How to perform a 3 point turn

Performing a three-point turn or a ‘turn in the road’ is one of those manoeuvres that new drivers get pretty worried about. It’s true that a poorly executed three-point turn can cause a lot of either amusement or frustration to other road-users. It’s also true that it’s one of the most common manoeuvres that an examiner will ask a learner to perform in a driving test, so follow these simple instructions and take the fear out of the three-point turn.

In a test situation, the examiner will be looking for three key factors. Getting these right will help you in the test, but will also ensure that you carry out your manoeuvre correctly in the future. These factors are: ACCURACY – you should be able to perform the turn in three moves (possibly five), without touching the kerb or mounting the pavement; CONTROL – steering the car appropriately, while also maintaining slow movement by controlled use of the clutch; OBSERVATION – you should be aware of your surroundings, your position on the road and any other road users at all times, by carrying out continuous all-round observation during this manoeuvre.

When to perform one

If you need to turn around and face the other direction when you are driving, you have a few options. If the road is wide and quiet, you could execute a u-turn; if there’s a suitable junction you could pull up, reverse into it and pull back out in the correct direction; or you could carry out a “turn in the road”. Technically this doesn’t have to be a three-point turn, in a narrower road you may need to use five-points, but it’s the same idea. You might use one if you’ve gone the wrong way, or if you are at a dead-end.

Step by step

Safely pull over to the left of the road, ensuring that you are not across somebody’s driveway, on a sharp bend or opposite a junction. Use your interior (rear-view) mirror and left-hand mirror and signal left if necessary as you pull over.

Check ahead of you, in your rear-view and right-hand mirrors and in your right-hand blind-spot to make sure that the road is clear. If there is any traffic in either direction, then wait, and perform the checks again before carrying out the manoeuvre.

Put the car into first gear, remove the hand-brake and start moving off using clutch control. Immediately turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Keep moving slowly towards the opposite side of the road, observing in both directions all the time. As you approach the kerb, turn the wheel slightly back towards the left and brake and clutch to come to a stop before you hit the kerb. Apply the handbrake and select reverse gear.

Check up and down the road again in both directions, and if all is clear then, finding the clutch bite point, remove the handbrake and move off in reverse. Look out of the rear window as you reverse, immediately turning the steering wheel all the way to left-hand lock. Keep the car slow, and while looking mainly out of the rear window, keep looking left and right all the time. As you get about halfway across the road, turn to look over your right shoulder at the approaching kerb. As you approach this kerb, turn the wheel slightly back to the right, and apply the brake and clutch to come to a stop. Apply the handbrake and select first gear.

Check up and down the road again in both directions. If all is clear then find the clutch bite point, remove the handbrake and move off, steering to the right to find the correct driving position in the road.

What to do if a vehicle appears while you are carrying out the three-point turn.

Don’t panic! Just stop your vehicle and assess what they are going to do. They may signal for you to complete the manoeuvre while they wait, in which case do so. Alternatively, they may decide they have space to get past you, allow them to do so and then check that the road is clear again before continuing the manoeuvre.

To find out more about learning to drive in Glasgow contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.  

What is the driving test report?

What is the driving test report?

It would be nice to think that everybody performed perfectly in their driving test and there was no need for any driving test report. Alternatively, perhaps the Driving Instructor could be expected to remember all forty minutes of your driving, and how you did on every single aspect of the test, without muddling you up with his/her other six candidates for the day.

Sound a little far-fetched?

That’s why they have the driving test report.

Throughout the test the examiner will be making marks on the report, which is standard form DL25 and is usually on a clip-board in front of them, and at the end of the test they give part of the report to you and talk you through any errors that you’ve made and why they passed or failed you.

What goes on the report?

The report has four pages. DL25A is the top copy, on which the examiner writes, this is carbon copied on DL25B, which has a back page for the examiner’s notes. These pages are retained by the test centre. Another carbon copy is DL25C which is given to you at the end of your test, and on the reverse of this are explanatory notes and details of the appeals procedure. The fourth page is DL25D which explains each section of the report and what the examiner was looking for, and is also given to you at the end of the test.

