Get your documents SORTED !!!

I have recently had a number of pupils attempting to take their tests (theory & practical) with incomplete or inaccurate documents with bitter results !!!

Firstly:
Make sure your name, age and address is correct on your provisional licence. If it is not - get it changed as soon as possible.
Issues such as change of name and correcting birth dates may need supporting documentation and WILL take longer to process by the DVLA. Check with them first if you are not sure of the problem and/or what supporting evidence you may need to send with your licence.
A change of address is normally quite routine and will be processed pretty quickly. If you have change your address just prior to taking either of your tests, fill in the change of address part of your paper licence and tell the examiner.

Secondly:
Make sure you have BOTH parts of you licence when you go for either test - YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE EITHER TEST WITHOUT BOTH PARTS.
If you do not have both parts - order the missing part ASAP. It will not take too long (2 weeks max) for this to come back to you (as long as you do not have any changes need to be made to it).

Thirdly:
It is not essential to have the theory test certificate with you when taking the practical as you will not have been able to book your test had you not got the number. You will need to sign another form just to clarify matters. It is still a good idea to have it as you would not want to put your examiner in a bad mood even before you have started your test !

Fourthly:
If you have your booking confirmation letter - so much the better. They do not often ask for it but it can also be used to confirm times of your test if there are any discrepancies.

For more information about driving lessons, contact Alastair on 07906 302910 or look at my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/

Passing with ZERO faults !!!

Last week I got my first pupil pass with ZERO faults - Fantastic !!!

For anyone who doesn't know, the test examiner can pick you up on a range of different 'minor' errors. You are allowed 15. On the 16th, you FAIL !
You can also fail for picking up just 1 serious or dangerous fault. Often this entails making another road user to change speed or direction because of something you have done. Other serious faults can be not looking in your mirrors, not indicating correctly and hitting the curb.

My pupil got round his course completely faultless, which was a complete surprise to me as well as him.I knew he was good, but we had had so many problems with him signalling and indicating incorrectly, that I thought it may be his undoing, but it wasn't.

Very Well Done John

I have had a number of passes with 1, 2 and 3 faults, but a 0 is something us instructors always strive for and it has made me hungry for more. I hope the next one is not too far away!

Please go to my website http://www.gtdrivingschool.net to find out how I can help you with your driving.

Mirrors, mirrors & MORE mirrors

A couple of my pupils have been asking me why they need to look in their mirrors so often, as I seem to be at them all the time!

Well...

Its easy for a driver to be looking ahead of them and to avoid obstructions or to find turnings - nothing wrong with that, but I would have to ask you if the person behind you knows you are about to tun left/right or going to slow down?

'What person' I hear you ask
'EXACTLY' I reply.

You need to make sure that the person behind you knows what you are about to do.

Try this next time you are in a crowd of people walking in one direction - STOP!!!
How many people bump into you?
Would it be better to look over your shoulder(s) and move to one side so you don't get in the way? I think so.

It's the same with driving.If someone is close behind you, it may make it difficult for you to stop or slow down as sharply as you would like.

'How about moving off and changing gears then'? I hear you reply

Well the issue here is that you are potentially slower than other road users that may be around you at the time you wish to move off from the curb. As for changing gears, this is to do with your ability to accelerate up to the permitted road speed. You may have a car behind you that is going faster than you and is looking to overtake. As you are the car in front, you have a better view of the road. It may not be suitable as there is oncoming traffic, so to be safe, keeping an eye on the movements of the vehicles behind you would be a good idea wouldn't it?

And why am I at them all the time?
The test requires pupils to check mirrors when moving off, slowing down, changing speed (use of gears) and changing direction (tuning left/right, at roundabouts, moving around parked cars etc.) If mirrors aren't checked at these times, you can FAIL your test!

Perhaps it would be best to check them then eh?

To find out more, please visit my website http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Exits on Roundabouts and Push & Pull

There are two recent changes to the instructions that examiners give to learners on test.

Rondabouts
The first involves how the examiner will explain which exit they wish you to take as you approach a roundabout.
The old way was to say something like, 'At the roundabout, I would like you to turn right, that's the third exit'.
Now they will say 'At the roundabout, take the third exit'
Not alot of difference you may think, but there is now no idea whether the third exit is straight ahead or to the right as you approach. This will mean you may not be aware that you need to indicate right if the third turning is on the right, or don't need to indicate right at all and only indicate left when you have gone past the second exit.

