Monthly Archives: May 2015

May 29, 2015
Driving Test to Face an Overhaul?

With the driving test turning 80 years old this year, many are calling for an overhaul of the examination in order to modernise it and to protect more lives.

The biggest changes to the driving test have been relatively recent – From the introduction of a Theory test element in 1996, as well as the Hazard Perception test being introduced in 2002, and many are now saying it is time for an additional facelift to the 80-year old test.

Some of the suggestions include a compulsory section on driving in country roads, as well as making it mandatory for trainee drivers to practice driving in poor weather conditions as well as at night time.

What about you? If you could change one thing about the driving test, what would it be? Answers on a postcard – Or preferably in the comments section below!

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May 28, 2015
Police Car Crashes Into Market Stall

An unmarked police car crashed into a market stall in South London during a police chase following an armed robbery at the nearby post office on Tuesday morning.

The black Citroen hit a stallholder and then smashed through a vegan food stand at Surrey Street Market in Croydon just after 9.10am.

Flying Squad officers were called at 9.10am to reports of an armed robbery at the Post Office in Croydon High Street. A police officer jumped out of the car to chase the suspected armed robbers on foot. The car then carried on moving, hitting the flower seller before crashing in the Vegan food stall.

53-year-old flower seller Russell Smith was treated by the London Ambulance Service after suffering cuts to his knees. The two staff of the Vegan stall were both in the tent of the stall at the time and got knocked to the ground and did not sustain any injuries. Grace Magecha who runs the vegan stall described how the car was going fairly fast and so she and her colleague didnt have time to move out of the way.

She estimated about £500 worth of equipment was wrecked and said she does not know when they will be able to reopen. Co-owner Greg Kirby noted how the incident was ‘all a bit farcical’ as not only did the police car crash into their stall but one officer ran past them and dropped his gun.

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

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May 27, 2015
Ghost Tax Costing Drivers Millions

Drivers are losing out over £40 million year as a result of changes to the way road tax is collected.

The reforms that came into effect last autumn meant the end of the tax disc since motorists are no longer obliged to carry proof of taxation on their windscreens. It is the DVLA’s new policy of automatically cancelling any remaining VED when a car is registered to a new owner that is proving to be the most significant change.

Under the old system, when a vehicle changed hands the new owner would be allowed to benefit from any outstanding tax. Cars were often sold second-hand on the basis they were taxed until October, for example, adding to their value.

Since 1 October 2014, however, sellers automatically have any full months’ tax refunded by the DVLA. Meanwhile, buyers are obliged to tax the vehicle from the start of the month in which it is purchased. This is the system that is resulting in the ghost tax because if, for example, a car is sold on the 10th of the month in which its tax is due to run out, the seller gets no refund – and they will have lost around 20 days’ worth of VED. The buyer, on the other hand, will be forced to pay for 10 days of VED they do not need.

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

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May 26, 2015
Parallel Parking – The Do’s and Don’ts

Parallel parking can be one of the trickiest manoeuvres to master, especially as a young or learner driver. So here at Britannia, we have decided to give you a helping hand with this. We’re nice like that.

– Firstly, always start practising in a safe place, where you are unlikely to damage your own car (or worse, anyone else’s!) Try a nice open space and manoeuvre between two cones, until you are happy enough with your skill to take it into the real world.

– Use your mirrors. We can’t stress this enough. Use your mirrors! Check for the traffic behind you, as this will put off your concentration during the parking, as well as your distance between the other cars.

– Watch other cars around the parking space. Judging on how close the other cars are parked to the pavement will inform how close you yourself should get safely.

What other tips do you have for a nervous parallel parker? Sound off in the comments below!

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May 25, 2015
Paper Licence Changes Warning

Motorists are being warned to be aware of changes taking effect in just over two weeks time as the paper counterpart for the driving licence will no longer be issued by the DVLA.

The IAM fears many motorists are still confused or unaware of the implications of the paper counterpart no longer having any legal status from 8th June 2015.