At the top of the report the examiner records the date, your name and licence number, their own name and reference number, the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) number of your instructor, and some details about the car. The main part of the report is made up of boxes. Each item that you are being tested on has a box, for example “use of speed”, “following distance”, and some are further broken down within the box, so the “signals” box has “necessary”, “correctly” and “timed” sections. In each box there are spaces for the instructor to mark faults or errors. These are minor, S (serious) and D (dangerous) faults. Whether a fault is minor, serious or dangerous has a lot to do with road conditions and other road users. For example, if you fail to indicate at a junction once, that might be recorded as a minor fault. If your failing to indicate meant that another road user was put in danger, then that would probably constitute a serious fault. If the examiner or another road user was forced to take evasive action to avoid danger, for example the examiner needed to use the dual controls to stop the car at a zebra crossing to prevent you running over a pedestrian, then that would be a dangerous fault. At the end of the test, if you have any serious or dangerous faults, then you will have failed. If you have sixteen or more minor faults, then you will also have failed. If you have fifteen or fewer minor faults then you will probably have passed the test.

If would like to find out about learning to drive in Glasgow, give TX-Driver Training a call now on 0141 764 1213.

Can I Change Driving School?

Why do you feel you want to change driving schools?

Hopefully you selected your instructor and driving school based on recommendation, and were able to book a taster lesson with your instructor before you settled on your instructor and school. It is possible though, that the instructor you thought was going to be a great fit for you has left you feeling dissatisfied because:

• They are often late for lessons;
• They often cancel lessons, meaning you have to re-book or don’t seem to be able to fit you in at times that are convenient to you;
• The car is messy, giving an unprofessional feel;
• You don’t get on, they shout at you or make you feel more stressed and nervous about your driving;
• You don’t feel as though you are making as much progress in your lessons as you should be;

Your first action, whatever the problem is, is to talk to your instructor. It might be that all they need is a timely reminder that they are supposed to be treating you professionally, or that their frustrations have no place when teaching a pupil to drive. If you don’t feel that you are making appropriate progress, then tell them this and ask them to talk through their plan for your lessons, what you will be covering each week and how many more lessons they think it might be until you are ready to take a test. If the instructor knows that you are unhappy with something, then they might be able to do something about it. This kind of conversation won’t be easy, but it is definitely the right first thing to do.

Secondly, if you are still unhappy with your instructor, then talk to the driving school. If the driving school has a good reputation, and wants to maintain it, then they will want to know about any problems as early as possible, and will want to do what they can to fix them. They may be able to offer an alternative instructor or some other course of action.

If you’ve followed both steps above, and you are still not happy with how your driving lessons are being conducted, then you can and should change driving schools. If you’ve paid in advance for a block of lessons, then you will either have to complete that block, or negotiate with the driving school to have the money refunded. If you haven’t made any financial commitment, then you can just tell the instructor and/or school that you are changing after the next lesson. It is important to tell them why you are changing, so that if there’s something that they can do better, they know about it and are able to make the change. It may not affect you now, but it could make a difference for future learners and for the driving school themselves. It might be easier to write down your reasons for changing in a letter or e-mail. A good driving school will be happy to receive feedback, positive or negative, and hopefully will act on it.

When you are choosing your new driving school, make sure that you go on personal recommendation, ask questions at the beginning to ensure that you don’t get a repeat of whatever caused the problem in the previous establishment, and ask for a taster lesson with the instructor before you commit to the school, so that you can check that you will get on with the new instructor.  

Why Using a Driving Instructor is the Best Way to Learn to Drive

Why using a Driving Instructor is best can be distilled down to two main reasons. The first is the preservation of your relationships with your family and friends, and the second is simply that an Approved Driving Instructor knows what they are doing.

You are allowed to learn to drive with anybody as long as they have had a full driving licence for the type for vehicle you are learning in for at least three years and are over twenty-one years old (some insurance companies stipulate 25 years old). Anybody that you pay for driving lessons must be an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). There is nothing to stop you from learning to drive with your parents in the family car, with a spouse or a friend.

Learning with a friend or family member though does come with its own hazards. Sitting in the passenger seat with an inexperienced Learner Driver can be very nerve wracking. Inconsistent driving, unpredictable or excessive braking, cautious approaches to junctions and roundabouts, extended reaction times to changing road conditions or approaching hazards and inexperience at reading the road can all make supervising or teaching a learner driver very stressful for both the Learner and the teacher. Many family relationships have been put under great strain by attempting to teach a Learner driver.

