Wednesday, 8 May 2013

How to pass the theory test first time.


How to pass your car theory test.

Many learner drivers have difficulty overcoming the first obstacle of the driving test called "The Car Theory Test". Many people fail taking it whereas most giften learner drivers are already familiar and reasonably knowledgeable about the skills and rules needed to be complied when driving that will enable them to become safe drivers. Here are a few steps or guidelines that will enable learner drivers to be confident enough in passing the theory test first time.

1
Revise a few of the topics on the DSA Theory Test but most importantly take the mock theory test several times as the multiple choice area will be the most important part of the theory test and passing this sector is your main priority. In light of the many unexpected questions that might appear on the real test, it is important to continue retaking the mock theory test on the DSA test rather than continously revising each topic in order to obtain a reasonable amount of knowledge on each area. Take the mock theory test

2
After taking an overview of the test review, make a note of weak topics you are not strong on and retake the mock theory test until the answers store in your mind. Make constant reference to the Highway Code

3
Continue to retake the mock theory test until you more than 10 topics brought up on the mock theory test are above 90%. By this point you should be familiar with most of the questions and answers that will appear on the real theory test.

4
Do this every few days or so for an hour or two before your scheduled theory test date.

5
When you are confident enough you will pass the multiple choice area, you can now undertake revision of the Hazard Perception. Considering the nature of this area and the specific importance it holds when referring to the aspect of safe driving, it is an area that is most commonly ignored in terms of the car theory test itself, so a fair amount of learner drivers tend to fail under par with the minimum score of 45. The main idea of the Hazard Perception is to basically to click simulatenously with the clues shown to you.

6
There is always one or two main hazards in a clip but rather than waiting for each one to appear and risk clicking too late for each one completely and getting a 1 or even less, the idea is to click for each of the clues whether it is a traffic sign or pedestrian walking in the distance.

7
It is always helpful to click a few times at the start of each clip to be safe in case of being mislead into missing a hazard especially in clips where you are shown driving at night when hazards are the hardest to spot even signs.

Monday, 6 May 2013

Theory Test. How to work out the stopping distances.


Stopping distances theory test

The UK theory test involves questions on stopping distances. An easy way for how to remember the overall stopping distances are as follows. When asked for a stopping distance, simply remember the 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 3.5 / 4 / 4.5 from below to work out the overall stopping distance.
Speed (mph)      Braking distance     Stopping distance
20                     x2                           = 40 feet
30                     x2.5                        = 75 feet
40                     x3                           = 120 feet
50                     x3.5                        = 175 feet
60                     x4                           = 240 feet
70                     x4.5                        = 315 feet


www.travis-drive.co.uk

Sunday, 5 May 2013

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 every time you said "I would of gone then, if they only signalled." Do not forget to Mirrors then signal your intentions.
2 The DSA has passed you because you have reached the standard. Keep doing what you have been taught.
3 When you first go out in your own car for the first couple of times keep it to short and simple drives. It will feel strange, your instructor not being next to you.
4 Resist being a taxi for your friends for the first month until you are more confident to have friends in the car.
5 Remember you passed because you can drive to a good standard and safe. Don't try and copy other drivers.
6 At the end of each drive take a moment to reflect on your driving. Be honest with yourself. Was it good, did you take any silly risks. Try to improve.
7 If you are confused about a roundabout or a new road layout. Then ask for advise. Either post a question on my page or text me or ask a parent. You are not alone.
8 It took me about two years after I passed my driving test to fully understand a lot of different roads. So don't consider yourself the leading expert after one week.
9 When parking in a car park for the first time go to the quiet area to park until you are more confident.
10 Don't be rushed into making choices, remember keep it simple and do it early.
11 Remember you are responsible for who is in your car. If they have not got the seat belt on, that you are also liable.
12 It has cost a lot of time and money to pass the driving test. As a new driver if you get 6 points or more in the first two years of driving you will revert back to a learner driver and have to retake the driving test again.

Saturday, 4 May 2013

Travis School of Motoring: Driving lessons. 1 hour V 2 hour!

