Our Address:
Kelvin White
0800 612 8142


Did You Know.Improve your driving knowlege

 

Welcome to the (did you know ) section of the website.

Each week we will add some useful facts that you may not know or you may have forgotten.

The new highway code was launched in September 07 and if you are a parent surfing for your childrens driving lessons you may not have seen this book for a very long time.

Please scroll down the page to keep up to date.
 
The Benefits of Car Insurance
 

The Benefits of Car Insurance


 


Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you will get different benefits from your insurance. The three standard types of insurance are third party only; third party, fire and theft; and fully comprehensive. The first offers only the most fundamental cover and will pay out in the event of an accident – and is also the minimum legally acceptable level of cover to have. The second type is slightly better, and covers you if the car was stolen, it caught fire or you had certain types of accident. Obviously, it is desirable to have the third type, which covers you for pretty much anything.


 


With fully comprehensive insurance, there are many attractive options you can add to your policy, depending on your requirements. You can add in physiotherapy recovery programmes; optional breakdown cover from an organisation such as the RAC or AA; replacement vehicle protection – e.g. if your van was written off and you needed an interim replacement to carry out your job while waiting for the legal formalities and payout to be completed; and additional guarantees over a prearranged timeframe on approved repairs carried out as a result of an accident. There are also useful benefits such as windscreen replacement – if you had a stone fly up and damage it, for example.


 


Other desirable benefits from fully comprehensive insurance can include the use of a courtesy car while yours is repaired or a new replacement car if the covered car was lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair and is under 12 months old. Some of the best deals around at the moment offer an attractive cashback amount if you select that provider's product.


 

The best way to go about getting competitively priced vehicle insurance is to approach an insurance broker or use an Internet based search facility provide a range of quotations. That way, you can be assured that you have all the relevant information at your fingertips and can make an informed decision. Such search engines and brokers will promote reputable UK vehicle insurers, and work out a tailored quotation based on the information you supply. It also gives you the opportunity to consider each insurance quotation and the attached small print in your own time. Try Co-Operative Insurance for some competitive deals on car insurance.
 
 
70% fail test.
 

70% of learner driver’s fail their first driving test.




The local ,1st time practical pass rate at the Taunton test centre is only 30%.
Why should this be, if learner driver’s are properly prepared then success should be achieved.
The question to ask is “am I making lots of mistakes with my instructor” if so then you are not ready for test.The all right on the night scenario rarely works and when under pressure on test day it can often be worse.Listen to the advice given to you by your instructor and feel comfortable that you are ready to deal with any eventuality that crops up.
Our instructors at kelvin white driving school are very good at assessing when you will be ready, because of the waiting times to take a practical test they often have to estimate when you will be ready many weeks in advance and sometimes for various reasons the student has not progressed as planned.
Having a test booked for 7-8 weeks in advance may seem like a very long time to wait, but if we break this down the first thing is to focus on a mock test 2 weeks before your test.You will have probably just completed a lesson ,so the wait is now down to 4 weeks.This is not much time to address any outstanding issues.The mock test does not necessarily have to be passed ,but it will give a very real assessment of your prospects.You then have to decide ,along with your instructor if test success is likely to be achieved.


The good news is ,if you are consistent with your driving a are making just a few mistakes during your driving lessons then there is no reason why you should drive any different on your driving test.Test nerves are often used as the reason for a test fail, but if you are consistently driving well, then this is not generally the reason for being unsuccessful.


During the waiting time for a test to come around , it is essential that you do not miss any of your planned lessons, this can have an adverse effect on the outcome.When instructors book your test , it will be on the basis of regular lessons and how they feel you will progress during this time.


Company policy is that should the instructor feel that test success is unlikely , then you will be persuaded to reschedule the test until consistency can be achieved.


When we look at our practical test results for last week 19/07/10 – 23/07/10 we recorded eight 1st time passes in just four days, I think this proves that if you are ready then driving test success should be yours.

 
 
Independent driving from October 2010.
 
Independent driving will be included in the driving test from October 2010.

Candidates will be asked to drive for a period of about ten minutes by following direction signs and road markings without instruction from the examiner.

Please use the link to view the DSA official video.

DSAgovuk: Read about changes to the #driving test? Watch the video to see what's really happening in October http://bit.ly/DSA-facts
 
 
Changes to ID requirements for driving tests.
 
 


Changes to ID requirements for driving tests.


DSA has been working closely with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) so we can accept UK Identity Cards issued by IPS as an alternative means by which candidates may confirm their identity for all types of driving tests and Driver CPC periodic training.

