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Driving and Theory Test update 23rd July 2020

The Theory Test

This afternoon the DVSA has finally made an updated announcement regarding theory tests. Theory tests have been back up and running for a few weeks now, but there was some uncertainty for those people who’s theory test has expired during lockdown or is due to expire in the coming months. Unfortunately, the DVSA have announced that there will be no extension to driving theory test!

What does this mean if you had a driving test cancelled during lockdown?

The bad news here is that your test fee will be refunded, you will have to pass your theory test again, and then reapply to take your driving test. Obviously this is very disappointing for those affected after it was hoped some form of extension would be granted. If you have been affected by this and need to retake and need some help revising for your theory test, then please send an email to dave@driveahead.co.uk and we’ll get you setup on Theory Test Pro free of charge to assist you in your studies.

What’s happening with the driving test?

Driving tests officially started again yesterday (22nd July 2020) which is good news. Unfortunately it seems the DVSA are being very slow at contacting pupils who had tests cancelled although it is happening. They are contacting pupils in the order that their test were cancelled, so if you had a test at the end of March then you can hope to hear from them soon. If your test was in April or May then we anticipate you’ve got a bit of a wait until they get in touch with you yet. You don’t need to take any action, they will contact you, just keep an eye out in your email and spam box over the coming weeks.

Driving Tests for those who didn’t have a test booked pre lockdown

After 4 months of cancelled tests there is a considerate backlog to get through. Rightly so, the priority is going to those who had their tests cancelled. Unfortunately this means that you’re going to have to wait a while to book your test if you didn’t have one booked.

As always, as soon as there’s any further developments we’ll let you know!

10 years as a driving instructor!

Today, 12th September 2015, marks 10 years to the day of me giving my first lesson as a driving instructor. I can’t remember the actual date that I qualified, I think it was about the 25th August 2005, but I remember both the preparation and trepidation of being ready for that first lesson. When I first started, I worked for a local school called Wheels Driver Training. Jim Rowley was the owner, and he helped me so much in those early days. From showing me local routes (my knowledge of the Stoke on Trent area was limited), to helping with questions I had about teaching, if it wasn’t for Jim I doubt I’d still be a driving instructor today. Jim was a very laid back character, much like myself, and a lot of what he did in his business has transferred to how I run mine today.

Typically car insurance gets cheaper on your 25th birthday, and I was not 25 for another 5 days, so Jim kindly let me teach in his Vauxhall Corsa for the first week so that I didn’t have to pay over the odds for my first years insurance. My first driving lesson was with a lad called Brett. The lesson went ok, I think I was as nervous as my pupil was, but we managed to get most of the things done you’d expect on a first lesson. Over the course of the week I gradually gained confidence in my teaching and started to settle in to being a driving instructor. On Saturday 17th September 2005, I was finally insured on my brand new Mini and started my lessons the following week with great excitement. The Mini was a great teaching car, and really good for business. Almost every learner that rang Wheels was asking for lessons in a Mini which helped me to have a really busy start to this new career.

After a couple of years of working 60 hour weeks, I wasn’t sure if being a driving instructor was something I wanted to do long term. So I studied from home to qualify as a mortgage advisor – just as the recession started – good timing eh! I left Wheels as I was now generating enough work to keep going on my own, alongside working part time with Butters John Bee as a mortgage and insurance advisor. Due to the recession, the time needed to make the transition into financial services a full time job after 18 months of trying, and with 2 young children, I had to make the decision to stick with being a driving instructor.

During that period my Dad had also qualified as a driving instructor and was working independently, so we decided to work together and ‘Learn with DAD’ was born. Not the greatest of names, it actually stood for ‘Learn with Dave and Dave’ (if you haven’t guessed, my Dad and I share the same name). After a couple of years we were both really busy. I made the decision that I wanted to grow the driving school and take on other instructors on a franchise basis. ‘Learn with DAD’ wasn’t going to be a name that would be attractive to the wider market so I embarked on finding a new name. I asked pupils, friends and family for suggestions and then picked a shortlist of 5 names which I asked my learners to vote on. The winner was ‘Drive Ahead School of Motoring’ which was the name my wife came up with (she still reminds me of this to this day). So in August 2010 Drive Ahead School of Motoring was born and we launched the website www.driveahead.co.uk. In the early days I wasn’t too sure as to what I was doing, I learned to code and created my initial websites from scratch which was very time consuming, but also very satisfying. I’d never run a business before so many things were guesswork. Things like advertising on Google was done by trial and error, and admittedly there was probably a lot of money wasted in those early days.

In the April of 2012 I took on my first paying franchisee, Martin Molyneux. Martin joined me from Red Driving School, and I’m pleased to say is still with Drive Ahead today. Over the next few years, the business slowly grew and I continued to learn more and more about how to run a successful business.

