Click on the logo, underlined link or website address to open the page in a new window
** WARNING - BOOKING THEORY TESTS ONLINE!! **
If you book your Theory Test online, this can be done easily via the DirectGov website - you pay ONLY for the test & there is no extra booking fee.
There are some "Theory Test booking services" on the internet who
will book a test for you BUT they will charge you a hefty booking fee
on top of the test fee.
THERE'S NO NEED TO PAY EXTRA - book your test yourself directly with the DSA at the DirectGov website
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The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Apply for a new or updated
provisional/full driving licence online
DSA on YouTube, lots of info & videos
Videos preparing you for what to expect in both the theory and practical tests
Online Highway Code
PassPlus
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Insurance for provisional and young qualified drivers:
Info from March 23rd's 'Martin's Money Saving Expert' re under 25's car insurance:-
Cheap young drivers' car insurance. New Guide Co-op's new 'pay how you drive' insurance monitors acceleration, braking, cornering and time If
you're under 25 car insurance can be prohibitive; even the avg for
17-22 year olds is £2,250. The Co-op's just launched a 'pay how you
drive' policy, so we've sped up publishing our new hugely detailed,
step-by-step
Young Driver's Car Insurance guide. Here's a brief summary.
- Step 1: DOs and DON'Ts! DO
reduce your risk with lower mileage and less powerful, unmodified cars.
DON'T put someone else as primary driver if it's your car - that's
illegal. DO try adding a responsible older driver as a second driver to
see if it reduces costs, even if they'll rarely drive it. DO check
comprehensive prices as well as 3rd party, bizarrely it can sometimes be
cheaper. See the Young Driver's Car Insurance guide for more.
- Step 2: Combine comparison sites:
Whether you're a young driver or not, always first combine comparison
site results, as each searches different providers. To get max quotes at
speed, our top combo is MoneySupermarket* AND GoCompare*, then always add Aviva*, Direct Line* and First Direct that they miss.
- Step 3: GPS tracking policies: Now compare those prices with specialist young person's policies, where you usually get a black box that monitors your driving. Pay per mile: Coverbox* Pay how you drive: Co-op, AA (coming soon) Pay less daytimes: i-kube. Then there's also Swinton's broker panel and Young Marmalade* (car & insurance together). Full details in the guide.
**Please quote my ADI no: 352414 if taking a policy with either Collingwood Learners or Provisional Marmalade, thank you**
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Tyre tread importance, see a video with Quentin Wilson
Driving tips and advice as well as a place to rate your instructor and join in with forum discussions.
Rate your driving instructor so that others can make an informed decision about who to learn with! Also tips for test, free online Highway Code & other useful info. If you are learning with me, please click on the logo & rate me :-) (I am under county = Cheshire & council = Cheshire CC)
All about the theory & hazard perception test
Helpful information to combat test nerves
All about the practical test
Free online driving theory test practice & mock theory test
Lots of info for learner drivers including software for sale to help with tests.
Networking site for driving instructors
Therapy with specific help for driving test nerves!
Site with forums for learner drivers, PDI's & ADI's to ask questions & share experiences.
(*Tip* click on either Front Page or Forum at the top of the first page to navigate the site)
Hard hitting video about the dangers of texting whilst driving
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Safe Driving Advice
According to statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the
highest car crash rate is among young drivers with 18-year-olds responsible for
around 50 collisions a day on the UK’s roads – three times as many as drivers in
their fifties. The ABI finds young drivers are ten times more likely to be
killed or severely injured in a road accident than drivers in their forties
while safety campaign organisation Brake states young drivers account for more
than two in five road deaths.
The fact is that young drivers have less experience on the road and
therefore less ability to anticipate and react to its dangers. To make matters
worse, some youngsters tarnish the reputation of their peers by driving
irresponsibly. So what lessons can be learned?
How can young drivers stay safe?
The key to motoring at any age is to drive safely and responsibly. Don`t be
pressurised by friends into driving recklessly, performing risky manoeuvres or
breaking the speed limit – stick to what you feel comfortable with and respect
the laws of the road, because most laws are there for your own protection.
Here are some things to consider:
• Drive like you own the car, not the road – Remember the vehicle
is your property and potentially your most expensive purchase to date, so why
put it (and yourself) at risk? Also pay heed to pedestrians and other road
users – be respectful.
• Stay in control – You can`t control how the car behind you is
driven, so don`t let the driver of that car control you. Resist feeling
pressured to break the speed limit or run a red light just because the driver
behind you is impatient.
• Don`t cram in passengers – Not only is it illegal to transport
more passengers than the car is designed to carry, it`s also a massive safety
risk. In the USA there are restrictions on the number of passengers a teenage
driver can have with them at any one time and this has led to a 37 percent
reduction in the number of fatal crashes involving novice drivers.
• Be realistic about your experience – In theory, new drivers fresh
from lessons shouldn’t have developed the bad habits that tend to come with
thousands of miles of driving or years behind the wheel. Remember though, that
as a new driver you are inexperienced and should take extra care, particularly
when driving at night or in bad weather.
• Don`t speed – Simply put, speeding kills. Driving too fast gives
you less time to react to unexpected situations - so keep your speed down.
Steer clear of alcohol and drugs
Driving under the influence is illegal and even if it doesn’t lead to an
accident it can cost you your licence. Any amount of alcohol, and even legal
drugs such as cough medicines, can slow your responses. Keep your head clear
and avoid giving lifts to anyone who has been drinking as this could be
distracting.
Go to a professional driving school
Get the best preparation possible before taking to the road by going to a
professional driving school where you can be sure the instructors are fully
qualified and accredited. Your friends and family may have picked up bad habits
or be unfamiliar with the latest rules – with a professional you can ensure
you’re being prepared properly for life on the road.
Think about your car insurance
Driving safely can not only save lives, it can save money too. The average car
insurance premium for a young driver, aged 17-25, is £989 according to a
comparison website – that`s more than double the national average.
For low cost young driver
car insurance, stay accident and conviction free so you can build up a
no-claims discount that can save you cash – some insurers even offer rapid
bonus schemes allowing you to build up a full year’s bonus in just six or nine
months.
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TOP TEN REASONS WHY PEOPLE FAIL THE PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST
- Observation at Junctions: Ineffective observation and judgment.
- Reverse Parallel Parking: Ineffective observation or lack of accuracy.
- Use of Mirrors: Not checking or not acting on what is seen.
- Reversing Around a Corner: Ineffective observation or lack of accuracy.
- Incorrect Use of Signals: Not cancelling or giving misleading signals.
- Moving Away Safely: Ineffective observation.
- Incorrect Positioning: At roundabouts or bends.
- Lack of Steering Control: Steering too early or too late.
- Incorrect Positioning: When turning right at junctions and in one-way streets.
- Inappropriate Speed: Going too slow or being hesitant.
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In winter check the local weather forecast for warnings of
icy or snowy weather. DO NOT drive in these conditions unless your
journey is essential. If it is, take great care and allow more time for
your journey. Take an emergency kit of de-icer and ice scraper, torch,
warm clothing and boots, first aid kit, jump leads and a shovel,
together with a warm drink and emergency food in case you get stuck or
your vehicle breaks down.
Search for the Highway Code on Directgov for more advice.
If you're driving in snow, before you set off:
- you MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows
- you MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible
- make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly
- remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users
- check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted.
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Business links
Driving Schools Directory - The UK's first driving school directory & comparison site Search2Drive giving unbiased reviews of driving instructors in your area.
N.B. I do not 'vet' any of the info contained in any of the links therefore am not liable for any information within them.