Candidates for driving tests and periodic training need to produce evidence of their entitlement to drive the relevant vehicle and prove their identity before the test or training can commence. Candidates may currently do this by way of a driving licence. Where the licence does not contain a photograph a valid passport is also required.

Candidates will still need to confirm their driving entitlement by producing their driving licence but, from 27 April, candidates who do not have a photocard licence will be able to use a valid UK ID Card issued by IPS as an alternative to their passport.

Any candidate who is unable to satisfy the examiner of their driving entitlement or identity will have their test cancelled and may lose their fee.

 
 
Does it matter where you live?
 

Londoners rated as the worst learner drivers


 


Learners located in London and South East England need more attempts at the driving test to pass compared to every other part of Britain, based on a new survey by the AA.


An overall total of 20,109 people responded to the survey, which revealed that Londoners sat the test on average 2.09 times, while those in the south east needed 2.11 tests, which is five percent worse compared to UK average.


Simon Douglas, the AA Driving School director, said: "Busy, complex roads in London and the South-east appear to contribute to learners there finding it slightly more challenging."


Drivers in the east of England returned the best result, taking just 1.9 attempts to pass. They were closely followed by the North East, Yorkshire & Humberside and the East Midlands.


The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is quoted as saying that those who have passed their test have had 45 hours of professional training and 22 hours of private practice - on average.


Douglas sums up the findings: "Many factors shape local pass rates. But, wherever you reside, professional tuition using a fully-qualified driving instructor will give you the best possible head start towards passing your L-test and beyond."


The full league table is below:


East of England 1.87


Yorkshire & Humberside 1.91


North-east of England 1.91


East Midlands 1.92


Scotland 1.97


South-west of England 1.97


West Midlands 1.98


Wales 2.02


North-west of England 2.03


Northern Ireland 2.03


London 2.09


South-east of England 2.11


 

 
 
Young Drivers Insurance
 

Young Drivers Insurance Guide.


 


If you’ve recently passed your test and tried searching looking for insurance, you’ve probably already discovered how expensive insurance for inexperienced drivers can be.


Motor insurance for first time or young drivers can be expensive enough, but with reason. Moneysupermarket.com says: “There are several reasons why younger drivers pay more for their car insurance.


These include:


Drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test than at any other time. One in five drivers will have a crash in within their first year on the road.


A third of fatalities on UK roads are caused by young drivers aged 17 to 25.


Young drivers also experience more theft, fire and vandalism to their vehicles, which contributes to more claims on their car insurance.


Young drivers are more inclined to be ferrying around a vehicle} full of friends and for that reason face a much greater risk of being involved in an accident than somebody that just uses their car to nip out to the shops mid-afternoon.”


It may seem like the odds are stacked against you somewhat, but by following a few of the tips below, you can save a packet on your young drivers insurance.


Buy a Low Powered Car


 


Unfortunately, engine size is one is probably one of the biggest factors with regards to the price of your premium whatever your age, a car with a smaller engine will always be cheaper to insure than a big one. Search for cars in as low an insurance group as you possibly can in order to acquire the least expensive policy.


Take a Pass plus Course


This course is designed to teach recently passed drivers a few advanced driving techniques that could make them better and safer drivers. Many companies offer cheaper car insurance for first time drivers who have completed a pass plus course, up to 35% in some instances. There isn’t a test at the conclusion of the course and it takes only six hours to complete, so for those sorts of savings it’s a bargain!


Try a Multi-Car Policy


If you still live with your parents, it could be worth contacting their insurance providers – some companies offer heavy discounts on multiple cars within the same household, providing a budget car insurance many new drivers would like.


Policies with Restrictions


Some policies offer cheaper premiums at the expense of adding certain restrictions to them – not driving within certain hours of the night, for instance, or paying on a ‘per mile’ basis. Obviously, these might not be of use to everyone, but if you don't use your vehicle during the night time or only travel short distances, policies such as these can help you save significant amounts of money.


Consider Your Excess


 


The larger your excess, the cheaper your insurance is going to be – this is true of all policies, whether or not you are a new driver or not. However, you need to consider whether you are able to pay this should you have a crash– could you afford to pay a £600 excess after a nasty accident?


Keep it Stock


It’s another sad truth, but induction kits, spoilers, flared arches and the rest all add to your insurance premium – anything that adds value, performance or desirability to the vehicle will probably make that cheap car insurance quote more expensive, although different insurers treat modifications differently.


Add a Named Driver


Adding a mature and more experienced driver to your policy can decrease your premium quite substantially – this really is often one of the better options for cheap car insurance for new drivers. Don't let yourself be tempted to put yourself as a named driver on another person’s policy if you are the main user though; this is called ‘fronting’ and could result in the younger driver being convicted of fraud.


