I passed the driving test.

Great result, well done Hannah on passing the driving test first time and with only 5 minors.

Safe driving around Milton Keynes.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

T-Junction sign

T-junction signs

When you see a t-junction sign watch out for vehicles that might cut across or swerve into your path when leaving the main road. There may also be more pedestrian activity.

T-junction ahead

T-junction showing priority - the road indicated
by the broad line has priority.

You MUST stop at this sign

Give way to traffic on the road that you are entering - you may proceed without stopping
but must not force other drivers to change their speed or
direction - stop if you are in any doubt

This sign is places in advance of Give Way or Stop signs where the
junction is concealed or hazardous (the plate indicates the
distance and type of junction)

This sign tells you that you must turn left ahead

This sign is placed at the location of a 'left turn only' junction.
You must 'turn left now'

Best and worst place to take your driving test

Throw out the L plates! The best and worst places to take your driving test 

By ANNA EDWARDS
UPDATED: 16:26, 22 August 2011

 
 
 

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For many, taking a driving test is a wretched experience, fraught with nerves and hopes that the examiner is kind and overlooks tiny mistakes.

But those who take their driving test in Mallaig, in the Scottish Highlands, need not fret - as it's the best place in the UK to take your driving test, with nearly 80 per cent of drivers passing first time.

However, those who have to hit the road in Wanstead, east London, should brace themselves for disappointment, because 71.5 per cent of drivers fail their test on this route.

Busy Wanstead, left, and Bradford, right, both have a high failure rate

The Department of Transport says the national average for passing first time is 46 per cent.

Other areas with high failure rates include Bradford, in Thornbury, which has a 70.3 per cent fail rate, Leeds and Bradford have 67.3 per cent, while Barnet really tests its drivers, with 65.5 per cent failing.

 

More...

• Top military brass 'use helicopters like taxis': Admiral flies to a meeting only 16 miles away... and it costs nearly £700

The busy test routes are filled with aggressive drivers and many different obstacles and signs, which is why many find it more challenging to pass and finally rip up their L-plates.

Allan Scammell, who runs Allan's Driving Tuition in East London, told the People why many found it so hard to pass their test.

He said: 'The road layout can be quite tricky. 

'Drivers can be aggressive, they go for gaps that aren't there, overtake and generally take no prisoners.'

Come to Mallaig: Drivers stand a better chance of passing if they take their test in this remote part of Scotland

Many of the centres that boast of a high pass rate for first timers are, unsurprisingly, in remote areas.

Scotland offers the best chances of passing your test first time, with the top ten places all being in that part of the UK.

Inveraray in Argyll and Islay Island in the Hebrides boast just 23.5 per cent and 25 per cent fail rate respectively.

The areas in England with the lowest failure rate was Malton, North Yorkshire with 35 per cent and Kendal, Cumbria, with 35.2 per cent.

BEST PLACES TO PASS

Centre               First                     % of
                           timers                 failures

Mallaig              14                        21.4 

Inveraray          34                        23.5
(Argyll)        

Islay Island      36                         25

Isle of Skye      32                        25     

Kingussie         48                        29.2

Lochgilphead  102                      29.4

Benbecula        44                        29.5
Island

Salen                 27                        29.6
(Island of Mull)          

Campbeltown  68                        33.8

Duns                  97                         34 

 WORST PLACES TO PASS

  Centre               First                     % of
                            timers                 failures

Wanstead          4,826                   71.5

Bradford             753                      70.3 
(Thornbury)

Bradford             2,486                   70.2
(Heaton)

Heckmondwike 2,557                  69.1

Bradford             2,104                   68.6   
(Eccleshill - closed)

Leeds                  3,391                   67.3     
(Harehills)

Brentwood         1,950                   67.3

Goodmayes        6,086                  66.1 

Hamilton             2,505                   65.7

Barnet                 4,315                   65.5      

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2028462/Best-worst-driving-test-places-In-Mallaig-80-drivers-pass-1st-time.html#ixzz2XAnvW9XS
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2028462/Best-worst-driving-test-places-In-Mallaig-80-drivers-pass-1st-time.html

Helping drivers to improve their driving.

