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”.

Independent Driving 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

Why is CPD important to a driving instructor?

As a driving instructor in Stoke on Trent I wanted to share with you my thoughts about the need for CPD and how easy it easy to go about it.

For people not associated with the driving instructor profession, most have no idea about the training involved in becoming a driving instructor or the necessary continuous professional development (CPD) that is required to stay at the top of the game. I say necessary CPD as its’s not compulsory. In my opinion CPD should stand for Compulsory Professional Development!

At present, once qualified, a driving instructor may never do any more training for the rest of their life! How crazy is that? Can you think of any other job or profession that once you’ve started on day 1, you never have to train again? I do admit that to become a driving instructor in the first place requires a lot of work, studying, practice, and dedication, but I qualified at 24 and may do this job until I retire at maybe 65-70 years of age. That’s 40 years or more, and at the moment there’s nothing in place to say that I have to become a better instructor or improve my skills during this time.

But what about the check test?

Approximately every 2-5 years every driving instructor that wishes to remain on the DSA’s register of approved driving instructors must complete a check test. This is a normal 1 hour lesson which a senior examiner sits in the back, watches the lesson, and gives feedback at the end, along with a grading for the instructor. The grading scale is from 1-6. If you are given a 1,2 or 3 then this is below the accepted standard and a further test will be carried out within a couple of months. If you are given a 4,5 or 6 then you may remain on the register. The higher your grade, the better the standard of the lesson you gave, and the longer the gap will be until the next check test.

The DSA however has finally realised that the way that driving lessons were taught in the 20th Century are maybe now a little dated and improvements now need to be made in the way that driving lessons are delivered. At the time of writing I am led to believe that proposed check test changes are to be implemented in April 2014, leading to a more client centred learning style of teaching. From what I’ve already read and from meetings I’ve attended, big changes are coming and there is only going to be one way to adapt to these changes and that is CPD!

So, what is CPD for Driving Instructors?

CPD is anything that can help you to learn or broaden your mind. It may be reading a blog like this, attending a local driving instructors meeting, reading newsletters or articles, or even attending courses and workshops. In Stoke on Trent we have an excellent local Driving Instructors Association (NSDIA) which holds monthly meetings to discuss a range of topics and has some great guest speakers. This meeting takes up just 2 hours of our time on one evening a month, but if you were to turn up for every meeting in the year, you would easily amass 24 hours of CPD, which is approximately 3 days worth, and it’s free of charge!

You may decide to go out and get a book about instruction, I’m currently reading ‘can drivers really teach themselves’ by Ian Edwards, which is a great book about coaching and CCL techniques. It cost about a tenner, and has given me loads of food for thought. Again, reading (and probably re-reading) this book is easily going to add up the hours on your CPD journey. I’ve read about half of this book and started to implement some of his thoughts into my own teaching, but I know I still have a lot of changes to make.

You may decide to go on a course, some can be free and some can be very expensive, but you’ll be going to listen to professionals help you to become a better driving instructor.

So is Driving Instructor CPD really necessary?

Last week I had my check test and got a grade 5, which I was really happy with. My previous 2 have been grade 4’s. I feel that this was down to my new ‘coaching’ approach and the result of around 10 days of CPD over the past 12 months. Could I have achieved this result without any CPD? No, I don’t think I could, and I know though that I must continue to work and refine my teaching so that next time I can hopefully get a grade 6!

So what I’m trying to say is no matter how great a driving instructor you are (or think you are), there’s always room for improvement, and it’s really easy to build up your knowledge, and it doesn’t have to cost the Earth! By continuing to better yourself, and the instruction that you give in the long run will provide better results for your pupils, and hopefully better recommendation rates, and even better – increased lesson prices – and who doesn’t want that?

Please feel free to leave any comments you might have about this post and why not subscribe to my blog for further posts? My next blog will be about how I prepared for my check test

Driving Instructor Stoke on Trent

Dave Shannon – Driving Instructor in Stoke on Trent

My name’s Dave Shannon and I’m a driving instructor in Stoke on Trent where I run a small school with 3 driving instructors – www.driveahead.co.uk

Turning Right Using a Gyratory / Spiral Roundabout – Longport, Stoke on Trent

This video shows you how to turn right when using a gyratory or spiral roundabout.  The roundabout I used in this video is Longport roundabout in Stoke on Trent.  When you take your driving lessons in Stoke on Trent it is pretty certain you’ll come across this roundabout at some point.