Obviously, it’s is best to check around – Moneysupermarket.com compare a massive amount of insurance firms, and can assist you to find the most effective possible deal for you quickly and easily.


 

 
 
Second-hand car warning:
 

Second-hand car warning: know your rights


 


Second-hand car warning: know your rights


 


Consumers are paying an average of £425 each to repair faults with second-hand cars which are the dealer's responsibility to correct. A study by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) also found that many dealers are using illegal disclaimers like 'No Refund'. Make sure you know your rights when purchasing a second-hand car.


Buying a car: your consumer rights


An OFT study has found that the £24 billion second-hand car dealer market can often be not working well for consumers.


The report found that the majority of used car faults come to light in the first three months after purchase, suggesting many second-hand cars sold will not be of satisfactory quality. In this situation it's the dealer's responsibility to fix the problem.


Regardless of this, nearly 30 {per cent| %} of buyers surveyed who contacted their dealer about a problem said they did not have problems resolved.


Consumers who had this issue spent an estimated £425 each, or £85 million each year in total, fixing unresolved faults which are the dealer's responsibility to correct.


The report also found that:


Many dealers are illegally falsifying a vehicle’s mileage (clocking) some dealers are pretending to be private sellers {in order to avoid their legal responsibilities to consumers


One in eleven car dealers use illegal disclaimers regarding the car's history and condition, such as for example that a car is 'sold as seen' or 'No Refund'


Many dealers neglect to disclose what mechanical and other pre-sale checks they've carried completed.


While the OFT believes that current laws are strong enough, more needs to be done to make sure consumers are better protected.







 
 
Instructors on test
 

DT1 changes for observer on test


 


Observer on test for category B (car) practical tests will be implemented on 6 April 2010. This will need changes to how the examiner administers part of the test.


The DT1 - the standard operating procedure that examiners follow - has been updated to reflect these changes.


View the DT1 (PDF, 780Kb)


Here’s the procedure that will be used from 6 April 2010:


In the waiting room:


The examiner will ask, ‘Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to accompany you on the test and be there for the result and end of test feedback?’.


If the customer says ‘no’, the examiner will ask, ‘Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to be there at the end of test for the feedback?


‘Thank you, will you lead the way to your car please.’


End of test - pass and fail


The examiner will say, ‘Please switch off the engine and give me a moment to complete my paperwork.’


If the test was not accompanied and the instructor/accompanying driver comes over to the vehicle to listen to the conclusion of the test, the examiner will confirm with the customer that they want their instructor/accompanying driver present.


'Take your instructor on your driving test' video


 

 
 
ADI's can act as interpreters
 

ADI's can act as interpreters


An ADI may act as interpreter on test with their own pupil, from 6 April 2010


From 6 April 2010, driving examiners will ask all customers at the start of their test if they would like someone to go with them on the test. This could be a parent, guardian or friend who has taught them to drive, but in most cases it will be their ADI.


Currently, an ADI is not permitted to act as an interpreter on test with their own customer. However, we believe having their ADI on test can enhance the customer's whole learning experience and continued development.  We feel as many customers as possible should be able to enjoy this benefit and that customers whose instructors speak and understand their language should not miss out on their opportunity of receiving valuable feedback.  We want customers to experience instructors and examiners working together as professional road safety experts.  This will help them to be safe and responsible drivers with the overall aim of improving road safety.


Therefore, from 6 April 2010 an ADI may act as interpreter on test with their own pupil.


Be aware if an interpreter, or anyone else, interferes with the conduct of the test, or is suspected of saying anything other than repeating the examiner's instructions, the test will be stopped. However, we are confident this will not be a problem as we are sure that ADIs will respond positively and professionally to this initiative.
Information about this change is in the February 2010 issue of Despatch.

 
 
Driving test to include case study
 


Driving test to include case study


The driving theory test is to include a new element with the introduction of case studies on which candidates must answer questions.



Case studies on which candidates must answer questions are to be introduced to the driving theory test


The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) said all car drivers and moped and motorcycle riders will have to answer one case study in the test, which will be introduced from September 28.


The case study will take the form of a short story or scenario upon which candidates will answer five questions. A touch screen or a mouse will be used, the same way in which the theory test is already conducted.


Jill Lewis, DSA director of driver education and learning said many candidates will be familiar with the case study format as they are "widely used in education to put learning into context".


She added that while candidates will initially answer one case study, "we plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates' understanding of what they have learned."


 

 
 
Drug habits see a 'major shift'
 








Drug habits see a 'major shift'


 


A record amount of young individuals were treated for a drugs and alcohol problem this past year. Counsellors in England alone saw 52,294 people aged 13-24, an increase of 12% in 2 yrs, according to data from the National Treatment Agency (NTA).


