Learning to Drive

Independant Driving

2010-06-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

There is a new part of the practical test due to start in August called Independent Driving.

The idea is that the examiner will give the pupil some directions or tell them to follow signs towards a destination. In this time, the pupil will drive for about 10 minutes without instruction from the examiner. The pupil will be able to ask questions to confirm the direction they are able to go.

It is estimated that this new initiative MAY have a detrimental effect on the pass rate. This can be OVERCOME through sufficient practice before the test.

More information will be forthcoming in the next few months. In the mean time, I will proceed to assist all my pupils to be able to complete this new task.

For more help, please call 07906 302910 or contact GT Driving School on http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Virtual Driving

2010-05-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have had a few interesting (read challenging) pupils recently that seem not to appreciate that they need to THINK whilst they are driving - particularly when they have been around the same route - not just at another occasion - but THAT DAY !!!
With this in mind, I have gone around a supposedly familiar route (with the inevitable issues of where to bake, mirrors and being in the wrong gear). After explaining AGAIN, what the issues were, I have tried to get the pupil to imagine where the have been and the issued that may arise and the problems they have had.
Once they have 'imagined' themselves around the route, we have gone round it in reality again and it seems that they have finally got the idea. I have then set them a bit of homework, where I have asked them to think about a route we can do on our next lesson. Once they have explained where they would like to go, I have asked them about the issues that are on that route and then we have driven it - with much improved results !!!

I am hoping that I may be able to develop the idea and use it more often with more of my 'challenging' pupils.

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

Views from the back seat...

2010-05-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

Since the rules have changed about examiners asking pupils if they wish their instructor to sit in the back of the car for their test back in April this year, I have only had to do it twice. On both occasions, the experience seems to have created more questions than answered them...!

The first experience was in Maidstone. the pupil was more than capable of passing the test, but had made a number of silly mistakes in the hour before her test, so I was hoping she could keep herself together long enough for the test. Her examiner was one of the better ones at Maidstone and he immediately put her at ease. However, this did not stop her from hitting the curb when asked to stop early on in her test. She also moved away leaving the right indicator on and stalled a couple of times after waiting for ever at a couple of junctions. Next she was asked to do a 'Turn in the Road'. The place the examiner wanted her to take it was crowded with cars on both sides. He asked her to stop on the left and she moved into the space rather diagonally and close to the car in front. The examiner asked her to reverse back and straighten the car up. She managed to do so after a couple of attempts and then did her 'Turn in the Road'. The way the examiner almost had to man-handle her himself to get into position, I was sure, was going to be a dead certainty to fail...

By the time we got back to the test centre, I was sure she had failed at least a couple more times. I waited for the inevitable 'I'm afraid you were unsuccessful in passing the driving test on this occasion' when he said, 'Well done Christina, you passed'!!!

HOW ON EARTH WAS THIS ALLOWED TO HAVE HAPPENED?
Everything was telling me she had failed!!!

I just had another experience this week, this time in Tunbridge Wells. The pupil make a complete hash of the Left Reverse and Parallel Parking, that I thought she certainly had failed. What was more ridiculous was the fact she did indeed fail but for a slight misdemeanour at a roundabout, where she jumped in front of a car, who decided to do a U-turn around this mini roundabout! and action no-one could have foreseen. For her two terrible manoeuvres, she earned herself driver faults for observation AND control for both of them.

The only reason I can see why one person passed and the other failed, was that the problems with the manoeuvres did not involve other road users, but the roundabout issue did - so therefore a fail.

I'm going to have to sit in on a couple of other tests to see if my theory is correct...

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

Are You Experienced?

2010-04-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Its interesting how learners differ. The most extreme cases are when you meet an 'experienced' learner for the first time.

