engine and is a likely candidate to push the vehicle over the edge. Using the heater (somewhat paradoxically) helps draw heat away from the engine as it drives hot air into the cabin. The engine will cool down, but the cabin of the car will heat up… but hey, that’s what windows are for.

– Be aware of the main causes of overheating – leaks, faulty wiring, burst hoses, pumps or damaged thermostats are the most common causes. Scheduling your vehicle in for regular maintenance will help eradicate these issues.

– Ensure you have plenty of coolant in the car – I know this sounds obvious, but the most prominent cause of overheating is lack of coolant. And we are not talking about only in the engine – It is always a good idea to keep a spare bottle in the boot, just in case of emergencies.

– If all else fails… pull over. Whilst this may prolong your journey time, a short break of half an hour or so should help to drastically cool your engine, usually sufficiently enough to allow you to complete your journey. One relatively long break will certainly save you more time than several repeated stops, so cut your losses, and pull over before your car is too hot to carry on.

Follow these guidelines, and hopefully you will be able to keep both your car, and yourself cool this summer.

Safe driving from Britannia!

What are your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the comments section below!

The government is set to give the go-ahead to researchers to test their self driving car on roads.

Universities and science minister David Willetts is pushing for a change in the law to allow driverless cars to be used on UK roads and says he has already successfully lobbied the government to allow researchers from Oxford University to test such a car on public roads.

The Oxford project uses a modified Nissan Leaf electric car fitted with cameras and sensors to help control the car, and expects to be able to take the car on public roads soon.

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

The government is to set up dedicated traffic courts in England and Wales to free up magistrates courts.

The traffic courts will prosecute some of the 500,000 minor motoring offences that pass through the courts each year. Every police area is expected to have one of the courts by April 2014, hearing up to 160 cases a day.

Jurisdiction will be limited to the 90% of cases where motorist admit guilt-drivers who plead not guilty will still be dealt with by magistrates as before.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “The justice system must respond more quickly to the needs of victims and local communities, and these specialised courts seem to be the answer.”

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

With the price of fuel rising as we speak, the only logical way of making your money go further in the world of modern motoring is to make your fuel go further. Here are our top tips for driving in a more economical fashion:

– Ensure your car is serviced regularly. Whilst this may be a hassle, things such as replacing your oil or checking your tyre pressure have been shown to have a dramatic effect on fuel costs. An under-inflated tyre will cause more resistance and therefore cost more in fuel, and always ensure that you top up the tyre pressure when carrying heavier loads.

– Remove excess weight. This doesn’t mean get on a treadmill. Your car will work harder to carry more weight, which will take more fuel. Make your car as light as possible by removing surplus items from the boot and back seats, or roof-boxes. This will also help you to stay streamlined, which will benefit your fuel consumption.

– Plan journeys. If you get lost or are forced to drive around aimlessly to find somewhere, you are wasting fuel unnecessarily. Plan ahead, save time, save fuel, save money.

– Drive smoothly. Accelerate gently, ease your car to a slow stop rather than a harsh brake, and you will save fuel, as well as reduce the risk of accidents. Also try to keep the car in motion- repeated stopping and starting the vehicle will have a detrimental effect on your fuel levels.

– Drive responsibly – Change gear earlier than you are used to. The recommended rpm to change gear at is around 2,000 for a diesel car or 2,500 for petrol.

– Reduce non-essential usage. Have a window open if at all possible, and save the AC for motorway driving. Keep electrical loads off to reduce fuel consumption and you will see your money go further.

– Turn the engine off if you expect to be stationary for more than three minutes. Ignore the myth that turning off the engine and back on again will use more fuel –this simply isn’t true.

– Drive legally. Specifically, this refers to speed limits. Not only is it highly dangerous to speed in your car, the higher your speed, the more fuel you will use. A difference of as little as 10mph can mean as much as 25% more fuel usage.

Follow our tips for more economical driving, and see your car go further along with your cash.

What are your thoughts on this article? Sound off in the comments section below!

Pedestrian safety measures should look for separate solutions for adults and children, according to a report commissioned by a parliamentary advisory group for UN road safety week.

“Stepping Out”- seeks to highlight the importance of treating various types of pedestrian differently, claiming that children and adults have different collision characteristics.

The report also found that although overall numbers of pedestrian deaths and serious injury figures had dropped significantly from 19,035 in 1980 to 5,605 in 2010, the proportions of deaths and serious injuries in the overall number of accidents have levelled off at 22.9%, compared with 22.4% in 1980.

Emily Smith of Britannia Driving School said: “We need to design our roads and streets around people, acknowledging the realities of human behaviour.”

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