New website to help road users improve their skills A new website designed to help road users develop and improve their driving and riding skills has been launched. Safe Driving for Life (www.safedrivingforlife.info) has been developed by DSA in partnership with its official publishers, TSO. Interesting and interactive material The website is a one-stop information resource which will be rolled out in 4 phases. It will hold useful, interesting and interactive material for: learners experienced drivers and riders instructors professional drivers and riders Phase 1 includes: the learners’ section Safe Driving for Life shop practice theory tests for car, motorbike, LGV and PCV a suitability tool for people to test whether they’re cut out to be an ADI Developing the site The remaining 3 phases will all be launched by this August 2013, but we’ll continue to develop the website beyond that, according to our users’ needs and interests. If you’d like to contribute to this development you can either click on the ‘feedback’ button at the bottom of the website or contact DSA’s publishing manager, Sarah Scott, by emailingsarah.scott@dsa.gsi.gov.uk. Extra information and advice GOV.UK remains the official website for all government services and information about learning to drive. Safe Driving for Life provides extra information and advice beyond what’s published on GOV.UK.

Driving Stories

Story
As all my pupils know I like to tell stories that are relevant to the driving. The stories have a good meaning for example,
A pupil did not check the right shoulder when changing lanes from left to right. On this occasion there was a car in the right blind spot. As the pupil was about to change lanes I reminded that pupil to check and the shock of seeing a car in the blind spot was enough to make sure it was always checked going forward.
I always insist that before you move off or change lanes you do a shoulder check, its is there for your safety.

Independent Driving on the driving test.

How will I be tested on 'independent driving' on the driving test?

The candidate will be asked to pull over and the examiner will ask them to drive independently by one, or possibly a combination, of the following methods. The candidate won't be able to influence which method is chosen – that's up to the examiner.
1. Via road signs and markings – for example, the examiner will ask, 'For the next ten minutes please follow the road signs to the town centre.'
2. Via a series of three, or very occasionally four verbal directions given by the examiner (similar to how you might get directions from a passer-by) – for example, 'drive along then take the first left, straight ahead at the roundabout then second right'.
When using verbal directions, the examiner will also show them a diagram before setting off.

If the candiate forgets the directions they are allowed to ask the examiner to confirm them as they drive along. If road signs are obscured, say by an overhanging tree or a parked vehicle, the examiner will intervene and say, 'the sign's obscured here but you're meant to take the next left'.

The independent driving section isn't meant to test candidates navigating skills – if they take a wrong turn or get lost it won't count against them. It's more to do with letting them show their ability to drive safely without constant direction from their instructor or examiner. Though of course if they get flustered and make a driving fault during this section, such as excessive hesitation at a junction then this will be marked as a fault.
www.travis-drive.co.uk
www.drivinglessonsmk.webs.com

The Driving test day.

The test day

Confidence is the key

If I have put you in for your driving test, then it means
that you can definitely do it!
Think positive – remove all the negative
thoughts and consider the test only a short
drive where you will show the examiner that
you can drive alone.
Try to silently repeat to yourself “this is
a piece of cake”, at the end you will be
surprised to realize how short the test is!

Warm up
Make sure that you book at least 1 hour to warm up prior your test. This will help to get your mind into the swing of things.
During your training you will have noticed when your concentration reaches its peak, so use this time to bring your attention level to its highest point for the beginning of the test.

Practice all the manoeuvres and have a short drive around the test centre to spot possible problems such as roadworks or similar

Concentration
Focus on what’s happening well ahead of you and, silently, talk yourself through what might happen.
Keep your attention on your driving and don’t bother at what the examiner is writing, sometimes they tick certain boxes that are not related to driving faults.

Just ask
If you are not sure about a direction or what the examiner has asked you to do, don’t be afraid to ask. Examiners are as helpful as possible and they will repeat the directions promptly.

Mistakes?
It’s quite normal to make a mistake during
a driving test, in fact is very rare to
complete a test with a clean sheet.
If you make a mistake put it to the back
of your mind, don’t instantly assume you
have failed and continue to concentrate on
the task ahead, more often then not it’s a
minor fault but potentially it can be a
major distraction.