Lets break it down:

• At a standard four-exit roundabout, turning left (first exit), you will indicate left and take the first exit. Your examiner will now just say 'Take the first exit'.
• If going straight ahead (second exit), you will not need to indicate until you have gone past the first exit, then check mirrors and indicate left to leave by the second exit. Your examiner will now say 'Take the second exit'.
• If turning right, you should be indicating right on the approach, go past the first and second turnings, then check mirrors and indicate left and take the third exit. Your examiner will now tell you to take the third exit.

The problem comes when dealing with roundabouts that are non-standard, such as three-exit or five-exit roundabots. In some cases on three-exit roundabouts, the 'first' exit may be 'stright ahead' in which case you may not need too indicate (Re: mini roundabouts). Another issue comes with five-exit roundabouts, where the 'third' exit may be more straight ahead or right, depending on layout. The layout will then dictate whether you indicate right, then left or just left after the second exit. The only way to understand the correct indicating will be experience of the road layout from lots of practice.

Push and Pull

This method of steering is no longer essential and the lack of this style of steering will no longer be marked down as a fault. It is now OK to cross your hands, just as long as the steering is smooth, safe and you have full control of the car at all times.

Also the holding of the steering wheel at ten-to-two or quarter-to-three is no longer necessary. This means that 'smaller' pupils, who may find it difficult to hold the steering wheel so high up, can hold the wheel lower down at twentfive-to-five for example.

More advice on passing you driving test can be found at the GT Driving School website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Drink, Drugs and Young Drivers

I have just found some research about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink and/or drugs:

21% UK drivers aged 17-18 admit to driving on drink or drugs.
32% said they had been in a car with a drunk or drugged driver

There have been a lot of campaigns trying to raise the awareness of the issue but young drivers still appear to think it is OK to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, particularly ‘the morning after’. Nearly 1 in 6 convicted drink-drivers are caught the morning after.

1 in 6 deaths (478 people) were caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit on UK roads in 2007.
At least 15,935 people in the UK were killed or hurt by drink and drug-drivers in 2007. That’s:

• 1328 people every month
• 306 people every week
• 44 people every day
• 2 people every hour

If you are at twice the legal alcohol limit, you are 30 times more likely to cause a road crash. Your reactions are slower after only 1 drink. You can’t judge speed or distances accurately. You are over confident and are likely to make bad decisions, possibly leading to an accident.

Equally, drug taking will impair your ability to drive safely.
Drugs (legal or otherwise) can affect you in the following ways:

• Slower reaction times
• Poor concentration
• Sleepiness / Fatigue
• Confused thinking
• Distorted perception
• Over-confidence

Drugs can stay in your system for days – possibly even months and will effect you for the same period. Research has found that 17% of drivers who die in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their system. A further 6% of fatalities have traces of medicinal drugs in their system.

What can you do about it?

• Simply, DON’T drink, DON’T take drugs if you are going to drive.
• If you have taken some medicine, check the label to see if it is likely to make you drowsy (e.g. some cough medicines or pain killers). If it is, DON'T drive and get someone else to take you.
• DON’T get into a car with someone you suspect has drunk too much or has taken drugs – it may be the last time you do!
• Use public transport (bus or train) or a recognised taxi service / black cab.
• Call a friend or relative that can collect you – they may be annoyed at being called out late at night, but tell them why you're calling. They would rather take a drive to pick you up rather than visit a hospital or mortuary!
• DON’T become an accident statistic.

For more information about driving safely, please go to my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/ or contact me on 07906 302910.

Private Driving

I always tell my pupils that they are much better off and more likely to pass first time if they can get some extra time behind the wheel with the help of Mum and/or Dad.

The Driving Standards Authority (DSA - regulator of all things driving test and tuition), states that a pupil passes with 45 hours of lessons from a qualified instructor and 50% more privately with Mum or Dad. This means the average pupil gets around 67 hours of driving before the test!

There are issues that driving another car causes...

