July 5, 2023
Tips for ADI’S & PDI’S

Being a driving instructor is a very sociable job, where you spend lots of time in close proximity with your pupils. When teaching there is many things to consider to help you keep your pupils happy and ensure they continue lessons with you. Along with being professional at all times and ensuring you are teaching your pupils to the best of your ability, there a few other things that can go against you.

Personal Hygiene:

Keeping yourself clean and smelling fresh is a top priority when you are teaching a pupil, in a car you are right next to the pupil and with the windows closed in the winter any odours in the vehicle will be amplified and in the summer odours will be heated up due to the increased temperature. Having a quick shower in the morning before you go out on lessons will not only freshen you up, but also wake you up so you are ready to take on the day.

Top tip:

Try reducing the water temperature towards the end of the shower to you end the shower with a blast of cold water, there are many benefits of this which include: Increases endorphins, helps improve metabolism, improves circulation, helps fight off common illnesses and increases mental ability.

Keeping the vehicle clean and hygienic:

You should treat your car as an extension of your house, keep in mind your car is where you will be spending your working day and where your student will be learning. Your vehicle has to be cleaned to the highest standards, so avoiding eating and drinking in your car would be a good start as small spaces can hold smells for a long time. This would also avoid any spills or crumbs, hoovering your car and polishing off any dust is always a good idea. Not forgetting the exterior of the car, either washing your car yourself or going to a professional car wash will ensure your vehicle is appealing to the outside. Remember when you drive your car you are advertising your business to the general public and potential future students.Don’t store anything in your car unless you need it for every trip. There is no point in cluttering your car with things like toys, gym bags, books and magazines. Besides adding to the stress, such items take up valuable space.You can prevent odors by keeping the upholstery clean and dry. Using dryer sheets under the seats and a good car deodorizer will help.

Top tip:

An air freshener will keep your car smelling good at all times, but choose wisely as some can be very overpowering.

Punctuality:

It sometimes is not possible to avoid traffic caused by an unexpected accident but keeping up to date with the latest traffic updates can help you plan out your routes, for example if there is on going roadworks in a certain area then you can make a plan to use different routes. There will of course be times when you can’t avoid it or it is sprung upon you, so having good communication with pupils will really help. If you are running late for any reason parking up and giving them a quick call or a text to inform them you are running behind will be very much appreciated and help ensure you keep a good communication between you and your student.

Rebecca at Britannia says:

These are all extremely important tips that can help to ensure an instructor can retain their pupils.

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June 5, 2023
Learner Driver Insurance

When you are taking regular driving lessons with an instructor who is fully covered by the correct insurance, you may be enthusiastic to continue practicing in between lessons with a family member or a friend. This will give you a chance to practice what you would have learnt on the previous lesson and help build your confidence for when you pass your driving test and are able to go out alone and drive without an instructor with dual controls.The Supervising Driver must: Be at least 21 years old. Have a full driving licence (for the type of vehicle being used – manual or automatic) Have held that valid licence for a minimum of three years.

It is a legal requirement that you have learner driver insurance to cover you if you did have any bumps or scrapes you and the driver are fully covered. It is also a legal requirement to have ‘L’ plates on the front and back of the vehicle Failure to display an L plate, or an L plate that is the incorrect size, can result in you receiving up to six penalty points on your driving licence. This is so other road users are aware that you are a learner, this not only helps other drivers be aware that you may need extra time or for them to be patient. It also shows to pedestrians that you are an inexperienced driver.

By law, an L plate must be a red letter on a white background and the size outlined in the diagram below:

L plates must be displayed at all times when you are driving.

Learner driver insurance sits alongside the car owner’s existing policy, so if you needed to make a claim, it wouldn’t affect the owner’s no-claims discount (NCD). However, if you decide to be added to the owner’s existing car insurance policy and have to make a claim, they’ll lose their NCD.Alternatively, if you have your own car, you can take out provisional driver insurance and add a family member or spouse as a named driver. This will enable you to build up your own NCD.If you’re only driving during lessons with an approved instructor in a vehicle they own, they’ll usually sort out the insurance which is then included in the price of your driving lessons.

When practising outside of lessons, it’s essential to focus on the areas that you find challenging. This could be anything from manoeuvres such as parallel parking, to navigating roundabouts or driving on motorways (although motorway driving won’t be part of your test, it will nonetheless be a big part of your future driving). Practising on different types of roads, in different weather conditions and at different times of the day will also help you gain a broader range of experience and prepare you for any eventuality on the road.

