Learning to drive is a lifetime skill that you must master properly before taking your test
‘if I can do it - so can you’
I follow a syllabus that is recommended by the DVSA
The main points in the syllabus are as follows:
Eyesight & Licence Check
You need to be able to read a number plate at a minimum distance of 20.5 metres (approx 67 feet) and if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to do this then you must also wear these at all times when you are driving.
Cockpit Drill
The cockpit drill is a set procedure that all drivers should do before starting an engine. Firstly all the doors in the vehicle need to be closed properly. Now make any adjustments with your seat and make sure you are comfortable and can reach and operate all the controls properly. Next comes your mirrors, adjust them so that you get the best possible view to the rear and down the sides of you vehicle. Now put on your seat belt correctly. The order of mirrors before seat belt or seat belt before mirrors is no problem providing you make sure your doors and seat are done first.
Vehicle safety checks
It’s always a good idea that before you get in your car to drive just take a moment to look over things, for example, look at your tyres, the car's bodywork, the light clusters, number plates, is the fuel cap closed, are the windows clean etc.
Car controls
The main controls in your car are controls that you operate with your hands such as, steering, gears, handbrake and indicators, and the ones you operate with your feet such as, the accelerator (gas pedal) the footbrake and the clutch pedal.
During the course of your lessons I will teach you how to operate these controls safely and smoothly. I’ll also teach you how to operate other controls known as ancillary controls, these can be headlights, windscreen washers, demisters, air conditioning, cruise control etc
Other important checks before driving are on the dashboard such as checks on fuel gauge, warning lights, windscreen washers, lights, heater controls etc.
Moving off / Stopping
I will teach you how to move away from the side of a road safely, this will include on flat roads and moving away uphill and also downhill, I’ll also teach you how to move off in a very tight space from behind another car, this is often called an angle move off. I can also teach you how to move away quite quickly where necessary, this skill comes in very handy when moving away into a gap on a fast moving busy road.
Road positioning
Road positioning plays a major part in safe driving. Usually slightly closer to the left on most roads and in the middle of traffic lanes when in lanes, however the correct position does depend on other factors these can include, the widths of roads, pedestrian activity, road markings, junctions and any parked vehicles. Don’t worry I will help you with this.
Using Your mirrors
Looking in your mirrors is definitely not enough, you must look early enough and then make any necessary moves in a safe way. You will certainly need to check them before approaching any type of hazard and this is particularly important if you need to slow down, speed up or change your direction. There are many examples as to when you need to check your mirrors, such as, before signalling, moving away, changing any direction, stopping your car, overtaking other vehicles and don’t forget before opening your door.
Your mirrors are like another set of eyes at the back of your head and this should mean that you never get caught by surprise.
Use of signalling
There are many ways that drivers communicate with each other, the main ones are obviously your indicator signal, however there are many other ways including, your road positioning, reversing lights, brake lights, arm signals and sometimes the horn.
An excellent driver will also consider whether an indicator signal is actually necessary, for example, if you are moving away or pulling over in an extremely quiet road then you should really ask yourself who would benefit from putting it on, this thought should also include pedestrians. Passing most stationary vehicles can often be dealt with by early road positioning, however there will also be many occasions when a signal may help others behind. Your responsibility is to work all this out as you are driving along. You should also avoid using any type of misleading signals, an example of this could include waving to a pedestrian to leave the kerb and to walk across the road in front of you.
Awareness / Anticipation / Planning
Excellent drivers will always be prepared for anything. You need to have a built in defence mechanism that triggers very early to any potential dangers around you, eventually this will become second nature but in the early stages of learning to drive I will help you to learn this very important skill.
Use of speed
Most accidents are usually connected to speed. Drivers need to be aware of their speed, even 10mph can be too fast at the wrong time. A good safe driver will always be driving within the speed limits and also at a speed where they could easily pull up safely within the distance they can see to be clear, this also includes driving in adverse conditions such as rain, snow, ice, fog and at night.
Junctions
At all types of road junctions you must use the Mirrors - Signals - Manoeuvre procedure. You also need to consider your road positioning, your approach speed and your effective observations skills. There are many types of junctions, some are quite basic and easy to deal with and some can be quite complex and will require a lot more care especially when dealing with crossing the path of oncoming vehicles and also emerging onto major roads where your vision may be restricted by parked vehicles. You must be extra careful in poor light and adverse weather conditions especially looking out for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Pedestrian crossings
You need to be able to identify all types of pedestrian crossings and take the correct actions. You have to know and obey all the rules around pedestrian crossings and also pay attention to your approach speed so that you can stop smoothly and safely.
Rural roads
During your training I’ll teach you how to drive safely on country roads, this will include learning how to negotiate right and left hand bends correctly, various speed limits, hidden dangers, limited signage and road markings, hump back bridges, farm animals and machinery, pedestrians in the road, cyclists, motor cyclists, horses etc
Fast roads and dual carriageways
All drivers need to be able to drive safely at speed especially on fast dual carriageways and motorways. You need to be able to judge correct speeds and keep safe distances when following other vehicles. You also need to be able to overtake safely, follow route directions from either signs or a satellite navigation.
Reverse manoeuvres
During your training I can teach you how to reverse safely. There are a number of reverse manoeuvres that you could be asked to perform on a driving test. On a basic learner test you will be asked to perform just one manoeuvre, this could be either, pulling up on the right hand side of the road and then reversing back a couple of car lengths, driving forward into a marked bay and then reversing out of the bay accurately and safely, reversing into a marked bay either on the right or left, reversing around a stationary vehicle.
Controlled stop (emergency stop)
All drivers need to be able to stop their vehicle very quickly as if an emergency situation such as a child suddenly running into the road. This needs to be performed in a quick controlled way. Drivers should also need to know how to avoid and correct skidding and how ABS anti lock braking systems work.
Fuel efficient driving
This is all about driving in a fuel efficient style which can help to protect the environment, save wear and tear on your vehicle and also save you money at the fuel pumps. Drivers should be able to plan their driving by using the appropriate gears, avoiding heavy braking, over revving the cars engine, making use of anything fitted to your car such as the stop start function and cruise control.
MY PRICES
Manual Lessons - £40 per hour
Block Booking in 10 hour payments - £390
CONTACT ME
To book lessons just CALL or TEXT me on 07703 182845
When you call or text me I will require all of the following info please:
- Your name, address and postcode
- The days and times you are available
- If you have a driving test already arranged then I also need the date, time and at which test centre
