Pass Rates

The subject of pass rates can sometimes be a rather thorny subject amongst driving instructors and what I intend to do in this blog is offer some guidance to PDI's.

Let's first of all look at the very latest available statistics that are  publicly available online from DfT.  If you pop on to the GOV.UK site and look for driving test pass rates in the search bar you will find there is a quarterly document published which contains in it many pass rates for various tests including car test (DRT02).

So at the time of writing this blog the latest available data is from April to June 2017.  It shows that there is an overall pass rate of 47% across the UK.  It is possible however to see how many are passing the driving test on their first attempt, and DRT0202 which refers to 2016-2017 gives that as 47.1% followed by a marginal increase on the second attempt at 48.4%.

So those figures relate to all driving tests being undertaken across the country.  You might think they are low?  But then again, if you have researched the pass rates of trainee driving instructors taking the qualifying tests you might think in comparison they are in fact not so low?  As is always the case with statistics they can be twisted and turned and published in a variety of ways, and so is the case with how they can be interpreted by the reader.

What they do offer though is a benchmark.  They offer us an opportunity to refer to a performance measurement which is being recorded in a stable and controlled format.  So one of the key questions that you have to consider right from the very start is whether they offer a performance measure of the instructor or the pupil, or possibly both?  This is an important point because what it does is it frames why the reader is bothering to take note of the data.  Let me explain.

If a potential customer makes an enquiry with my driving school and asks "So what is your pass rate?".  In my experience, that is a potentially troubling sign.  What the enquirer is in effect asking is, if I come to you, what is the chance of me passing my driving test.  A perfectly reasonable question to ask you might think?  Can you see how this kind of question, asked by a potential customer right at the start of the process is ALREADY putting some degree of responsibility for outcomes on your shoulders?  Be under no illusion here, that is precisely what is going on.  

When I reported here in this blog earlier this year that my local grammar school were disposing of lower performing students from the school, this is a symptom of an organisation that is literally prepared to break the law in order to sustain pass rates (grade levels).  Ask yourself why is that organisation behaving in that manner?  There is clearly for them, an awkward balance to be struck between maintaining high standards of student attainment so as to satisfy customer expectations vs treating each and every student with dignity and respect.

And so in our world of driving training, one wonders how customer expectations can affect outcomes.  Well, if a potential customer starts from the position of asking you what outcome is likely regarding passing the driving test, then they are letting you know in no uncertain terms that you are being monitored and assessed.  One could argue that is not only clear evidence of consumer power at work but it is only right and proper that a driving instructor SHOULD be held to account for their pass rates.  And on the surface this all seems quite logical, until of course you are the parent of one of the students who was kicked out of the grammar school due to your child not getting sufficiently high grades in an exam.  THEN you might hold a different opinion.  But I believe there is a much more important aspect to take into account, and as unpalatable as this might come across, this is a genuinely held belief of mine that whilst being unfashionable to write does not in itself make it incorrect.  

There is plenty of evidence around suggesting that driving training that is centred around solely assisting a pupil to pass a driving test does very little for the required development of a conscientious, continually improving newly qualified driver.  Coaching a Year 6 student to pass an 11+ test is not necessarily in the best interests of that student.  As such, it would be perfectly possible to have all driving instructors coaching their pupils to pass their driving test with no regard at all on the higher levels of the GDE matrix.  But the argument goes "Who cares?".  The customer, who after all is the person financing the training, wants a driving licence.  They are not interested in higher levels of the GDE matrix.  "JUST GET MY SON A LICENCE!"

Thankfully, I can happily report to you that I have successfully run a driving school not bending to this parental pressure, and my message to you as a PDI is, you do not need to either. There are very many people out there who can readily understand, accept and engage in my alternative approach to driving training.  These tend to be the people who put the safety of their son/daughter above the potential savings to be had of simply passing the driving test.

So the only time I will actually PREVENT a customer from attempting a driving test is if I feel there is a potential safety issue.  I feel qualified to make that assessment having the record of not one single accident in all the time my driving school has been established.  If a customer is adamant to go to test with no chance of passing, ignoring my feedback, then as long as they do not represent a safety risk, then they can go to test.  The option I give them if they DO represent a safety risk, is for them to present themselves for the test in their own car - that tends to focus the mind somewhat.