If during a manoeuvre you feel that you have
missed your point of turn, simply pull forward and explain the examiner that you need to try again so that they are aware of what you are doing.
There is a difference in “kissing” and “hitting” the kerb. The first case does not constitute a fail, provided that you have made effective observations.

I have stalled!
Stalling does not constitute a fail, unless you stall in a dangerous situation i.e. on entering a roundabout.
I have seen candidates stalling at the very beginning of their test and, on some occasions, the examiner was lenient enough to not mark it as they understand that nerves are at their peak in that moment.
If you stall deal with it, handle it properly and you will still pass.

Independent driving
This is actually a very simple part of the driving test. If you are taking your test it means that you can easily spot and understand traffic signs.
If you forget where you should go, simply ask the examiner and he/she will confirm the directions to you.
If you take the wrong direction but you do it correctly no faults will be recorded and the examiner will guide you back on route.

www.travis-drive.co.uk

www.drivinglessonsmk.webs.com

My last ten driving test manoeuvres.

These are the manoeuvre that my pupils got on the last ten driving tests.
1 Turn in the road
2 Bay park + emergency stop
3 Turn in the road
4 Left Reverse + emergency stop
5 Bay park + emergency stop
6 Reverse park
7 Reverse park
8 Reverse park
9 Bay park + emergency stop
10 Left Reverse
www.travis-drive.co.uk
www.drivinglessonsmk.webs.com

Zero minors on the driving test.

My pupil Katie Roberts passed the driving test today first time and with zero minors.  Great result.  Safe driving in Buckingham.

www.travis-drive.co.uk

Travis School of Motoring: Driving Test Myths.

Travis School of Motoring: Driving Test Myths.: Ten Driving Test Myths & Mistakes Myth: Driving examiners are only allowed to pass a certain number of pupils per week. This is just not...

What shoes for driving lessons?

The shoes make a difference.
If you are learning to drive then the shoes that you use for your driving lessons do make a difference. 
An example: I was teaching a pupil over a year ago now (has since passed). But every time the pupil had a lesson, a different pair of shoes were worn. Some lessons the clutch control was good and some lessons it was not so good. So We had a conversation about the amount of different types of shoes being worn for the lessons. It turns out that the pupil worked in a shoe shop and had lots of pairs of shoes. I suggested trying to keep to the same pair for the lessons. This solved the problem, clutch control improved.
So do think about what shoes to use while driving, thick soles and you might not feel the pedals, thin soles and the pedals might be hurting your feet.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

New penalties for tailgating

New penalties to tackle tailgating and middle lane hogging

Careless drivers who put other road users at risk face on-the-spot penalties under new measures announced by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond.

The changes will give the police powers to issue fixed penalty notices for careless driving, giving them greater flexibility in dealing with less serious careless driving offences - such as tailgating or middle lane hogging - and freeing them from resource-intensive court processes. The fixed penalty will also enable the police to offer educational training as an alternative to endorsement. Drivers will still be able to appeal any decision in court. Existing fixed penalty levels rising to £100 In addition, existing fixed penalty levels for most motoring offences - including using a mobile phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt - will rise to £100 to bring them into line with the penalties for similar non-motoring fixed penalties.   Read more   www.travis-drive.co.uk

Driving test Questions and answers.