An Approved Driving Instructor has chosen to do this for a living. They are trained and experienced in a variety of key skills which are important when teaching learner drivers:

• They have an in-depth knowledge of the driver training syllabus and how to teach it.
• Because they aren’t teaching while on a journey somewhere (many parents try to double up the driving lesson with the school run) they are able to spend more time and focus on Car Control in quiet roads or car-parks, building the foundations for successful future driving.
• They are experienced in planning training routes to roads that suit the experience of the driver, not pushing them too far out of their comfort zone which can increase stresses.
• They know how to deal with stressful situations, and are experienced dealing with nervous drivers.
• Many Driving Instructors have modified “dual control” cars which means that they can take over the driving in an emergency. While this is rarely used, it gives added confidence.
• A Driving Instructor has a clear idea, based on both the syllabus and their experience, when the learner is ready to pass their test.

While it may seem like a good idea to use a friend or family member to teach you to drive, this will often actually be counter productive. Many people start out this way, but later come to a Driving Instructor, realising that there’s a lot more to the job than just sitting next to somebody in the car. The Instructor then has a harder job to do, undoing stresses or incorrect procedures that have been taught by the family member. It is possible to pass your test following lessons with a friend or family member, and using your own car, but the vast majority of passes are with experienced and skilled qualified Approved Driving Instructors.

Contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213 to learn to drive with some of the best driving instructors in Glasgow.

Using a Driver’s Record when learning to drive

What is the Driver’s Record?

The Driving Standards Agency (now the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency) developed the Driver’s Record as a useful way of keeping track of which areas of the driving syllabus you’ve covered in your lessons and practised privately. It is to ensure that you fully cover the syllabus and get as much and as broad experience as possible, to help you pass your test and to make sure that you are a safer driver. The record is shared with your Driving Instructor so that you are both able to keep track of your experience and competence in all the essential areas of driving.

How does it work?

There are several parts to the Driving Record, and each has a different purpose.

Overview – The first page of the Driver’s Record is an overview of your whole learning to drive experience. There is an area for practical car driving, where you can tick boxes to show that you’ve experienced a range of different road types and conditions, both in lessons and in private practice; there’s a section on the Theory Test, showing the different topics covered in the multi-choice test, so that you can tick to show when you are confident that you have studied each one, and the skills you need for the Hazard Perception test. There is then a space for you to write down the date of your Theory Test pass. There is also a section about the Pass Plus course.

Driver’s Record – The next section is for you to use with your Instructor. There is a heading for each broad area of the driving syllabus, and boxes for the Instructor to initial and date when each of these areas was: (1) first introduced, (2) instructed fully, (3) when you could do it with prompting what to do, (4) when you could do it with few prompts, and (5) when you could do it fully independently (and consistently over several lessons). Once you have a signature in the “Independent” box for each area of the syllabus, you are probably nearly ready for your test.

Instructor Record – This record has the same syllabus areas as the Driver’s Record, in some cases split into sub-headings, in table form. The instructor uses a column for each lesson, and indicates by with the numbers 1-5 (as above) your progress during that lesson with each of the syllabus areas. It means that the Instructor can see at a glance which areas you are confident with, and which need further practice or haven’t been covered for a few lessons.

Competencies – This two page section breaks down each area of the syllabus into its component parts, what skills are required and the underpinning knowledge that goes with it. As an example, the syllabus area of Moving Away and Stopping involves the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre and Position-Speed-Look procedures, ability to observe around you including the use of mirrors and checking blind spot, control and co-ordination of the car, being able to do it on level and on gradient, at an angle and straight ahead. It also involves knowledge of which signals to use, what constitutes a safe stopping place, how to co-ordinate the accelerator, footbrake and clutch, and how to use the handbrake and steering wheel. The instructor will need to see you competent in all these aspects before being able to sign you off as independent on this area.

Private Practice – The final page of the Record (and you can print as many of these pages as you require) is where you record the private practice that you undertake away from your instructor with friends or family members. For each journey you briefly record the time spent driving, the miles covered and tick boxes to show the types of road and the road conditions (e.g. dry or wet, dark or light, country lanes or urban roads.

The Driver’s Record is a very useful way to work with your instructor to make the best possible use of your lessons, and see your progress through the syllabus.

If you want to learn to drive in Glasgow then contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.

What are the rules for using L-Plates and P-Plates?

If you are on a provisional licence then you must display a red L-Plate of the correct dimensions (see below) in a conspicuous position on both the front and back of your vehicle. These should be removed when the vehicle is not being used by a learner. In Wales a D-Plate may be used in place of, or as well as, the L-Plate. You are allowed to display more than one L-Plate on the front or rear if you feel that it makes them more conspicuous and improves safety.

You can get up to 6 penalty points on your licence and a fine if you are not displaying L-plates or if they are the wrong size. Keeping them on when the Learner is not driving is not an offence, but will attract the attention of the police, who will remind you that they should be removed.

