I am a Driving Standards Agency (DSA), Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
Becoming a driving instructor is a lengthy and expensive task.  It’s not just about being able to drive in a straight line or how to do a three point turn.  It is a much more complex and academic subject than most people realise.  That’s why so many trainee driving instructors fail their test.
Not that that matters to a learner driver, all they want to do is to pass their test as FAST as possible and as CHEAPLY as possible.  But learner drivers really should consider the longer term implications of CHEAP driving instruction..
The DSA’s own figures suggest that on average a learner driver will require about 48 hours of professional driving instruction plus plenty of private practice, before they are able to pass their test.  So where private practice is not possible, more instruction will be required. But here’s the thing. It really isn’t just about passing a test. The DSA’s own motto is that Driving is a “SKILL FOR LIFE” .

So, what value would you put on a skill that will remain with you for your entire life. Indeed, in some instances on which your life might depend? Would you value your life being worth, say, £11 per hour or £25 per hour?
Think about it.  Are you worth £495 or £1,125?  Are you CHEAP or are you QUALITY?

Next Week.  I will be considering the differences between CHEAP driving instructors and GOOD driving instructors.  In the meantime, any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to e-mail me. paul.drivesmart@gmail.com

Bedford driving instructors have a great link to a blog from a member of the public who has obviously gone to a lot of trouble to photograph the current situation with the St. Mary’s road works.  We hope you find it an interesting read!  Please excuse the title!

Please feel free to leave a comment about your own experience of this situation.

http://buggeredbedford.blogspot.com/2011/10/day-1-of-st-mary-street-roadworks.html

How many times have you seen this on the back of driving school cars in Bedford?

Cast your mind back to the days when you sat behind the wheel of a car for the first time.  You may have had high expectations of your potential driving skills and took to driving easily and quickly.  On the other hand, you may have been nervous and things didn’t quiet go as well as you hoped.

In either case, you will probably remember the hard work it took to achieve reaching a high enough level of skill-full driving and confidence before your driving instructor was happy for you to undertake your driving test.

As time goes by, we all forget what it was like to learn this new skill and how dangerous it can be if we get things wrong.  So, the next time you are following a driving school car in Bedford, please spare a thought for the learner driver behind the wheel who is trying to learn how to control their car, at the same time, concentrating on what you are doing behind them!

Bedford driving instructors and their learner driver both know you are in a hurry and don’t want to hold you up.  The more patient you are, the less likely they are to stall their engine, and the quicker they will move off!

Bedford Driving Schools are doing our best to create safe, confident drivers and we can only do this with your help! 

This message is brought to you by Driving instructors in Bedford.  Please feel free to leave a comment.

For over fifteen years BDS has provided high quality driving tuition in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas. This has consistently produced driving test success and hundreds of satisfied customers.

 By providing a family run, friendly, personalised service we achieve most of our work through recommendation and our customers’ satisfaction and enjoyment of their learning experience has always been our main objective.

 Our experience shows us this approach works time and time again. (See our testimonials page at www.bdsdrivingschool.co.uk)

 So if you are looking for a driving school and are not sure who to choose get in contact, and we will be pleased to provide you with references from both current and past pupils. You can also try a FREE off road taster session. (Please ask for further details, must be 16 or over, no licence required) to get to know both the car you will be learning in and your selected instructor to suit your individual needs.

We will be pleased to discuss with you our BDS discounts and pupil benefit packages to tailor your learning experience.

 Please visit our website www.bdsdrivingschool.co.uk or contact Tim Chandler on 07901984943 tim@adiselect.co.uk

Three Shires provide towing training for those who wish to tow trailers and find that their driving licence does not have that category (B+E).  For towing lessons in Bedfordshire and towing lessons in Northamptonshire, Three Shires provide proffessional instruction with highly qualified and experienced DSA approved driving instructors. 

Since 1997 the DVLA no longer issue licences with that category and ‘new’ drivers are restricted to a vehicle and trailer of a maximum of 3.5 tonnes.  This restricts driver as the weights are a combination of the maximum weight of the vehicle and the maximum weight of the trailer.  Towing an empty car trailer for example behind a Ford Mondeo would take them over the limit even though the actual weights would be less than three tonnes the car maximum weight would be 2.1 tonnes and the trailer probably has a maximum weight of 3.0 tonnes : total would be 5.1 tonnes maximum. 

We supply each candidate with a workbook containing all they need to know about the towing test.  The tests are carried out at vocational test centres such as Weedon and Peterborough.   The test lasts for about an hour and a half and comprises of five elements.

1,  Show me tell me questions aimed at loading and loading safety also some of the usual car care

2,  Manoeuvre, this is an ‘s’ shaped manoeuvre carried out off road, control and accuracy are paramount as you may not touch any of the cones or yellow border lines and must park with the back end of the trailer exactly within a one metre box

3,  Braking exercise, this is carried out on the off road site.  The candidate has to drive at 20 miles per hour and perform a controlled stop when they reach a certain pre determined point.

4,  Driving: around fifty to fifty five minutes on the road displaying good trailer craft such as more mirror work, watching the trailer as it cuts in on corners plus the independent drive too.

5,  Uncouple and couple exercise, at the end of the test the candidate is asked to uncouple the trailer and drive forwards then alongside the trailer.  They must then drive forwards and couple up the trailer as if the trailer had been left for them by another driver.  Routine is so important here as one slip up in the order they do things can result in a negative outcome!

On average candidates take about nine hours to master all of the above, remembering of course that they are qualified drivers.

Find us on http://www.threeshires.co.uk/and on the BADDIA site.

Three Shires provide towing training for those who wish to tow trailers and find that their driving licence does not have that category (B+E).  For towing lessons in Bedfordshire and towing lessons in Northamptonshire, Three Shires provide proffessional instruction with highly qualified and experienced DSA approved driving instructors. 