1. Suitability of car - maybe Dad drives a van and Mum drives and Automatic Micra. If you are taking your manual driving test, neither car is really suitable.
2. Insurance - the only car available is a 2 litre sports version. That's going to really hit the wallet when it comes to insurance for a non-qualified 17-year-old! And don't even think about driving uninsured!
3. OK, so you have a car and it is insured - where is Mum or Dad when you need them? Working or off down the golf course or shopping! Not very useful. Maybe you could get up early & take Mum shopping or Dad to golf?
4. Do you get on with your folks? If you tend to argue with them, it is almost certain you will come to blows over your driving sooner or later. Try to keep calm if something goes wrong - they are only trying to help!
5. Understand that Mum and/or Dad are trying to help you. The reason they are so jumpy whenever a car comes towards you is that they have probably not taught anyone else before. They don't have pedals in the passenger foot well, so all they have is their persuasive powers, the handbrake and the ability to get hold of the steering wheel to prevent them facing 'certain death'!
6. Have you actually looked at your Mum or Dad's driving before? They may think it is OK to go down that 30mph road at 45, 'cause no-one else comes this way!' They may not also be so alert to telling you to check mirrors or blind spots as often as your instructor does. And how about Pull-and-Push steering or block Vs step changing gears... ?
7. Does your car have power steering? Most instructor's cars are relatively new, so they will have power steering, but the car that's available to you may not. It is still drivable but worth considering.
8. Where's the Biting Point? Every car has a different Biting Point - even the same car of the same model in the same year, so your first attempts at getting your car off the driveway may not be too successful!

For more information, go to http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/ or call 07906 302910

Defensive Positiveness

What?

Defensive Positiveness (DP) is how I describe the correct attitude that a pupil needs to pass their Practical Driving Test.
Positiveness is being wide-awake to every opportunity that is presented whilst on your test. It is very much a 'sit forward' frame of mind. The pupil needs to actively engage with their surroundings and the other road users found within. There is no room for a 'passive' approach, where the pupil lets things happen that may or may not be to their advantage. The reason for the 'Defensiveness' is because caution has to be exerted at all times - allowing the pupil to see the bigger picture and to envisage the consequences of their actions...

What I mean is ... a pupil has got to be careful and thoughtful whilst out on the road. We all see too many examples of thoughtless and dangerous driving. It is very easy to be caught up in this and think that jumping lights or not indicating around a round-a-bout is acceptable. The pupil needs to rise to the challenge of careful, thoughtful and considerate to other road users. The positiveness comes in the form of not hesitating at junctions or other challenging situations when it is possible to take these situations without stopping.

Hazard Awareness is a significant part of DP. It allows the pupil to see what may be an issue in the not-so-distant future. Good DP will show a clear understanding of Hazard Awareness and the ability to separate out the multitude of issues that face the driver into ones that need immediate attention, such as a car pulling out of the side of the road, to those that need just some respectful observation, such as children playing on the grass verge.

To discuss this matter more, please go to http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/ or contact me (Alastair Goodale) on 07906 302910

How To Pass Your Theory Test

The very short answer is - PRACTICE

Obvious I know, but it always amazes me how many people don't revise!
There are 50 questions that you need to get 43 of them correct. A number of them you will know just because they are straight forward, and if you use a road in any capacity (pedestrian, cyclist, biker etc.). there will be another few that you will be able to deduce from the silly answers that have been given and there will be a few that you will get right if you just guess - but this is likely NOT to be enough.
On the negative side, you need to assume that you will get some of the questions that you think you know wrong due to not reading them properly. There will also be questions on areas that you have no or little knowledge, such as documents - (do you know what a SORN is?), First Aid or trams ...
The Highway Code is full of information and data that can be put into thousands of questions. I wouldn't recommend reading the Highway Code - unless you want to lose the will to live! Try a book and/or CD ROM that have lots of questions and answers in it. The questions are official DSA questions that you may well get in the test. If you get an answer wrong, it will usually tell you the correct answer. Even thought revision is tedious, I would recommend 10+ hours of reading to get comfortable with the question style and to understand what the answers are.

Happy Revising !!!

For more information, contact GT Driving School at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net/

Mind Games - Manage Your Examiner

It is understandable, but pupils taking their test usually feel they are at a disadvantage compared to the examiner. He is bound to know more than you and you are probably the 'umpteenth' person he has had the displeasure of sitting next to today. He is probably bored out of his skin and just can't wait to have another kid in the car who thinks they can drive!!! You and your driving are instantly forgettable and he has no interest in whether you live or die, let alone pass the test!!!

Let me tell you something you may not know...
Examiners are human too!!!

They are just aching to find someone with a spark of ability and common sense. They know you are new to driving and they want you to pass (yes - they do). They will excuse the odd hiccup, such as a stall or a touch of the curb - just as long as they can see that this is not how you always drive.

