May 1, 2020
NASP guidance for training critical workers

The three joint associations of NASP have put together some guidance if you have customers who are granted a critical worker practical test with the DVSA.

We have already published the operating procedures that volunteer DVSA examiners will use when conducting a test and have reiterated some of those in the document. This list is not exhaustive, however it hopefully covers all you will need to consider before taking on any critical worker training before a test.

The three joint associations of NASP have put together some advised guidance if you have customers who are granted a Critical Worker practical test with the DVSA.
Firstly, you should appreciate that all Critical Workers will not necessarily be granted a critical worker test and we would advise that you do not give training until your customer actually has a practical test confirmed by DVSA, those are at the ,moment only being given to front line NHS, Police & Fire Service personnel, that may change as time goes on and we will keep you updated.
We have already published the operating procedures that volunteer DVSA examiners will use when conducting a test and have reiterated some of those below, this list is not exhaustive, however hopefully covers all you will need to consider before taking on any Critical Worker training before a test.
• Make sure your customer has checked with DVSA at: critical.worker.driving.test@dvsa.gov.uk to ensure they will be granted a practical test. • Check with pupils before each lesson to ensure they have not been exposed, or are experiencing symptoms which could be related to Covid 19, or have travelled recently from a region severely impacted • You should note, that any test booked will be carried out with a volunteer examiner as they will have to break the social distancing rules and check where the test is actually booked, do not assume it will be at the customers usual test centre • We would suggest you wear suitable safe clothing when giving lessons/training, the examiner has been advised to wear long sleeves and full-length trousers. • Your customer will be asked on arrival at the test centre to wash their hands before the test will start, please advise your customer not to shake hands with their examiner • In these unusual times, you should consider wearing gloves and the examiner will, however you should be aware that some people are allergic to latex based materials, always ask first • If you or your customer present for the test with any clear symptoms, excessive coughing, high temperature etc, the examiner will refuse the test and another test will be rebooked. If during the test, any of these symptoms present themselves, the examiner will terminate the test • All the normal procedure will be carried out on the test as it normally would following the DT1 guidance • You will not be invited to travel in the back of the test or be involved in the debrief at the end.

• You should ensure your customer, that everything the examiner uses before, during and at the end of the test has been thoroughly cleaned and will be before each test • We would advise you to continue with the earlier guidance we gave regarding using antibacterial hand gel and wipes to ensure you keep clean all areas, you or your customer touch. • During the test, the examiner may ask you to take off any roof board you may have, this is simply to avoid abuse from other members of the public. The examiner will supply a pair of L plates if you don’t have any, preferably marked with NHS above the L

A key worker trainer voluntary register will shortly be available providing certification for driver and rider trainers to be able to display whilst training, as well as allowing members of the public, police etc to check with the register than the trainer is indeed carrying out essential training. Trainers applying for certification will have to complete a short online course and theory test on safe training protocols, designed to mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, as well as provide evidence they are training key workers.
We hope this gives you some useful advice, please Stay Safe

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March 24, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): driving tests and theory tests

Theory tests

Theory tests are suspended up to and including 20 April 2020.

You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been cancelled.

You’ll automatically get a refund. You’ll get an email to confirm this has been done – this may take a few weeks to arrive.

You’ll then have to book a new theory test for a date and time after 20 April 2020 that suits you.

You can still book, change or cancel tests for 21 April 2020 onwards.

Driving tests

Driving tests are suspended for up to 3 months.

You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been rebooked. It will tell you the new date and time of your test.

You will not get this email immediately – it should arrive around 2 weeks before your original test date.

In the meantime, do not call the DVSA customer service centre. They will not be able to help you.

It’s likely that your new test date will be around 3 months after your original date.

If you want to cancel your test

You can cancel your test if you want to get a full refund now. Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request this.

You need to include your full name and 2 of the following pieces of information:

your driving licence number
your theory test pass certificate number
your driving test booking reference

DVSA customer services
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

You cannot book a future driving test date

If you have not booked a driving test, you’ll be unable to do so at the moment.