There has been sharp drop in those dependent on drugs like heroin. Instead under-25s have become more likely to have a problem with a cocktail of 'party' drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy, often mixed with alcohol. The NTA say treatment services targeted at young adults need to change quickly to manage what some are calling the greatest shift in drug habits in a generation.


Officials belonging to the NTA say the overall increase in treatment over the last 3 years does not Necessarily mean a record amount of young people are abusing drugs and alcohol. They're saying at least part of the rise can be explained by the growth in treatment services. Young adults picked up by the police may also be more likely to be drug tested and referred to a treatment centre.


However the figures do show a major switch in the type of drugs young adults are getting treated for. Drugs workers are seeing a dramatic shift away from heroin and crack use, both ‘problem drugs' typically associated with serious abuse. 18,597 people aged 13-24 were treated for an addiction to those two drugs last year, down 19% in just two years.


Simultaneously, more young adults are having an issue with booze mixed with 'softer' party drugs, a phenomenon nicknamed ACCE (pronounced 'ace') by drug workers, short for Alcohol plus Cocaine, Cannabis and Ecstasy.


The amount! Of under-25s getting treatment for more than one of those drugs has gone up 44% from 21,744 in 2005/6 to 31,401 in 2007/8. Read more...


24% of adults 'risking health through alcohol'


Nearly a quarter of all adults are risking their health through hazardous drinking, based on official statistics released in August.


The NHS Information Service said it estimates that a third of men and a sixth of women are drinking at a level which puts them at risk of physical or psychological harm. Within that group are "harmful drinkers" – 6% of men and 2% of women who are likely to suffer damage including liver disease or depression.


The most recent figures, which are for 2007! Also show a large rise in the amounts of people admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions, including injuries from falls or fights. In 2007-08 there were 863,300 admissions associated with drinking, which is a 69% rise since 2002-03 when there have been around 510,200.


Deaths associated with drinking are also increasing. In 2007, in England, there were 6,541 deaths directly related to alcohol, and that is an increase of 19% since 2001. The majority of the deaths (4,249) were from alcoholic liver disease.


"Today's figures clearly show that alcohol misuse is among the most serious public health problems facing the UK," said Alcohol Concern chief executive, Don Shenker. "The dramatic rise in admissions brought on by alcohol consumption is a warning that unless action is taken, we face an escalating public health crisis and increasing pressure on the doctors and nurses working in our hospitals. Read more...


 


 


Government to Ban ‘Legal Highs’


 


Three drugs that produce so-called "legal highs" are to be banned by the end of the year after at least two deaths were associated with their use, the home secretary has announced.


Alan Johnson will follow advice from government group the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to outlaw GBL, a legal substitute forth class C drug GHB, the cannabis substitute Spices well as the amphetamine alternative BZP.


Hester Stewart, a 21-year-old medical student, died after taking GBL, that may kill when coupled with alcohol, in April. This past year, Daniel Backhouse, a 22-year-old mortgage broker, suffered heart failure after mixing BZP with powdered ecstasy.


Johnson said the Home Office would launch a campaign next month to inform people concerning the risks associated with the drugs, including serious heart problems, vomiting, panic attacks, mood swings and seizures.


"There exists apperception that the majority of the so called 'legal highs' are harmless," the home secretary said."However, in some instances people can be ingesting dangerous industrial fluids or smoking chemicals that may be even more harmful than cannabis." Read more..


 


Drug Poisoning Deaths at Eight Year High


Deaths associated with drug poisoning - including both legal and illegal drugs - have risen to their highest level since 2001, new figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal.


The ONS journal Health Statistics Quarterly, published in August, reports that there have been a total of 2,928 drug poisoning deaths in 2008, up 11 %on 2007 and the highest figure since 2001.


Today’s figures show that 2,075 drug-related deaths were among men and 853 among women. Read more...


Drug users face treatment wait


Issues with waiting times for treating heroin users in Wales have been highlighted by an official report.


The review by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales! (HIW) was commissioned by social justice minister Dr Brian Gibbons and it makes 34 recommendations.


Waiting times are classified as a "significant barrier" to getting treatment in some areas of Wales, while there is also a lack of mental health support to users. But Dr Gibbons said there had been a huge expansion in services.


The report recommends better systems to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and provide information after reviews into drug-related deaths. Some service premises were discovered to be inadequate, said the report, together with access to mental health support for substance abusers in several areas. Among other recommendations are identifying possible ways to access services and improve waiting times. Read more...