Since 1997 the DVLA no longer issue licences with that category and ‘new’ drivers are restricted to a vehicle and trailer of a maximum of 3.5 tonnes.  This restricts driver as the weights are a combination of the maximum weight of the vehicle and the maximum weight of the trailer.  Towing an empty car trailer for example behind a Ford Mondeo would take them over the limit even though the actual weights would be less than three tonnes the car maximum weight would be 2.1 tonnes and the trailer probably has a maximum weight of 3.0 tonnes : total would be 5.1 tonnes maximum. 

We supply each candidate with a workbook containing all they need to know about the towing test.  The tests are carried out at vocational test centres such as Weedon and Peterborough.   The test lasts for about an hour and a half and comprises of five elements.

1,  Show me tell me questions aimed at loading and loading safety also some of the usual car care

2,  Manoeuvre, this is an ‘s’ shaped manoeuvre carried out off road, control and accuracy are paramount as you may not touch any of the cones or yellow border lines and must park with the back end of the trailer exactly within a one metre box

3,  Braking exercise, this is carried out on the off road site.  The candidate has to drive at 20 miles per hour and perform a controlled stop when they reach a certain pre determined point.

4,  Driving: around fifty to fifty five minutes on the road displaying good trailer craft such as more mirror work, watching the trailer as it cuts in on corners plus the independent drive too.

5,  Uncouple and couple exercise, at the end of the test the candidate is asked to uncouple the trailer and drive forwards then alongside the trailer.  They must then drive forwards and couple up the trailer as if the trailer had been left for them by another driver.  Routine is so important here as one slip up in the order they do things can result in a negative outcome!

On average candidates take about nine hours to master all of the above, remembering of course that they are qualified drivers.

Find us on http://www.threeshires.co.uk/and on the BADDIA site.

The driving test can be one of the most worrying things a person can do, because passing will have a life-changing effect.  The majority of people fail for the same sort of reasons, and fortunately they’re not impossible to overcome.

Lack of proper preparation

Some pupils are tempted to rush into the test, only to be knocked back by failing. The key to passing is to make sure you are well prepared and take enough lessons with a BADDIA professional instructor, backed up by practice with a relative or friend.

According to the Driving Standards Agency, those who pass their test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training plus 22 hours of private practice.  Research shows the importance of professional tuition: the L-test success rate for those who don’t use instructors is 15 per cent worse than the UK average. 

It’s also important to choose a good instructor.  Ask for recommendations from friends or relatives who have learned to drive, and when booking lessons, ask if your instructor will be fully qualified. Look out for a green badge in the windscreen of the driving school car.   A pink badge means the instructor has not passed an exam on their ability to instruct.  Look on the BADDIA website for Driving Schools in Bedford.

Nerves

Nerves are a big issue for many learners on test day.  Some resort to superstition to try and stay calm.  Some have been known to wear lucky pants, socks and T-shirts, or even bring calming aromatherapy oils and a lucky champagne cork.

The best advice for mastering your nerves is far more worldly than that.  Harking back to the previous point, preparation is everything – luck has very little to do with it.  Arrive at your test well prepared and confidence should follow.

Observation/use of mirrors

Observation is a key issue that needs to be mastered when pulling away, as well as at junctions, including roundabouts, emerging at a T-junction or crossing the path of oncoming cars.  Some candidates find themselves rushing or feel pressured by vehicles behind them.  This can mean they fail to make effective observations and exercise good judgement.

Ineffective observation, or not checking mirrors, is a sure route to a fail.  The examiner will check to see that you not only look at your mirrors at the appropriate times, but also that you react safely and act on the information the mirror provides.

Poor control of the car (including indicators)

Failing to turn off an indicator or confusing other drivers or pedestrians with misleading signals are often preludes to a fail, as is incorrect positioning on the road. This includes failure to use the correct lane at a roundabout or to obey road markings and stay in your lane on a dual carriageway.

Passing also means avoiding cutting corners or crossing the middle line when turning right.  Not surprisingly, safe and accurate steering is also a must. Steering too early or too late has taken many candidates on a nasty turn towards failure.

The other big issue is speed.  Some people think they’ll impress the examiner with their ‘safety’ by driving slowly – but if it’s too slow they’ll fail. And, of course, breaking the speed limit brings about the same result!

Manoeuvres

Reversing around a corner is one of the driving test manoeuvres most likely to trip up candidates.  Poor observation or accuracy, or a lack of good control, are the main problems.  Reverse parking is another bugbear for the ill-prepared.

Effective observation is again crucial to getting this right, while many candidates come unstuck in terms of accuracy and control of the vehicle, or by moving too fast. Hitting the curb is the usual result, and a test fail could follow.

So, to find a suitable Driving Instructor in Bedford, visit http://www.baddia.co.uk/index.php 

Taken from an article By Mark Nichol

Stuart Warren is your LOCAL driving instructor and is a member of BADDIA, the Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association.

Learn to drive with us and you will have the opportunity to learn to drive for real…. not just on test routes.
Independent driving?  We go beyond that.  As well as showing you exactly what that means, when we think you are ready, we will get you to pick your own route to a known destination… and discuss and analyse the options.
We aim for you to be able to drive confidently well before your test, as well as teach what the test is about and how to control it.

Do you have access to your own or parent’s car? 

We have access to excellent short or long term insurance.

Stuart Warren – BADDIA member

Published by guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 21 September 2010 10.16 BST

Researchers say a ban on newly qualified young drivers from driving at night would reduce accidents. Photograph: Rex Features

• Published by DSA Wednesday, 15 September 2010

The number of consumer complaints about used cars from dealers has increased, so make sure you know your rights before you buy.