When driving tests start again, priority will be given to people who had their test cancelled. This means you will have to wait longer than usual.

Check back for the latest updates.

If your theory test certificate expires soon

Legally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.

You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.

You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.

Book an emergency test if you’re a critical worker

You can still get an emergency test during the suspension period if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in a critical sector. These include:

health and social care
education and childcare
key public services
local and national government
food and other necessary goods
public safety and national security
transport
utilities, communication and financial services

Book an emergency theory test

Email DVSA to ask for an emergency theory test.

You must send a photo or scanned image of valid ID such as your work ID badge.

If you do not have an ID badge you can send:

an email from a work email address
evidence from your employer, such as email or scanned document including company letterhead
a scan of your payslip

This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

You also need to tell us:

your telephone number and preferred contact time
which test centre you want to take your test at (currently only Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Ballymena)
the type of theory test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
your driving licence number

If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you to explain what happens next.

Emergency theory tests
critical.worker.theory.test@dvsa.gov.uk

Book an emergency driving test

Email DVSA to ask for an emergency driving test.

You must send a photo or a scanned image of a valid ID such as your work ID badge.

If you do not have an ID badge you can send:

an email from a work email address
evidence from your employer, such as an email or scanned document including company letterhead
a scan of your payslip

This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

You also need to tell us:

your telephone number
your preferred test location
the type of driving test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
your driving licence number
the driving test reference number (if you have one)
your theory test certificate number

If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you with a test date.

This may take a while, please do not send another request.

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February 21, 2020
Theory test changes: 14 April 2020

From 14 April 2020, the car theory test will include 3 multiple-choice questions based on a short video you’ll watch.

Female candidate sat a computer answering a theory test question

The way the theory test works in England, Scotland and Wales will change from 14 April 2020.

The same changes will apply in Northern Ireland.The change will make the theory test more accessible, especially to people with a:reading difficulty (like dyslexia),learning disability,developmental condition (like autism),the change only applies to car theory tests to begin with.

How the theory test is changing to use video clips instead of written case studies

Currently, you have to read a case study and then answer 5 questions about it. This tests your knowledge and understanding of road rules.This will change if you take your test from 14th April 2020, you’ll watch one video clip instead of reading a case study,and answer 3 questions about it.

How using a video clip will work

You’ll watch a short, silent, video clip and answer 3 multiple-choice questions about it. You can watch the video clip as many times as you like during the mutiple choice part of the theory test.

Example You can watch the video, answer a question, and then watch the video again before you answer the next question.

What the video clip will look like

The video clip will show a situation, such as driving through a town centre, or driving on a country road.

The type of questions you’ll answer about the video clip

You’ll answer questions like these:

Why are motorcyclists considered vulnerable road users?
Why should the driver, on the side road, look out for motorcyclists at junctions?
In this clip, who can cross the chevrons to overtake other vehicles, when it’s safe to do so?

For each of the 3 questions, you’ll have to choose the correct answer from 4 possible answers.

What the screen will look like

The left-hand side of the screen will show the video clip, with controls to:

play the video
pause the video
move to a specific part of the video on a progress bar
watch the video using the full screen

The right-hand side of the screen will show the question and 4 possible answers.

Who this change will affect

All car theory tests will use video clips from 14 April 2020.

This includes if:You fail a test before then and retake it from 14th April 2020, your test is cancelled or moved for any reason,and your new test date is from 14th April 2020.

What’s not changing

You’ll still need to study the same books and software to prepare for your theory test.

You’ll still need to:

answer 50 multiple-choice questions within 57 minutes
get 43 out of the 50 questions right to pass the multiple-choice part of the test

The hazard perception part of the test is not changing. This is where you watch video clips to spot developing hazards.

Tests that are not changing

The change does not yet apply to these types of theory tests:

motorcycle
lorry
bus or coach
approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1

October 18, 2019
MPs investigate road pricing to replace fuel tax

MPs are to investigate if drivers should be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Experts believe ministers must think about road pricing as motoring taxes are likely to decline as people stop using conventionally-fuelled vehicles.