We can attempt to develop self-evaluation, risk assessment, self-awareness and we can advise our clients accordingly giving them the benefit of our experience gained over many years, but we can't control the decisions they make.... or can we?  Over the years I have heard of driving instructors who claim of pass rates in the high 90's percentage.

I took some personal CPD in 2016 (BTEC Level 4 Award in Coaching for Driver Development), which I qualified at the very end of the year.  So being very interested in knowing if that has had any impact on my pass rates, I recently wrote off to the DVSA asking for my formal statistics for 2017.  Unfortunately, they got back to me with my overall statistics since 2009.  I have re-requested the stats for the figures so far this year but not as yet had a response from them.  I will update the blog if and when I receive that data.  But for now, I am very happy to report an overall pass rate just higher than the national average at 48.53% and given my rationale above, not at all disheartened with my first time pass rate of 35.3%.  I fundamentally do not 'coach' my pupils to pass driving tests, never have, and never will (yes, I do sleep soundly).

I hope this blog has offered some insight into the subject of pass rates.  I do not for one second ask you to agree/disagree with my opinion expressed here but I hope it stimulates thought.  At the heart of my business is my customer, and I will do everything I personally can to assist them to develop life-long driving skills and confidence. 

UPDATE: On 11/12/2017 the DVSA gave me revised first time pass rate figures for period 01/01/2017-31/10/2017 which showed it to be increased to 50% which is 3% higher than the national average.  This is an interesting statistic as it would tend to suggest that by developing my pupils' sense of responsibility for outcomes has increased the pass rate by 15%.


Driving Instructor Training with BIG TOM (in-car and online)

Driving up standards

How very easy it is for little snippets of information to pass on by in these changing times.

Lesley Young, the DVSA Chief Driving Examiner recently stated in one of the dozens of communications recently been handed out to ADI's that it was an unfortunate fact that the driving test does affect how learner drivers are trained.  She then went on to explain the changes to the new test.

Pause for thought though.

It has always been the case since I have been in the industry that it is the DVSA Driving Standards that affects how learner drivers are trained.  The theory being that if ADI's follow the driving standard methodology, that will then hold them in good standing for any DVSA Standards Check.  But now, here we have the Chief Driving Examiner actually stating (it seems with some tinge of regret) that in fact, the structure/format of the driving test DIRECTLY affects how pupils are taught to drive.

This is no small point.  For many years I have argued that if the driving test standard was raised it would have positive outcomes to the standard of training that pupils receive - I've blogged here about it many, many times.

So it seems that when the time suits, and right now appears to be one such time, then the DVSA will happily change the driving test format IN ORDER to affect driving training standards.  The point is sound and very justified.  Only this morning I have read a post from an ADI who is expressing annoyance that now with the new driving test going out to locations further afield, he is going to have to raise his driving lesson prices to accommodate the extra mileage he now incurs - oh how inconvenient it clearly is to now have his pupils driving more.  Clearly the sooner he gets to grips with the new driving test routes, no doubt he will be much happier in that he can ensure these extra miles are ONLY covering the new routes.

But it does then re-ignite the debate about how the test could be adapted to improve standards.  I have always been an advocate of Q&A between examiner and pupil while on the move to test understanding and application of key safe driving techniques.  The argument against has always spoken of the means by which this open dialogue can be accurately assessed.  

A driving test > undertaken this morning < by one of my own pupils highlights the necessity of a consistently fair approach adopted by driving examiners in the manner in which the test is conducted and how variances can affect outcomes. 

The means by which assessment of driving ability is conducted has always in my view, and no doubt will continue to affect standards of training going on in the industry.