There is no legal requirement to display green P-plates (P stands for “probationary”) but some people choose to use them to show that they’ve recently passed their test and are not very experienced yet at driving alone. If you do choose to use them, you can do so for as long as you like until you feel ready to remove them.

Dimensions for the L-Plate:

The L-Plate should be a large red capital L on a white background.

The white plate should be a 178mm square. The red L should be placed centrally on the square. It is 102mm high, and 89mm wide, with the vertical part of the L 40mm wide and the horizontal part 38mm wide. There is a diagram showing these dimensions at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/l-plate-size-rules/l-plate-sizes

What type of L-Plate and where to put it?

There are two basic types of L-Plate available to buy. Magnetic ones or sticky ones.

Sticky ones have the advantage that they are less likely to fall off (though it still can happen). The glue used is not particularly strong to avoid damaging paintwork, but many people are reluctant to use them because they fear the damage to their paintwork. There is also the disadvantage that they cannot easily be removed when you are not driving, so if you are using somebody else’s car, they will need to devise some way of covering up the plate when they are driving.

Magnetic ones are notorious for coming flying off during high winds or when you are driving at higher speeds, so to ensure you remain legal you should always have some spares in the vehicle to replace them immediately if they fall off. You can get them either with a magnetic strip at top and bottom, or completely magnetic. The ones with magnetic strips are easier to use on a curved surface, but also more likely to fall off if the wind gets under the edge. The best thing to do is to get a fully magnetic one, dip it in warm water before attaching to make it more malleable and then mould it to the shape of the car as you attach it. Because it’s magnetic, you can easily remove it when you are not driving. Make sure that the surface of the magnet and the surface of the car is clean before attaching, this helps to ensure that the paintwork doesn’t get scratched by rogue bits of grit under the magnet, and also that the magnet adheres better to the car. Don’t leave them on for too long, particularly in hot weather, as there are stories about paintwork being affected in this way.

You can print your own L plates to display on your car as long as you use the correct colours and dimensions.

There aren’t any laws on where you should put your L-Plates as long as they are conspicuous on both front and back. They should be kept clean and highly visible. On the rear of the car a good rule of thumb is to put the L-Plate level with the brake lights, which are usually in a pretty visible part of the car. On the front, usually the front of the bonnet is the best place. Avoid: bumpers, which are too low to be visible; radiator grills, where the air intake would be compromised; and windows, where visibility would be impaired.

Contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213 to find out about learning to drive in Glasgow.

Why you should learn to drive

Have you ever stood at a bus stop in the rain, waiting for a late bus, and watching all the cars passing by? Do you plan your holiday destinations based more on convenience for rail routes than on where you want to go? Do you find yourself hesitating to ask a friend or family member for yet another lift? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’ll already have a good idea why you should learn to drive.

The freedom you will gain by being able to drive is immense. Even if you choose not to buy a car of your own you have options such as being added as a named driver on another vehicle’s insurance, being able to rent a car, or taking part in a car share scheme, which means that you can still drive without the regular expenses of being a car owner.

As a driver you will have a new-found independence and the ability to access a world of opportunities:

• Some jobs require you to hold a driving licence, as driving is part of the job;
• Other jobs might only be accessible to a car driver because of their location or because the shift patterns involved make public transport impractical, for example for late finishes or early starts;
• Getting around in rural areas can be close to impossible without your own transport;
• Transporting children, pets, heavy groceries or larger items is much easier with a car;
• New hobbies open up to you – For example, to do kayaking you need to be able to get your kayak to the river, and not many buses carry them!
• Some of our most beautiful landscape in the UK, and the leisure pursuits that you can enjoy there, are poorly served by public transport, so being able to drive will allow you to explore new areas of countryside;
• Our society is increasingly set up with car drivers in mind, with out-of-town cinema and leisure complexes and shopping centres difficult to access for pedestrians;
• Emergency situations – when your wife goes into labour or your sister breaks her arm, it’s much easier to stay calm when you know how you are going to get to the hospital;
• Your social life opens up too, as you are able to get to events, and can transport friends and family too;

In addition, driving can be fun! Imagine you can get in a car, choose your favourite music, choose your passengers and go for a road trip. Whether it’s a couple of hours jaunt into the countryside, a long trek up the motorway or a driving holiday across Europe! You have your own space and you have the independence to choose where and when you will go. Being able to drive safely opens up the roads for you.