In February 2013 I attended the Fresh Start conference run by Marc Ford. I saw several great speakers that day, the most memorable being Dr Julia Malkin. If you ever get to meet Julia, or get the opportunity to listen to her as a speaker, then make sure you take it. The work she has done for the driving school industry is astounding, and her knowledge of learning difficulties is absolutely amazing.

Later that year, I decided I wanted to take my business to the next level so I contacted David Holland from www.resultsrulesok.com. For those that don’t know David, he’s a very successful business coach who works with multi national companies and is much too expensive for me – his words not mine. He gave me some great advice and some recommended reading to get me started, and advised that I get in touch with Marc Ford. At this point Marc had just started to hold quarterly business meetings called Fresh Plans which I began to attend. I’ve been attending these meetings ever since, and I also work with Marc on a 1 to 1 basis on all aspects of my business.

So here we are on September 12th 2015, working with Marc has made my business more profitable and I don’t work weekends anymore, so I’m not sharing my 10th anniversary with my learners. Instead I’m spending quality time with my family, which I’ve been able to do much more of lately. Drive Ahead has now grown to 6 instructors, with another currently in training, and I’m still looking for more instructors. There’s so much more to tell, so many more details in between, but I haven’t got all day to write it (and I’m sure you don’t want to spend all day reading it). I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey so far, and I’m looking forward to the next 10 years with the exciting challenges it may bring…

Driving Test Passes – February 2014

Another brilliant month for driving test passes here at Drive Ahead. A massive well done for everyone who has passed their driving test this month after taking driving lesson with us. If you’d like to join our ever-growing list of successful test passes then give us a call today on 01782 906010 or why not book online?

Pete – 3rd February 2014 – A great start to the month when Pete passed his driving test in Newcastle under Lyme with our driving instructor Mark Lawton.

6th February 2014 – Charlotte Walker – Charlotte came to Drive Ahead after her friend had passed with us a couple of years ago. Charlotte took her driving lessons with our instructor Dave and passed in Stoke on Trent.

7th February 2014 – Zara Azam-Rajabian – Zara took lessons with Drive Ahead after her brother passed his driving test with us. Zara started to learn whilst at university in Leicester but came to Drive Ahead when she moved back home to Stoke on Trent.

18th February 2014 – Jessica – Jessica took her driving lessons in Stoke on Trent with our driving instructor Sarah, before passing her test at the Cobridge test centre

20th February 2014 – Katrina – Katrina passed her driving test in Newcastle under Lyme with our driving instructor Sarah Alcock

21st February 2014 – Rhiannon Bedford – Rhiannon passed her driving test 1st time with our driving instructor John. Rhiannon took her driving lessons in Stoke on Trent before passing at the Cobridge driving test centre

25th February 2014 – Charlotte – Charlotte passed her driving test 1st time with just 1 minor fault! Charlotte completed a great month of passes for our driving instructor Sarah. Well done Charlotte

26th February 2014 – Kayleigh Duffield – Kayleigh was our final pass of the month in February. She took her lessons with our driving instructor John Johnson before passing her driving test at the Newcastle driving test centre

How to find a driving instructor in Stoke on Trent

So, you’ve been searching around for the best deals, but how do you know you’re going to get a good driving instructor? This post will help you to find a driving instructor in Stoke on Trent.

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Q. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers

Are you looking for a driving school in Stoke on Trent to help with your Show Me Tell Me Questions?

Answer

Firstly, you will need to turn on the ignition so the washers/wipers have power. The controls will vary from car to car, but the car I give driving lessons in, which is the one in the video above, is a Ford Fiesta. To wash the front windscreen, push the end of the right control stalk in for a few seconds until there’s enough water on the window. The wipers will continue to wipe several times before stopping on their own. The rear window can be washed by pulling the stalk and holding it towards you for a few seconds. Once you’ve applied enough water, you will need to push the stalk away from you to turn the wipers off, otherwise they will continue to wipe intermittently.

Why is it important to know how to do this?

The windows may need be cleaned at any time throughout the year, not just during the winter, therefore it is important to know how to use all of your ancillary controls. Imagine driving down a fast moving road, your window gets dirty from the spray of another vehicle and you don’t know how to wash your windows. In just a few seconds the effects of not seeing clearly could be fatal.

Looking for an expert driving school in Stoke on Trent or Newcastle?

Look no further, our driving instructors are the experts. With many years of driving experience, and a commitment to continuous personal development, our driving school will provide you with an excellent route to your driving test.

When you are taking your driving lessons in Stoke on Trent, your driving instructor will show you how to complete the show me tell me questions. Drive Ahead School of Motoring can provide you with excellent driving lessons, tailored to your driving needs. To book a driving lesson, call us today on 01782 906010 or visit our homepage www.driveahead.co.uk

Q. Show Me how you would check the horn is working (off road only)

Answer: how to check the horn is working

To check the horn, all you need to do is press it and listen to make sure it works. With certain makes of cars, you may need to turn the ignition on first. If you are taking your driving test at a test centre without a car park, and are parked on the road, you may be asked to just point to where you would press to make the horn work. The reason for this is that the horn should only be used as a warning, and if you were to use it on the road, you may confuse other road users.

