Learn to Drive Tips

Learn to drive

There is lots of information about what you should do and how you should do it, with regards to going to a driving school and getting professional tuition. But what about when you just want to jump in your car with L plates on (and a driver over 21 with a full car licence with 3 years’ experience under their belt of course!) and get out on the road to get valuable experience. It is definitely recommended that you combine this with professional tuition, so that any bad habits that are picked up are highlighted by your instructor.

Who should I drive with?

Anyone you practice your driving with (without paying them) must be over 21, they must be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, e.g. they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car and they must have had their driving licence for 3 years. Although this is the legal requirement, it’s important that you feel relaxed and not under pressure when you get behind the wheel, so try and make sure that the person with you is normally calm in the car and has lots of patience.

Keep a log

It can be very useful to keep a log of your driving to pinpoint any points of focus for your instructor to work on with you. If you don’t note it down and forget what you are struggling with, then it will take much longer to get better at it.

Safe driving

When not under the watchful supervision of an instructor, it is easy to let standards slip, but try to obey the same standards even when with a relative or a friend.

i) Try not to turn the radio on as it may distract you

ii) Take time to adjust to different vehicles. There can be big differences between different models and makes of car such as power steering, car size etc.

iii) Try and drive in all the different driving conditions. In the dry, in the wet, and night-time driving are just a few to speak of.

Getting on the road

When you are satisfied that you have accomplished all the necessary precautions before getting behind the wheel, then make sure you;

i) clearly display front and rear L plates, making sure that you don’t obscure either registration plates on the car.

ii) do not use a mobile phone whilst driving.

iii) don’t drive under the influence of prescription drugs. Read all the bumf that goes with medication, so that you are sure you can drive whilst taking them.

iv) only drive vehicles that are stated on your learner licence

v) It goes without saying, but do not drink ANY alcohol prior to driving...just in case. No one can accurately tell whether they are over the limit without a breathalyser and if you are stopped, pleading ignorance as a learner driver will not cut any ice.

When you get out there, be confident, be legal and above all, be safe.

If you would like to learn to drive with us, please visit http://drivingschoolhillingdon.co.uk/#/the-cars/4572823753

What is Pass Plus, how does it effect me?

What is Pass Plus and what can it do for me?

According to the government website “Pass Plus is a practical training course that takes at least 6 hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely”.

As many new drivers will attest to, driving up to and including your test can be a lot different to what you experience afterwards. It can be taken anytime, but to get the most out of Pass Plus, it’s recommended that you take it within the year after passing your test.

Cheaper insurance

If you are a young driver, then you will be well aware of just how much car insurance can be. As a Pass Plus certified driver, you are displaying your general driving competence and you may find that you receive a discount from your car insurer.

Current insurers offering discounts based on Pass Plus include but are not limited to;

Swinton Colonnade

Tesco Insurance

AA

Churchill

Co-op Insurance

Direct Line

Aviva

Endsleigh

What does the course cover?

The course, as said before, takes a minimum of 6 hours to complete and includes the following disciplines;

i) Town driving

ii) All-weather driving

iii) Driving out of town

iv) Night Driving

v) Driving on dual carriageways

vi) Driving on motorways

Although, all these categories are covered, some may only be in theory, as conditions such as bad weather can’t be easily replicated. Being fully prepared for every avenue and situation, will help your future as a competent and safe driver.

Is it harder to pass than the normal driving test?

The practical assessment rules are more lenient than those used in the normal driving test and many rules that would constitute a fail (such as not parking straight) do not apply. It is only required that the instructor deems you to be able to drive safely and legally.

Can any driving instructor do this?

Your instructor will have to be a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor. Look for the logo - (insert the logo)

How much does it cost?

The cost does vary depending on where you live, the instructor or driving school that you use and how long it takes you to achieve certification, but based on you taking the standard 6 hours, then the cost will be around £140.

So, in answer to the question right at the beginning of this article “what can Pass Plus do for me?”, it can put more money in your pocket by giving you a discount off your car insurance. In addition to this, it will comprehensively prepare you for all the scenarios you are likely to encounter in your driving life. The confidence and independence gained from knowing that you can go wherever you want, whenever you want regardless of weather can be a real liberation.

10 Driving Test Tips

10 Test Tips

1. Familiarise yourself with the area on the day of the test

Although there is usually more than one possible test route, prior to taking your test, it is recommended that you take at least 30 mins to drive around the general area on the day of the test. It will familiarise you and more than likely boost your confidence that nothing will be a surprise, taking lesson with your driving instructor beforehand will help to calm any nerves.

2. Don’t give in to peer pressure - take your driving test when you’re ready

It is very easy to listen to those among us that like to tell you just how quick they picked driving up and how soon after starting they passed. It is also easy to rush in to your test as it does feel that the whole experience will end up being cheaper. If you’re not ready, then 1) you probably won’t pass and it will end up costing you more in the long run and 2) you will do nothing at all for your confidence going forward.

3. Learn the basics privately

If you have access to a vehicle and understanding relative or friend, then use the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the basic controls. That way you aren’t wasting time you’re paying for learning the fundamentals of driving. Another nice side effect is that you will boost your road sense and general confidence.

4. When you park at the test centre

Preparing the way, is the key to feeling confident. Give yourself a head start by parking before your test in a place that’s easy to leave that way you know you can do it calmly.

5. Do your homework

Just because you’ve passed your theory test, it doesn’t mean that you won’t have to know your highway code for the practical test itself. How galling would it be to fail on your knowledge when that’s one of the easiest things to prepare for. A few good driving schools will help you prepare with resources and worksheets as they want you to pass. Have a look on Amazon for a wide range of helpful books. Another helpful tip is to use post-it notes that you place around your home with important things you need to learn. You will keep seeing them often and subconsciously you will be taking them in without much effort. On the toaster, on the back of the toilet door and the mirror.

