AA says it's not good to talk

According to a recent AA survey, it would appear that more drivers are texting, emailing and tweeting that you'd think. In fact the results of the survey are pretty alarming: 42% of the people surveyed admitted to using a mobile phone whilst driving - and 40% of these drivers bizarrely think that to do so is not distracting! Concerns have now been raised about the growing acceptability of using mobiles for whatever reason whilst driving. With nearly half of the drivers surveyed admitting to using a handheld device whilst on the move, surely this will lead to more dangerous driving. Some of the other results of the survey:

Remember if you need a driving school in Tunbridge Wells then all you have to do is click on the link!

Our new automatic driving school car

Take a look at our new automatic car, the brand new Hyundai i10 Active. It's a great car to learn in due to it's great manoeuvreability and compactness for town driving. Our new automatic instructor Avis will be using it and I'll be sticking for the moment with my VW Polo for automatic lessons as well as my Ford Fiesta Edge for manual lessons.

Remember if you need automatic lessons in and around Kent then click on the link and find out how we can help.

Eco safe driving - a way to save money!

In the current economic climate we can always do with ways to save some cash and with petrol prices set to rise again what better way than to look at how you drive? With just a few changes to the way we drive our vehicles it's estimated you can save up to £400 per year on fuel. Have a look at the following tips to help:

Drive smoothly - Avoid sharp acceleration and heavy braking which increases fuel usage. Look ahead and

                             read the road and hazards to limit stop-go driving.

Stay in gear       - Don't take your vehicle out of gear and in to neutral to coast down hills as this uses more

                             fuel. Stay in gear and ease off the gas, this will reduce fuel usage to almost nothing.

Check the revs  - Try and drive in the highest gear without the vehicle struggling, changing gear smoothly 

                              and ideally before 2000 rpm.

Drive light          - Dump all the weight in the car that doesn't need to be there, this will greatly reduce fuel

                              costs.

Slow down          - Take your time to reach your destination, you'll get there safer and more calmly as well 

                              using less fuel.

Put these tip into action and you'll see the difference it makes, not only to your safety but also your bank balance!

For more eco-safe tips or if you need a driving instructor in Tunbridge Wells click the link.

                  

Eyes: The most important part of your body!

Recently I've been doing some research into how poor eyesight can affect a person's ability to drive. It's been estimated that around 90% of the vital information that a driver needs is taken visually, so clearly it's the most important physical tool we have when on the roads. When a person takes the practical driving test they are required to be able to read a number plate from a minimum distance of 20.5 metres. This is a legal requirement and should be checked regularly to avoid a deterioration in the eyes, often that a person will not realise over time. However, how many of us do this? A recent nationwide survey carried out by opticians found as many as 3.5m people could be driving with eyesight below the legal minimum. A survey has also revealed that 22% of British drivers who wear corrective eyewear have knowingly driven without them. Ultimatley it's up to each person to ensure that their vision is up to legal requirements - it could end up saving your life!

Remember we offer the very best driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks and automatic driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells. Click on the links to find out how we can help you learn to drive.

New automatic instructor!

I'm pleased to announce that from Sep 5th we'll have a new automatic driving instructor starting with us. Her name is Avis Ryder and we're pleased to have her onboard due to the almost 20 years she's had working as an instructor. She'll be working purely for the Tunbridge Wells Automatic Driving School, part of the Jody Thomas Driving School in the brand new Kia Picanto. We'll post some pics of Avis with the new car once it's been delivered.

Automatic or manual - which one is for you?

Recently we started offering automatic driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks at the Jody Thomas Driving School. Not only that but I've also formed the Tunbridge Wells Automatic Driving School to offer specialist automatic tuition. But a lot of people ask me what are the advantages and disadvantages of learning in an automatic car over a manual one, so I've decided to list a few of the key things to consider:

Advantages of learning in an automatic

• It's quicker and cheaper to learn in. Many of the early problems for someone who's learning in a manual stem from difficulty using the clutch and gears which of course is not a worry in an automatic. On average people learning in an automatic will take 10 hours less than in a manual vehicle.
• It requires far less effort and can be a safer option. If a person is doing a lot of town driving in a manual car then a lot of clutch work is required, pressing and depressing it along with constant gear changing. This can be a bit of a hassle for the driver. Also, an automatic is a safer option because without having to change gears you can keep two hands on the wheel at all times

Disadvantages of learning in an automatic  

• Vehicle costs. Automatic cars are generally more expensive to buy as they have a more complicated transmission, therefore costing more to manufacture. A typical car that costs around £12,000 will generally cost £1,000 more in an automatic version.
• Fuel costs. This can change from car to car but on average a manual car will produce 1 to 3 miles per gallon more than an automatic.
• Less speed and control. Generally it's possible to get more speed out of a manual transmission and as you are in control of the gears, this filters down to having a greater control over the vehicle.