The paper counterpart was introduced alongside the photocard driving licence in 1998 to include details that could not be included on the card itself, such as any endorsements and which category of vehicles people are entitled to drive. However, from next month, this information will be stored electronically and not be shown on any written documentation drivers will have.

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

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May 21, 2015
Boy Racers Handed Ban and Fine

A pair of reckless boy racers who hit 110mph on the North Circular have been banned from the roads and told to pay more than £3,000.

The boys from Leyton and Ilford went head to head in a 50mph zone from Beckton to Ilford in East London. Whilst racing, they failed to notice police vehicles had infiltrated their group.

At a hearing at Stratford Magistrates’ Court, one of the boys was banned from driving for four years whilst his specialist racing car was taken off him. He was also fined £2,000 on admitting road racing on a public highway and driving without due care and attention at excess speed. The other driver had already pleaded guilty to the same charge and was banned for three years, as well as being fined £1,200.

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

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May 20, 2015
Why learn to drive in London?

With all the excellent public transport on offer in London, most Londoners do wonder why learn to drive? But there are many reasons why it is important to learn to drive. First and foremost, it is a skill and it is an important one, just like riding a bike. Also just like riding a bike, it is a skill you never forget. Even if you haven’t driven for years after passing your test, all you need is a few refresher lessons to get you back up to the same standard.

Even if you don’t wish to buy a car straight away, having a licence is an important quality. In particular, a number of jobs require you to have a full UK licence.  Therefore, having a licence will open you up to more employment possibilities.

You may not want a car now but you may do in the future. The public transport in London is certainly great but the public transport outside of London isn’t as good. If you move in the future, you may want to invest in a car, therefore, having a licence will ensure you are ready to buy one.

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

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May 19, 2015
When to Book the Test?

After learning to drive for a while, you will be starting to think about when the right time to book your test might be. And after taking (and passing) your theory test, we are sure that you will be even more excited to finally book the practical part – But how do you know when you are ready to take the driving test?

The first clue will be quite an obvious one – Your driving instructor will tell you. Once you have rehearsed each of the manoeuvres to perfection and your instructor is happy you can operate a car independently and safely enough to pass your test, they should let you know. However, don’t feel like you have to wait for your instructors approval – You can book the test as soon as you consider yourself capable.

Many driving pupils like to book their test shortly before they feel 100% ready, as an additional incentive to work towards the target of mastering the skill of driving – But each driver is different, so only book the test once you consider the time to be right for yourself.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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May 18, 2015
Women Are The Better Drivers

Another survey has weighed in on driving’s battle of the sexes. Female drivers outscored males not only in in-car tests but also when observed anonymously using one of the UK’s busiest junctions – Hyde Park Corner.

But another part of the survey – from Privilege Insurance – found only 28% of women reckoned they were better drivers than men, with only 13% of men thinking women were superior behind the wheel.

A sample of 50 drivers faced in-car assessment while 200 were watched at Hyde Park Corner. Marked on 14 different aspects of driving, women scored 23.6 points out of a possible 30, while men managed to only score 19.8 points.

With regard to tailgating, 4% of women were found to commit the bad habit compared with 27% of men.

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

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May 15, 2015
Calls for Graduated License Restrictions

Calls are being made to increase the restrictions on young and newly qualified drivers, in the wake of research revealing the shockingly high statistics of young drivers involved in motoring accidents.

Of the teenagers killed or seriously injured in car accidents, almost a half of these were behind the wheel or were passengers in vehicles driven by people 19 years old or younger.

Calls are now being made to the government to follow in the footsteps of other countries, by implementing curbs on new drivers, such as limiting the amount of young people are allowed in the car at any one time, late night curfews and a minimum period of one year of learning to drive before being allowed to site the driving test – All part of the “Graduated License” many would recommend.

What are your thoughts on this article? Let us know in the comments below!

Safe driving from Britannia!

 

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