The independent driving section of the practical driving test will come into effect on the 4th October 2010.

Newspaper reports have suggested that the independent driving may lead to an increase in people failing the test however, this is based on early research when independent driving was still going through the trial stages. Current studies have found that there is no significant fall in the pass rate.

The key thing to remember is if you go off course (this can happen to even the most experience drivers) you will not fail and be left to orientate yourself back to the test centre, the examiner will put you back on route.

Learners have asked whether using a sat nav is acceptable and the answer is no. You are meant to be making your own decisions as opposed to listening to step-by-step instructions.

A short video can be found on YouTube explaining more about the independent driving aspect which has been published by the DSA (Driving Standards Agency).

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Most standard insurers base a quote on the driver’s age, employment status, address, marital status and estimated mileage.

At least 2 millions drivers are thought to be uninsured in the UK and many of drivers are under 25. The Co-op says that with higher premiums for younger drivers and inflation rates it is leading to an uninsurable generation.Those under the age of 25 can pay anything up to £2000 for car insurance and for many who are still at college or university, it is almost impossible for them to find this kind of money.

The Co-op is working alongside other insurers to promote a new scheme which will allow drivers to pay as they go and make huge saving by driving during off-peak hours.

Drivers wanting to take advantage of this scheme will be required to complete a short online training course and answer questions such as the dangers of not wearing a seat belt or speeding and the effects that drink and drugs can have on an individual’s driving behaviour.

A black box will be placed in the car which will be able to record when the car is being used. If the driver drives in what is known as the red hours (11pm-5am) they will be charged an additional £45 on top of their payments. It is thought that most car accidents involving young people happen in the red hours.

There are also lots of other insurers who allow drivers of all ages to pay for single day use or monthly use of their vehicle. This will especially help those who hold a provisional licence and want to learn in their parent’s vehicle.

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A section of the Crimes Act that led to drink-driving charges being dismissed against a Sydney woman because she lived in an area without public transport is under review, the NSW Police Minister says.

Jasmin Clair Henley, 27, who lives in the north-western suburb of Cattai, walked out of Downing Centre Local Court yesterday without a conviction.

She recorded a blood-alcohol reading of .067 while driving on the Cahill Expressway last month after she told police she drank two glasses of wine at a dinner in Paddington in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Mr Maloney made his ruling under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, which allows for the dismissal of charges by a court after certain mitigating factors, such as a person’s character, the nature of the offence and extenuating circumstances, are considered.

It is understood Mr Maloney also decided to dismiss charges against Ms Henley because her lawyer argued she could lose her job if she lost her licence.

Police Minister Michael Daley said there was “never an excuse for drink-driving”.

“That is why the NSW Government has set high penalties for drink-driving offences and police regularly target drunk drivers on our roads.”

Speed limits are implemented to not only reduce accidents but to keep traffic moving smoothly.

The general speed limits for cars and motorcyclists are:

30mph in a build-up area with street lighting

60mph on a single carriageway

70mph on a dual carriage way or motorway

However, the speed limit is not the same for all vehicles, cars towing trailers or caravans, buses, coaches and good vehicles all have varying speed limits to abide by.

You will find in some instances that the speed limit is temporarily changed. Take for example on a motorway, generally if there has been an accident, the speed limit can be reduced to 40 or 50mph.

Surprisingly there are not only maximum speed limits but occasionally you will find minimum speed limits as well. Driving to slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. By holding other drivers up you may encourage them to overtake dangerously or cause tailbacks affecting thousands of motorists.

When acknowledging speed limits, it is also important to take in to consideration the road conditions and weather conditions. Driving down a country lane with a speed limit of 60mph is not appropriate if it is icy of raining heavily.

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THE number of people driving without motor insurance has fallen by 20% during the past four years.

An estimated 1.5million motorists were on the roads despite not having insurance cover during 2009, down from 1.8million in 2005, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) but despite the reduction, it is still reckoned that 4% of drivers in the UK do not have any cover, the highest level in western Europe.

Every year, uninsured drivers in the UK kill 160 people and injure 23,000, costing insurers about £500million and adding the equivalent of £30 to the cost of policies for honest motorists.

Four of five top hotspots for uninsured drivers between 2007 and 2009 were in Birmingham, with Small Heath taking the top slot, followed by Bordesley and Saltley.

