April 4, 2019
Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

Before embarking on driving lessons your first decision will be whether to learn in a manual or automatic car.

Its often thought its an easier option to learn in an automatic because there is no clutch or gears. But you must remember that you still will have all the other factors in learning how to drive in an automatic.

There has always been a great debate as to whether learning is easier in a manual or automatic car, some say manual is the only way and others stick by automatic.

Automatics have become more sophisticated and economical in recent years, as this has always put drivers off as they consumed more fuel and were more expensive to buy.

Advantages of driving a manual

Passing in a manual car entitles you to drive manual or automatic, if you wish to change to an automatic car then you can, however this only works one way as passing in an automatic you can only drive automatic and must retake tour practical test in a manual car should you wish to change transmission.

Manual cars use less fuel – when driven properly. A driver in full control of their manual car will know when to change gears as so to avoid the engine over revving and wasting fuel. It is recommended to change gear about 2000rpm in a Diesel, and 2500rpm in a petrol car.

Manual cars will help you staying more alert especially when taking driving lessons, there is so much more for you to focus on when driving a manual as you have the changing of the gears and clutch control to think about.

Advantages of driving an automatic transmission car

Most pupils that learn in an automatic will learn faster than those learning in a manual, they will have less to learn with no changing gears, biting point or clutch control to learn.

Automatics are generally the easiest to pass in, the pass rate is higher for automatic tests, due to having fewer attributes to meet in terms of clutch control and gear changes, so less chances to fail.

The most persuasive point as to learning in an automatic is its easier.

No gears, no bite point, no clutch control or the embarrassing situation of stalling as an automatic does all this for you, this can leave the driver more time to concentrate on the road.

The argument of manual or automatic will probably carry on, here at Britannia Driving School we have noticed a massive change in more and more pupils choosing to learn in an automatic it has really become popular.

Still unsure which to choose? Why not give Kerry a call take a driving lesson on either and go from there.

Comments(0)

March 28, 2019
   Do Cyclists have the same rights as car drivers?

 

Cyclist & Vehicles - Do they have the same rights?

Cyclist & Vehicles – Do they have the same rights?

We are all battling for space on very busy roads daily, one of the biggest grudges seems to be cyclist’s vs car drivers. Drivers of cars think there is no reason for push bikes to be on the road, whilst bicycle riders claim they aren’t given enough room by drivers.

So, here’s a few things which are legal and what isn’t on a bike.

Riding Side By Side

In the Highway code there is no law which stops riders cycling two or more abreast, it’s just an advisory.

The way the Highway Code is worded is a bit confusing, a legal requirement

For a rule saying ‘must’ or ‘must not’ will be backed by a legislation and breaching it would be a criminal act.

An advisory will simply say ‘should’ or ‘should not’ or ‘do’ or ‘do not’, which will be best practice behaviour and there are no implications legally if you break this rule.

Rule 66 in the Highway Code states ‘You should’ but then ‘never ride two or more abreast’. This confuses the reader as the advisory sounds like a legally backed rule.

Also rule 66 states that cyclists should ‘ride in single file on narrow, busy roads or when riding around bends’ That again is just an advisory.

Riding in the middle of the road

Once again, another confusing rule from the Highway Code that can be misunderstood is its not illegal to cycle in the middle of the road.

The rule 169 says all road users should not ‘hold up a long queue of traffic’ and should ‘if necessary, pull in where safe and let traffic pass’. Its mostly directed at large and slow-moving vehicles which can be hard to pass.

The Primary Position, or better known as cycling in the middle of the road can be the safest way to ride, when there are parked cars to the left hand side of the road it just takes a inattentive driver to open his car door without checking for cyclists and could easily knock them off the bike. Cyclists are also much

more visible riding in the middle and it’s also the recommended way to stop cars overtaking you.

Riding outside the cycle lane.

Depending ‘on experience and skills’ riding in a cycle lane can make your journey safer as explained in rule 63 in the High way code.

