April 6, 2020
Never Pay by Bank Transfer For Lessons, Find Out Why…

Kate Danby’s 19-year-old daughter Brook Mather learnt the hard way how ruthless the market can be. She booked a course of lessons with Drive Dynamics and was asked to pay by bank transfer.

The lessons never materialized and nor did a refund. Her bank couldn’t reclaim the money as it wasn’t a credit or debit card transaction.

“She was thrilled at the prospect of passing her driving test and in excitement, she didn’t research how long the company had been established,” says Kate. “She had saved hard for the money and was proud that she had organized her lessons and test herself, so the loss has left her devastated.”

Emily at Britannia Driving School Says: “be suspicious if you are asked to prepay for your lessons by bank transfer rather than a card, because if your lessons don’t materialize you will not be able to reclaim your money from the instructor’s bank. Also make sure when you get a quote for lessons that it’s for one hour lessons and not just 45 minutes.”

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April 3, 2020
Coronavirus Car Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your car is a fast, simple, low cost job that might minimise the spread of coronavirus and keep loved ones safe. Handy if there are ‘essential’ trips that cannot be avoided. So, how might you clean your vehicle to minimise the spread of coronavirus?

Clean first (then disinfect). It is hard to find disinfectant in the shops, so preserve resources and remove any typical dirt with standard vehicle cleaning products (or soapy water).
Disinfect after cleaning. Isopropyl alcohol is among the disinfectants that might kill coronavirus in your car.
Test disinfectant. Whatever disinfectant you choose, test it on a small, hidden part of each type of material in the car before applying throughout. Why? Because some disinfectants can be problematic. Bleach can discolour plastic, for example.
Focus effort. Whereas it is preferable to clean the whole vehicle, focus primarily on the parts that get touched most frequently. These include the: steering wheel, gear stick, parking brake, door handles, seatbelts, heater controls, etc.
Feed the leather. Consider whether your cleaning product has removed moisture from leather upholstery. If so, feed the leather to keep it comfortable, flexible, and attractive.
Beware moisture. Minimise how much moisture gets close to electrical items such as your window switches, heater controls, and stereo. Damp electrical components tend to behave erratically. Also, moisture can stain fabric seats.
Protect yourself. Wear gloves while cleaning the vehicle and wash your hands afterwards (with soap for twenty seconds).

Note too that coronavirus is a new, unprecedented issue and our understanding of it is still evolving. This article does not therefore contain medical advice. The National Health Service is the best place for that. However, car cleaning might be a further tool to tackle this virus and minimise casualties. Happy scrubbing!

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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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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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May 23, 2019
Motoring changes drivers need to know for 2019

There’s a lot for drivers to keep track of this year, increases in tax,

More ways to fail the MOT, licencing updates and emission zone charges.

Here’s our need to know changes for the year ahead.

Driving and law changes in 2019:

1.London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone

On 8^th April 2019, the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) IN London came into effect, this replaces the previous T- charge scheme, with the hopes of improving the air quality and reducing harmful emissions in London.

The new scheme applies to most vehicles, including vans and cars. If a vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emission standards its driver will need to a daily charge to drive within the area. Cars, motorcycles and vans are £12.50 a day and lorries will be £100 a day.

The new charges will apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The ULEZ covers the exact same area as the congestion charge and is in addition to the already in place Congestion Charge. In 2021 the zone will be extended to cover all areas that are within the boundary of the north and south circular.

Clean Air zones:

The Environmental Law Organisation Client Earth Issued the UK with a lawsuit for breaching EU LIMITS FOR (NO2) nitrogen dioxide, the government called for other cities to reduce emissions thus creating Clean Air Zones (CAZ).

In January 2020 Leeds and Birmingham are expected to be introducing a CAZ, Bath, Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Oxford and Glasgow are expected to be consulting or implementing similar proposals, it is also possible that after Brexit the UK may change the NO2 limits.

Tax increases

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in line with inflation went up in April 2019, These rises apply to all cars not just new model so for most drivers the annual cost of car tax will increase by £5. High emission car owners will be charged an additional £15, diesel owners whose vehicle doesn’t meet the RDE2 standard emissions which is mandatory in 2020, must pay tax at the higher rate. New car owners may face an extra £65 on first year car tax. Fuel duty has been frozen until April 2020 and there are no VED rises due but with the budget in November we will see….

3. New Mot rules

The government changed the rules for MOT tests in May 2018. New regulations include:

. Exemption for cars over 40 years old

. A new certificate design

. New items being tested, headlight washers, reversing lights, fluid leaks, brake pad warning lights and tyre inflation.

. New defect categories : dangerous, major, minor, advisory and pass.

. Stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF)

4.Diesel surcharges for residential parking

According Car buyer the price of residential parking permits can be a postcode lottery .Some London councils have been quietly been introducing an annual diesel surcharge with the London Borough of Barnet charging up to £10 more and the London Borough of Merton a whopping £150 !

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May 2, 2019
Looking for a new career?

Becoming a driving instructor is a very rewarding choice of career- It gives you the freedom to be your own boss, working times and days to suit your life, it also helps you become an important figure in the lives of inexperienced drivers, helping them to gain their independence on our roads. At Britannia we all remember our first driving instructors!

Here at Britannia Driving School we continually work hard to introduce new pupils to all our driving instructors, we give them the edge over the competition. We are different to other driving schools as most of Britannia’s income is spent on the following.

MARKETING: Google, Yellow pages, car livery, internet sites, direct marketing, Offering freephone lines for both landlines and mobile phones, and of course mostly by personal recommendation!

BRITANNIA’S WEBSITE: Our website is a field leader, attracting over 2 million users annually. Major keywords like “driving schools” will take you to a list of search results on search engines and Britannia Driving School will appear at the top from around 153 million driving school results.

BRITANNIA DRIVING SCHOOL OFFICE: Our office is open five days a week to driving instructors and the public. The Britannia telesales staff are highly trained and very motivated, their selling skills will keep you topped up with pupils all year round.

INTERNET DIARY: Pupils are given allocation to instructors according to postal codes and diary requirements and added to our bespoke internet diary. We have a message board to help instructors communicate directly with the office team and vice versa, the diary can be updated and reached by smart phone or computer alike globally.

PRE-PAYMENT: Unlike other schools Britannia has a pre-payment system which eliminates last minute cancellations by pupils.

SUPPORT: Help and advice is always readily available in the office for face to face advice or a phone call away, whether you need help with teaching, book keeping or accounts.

WHY CHOOSE BRITANNIA DRIVING SCHOOL?

Britannia will provide instant access to large marketing base, as well as a largely beneficial association with one of the most trusted brands in driving tuition in Great London. Our brand name attracts substantial number of quality pupils, which helps instructors to minimise cancellations and retain pupils.

INTERESTED: Why Not give our friendly office staff a call, chat online or send an email you will be invited for a non-obligation friendly chat and a coffee, all your questions will be answered and you will be assessed on your suitability to becoming a driving instructor.

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