The issue of driver licencing requirements when towing a trailer is an issue that can cause confusion for motorists.

The Driving Standards Agency reminder points to information here

A key point is the change in driving entitlements that came into effect for drivers who passed their tests from early 1997 onward.

Some BADDIA members offer specialist trailer towing training for those wishing to take the B+E test.  Relevant information can be found here

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

The DSA have announced the following changes to this service.

From 24th June candidates who book or change their practical driving tests using this service must provide an email address at which to receive their driving test confirmation details.

The DSA have stated that they will no longer send out such booking confirmations by post.

The DSA’s announcement can be found here

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

A recent report by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) focuses on Legionnaires Disease Risk for Drivers and a simple step to reduce that risk.

The Guardian newspaper and the BBC, among others have reported on the HPA’s findings following their recent research.

The HPA’s finding show that using Screen Wash in the Windscreen Washer Reservoir of vehicles, as directed by the Screenwash manufacturers, can dramatically reduce the risk of Legionnaires Disease being contracted.

Some of the media reports can be found here and here

We hope that sharing this important information proves useful for people. It certainly appears, from the HPA’s research, that this simple step can greatly reduce the risk of falling ill with an ailment that none of us would wish to contract.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

A Ten minute section of independent Driving will be introduced into the Driving Test from October this year.

The Driving Standards Agency are introducing this change as an outcome of the consultation they carried out on the process of learning to drive.

A description of what to expect and how it will be conducted can be found here on the DSA’s YouTube site.

Further information can also be found here.

To us it is a welcome and positive enhancement to the driving test, as it will further bring together and test key competencies and thus help further prepare test candidates for driving on their own.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

Major road safety milestone as driving test clocks up 75 years of success

The British driving test marks three-quarters of a century of helping keep people safe on the road when it turns 75 on Tuesday 1 June.

The first car and driving licences were introduced in Britain in 1903. But it was not until 1 June 1935 – amid rising numbers of deaths as the popularity of the car increased – that a compulsory driving test was introduced.

The first driver to pass was Mr J Beene and within a year, the number of deaths on the road had fallen by 1,000.

In 1934, 7,343 people were killed on the roads and there were 1.5 million cars. The latest figures show there were 2,538 deaths on the roads in 2008 when there were around 34 million cars.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “The driving test is not just a rite of passage, it has helped save thousands of lives on our roads.

“The test and the learning needed to pass it are a vital part of giving drivers the skills they need to drive efficiently and safely.

“High standards of driver training and assessment are an essential contribution to helping Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.”

Trevor Wedge, Chief Driving Examiner at the Driving Standards Agency, said: “The driving test still retains some of the original elements included in 1935, such as turning in the road and reversing, but it is updated regularly. We continue to make sure that the test properly prepares drivers for the demands of modern roads.

“This year will see the introduction of independent driving into the test, to help candidates demonstrate their ability to drive without step-by-step instruction. We believe that this added element will lead to better and safer drivers.”

Facts and figures:

• the test became compulsory on 1 June 1935, after being introduced on a voluntary basis on 16 March the same year
•  the test was suspended during World War II and the Suez Crisis – examiners were put in charge of fuel rationing instead until 1975, candidates still had to demonstrate hand signals
• the theory test was introduced in July 1996

Drving Instructors in Bedford would like to wish the Driving Test a Happy 75th Birthday!

A recent survey by Tyresafe has shown that many drivers are needlessly wasting fuel by driving with under inflated tyres.

The full text of the article can be found here

Drivers are strongly encouraged to make regular checks of the condition and pressures of their tyres for the crucial reasons of safety and legal compliance.

However the additional positive benefit of saving fuel costs over time is often overlooked by drivers.  This additional benefit is well worth realising through carrying out these relatively simple checks on a regular basis especially in these challenging economic times.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

Bedford and District Driving Instructors thought that the following article would be of Interest for Learner Drivers working toward passing their tests.

The article is from GMTV and covers items such as average pass rates by geographical area, average number of hours to prepare for the practical test and the importance of being discriminating in the selection of  Driving Instructor to best suite the individual Learner Driver.

The article, in full, can be found here

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

The DSA have recently issued a reminder on this matter.

It is to bring to people’s attention the fact that using sites other than the official DSA site, to book driving tests on-line, can result in people paying out extra on top of the normal test booking fee, sometimes without realising.

The DSA have issued a statement on the matter on their twitter site here stating  “Don’t get tricked into paying a hidden booking fee; book your driving test using the only official site”  and include a web link to the relevant area here of the Directgov site.

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area

Candidates urged to attend tests by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

The DSA have issued the following advice:

‘The PCS union is asking its members to take strike action on Wednesday 24 March.

If you have a driving test booked for that day, we ask you to attend as scheduled.

We won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of our examiners and staff are members of the union. We don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why we ask that you arrive for your test regardless.

You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA.

If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post.

If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

Strike action on 8 and 9 March

If you were unable to take a test because of PCS union strike action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post. You do not need to contact DSA.

If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

Comments, if any, please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, a2om BTEC in Driving Science, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training, instructor training, in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area