1. DriverActive Home
 
2. The Driving Test
 
3. Driving test FAQ

Typical questions about the test

Q. My dad says it's easy to pass the driving test. Has it changed over the years since he took it?
A. The test is more rigorous than it used to be. It lasts longer, the roads are busier, the marking is tougher and there's more extensive testing of manoeuvres. It takes longer to prepare for today's test but it is still easy to pass for those who are fully prepared.
Q. How long will the test last?
A. About 40 minutes.
Q. Which manoeuvres will I have to do?
A. You may be asked to do any of the following manoeuvres: reversing around a corner to the left or right; turning the car in the road; reverse (parallel) parking; moving off at an angle from behind a parked vehicle; and reversing into a parking bay. You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop.
Q. Is there anything I need to do if I take the test in my own car?
A. Yes - you must fit a rear view mirror for the examiner's use. Your car must also comply with all the normal regulations.
Q What kind of roads will I drive on? 
A. The routes are designed to ensure that you can drive safely in a wide range of conditions. Wherever possible, the routes will include: town centres, suburban roads, dual carriageways and rural roads.
Q. My friend had two examiners - is that fair?
A. A senior DSA examiner sometimes sits in the back to ensure that the examiners are doing their job properly and not failing people who should pass - this ensures a fair test for everyone.
Q. Can I drive an automatic car after I pass?
A. if you pass in a manual car, you can also drive an automatic, however, if you pass in an automatic you will have to take a separate test in order to drive a manual.
Q. My friend told me it's best to drive slowly during the test to show that I am safe, is this right?
A. The speed you drive will be determined by the speed limit, traffic and weather conditions. You can fail for going too fast, but you can also fail for going too slow or being hesitant.
Q. How are my mistakes marked?
A. The examiner will keep track of your drive on a form (Driving Test Report). The form lists a number of items that relate to your control of the car, its equipment and your procedure on the road. There are three categories of mistake that can be recorded. 1. Dangerous faults: these are marked if your actions actually cause danger. 2. Serious faults: these are faults that could be dangerous in a different set of circumstances or are habitual errors that are potentially dangerous. 3. Driving faults: these are less serious errors that detract from 'perfect drive'. A single dangerous or serious fault will lead to test failure. You are currently permitted a maximum of 15 less serious 'Driving faults' although it is unlikely you will make anywhere near that many.
Q. Does each examiner have a quota of passes?
A. No - examiners are checked regularly to ensure that they are doing the job correctly; if you drive well, you will pass, regardless of how many passes the examiner has awarded that day or week.
Q. What happens if I fail?
A. At the end of the test the examiner will explain the reasons for your result and give you a copy of his test report.
Q. What happens when I pass?
A. The examiner will offer advice about your driving and issue a pass certificate – you are now licensed to drive on your own!

http://www.driveractive.com/Driving_Test/DT4_.html

Hemel Hempstead driving tests

Hemel Hempstead: driving test service

From Wednesday 12 June, car practical tests will be available from the Halfords site in Hemel Hempstead.

You can now book practical tests for this site - these will be conducted every Wednesday and Friday. Address details: Hemel Hempstead Driving Test Centre Halfords 251 London Road Hemel Hempstead HP3 9AA View map Important note All driving tests will still be carried out by DSA examiners. On arrival, please park in the nearest bay to the store as possible and report to the DSA waiting area inside where the examiner will meet you. If you have an 8:40am test appointment, the examiner will meet you at your vehicle. Please note this site doesn't have available toilet facilities. www.travis-drive.co.uk

Travis School of Motoring: Top Tips after you have passed the driving test.

Travis School of Motoring: Top Tips after you have passed the driving test.: Top Tips after you have passed the driving test. 1 Remember when you were learning and the other drivers did not signal on roundabouts and e...

Travis School of Motoring: The Driving Theory Test.

Travis School of Motoring: The Driving Theory Test.: The Theory Test The first part of the Theory Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions. Each question has 4 possible answers of which on...

Travis School of Motoring: Independent Driving on the Driving Test.

Travis School of Motoring: Independent Driving on the Driving Test.: The driving test consists of 10 minutes of Independent driving.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXd6npRMyFI The Video from the DSA shows yo...

Travis School of Motoring: Driving Aids

Travis School of Motoring: Driving Aids: Windscreen, windows, wipers, washers, demisters, defrosters and rear screen heaters all help to maintain good all-round visibility for the d...

Travis School of Motoring: Car Direction Indicators

Travis School of Motoring: Car Direction Indicators: Direction indicators play an important part of communication between road users. They are operated by the fingertips, but without losing han...

Travis School of Motoring: E-co driving. Save yourself £300

Travis School of Motoring: E-co driving. Save yourself £300: Smart driving E-co Smart Driving  For many, driving is a necessity but why spend more on it than you need to?  By driving smarter the ...

Flat Tyre. How to change the wheel.