Road pricing covers a range of measures including tolls, congestion charges, HGV levies, workplace parking levies, and low emission and clean air zones.

Lilian Greenwood, who chairs the Transport Committee, said: “It’s been almost 10 years since the last real discussion of national road pricing. In that time, we have become much more aware of the dangers of air pollution and congestion.

“We cannot ignore the looming fiscal black hole. We need to ask how we will pay for roads in the future and in answering that question we have an opportunity for a much wider debate about our use of road space, cutting carbon emissions, tackling congestion, modal shift and how we prioritise active travel.

“Tackling the climate emergency is essential but this is about more than what we must do to meet that challenge. It’s also about our health and the sort of towns and cities we want to live in.”

AA president Edmund King, responding to the Transport Committee’s announcement, said: “We do need a national debate about how we pay for our road infrastructure to bridge the taxation gap between falling fuel duty revenue and the electric vehicle revolution.

“However, the British public will never vote for national road pricing so we need greater imagination to sell the public something that they actually want.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “For the Treasury, the beauty of fuel duty is its ease of collection and difficulty of evasion.

“Whatever replaces the existing system is bound to raise new challenges and complexities, will take time and effort to establish, and could potentially be difficult to explain to the public.”

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September 2, 2019
Common Reasons For Test Failure.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed the 10 top reasons people failed the new driving test in its first year.

DVSA is encouraging learner drivers to spend more time practising their driving skills and techniques in these areas, using a variety of different roads, such as country roads and dual carriageways.

DVSA also wants learners to spend more time practising driving in different road conditions, such as driving in rain and driving in the dark.

This will better prepare them for a lifetime of safe driving.

Junctions – observation.
Mirrors – change direction.
Control – steering.
Junctions – turning right.
Move off – safely.
Response to signs – traffic lights.
Move off – control.
Positioning – normal driving.
Response to signs – road markings.
Reverse park – control.

The driving test report you get given after your practical driving test tells you what each area means, and what you need to do to pass.

Insufficient observation at junctions and not using mirrors effectively when changing direction accounted for 368,047 test failures.

You automatically fail your test if you make a serious or dangerous fault – sometimes called ‘majors’.

Driving test faults reflect the factors that cause accidents, 39% of all accidents in 2017 in Great Britain were as a result of drivers not looking properly.

Driving test faults reflect factors that cause accidents on Great Britain’s roads.

Drivers in 2017 failing to look properly contributed to 35,993 accidents and was the most common contributory factor in accidents.

Chief Driving Examiner, Mark Winn, said:

“It’s vital that learners can drive safely and have the skills to drive on all types of roads before taking their test. The driving test helps get drivers ready for a lifetime of safe driving and makes our roads safer for all.

Failing to look properly at junctions is the most common serious or dangerous test fault and the largest cause of accidents in Britain. Good observation, including proper use of mirrors, is a crucial skill that drivers must learn.”

Rules, Guidance and advice on how to avoid these common faults can be found in The Highway Code including:

When emerging from a junction look all around, and do not cross or join a road until a gap is

Large enough to do so safely.

Checking your mirrors frequently and you will know what is to each side of you and behind you, making sure you use them in plenty of time before you signal or charge you speed or direction.

Positioning your vehicle correctly in the road and maintaining a steady course.

It’s completely normal to be nervous on the day of your practical driving test. You will have no need to worry if your prepared properly and your driving instructor thinks your test standard, the driving examiner is there to check you can drive safely.

Why not check out our helpful tips on our website at Britannia Driving School.