Getting Hammered: Young adults and Alcohol and ‘Stoned Again? Working together with Cannabis Users Courses:


DET is going to be holding more of our popular ‘Stoned Again? ’ Cannabis study days and ‘Getting Hammered’ courses in the autumn and winter of 2009. The courses will be led by Mr. Liam Watson. The ‘Getting Hammered’ Young adults and Alcohol course are going to be taking place in Bristol, Exeter, Taunton, Redruth in September, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Southampton in November and Canterbury, London and Chelmsford in December 2009.


The Stoned Again? ’ Cannabis course will be held in Liverpool, Manchester and Blackburn in December 2009.


If you would like to receive information regarding courses in your area, and a booking form, then please e-mail us at: office@drugstraining.com


Magistrates attack plans for 'alcohol asbos' to tackle drunken behaviour


A government policy to fine drunken troublemakers as much as£2,500 under a new system of "alcohol asbos" introduced on 31st August has been rubbished by magistrates whose job it is to impose them.


The Home Office has announced that courts are now able to ban anyone aged 16 and over from drinking in certain pubs and bars and particular public areas and entering off-licences if they are regularly antisocial or commit crime while drunk. Offenders breaching the new "drinking banning orders", which last between two months and two years, will be fined. Anyone who is subject to an order is going to be referred to a "positive behaviour intervention course" to deal with their alcohol misuse that will cost offenders up to £250 each.


However the Magistrates' Association, which represents 28,000 volunteer magistrates, said the orders duplicate existing legislation and therefore are unlikely to help solve problems brought on by drunkenness on Britain's streets.


"We are really not convinced that DBOs will work very much more than the provisions magistrates currently have at their disposal so we do not believe they answer our demands for additional alcohol treatment courses," a spokeswoman for the Magistrates' Association said.


"In our view it’s unlikely that those who could take advantage of such an order would! Be sufficiently motivated and willing to fund a DBO course." Read more..


Antidepressant use soars as the recession bites


 


Fears the current recessions affecting the mental health of the nation seem to be borne out by new figures that show prescriptions of antidepressants are soaring.


This past year in England there have been2.1m more prescriptions of antidepressants compared to2007, leading to concerns that doctors are increasingly supplying the drugs as a "quick fix" without trying to address the underlying reason for the problems. In total, 36m prescriptions were given out, an increase of 24% within the last five years.


"The rise in the number of people being prescribed antidepressants is deeply disturbing," said the Liberal Democrats' health spokesman, Norman Lamb, who obtained the figures. "England is now a true Prozac nation."


Lamb said it appeared the economy was a major element in the increase. "The figures raise serious concerns over the impact of the current recession on people's mental health," he said. "Ministers have acted way too slowly to ensure that support is put in position to help people through these difficult times."


The links between economic woes and depression are well documented. Victoria Walsh, campaigns and policy manager at mental health charity Rethink, said its information centres and telephone advice lines were reporting a surge in people experiencing problems as a result of financial difficulties. "We are seeing people coming in who have been high fliers and now find life without their jobs overwhelming," she said.


Politicians and experts working in the field of depression said it was important that alternative therapies should be made available to counter the increasing reliance on antidepressants at a time when people were at their most vulnerable. "Doctors want their patients to have effective, long-term help, and drugs must not be the only answer," Lamb said. "Urgent action is needed to ensure psychological therapies are available to those who need them." Read more..


Families to receive antidote to help drug users who overdose .Families of chaotic drug users are to be given an antidote to maintain their relatives alive in the event of a heroin overdose in a pilot scheme Launched in August.


The drug, naloxone, and training in how to use it, will be provided to 950 families in 16 regions of the country, but could possibly be rolled out eventually to a quarter of a million. Experts believe it could save numerous lives.


"It virtually instantaneously reverses the overdose," said Professor John Strang, the director of the national addiction centre, at King's Health Partners in London, one of the new academic health sciences centres. "For many years ambulance crews have had it. This is the logical next step."


Surveys of families have revealed that about a quarter have at some time been present when a relative or partner has accidentally overdosed. At this time, all they are able to-do is ring for an ambulance and hope it arrives in time.


Strang's team asked families whether they would choose to be taught how to deal with an overdose. "They virtually bit our hands off with enthusiasm," he said. "The final results were so obvious you simply can’t believe we haven't spotted this and introduced it years ago."


Naloxone is a non-toxic drug that has-been readily available for years, meaning it's out of patent and for that reason cheap. It would need to be used in enormous quantities to become harmful and doesn’t cause dependency or induce euphoria.


The pilot will be rolled out by the government's National Treatment Agency for Substance Abuse (NTA). Read more.


 


Cocaine users 'risk getting Hep C'


 


Individuals who snort drugs like cocaine are putting themselves in danger! Of contracting Hepatitis C, health charities are warning.


