Friday 29 November 2013

The Christmas rush in Mk and Buckingham

The Christmas rush in MK and Buckingham. 
Today I seen a noticeably increase in traffic on the roads. This is the start of the Christmas shoppers, rushing around, taking risks. 
Be careful on the roads over the next 4 weeks.
Safe driving www.travis-drive.co.uk
James

Special offer driving lessons.

WINTER SPECIAL OFFER
First 3 hours at £15 per hour.
check out my website with more offers from this link www.travis-drive.co.uk

Thursday 28 November 2013

How to drive on Motorways

How to drive on Motorways
Firstly ask your instructor to take you on the motorway. After all they know what your driving is like and you understand the way that they coached you to drive. www.travis-drive.co.uk

If asking your driving instructor is not possible then below are a few pointers to help. 

Read the rules of the Motorway. 

Many new drivers worry about their first time alone on a motorway. 

Motorways are safer, than normal roads, but they are also faster. Sometimes things do happen quicker, and you have to concentrate all the time.

When you are on the main carriageway of the motorway, remain in the first lane until you get used to the speed. If you need to overtake you must return to the first lane as soon as possible but only if its safe to do so! Many motorists try to stay in the overtaking lanes for normal driving. This is bad practice and causes inconvenience and tailbacks and annoys other users.

There are two types of motorway, rural and urban. You need to think of them as quiet and busy. Quiet motorways are boring, so you need to concentrate on the road and traffic conditions way ahead. Busy motorways need your attention all around you rather than just focused ahead.

Motorways are like dual carriageways only safer. They are safer because every motorway user is travelling in the same direction and at similar speeds. Another reason why motorways are safer is due to the fact that traffic is restricted to those who can make best use of it i.e. no pedestrians, cyclists, moped, no L drivers (except HGV), agricultural vehicles, and animals. Motorways are also safer because there are no sharp bends, no oncoming traffic, no right turn, and no roundabouts. The lanes are always wide, and well marked, and are usually straight for long distances. 

www.travis-drive.co.uk

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Pass your driving test at the 1st go.

Top tips for passing your Driving Test - At the First Attempt.
www.travis-drive.co.uk
To pass your driving test you need to drive without making any serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 minor faults during a drive of about 40 minutes. You must also complete several manoeuvres.
Do Your Homework
1. Pin up a map of your test centre area and mark out the test routes. Mark difficult areas on it such as one-way streets, difficult junctions, double mini roundabouts, so that you are ready for them on approach, rather than having to deal with them as if they have come out of nowhere. Make sure you get plenty of practice over the test routes with a professional driving school such as Travis School of Motoring.
2. Practise manoeuvres until you can carry them out without any minor faults. That will leave you with a margin of 15 faults for the rest of the drive on the day of your test.
3. Practise, practise, and practise until you can drive without verbal or physical intervention from me (your instructor) for the duration of a full driving lesson or a mock driving test. Don't forget: it's not practice that makes perfect: it's practice – with a professional driving instructor – that makes perfect.
Test Day
i) Warm up: Arrange to have an hour's driving lesson around the area of the test centre on the day of your test. This will help you to warm up and get into the swing of things. You will also be aware of any new roadworks, obstructions etc and will feel more able to deal with them more easily. Forewarned is foreamed.
ii) Nerves: If you start feeling shaky bag of nerves, breathe in, hold your breath, count up to 20 and out breathe out. Repeat this exercise until you gain control of your nerves. Once the test starts, you'll settle into your driving and your attention will be on the road rather than on your own feelings, and your nervousness should disappear.
iii) Think confident: Talk yourself – silently! – through the test. Talk about hazards coming up and how you are going to deal with them. This really focuses your mind on how you should be driving in order to pass the test.
iv) Don't be afraid to ask: If you don't understand what the examiner has asked you to do, don't be afraid to ask him or her to repeat the instruction.
v) Think positive: Before you start a manoeuvre, repeat to yourself three times – silently – "this is a piece of cake". Think positively at all times. You can do it!
vi) Making a mistake: If you feel you're messing up a manoeuvre, just pull forwards and do it again correctly. As long as you haven't done anything wrong, such as touching the kerb or failing to make effective observations, you can still pass.
vii) Stalling: if, unfortunately, you stall, deal with it and move on. As long as you don't stall in a dangerous situation, such as on a roundabout and as long as you handle it properly, this needn't count as a major fault and you can still pass your test.
viii) Have I already failed? If you feel you've made a mistake, don't instantly assume you've failed – it may only have been a minor fault. Put it behind you and carry on driving as well as you can.
ix) Keep your eyes on the road: Resist the temptation to look at the examiner and what he or she is writing. You will not be able to deduce anything anyway. Keep your attention on your driving and the road ahead!
Good Luck.