There are so many reasons to learn to drive. Even if you don’t drive regularly, it’s an important skill, and being able to do so in an emergency could make a real difference. Go ahead, read more about it and apply for that provisional licence! Phone TX Driver Training on 0141 764 1213 now to find out about learning to drive in Glasgow.

How to practice for the Hazard Perception Test

The Hazard Perception part of the Car Driving Theory test can be pretty nerve-wracking for the uninitiated. You have fourteen video clips showing everyday road situations, and you have to click the mouse as soon as you spot a developing hazard. A developing hazard is one where you, as a driver, would need to take some action such as changing speed or direction.

Hazard Perception is all about being able to read the road ahead of you. It’s not so much something that you can revise for, because it isn’t knowledge, but the skill and experience to be able to spot something that could have an impact on your driving. Some examples of potential hazards might be: a group of children playing with a ball – if the ball rolls out into the road a child might follow; a car that’s just pulled into a parking space on the left – the driver might open their door out into the carriageway; a car parked in the carriageway – you’ll have to slow down and look out for oncoming traffic before passing; slow moving vehicles; any vehicle that’s indicating; a vehicle at a junction – they might suddenly pull out; pedestrians, cyclists or horse-riders in narrow country lanes; pedestrian crossings; level crossings and many more.

To prepare for the test you can try the following:

• Be aware of the road ahead whenever you are driving or as a passenger. What could constitute a hazard ahead? How soon does the driver (if that’s not you) notice the potential hazard and start taking action? Either as a passenger or when you’re driving you could have a commentary with the other person in the car – what potential hazards can you both spot?
• The DVSA produces some great official learning materials to help you prepare, including an interactive DVD-ROM.
• There are several online mock Hazard Perception tests available, some free and some paid for, and it’s very helpful to have a go at a few of them until you are confident with how the clicks score. It is worth noting that the clips used in the Hazard Perception test have been updated and modernised with CGI to make them clearer. Many of the mock tests will still be using slightly fuzzier filmed clips. This won’t affect your Hazard Perception, and so are still relevant practice, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
• If you are a passenger and have children in the car, how about making a “hazard bingo” game to play with them. Make copies of a list of potential hazards to spot, whoever spots one and calls it out first gets to tick it on their list. The winner is the passenger who spotted the most potential hazards first.

Basically the more experience you have of looking at the road ahead of you the better your driving will be and the more likely you are to succeed at the Hazard Perception Test. It’s definitely worth having a go at mock tests as well though, as these give you the chance to familiarise yourself with the way the test works.

Book your driving lessons in Glasgow by contacting TX Driver Training on 0141 764 1213 now.

How The Driving Theory Test Isn’t As Bad As You Think

You’ve got your Provisional Licence and you may or may not have already started your driving lessons. Before you can even start thinking about your Practical Driving Test you need to pass your Theory Test. For some people this is a small hurdle to overcome, while some people worry so much about the Theory Test that it becomes a real obstacle. Let me reassure you. The Driving theory test almost certainly isn’t as bad as you think.

How does the driving theory test work?

There are two parts to the Driving Theory Test, and you need to pass both in the same sitting.

The first part is the Multiple Choice part. You will have fifty multiple choice questions to answer on all aspects of driving theory. Questions may be about stopping distances, first aid, what road markings or signs mean, considerate driving and many other scenarios you may come across on the road. Some questions may require more than one answer, or you may get several questions based on a brief case study. You have fifty-seven minutes to answer the questions, and can “flag” and go back to any you weren’t sure about. The pass mark is 43 questions correct out of 50. Provided that you prepare well there is nothing to worry about. If you have a Special Educational Need, you should let the test centre know about this when you book, as you can hear the questions being read out with earphones, or can be allowed extra time to complete the test.

The best ways to prepare for the multiple choice part of the driving theory test are:

• Read and digest The Highway Code
• The DVSA have provided an online learning programme, e-book, app, book and DVD to help with your preparation. As these are designed by the people who set the test, they are the very best preparation materials.
• You can also take a mock theory test provided by the DVSA on www.gov.uk/practise-your-driving-theory-test

The second part of the test is the Hazard Perception Test. On the computer screen you’ll be shown a short introductory video and then you will see a series of fourteen video clips, each lasting approximately one minute. Each clip will show an everyday road scene. In the clip you will see several potential hazards, one or two of which could start to develop to a point where you may need to change direction or speed. When you spot a hazard beginning to develop, you click with the mouse. The earlier in the developing hazard you click, the more points you score for that clip. You need to score 44 out of 75 to pass the Hazard Perception part of the test.

