Choosing the Correct Driving Instructor

Why this is an important decision.

Your Driving Instructor will be teaching you a skill that will last your whole lifetime. Not only that, but it’s a skill that has life-changing consequences: Learn well and your life will open up in freedom, opportunity and independence; learn badly and you could cause a horrific accident. In addition, you’re going to be spending an average of around 45 hours sitting next to this person in a car, spending an average £20 per hour. It’s worth choosing carefully.

Options

You can be taught by anybody who is over the age of twenty-one and has held a full driving-licence for at least three years, and as long as you are covered by insurance for the vehicle you are driving. Only an Approved Driving Instructor (or trainee) who is registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is allowed to charge for driving lessons. They must have a badge in their car window, and will be graded by the DVSA between Grade 4 (competent) and Grade 6 (best). An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is the best option because they have experience and skill in teaching people to drive, know the driving test syllabus and have chosen their vehicle with learner drivers in mind, though it’s also helpful if you can get practice in between your lessons with a friend or family member.

How to choose

Going by personal recommendation is a good place to start. If you’ve a friend who has recently learned to drive and they are happy with the instruction they received, then find out who the instructor was. Ask around and get a few positive recommendations. Next, have a look at reviews on the internet, and look at the driving instructor’s website if they have one. Ignore “pass rates”. They aren’t that helpful because there is no consistency – a 100% pass rate might mean that all their learners passed their test but it took them four attempts; it might mean that 100% of the learners who took their test one week last June passed! Speak to the instructor and ask them questions. How do they teach? Do they specialise in nervous drivers? What kind of car do they use? Do they follow a plan? Do they record coverage of the syllabus on the Driver’s Record?

Having a trial lesson first.

Ask for a trial lesson before you commit to anything. You’ll soon see whether or not you and the instructor get on, and whether you’ll be happy with them. Look for a clean and uncluttered car interior, punctuality and professionalism. Ask about the Driver’s Record and if they will have a plan for what will be covered each lesson.

While you will often get a discount for block-booking lessons, don’t commit too far in advance. If you find out that you don’t get on with the driving instructor after all, or you are unhappy with their instruction for any reason, then you can change driving instructor at any time.

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

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.  

Should I consider Intensive Driving Lessons?

Intensive driving lessons can be a brilliant way for you to get your driving licence very quickly. It can also save you money as the intensive experience means you spend a bit less time getting back up to speed on what you covered in the previous lesson. However, there are many disadvantages to learning to drive in this way, and it can be really hard work.

To help you decide whether Intensive Driving Lessons are right for you, answer these questions:

Do you need to learn to drive right now?

An intensive driving course is a lot of hard work, and there are other disadvantages too. If you have recently moved to a rural area, have recently had a change of family circumstances (the driver in the family is no longer around), or need to learn to drive for a job, then learning quickly on an intensive course makes sense. Just being impatient to get behind the wheel and burn some rubber isn’t really what it’s all about.

Do you have some experience?

If you already have some driving experience, even if that is only driving around a car park with Uncle Reg, or attending ‘young driver’ course or driving lessons a couple of decades ago, then you’ll have a head start. The first hours of any driving course will be focused on car control, moving off and car basics. If you already have a basic knowledge or some experience of this, then you’ll be able to move more quickly on to building confidence and experience on the roads.

Do you have great concentration and focus?

Driving, especially for a beginner, is hard work. Until it becomes an ingrained habit (which will not happen in a week-long course) you will need to concentrate on the hand-eye-foot co-ordination involved in observation, signalling and using the pedals and the steering wheel every time you slow down, move off or change direction.

Added to that you will need to learn new manoeuvres, learn what you need to do at roundabouts, traffic lights, different kinds of junctions and more; learn to judge what other road users are doing and react accordingly; be aware of potential hazards on the road; learn all the road signs and markings, rules of the road and basic car maintenance.

This is a huge amount to take on board and you are going to be overwhelmed trying to focus and learn it all in such a short space of time. If you can’t concentrate under pressure then an intensive course may not be for you.

Do you have time and money available to complete the course?

Learning to drive the conventional way you only need to find the time and money for one or two hours of driving lessons each week (though you may be offered a discount if you pay for and book a block of a few lessons at a time). You find the money for the Theory Test and the Practical Test when you are ready to book them. For Intensive Driving Lessons you will need to pay for the entire driving course, and the tests, all at once, costing anything from £500 up to £1000. You will also need to ensure that you have the time to block out an entire week (or more) in your diary for your course.