If you’re practising outside of lessons, it’s essential to have learner driver insurance to cover your practice. Temporary learner driver insurance is designed to cover learner drivers who want to practise in someone else’s car. This type of insurance allows you to practise in a family member or friend’s car without the need to be added to their policy. This means that you can practise in a car that you’re comfortable driving, without having to purchase a new car or be restricted to practising in your driving instructor’s car.

Temporary learner driver insurance is typically available for short periods, usually ranging from an hour to several weeks. This makes it ideal for learners who want to practise in a car for a specific period, such as during school holidays, or for those who are approaching their driving test and want to get some additional practice in.

To get learner driver insurance, you’ll need to provide some basic details, including your name, address, age, and the registration number of the car you’ll be driving. Once you’ve paid for the insurance, you’ll receive a policy document via email that you can present to the car owner or the police if required.

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May 25, 2023
Overcoming Driving Anxiety

Learning to drive can be a anxious time for many first time drivers, The thought of learning a new skill can be daunting. I should know, i was one of them! In this blog i am going to give you some advice and tips on combating the nerves and getting yourself on the road.

I think generally the thought of something is usually what builds up anxiety, its the unknown and the what ifs. But if you can overcome the negative anxious thoughts and give it ago you will find that its actually not that scary! I think overthinking and ruminating is what builds things up in our minds and leads us to become stuck in a negative thinking pattern, which leads us to become stuck and frozen in fear. Sometimes you have to feel the fear and do it anyway..

Once you have decided you would like to give driving ago, the best piece of advice i can give you is to find a driving instructor who you gel with.Someone who is patient and will understand you are nervous and help you to overcome your fear. Learning to drive with an instructor who you get on well with will make driving lessons feel like a pleasurable experience and you will even find you are having fun at the same time!

Have confidence in yourself, remember the instructor will have dual control of the car. You are not in danger, they have the ability to be able to emergency stop if needed or help take control of the car. Be clear with your instructor and communicate your worries, they can help eliminate your fears.

Stay calm and listen to your instructor, let them instruct you. Patience is everything, don’t rush yourself, remember learning to drive is learning a whole new skill, which takes time. So don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t pick it up straight away or feel like you can’t remember it all. Just keeping up the momentum and having weekly lessons will do you the world of good, regular lessons will help it all sink in and come together.

Ensure you don’t partake in anything stressful or tiring before your lesson, try and get a good nights sleep the night before to ensure you are well rested for the lesson. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy meal before hand to ensure you are hydrated and don’t get hungry during the lesson.

If you are able to, take a few moments before the lesson to gather your thoughts and take some deep breaths to help calm your nervous system.

Keep in mind it is totally NORMAL to have nerves and be anxious, but you can do this.

We offer a first basic lesson for complete beginners at £19.95 so why not give us a call today and get your first lesson booked in?

This blog was written by Rebecca at Britannia.

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May 11, 2023
Blood Tests For Sleepy Drivers

Blood test studies recently carried out showed a risk of having an accident whilst driving tired could double if the driver has had less than 5 hours sleep in the 24hrs leading up to getting behind the wheel.

Which has led the question to be asked, should a new law be brought into affect for a minimum number of hours of sleep to be required to be able to drive? One-fifth of road accidents are thought to be linked to tiredness, the new tests would be able to detect if someone is too tired to be safe enough to drive.

Nature and Science of Sleep published a study last month, which suggested the risk of having a crash could be doubled if a driver has slept for less than four or five hours in the previous 24 hours.

Its well known that alcohol and drug usage can be measured via breath and blood tests, the same does not exist. But a team has now claimed it has identified 5 substances in the blood that includes Lipids which is produced in the gut that can distinguish if someone has been been awake for 24hrs.

The test was 90 per cent accurate in real-life situations, reported the researchers. However it is yet to comprehend the difference between people who have had say, five hours or just two.

The researchers have said that, with a sleep test, new laws could eventually be written to stipulate a minimum number of hours of sleep that are needed before driving.

Leader of the team Clare Anderson, an associate professor at Monash University in Australia, said: “When you look at the major killers on the road, alcohol is one of them, speeding is another and fatigue is one of them. But our capacity to manage [tiredness] is impaired because we don’t have tools to be able to monitor it like we do with alcohol.”

Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, also at Monash University, said: “With the right investment to be able to scale this, I reckon that within five years we will be able to implement these biomarkerbased tests at least in safety-critical industries such as trucking, commercial aviation and mining.”

Professor Ashleigh Filtness, a driver fatigue expert for Road Safety GB, said: “There is already legislation stating that all drivers must be fit to drive their vehicles. Alertness is no different to any other requirement for safe driving.”