So there you have it. These are just the main points to consider, but if you dig a little deeper then you'll find all sorts of different types of automatics such as semi-autos and manumatic transmissions, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Remember that we're always available for advice through our websites at www.jodythomasdriving.co.uk and www.tunbridgewellsautomaticdrivingschool.co.uk or you can call me personally on 07717805566.

DSA guide on preparing for the practical test.

Further to an earlier post I made about what to expect on your practical test, I've come across these two videos, made by the DSA, that will help you in preparing for both the theory and practical tests. This is all information that your driving instructor should be giving you but of course sometimes it's a lot to remember so helpfully these videos will come to the rescue!!

Remember click the following  link if you are looking for driving lessons in kent, or if you need help with any aspect of learning to drive. It doesn't matter if you're learning with another driving school, we're always happy to help out if we can!

The Tunbridge Wells Automatic Driving School

I'm pleased to announce the launch of my new business, the Tunbridge Wells Automatic Driving School, where we specialise in automatic driving lessons. Currently we are providing lessons in and around the Kent and East Sussex areas, covering Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks test centres. We use a modern VW polo with many optional extras such as aircon and heated mirrors. I've noticed an increased demand in customers looking for automatic lessons for various reasons - some have tried a manual and can't get on with using the clutch/gears and some need to pass quickly for various reasons and this is done more easily in an automatic. We've decided that by opening an automatic driving school we can offer specialist automatic tuition and provide a better service to automatic customers. You can click the various links below to get more info (our Facebook and Google + pages are still in their infancy so you can expect more content to be added to those in the coming weeks!)

Website - automatic driving school    
Facebook - click here
Google + - click here

New way to reduce the cost of insurance

A certain number of young people passing their driving test are not able to carry on driving once getting their licence due to spiralling insurance costs. I've heard of some getting £3000 quotes on cars worth in the region of £500! It's no wonder that many can't afford to continue driving after passing the test. This can only be a negative as drivers are not able to further their driving skills and gain more valuable road experience. In fact in many cases young drivers are actually losing certain driving skills due to extended gaps in practice and are then forced into taking refresher lessons once in a position to start driving again.

One way a young driver can look to lessen the cost of insurance is to have a 'black box' fitted to their car. This box monitors driver behavior such as braking and acceleration, cornering, general speed and whether they drive during the day or at night. Good driving will be rewarded with discounts and lower premiums and this can dramatically reduce the cost of insurance. Be aware though that driving without due care and at times that are not agreed can result in fines and increased premiums, so it works both ways. You can read a bit more about this tecnology here.

New drug driving laws

I've had news today from the DSA that new laws about driving under the influence of drugs are to be enforced in the near future. This can only be good news and will hopefully reduce the amount of dangerous driving on our roads. You can read more by clicking the link

New tests for CGI hazard perception!

I've just received an email from the DSA revealing a couple of YouTube clips that show samples of new hazard perception clips that have been computer generated. head of e-assessment,Peter Weddell-Hall, says: "DSA aims to bring these computer-generated clips into the theory test by the end of 2013. It means DSA can introduce hazards that would be hard to film safely – particularly those involving vulnerable road users.”
Have a look and see what you think!

What's in the driving test?

There seems to be a certain amount of confusion amongst new drivers about what exactly the driving test involves, so I've decided to try to take some of the mystery out of it!

When you arrive at the test centre, you're going to need to have brought both parts of your provisional licence - the photocard and counterpart - and a copy of your theory test certificate. Failure to bring both parts of your licence would result in you not being able to take the test and losing the test fee, currently at £62. Once your examiner has checked this, you'll be required to read a numberplate from a minimum distance of 20 metres, again failure to be able to do this will result in a cancelled test. Once this has been completed you'll walk over to your car, where the examiner will ask you one "show me" and one "tell me" question. These questions relate to the maintenance and operation of your car, and each is worth 1 minor markdown should they be answered incorrectly (a candidate is allowed no more than 15 minors on their test).
Once these have been answered, the examiner will ask you to move off out of the car park. Your driving test should last between 35 - 40 minutes, although this can differ depending on traffic conditions. For the most part, your examiner will be giving you step by step instructions on which roads to take and where to turn at junctions.  However, for roughly 10 minutes, you will be asked to do the 'independent driving' part of the test, where you'll be asked to follow roadsigns or a diagram to a certain destination. You will also be asked to carry out just one manoeuvre (Turning in the road, reversing around a corner, parallel parking, or at some test centres bay parking) and 1 in 3 people will be asked to carry out an emergency stop (it will be completely random whether you're asked to do this).
Once you get back to the test centre, the examiner will let you know the result of your test once all of the marks have been counted. As mentioned earlier, a candidate will fail a test for either a) receiving more than 15 minor faults, b) getting a major fault, or c) failing to carry out a manoeuvre adequately.