Jumping red lights

The biggest bugbear of car drivers v cyclists is jumping red lights! This is illegal to cross a stop line when the lights are red for cyclists and car drivers alike and carry a fixed penalty notice of £50. This also applies if a cyclist rides across a cycle only signal crossing when the green light isn’t being shown. Cyclists have the same rights as car drivers, we need to use the road space we have respectfully, courteously and most of all safely. Our instructor Jerry in Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith said:” It would seem both sides are equally to blame which leads to heated arguments on the road. We mustn’t forget we are all human and should have more consideration no matter what mode of transport we use”.

 

Safe Driving From Britannia!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(0)

March 21, 2019
Tips on finding a Driving Instructor

Recommendation is a good place to look for an instructor or driving school. If someone you know suggests an instructor, ask them how reliable and professional they were.

You can also search online, most reputable driving schools will have a review section on their website from former students and maybe photographs of recent pupil passes.

Instructors will not be so easy to evaluate, do your homework! All instructors in the UK by law must be licensed by the DVSA (Driving and Vehicle standards Agency).

Also, instructors must undertake a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) this is to make sure they are safe to work with teenagers.

Prices will vary from Driving School to driving School, make sure you find out the prices before you embark on lessons, you may be having lessons for quite a while.The majority of driving Schools and instructors offer your first lesson at a discounted rate, ask about discounted lessons if you pre – pay in A bulk of ten or twelve.

The top complaint about  driving instructor’s is paying in advance, receipts Should be given for all payments, ensure you are fully aware of discounts, deals and the cancellation policy.

Learning to drive can be an unnerving experience for some and this can be exaggerated when you have chosen the wrong instructor. Don’t be afraid to look for the perfect instructor who can help and guide you to the success of gaining not only your full driving licence but safe driving for life!

Safe driving, from Britannia!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(0)

February 27, 2019
VanGo: ‘Uber for Kids’

The second shift for working parents…

“I really love VanGo,” says Juana Gomez of Norwalk, a nanny with a 16-year-old daughter who often needs to be picked up from school while her mother is working. VanGo is a new Connecticut-based startup ridesharing operation that caters to teens and pre-teens. Is Gomez speaking as a user or an employee of VanGo? Actually, she’s both.

“My daughter often gets out early, and I didn’t have anyone to pick her up because I was working. I also needed a part-time job to earn a little more money. I was so happy to find a company that met both of my needs, and is really safe for our kids.” – NORWALK, Conn. – reference.

VanGo’s drivers are fingerprinted and background checked, and their driving records are checked and their references called. Even their cars are thoroughly vetted. Drivers also need to have at least three years of child-care experience.

It’s interesting that school bus drivers aren’t as thoroughly vetted.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Comments(0)

February 25, 2019
How to get an International Driving Permit

So you can drive in Europe after a no-deal Brexit read more below.

After a long 2 year wait since the UK voted to leave the EU, we haven’t got a deal for when we leave in March. Each year thousands of our population travel to Europe by train or ferry to reach their destinations and if we do get a deal, we can continue to do this. However, if not you’ll need something called an International Driving Permit.

 “In the event that there is no EU Exit deal, the government will seek to put in place new arrangements for EU and EEA countries to recognise the UK driving licences when people are visiting, for example on holiday or business trips. – A government spokesman.

How do you get an IDP?

You can apply for an IDP from Post Office branches.

You will need:

  • A full valid UK driving licence (photocard or older paper licence)
  • A passport photo
  • The £5.50 application fee
  • A valid passport if using an older paper licence.

If you would like to ask our team any questions please do not hesitate to do so. Click here.

Comments(0)

February 20, 2019
Prince Philip ‘Voluntarily’ Gives Up Driving

Following the recent car crash, The Duke of Edinburgh has surrendered his driving license.

London (CNN) – The Duke of Edinburgh has surrendered his driving license, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday, weeks after the 97-year-old was involved in a car crash that left a female driver injured.