The best ways to prepare for the Hazard Perception Test are:

• Be aware of the road ahead whenever you are driving or as a passenger. What could constitute a hazard ahead? How soon does the driver (if that’s not you) notice the potential hazard and start taking action? You could ask another driver to give you a commentary of potential hazards they spot as you drive and see if you spotted them too.
• The DVSA provide an interactive DVD-ROM and there are several free online mock Hazard Perception tests available, and it’s very helpful to have a go at a few of them until you are confident with how the clicks score.

Top Theory Test Tips

• Do your homework! The DVSA recommends about twenty hours revision and preparation for the test.
• Make sure that you know where the test centre is, and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Aim to be about thirty minutes early.
• Remember to take your photo-card provisional licence with you on the day.
• Before your test begins you get some time to familiarise yourself with the way the computer program and touch screen works with some practice questions. Make the most of this and flag up if there seem to be any problems with the technology or if there’s anything you don’t understand.
• In between the two parts of the test you get a three minute break. Use it to take some deep breaths, have a stretch and refocus ready for the Hazard Perception test.

To book your Glasgow Driving Lessons, contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.

5 myths uncovered about learning to drive

Several myths have grown up around the whole process of learning to drive. Some are strange, but most are just plain wrong. Here we bust some of these myths:

1. Driving test examiners only pass a certain number of people per day.

This is completely untrue, and has probably been given as an excuse from somebody who was embarrassed at failing. Driving examiners do not have quotas. If you drive well enough in your test then you will pass. If you drive dangerously or make too many mistakes then you will fail. Examiners are professional, their “having a bad day” will not affect your chances of passing, and neither will you wearing a short skirt! You’ll sometimes hear this myth being passed on with the advice to “get your test in the morning, before they fill their quota”, ignore this advice, take your test at any time of day and the only thing that will affect your chances of passing is the quality of your driving.

2. Men are better drivers.

Again this is completely untrue. Statistics show that neither men nor women are better. While we are generalising here, in general, women are more careful and better able to anticipate danger, men are better able to manoeuvre the car. Men tend to require fewer lessons to pass their test, but women have fewer accidents so often get cheaper insurance.

3. Most people only need a few driving lessons to pass their test.

We all hear people telling us that they “only had six lessons” or something similar. The only way this could have happened is if they were taught by a friend or family member for many hours, before taking just a few lessons before their test. In most cases they are wildly exaggerating or have a very poor memory. Latest DVSA (Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency) statistics show that the average person had over forty hours of driving lessons and an extra sixteen hours of private practice before they passed their test.

4. Driving schools make you take more lessons than you really need.

This myth has come about because nobody wants to part with hard-earned money. Driving schools are paid by the lesson. People who are reluctant to pay for more lessons, believing that they can pass their test, start to suggest that the Driving School is trying to get more money out of them. Of course, this is very rarely true. Driving schools exist to help people pass their test and drive safely. In reality the main cause of people failing the driving test is that they have taken it before they are ready. Actually many people are putting pressure on their instructor to enter them for their test when more lessons would be beneficial, and they are just not ready for the test.

5. The Theory Test is just common sense.

This isn’t really true. Some answers in the multiple choice may involve a certain amount of common sense, or a good grounding of general knowledge (road signs for example), but many require some learning. For example it’s not really common sense that the minimum car tyre tread depth is 1.6mm!

To find out more about learning to drive in Glasgow contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.

Why a good driving school will change your life

Learning to drive is often described as a “life skill” and it is certainly a set of skills that you will be able to use through the rest of your life, and which will change your life. Learning to drive allows you the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you like. You no longer have to wait in the rain with heavy bags of groceries for a bus that never turns up. You no longer have to rely on friends or family members for lifts, or to worry about how you’re going to get home. Even if you don’t intend to get a car of your own immediately, you can always hire a car for a short period if you are planning a journey. Being able to drive opens up job opportunities that either require a driving licence or become more accessible if you can drive yourself there.

What’s the difference between a good driving school and a bad one?

You may already have discovered that some driving schools aren’t as good as they should be. They may employ only trainee instructors so they can pay them less, yet still charge premium rates to the pupils. They may cut corners on car maintenance, or by getting pupils to act as taxi-drivers, starting the lesson by dropping off the previous pupil, and finishing by collecting the next pupil. These are not good driving schools. A driving school like this may end up costing you more because your driving lessons are not dedicated to teaching you to drive in the best possible way; while you are certainly practising driving while dropping off the previous pupil and driving towards the next pupil, you may not be driving optimal routes to allow you to develop important skills, to avoid congestion or to practice test routes. Worse, the other pupil in the car could be a distraction to you or the instructor.