Pull up on the right

The PCS union has today issued its reasons for taking the strike action and it turns out there are concerns relating to safety of the new driving test alongside issues regarding work practices.  I have collected together the PCS stance and DVSA response in one handy blog for you HERE

In any case, what strikes me as odd out of all the changes relates to pulling up on the right.  Here is the wording for this manoeuvre as per the revised DT1:

1.35 The pull up on the right exercise This manoeuvre should be carried out during routine driving, on a general main road which would normally carry light to medium traffic flow, therefore it is not necessary to deviate from the test route, into a side road or housing estate. It is not always necessary for the candidate to encounter traffic whilst completing this manoeuvre however carrying this out on busy roads or busy times of day, should be avoided due to the excessive length of time it would take to complete the exercise. The chosen road should allow the candidate plenty of opportunity to pull up on the right on a straight section of road with clear visibility well ahead and behind. 
Whilst driving on a suitable road, and at a safe location, the candidate should be asked to pull up on the right when it is safe to do so. Once stationary, the candidate should then be asked to reverse for two car lengths before being asked to drive on again. If the candidates begins to select a location which is not suitable, then the exercise should be aborted before moving across to the right and attempted later in the test.
The candidate should show proper care for the safety of other road users while pulling across to the right, reversing and moving off.
Should the candidate ask the examiner to assist when reversing or moving off to re-join their side of the road, they should be informed that the purpose of the test is to prove their competence to drive it without the help of a supervisor, and that they should carry out the exercise as if they were unaccompanied. 
The examiner must not get out of the vehicle to direct or assist the candidate.
If a vehicle pulls in front of the candidate prior to the completion of the exercise, the examiner should take control of the situation and advise the candidate to reverse back further to allow a clear view ahead. If a vehicle blocks the candidate from reversing, the manoeuvre should be aborted and a manoeuvre attempted later in the test. If this situation causes the candidates view to be severely restricted then the examiner should offer some assistance.
The manoeuvre ends once the candidate has stopped reversing and selected neutral.

The bit that I find illogical is the highlighted sentence. I understand and completely agree why it would be necessary for an examiner to intervene should a candidate go to move across to the right side of the road in an inappropriate location but why is that not marked as such?  When examiners intervene, generally speaking that demonstrates a skill gap with the candidate.  So if a pupil has chosen a dangerous place to pull over, there is therefore a need to further develop that skill is there not? 
I only raise this issue as I can see there is a degree of ambiguity here.  With the old 'turn in the road', and 'reverse around the corner' manoeuvres, the variable of where to do the manoeuvre was taken out of the hands of the candidate - they literally had no choice. The examiner controlled them by pulling them over to a stop before introducing the manoeuvre. But look what is happening now with the bay park compared to the new 'right reverse' as it is being referred as.  The bay park you have every good opportunity to slow to a standstill and gather your thoughts about risk before choosing a bay, but with the right reverse manoeuvre, the candidate could be travelling up to a maximum of 40 mph on a road with light to medium traffic flow.  Now that is a skill and it would appear, as per the DT1 a skill that is unreasonable to expect a candidate to achieve - which kind of begs the question why the examiner isn't taking more control of precisely where it occurs.

Where Can I Take My Driving Test?

Here at BIG TOM Driving School, we often get questions from customers relating to the driving test: how long does it take, what's the difference with the driving faults, what is the examiner like, how can I control my nerves?  Quite understandably there are many questions and anxieties expressed about the driving test.

This blog will take a look at a really important question that many a learner will ask:

                                      "Where can I take my driving test?"

The most direct answer to this question is literally anywhere you like!  More accurately, what it comes down to is which driving test centres you have near you.  Whilst you might expect them to all be roughly the same, there are a couple of points that make them differ.  Test date availability is one aspect; they do differ in their waiting times for tests - it varies from about 4 weeks up to 12+ weeks.  Another aspect is the pass rates.  Surprising as this may sound, the pass rates associated between driving test centres does differ across the UK.  The pass rates are freely available for public viewing via www.GOV.UK 

Another point to make when it comes to choosing where you intend to go to test is whether you feel strongly about knowing the area itself.  This tends to differ between pupils.  Some customers have strong desires to take their driving test in a certain location, and yet others are not so concerned.  If you think about it logically, by passing a driving test, you are in theory at least, opening up the prospect of driving anywhere in the UK, so from that point of view, where you take your driving test, should not be of major concern.  