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August 9, 2019
Theory Test

How would you fare if you had to sit your test again? As it emerges half of learner drivers now fail the tough theory exam, try our 25 sample questions to see if it’s still safe for you to be on the roads

The proportion falling the theory test has soared to its highest level in a decade
Last year, only 47 per cent managed to pass a series of recently reformed tests
The AA has complained that some of the new questions are now ‘quite obscure’

Never mind getting behind the wheel — the challenge that really strikes fear into learner drivers is the written theory test. The amount falling at this first hurdle has soared to its highest level in a decade — last year, only 47 per cent managed to pass it.

A number of changes designed to toughen up the test has included increasing the number of multiple-choice questions and no longer publishing them online in advance to stop people from memorising the answers.

The AA has complained that some of the questions are now ‘quite obscure’ — such as knowing what to do if someone suffers a burn in a road accident — which makes it hard for all but the most dedicated of learners to pass first time.

This may have led to more cheating. Last year, there were a reported 889 cases of fraud in practical and theory tests — a significant rise, says the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

For example, In July a 41-year-old woman was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, for hiding a radio headset under her hijab so that someone could supply her with the answers on her theory test, while others have used impersonators.

Would you pass the car theory exam today? Take our sample test to find out . . .

Following a collision, someone has suffered a burn. The burn needs to be cooled. What’s the shortest time it should be cooled for?
1. A) 5 minutes.
2. B) 10 minutes.
3. C) 15 minutes.
4. D) 20 minutes.
1. What colour are the reflective studs between a motorway and its slip road?
2. A) Amber.
3. B) White.
4. C) Green.
5. D) Red.
1. You’re approaching a red light at a puffin crossing. Pedestrians are on the crossing. When will the red light change?
2. A) When you start to edge forward on to the crossing.
3. B) When the pedestrians have cleared the crossing.
4. C) When the pedestrians push the button on the far side of the crossing.
5. D) When a driver from the opposite direction reaches the crossing.
1. What does this signal mean?
2. A) Cars must stop.
3. B) Trams must stop.
4. C) Both trams and cars must stop.
5. D) Both trams and cars can continue.
1. You wish to tow a trailer. Where would you find the maximum noseweight allowed on your vehicle’s tow hitch?
2. A) In the Highway Code.
3. B) In your vehicle registration certificate.
4. C) In the vehicle handbook.
5. D) In your licence documents.
1. You’ve just passed your practical test. You don’t hold a full licence in another category. Within two years, you get six penalty points on your licence. What will you have to do?
2. A) Retake only your theory test.
3. B) Retake only your practical test.
4. C) Retake your theory and practical tests.
5. D) Reapply for your full licence immediately.
1. You’re driving on an open road in dry weather. What should the distance be between you and the vehicle in front?
2. A) One car length.
3. B) Two metres (6 ft 6 in).
4. C) Two car lengths.
5. D) A two-second time gap.
1. At a junction, you see this sign partly covered by snow. What does it mean?
2. A) Crossroads.
3. B) Give way.
4. C) Stop.
5. D) Turn right.
1. You are travelling at 50 mph on a good, dry road. What is your typical overall stopping distance?