A good driving school will be focused on you, the pupil. Every minute of every lesson will be tailored to ensure that you get the best possible tuition, and have the maximum high quality driving instruction. Your instructor will be experienced, or if you are happy to have a trainee driving instructor (with a pink triangle in the window instead of a green octagon) then they will charge you less for it. Your driver will be professional and punctual, turning up to your lessons ready to teach you.

A good driving school will help you to pass your test and to become a better driver. They will do it in a way that fits in with your life, making learning to drive as easy as possible for you. This means that where possible they will pick you up and drop you off at a location and time that suits you, and will be able to provide regular lessons with the same driving instructor. A good driving school takes your driving seriously, helping you not just to pass your test, but to become a safe and confident driver.

How do you find a good driving school?

The best way to find a good driving school is by personal recommendation. If somebody that you know has had a good experience and is happy to recommend their driving school, then the chances are they’re a good driving school. If you can’t go on recommendation, then read online reviews of the school, and ask lots of questions to ensure that you’re going to get the tuition you want.

Learning to drive really will change your life. Learn well with a good driving school and you’ll feel the benefit for the rest of your life. Learn badly, and it could be a disaster waiting to ruin your life, and potentially the lives of others.

Contact TX Driver Training on 0141 764 1213 to learn with one of the best driving schools in Glasgow.

How do I book a driving theory test?

If you’ve read and digested the Highway Code, you’ve spent some time trying out mock multiple choice and hazard perception tests online, and you’re confident that you know the rules of the road and are competent at reading the road ahead of you, then you can go ahead and book your car driving theory test.

In order to book the theory test you must have your provisional licence and be at least seventeen years old.

To find your nearest Driving Theory Test Centre you can either go online at www.gov.uk/driving-theory-test-centre or you can phone the Theory Test Enquiry Line on 0300 200 11 22 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. There are other unofficial theory test booking sites, but treat these with caution as you may end up paying more, or finding that you are not booked in at all. You can also use the official website if you need to cancel your test for any reason, or change the date or venue.

You can book online, or you can obtain an application form from the test centre. You will need your Provisional Licence number and a credit or debit card to pay the £25 fee. To book online you’ll also need an e-mail address to which they can send your confirmation. Your confirmation will arrive within four days, with a booking number.

What if English isn’t my first language? In the past the driving theory test was available in a number of languages, but after consultation this facility was removed in 2014. It’s important that all new drivers are confident enough in English or Welsh that they will understand traffic updates or emergency information, and will be able to communicate with law enforcement officers. It will also help to prevent test fraud. The test is now available in English or Welsh.

What if I have Special Needs? If you have reading difficulties such as dyslexia, then you can listen to the test being read to you in English or Welsh, and you may be able to have an extension on the time allowed for the test. You will need to provide proof from an education or medical professional that you need this. The Theory Test is also available with a BSL interpretation for deaf learners, or if you do not read BSL an approved interpreter can be arranged. Contact the Theory Test Enquiry Line (number above) for more information and to let them know if you have these or any other special needs.

What if I can’t make the date I booked? You must give notice of your cancellation at least three working days prior to the test, otherwise you will lose your test fee.

I failed the theory test. Can I book again straight away? If you fail the test, don’t worry. You can take it again, but you must wait a minimum of three working days before you take your test again. This gives you plenty of time to revise the content of the Highway Code and take a couple of mock tests for practice.

To book your Glasgow Driving Lessons with TX Driver Training call us now on 0141 764 1213.

How To Find A Good Driving School

While some driving instructors are independent, many belong to a Driving School. The School takes care of the business side of things, allowing the instructor to concentrate on teaching driving.

There are so many driving schools out there clamouring for attention with advertisements that it isn’t always easy to work out which are the best. Personal recommendation helps a lot, especially if you can select the particular instructor that you learn with. Looking at User Reviews also gives a good indication of how other learners have found the school and their reputation. If reviewers are commenting about instructors regularly turning up late, including grocery stops or not having the instructor’s full attention, then this probably isn’t a school you’ll want to use. Pass rates are not all that helpful, as they aren’t standardised and there are so many variables involved that they can’t really be compared.