On the BIG TOM 5 Day Intensive Driving Course, our customers are encouraged to drive in a variety of different locations, so at to expand their experience of differing driving conditions.  Driving between county boundaries is not unusual, clocking up 70+ miles in any one driving session on the course is also quite common.  For the vast majority of people, passing a driving test, gaining their full driving licence will inevitably open the door to driving around in towns and cities that they have previously never been - so it is quite sensible to gain the experience, when learning to drive of being able to cope on journeys that you are not familiar.

The only other factor that it would be worth checking out prior to choosing where you are going to go test, is the actual location of the test centre itself.  They do differ in size, the size of the car park, and even how busy it is near the test centre.  Whilst this may not be an over-riding issue for you, it is always a good idea to check things out before hand.

If this blog has been useful to you, consider clicking through to this blog here that talks about the difference of learning to drive on an intensive driving course versus the traditional pay as you go driving lessons.

The author, Tom Ingram is the Owner of BIG TOM Driving School that provides 5 Day Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough, Lincoln, Stamford, Grantham, Bourne, Spalding and Boston.  Call now on 0800 689 4174 

What Do I Need To Be Able To Do On My Driving Test?

This blog will attempt to provide some clarity to answer the question of what a driver needs to be able to do when driving around on their driving test in the UK.

There is often a fair amount of confusion and mixed messages about what an examiner exactly wants to see on the driving test - this is perfectly understandable.  Using one of the DVSA's own policy documents as the reference (DT1), I will provide below guidance to help answer this question.

A driver needs to demonstrate to the examiner that they can perform the following activities on the driving test competently, causing no danger and with consideration to others:

Start the engine and move off smoothly whether this be going ahead or when behind a parked car and doing this well on a flat road, uphill or downhill.

Accelerate to a speed which is appropriate whilst maintaining a straight course and changing gears.

Adjust the speed to maintain control of the vehicle whilst dealing with junctions, possibly in tight spaces.

Brake accurately to a stop when told to including for the emergency stop.

Perform either a reverse into a side road (left or right), turn the car around using the width of the road, parallel park or bay park. So you will be asked to perform one of those four options.

Pull the car over at a designated place.

While driving, to be aware of the position in the road, markings in the road, traffic signs and any potential or actual risks (this includes by making effective use of the mirrors).

Make at least 2 normal stops at the side of the road and move off.

Only to use authorised means in which to communicate with other road users.

React appropriately if and when actual risk situations occur.

Comply with the law, and personnel in authority.

Adjust road position and speed in line with conditions and the road.

Keep the right distance between vehicles.

Change lanes.

Pass parked, stationary vehicles or obstacles.

Approach, cross, turn left or right at junctions or to leave the carriageway.

If appropriate, pass oncoming vehicles in confined spaces, overtake, approach and cross level-crossings.


They are the requirements needed for the driving test, as outlined in a positive manner, as in, do this, do that.  Let me now give some practical examples of commonly seen situations that go against the criteria set above:


Emerging left or right into a road where in doing so, you create a road user already in the road to either stop, swerve or slow.

Performing a gear change when the car is moving that is not appropriate for the speed the car is travelling at.

Driving over or across road markings that is either illegal or directly affects other road users.

Not responding sufficiently to a hazardous situation, whether that be by not adjusting the speed to reflect the risk, or not creating enough space between the car and the hazard.  This often either causes other road users to react suddenly, or increases the likelihood of a collision/loss of control of the car.

Not complying with road signs eg directional, traffic lights, prohibitions such as no entry or no right turn, speed.

Failing to keep up with the traffic around, in other words, actually creating a hazard by driving too slowly.

Moving on to a roundabout which caused another road user to stop, swerve or slow.

Failing to make effective mirror checks prior to changing speed or direction, or to update yourself what is around you.

Fail to check all around when performing a reverse manoeuvre to ensure safety.

Make sudden positional changes in the road due to a lack of effective planning which causes another road user to stop, swerve or slow.

Crossing the path of another road user which directly affects them in a negative manner.


These are just a few examples of common errors that will tend to have pretty significant consequences to the outcome of the driving test.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and it also does not include the driving faults that although are less serious in nature, are committed with such frequency and consistency that the examiner cannot overlook them and provide a test pass.

I hope this is of assistance to you.     Like this?  Check out similar here 

Tom Ingram (Owner) of BIG TOM Driving School     5 Day Intensive Driving Courses in Lincoln, Peterborough, Spalding, Stamford, Boston and Grantham.  Call now! 0800 689 4174

Help! I keep failing driving tests!