How Many Over-90s Still Drive?

Prince Philip Doesn’t Wear a Seat Belt

 

Read our most recent blogs above where we discuss what Philip did and the age of driving. Let us know your thoughts – Comment below!

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Comments(0)

February 20, 2019
“Middle Lane Hogger”

This driver has been reported after being followed down an otherwise empty toll road in Cannock for three miles.


“The motorist may be invited to attend a retraining course as an alternative to penalty points and a fine. Press Association analysis shows as many as one in four drivers have attended a course since 2010.

No figures are believed to be kept for the number of drivers caught for middle lane hogging.” – Mirror.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

 

Comments(0)

February 18, 2019
Enhanced Criminal Record Checks – Taxi’s

Every council in England will be told to carry out checks on all applicants for private hire drivers.

It has been discussed that taxi and private hire drivers could have to pass an enhanced criminal record check, before being granted a licence. Also introducing national minimum standards and a database to stop applicants applying to councils after being refused elsewhere.

What are your thoughts on this? Comment below.

Currently, the guidelines allow councils to set their own driver standards and whether they actually make the checks.

Here are the proposed guideline for convictions:

Reference:BBC

The Department for Transport has discussed whether taxis and hire vehicles should have to be fitted with CCTV.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Comments(0)

February 15, 2019
Where is the Hardest Place to Learn to Drive?

Does it really matter where you take your test?

Rewarded with freedom, career prospects and new friends, getting on the road can be the best thing you’ve ever done. But, some areas of the UK can be more difficult to pass your test. Should this be allowed? Why isn’t it all the same standards?

Advanced Driving Instructor Sandra Macdonald-Ames, who was the driving expert in the BBC documentary So You Think You Can Drive, said: “test centres with higher pass rates tend to be in rural areas.”

TEST CENTRES WITH HIGHEST PASS RATES (2013/14)%
Isle of Mull80
Barra77.8
Brodick73.1
Isle of Skye (Portree)72.2
Ballachulish71.4
Kendal70.8
Ballater69.8
Barrow in Furness68.3
Mallaig68.2
Llandrindod Wells68.1
TEST CENTRES WITH LOWEST PASS RATES (2013/14)%
Belvedere (London)32.2
South Yardley (Birmingham)32.4
Barking (London)33.3
Wednesbury33.4
Wanstead (London)33.5
Wood Green (London)34.2
Kingstanding (Birmingham)35.1
Leeds36.3
Enfield (London)36.4
Luton37

Every year, Britannia teaches in excess of 10,000 new drivers and trains over 50 driving instructors, and the numbers increase every year.

Our bookshop offers a wide range of driving manuals, books and interactive products. Book lessons online today, or you can purchase gift vouchers for someone.

Teenage learner? Never quite got round to taking lessons? Need a licence for that dream job? Whatever your needs, contact Britannia Driving School and our experts will put you on the right road to life-changing success.

If you have any questions about our driving school, the practices of this website, or your dealings with this website, please write to our customer service manager Miss Emily Smith at the address below or contact her by email

Head Office: Britannia Driving School Limited, Britannia House, 285 Kingston Road, Wimbledon London SW20 8LB Freephone 0800 252 692 Registered in England Number: 5503007

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Comments(0)

February 13, 2019
How Many Over-90s Still Drive?

Well, certainly 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh still does – and he had a car crash very recently.

But where do we draw the line on age?

Graphic showing breakdown of UK drivers by age group

Prince Phillip was 94 when he drove the Obamas and his wife, the Queen back in 2016 also.

What’s the law on age when driving?

When a person has reached the age of 70/80, their driving license automatically expires. If you would like to renew it, you must fill a self-assessment declaring you are medically fit to be on the road still. But, this does not include a test. Then reapplying every 3 years.

If you have slower reaction times, difficulting in turning to see when reversing and many other problematic confusions, you simply aren’t fit to drive anymore and should give up.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Comments(0)