Now you know this - take advantage of it!!!

There is the classic saying that 'if you've got it, flaunt it' and to some extent, do it. I'm not advocating short skirts and low-cut blouses, but look the part, look professional & business like. If you don't feel comfortable like this, at least take some care in your appearance. This will do 2 things: 1 - make you look confident to the examiner and 2 - give you a more 'can - do' attitude that will dispel some of those nerves.

On the subject of nerves, there is no problem conversing with your examiner and telling them just how nervous you really are today. If you lay it on a bit thick (over emphasise it a bit), there is a chance that your examiner will be a bit more forgiving in the first part of the test and they are going to be suitably impressed about your abilities as you appear to be better that you first thought.

Keep a dialogue with your examiner. This is not to say that you should tell him your life story as you go around, but remark on what you see around you, such as 'he was a bit fast wasn't he?' or 'this is the way to the big roundabout isn't it?' This shows that you are looking ahead, spotting problems and are aware of your surroundings. The examiner will feel more confident that you know what you are doing and where you are going.

Some pupils find it helps to say what they see and what they are doing, such as 'OK, clucth down, into first, gas, biting point, mirrors, indicate, blind spot, hand brake' and off you go. Don't worry that you sound like you should be in an asylum, the examiner will have seen & now heard your thought patterns, that will allow him to understand your logic at any complicated junctions etc.

If you have made an absolute 'pig's ear' of a manoeuvre, catch it before you complete it and ask the examiner, very nicely, if you can start the manoeuvre again. If you have not completed the manoeuvre and have not taken up too much time, they are very likely to agree to your request. You have now got a second chance - don't blow it - do it correctly.

If you are looking for any more advice on driving, please contact GT Driving school by going to our website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net .

Practical Test Success - One step at a time

When a pupil is ready to take the practical test, I try to explain that they need to focus just for 40-50 minutes by taking the test one step at a time.

Break the test down into lots of small obstacles or events. On a straight piece of road, there may be dozens of events, such as parked cars or pedestrian crossings. Every time you approach an obstacle, go through the motions of checking mirrors & slowing down first. This will buy you time to get round the obstacles. There is a good chance that if you slow down, the issue will become less of a problem as lorries will have moved off, traffic lights would have changed to green or on-coming traffic will have got out of the way.

However, this is not a licence to crawl along the road at 5mph. If you appear to be holding up cars behind you, there is a chance that you will fail because you were going too slow! If the obstacle needs you to slow down, move out of the way and stop - then that is what you should do, however, try to get up to the speed limit (in urban areas) as soon as you can afterwards.

If you brake the test route down into loads of 'events', then you will return to the test centre totally exhausted, but hopefully successful.

For more help and advice, please go to http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Practical Test - Preparation is everything!

I am a great believer in the need for the pupil to be ready mentally as well as physically to take the test.
I believe the run up to the test is critical.

• I once had a female pupil who took her test after completing over 20 hours of lessons. Her test was on a Friday morning. On the Wednesday night, she had broken up with her boyfriend & was devastated. I took most of the hour's lesson to convince her that she needed to concentrate and to show that .... 'person'!!! that she was better off without him by passing her test. On Thursday night, he returned and pleaded with her to take him back, they went out clubbing until 2am Friday morning and finished off at his house. I was to meet her at 9am. She called me at 8.45 to say she was going to be late & got to Maidstone at 9.20 - but without her own clothes (she had borrowed some from her boyfriend's sister) and all her documents! Boyfriend had to race over to her house, collect her things and race over to Maidstone Test Centre where she and I were now waiting! He got to the centre with minutes to spare! Needless to say, it was a fruitless exercise as she failed dismally - but couldn't understand why the examiner was soooo against her!
  

Motto: Fail to Prepare - Prepare to Fail
For more advice on how to pass your theory and practical driving tests, please go to http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Where should I take my test?

GT Driving School is based in Maidstone and takes tests in the local towns - namely Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Gillingham. Each town has its own pros and cons (sometimes more cons than pros)!