Let me explain what I mean...
An experienced learner is someone who has been driving for a while - in some cases, years!!! They may have been 'learning' all this time, others have been 'driving', such is the need to get on and get work that some have just learnt on the job!
It is often these drivers that are the hardest work. The first category, the 'Learners' can often be incredibly timid or self conscious about their driving and it takes some time to get it out of their heads that they CAN drive and drive well.
The second category, the 'Drivers' may already have bad habits such as speeding or not looking in mirrors or other road signs. It is these people I find the most challenging. The main thing I find is trying to convince them that they do NOT already know everything and that what I am saying to them may be of some use if they want to pass the test. I often try to explain that they are actually 'good' drivers (to a certain extent), but the test does not look to pass good drivers. The test is designed for NEW drivers, and they need to try to remember how they were when they first started driving.

My most extreme case was a chap, who was in his 50s, who had decided that now he was effectively retired, he would finally get his driving licence. He had been driving for work for over 30 years and had definitely got into LOTS of bad habits. It took a long time and some serious talks about what was required to get him up to test standard. I remember that we only did 1 hour lessons, basically because he found it such a strain to remember what he needed to do. I am very happy to report that he passed his test first time and was chuffed to bits at what he was able to achieve.

To find out more about how to pass your test, whether you are a new learner or an experienced 'driver', please go to the GT Driving School website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net or call 07906 302910

Pass Predictions

2010-04-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have had one of my most unpredictable passes today!

Over the last four weeks I have had the dubious pleasure of teaching a chap in Tunbridge Wells. We have had 4-6 hours of lessons each week, with this week culminating in a 3-hour lesson on Wednesday and 2 hours before his test today.

On Wednesday, we had a Mock Test to see what he could remember and then to polish up on the one or two things that may be a little under par. Well, within the first 10 minutes of the 'test', I had recorded about 5 reasons why he would fail. By the time we finished, I had written down over 12 different major problems with his driving!!!

Afterwards, I pulled him over and asked him if he thought he had done a good job and he thought he had! I talked to him, saying that the test was a disaster and we should seriously consider not wasting each other's time and not turn up for the test as I didn't want his confidence knocked or my own humiliation of having to face the examiner afterwards.
He promised me that he would seriously consider everything I had told him overnight and would let me know the following day what he had decided.

We met again today for the two hours before the test to hear what his decision was. He had decided that he would go for it but I said that I would still not take him to the test if I did not see any improvement in his driving in the next two hours. In those preceding hours, I saw a little improvement and decided that I would agree to his taking of the test in my car. I did consider going with him, if for no other reason other than when the examiner had decided that he could cope with no more poor driving and was going to walk back to the centre, I would be there to take my pupil home. My pupil decided that he did not want me to come with him saying that he would be more nervous with me in the back of the car.

Needless to say, the 40 minutes of the test was one of the most agonising I have had to endure, wondering if my car would come back in one piece at the very least.
When the car came back, I hovered nervously around the rear of the car, waiting for the inevitable beckoning of the examiner to come and listen to the list of disasters that he had had to endure. Instead, my pupil appeared to reach to the rear seat of the car to give his provisional licence to the examiner - he has PASSED !!!!!!!

I think he was as amazed as I was at the result and all he wanted to do was cheer and jump in the air. He had passed with 10 driver faults (6 more and he would have failed). He had indicated incorrectly at a roundabout, stopped badly before conducting a left reverse manoeuvre and had not checked his mirrors correctly! It appears that the examiner had taken pity on my pupil and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

As a result, I cannot now say that I know who is likely to pass and who is likely to fail - it is entirely in the lap of the gods (and the benevolence of the examiner).
I'll make sure to have a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine for the examiner next time I have a questionable pupil taking the test!

For more information, please go to http://www/gtdrivingschool.net

Dance Pupils and their Ability to Learn

2010-04-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

I met a new pupil last week for her first lesson and was very impressed as to how well she took to learning to drive and it made me think about different types of pupils and their initial ability to pick things up quickly.

