We talk a lot about driving safely, whether that’s what to do when you’re waiting in traffic or having the right glasses so you can see properly.

Another thing we want you to think about is selecting the right shoes to wear when driving.

This is important because you need to be comfortable when you’re driving. Your feet and ankles need to feel comfortable because you’re constantly adjusting pedals. If you’re driving a lot it’s worth having a pair of driving shoes in the car so you can slip them on and off.

Safe driving from Britannia!

One of the most important factors that will help you to become a good driver is the element of decision-making. Often when you’re out driving, you will face a situation that you didn’t, or could never have prepared for on your driving lessons, and to come out of that situation safely you need to rely on your own judgement.

When making decisions such as this, it is important to remember one vital thing; To stay calm. Most of the time, poor driving decisions are caused by the driver going into panic mode and rushing their decision – So take your time, and make the right one.

Safe driving from Britannia!

As a driver you have probably heard the saying that we spend more time waiting in traffic than actual driving. Some days it may even seem like this is true – Especially on those mornings when on the commute to work, you’re already running late, and you hit every single red light and traffic queue on the journey!

Unfortunately waiting in traffic is just a part of day-to-day driving, and try as you might, it can’t be avoided all of the time. Remember to stay patient and aware when behind the wheel, so that when the lights go green you’re all ready to go.

Safe driving from Britannia!

We all know that we are influenced by other people in different ways – Whether it’s the clothes you wear, the music you listen to, or even the way you drive – Other people’s habits – Both good and bad – Tend to rub off on you.

Because of this, Britannia recommends for you to encourage other people to drive better. By pointing out any driving mistakes or bad habits that other drivers do, you can help them improve their skills behind the wheel, and this can in turn improve the driving for many others of people too!

Safe driving from Britannia!

As summer draws closer, we find ourselves leaving work for the commute home on increasingly brighter nights. Having left the dark nights of winter behind us, it certainly makes for a much more pleasant drive home!

Not only does the brighter night driving improve your mood on evening driving, but it also makes for safer conditions to be behind the wheel during. More daylight means higher visibility, which makes all of us safer when out driving!

Safe driving from Britannia!

A lot of people, understandably, tell us that their struggling to adjust to the challenges of learning to drive. When you start out there is a lot to learn, from getting familiar with the car that you’re driving, to remembering the Highway Code and learning about the different manoeuvres.

We have wrote about this before but a lot of people are still — understandably — anxious about taking their driving test.

So how do you overcome the nerves that inevitably comes along with your driving test? Here’s our suggestions.

• Practice. Practice. Practice. Go on a few practice tests with your instructor
• Remind yourself that this is just a test, it’s not a reflection on your self-worth
• It may sound a little “woo-woo” but take 5-10 minutes before your test to take some deep breaths an stay calm can help
• The day before your test have all of your documents in one place so you’re not looking for them in the morning – this will cause unnecessary stress.

Safe driving from Britannia!

There’s no doubt about it, in order for you to be a safe driver you need to be able to see clearly.

Regular check-ups at an opticians is crucial. Many people need to be wearing glasses when they drive. Remember, if you don’t wear glasses when you need to, you are putting yourself and countless others in danger when you drive. This can have catastrophic consequences.

The law states that driver’s must be able to read a clean number plate at 20.5 meters in good daylight. This is not at all difficult and most people should be able to pass this. But you need to be absolutely sure that you do pass.

Another thing we encourage people to purchase is a pair of sunglasses. Driving in the mornings when you have low sun can also affect your vision. Having sunglasses on will help prevent the glare caused by the sun and will give you a clearer view.

If you wear prescription glasses, you can also get prescription sunglasses which you can wear when you drive and will help greatly in these conditions.

You shouldn’t wait for your driving test until you think about the correct eye ware. You should get this sorted when you begin your driving lessons with Britannia. We always recommend seeing an optician regarding this.

Safe driving from Britannia!

People prefer different things. Whilst I’m an avid coffee drinker my best friend will only drink tea. Whilst I only want to just a MacBook my colleagues won’t use anything other than Windows.

The same goes for manual vs. automatic cars. Some people love driving manual cars whereas others think an automatic will change your life forever. (I’m part of the former here).

We don’t think there’s a right or wrong, it’s about what works for you. Some people who take an intensive driving course opt to learn in an automatic for the following reasons:

– You’ll gain confidence with your driving more quickly as you’re not going to stall in an automatic car.
– You don’t need to master clutch control or get familiar with the “biting point”
– Some people find that learning in an automatic is beneficial especially in a big city like London where’s there’s lots of stopping and starting
– You will learn a lot faster in an automatic as compared to a manual

Still, for others a manual lets them feel more connected to the car. Changing the gears and getting the biting point right makes them feel as if the car is really theirs. When you learn in a manual you also have the option of switching to an automatic later on.

Whatever decision you make, we have both automatic and manual cars for you to learn in.

Safe driving from Britannia!

It only seems a few short week ago when it was so windy you felt as if you were about to be blown off the road!

How quick things can change! If you notice now, the days are getting longer. Before we know it the sun will start making more an appearance and we will be warmer. Remember that different driving conditions mean you need to use different skills to maintain safe driving.

What does the summer mean for drivers?

Well, driving in the summer is different. Instead of ramping up the heating, you’re looking for ways to stay cool. Remember that because windows in cars are so big they let a lot of sun come through. This heat can make you tired and drowsy.The best solution is break up a long journey into something shorter. Always keep a bottle of water in the car with you.

Safe driving from Britannia!

When it comes to learning to drive, there’s more than one way to go about it. Some pupils may prefer to take their time over the course of a year or more, preparing and practising their driving until they feel confident and able enough to tackle the theory and practical test head-on, with the best chance of success.

However some pupils instead prefer to take it all on in one go – Our intensive courses are just for that. With an intensive (or “crash”) course, you get a high volume of lessons over a short period of time, so if you’re the sort who can handle a lot of information thrown at you very quickly, they might just be right for you.

Safe driving from Britannia!