Did you relate in some way to that last blog?  Could you feel the pain?  Failing driving tests costs serious money, it is super demoralising, and makes for stress city.  You agree with that?  If you had a choice you wouldn’t be where you are right now…. right?  But you are, so, what can you do about it?

I want to help you, and to start that process I need you to take the first step.  Go print off that last blog titled “I hate driving tests” (the link is in the first line of this blog).  You stand a much better chance of getting this monkey off your shoulders if you start by printing it off.  If you can’t print it off (no paper, no ink, no printer), please go and read it again, from top to bottom…. don’t 'speed read' it, absorb the emotions in it.

You probably can relate to some of the feelings, thoughts and emotions expressed in that blog.  I have observed on enough occasions now how this hurts to be on the receiving end of a driving test fail.  It rocks your faith, it makes you angry.  You question yourself, your driving instructor, the examiner, the test, the other drivers around you at the time of the test, the weather, the time of the test – in fact, anything and everything that you can possibly think of.  Think it through, cry, talk/shout at your friends about it, tweet about it, do what some others do and stick a video up about it on YouTube, just get that stage out of your system…. it’s important before you move on.

In the UK, anyone in possession of a provisional licence, a theory test pass and with access to an insured and suitable car, has the right to take the test when they want to.  There are great differences across the globe regarding learning to drive; the age you can start driving, the process of undertaking the training, the standard and frequency of the tests – for good or bad, it greatly differs.  As the law stands currently in the UK, a 17 year old, in possession of the theory test certificate, and no training whatsoever in how to drive a car, has the right to book up a driving test and assuming s/he has access to an insured car, take that test.  If on the other hand, they do not have access to a car for the purposes of the test, then they will be needing to contact a driving instructor who will at the very least, be keen to ensure that if they were to use their driving school car for the test, there is every good chance that the car and everyone in it will survive the experience.  I mention this, as it is often at the heart of the problem when people cannot pass the driving test. 

Imagine you are that person in the previous blog, here are a few questions to think about:

    1.        “Liking” the driving test.  Does anyone?  Some might be better at managing the situation than others, but does anyone actually like the experience of the driving test?  Is it correct to draw a comparison between the driving test and taking a school/college exam?  What are the differences?  Ultimately, what is the purpose of the driving test?

    2.       Mock tests.  Do your mock tests “feel” the same as the driving test?  Are you passing the mock tests?  How important is the mock test in helping you prepare for what is coming in the driving test?  What benefit (if any) do you get from taking a mock test?  Would it be an idea to skip taking mock tests, or perhaps just simply ignore the results of the mock tests?

    3.       Examiners.  Why do they act and talk the way they do on the driving test?  What training does an Examiner undertake to do their job?  Is there such thing as a “good” or “bad” examiner?  If they make a mistake doing their job, what are the consequences?

    4.       Preparing for the test.  What things are you in control of, and what things are you not in control of before you take the driving test?  What are some of the typical signs from other drivers when they are actually affected by your driving?  In a nutshell, regardless of the driving test, what must you be able to demonstrate to show you can drive on public roads?

    5.       The test.  Are the results of the driving tests so far, in any way different to what you have experienced on your driving lessons?  If you are confused about how you are still failing driving tests, what options do you have available to get some clarity on that?

It is very common in these situations of continually failing tests, to withdraw, close up shop, put the shutters down, and retreat somewhere quiet.  When in fact, this is the time right now, to do exactly the opposite.  It is NOT the time to book another test, not at all.  Instead, analyse why this is happening.  You can’t resolve this by throwing money at it with repeated driving tests, it requires a different solution than that, it needs you to analyse where is your weakness.  There are professionals like myself, who actually like this kind of work, have experience in turning these situations around, and actually enjoy the challenge.  You do not necessarily need to be paying for their services, but if you are not getting your issue resolved, think differently about it, don’t just book up another driving test, as that is a recipe for you to keep failing driving tests!