6. Do a mock test

Nothing can completely prepare you for the real thing, but the nearest thing to that is by doing a mock test. All aspects of your mock test are prepared in great detail to best replicate test conditions. Like driving the test route, it is giving you a prior knowledge of what to expect.

7. Don’t tell everyone you’re doing your test

Don’t put undue pressure on yourself on the build up to your test day. The less people that know, the less you will feel people are ‘expecting’ you to pass. And if you don’t pass, at least you don’t need to do that dreaded call but you will pass if you believe you can. Having a positive mind-set is a powerful tool. Motivate yourself with a goal. Use the post-it notes method to build your confidence. Write what you want to achieve by explaining in detail the exact specifics. e.g. “When I pass my driving test I will drive to London for my holiday with a blue ford focus 1.6 with the windows down, with my favourite music blasting out.” This picture is automatically programming your mind to succeed. Look up NLP for more information.

8. When parking, don’t be afraid to start again. You will not fail for trying again

There’s no time limit for manoeuvres. If after starting a parking manoeuvre, you feel that you’ve done something wrong. Reposition the vehicle to its original position and try again. The last thing you want to do is persist with the bad manoeuvre and hit a curb or worse still another vehicle. That WOULD be a fail....obviously.

9. Don’t do your driving lessons too far apart

You need to keep your experience of driving fresh. The old way of doing 1 lesson per week, will get you there, but much slower. Increasing the frequency of your lessons or time spent in charge of a vehicle will significantly improve the speed of your progress.

10. Don’t try and watch what the examiner is writing.

Watching the examiner’s clipboard to see if he’s writing not only takes your attention away from what you’re supposed to be doing i.e. driving, it will greatly affect your confidence if you see writing occur. Ironically, if the examiner feels that you aren’t driving safely because you are peering at what he/she is doing, they will mark you down...so don’t do it!

Lastly and perhaps not deserving the title of a full-blown ‘tip’, but essential all the same, make sure you take your provisional licence with you and that your eyesight is up to scratch. Either of these could result in the immediate termination of the test.

Happy driving and good luck! If your looking to learn to drive in London visit our driving school website http://drivingschool-harrow.co.uk/

We are currently running a special offer that might be of interest

First 5 driving lessons either automatic or manual for only £99

This is a limited offer so if you are interested then get in touch soon


Drive2Pass SOM

Driving Instructor: How to Pick the Right One

Take for example, if like anyone else you are in search of a driving instructor in Wembley, Ruislip, Harrow or any location of choice, you will definitely be perplexed when it comes to making the right choice. In fact what you tend to find is brand new driving schools and instructors come out each and every day at a shocking rate. There seems to be a sudden boom in the driving instructor or teach people to drive business.

One major reason for the sudden boom in the driving instructor business category is the current economic climate. The nation is littered with job cuts here and there which has clearly given birth to many people turning to other ways to earning a living. Most of the bigger driving schools have tapped  into this as an opportunity to carry out massive marketing campaign to tell people they can make a limitless amount of money from working as a driving instructor and that it is absolutely easy to set up your own driving school business. This means an avalanche of driving schools for learners to choose from, usually leaving them perplexed and not knowing which driving instructor will effectively meet their requirements.

Let’s say you are looking for a driving instructor in Hillingdon or any location of choice; you need to be equipped with the right questions in order to select a properly trained and qualified driving instructor who will be able to customise your driving lessons in order to meet your requirements effectively.

Five helpful tips to help you pick the right driving instructor:

Affordable Driving Lessons Package

The first question asked by most learner drivers is “how much do driving lessons cost?” The thought that comes to mind  is I don’t want to pay more than usual hence the price comparison. Coupled with the first question, another crucial one to ask is “how many driving lessons will I need?” Althought people learn at their own pace, This is still very important as it will give you an idea of the approach and midset the instructor has, it will be pointless to pick a driving instructor based on their cheap driving lessons package and end up taking more lessons than you actually need.

Take your Driving Lessons at the right time

You need to have the right mindset before taking any of your driving lessons. Before booking your lessons, take a careful look at your weekly schedule to determine the ideal day and time slots. If an instructor is unable to work with your schedule, simply look elsewhere in order to avoid getting rushed which will have adverse effect on your learning curve.

Tackling Driving Phobias and Fears

It is common with new drivers to experience some degree of anxiety and fear regarding the thoughts of taking driving lessons or specific driving skills like reversing, parking in-between two cars amongst others. Before hand picking a driving Instructor, it is ideal to discuss your worries and carefully listen to his or her response. A savvy driving instructor will be a good listener, empathise with their student as well as instilling them with confidence that their fears and worries can be easily conquered. This is a good indicator for a student to know if he or she will feel comfortable around the prospective driving instructor.

Driving Instructor’s Feedback History

The last thing  a new driver wants is signing up with a driving instructor with a track record of more failure than pass from driving tests. You can carry out a quick Google search for possible feedback history as well as ask if you can get testimonials from previous students. If an instructor ignores your request or is simply reluctant to respond, that is a warning sign that you need to look elsewhere.

This is a short article one of our Driving Instructors did for a publication recently.

Drive2Pass School of Motoring

Welcome to our blog!

Drive 2 Pass School of Motoring will always go the extra mile to help you succeed. We have many areas covered in and around London, all are listed here for you to check out there pages and to connect with us.

We want to hear your feedback, so please use this blog and comment, we'd love to hear from you!

Our school of motoring has many lovely reviews from our past and present customers for you to view.

Here's the list of instructors in your area on social media;

Ruislip - Google Plus Page

Barnet - Google Plus Page

Harrow - Google Plus Page

Uxbridge - Google Plus Page

(more being added all the time)