The Department for Transport said: “Drivers have a responsibility to ensure they are awake and alert on the road and should seek rest when feeling tired. The government is not considering this type of testing but we always note new ideas to make our roads safer.”

Rebecca at Britannia says: When you are tired it definitely impacts your ability to be able to make speedy and rational decisions and when it comes to driving especially on motor ways you need to be on your A game. If you are running on little to no sleep it could impact your reaction time plus also increase road rage!

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May 5, 2023
Futuristic New ‘AI’ Speed Cameras

The worlds first ever ‘AI’ speed camera has been put up in the UK, which has the capability to be able to see into your car.

The 10in unit’s “4D” radar and super-resolution cameras can detect if drivers are using there mobile phones, the number of passengers that are present and if they are all wearing a seat belt. There are 8 ways it can track you:

Speeding:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – can range up to 6 points and unlimited fines

Using a phone whilst driving:

£200.00 fine and 6 penalty points – drivers will lose their license if they passed their test within the past 2 years.

Running a red light:

£100.00 minimum fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1000.00

Driving without a valid MOT:

£1000.00 max fine or £2,500 for an HGV license

Driving without insurance:

£300 – £500.00 fine

Failing to wear a seat belt:

£100 – £500 fine

Too many passengers or dangerous load:

£2,500 fine and 3 penalty points

Running a level crossing:

£100.00 fine and 3 penalty points – max fine £1,000 fine and 3 penalty points.

Redspeed Sentio camera has also been linked to the DVLA and Police databases to check road tax and insurance on the spot. It monitors 6 lanes at a time and can share data with other units to check average speeds, day and night.

Brian Gregory, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “It’s clear that the hollow assurances the motoring public was given about speed cameras being used exclusively to prevent accidents was always a total sham. The objective is actually to maximise their revenue-generating potential”

The camera has been installed on the busy A23 in Lambeth, South London, as part of a Transport for London trial before it can be given Home Office approval.

Lawyer Nick Freeman — who specialises in motoring offences and is known as Mr Loophole — said: “As drivers we are all becoming sitting ducks. This could just be a step too far.

“It could help alleviate the lack of police on our roads. But we will always be missing something when we don’t have that human element.”

Campaigner Jake Hurfurt, head of Big Brother Watch, said: “This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising. It poses a threat to everyone’s privacy.

“People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.”

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April 24, 2023
Warning Small Chip Could Cost You £2,500

Something as simple as a small chip or crack in your windscreen could cause you to be fined.

Warnings have been issued to drivers that driving with a chipped or cracked windscreen could land motorists with a £2,500 fine or points on their license! Green Flag has since revealed that after research 4/5 drivers where unaware of this.

Such issues with windscreens are a frequent occurrence that car owners experience,The cost-of-living crisis appears to be impacting drivers’ repair habits. Only 47% of drivers had their windscreen repaired immediately, with more than a quarter saying they would delay repairs to save money.

Over a quarter of drivers said they would only get the issue repaired if it stopped them from seeing.

On average, a chipped windscreen costs between £40 and £118 to repair, depending on the vehicle.

As well as the safety implications, chips and cracks can also lead to a failed MOT.

According to the DVSA, 405,595 cars had visibility issues when checked during an MOT between October and December 2022.

Different types of Chips and Cracks:

Katie Lomas, Head of Green Flag Breakdown, commented: “Windscreen chips should be repaired almost as soon as they appear to prevent further damage spreading as these can easily turn into a crack and a much larger and more expensive problem. It’s also important to keep in mind that repairs are especially important when obscuring visibility for the driver.

“Seven in ten drivers said chips were caused by stones and debris flying up from the road. To put this into perspective, on a 30 mile per hour road, a small stone could have an impact speed with the glass at the equivalent of 40 to 50 miles per hour. It’s not surprising that there’s a chance it’ll take a toll on your windscreen if it hits.

By checking your windscreen often, you can save yourself a job of having to replace a whole windscreen by catching a small crack quickly.

“To avoid chips and cracks, it’s important to drive carefully and leave a greater distance between the vehicle in front of you on rough and busy roads where there may be loose debris. If you do get a crack, it’s key that you replace the windscreen as soon as possible. Repairing early on is a straightforward process that improves vehicle safety, visibility and saves money in the long run.”

Kerry at Britannia says:

By checking your windscreen over regularly you can avoid large repair jobs, if you spot a small crack in your windscreen and act upon it quickly you could save yourself having to replace a whole windscreen.

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April 3, 2023
4 Vital Changes Regarding Your Driving Test

Last week it was announced the DVSA will be making some important changes to government policies regarding Driving Test bookings.