P.S.  Quick question.  Did you print off the last blog?  The answer to that question will be a measure of how prepared YOU are to resolve this problem that you are in.  It was a small request.... "I want to help you, and to start that process I need you to take the first step".  Although a small request, it was definite enough to be a measure of how prepared YOU are to help yourself.  All the best!

Big Tom Driving School   Intensive driving course in Peterborough, Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Stamford and Boston 0800 689 4174

I hate driving tests

I hate driving tests.  Any kind of test really stinks.  I remember very well that feeling of loneliness and complete despair when I would read a question in a school exam and not have a clue what the answer was – that really is a horrible place to be.  But this driving test business is something else.  Why do they make people go through this process?  Doesn’t seem right to me.  I don’t even like these make believe tests they do at work, all those faces watching me, or listening in to my calls with customers, it is so intimidating.  Is this all designed to be “character building”?  “Character demolishing” more like.

I did a few mock tests with my driving instructor – boy he takes it so seriously, “get a life you saddo!”.  I’m pretty sure he just loves sitting there watching me mess up.  And I pay him to do that!  How stupid am I?  I never felt brilliant after the mocks, there was always something that he would have to nit pick about – where I was looking on one of those stupid manoover things (is that how you spell it?), or leaving my signal on, or my speed, it was never ever completely right.  But I got fed up with them in the end.  I’d rather pay the money and do the real test, even if I fail right?  I did think about changing instructor again, but I couldn’t be asked to have to listen to yet another one’s endless life story, I’m fed up with driving instructors.

So, I didn’t sleep well last night.  Just like the night before my other driving tests…. my heart is going so fast, I can’t fall asleep.  All I’m thinking about is what the examiner is going to be like.  When I do finally fall asleep the alarm goes off.  I didn’t know what to wear this morning (again).  Every time I’ve gone down there, I see some of them are wearing really scruffy stuff, and that’s just the instructors! LOL! It’s difficult to know what to wear really.  My friend said she wore something revealing to please the examiner, and ended up with a female examiner!  Whoops!

Couldn’t eat breakfast.  Texted my best friend, she’s the only one who knows about this one.  Told my work I’ve got a dentist appointment.  My instructor texted me to remind me to bring both bits of the driving licence, yea, like I’m gonna forget that aren’t I?

And then it was the same old stuff again.  Instructor turns up, I’m embarrassed because my fingers are shaking, even my left leg wobbles, why does it do that?!  I pay him (again), what a rip off.  I then try and drive, but keep stalling, or I forget to put the clutch down when I change gear, and the stupid thing wont go in gear (he keeps telling me not to do automatics, but I think it would be so much easier).  This stupid lady this morning even bibbed me from behind because I didn’t turn left quick enough for her.  I hate it when they do that, everyone is so impatient these days, they have no respect for us learners.

I made sure I had a smoke this time though, outside the test place.  I think it did actually help my nerves, but I forgot to put the mints in my bag…. embarrassing.

Could not believe how quiet it was today.  I was really lucky, I think the mid-morning test is a good time, or I might just have been lucky.  Had a lady this time, she was really nice, kept saying “my lovely”, she sounded like my Mum!  But she still failed me.  I made someone slow down too much because I didn’t know I was in a 50.  Is that my fault?  Council should put more stupid signs up.  She didn’t mention about my stall, I knew I’d failed it after that stall.

I’m not sure I can do this much longer.  It doesn’t do my health any good, sometimes my heart goes so fast when I’m driving, I feel a bit dizzy.  That can’t be right can it?  So I suppose I’ve got to fork out another £100 now for another go…. it’s too expensive, I can’t afford to keep on failing.  I haven’t cried so much this time.  I never do in front of my instructor, but I haven’t cried that much at home this time either – I’m feeling more lonely and sad than want to cry.  I don’t know.  I think this testing business is stupid, my Mum said she passed first time after 8 lessons……WHAT?!

I see all these photos on Facebook with people holding up there pass, and it just makes me feel inadequate.  What is it about me that means I can’t pass the test?  Is it because whenever I take it, they need to have more fails to even up the pass rate?  The whole thing is just so unfair.  My best friend has told me to just book up another test as soon as they will let me – that’s another thing that annoys me, why can’t I just re-book a test straight away?  Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!  The whole thing is stupid! 