Driving can be stressful at the best of times, but for those that have a physical or cognitive disability it can be even more difficult without the right support.

Driving as a disabled person can bring immense freedom and independence. The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre (QEF) in Surrey aims to develop ADI’s skills and provide a register which gives details of such instructors who can provide adapted vehicles and teaching methods in your area.

Basic adaptations to a car can make a huge difference to those with physical impairments, such as a simple bolt on the steering wheel to a complex joystick which allows the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and steering using just one hand.

Of course it is not just new drivers that will benefit from this style of teaching but those who hold a full license and may have acquired a disability during their driving years.

Those teaching learners with disabilities may also find they encounter communication problems however, this should not hold them back once having received training from QEF. ADI’s will learn how to deal with people with hearing and speech difficulties and how effective certain methods are, including using forms of sign language.

The structure of the body and how it works along with basic knowledge of various medical conditions and the impact this can have on safe driving will be taught on the course provided to ADI’s at the QEF mobility centre.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School said: “The Queen Elizabeth Mobility Centre is allowing people with disabilities the chance to achieve outdoor mobility and learn in an environment that is safe and supporting to their needs. Any ADI that joins the course and goes on to teach those with disabilities will have the pleasure of knowing that their job has changed the lives of so many individuals.”

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To Join any ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) Course you need to have held a driving licence for at least 3 ½ years before you commence training and be over 21. You’ll need to be able to read a number plate from 27.5m/90ft.

You will also need a commitment to learning and a desire to work with others, as being a driving instructor is very much a people job. That means keeping calm, maintaining authority and generating trust.

The ADI exams are in three parts:

1. Computer-based theory and hazard perception test
2. Practical driving test
3. Practical test of teaching ability

You must pass each part before the next exam can be taken and qualification must be within two years of passing the first part.

Natasha Simper of Britannia Driving School: “The Britannia Driving School course has been specially prepared by our experience and highly qualified instructor trainers. The emphasis is on making candidates an excellent driving instructor, not simply good enough to pass. Britannia Driving School trained ADI’s, are recognised as some of the best in the industry ”

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People taking driving holidays abroad this year have been urged to brush on the local road laws before travelling.

There are many small but significant discrepancies in driving laws across Europe, so motorists who do not do their homework could unintentionally break the law, according to Skoda.

The Czech car manufacturer has therefore teamed up with the RAC to produce a handy guide to educate drivers on these differences.

For instance, in France, Italy and Germany the legal blood-alcohol limit is just 50mg per 100 ml of blood, while using a GPS system that shows the locations of speed cameras is illegal in Germany.

“Driving abroad should be an enjoyable experience and our aim is to provide travel information to our customers so that they have one less thing to worry about,” said John Bower, head of aftersales at Skoda UK.

Britain may soon be following the lead show by France, Italy and Germany when it comes to drink driving.

The North Review recently recommended lowering the legal limit to 50mg, a suggestion backed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

A driving test scam in Suffolk involved gang of people impwersonating others to take driving test on their behalf and obtain a driving licence, a court has heard.

According to Bury Free Press, five people who appeard before Ipswich Crown Court pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by making false representation on or before 20th October 2009.

The gang of five were arrested after a joint investigation by Suffolk Police and Driving Standards Agency. All five defendants are from the Middlesex area.

More than half of motorists have admitted to engaging in unsafe driving practices, according to a new survey.

Research published by the Co-operative indicates that 54 per cent of motorists make irresponsible driving choices on a regular basis.

The most common practice is eating and drinking whilst driving at speed, to which 53 per cent admit to, while 12 per cent often smoke a cigarette behind the wheel.

Seven per cent talk on their mobile phone despite many campaigns publicising its illegality, while six per cent admit to putting on make up or even getting dressed while driving.

Co-operative Insurance functional leader Grant Mitchell says the figures are a damning indictment of UK driving practices.

“Taking a sip of a drink or a quick bite of a sandwich whilst driving may seem harmless however the consequence of taking your full concentration off the road could result in a road traffic accident which could change lives forever,” he said.

These findings follow the news that some vital road safety programmes are being disbanded by local authorities following public spending cuts, road safety charity Brake reported last week.