Think about the type of learning you want to undertake – do you want to undertake one hour long lesson per week, a two hour lesson per week, or an intensive course? Check which driving schools offer what you want. Once you have a shortlist, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. You’re going to be giving them a lot of money, so you need to be sure that you’re getting what you need out of the arrangement. Some of the questions you should ask include:

• What cars do you use? (Model and age – most will use smaller cars under three years old)
• Are the cars dual control?
• Will I have the same instructor for all my lessons? This is helpful, as they will know you, will know what your skills are and what you need to work on.
• And the same car? Also helpful as you will gauge how much space you have when manoeuvring.
• Do you have female instructors? This may or may not be important to you.
• Do any of your instructors specialise in nervous drivers? A useful question if you are one.
• Are all your instructors fully qualified? Trainee instructors doesn’t mean poorer quality, but they do have less experience and should charge less.
• How much are your lessons? Price isn’t everything, but it is useful to know.
• Am I entirely 1:1 or does the instructor pick up the next pupil during my lesson? This can be distracting, and will also mean that you may be spending less time practising the test route, because some of your lesson time will be taken up travelling to the next pupil, but it saves the instructor/school money because they don’t have uncharged time between pupils.
• Do you offer a discount for booking a block of lessons in advance? If they do, then book a small block to begin with, to make sure that you’re happy with the instruction before you commit to a longer block.
• Which test centre do you use? Also find out whether practice on driving test routes used by that centre is included in lessons.
• What’s your pass rate for first attempts? This tells you if they try to put people through their tests too soon.
• Can I have lessons early morning / evening / weekend / weekdays (whatever your preference)?

Once you’ve gone through all these questions, you should have an idea which driving school will suit you best, and can make a decision. If you are unhappy with your instruction, you can ask for a different instructor, and if you’re still not happy, don’t be afraid to change driving school.

Contact TX Driver Training on 0141 764 1213 to find out why we think we are the best driving school in Glasgow.

Learning To Drive in Glasgow

Learning to drive is an exciting milestone for anybody. It takes you from being dependent on public transport or other drivers, to a feeling of freedom and independence. The whole process can be divided pretty neatly into three parts: theory, car control, and road-craft.

The theory part includes knowing about road markings and signs, and the rules about using the road. For example how to overtake a cyclist, when to use your hazard lights and so on. You can start learning driving theory before you first sit in the driving seat, and you probably already have some knowledge from using the road as a passenger, pedestrian or cyclist. Reading and digesting The Highway Code is the best way to check your knowledge and learn driving theory.

Car Control will be covered in your first lessons. It’s about handling the car itself, putting a whole new range of skills and reflexes together to start and stop the car, and to manoeuvre it. To begin with this will require a lot of concentration as you use hand-eye co-ordination to put the physical processes of steering, changing gear and using the pedals together with looking through the windows and mirrors. After some practice driving in quiet roads this multi-tasking becomes second nature. It’s a bit like when you first got on a cycle – pedalling, balance and steering all at once was really tricky, but it doesn’t take long for you to get it together.

Road-craft is about dealing with everything else on the road. You’ll learn about how to deal with other vehicles, varied weather conditions and levels of light, with roundabouts, signals, pedestrians and other hazards. Once you’ve mastered the basic control of the car, most of the rest of your lessons will be focusing on building experience and skill in road-craft.

As you can see, there’s quite a lot involved in becoming a driver, but you can and will be able to do it. The best person to teach you to drive is a qualified driving instructor. They have a thorough understanding of driving theory, car control and road-craft, and lots of experience in teaching people to drive safely. They also know how driving tests work, and are able to judge when you are ready to take and pass the test.

There is no minimum or maximum number of lessons, everybody learns at different rates. You may choose to do all your driving practice with your instructor, or you may practice with a patient friend or family member between lessons, as long as the car insurance includes you as a learner driver, the car is displaying L-plates when you are driving, and the person supervising you is over 21 and has had a full driving licence for at least three years.

There are two parts to the driving test, and your instructor will be able to advise you when you are ready for each one. The first is the Theory Test. You need a provisional licence to do the Theory Test, and you must pass it before you can book a practical driving test. It includes driving theory and hazard recognition, and is done on a computer at a test centre. The practical driving test will involve about forty minutes on the road with an examiner, who will be looking at driving theory, car control and road-craft. At the end of the forty minutes you will be told the result of your driving test. If you pass, you’ve done it! You’re now a qualified driver. Learning to drive doesn’t end there though, you’ll be continually building up your experience, and should look again at the Highway Code periodically.

Contact us now if you are interested in finding out about learning to drive in Glasgow.