I hate driving tests.

Anon

BIG TOM Driving School   Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough, Stamford, Spalding, Boston, Sleaford, and Grantham.

Driving through a red traffic light on the driving test in Grantham by Tom of Big Tom Driving School

Driving through a red traffic light on a driving test in Grantham - not a great prospect?  But what if the examiner tells you to?

Recently, a pupil on an Intensive Driving Course in Grantham asked me what is the correct course of action to take if he is stopped at a red light, and blocking an emergency vehicle from passing through on a call. What a great question.  We talked about how the law interprets it, how technology is used in some towns/cities to enforce the law, we talked about the moral implications, and we spoke of who is allowed to order you through a red traffic light and in what circumstances.

All very good, interesting stuff.

I put up a scenario based on this conversation for others to consider what they would do in this situation on my social links, and on a driving test in Grantham just this morning, exactly that scenario actually occurred.

The really interesting thing about this though, is that the person who initially asked me the question, is the same person who was on test this morning!  How good is that?!

If that doesn't encourage anyone monitoring to ask questions on their driving lessons with me in Grantham, you have to wonder what would?

You are not permitted to drive through a red light for an emergency vehicle UNLESS a Police Officer in uniform actually directs you to go through it - physically, in the act of controlling traffic waves you through the stop line.

Worth knowing, because in a court of law, should you go through the red light having not been directed through, thereby causing an accident and then attempting to offer this situation as some kind of defence to your actions, it is not an actual defence.

In reality, for practical purposes.  You would like to think that the Police Officer driving the vehicle on an emergency call, will recognise the fact that a member of public is not permitted to drive through the red light, and turn off the blue lights, the siren and sit there and wait for the lights to go green.  If not, then the poor member of public who is waiting at the red light, feels under an awful lot of pressure to move but is being held on a red light - not a good combination.

What happened on the driving test in Grantham this morning was that the examiner without saying a word, having seen the Police car behind, pointed with his right hand over to the left side of the road.  My chap (the driver on test) saw this, and was able to move the car over to the left WITHOUT actually going over the STOP line.  Phew!  A tricky situation where the old saying "knowledge is power" certainly comes into play!


BIG TOM Driving School  Intensive Driving Course in Grantham 01476 850 050

How to get driving test cancellation slots by BIG TOM Driving School

This short blog is going to tell you what options are available to you to get a driving test date that is perfectly aligned to your needs.  This is achieved by making use of driving test cancellation slots. Here at BIG TOM Driving School we deal with this every single day for our customers doing our popular Intensive Driving Course (0800 689 4174). 

Every day there are literally thousands of cancellations going through for one reason or another on previously booked driving tests.  When the cancellation is processed, that slot is then available to be used.  Getting to know when these driving test cancellation slots crop up is key.

You have 3 options.  The first 2 options involve connecting up with the booking service, you can do it on line or on the phone using this link   Going on line has the advantage of you being able to temporarily 'reserve' a slot that crops up for 15 mins, which is long enough to check with your Driving Instructor if s/he can make that new time/date.  Persevere, persevere, persevere.

The 3rd option is to use a company that does nothing else but this; and there are many of them on the market.  You make the original test booking, and then provide them with the details of that booking and the date that you would actually prefer, and they get on and find you one.  The benefit to you is that you do not have to spend the time on the phone or on line.  The downside to you, is that if they find a cancellation slot, it could come through at any time, and who is to say that you even notice it come through on your mobile?  You may be busy. You may not be able to instantly get through to your busy driving instructor.

So there you have it.  The first 2 options are free, but will take some patience, persistence and ultimately time to get the result you want.  The third option comes with a fee, but you have no control when they contact you.  

For BIG TOM customers on our Intensive Driving Course, we provide a fabulous service that truly allows you to sit back and relax.  We do EVERYTHING for you.  We will know your commitments, we know our commitments, when we find a cancellation we will check it works for everyone, and then inform you of the good news.  It really is a fabulous service that our customers constantly tell us is greatly valued.  You will see from this update here, that because this IS our business, we make it our business to keep completely up to date with what is happening with driving test cancellations slots and driving test waiting times.  It is a comprehensive service that we provide, and it is one we are very proud to offer to our valued customers.