2. A) 36 metres (118 ft).
3. B) 53 metres (175 ft).
4. C) 75 metres (245 ft).
5. D) 96 metres (315 ft).
1. At a puffin crossing, which colour follows the green signal?
2. A) Steady red.
3. B) Flashing amber.
4. C) Steady amber.
5. D) Flashing green.
1. You are turning right on to a dual carriageway. What should you do before emerging?
2. A) Stop and apply the handbrake and then select a low gear.
3. B) Check that the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle.
4. C) Position your vehicle well to the left of the side road.
5. D) Make sure you leave enough room for a vehicle behind.
1. What does this sign mean? A) Contraflow pedal cycle lane. B) With-flow pedal cycle lane. C) Pedal cycles and buses only. D) No pedal cycles or buses
2. A) Contraflow pedal cycle lane.
3. B) With-flow pedal cycle lane.
4. C) Pedal cycles and buses only.
5. D) No pedal cycles or buses.
1. You see a pedestrian with a dog. The dog has a yellow or burgundy coat. This especially warns you that the pedestrian is . . .
2. A) Elderly.
3. B) Dog training.
4. C) Colour blind.
5. D) Deaf.
1. For how long is a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) valid?
2. A) Until the vehicle is taxed, sold or scrapped.
3. B) Until the vehicle is insured and MOT’d.
4. C) Until the vehicle is repaired or modified.
5. D) Until the vehicle is used on the road.
1. What does this signal from a police officer mean to oncoming traffic? A) Go ahead. B) Stop. C) Turn left. D) Turn right
2. A) Go ahead.
3. B) Stop.
4. C) Turn left.
5. D) Turn right.
1. Given that one of the below is correct, what does the law require you to keep in good condition?
2. A) Gears.
3. B) Transmission.
4. C) Door locks.
5. D) Seat belts.
1. You are travelling behind a bus that pulls up at a bus stop. What should you do?
2. A) Accelerate past the bus.
3. B) Watch carefully for pedestrians.
4. C) Sound your horn.
5. D) Pull in closely behind the bus.
1. You may use front fog lights with headlights ONLY when visibility is reduced to less than . . .
2. A) 100 metres (328 ft).
3. B) 200 metres (656 ft).
4. C) 300 metres (984 ft).
5. D) 400 metres (1,312 ft).
1. What does this sign mean? A) No parking for buses or coaches. B) Direction to bus and coach park. C) Parking area for cars and coaches. D) Direction to park-and-ride car park
2. A) No parking for buses or coaches.
3. B) Direction to bus and coach park.
4. C) Parking area for cars and coaches.
5. D) Direction to park-and-ride car park.
1. What does this sign mean?
2. A) Waiting restrictions apply.
3. B) Waiting permitted.
4. C) National speed limit applies.
5. D) Clearway (no stopping).
1. Braking distances on ice can be . . .
2. A) Twice the normal distance.
3. B) Five times the normal distance.
4. C) Seven times the normal distance.
5. D) Ten times the normal distance.
1. For what percentage of all emissions does road transport account?
2. A) 10 per cent.
3. B) 20 per cent.
4. C) 30 per cent.
5. D) 40 per cent.
1. What does this sign mean? A) End of restricted speed area. B) End of restricted parking area. C) End of clearway. D) End of cycle route
2. A) End of restricted speed area.
3. B) End of restricted parking area.
4. C) End of clearway.
5. D) End of cycle route.
1. You can park on the right-hand side of a road at night . . .
2. A) In a one-way street.
3. B) With your sidelights on.
4. C) More than 10 metres (32 ft) from a junction.
5. D) Under a lamp-post.
1. At an incident, it is important to look after any casualties. When the area is safe, you should . . .
2. A) Get them out of the vehicle.
3. B) Give them a drink.
4. C) Give them something to eat.
5. D) Keep them in the vehicle.