The new student had had no previous experience other than 'helping' to change gear whilst in the front passenger seat with her Dad. We found a quiet, straight part of road to start off in and I went through the usual 'Cockpit Drill' routine and then talked about Moving Off and Stopping.

She was able to understand almost immediately what I was trying to say and then complete the actions in the way required. As a result, we were driving through Maidstone, checking mirrors and changing gears in the correct way at the correct time. She was then able to drive to school and amaze all her friends as to how much she had been able to achieve.

This has not been the first pupil to be able to do this but there does seem to be a common denominator, namely, she was a dance student. Other girls in her position I have taught have also been dancers or involved in drama in some way. It seems that their ability to quickly understand and interpret new instructions and routines is something they need to do in class on a regular basis.

This observation should not discourage other existing or potential pupils as this is not a sure-fire way of learning and passing their test in a record time. I also recall that these same pupils often dip when it comes to practising and perfecting their driving skills. They may be good at picking up the basics, but perfecting their skills is another matter. This is where other 'normal' pupils often score better.

It will be interesting if my current 'dance student' will fall into the same category.

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

Pot Holes are making me POTTY

2010-03-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

"Now they now how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall..."

So do I.

Its about as many pot holes as there are in Maidstone at the moment!
The roads are a DISGRACE!!!
Just on my road in Downswood (Derringwood Drive to be precise), there are two quite wide and VERY deep holes that appear to be growing. It will soon not be possible to negotiate around them without hitting the pedestrian islands that they both seem to be near. Very soon, they will be too big and will cause an accident - particularly at the speed some people go down the road.
'Good' you say, 'They shouldn't be going excessively fast', and you would be quite right.

The problem is that if a car was to hit these holes at speed, they may cause the tyre to burst. If the tyre bursts, you now have an unstable vehicle going at speed - possibly up the curb or into oncoming traffic, more likely, into a resident's garden.

There has been no sign of any work done on the roads since the snow in January. Many of these holes started to appear with the thaw of the snow in late December. As it is now the beginning of March, that is nearly 2 1/2 months! Instead of fixing these hole, the road people have been busy blocking up the main roads in town with their removal and subsequent erecting of street lights on the Bishops Way. Have you been caught up in the road chaos? What was wrong with the old street lights anyway?

The two holes in question are only the two near where I live and on a piece of road I have to drive down every day. As a driving instructor, I have got to know the standard of the roads pretty well and I can certainly say the Downswood has got off light to some other parts of town. Shepway is awash with holes and cracks and loose chippings. Deane Street is a disaster waiting to happen.

GET THESE HOLES FIXED!!!

The Highways guys have also been busy in the heart of town in all the back streets around Union Street. First the road was closed for umpteen days and nights - which is understandable, but why then block other roads off with the road-making machines? Now that they have done their work, have you seen it? Have you seen where it is coming up and holes are appearing? I would certainly say it is an improvement on the old surface but it won't be too long before it needs to be done again!

I hope KCC are ready with their cheque book when I put in my claim for damage to my car and subsequent loss of earnings. The only problem is is that they will just hike up the council tax next year to cover their shoddy work!

I wish there was some constructive advice I could give about driving in Pot Holed roads, but all I can think of is slow down, look ahead and if you do have to swerve onto the other side of the road, make sure there isn't any oncoming traffic.

Other good advice can be found on my website http://www.gtdrivingschool.net, email me at gt_drivingschool@yahoo.co.uk or call me on 07906 302910

Pass Plus or not Pass Plus

2010-02-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

I suppose I should first explain what Pass Plus is...

Pass Plus is an additional course that new drivers who have passed their Practical Driving Test can participate in. It is supposed to fill in some of the gaps that can occur in a new drivers skill set and helps them to adjust to different ways of driving.

Pass Plus covers:

Town Driving
Country Driving
Bad Weather Driving
Night Driving
Duel Carriageways
Motorways

The last two of these seem the most appealing to my pupils, and I would have to agree that they are the most significant additions as the pupil is very likely to have experienced the other things whilst taking lessons. Many pupils who take Pass Plus cite the need to understand Motorways as their key motivation for taking the course.