Driving Test Nerves. How to calm them.

Driving test Nerves-How to calm them.


Driving Test Nerves - How To Calm Them
If you are affected by driving test nerves then the first thing to remember is that you are not alone. Driving test nerves affect the majority of learner drivers, the overwhelming majority of whom will eventually go on to pass their driving test.

The second point to remember is that you shouldn't be taking your practical driving test unless I think you are capable of passing. If I think you're ready, then you are capable of passing. Already you have a vote of confidence from someone who matters.

Why do you feel nervous? What consequences do you fear? Is it for your safety on the road? If it is then don't worry, you're in a dual controlled car with a professional Driving Test Examiner. They know how to deal with you and any mistakes you may make.

Maybe your nerves stem from the fear that if you fail your test you'll let your friends and family down. If so then sod them. Don't tell them.

Fear of Failure - Leads to Failure

In some people exams of any sort can cause nerves and anxiety to rise. If this is you then put your driving test in context. It's a lot easier to retake a driving test than it is your GCSE's or A-Levels. The main loss of a failed driving test is financial, several more lessons and the cost of a second test.

Take your nerves on by accepting them. Nerves can be positive. They tell the body to release adrenaline which helps keep you alert and focused. Use nerves to your advantage and they will increase your performance.

Turn the day to your advantage. When are you at your best? If you're a morning person then make sure you book your driving test for a morning start. If it takes you until noon to "wake-up" then make sure you book an afternoon test.

Never book a driving test during a time when you know other stressful events will be happening.

Arrive at the driving test centre unhurried and at least 15 minutes before your test is due to start.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

Believe in the positive. Focus on your successes in life, not your failures.
As the test day approaches ask yourself the following questions.

Do I feel nervous?
Do I experience self-doubt?
Do I get butterflies in my stomach?
Do I fear underperformance?
Does my body tense up?
Do I feel prepared?
Do I feel relaxed in mind and body?
Do I feel up for it?
Do I need the toilet?
Do I enjoy the challenge?
When you answer these questions, ask yourself why you have answered it in that way and why you fell that way. If the answer is a negative, think about how you can change it, what you can do to prevent it in the future. Write out a list of positive and negative thought about your driving, as this will help you recognise areas of perceived personal weakness that need working on.

Don't Take a 'Test', Go For A Drive

As soon as the word test or exam is mentioned it can ignite all sorts of negative thoughts and associations. You can start to feel pressured and stressed. So don;t take a test, go for a drive. You already have the ability to drive to test standard, otherwise your instructor wouldn't have told you to book the test, so all you have to do is drive naturally, to the standard you are capable of.

Don't Let A Previous Fail Influence You

Don't dwell on a previous fail. You failed, so what? Move on. You're better this time, more experienced, and, statistically, you have a much higher chance of passing this time.

Breathe, Relax

There are many techniques/remedies that claim to ease nerves and anxiety. From herbal remedies such as Kalms tablets to psychological techniques such as visualization and even hypnosis. Does any of this work? Well maybe. I myself have no first hand or even second hand experience that any of them do work so I won't be recommending any.

One technique I can recommend however is 4-7-8 breathing. Breathing correctly can have a profound effect on the way you feel. It is widely considered to be the most effective and time efficient relaxation method that exists.

The standard breathing relaxation method recommended for your natural breathing pattern is

breathe into your diaphragm, (the bottom of your stomach), not shallow chest breathing
inhale through the nose
exhale through the mouth
take longer to exhale than to inhale
slow your breathing down (less breaths-per-minute)
4-7-8 breathing simply adds

begin by slowly breathing in through your nose for a count of 4.
Hold the breath for a count of 7.
Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. When you exhale, try to make a soft whoosh sound by holding the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth (or lightly clench your teeth) as you exhale slowly.
Repeat this process for three more times (for a total of four breaths.) Do not do more than four breaths at first - with practice, you can work your way up to eight breaths. Do this twice each day.
4-7-8 breathing shouldn't be your naturally breathing pattern but should be used to calm nerves and find a more relaxed state of mind at or before times of increased anxiety.

The Power of Sleep

For anyone taking their driving test, nervous or not, a good nights sleep is essential. It has been estimated that up to 36 percent of all vehicle accidents were sleep (lack of) related. Research shows that sleep patterns play a huge part in driver awareness, performance and road safety, and a poor nights sleep will have a negative effect on your driving. Tiredness will also heighten feelings of anxiety and nervousness.