Around 10,000 people obtain the virus each year in the United Kingdom, however, many have no idea they have it. You can only contract Hepatitis C if your blood comes into contact with infected blood but, if left untreated, it could potentially be fatal. Individuals who share needles to take heroin or steroids are at the largest risk. But research has shown it's also possible to get Hepatitis C should you share bank notes or straws when snorting drugs. Read more..


 


Charity warns over child drinkers


Fewer children are drinking but those who do are consuming more than ever before, a charity has warned.


Alcohol Concern said the amount found! Er-18s admitted to hospital has risen, and more have liver disease. The United Kingdom has some of the highest rates of alcohol consumption among young adults in Europe, with only Ireland and Finland having more.


Alcohol Concern has called for the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol to tackle the problem. The Scottish Government is proposing this kind of measure in an Alcohol Bill due later this year, while in England and Wales the focus is on tackling the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers as well as helping those with problems.


In July a 22-year-old became one of the youngest people in the United Kingdom to die of liver disease, and those diagnosed are becoming younger. The British Liver Trust says Britain will have the highest liver disease death rate in Europe within 2 yrs if things don’t change.


More teenagers are getting help for drug and alcohol problems than ever before, according to the National Treatment Agency.


That is partly due to more services being provided, but there is real concern concerning the amounts of alcohol some young adults are drinking.

 
 
On losing those ‘L’ plates
 

On losing those ‘L’ plates


Having the ability to drive opens up an entire new world of opportunities.


 


Firstly, you are free to go where you want, when you want and don’t have to depend on intermittent public transport systems or the good graces of your parents, who forever guilt trip you about being a free taxi service.


Seeing the world from four wheels can also be a great way to travel and the good old-fashioned road trip will never grow old and tired. Finally, you aren’t limited to working in your town; when the job is a 20-mile drive away, that’s not a problem.


However, driving isn’t exactly cheap. First you have to pay to obtain lessons and to do the test, then you need to get a car, purchase fuel, services, MOTs, road tax and insurance and to tell the truth everything is getting more costly. So what else could you do to save as much money as you possibly can without scrimping of quality and enjoyment?


Begin by making sure you have as few driving instructions you can. A lesson costs around £20 per hour in London so too many of them really will hurt your bank balance, so educate yourself as much as you possibly can to assist the task go as smoothly and quickly as possible.


When buying a vehicle, think small, economical and green. Not only will an eco-friendly car give you more mileage for your pound it’ll also keep the road tax rate to a minimum. The cleaner the vehicle, the lower the tax. But additionally, drive sensibly. Harsh acceleration and breaking means more fuel so therefore greater expense as well as increasing the overall level of deterioration on the car.


Insurance however will most likely be your biggest expense besides the actual purchase of the car, although in some instances, particularly for males under the age of 25, the insurance coverage can be more than the car. So be aware: don’t splash out on a large engine and high-spec car if you can’t afford the insurance. Figures state that one in five young drivers have an accident in their first year of driving, so insurance providers respond with high premiums.


This makes deciding on the best insurance imperative. Search for companies with a good record for young drivers and lots of worthwhile extras contained in the policy. One such example is Kwik Fit Insurance, it offers a 20% discount for purchasing car insurance online and a totally free MOT.


 

 
 
Three times over the alcohol limit
 

The family of a Cranford teenager killed by a hit-and-run driver have expressed their disappointment after he was given just four years behind bars.


Vytautas Bartkevicius was more than three times over the alcohol limit when he knocked down Leighanne Charge as she tried to cross at traffic lights near her family home in Windsor Road on April 12.


The 19-year-old, who hoped to become a police community support officer like her older sister Victoria, died a week later in hospital.


Bartkevicius, a 20-year-old warehouse packer, of Martindale Road, Hounslow, admitted causing death by careless driving while under the influence, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.


However, sentencing him at Isleworth Crown Court today, judge Hezlett Colgan said the jail term should reflect the fact he was a young man who had shown remorse and whose judgement had been affected after hearing that night how his ex-girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage with his child.


Speaking on behalf of the family, Victoria Charge's fiance Matthew Pond said they were 'very disappointed' with the 'lenient' sentence.


"As far as we're concerned, he's responsible for her death and what happened in his own life shouldn't have any bearing on that," he added.

 
 
Driver jailed for killing fiance
 







Driver jailed for killing fiance






Christopher Phillips - pic courtesy Bath Chronicle
Mr Phillips had been drinking with Ms Broad for many hours before his death

A woman who ran over and killed her fiance after a day drinking has been jailed for three years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Caroline Broad, 41, of Padfield Terrace, Twerton, Bath, drove into Christopher Phillips, 40, outside the city's Full Moon pub in August 2008.