Sample questions from the DVSA. To pass the theory test, learners must answer at least 43 out of 50 questions correctly.

Answers: 1b, 2c, 3b, 4b, 5c, 6c, 7d, 8c, 9b, 10c, 11b, 12b, 13d, 14a, 15b, 16d, 17b, 18a, 19d, 20a, 21d, 22b, 23b, 24a, 25d

Check out our free interactive theory help on our website!

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July 25, 2019
Driving In Flip Flops

FLIP flops will become part of Brits’ wardrobe this week as record temperatures sweep the country.

But those who choose to drive in their summer shoes could find themselves in hot water if they’re involved in an accident.

While driving in flip flops isn’t illegal in itself, wearing them could lead to a careless driving charge if they impede your ability to drive safely.

Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers are advised they must have “footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.

Flip flops could slip off, become wedged under pedals or prevent you from pressing the pedals with enough force to brake quickly, which could cause you to drive erratically or even lead to a collision.

If you are stopped by police while driving in a potentially dangerous manner or your footwear is a reason for an accident, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention (careless driving).

Careless driving carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence.

But in more serious cases, or those that are contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.

A study by insurance brand ingenie previously found a whopping 27 per cent of motorists could be risking this penalty as they ditch their shoes in favour of flip flops behind the wheel.

And despite the large number of Brits taking the risk, around one in three actually thought it was illegal to drive in loose fitting footwear.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, told Sun Motors: “Before setting off, you should ensure that clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.

“If flip flops stopped you being in control you could be prosecuted, as you are breaking Highway Code Rule 97.

“Careless driving is mostly judged on the impact your driving has on others around you, so if you are spotted swerving or braking erratically and then stopped and found to have inadequate footwear, you could be prosecuted.

“If you do cause a crash, then it could also be an aggravating factor against you in court and lead to a slightly higher fine or longer ban.”

Selim Cavanagh, Chief Executive at ingenie, said: “It’s promising that almost a third of drivers assume driving in flip flops is illegal, because it’s really dangerous.

“They slip off, slide under the pedals, get caught between your feet and the pedals and if your feet are wet, they’ll affect your ability to brake if you need to.

“Aside from the actual rules though, driving in flip flops can create a dangerous driving environment, and put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk.”

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April 4, 2019
Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

Before embarking on driving lessons your first decision will be whether to learn in a manual or automatic car.

Its often thought its an easier option to learn in an automatic because there is no clutch or gears. But you must remember that you still will have all the other factors in learning how to drive in an automatic.

There has always been a great debate as to whether learning is easier in a manual or automatic car, some say manual is the only way and others stick by automatic.

Automatics have become more sophisticated and economical in recent years, as this has always put drivers off as they consumed more fuel and were more expensive to buy.

Advantages of driving a manual

Passing in a manual car entitles you to drive manual or automatic, if you wish to change to an automatic car then you can, however this only works one way as passing in an automatic you can only drive automatic and must retake tour practical test in a manual car should you wish to change transmission.

Manual cars use less fuel – when driven properly. A driver in full control of their manual car will know when to change gears as so to avoid the engine over revving and wasting fuel. It is recommended to change gear about 2000rpm in a Diesel, and 2500rpm in a petrol car.

Manual cars will help you staying more alert especially when taking driving lessons, there is so much more for you to focus on when driving a manual as you have the changing of the gears and clutch control to think about.

Advantages of driving an automatic transmission car

Most pupils that learn in an automatic will learn faster than those learning in a manual, they will have less to learn with no changing gears, biting point or clutch control to learn.

Automatics are generally the easiest to pass in, the pass rate is higher for automatic tests, due to having fewer attributes to meet in terms of clutch control and gear changes, so less chances to fail.

The most persuasive point as to learning in an automatic is its easier.

No gears, no bite point, no clutch control or the embarrassing situation of stalling as an automatic does all this for you, this can leave the driver more time to concentrate on the road.

The argument of manual or automatic will probably carry on, here at Britannia Driving School we have noticed a massive change in more and more pupils choosing to learn in an automatic it has really become popular.

Still unsure which to choose? Why not give Kerry a call take a driving lesson on either and go from there.

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July 4, 2014
Intensive Courses: Are They For Me?

May 1, 2020
NASP guidance for training critical workers

March 24, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): driving tests and theory tests

Theory tests

Driving tests

If you want to cancel your test

You cannot book a future driving test date

If your theory test certificate expires soon

Book an emergency test if you’re a critical worker

Book an emergency theory test

Book an emergency driving test

February 21, 2020
Theory test changes: 14 April 2020

How the theory test is changing to use video clips instead of written case studies

How using a video clip will work

What the video clip will look like

The type of questions you’ll answer about the video clip

What the screen will look like

Who this change will affect

What’s not changing

Tests that are not changing

Other support for people with a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

October 18, 2019
MPs investigate road pricing to replace fuel tax

September 2, 2019
Common Reasons For Test Failure.

August 9, 2019
Theory Test

July 25, 2019
Driving In Flip Flops

April 4, 2019
Automatic Vs Manual Transmission???

July 4, 2014
Intensive Courses: Are They For Me?

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