Why should this check be done?

The horn is a safety feature of the car, and needs to be checked periodically to ensure it is working. Imagine you arrive at a situation where the horn may be needed and it doesn’t function. The result may be that you weren’t able to warn other road users of the potential danger.

How often should I check my horn?

As I guide, I would recommend to check your handbrake at least monthly, but really you could be checking it on a weekly basis, as you never know when the need to use your horn may arise.

Are you looking for driving lessons in Stoke on Trent?

When learning to drive in Stoke on Trent or Newcastle, your driving instructor will help you to prepare for the Show Me Tell Me questions. To book a driving lesson with Drive Ahead please call today on 01782 906010 or visit our website www.driveahead.co.uk

Independent Driving on your Driving Test in Stoke on Trent

What is independent driving?

Independent Driving was introduced to the UK driving test in October 2010. It is a 10 minute section of the driving test, where the driver is expected to follow a series of directions, roadsigns, or a combination of both. For example, the examiner may say, at the end of the road turn left, then at the roundabout follow the road ahead, then take the next right. If required, the examiner may also show a diagram to support the instructions (see below). Alternatively, the examiner may ask the driver to follow road signs, or may give a combination of both. For example, the examiner may say “At the end of the road turn left, then follow the signs to Stoke on Trent”.

Why is there a need for independent driving?

Independent driving was introduced to ensure that drivers presented for the driving test were able to drive independently, without having to be directed for each individual junction. The reason behind this was that learners could easily fall into the habit of using directions as a prompt. What I mean by this is, traditionally learners are taught the MSM routine – Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre (further broken down to PSL – Position, Speed, and Look). They then get into the habit of whenever their driving instructor gives them a direction, they then see this as a prompt to start doing the MSM routine. The problem with this, is that once the learner has passed their driving test, although they may know when to turn left or right, without the direction (prompt) from the driving instructor, the new driver may forget to use the MSM routine.

Also, up until independent driving was introduced, drivers were not required to read directional road signs. Again, once the driver has passed their driving test, they may not have been able to read roadsigns, causing great difficulties, especially when the driver visits an area they are unfamiliar with.

So, what problems may that cause?

The MSM routine is used to assess the traffic situation behind you, signal your intention to other road users, before completing the manoeuvre itself. If just 1 element is missing from this approach, the driver may be creating a dangerous situations. For example, when making a left turn, if the driver doesn’t check their mirrors, they will not be aware if a car behind is following too closely. If the subsequent signal is also missing, the following car will not be aware of the drivers intention to turn, and then may be taken by surprise when the driver brakes to slow down for the junction, potentially leading the following driver to crash into the back of the leading car.

In relation to roadsigns, if a driver was unable to read the directions given on signs, they may get lost, causing stress to the driver, or they may suddenly change direction when they realise they are going the wrong way causing dangers to other road users.

How does independent driving help?

Independent driving promotes thinking on behalf of the driver. Although the examiner may still give directions, they are usually given in groups of three. The junctions may be quite close together, or they may be far away from each other. This means that the driver needs to think about where the junction is, or to read a sign and decide on the direction to be taken, then plan how they are going to approach it on their own, without the usual prompt of an instruction.

But what if I take the wrong turning, miss a turn, or don’t see the signs?

Providing you drive safely YOU WILL NOT have a fault marked on your driving test report! The aim of independent driving is that you demonstrate how to drive safely on your own, and it is not there to test your ability to follow instructions. An example of this would be, the examiner has asked you to take the second road on the left, and you mistakenly take the first turn on the left. Providing you approached using the correct MSM routine then you will not be marked down. If the examiner can see that you are going to turn the wrong way, and it may take you a long way from the set route, they may remind you of the direction required to try and encourage you to go in the correct way. And again, providing you do everything safely, you will not normally be marked down for this. If you have taken a wrong turning, the examiner will tell you so, and then either give you directions to get back onto the same route, or change the route slightly.

Finally, what if I forget where I’m supposed to be going?

Just ask! There will be no problem if you ask the examiner to repeat his instructions, it’s better to do that than just carry on driving aimlessly. What you would be penalised for though, is if you just arrive at a junction, with no signals, and no idea where you are going, because you will not have given traffic around you any indication as to where you are going. If you get to a junction and you are not sure where to go, it is much better to choose a direction, follow your instinct and make a safe turning.

Do you want to start, or are you already taking driving lessons in Stoke on Trent?

Why not give us a call and speak to one of our highly experienced driving instructors about how we can help you to pass your driving test. Our driving lessons are taught using the most modern techniques and we have a great reputation in Stoke on Trent. For more details, please visit our website www.driveahead.co.uk or give us a call on 01782 906010