Bristol Crown Court heard that Broad was three-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.


Broad was also disqualified from driving for five years.


She was ordered to retake her driving test before being allowed behind the wheel again.


Mr Phillips died from multiple injuries.


The couple had lived together for eight years and ran a tiling company together.









Driver jailed for killing fiance






Christopher Phillips - pic courtesy Bath Chronicle
Mr Phillips had been drinking with Ms Broad for many hours before his death

A woman who ran over and killed her fiance after a day drinking has been jailed for three years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Caroline Broad, 41, of Padfield Terrace, Twerton, Bath, drove into Christopher Phillips, 40, outside the city's Full Moon pub in August 2008.


Bristol Crown Court heard that Broad was three-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.


Broad was also disqualified from driving for five years.


She was ordered to retake her driving test before being allowed behind the wheel again.


Mr Phillips died from multiple injuries.


The couple had lived together for eight years and ran a tiling company together.


A woman who ran over and killed her fiance after a day drinking has been jailed for three years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Caroline Broad, 41, of Padfield Terrace, Twerton, Bath, drove into Christopher Phillips, 40, outside the city's Full Moon pub in August 2008.


Bristol Crown Court heard that Broad was three-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.


Broad was also disqualified from driving for five years.


She was ordered to retake her driving test before being allowed behind the wheel again.


Mr Phillips died from multiple injuries.


The couple had lived together for eight years and ran a tiling company together.

 
 
Drivers crash at home.
 

Research has found a majority of drivers involved in road accidents crash within five miles of their home.



A poll by insurance company elephant.co.uk found two in three collisions happen within five miles, but nearly a third of crashes happen less than a mile from home.


The survey of 3,800 people also indicated that hitting parked cars was the number one cause of accidents within a mile of a driver's home, followed by crashing while coming off a minor road, reversing into a vehicle and hitting a wall.


Only 5% of accidents occurred 26 to 50 miles from home, and 6% at distances of more than 50 miles away.


Elephant.co.uk managing director Brian Martin said: "It is so important to keep a full level of concentration when driving, whether you're just popping to the shops or starting or ending a longer journey. These results emphasise this even more."


"It is vital people stay alert and avoid complacency when driving close to home."

 
 
Examiner cancels test
 
A learner driver had his test cancelled after an examiner refused to sit in the car, saying it was too dirty.

Teenager Jack Hyde arrived at the Oxford driving test centre in his fathers five year old Volkswagen Golf, but the examiner failed to even set foot in the vehicle due to croissant crumbs on the seat.
 
 
Driving without insurance?
 

Driving without insurance?


29-05-2009










 



Lenders have joined forces with the police to help tackle illegal driving and take more illegal cars off the road. Driving without insurance is becoming a greater concern with an estimated 2.0 million uninsured motorists on the road.

The new Vehicle Recovery Scheme has been launched as part of a new partnership between the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) which represents the motor finance industry and regional police authorities.

It has been reported that police seized a record 170,000 uninsured vehicles during 2008. The scheme will hopefully make the roads safer for law abiding motorists and send a clear message to drivers breaking the law that their behaviour will not be tolerated by the police or finance providers. Because of this illegal behaviour, motor finance providers may be forced to increase their premiums to other drivers to cover the higher risks. The scheme is designed to allow motor finance companies to reclaim cars or vans which have been driven illegally and have been seized by the police.


 
 
Did you know?
 
When driving in an area with street lighting,the speed limit will always be 30 mph,unless repeater signs tell you otherwise.
 
 
Did you know
 
Many drivers think that a dual carriageway is a road with two lanes.

The number of lanes has nothing to do with a road being a dual carriageway,it may have three lanes or just one.

The definition of a dual carriageway is a road that is seperated from oncoming traffic by a centre reservation ,ie a raised kerb on the right hand side of the road.

Many motorists are caught speeding in the national speed limit (60mph) because they think they are on a dual carriageway (70 mph)
 
 
Did you know
 
It is an offence to use fog lights ,UNLESS VISABILITY IS LESS THAN 100 METERS.

Remember to switch them off as soon as visability improves.

Using them at any other time will severely dazzle following motorists.
 
 
Did you know
 
 Around 900 motorists per week attend speed choice courses in our local area.

These motorists have all been caught speeding by fixed cameras and would all have paid £60.00 each for the pleasure.

This figure represents just a very small porportion of drivers that are caught speeding each week.

Please note that before a fixed camera can be installed there will have been a history of 4 crashes with (KSI) KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED within 1 kilometer over the last 3 years.