Will you be able to continue learning, getting experience, with support if necessary, after your test? One of the criticisms levelled at Intensive Driving Lessons is that there is no time in the course to build up experience of different road types or driving conditions. You may pass your test after only a few days of intensive driving lessons, but you are still a very inexperienced driver, so it’s really important that you are able to continue your learning and build your experience with a confident and experienced friend or family member.

Another way of continuing to build your experience after you’ve passed your test is by attending a Pass Plus course. Make sure that you build your confidence driving: at night; in poor weather such as rain, snow and fog; on rural roads, urban roads, motorways and dual-carriageways; in congestion and free-flowing traffic; with passengers and without.

To find out more about Intensive Driving Lessons in Glasgow contact TX Driver Training right now on 0141 764 1213.  

How to insure my first car

When you’re getting your own car one of the biggest expenses that you’ll need to take into account is car insurance, but with so many adverts and options out there, it can be a bit of a minefield. Keep reading for the main things you need to know about getting insured.

1. It will be expensive. Insurance companies decide on premiums based on how high the risk of an accident is, and how much they would have to pay out in the event of an accident. Statistics show that there’s a higher likelihood of having an accident within the first two years after passing your test and if you are under twenty-five – falling into one or both of these categories will make your insurance more expensive, but there are some ways to reduce the cost below.
2. Get several quotes. There are now several different price comparison sites that you can use to help you choose the most appropriate and competitively priced insurance, so it’s definitely worth tapping the details of what you are looking for into GoCompare, ComparetheMarket and Confused.com as you’ll be able to compare the prices of different policy types and insurance companies. Don’t forget to check out the companies that aren’t on the comparison sites though, by calling them directly, as they may be able to offer something even more competitive, especially if you tell them what you’ve been quoted elsewhere.
3. Choose your vehicle carefully. As mentioned above, insurance companies base their premiums on perceived risk and on the cost of repairs. Higher power vehicles are more likely to be involved in an accident, and higher value cars will cost more to repair or replace. Different makes and models of car have therefore been allocated an insurance group on a scale from 1 – 50. A small 1 litre Citroen will be in a very low insurance group (cheaper to insure), while a 4.4L Range Rover TDV8 is in Group 50. For insurance purposes as well as economy it’s best to choose a low power inexpensive car at this stage, and to avoid any modifications such as tinted windows, spoilers and lowered suspension which may also increase your insurance premium. Before you buy your car, check online to find out which insurance group it is in.
4. Type of insurance. There are three basic categories of car insurance: Third party; third party, fire and theft; and fully comprehensive. Third party is the cheapest type of insurance, and will pay out to cover damage to other people’s property and for injuries to them in the event of an accident, you would still need to pay for repairs to your own vehicle. Third party, fire and theft is the most common type of insurance, covering you as for third party, but also for any damage to your own vehicle in the event of fire or theft. Fully comprehensive is the most expensive, and also covers you for accidental damage to your own vehicle.
5. Check the details. However similar an insurance policy may look on the surface, there are extras that you may wish to ensure are covered, or may not require. Once you’ve shortlisted some policies, read the small-print. These details may include: whether or not a courtesy car is provided while your car is being repaired after an accident; whether windscreen or legal expenses cover is included, or break-down recovery; how much excess you have to pay when making a claim; and quite importantly, whether you are actually covered for work-related travel.
6. Can you reduce the premiums still further? It’s worth picking up the phone to arrange your car insurance rather than doing it all on-line, despite the tortuous time waiting “on hold” because you can often negotiate a reduction on premiums based on little details that might be overlooked on an on-line form. Possible reasons for reductions may be: that you’ve attended a Pass Plus course; that your vehicle is stored in a locked garage or compound at home or at work; that you have fitted an immobiliser, car tracking device or steering-wheel lock; if you negotiate a (practical) low mileage limit; if you are paying in full at the beginning rather than monthly.

Once you’ve done your research and chosen a policy that seems to suit you, call the company and arrange your insurance, which will usually take effect immediately (check this when you phone). You will be sent the insurance certificate, and all the details of the policy, which you should read carefully to make sure you have the cover you need and all the details of you and the vehicle are correct. You can cancel the policy within fourteen days if there are any problems. When the insurance policy is due to expire, the insurance company will usually contact you with a quote to continue for the following year. It is well worth getting on those price-comparison sites again at this point, as many insurance companies inflate their prices for that second year, hoping that you will just stay with them without checking! Remember that although insurance is one of the highest costs for a motorist, particularly in those first few years, it is illegal to drive without it, and you could be prosecuted and your car impounded if you try to avoid it.