Travis School of Motoring: Driving lessons. 1 hour V 2 hour!: I   g et asked by my pupils, what is better.  A one hour lesson or a two hour lesson.  I will say   t h e  two hour lesson has more benifits...

Travis School of Motoring: How to pass the driving test first time. Top Tips...

Travis School of Motoring: How to pass the driving test first time. Top Tips...: Top tips for passing your Driving Test - At the First Attempt. To pass your driving test you need to drive without making any serious ...

How to pass the driving test at the second attempt.

How to pass the driving test at the second attempt.

Having failed your driving test you will be upset or annoyed at:

1  Annoyed at yourself for not driving to your normal standard of driving.
2  Upset that something happened on your driving test that caught you off guard.
3  That you were not fully prepared for the driving test.

The 3 above points covers a lot. So lets deal with one at a time.

1  Annoyed at yourself for not driving to your normal standard of driving.
 Two things here.
A.  Is your driving to the test standard ( if we assume you are having driving lessons with a qualified instructor), then nerves has proberley  affected you on the driving test. Ask your driving instructor to give you some mock driving tests. This will help you to cope with the pressure and the routine of the driving test.
B.  You think you are at test standard( but your family member has been teaching you). Then the answer here is that you will proberley need a driving instructor to assess your driving to give you some pointers on what to improve.

2 Upset that something happened on your driving test that caught you off guard.
If you failed the driving test for one mistake and that was caused by something happening out of the ordinary.  Then ask yourself if the same thing happened how would you deal with it. The answer is proberley observations and anticipation on approach.  Work on these areas.  If you are not sure how to improve these then if you live in the Buckingham/Milton Keynes area then contact me to arrange a lesson. If you live outside of this area then contact  a local driving instructor.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

3 That you were not fully prepared for your driving test.
If you are looking at your driving test report form(green Form) and it reads something like 22 minors and 2 serious 1 dangerous etc.  If we assume nerves has not played a major part then you were proberley not ready at that time for your driving test.  You will need to work on the faults that have cropped up on your driving test with either your driving instructor or your family member.  there is no point going straight back in for your test if you haven't address the faults or they will cause you to fail again.

If you feel you need some more answers then just ask me a question, I am happy to help.


I passed the theory test.

Congratulations to Katie Roberts on passing the theory test,  see you on the next driving lesson.

Great Driving lessons

Well done to all my pupils today.  Great driving,  see you all on your next lesson.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

The driving test. Ten reasons for failing.


Ten reasons for failing your driving test

1. Not acting correctly at road junctions Its essential that you use the Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed and gears routine when you approach any kind of junction. Did you check that the new road was safe to drive into? That's essential when your turning either left or right. Was your speed on approach too high? If that was the case, then you might not have been able to stop if needed.

2. Reversing around a corner
Most learners fail on this with either their control of the car or lack of observation. When reversing around a corner, it’s important to keep the car moving as slow as possible. You then have time to decide when to steer at the correct time. It’s also important that you keep looking around for any other road users in the vicinity, and act appropriately.

3. Steering faults
Losing control of the steering, either in normal driving or during a manouvre. This can be because you have allowed the steering wheel to 'spin through your hands'

4. Reverse parking faults
Reverse parking can be one of the hardest of the manoeuvre's to do successfully. Like all of the other exercises, it needs very careful use of the controls to keep the car moving very slowly, so you have time to decide when to steer at the right time. You should also be aware of other road users and act appropriately if you see anyone else, while you're completing the task.

5. Making proper use of the gears
Its essential to use the correct gear for the speed and road conditions. For example, if your approaching or driving through a lot of hazards, then its important to drive in a low gear whereas, if there are few hazards, the examiner will be expecting you to be in the highest gear available. A common error is to stay in a low gear (and this will include third gear) needlessly.
Another area where people fail on gears, is forgetting to select 1st gear before moving off. It results in the car stalling. This could cause inconvenience to others, or have dangerous consequences.

6. Not using the mirrors correctly
Why do you need to check your mirrors? Its essential to know if there are other road user’s  following behind you before you start any manoeuvre. Roughly speaking, you should check them between 25 and 50% of your driving time glancing in the mirrors. If you spend any more time, you are not paying enough attention to the road.

