Tonight is the final night of 2014 and it has been a fantastic year. We’ve had another successful year for both our pupils and instructors.

As the year draws to an end, we would like to wish all of our staff, pupils, instructors and fans all the best of luck for the coming year.

As always we hope you stay safe on the roads. Please remember to drive safely which is more important on a night like tonight when many are out celebrating. Also, if you plan to drive, make sure you avoid alcohol or if you would prefer a few drinks, it’s best to leave the car at home.

Thanks from everyone at Britannia Driving School for a great 2014, here’s to making 2015 even better!

Safe driving as always, from Britannia!

When you are learning to drive, it can be a daunting prospect – but there is no need to make it harder than it already is.

Here at Britannia we would advise you to always be 100% honest with yourself – Are you nervous? Does driving scare you? Are you struggling with clutch control, or manoeuvring? You will need to be honest with yourself, as well as with your instructor to ensure that you are moving along at the right speed.

Also remember to take your time – Whilst many people may urge you to take your driving or theory test, the best time to do it will always be when you are ready. Think about it – wouldn’t you rather take your test later than others say you should, but pass first time, than attempt it too early and fail?

Safe driving from Britannia!

Since the new law on the drink drive limit came into force this month, 5 drivers in the Scottish Borders have been stopped and charged with drink driving.

The police stop over 20,000 drivers in Scotland every month, if breathalysed and found to be over the limit, in the eyes of the law they are a criminal and tough consequences apply. These include an automatic loss of licence and a criminal record for a minimum of 20 years. And the consequences can affect job prospects ad finances.

However, people are advised not to just aim for the limit as even just one drink can impair their driving, with reaction times and judgement being affected. There is also no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit. The amount of alcohol you would need to drink to be considered over the limit varies from person to person depending on factors such as weight, gender and metabolism.

The advice is to avoid drinking if you know you will be driving both to ensure you are not arrested and for your own safety.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Many of us, particularly those currently undergoing their driving lessons, may be chastised for “coasting” – but what exactly does this mean? And why shouldn’t we?

Coasting (or “freewheeling”) refers to driving a car that does not have a connection between the engine and the wheels. Whilst it does usually refer to manual transmission cars with the clutch depressed, the same effect can be achieved in an automatic by selecting the neutral gear.

Whilst it is true that coasting saves fuel, it will reduce the control you have over your car. Without the engine engaged, the braking will not be working, and so if you are going downhill, you will simply pick up speed without control of slowing down. Which will have obvious repercussions.

Safe driving from Britannia!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all at Britannia!

We hope that you’re having a wonderful day with your loved ones. Whatever you’re doing to celebrate your day we hope that it is a brilliant one.

If you are driving today, we advise you to be careful on the roads and have a safe journey.

Have a wonderful day!

We all love the Chris Rea classic and we’re sure a lot of you have been on the roads in the build up this Christmas for last minute shopping or travelling to spend Christmas with friends and family.

Tomorrow over 4 million of us will take to the roads of the UK to visit friends and relatives, and although you will be busy enjoying the festivities of the day, do not forget to take care of your car this Christmas Day. There is likely to be increased traffic and congestion tomorrow so take extra precaution and be aware of other road users.

Also keep in mind that your car can break down at any time, and that tomorrow is no different. Remember to perform all of the necessary pre-flight checks – oil, fuel, tyre pressure, and central heating, plus all of the other essentials needed to complete your journey. The last thing you want is for your car to break down and leave you stranded for the best part of Christmas Day!

Make sure you drive safely this Christmas Day. And finally, Britannia Driving School wishes you all Merry Christmas!

The Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre is one of the key phrases you are likely to come across during your driving lessons – and rightly so, as it is a vital piece of information that you will need to become a safe and responsible driver.

But many drivers don’t actually heed the true meaning of MSM – indeed, many even admit to not using the technique after passing their test. So what does it actually mean?

Mirrors: This is key to ensuring that you maintain full awareness at all times. It is crucial to know which mirrors will show which part of the area around your car, but if in doubt, check all mirrors to make sure that you are fully aware.

Signal: To be a safe driver, you must always advertise your next move well in advance of making it. Using your indicators is necessary to let other drivers know what you are planning to do, so that they can act accordingly.

Manoeuvre: The final step in making any movement in a car involves good use of the clutch, brake and gas pedals combined with a good steering. Many nervous drivers struggle with multi-tasking, so this can be tricky to get just right.

Safe driving from Britannia!

When we think of drivers and texting, it is easy to think of younger drivers and it is usually the case that young drivers are singled out as being the most reckless on the roads. Elderly drivers have also recently been the subject of much debate, with many arguing that they should be required to take a retest.

However, a recent study has showed that drivers aged between 45 and 59 are four times more likely to swerve dangerously out of their lane if they try and text whilst driving. The study which tested drivers in a simulator found that every driver in the older category accidentally crossed from one lane to another while using their mobile phones to send a text message, compared with 25% of 18-24-year-old drivers.

This study, therefore, disproved the theory that younger drivers are more easily distracted and are more susceptible to the dangers of texting and driving. The participants in the older category has been chosen because they were proficient at texting with one hand, owned smartphones and indicated they were prolific texters in order to ensure that texting ability wasn’t a variable.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Many drivers, particularly those that are new to the roads, will not be able to afford a brand new car immediately, and so will opt for the choice of buying a second hand car from a private seller.

But what do you need to know when buying a car?

– Has the car been in an accident? This could affect the drivability and legality of the car, so this is a must.

– Has the car been modified in any way? You will need to know all details of any changes made to the car in the past before taking it on as your own.

– What is the correct mileage? This will affect how long the car will remain in good condition for, and so will determine whether it is good value for money.

– Does it need any work? If there is any damage to the car, such as scrapes, dents or even worn tyres, you may want to reconsider the purchase – or haggle for a lower sale price!

Is there anything we have missed off? Let us know below!

Safe driving from Britannia!