There is another key reason: A reduction in insurance fees. Some insurance companies have understood that a driver who has undertaken the course is less likely to be involved in an accident and will adjust their premiums accordingly. However, the amount of reduction has been going down as has the number of insurers who have agreed to take part in the scheme. This means the Pass Plus has begun to be seen as an expensive (£120-150) luxury.

I would suggest a different, more practical approach is needed based around how we use our roads and motor vehicles. Below are some ideas of how I would change the Pass Plus scheme.

Motorways are undoubtedly an essential part of everyday life for many commuters, so an understanding of how they work and how we use them is imperative.
An understanding of using route maps and Sat Navs is also required. What they do, how to get the best out of them and what are their weaknesses!
How to get from home to school/work/shops! There is a simple but inevitable need to be able to do this.
Basic maintenance: How to fill the car with the CORRECT fuel for instance. A practical guide to keeping your car on the road (touched on through the Show Me / Tell Me questions).
How to use car parks! Do I pick up a ticket & pay now or when I get back? An understanding of how every car park's flow is different!
How to buy a new/used car. What to look for etc.

The above ideas are just a selection of far more practical things that a new driver should know and often will have to encounter through costly trial and error.

What do you think?

Maybe you have other suggestions. Please let me know by contacting me on 07906 302910 or by email gt_drivingschool@yahoo.co.uk or visit my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

See it, Say it, Sort it!

2010-01-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

One way I have found that can help a pupil around a test route is for them to do a form of commentary driving.

What I mean by this is; talking to yourself!

The reason why this is a good idea is that if puts structure into what the pupil is seeing. It also gets the pupil to spot the issues earlier than they may have done, as they have to get the words out before they get to the obstruction. I find that as the pupil is saying these things, they are often taking the action they need to avoid the obstacle. Also, needing time to say what you see needs time, so pupils often inadvertently slow down, which also helps...

The next stage is to stop looking like a gibbering lunatic and to keep the words in your head but still say them and act upon them. There is no problem mumbling under your breath as you drive along the road. In fact, a pupil of mine was saved by her mumbles as the examiner could hear what she was thinking, and was able to understand her logic when she made a mistake. Had she not been talking to herself and had he not heard her, he would have failed her.

So at the risk of sounding like you should be locked up, try it next time you are in the car, you will find you drive slower and safer.

For more advice and ideas, please go to my website at http://www.gtdrivingschool.net.

Snow, snow & MORE snow!

2010-01-08T05:22:00.000-08:00

Its been VERY snowy lately and has majorly disrupted my driving lessons.

I thought I would take time out to mention the crazy drivers I have seen trying to manoeuvre around the stranded cars out in the road. They are using far too much gas and clutch to be effective. I understand that the snow and ice can be fun but it is also important to be able to get out of trouble...

The main rule for driving in this weather is 'do everything SLOWLY'.

When moving off, use only a little gas and gently find the biting point.
Make sure you have plenty of room before trying to move off.
Ride the biting point until you are up to speed.
Change into 2nd gear earlier than you would normally but keep the revs and speed low.
Steer the car gently, looking up far ahead for obstacles.
Start to brake gently, keeping the clutch up for as long as possible, then changing down gears using only the clutch and as little brake as possible.
Brake to a stop gently. You may need to keep the car in gear as well as using the handbrake.

I know this is all very boring but it must be better keeping out of trouble, rather than knocking out someones wing mirror or skidding into a main road!

For other suggestions for safe driving, please go to http://www.gtdrivingschool.net

Get your documents SORTED !!!

2009-11-22T14:29:00.000-08:00

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 !!!

2009-11-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

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...

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.
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!
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?
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!
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'!
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... ?
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.
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

2009-09-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-07-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-07-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

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.