An 'old wives' tale' says that you have to move your head when you make the checks. The examiner is trained to check your mirrors without you having to emphasize that your checking them,

7. Avoiding hesitation and driving too slowly Don't expect to pass if you stop somewhere unnecessarily. For example giving way to traffic where it’s safe to continue without stopping.
The examiner will be expecting you to keep up with the flow of other road users within the legal limit, providing the road conditions allow you to. Driving too slowly when its safe to drive at the legal limit, will cause inconvenience to others.

8. Acting correctly when turning right
As with anything that isn't driving in a straight line, remember your mirrors. Look at them before you do anything. Then indicate and move to the right of the lane you are in Wait for an appropriate gap in the oncoming traffic – you know how long it takes for you to turn right, the aim is not to hold other people up unnecessarily. If someone flashes you out, decide if it’s safe then move out.

9. Hesitation at junctions
Your driving examiner will be expecting you to be able to judge gaps and the speed and distance correctly when either pulling out, or turning right. You should not pull out, or turn if you cause the approaching traffic to slow down or make them swerve.

10. Moving away from stationary positions The most common reasons for failing on this, are; moving off in the wrong gear; forgetting to turn the indicator off if you've used it; rolling back if you're moving off on a hill; or not looking around to make sure its safe go.

Thursday, 2 May 2013

Driving this Bank Holiday?


Driving This Bank Holiday?

The infamous Bank Holiday drive can be the cause of much stress and fatigue! The British Chiropractic Association has some useful tips for anyone taking their car out this weekend, whether for long or short trips.
Make adjustments
  • If you share a car, make sure the seat position is adjusted to suit you each time you get in.
  • The back of the seat should be set slightly backwards, so that it feels natural and your elbows should be at a comfortable and relaxed angle for driving.
Steering wheel
  • Once you have adjusted your seat correctly, your hands should fall naturally on the steering wheel, with just a slight bend in the arms.
  • If the wheel is too high and far away, tension will build up in your shoulders and upper back. If it is too low and close to you, the wheel may be touching your legs, which will reduce your ability to turn it freely, putting strain on the wrists and the muscles of the upper back.
Airbag safety
  • Once you have adjusted your seat and steering wheel, ensure that the adjustments allow for the recommended ten inch (25.5cm) distance between yourself and the airbag cover in your steering wheel.
Mirrors
  • Set your mirror positions to suit you before you drive off.
  • Your reactions must be quick, so you should not need to move your head a lot.
  • The mirror positions should allow you to see all around the car with the movement of your eyes with minimal head movement.
Seatbelts
  • Your seatbelt should always lie across the top of your shoulder and never rub against your neck or fall onto the top of your arm.
  • Depending on your height, you may need to adjust the position at which the seat belt emerges from the body of the car.
  • If the adjustments available are insufficient, it is possible to purchase clips that help you adjust your seat belt height without impairing safety.
Footwear
  • Once you have adjusted your seat correctly, your feet should fall naturally onto the pedals. You should be able to press the pedals to the floor by mainly moving your ankle and only using your leg a little.
  • Avoid wearing high heels, or very thick-soled shoes, as you will have to over-extend the ankle in order to put pressure on the pedals. As well as making it much harder to deal with an emergency stop, this position will raise your thigh from the seat (reducing support to your leg) and create tension (and possibly cramp) in the calf. This, in turn, will impair the blood flow on a long journey.
Relax
  • A relaxed driving position reduces stress on the spine, allowing your seat to take your weight.
Take regular breaks
  • The BCA advises that you should stop and stretch your legs (and arms!) at least every two hours, more often if possible. You should certainly stop more frequently if you are feeling any discomfort.
Clench your cheeks
  • If you are stuck in traffic, exercise in your seat. Try buttock clenches, side bends, seat braces (pushing your hands into the steering wheel and your back into the seat – tensing and relaxing) as well as shoulder shrugs and circles.
Leave the tight clothes at home
  • They will restrict your movement.
It’s all in the timing
  • Allow plenty of time for journeys to avoid stress.

Driving in the sun.

Very sunny day in Milton Keynes,  sunglasses are a must for driving.

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