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.

How to prepare for your practical driving test

How to prepare for your practical driving test

Once you’ve passed your Theory Test and you and your Driving Instructor have agreed together that you are ready to take your practical driving test, it’s time to get ready. Making sure that you’ve done the best preparation that you possibly can will give you the very best chance of passing your test. 

Here’s how to get, ready, get set and go and pass that test:

I know that you’ve taken your theory test, but now is the time to have another read through the Highway Code to make sure that you remember all that information about stopping distances and what to do in any given situation. This is the theory that underpins all the practical driving, and it’s a vital bank of information on safe driving.

Make sure that you’ve had a chance to familiarise yourself with the car you’ll be driving, have practiced manoeuvres in it, and know where your blind spots are. Make sure that you know how to open the bonnet, check the oil and tyres, know which fuel to put in and how to open the fuel cap, and know what all the indicator and warning lights mean. This will help you in the “show me, tell me” questions, but will also help you to stay calm and know what to do if warning lights illuminate during your test.

Go through the Driver’s Record with your instructor to make sure that you have covered the whole syllabus and have driven on a wide variety of roads and conditions. If there are any gaps then now is the time to make sure that you address them in your lessons.

Familiarise yourself with the location of the test centre and the different roads in the area. You need to find the test centre on the day without getting lost, but you’ll also then be aware of the main roundabouts, junctions, zebra crossings and one-way streets that you might meet in your test.

A couple of weeks before your test make sure that you know where your provisional licence and theory test certificate are. If you can’t find them, you should still have time to get a replacement before your test.

If you have the opportunity to practice driving with a friend or family member, do so during the week before your test. If not, then try to get an extra driving lesson in that last week to help you get into the zone.

The night before your test pick out some comfortable clothes, and get your provisional licence and theory test certificate out ready. Get plenty of sleep.

On the morning of your test make sure that you eat so you don’t feel light-headed or have a rumbling stomach, but nothing too heavy, smelly or spicy, you don’t want garlic breath or chilli repeating on you during your test. Have plenty to drink (not alcohol, obviously!) but don’t overdo it. Use the loo while you are waiting for your examiner.

Good luck!

If you would like to learn to drive in Glasgow, contact TX-Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.

What happens on the eyesight part of the driving test?

Being able to see clearly is vital for safe driving. Without good vision you will not be able to read the road ahead, or road signs, and therefore won’t be able to make judgements about where on the road you need to be, or safely respond to developing hazards. An eyesight test has therefore been an essential part of the driving test since 1937, just two years after the first driving test was introduced.

The rules

You must be able to read, from at least 20 metres, a car number plate (post 2001). You should also have a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale using both eyes (or just one eye if you only have sight in one) and an adequate field of vision. If you are unsure about any of this, or have any concerns at all about your eyesight, it would be a good idea to get an eye test with an optician before you start driving. They will be able to tell you whether your eyesight is good enough to drive, and will prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help you if necessary. If you need to wear contact lenses or glasses to read a number plate from twenty metres, then you should wear them during your test and whenever you drive.

How this part of the test works

At the beginning of your test, before you have even got to your car, the driving examiner will stop you and ask you to read a number plate on a parked vehicle which is at least 20 metres away. You may write down the number plate if you have difficulty with spoken English. If you can’t read the first number plate, the examiner will ask you to read another one, slightly closer but still over the required distance. If you cannot read this one, then they will measure the exact required distance to a third number plate and ask you to read that one. If you are still unable to correctly read the number plate, then the test will terminate. You will fail your test and the examiner will contact the DVLA to revoke your provisional licence. You can reapply for a licence after this, but will be required to take an eyesight test first, and will then still have to pass the eyesight test when you take your practical car driving test.

To ensure that you are as safe as possible when driving, and to prevent unnecessary accidents, you should make sure that you get your eyesight checked before you start your driving lessons. Tell the optician that you are going to learn to drive and ask them whether you are likely to meet the required vision standards. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, then make sure that you do. Have regular eye tests throughout your adult life, as eyesight does deteriorate. If your eyesight becomes a problem and you no longer meet the minimum requirements, you are required to inform the DVLA and surrender your licence. It’s not about the DVLA being strict – it’s about keeping our roads safe.

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