If you do feel tired prior to taking the test you should avoid taking caffeine. As a stimulant it can heighten feelings of anxiety plus research has shown that it does not increase alertness or concentration unless taken alongside a short power nap of around twenty minutes. Additional research has shown that a high sugar content in a drink that contains caffeine can actually make the sleepiness worse, although a glucose or energy drink can temporarily help alertness.

So, take sleep seriously. Try and get several good nights sleep in the run up to your driving test. If you do, you will be physically and mentally at your best and much more able to deal with any negative feelings or anxiety you may have.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

Sunday 17 November 2013

Pass the driving test with Zero minors!



Not easy to come by, but when they arrive it always puts a smile on the driving instructors face.  


Good luck to all pupils who are taking the driving test this week.
James

Saturday 16 November 2013

Winter driving tips for new drivers

Winter driving tips
As the winter starts to get its grip I am thinking about all those pupils who passed the driving test in summer. So here are a few tips that I hope you might consider.
1. Put a spade in the boot of your car( in case you get snowed in).
2. Check the grip on your tyres. You need a minimum 1.6mm to be legal. Even more to be safer on the wets wintery roads.
3. Get a winter service done. Last thing you want is the car breaking down.
4. Check the wind screen wipers for there condition and ask yourself will they last the winter.
5. Check all your light(once a week).
6. If going on a long journey check weather forecast.
7. Keep a blanket in the boot.
8. Have deicer and scraper in boot for the frosty days.
9. When driving in winter remember that frost can be around all day, even on a sunny day in the shade and on bends.
10. When driving give yourself more time to get from A to B.
11. At Christmas the car parks become packed(full) give yourself more time to park. Or use the park and ride.
12. At Christmas the roads get a lot more traffic on in the run up to the 24th. Be extra careful( busy roads means more idiots to look out for).
www.travis-drive.co.uk
Drive safe
James

Don't forget to claim your FREE on line driver course.

FREE ON LINE THEORY/PRACTICAL COURSE.
Don't forget all new pupils will get a FREE on line theory/practical course to help them gain a better understanding of driving whist outside of the driving lessons. It will help you to prepare for each driving lesson giving you a better knowledge base which is will help you to become a very good safe driver.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Aquaplaning in Milton Keynes.

How to Deal With Aquaplaning


In heavy or persistent rain, pools can form across the road. 
Aquaplaning accurs because the tyres cannot clear the road of water and a "wedge" of water forms between the tyre and the road, losing any traction between tyres and road. 

Your Steering appears light, like your driving on a sheet of ice. 

Aquaplaning


Aquaplaning can be a terrifying experience, however, it is not the initial stages of an incident that will cause loss of control of the vehicle, it will be what the driver does in response the incident that will become the problem. 

As soon as you feel the car begin to aquaplane just take your foot off the accelerator and DON'T use the brake. 

DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!

If any braking is done at any time this will only make everything worse, so do not make any speed or directional changes. 

The period of aquaplaning, for 99% of occasions, will be for no more than a second or two. 

Hold the steering wheel,

taking your foot off the accelerator

and NOT using the brake 


This will be enough for you to gain control of the vehicle. 

In seconds, the car control will come back, and you can continue your journey again. 
http://www.2pass.co.uk/aquaplaning.htm#.UoN75aWkkfE

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Video on driving lessons in milton keynes


www.drive-travis.co.uk

Do I need a refresher driving lesson?

 Received a text off an old pupil who passed in August of this year, then went off to University. The girl wanted to know if a refresher lesson was needed in December for she is back then and her dad was going to let her drive over Christmas. 
I lesson would be wise for a bit of rusty driving would be starting to show. You still might have the confidence to drive but a lesson would not do anybody any harm and it will give the girl the opportunity to practice in a car that she passed in.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

Monday 11 November 2013

Driving at this time of year!

This time of year the weather is wet, leaves on the ground and mud on the road. So, it is more important that every time you get in your car to access the road conditions and drive at the correct speed to match that condition. 
Safe driving 
James www.travis-drive.co.uk

Buy Christmas Driving lessons now.

Buy your friends and family Christmas driving lessons from Travis School of Motoring. Check out the vouchers from the link www.travis-drive.co.uk This can be as little as £15.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Shaving on the Motorway.

A man who was shaving while speeding on the motorway was among 200 drivers caught by undercover Hampshire and Thames Valley Police.  They also stopped a driver brushing his teeth with one hand, while holding a razor in the other.
www.adinews.co.uk
www.travis-drive.co.uk  

More theory test failures!

More theory test failures.
New questions added to the theory test cut the pass rate among learners who took the test between April and June this year to just over 50%. That's more than 8% fewer than in the same period in 2012, according to the latest stats from the DSA.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

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