Be careful you could be next.

 
 
Did you know
 
Insurance companies are now raising premiums for motorists that are convicted of using mobile phones while driving by 30 %.

In the past the offence has been traeted the same as speeding but all is to change and is now being classed the same as careless driving.

Read Below

A 25 year old woman was sentenced to four years in prison after killing a cyclist while she was texting on her mobile phone.

She was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving
.
 
 
Did you know
 
Did you know?

Key facts about learning to drive in Great Britain.

* Two million people take a car driving test every year

* The pass rate is 44%, so the average learner takes more than two tests before passing.

* 750,000 people qualify for a licence every year - three quarters of these are under the age of 25.

* Current average cost of a lesson is approximately £21.00 - up to £28.00 in London.
The average learner has 52 hours of lessons and spends £1,500 learning to drive.

* Current fees for the driving test ( for a car ) are £30.00 for the theory test ( which includes the hazard perception test ) :£56.50 for the practical test ( £67.00 if you want an evening or weekend test ) 

* A newly qualified male driver faces a insurance premium from £1,200  and a female driver of the same age faces a premium from £800.

  
 
 
Vehicle safety checks
 

Vehicle safety check questions


Hazard switchThe question has been raised regarding pupils using hazard warning lights when being asked to check the indicators. I checked this with DSA technical Standards who replied:


"It is perfectly acceptable for the hazard warning lights to be used for the indicator check when carrying out the vehicle safety checks on a driving test."


 
 
Passenger’s mobile ban
 



 


Passenger’s mobile ban




A MAN has been banned from driving because he was using his mobile phone – while in the passenger seat.


Martin Hughes was supervising a learner driver as he travelled along Lowther Street in Carlisle city centre last October.


He was caught using a hand-held mobile as they drove.


Hughes, 29, of Winterhope Road in Annan, was found guilty in his absence of breaching traffic regulations at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.


He returned to court to be sentenced and was disqualified for six months and ordered to pay a £100 fine, £60 court costs plus a £15 victim surcharge.

 
 
Learning to Drive Consultation outcomes
 

Rolling out across Great Britain the new pre-driver qualification in safe road use and introducing a partial credit for the theory test for car drivers who gain the new qualification


Introducing case studies into the theory test for car drivers and moped/motorcycle riders within the next refresh of the question bank


Introducing into all practical tests an assessment of competence whilst the candidate is driving independently


Making it mandatory for the person presenting the candidate for test to sit in the car for the duration and debrief


Consultation on proposals to modernise driver training, which will support effective delivery of the Learning to Drive programme


Introducing a new and improved Pass Plus scheme by 2011

 
 
 
When you get 12 points on your driving licence then the court has to disqualify you for 6 months unless it would cause exceptional hardship.

Note! If you are a newly qualified driver and gain over 5 points within the the first two years, you will be returned to learner status and be required to sit both the theory and practical tests again.

But what counts as exceptional hardship?

As a motoring solicitor this is one of the most common enquires I get.

With all of the speed cameras around these days it is a surprise anyone has a licence. Get caught 4 times within 3 years and you are on a minimum of 12 points. With
Government proposals to increase the fixed penalty for some speeding to 6 points you could be on 12 points by breaking the speed limit twice.

The effect of losing your licence can be devastating, you could lose your job, your livelihood and all that goes with it. It’s hard enough to get a job these days but without a licence it can be almost impossible.

So how do you go about avoiding a disqualification?

You will need to show the court that you will suffer exceptional hardship. This is not just your run of the mill hardship has to be exceptional! Basically the court expects people to suffer hardship when they lose their licence. That’s part of the punishment. You will have to show that you have suffered over and above what is normally expected from a disqualification.

Losing your job isn’t necessarily enough, you need to show the court that this will have a dramatic effect on your, or your families finances. If you work part time and your partner’s income is enough to cover all of the bills etc then you will probably not establish exceptional hardship. If you live at home with your parents it will be difficult.

There are no hard and fast rules as to what is exceptional hardship, there are no definitions or case law to follow. Each case is dealt with on its own merits. I have seen lots of people presenting their own case and completely missing the point and losing
, even though they have a very good case.

You need to be prepared, you will probably only get one shot at this, the court will not adjourn it just because you are missing some information. Get it wrong first time and you are catching the bus home from court.

It’s not enough to say you will lose your job, where is your evidence that you will?



The court won’t just accept that you can’t get to work on the bus, have you looked into it? Have you worked out the cost of taxis? Have you checked the bus timetables?



The courts are generally reluctant to allow people to keep their licence unless there is a real good reason.





 
 

 

Interesting facts about learning to drive