They ran a consultation between 25 January and 8 March 2022 about changing some policies that affect learning to drive and driving tests.

encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test
reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted
update when and how we carry out the eyesight check at the start of the driving test

They currently have very high demand for driving tests. There are 3 main reasons for this:

fewer tests than usual have taken place because of restrictions and other factors related to the pandemic
learner drivers who are not yet ready to take their test have heard that waiting times are high, causing them to book earlier than they normally would
the pass rate for driving tests – for many years, less than half of people pass on their first attempt, meaning they’ll need to take at least one more test

Many driving instructors have said that some learner drivers want to pass their driving test as quickly and cheaply as possible. They say they are unable to stop their pupils from booking a test before they are ready.

They put forward some of these proposals because they think they’ll:

encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test
help to reduce the number of driving test appointments that are wasted
give us more flexibility in how and when we can carry out driving tests

Other proposals were to help them to:

find out more about what information learner drivers and their families want to know when choosing a driving instructor – which in the longer term will help learner drivers to find the best driving instructor for them
move to replace paper pass certificates with digital versions, saving millions of sheets of paper each year

1. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the period a candidate can take another car driving test from 10 working days to 28 working days.

They have decided this because:

the period gives candidates time to take extra training
it will have a positive impact on car driving test waiting times
gaining more knowledge, skills and experience will help keep new drivers safe at the crucial point that they drive on their own for the first time
better prepared drivers should have a positive effect on road safety
one-third of learner drivers admit this will encourage them to only book their test when they are ready while waiting times remain the same – this increases to 42.8% if waiting times reduce

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

2. Reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted:

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the notice period a candidate must give to change or cancel a car driving test from 3 full working days to 10 full working days.

They have decided this because:

it is currently difficult for DVSA to make tests cancelled with 3 working days’ notice available to another candidate, which means that a test slot is wasted
it will free up wasted test slots, which means these slots can be offered to other candidates to make tests available more quickly

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

3. Update when and how we check someone’s eyesight at the start of the driving test

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to introduce the proposals to:

do the eyesight check in the driving test in any level of light – not just good daylight
use more methods of checking people’s eyesight when they take the driving test

We will look at options available to introduce an alternative means to conduct an eyesight test that is not dependent on good daylight or reading a car number plate, but that will continue to ensure a driver’s eyesight is assessed consistently with the current test.

What will happen next

We are exploring alternative means of assessing eyesight. This is being done with DVLA’s Medical Panel. This is necessary because DVLA is the driving agency responsible for licensing drivers and it is important for any new procedures to meet the standards that currently apply. It will be necessary to ensure that any alternative is thoroughly tested and assessed to ensure it replicates the requirements of the current test and is sufficiently rigorous.

In the consultation, a majority of respondents supported the proposal for DVSA having the flexibility to conduct the eyesight test by means other than reading the number plate attached to the vehicle. This will enable us to provide driving tests at more times, in different levels of light, and will give us the flexibility to test eyesight if there are few vehicles parked nearby.

4. Replace paper pass certificates with digital pass certificates

What’s been decided

Ministers would like to modernise the administrative process of notifying candidates that they have passed their test by replacing the current paper pass certificates with digital test pass certificates.

What will happen next

It will be necessary to update legislation to do this. This will require both primary and secondary legislation. We plan to make provision which requires primary legislation when an opportunity is available.

We will need to make sure that the electronic record, when provided without a paper version, will be available to successful candidates as soon as a test is passed.

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March 20, 2023
Are Automatic Cars Better For Nervous Drivers?

Taking lessons can be a very overwhelming experience for first time learners, it can be a daunting for more experienced learners too. The thought of having to control the pedals, gears and maneuvering a vehicle, especially in traffic can be anxiety inducing. Leading some learners to ponder if automatic cars could cater to their needs and help calm the over thinking of having to control everything at once.

Here are some advantages to driving an Automatic car :

Simpler To Learn :

One of the biggest advantages of automatic cars is that they are more simple to learn. With an automatic transmission, pupils do not need to worry about operating the clutch or shifting gears, making the learning process less complicated.

Less To Think About :

Driving an automatic car is less stressful than a manual car. With an automatic car, drivers can focus on other aspects of driving, such as traffic conditions and road safety, without the added stress of having to shift gears or operate a clutch pedal.

Convenient :

Automatic cars are more convenient than manual cars. With an automatic car, drivers do not need to worry about stalling in traffic, and can easily switch between driving and parking modes with the push of a button.

A Feeling Of Safety :

Automatic cars can be safer for nervous drivers. With an automatic car, drivers can keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times, reducing the risk of distraction and increasing their ability to react to sudden changes in road conditions.