Hope this blog is helpful to you, any questions, ask away.

BIG TOM Driving School   Intensive Driving Course in Peterborough, Lincoln, Stamford, Spalding, Boston, Sleaford and Grantham  0800 689 4174

How to plan to pass the driving test

Intensive Driving Course in Peterborough or Grantham

I attended a Grammar school this week to talk about the DofE Award (Duke of Edinburgh), and I realised just how important these ‘life skills’ are.  Not just in terms of learning new skills, with groups of like minded people, and being given the opportunity to apply these skills in far from home locations, but also, and possibly more importantly, to get used to the idea of planning goals, keeping motivated, conquering fear, acknowledging progress, combating anxieties, overcoming self-doubt, persevering after failure and eventually achieving, being successful.... experiencing the taste of success after effort.   It is a wonderful opportunity for mid-late teenagers in schools to begin applying themselves to achieve an end goal – the positive outcomes of this “process” are far too numerous for me to list in this blog.

I see striking similarities with the “process” of learning to drive.  There are plenty of hurdles to jump over to gain this life skill too.  And my few words of advice are to recognise the size of the task ahead and plan for it with attention to detail.  It will require resilience to overcome knock backs, willingness to dig deep and recognise weaknesses and train well. 

In short, learning to drive can’t be ‘bought’ for someone, like we go and buy an Xbox game.

It is a very personal experience, the training is 1:1, there are many different subjects to cover, and everyone has their unique elements they like and dislike.  The real key to success, and to make passing the driving test a reality, is in the planning.  Can you imagine turning up to an expedition in some remote location, late, without adequate clothing, no route planned, and no equipment?  It is not going to happen is it?  These are not the ingredients to success!

So a convenient checklist to help you on your way to planning how to learn to drive (I’m spoiling you now!), here we go:

Set goals, such as:

       When do you want/need to pass the theory and practical tests

       Where do you want to take the driving test

       How much does it cost to train, how long, and who provides good training

       What can you do BEFORE the training to give you a head start

       What time do you have available in your diary to train and practise

       How are you able to practise/study in addition to the training sessions

       What are your preferences for learning, can they be included

You get the picture?  Answer those types of question and you are on your way to planning how to drive.  Ignore these questions and you are on your way to a very prolonged, frustrating and expensive process.  If you had a choice which would you prefer?

The really good news is I’m more than happy to assist in this planning.  I regularly provide help and support to my customers on THIS very subject before they have even placed a deposit on my Intensive Driving Course.  The reason?  Because it is ESSENTIAL to success, which is what we all want!

If you like this, and want to hear more, I have 3 golden tips for getting the most out of your driving lessons.  Text "3 tips" to 07894 262 718 NOW and start planning for success TODAY!

www.BigTom.org.uk/home/

13 Things You Probably Don't Know About The Drivers Test

Here are 13 facts about the driving test* that most Learners that I talk to on driving lessons are not aware of:


1.  You never get asked to pull over on the right side of the road (likewise, the reverse parallel park manoeuvre is only ever done on the left side of the road).

2.  You can have the radio on quietly if you want.

3.  It is not intended to be a test undertaken in silence, nowhere does it say "no talking".

4.  The bay park manoeuvre for the test is always done by reversing, however, if you had one of the other manoeuvres on your test, then you will only be asked to drive forward into a bay back at the Test Centre.

5.  As unlikely as it is, you COULD be asked to perform a right reverse around the corner.

6.  You will be asked to pull over about 6 times at various stages of the test.

7.  You can have any person aged over 16 observe your test in the back seat.

8.  Making a directional mistake on the 10 minute 'Independent Drive' section need not cause a test fail.

9.  You do not have to use a driving school vehicle for the test.

10.  It is possible to fail your driving test by repeatedly driving too slow for the conditions.

11.  For the reverse parallel park manoeuvre you often park up behind one vehicle, not between 2 vehicles.

12.  It is not the responsibility of the examiner to supervise your driving, only assess it.

13.  There is no credible evidence to suggest that there is a set quota of pass/fails from the DSA examiners per week. 

* relevant to car practical tests undertaken at Peterborough Test Centre, Cambs.