There are many advantages of being a driver – It might be that it makes your morning commute easier and more convenient than using public transport, or it might be that it allows you the freedom to get around more without the need to cadge a lift off of another driver.

However one thing driving isn’t known for is that it can help improve your social life. Not only does it give you more freedom to get around and visit friends and family, but being in the car itself is a good place to chat to your passengers – Just make sure not to use social media whilst behind the wheel!

Safe driving from Britannia!

So you’ve finally done it – You’ve spent many, many hours of your life revising and practising, you’ve aced the theory test, and finally taken and passed the practical driving test! Congratulations – But what comes next?

Of course, you’re going to need a car. But how do you decide which one to get? What is the right car for you? We would recommend avoiding the temptation to go for the newest, most expensive car – Remember, the first year or so of driving is the time you are most likely to have the odd few bangs and scrapes.

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We all know that there is more to learning to drive than meets the eye. Whether that means learning to become more aware of your surroundings, or gradually mastering how differently you need to drive on motorways, there is certainly much more to driving that just moving the car.

One important aspect of becoming a good driver is accepting the responsibility that goes along with being behind the wheel. this goes for your passengers too – If they trust your ability to drive as much as they should, this will likely help encourage you as a driver.

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You have probably heard lots of horror stories about the many things that can go hideously wrong on a driving test – Whether that’s the examiner being forced to stop the test early for fear of their own safety or even worse, rolling the car onto its roof in the first few minutes!

The truth however is far less dramatic – Those who do unfortunately fail their driving test almost always do so due to a simple mistake. The most common of these are lack of observation, forgetting to indicate before a manoeuvre, or even leaving an indicator on for too long after a turn.

Safe driving from Britannia!

You will probably hear lots of different opinions on what exactly it is makes a good driver – For some, it may be the confidence some exude when behind the wheel, whereas others may contest that an ability to react quickly and efficiently is much more useful to a good driver.

One topic that causes much debate is how much the car makes you a better driver. Of course, certain tools such as parking sensors or sat-navs may improve your driving ability, and some cars will be easier and more comfortable to drive than others, but we really feel that a good driver is always a good driver – No matter what the car.

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If you are a learner driver, you may be struggling with issues related to your confidence. But do you want to know a secret? You’re not alone. In fact, many of the pupils we teach here at Britannia Driving School suffer from anxiety when behind the wheel, so don’t feel like you’re the only one.

The best way to deal with this fear is to tackle it head-on. After a few driving lessons, you will start to realise that you are much better than you thought you would be, and this will help to increase your confidence in your own abilities, leading you up to your driving test.

Safe driving from Britannia!

Ask anyone what the key to good driving is, and you will likely get a variety of different answers. Some may say that good steering is the root of being safe behind the wheel, whereas others may say a good knowledge of driving theory is vital – It’s quite a divisive subject.

However one thing we can all agree on is that driving decisions are one of the most important skills to learn. Knowing how to approach a bend in the road, or how to react quickly yet safely when faced with a sudden emergency may be the difference between being a good driver or bad.

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We have all experienced some form of driving hazards – Whether it’s other drivers travelling at high speeds putting yourself and others in danger, or adverse weather conditions making the roads unsafe to be on, it is essential to be safe when behind the wheel.

One hazard many aren’t aware of if the danger of clutter in the car. Loose objects and rubbish sliding about on the back seats, in the doors, on the floors, in the boot or on the dashboard can cause major distractions – And it only takes one second of distraction to cause an accident.

Safe driving from Britannia!

Driving a car presents many challenges to even the most experienced road user. From the initial phase of learning to drive and passing the driving test, all the way up to mastering motorways and more, you never really stop learning as a driver.

One challenge many may face is when you’re faced with driving in a crowd of people, amongst pedestrians. When doing this, it is vital to keep speed at a minimum to avoid the risk of collision with any unsuspecting people, and also beware of any children who may step out in front of your moving car without warning.

Safe driving from Britannia!

As any experienced driver will tell you, when you get behind the wheel, you are not only in the literal driver’s seat, but also in a position of responsibility. That means making sure you are always fit to drive and up to the job when you’re behind the wheel.

This does not only mean to not drink or take drugs when driving – There are a number of other impairments that could reduce your ability to drive safely, such as being tired when driving, feeling ill or under the weather, or even something as simple as being dehydrated on a long drive.

Safe driving from Britannia!