Flat tyres

How to change a wheel safely

 

To save space and weight, many new cars have a punture repair kit - sealant and compressor - rather than a spare wheel.  If you don't have a spare it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the kit provided so you'll know what to do if you do get a puncture.

If your car does have a spare it's a good idea to practise changing a wheel at home in the daylight when the weather's warm and dry. Then, if you do suffer a puncture you'll be able to cope more easily, even if it's dark, cold or wet.

Given a safe environment, the right tools and some basic knowledge, changing a wheel on any vehicle should be fairly straightforward. Check the handbook first as this might include vehicle specific advice.

Where the handbook and our advice appear to be in conflict, follow the advice in the handbook.

For your own safety

• Don't try to change a wheel on the hard shoulder of a motorwayor at the side of a road. Turn off or pull over well away from the traffic and call for help.
• Don't try to change a wheel on soft, loose or uneven ground.
• Don't try to change a wheel with passengers still in the car. Move everyone to a place of safety, well away from the vehicle and carriageway.
• Don't work under a car while it's raised on a jack.
• Don't try to use the jack anywhere other than at the specified jacking points – attaching the jack in the wrong place can cause damage to the car and/or risks it collapsing when lifted.

What you'll need

• handbook - showing where to attach the jack
• spare wheel - with adequate tread and correctly inflated
• vehicle jack
• wheel-nut wrenchwith extension bar and locking wheel nut adaptor if fitted
• at least one wheel chock
• gloves – the wheel/tyre will be dirty
• something to kneel on – the ground will be dirty too
• sharp knife or cutters to remove cable ties if these are used to hold wheel trims in place
• torch
• reflective jacket and sensible/strong shoes for your own safety

Before lifting the car

1. Plan the job so that the vehicle is raised for the minimum amount of time.
2. Switch off the engine and turn on the hazard lights.
3. Apply the handbrake and engage first gear (or 'P' if an automatic).
4. Chock the road wheel diagonally opposite the one to be replaced.
5. Remove the spare from the boot/carrier – a carrier under the vehicle may be rusty and difficult to move.
6. Lay the spare on the ground where it will be convenient for fitting.
7. Remove the wheel trim (if fitted) – you may have to cut cable ties and/or lever the trim off.
8. Place the jack in the recommended lifting point closest to the wheel to be removed. Ensure that the jack head engages correctly (as shown in the handbook) and extend the jack until it just starts to lift the car on its springs. Don't lift the car any further yet.
9. Slacken off the wheel nuts/bolts (most turn anti–clockwise to undo) using the vehicle's wheel brace and locking wheel-nut adapter if required. (There might be a protective cover over locking wheel nuts.)
10. Keep your back straight and body weight evenly distributed on both feet. Apply effort downward and in a controlled way so that when the nut finally 'breaks' you won't lose your balance or fall over. You can achieve greater efficiency by applying controlled effort through the foot, but only if you can support your upper body.

Lifting the car

Raise the jack to lift the vehicle sufficiently so that the wheel is just clear of the ground.

Remove the slackened wheel nuts/bolts while keeping the wheel in position on the hub using a knee or toe – leave the top one until last so that both hands are free to lift the wheel away from the hub.

Fitting the spare

Fitting the spare is the reverse of the removal procedure – secure the wheel by refitting the top bolt/nut first, and tighten all the nuts by hand first in stages and in a diagonal sequence.

Don't oil the bolts/nuts before refitting them, as this will make them more likely to work lose.

Carefully lower the wheel to make contact with the ground before fully tightening the wheel nuts – again in diagonal sequence.

Stow the damaged wheel safety. Replace it in the carrier or boot well.

And finally

If the spare is a temporary-use 'skinny' spare, note any restrictions on use – they're typically limited to 50mph and should be replaced with a normal tyre as soon as possible. Some dashboard lights may come on while a space saver spare is used because systems like ABS, traction control and some automatic gearboxes can be upset by odd tyre sizes.

• Check/adjust the pressure in the 'new' tyre as soon as possible.
• Get the wheel nuts tightened to the correct torque figure as soon as possible.
• Get the damaged tyre replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/breakdown_advice/got-a-flat.html