That's about it! Hopefully it's now clear what to expect on your test day. For further info or to book driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, please click the link.

The independent drive.

Many pupils are initially alarmed when I explain that 10 minutes of the driving test is set aside for 'independent driving'. Most immediatley feel like this because they wrongly believe this to be a test of navigation, whereas what it really is designed to do is to test the candidate's ability to drive in a more 'real life' environment. So anyone worried about going the wrong way during the independent drive can be reassured that it wouldn't result in a fail. If you check the correct mirrors, signal at the correct time, and then carry out the manoeuvre suitably then it doesn't matter too much if you miss a road sign. Should this happen, the examiner will step in and guide you back onto the correct route where you would continue with the independent drive. If you're following diagrams instead of road signs, simply ask the examiner to repeat the instructions if you're having a problem remembering them.

The thing that tends to suffer most when first attempting independent driving is the MSM routine. Learners are often so intent on looking for road signs that they can forget correct mirror checks and sometimes even a signal before carry out the manoeuvre. This, in my humble opinion, is what you as a learner should be concentrating on, rather than worrying if you've gone the wrong way!!

For a driving instructor in Tunbridge Wells please click the link.

Sorry it's been a while.......

It has been months since my last blog - but I have good reasons for this. Aside from being very busy with driving lessons, I've been working towards becoming a fleet trainer and am happy to say I passed my exam last week! This means I'm now qualified to train and assess company drivers, which I'm looking forward to. In addition to this, I've been working on our new facebook page, as well as our Google + page. Please have a look at them and add us/like us! We've also recently taken on Carole as our third instructor, covering driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, and we're also happy to now be in the position to offer automatic driving lessons. Onwards and upwards! Lastly, our new website is due to be launched in a few weeks, with this blog integrated into it. I will also in the coming days be adding more blogs aimed at helping learners and new drivers with any issues they may have when learning to drive. Until then!

Advice for booking tests

Further to a previous post, I was interested to receive an email from the DSA regarding unofficial booking sites:


Unofficial driving test booking websites: advice for customers
Directgov is the only official driving test booking website.
Other websites offer driving test booking services, but might charge extra administrative fees on top of the Driving Standards Agency’s (DSA) fee. Those websites are not run by or connected to DSA or Directgov.
DSA recommends that all learner drivers book their driving test through the official booking service on Directgov by visiting direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.
If you have used an unofficial website
DSA gets complaints from customers who have used unofficial booking websites. In most cases these websites are doing nothing illegal. This means that DSA’s powers to respond may be limited.
If you have used an unofficial booking website, you might have seven working days to cancel your order and get all your money back. However, this will depend on the terms and conditions of the website you used.
You can find more information about your consumer rights on Directgov. You can also use template letters to complain to businesses. Each letter includes details of the law that you want the trader to follow.
* Internet, mail order and telephone shopping
* Making a complaint - what to do first
* Create a complaint letter from a template
What DSA is doing about unofficial booking websites
DSA takes consumer protection very seriously. So, DSA is:
* protecting its trademarks to make sure they are not:
o used to advertise unofficial booking sites in search engine results
o used as part of website addresses for unofficial booking websites
* asking the Advertising Standards Authority to make sure unofficial booking websites are following the rules in the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing
* asking local Trading Standards to investigate those unofficial booking websites that appear to be misleading consumers
DSA reminds learner drivers on Facebook
What DSA is doing to promote the official booking service
DSA makes improvements based on learner drivers’ feedback to promote the official booking service. For example DSA:
* made sure that the official Directgov website pages appear at the top of search engine results where possible
* created videos showing how to use the practical test booking service – videos are being developed for the theory test booking service too
* reminded learner drivers on Twitter and Facebook about using the official booking service on Directgov.

Glad to see they're taking this issue seriously and giving out advice!