Here are some disadvantages of driving an Automatic car :

Greater Costs :

Something to think about is the cost, so once you’ve passed your test it would be more expensive to purchase a automatic than a manual. Automatic cars require more complex technology and parts, which can add to the cost of purchasing and maintaining the vehicle.

Limited Control :

Automatic cars provide limited control over the vehicle. With an automatic car, drivers do not have the ability to downshift to increase engine braking, which can be useful when descending steep hills or driving in slippery conditions.

Lower Fuel Efficiency :

Automatic cars are generally less fuel-efficient than manual cars. With an automatic car, the engine is not as responsive to changes in driving conditions, which can lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency over time.

Conclusion :

For nervous drivers, automatic cars can be a great choice. They are easier to learn, less stressful, more convenient, and can be safer on the road. However, it is important to keep in mind that automatic cars can be more expensive, offer limited control, and have lower fuel efficiency than manual cars.

Ultimately, the choice between an automatic and manual car will depend on personal preferences and needs. Nervous drivers should consider their comfort level with driving and their budget before making a decision.

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March 6, 2023
DVSA Issued warning to anyone who has a test booked in March

Civil servants from the PCS union are staging 11 days of strikes this month which could impact driving tests.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a warning to learners who have driving tests booked this month.

It comes as civil servants begin their next round of strikes in March, which will affect some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS). It is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

Ten days of regional strikes and one day of national strikes will be held in March. The DVSA has advised learners on what to do if their driving test is scheduled for a strike day.

The DVSA’s official Twitter account said: “If you’ve got an appointment on a strike day, please attend as planned, unless you have been contacted directly to say it has been cancelled. If you turn up for your test and it is cancelled because of strike action we will automatically reschedule it for the first available date and you will be able to claim out of pocket expenses.

“If you want to rearrange your car, motorcycle, vocational or instructor test, you can do this through our change your driving test service. Keep checking emails, texts and GOV.UK for updates and confirmed strike dates.”

When do civil servants go on strike?

Civil servants strike for 11 days in total, with 10 taking place regionally and one nationally. The dates include:

Monday March 6 and Tuesday March 7 – London and south east England
Thursday March 9 and Friday March 10 – South west England and Wales
Wednesday March 15 – All areas of Greater Britain
Monday March 20 and Tuesday March 21 – East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands and parts of London
Thursday March 23 and 24 – North west England and Yorkshire and the Humber
Monday March 27 and Tuesday March 28 – North east England and Scotland

Which driving tests will be affected?

The strikes could impact car driving tests, motorcycle tests and vocational tests for lorry, bus, coach and minibus. Tractor or specialist vehicle driving tests, approved driving instructor (ADI) tests and ADI standard checks and moped and motorcycle compulsory basic training might also be affected.

Kerry from Britannia Driving School said:

Please keep an eye on your emails and any texts you receive from the DVSA regarding your test bookings, for any cancellations or rescheduled test dates.

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February 20, 2023
Issued Warning From The DVLA

The DVLA issued a warning to every driver who passed there test before 2014 that they must renew their licence before its 10-year expiration date arrives or face a heavy fine.Driving licenses are only valid for 10 years from date of issue, anyone who doesn’t renew their licence risks a £1,000 fine or having there vehicle seized.

A recent tweet from the DVLA reads: “You must renew your driving licence every 10 years. You can do this via the this renewal link or by post or via the post office.You will need to hold a valid UK passport, be resident in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has its own system), not to have been disqualified from driving and be able to show your current licence, or explain why not if you do not have it, as well as your National Insurance number and last three addresses.

Sourcing all the correct information and sending it off correctly will help avoid any delays in receiving your new licence.

You will also be asked to pay a £14 processing fee by debit or credit card online or £17 if submitting by post. Over-70s or those with a short-term medical driving licence are exempt from paying.

Once your application has been received, you should receive your new licence within a week, the DVLA advises.

The renewal process is slightly different for drivers aged over 70, lorry and bus drivers and those with a short-term medical driving licence. You will find all the information you need on the links provided.

Rebecca at Britannia said:

I would advise everyone to just have a quick check of when their licence expires and keep a note of the date, don’t leave it too late to apply as you could be caught out and landed with a hefty fine! Keeping all your important documents together can help you to be able to apply quickly and easily.

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1. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test:

What’s been decided

What will happen next

When the change will happen

2. Reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted:

What’s been decided

What will happen next

When the change will happen

3. Update when and how we check someone’s eyesight at the start of the driving test

What’s been decided

What will happen next

4. Replace paper pass certificates with digital pass certificates

What’s been decided

What will happen next

When do civil servants go on strike?

Which driving tests will be affected?

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