Approaching to turn left

As with any roundabout, when you are driving towards this roundabout you will be positioned in the left lane, signalling left, and keeping close towards the kerb towards the first exit.

Approaching to go ahead

As this is a busy roundabout you may use both lanes on the approach to travel ahead at the roundabout.  If you are driving in the left lane you must stay around the left (outside) of the roundabout.  If you approach in the right hand lane to go ahead, then initially you enter the roundabout towards the right.  It’s then important that as you are driving around the roundabout you watch for the road markings as you will need spiral towards the centre lane as you get part way around the roundabout.

Approaching to turn right

When you approach a gyratory roundabout to turn right you will approach in the right hand lane.  As you drive onto the roundabout you will be positioned to the right, this lane will then split into 2 lanes.  The first lane is road marked to go ahead and right, and the right lane is marked right only.  Whenever there is a choice of lanes to go to the same direction, in this instance both lanes are available to turn right, you should always use the left of the 2 lanes.  The 2nd lane is used for overtaking or if you need to drive all the way around the roundabout.  The video above shows how to correctly negotiate this roundabout when you’re turning right.

Please feel free to leave any comments on the usefulness of this video, or visit our website https://www.driveahead.co.uk/driving-lessons-stoke-on-trent/

Driving Lessons in Stoke on Trent

 

Congratulations to Justine Pickthorne who passed her driving test on 26th July 2012 at the Stoke on Trent driving test centre.  Justine passed first time with just 3 minor faults.  She took her driving lessons in Stoke on Trent with Drive Ahead’s driving instructor Dave Shannon.  Justine passed with us, following her boyfriend and his brother previously passing with us.

Well done Justine, from Dave and all at Drive Ahead School of Motoring!

Driving Lessons in Stoke on Trent

Driving Lessons in Newcastle Under Lyme

Congratulations on Passing your Driving Test Bijal

Bijal Passed with Drive Ahead School of Motoring

Bijal Passed with Drive Ahead School of Motoring

Congratulations to Bijal Shah who passed her driving test at Newcastle Test Centre on 30th March 2012.  Bijal had being taking driving lessons for a while, although she took two breaks whilst learning to have her 2 lovely children. We’d like to wish Bijal all the best as she is moving to London next week, and this was her final chance to pass her driving test in Newcastle under Lyme.

Well done Bijal, and good luck from Dave and all at Drive Ahead School Of Motoring!

Learn to Drive in Newcastle-Under-Lyme

Here at Drive Ahead, we appreciate that our learners have busy lives and so we always try hard to accomodate every circumstance that life throws at us. So we will always make every effort to try to arrange your Driving Lessons to suit you.  So, if you live in Newcastle-Under Lyme and are looking for a caring and affordable driving school, then be sure to give us a call.  Don’t worry if you don’t live in the Centre of Newcastle, we cover the whole borough.  If you live in Knutton, Silverdale, Keele or Kidsgrove we can still teach you, no problem.

Request a Call Back

If you are looking for Driving Lessons in Newcastle Under Lyme simply fill in the form below to request a call back.  Drive Ahead School of motoring will call you back and help you to choose your driving lessons.

 

Driving Lessons Newcastle Under Lyme

The New DSA’s driving theory test

On the 23rd January 2012 the DSA (Driver standards Agency) made some changes to the U.K driving theory test.  There has been loads of rumours flying around as to what has changed and most are very far from the truth.

The format of the theory test is exactly the same as it has been for the last couple of years which is:

50 multi-choice questions, to pass this section you must get 43 correct

13 hazard perception clips, 11 with 1 hazard and 2 with 2 hazards, giving a total of 75 available points, and to pass you must score 45 or more.

The New DSA’s Driving Theory Test

The only change to the theory test is that the DSA is no longer publishing the questions that will be asked during the test.  Previously, you could buy a book, CD, or go online and see every single question that would be asked on your test.  The problem with that is many people would just learn which answers matched the questions, without getting an understanding of what was being asked.

 

Download the Driving Theory Test App

The questions that will be asked will be very similar to those asked before, but it’s important now that you understand what you are learning, and not just memorising the questions and answers.  The DSA has published a new set of learning aids including books, CD’s, and even an iPhone app.  More information on these publications can be found at http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1162833&trackid=000578 or by going the App Store and searching DSA theory