• Maidstone - The town has a wide range of different types of driving that the other towns just can't match. There are country roads, town roads, one-way systems, dual carriageways, hills, roundabouts and D-junctions (don't ask!)
• Tunbridge Wells is mainly small, congested town roads, with dozens of difficult, blind junctions. The test centre sits on the side of a one-way system. There are some unusual roundabouts that need attention. The middle of town is split into a maze of small roads with the Pantiles on one side.
• Sevenoaks is Zebra Crossing City! there are over a dozen crossing in the main part of town alone - and no-one ever uses them! There are very few roundabouts but the smaller roads are difficult and need care to negotiate. The test centre is situates in a small side road and is impossible to park in or near without great care.
• Gillingham has the lowest pass rate and if you don't like roundabouts - forget it! The local drivers are VERY aggressive and some of the junctions are just very big and difficult (one has to ignore the road signs to get around 1 particular roundabout!) The smaller roads are continuously congested with parked cars - and they want to build a super-centre there!!!

For more advice on where to take your test, please contact GT Driving School by calling 07906 302910 or by visiting http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Intensive or not Intensive

The flavour of the month seems to be for learners to want 'intensive' driving courses. I am currently running a couple at the moment, but you have to be careful as not everyone will benefit from an intensive course.
My definition of an 'Intensive' driving course is anyone doing more than 6 hours of lessons per week. It should also have the Practical Driving Test booked and waiting only a few days after the course.
Intensive courses are not for everyone, as you need to be of a positive nature to learn quickly from your mistakes. Learning to drive can be stressful at the best of times, so it takes determination and strong nerves to improve and learn from one's mistakes.
If you are a person who likes to have a rest between lessons to think about what happened and for any constructive advice to sink in, then an intensive course may not be for you.
I can fully understand the fears of pupils who do not want to keep having lessons week in. week out for what seems to be years, so there are alternatives to a fully 'intensive' course that may work better:

• Your biggest problem is that you cannot book your Practical driving test until you have passed your Theory test. The Theory test is likely to be 3+ weeks after your booking, so start to drive as soon as you can (when you have your provisional license of course). You can start with just 1 or two hours per week and then train for your Theory test in the same time. Once you have passed it, book up your Practical test and keep the hours going in. If you need more, talk to your instructor or twist your parent's arms to get you driving with them. The Practical test will be in another 4-8 weeks time (depending on the test location), making a possible 12-15 weeks from start to finish. Over this time, there are likely to be cancellations that will help you take the test earlier - word of warning!!! Always consult with your instructor to see if they agree to the move.
  
• Same as above, but schedule in more hours up to the Practical test so you are really on top of your game.
• A true 'Intensive'. Leave your driving lessons until you have passed your Theory & booked your Practical & get as many lessons as you can into the time you have allowed yourself - a bit risky as you only have a finite amount of time to play with. Some people thrive on the pressure.

Whichever way you choose to play it - ask around, see what an instructor is willing to do to help you. GT Driving School (www.gtdrivingschool.net) can provide free theory test training in the way of a CD/ROM and/or the use of a Nintendo DS 'game'. They also provide a comprehensive set of prompt sheets that will help you revise your driving. Talk to GT Driving School by going to my website http://www.gtdrivingschool.net or call 07906 302910 for more information.

Attitude

The more I do this job, the more I believe that there is very little between a pupil that passes or fails.
For a start, I wouldn't allow anyone to take the test that I did not think was able to pass it. The biggest difference as far as I can see is attitude.
There are those who believe that they are going to fail or may pass if they are 'lucky'. It is these pupils who will more likely fail.
Other pupils have the confidence that they know everything they should do and they have been everywhere they need to and even if they are asked to go down a road that they know very little about, they know that if they are careful for the duration of that road, they will be OK.
I try to get my pupils psyched-up for the test by imagining themselves doing the turns or manoeuvres that they are unsure of, and also of passing the test - how it will feel - how important it is for them to pass.
It may sound a bit 'Hairy Fairy' but I believe that it works - why? Because I used it and it worked for me!
I was on my third and final attempt at passing the Part 3 exam to become a Driving Instructor and I went through this process. I knew where I was going - I was fully prepared and I didn't slip up - so now I'm telling you what to do as well. Give it a go - what have you got to loose?
I have other tips on my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net . Go check it out...

Hi,
Just started my blog about learning to drive in the UK.
I'm a driving instructor, based in Maidstone, Kent and I am trying to find ways of reaching out to people of driving age (15+) to give advice on how to start to drive, issues with the test, aspects of driving and any other subjects that may occur.
I have a website at www.gtdrivingschool.net that has lots of information on it and I will be adding to the info via this blog.