Blog Post

Driving Lessons Available to Key Workers – COVID-19

30th March 2020 Chris Richards , No comments

Driving Lessons are Available to KEY WORKERS now! – COVID-19

IF you are a key worker, you can still have driving lessons and a test – UPDATED MARCH 30th 2020 

If you are a key worker and need to drive you can stil have lessons and test…

 How to book a driving lesson?

You will need to fill in our contact form and state why you are a key worker. You will also have to apply for a driving test and be on the waiting list or have a test date booked in order to have lessons. Fill in the form below:

 How to book a critial/key worker driving test?

critical / key worker driving lessons

Critical / Key worker driving lessons – Available NOW

You can ask the DVSA for an emergency test if you’re classed as a ‘critical worker’.

Find out how to apply at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#book-an-emergency-test-if-youre-a-critical-worker

How to protect youself and other – COVID-19

You can find out how to protect yourself from COVID-19 or check if you need medical on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Driving lessons and test safety guidance

statement from NASP (National Associations Strategic Partnership) which comprises the ADINJC, DIA and MSA GB 23.3.2020

At an extremely difficult and worrying time for us all, taking into account the Government public health advice regarding social distancing and trying to control and delay the spread of the COVID-19 virus, NASP would urge all instructors to stop delivering driving lessons, if you have not already done so, with the exception of teaching key workers where necessary. This should be until the end of April and then we can then all review the situation again.

Lynne Barrie on behalf of NASP as the current chair

If you do deem it necessary to continue supplying driver or rider training (to key workers etc), please see our guidance below.

Call your pupils ahead of each lesson (even if you have seen them within the last couple of days).

  • Ask them if they have any symptoms.
  • Ask them if anyone they know, or have been in contact with, is showing symptoms.
  • Ask them if they, or if anyone they have been in contact with, has travelled from a high-risk, infectious region.

If a parent or anyone else comes along on the lesson, you will need to go through this with them too (or jointly).

Explain to them that you need to take a few extra precautionary measures during their lesson to keep them, and everyone safe.

Ask them:

  • To wash their hands or use sanitiser gel just prior to getting into the car.
  • To cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing – so a sleeve or tissue, not their hands.

Tell them:

  • You’ll keep a window open for ventilation.

You also have some other housekeeping to do in order to help protect yourself and your client:

Before the client enters the vehicle, ensure that you have wiped over the following contact points:

Door handles (inside and out), window controls, seat adjusters, steering wheel and steering wheel height adjuster, parking brake, gear lever, indicator and wiper stalks and light controls with alcohol-based gel at the beginning and end of each training session. This would be good practise.

If you are unable to get the alcohol gel, then a bottle containing disinfectant, mixed with antibacterial soap and water and wiped over with kitchen paper and then dried with a separate sheet of kitchen paper would do. Ensure to discard the paper in the bin each time.

If your not a critial / key worker

If you dont fall into one fo the catogories above, then you can still book your lessons but we will not be able to teach you until the guidance from the government is changed. We will however, be offering some great insentives / offers / bonuses to people who book now to have lessons when we are back up and running.

Stay safe everyone and see you on the other side.

Chris RichardsDriving Lessons Available to Key Workers – COVID-19
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Move off Safely to pass your driving test – tip 6

Move off Safely to pass your driving test – tip 6

26th November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

Check its safe to set off to pass your driving test

POM – Prepare, Observe, Move

Is it safe to set off?

 According to the DVSA, the number 5 reason marked for a failure on the test sheets is Moving off safely.

What does the DVSA say about Moving off Safely?

The DVSA every year produce a list of the top 10 fails recorded on the marking sheets. For the Past 13 years, one of the main reasons why people fail is – Move off Safely.  This year its at no5 and fluctute form no 6 to no 4 over the years.  The DVSA DT1 tells examiners to:

The examiner should observe whether the candidate first sees to the front, then to the rear, that the way is clear for pulling out, gives the appropriate signal if necessary, and moves away smoothly and safely. Wherever possible, ability to move off on a reasonably steep uphill gradient should be tested.

A candidate starting on a gradient should be capable of paying attention to other traffic as well as moving their vehicle away without rollback and/ or excessive engine revolutions. If stopping on a hill is not possible an additional designated stop must be conducted. The test must always include moving off at an angle from behind a stationary vehicle.

The examiner is looking for you to take effective observations and ensure its safe to go. We use the acronym POM – Prepare, Observe, Move. This allows you to get ready to go with you bite set, check its safe with effective observations, then set off. Its the method to set off with the least Risk as you are ready to go and then once its safe you set off.

Why do you need to make sure its safe to move off?

You need to always know what’s around you in order to be able to make the correct decisions. If you cant see the risks on the road then you can’t plan or prepare for them. Benjamin Franklin’s quote ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail‘ is a great thing to remember when driving.

REMEMBER POM – Prepare, Observe then Move if its safe.

 

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsMove off Safely to pass your driving test – tip 6
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Turn Right safely at Junctions pass your driving test – tip 5

Turn Right safely at Junctions pass your driving test – tip 5

25th November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

Turn right safely at junctions to pass your driving test

MS M-PSG L-LADA!

Is it ok to turn right at junctions?

 According to the DVSA, one of the main reasons people fail a driving test is that they dont turn Right at junctions safely.

What does the DVSA say about Junctions (turning right)?

The DVSA every year produce a list of the top 10 fails recorded on the marking sheets. For the Past 13 years, one of the main reasons why people fail is – Junctions (Turning right).  The DVSA DT1 tells examiners to:

Assess a candidates Junctions, Turning right for: Late or incorrect positioning before turning right, including failing to move forward into the correct position to turn right at traffic lights

The examiner is looking for you use a routine that allows you asses the road ahead safely and perform the correct manouve / positionsing for that manouver. We use the acronym MSM – Mirrors, Signal, Manouver, with MANOUVER splitting into Positions, Speed, Gear, Look and LOOK splitting into LADA – Look, Assess Decide Act. This allows you to get organised and gives you chance to asses what to do in a sytamic way.

Why do you need to know about /do at Junctions (turning right)?

We find that its often incorrect positioning at traffic lights when waiting to rurn right, incorrect use of yellow box junctions or not using filter lanes/ hash markings correctly. You need to know how to apply the highway code to your driving. Most learners havent even read the highway code! Make sure you do to pass and drive safe for life.

You can even read the highway code for free online here. Another top tip is to use a screen reader to read it to you if you dont like reading!

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsTurn Right safely at Junctions pass your driving test – tip 5
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Steer your car safely to pass your driving test – tip 4

Steer your car safely to pass your driving test – tip 4

23rd November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

Steer safely to pass your driving test

Control you car and Steer Safely to pass your driving test

Control your car and Steer safely?

 According to the DVSA, one of the top ten reasons marked for a failure on the test sheets is Control (steering).

What does the DVSA say about Control (steering)?

The DVSA every year produce a list of the top 10 fails recorded on the marking sheets. For the Past 13 years, one of the main reasons why people fail is not steering safely.  The DVSA DT1 tells examiners to:

Asess their Steering: erratic steering, overshooting the correct turning point when turning right or left, both hands off steering wheel or hitting the kerb.

Steering:

To ensure uniformity, when conducting car or vocational tests and ADI qualifying examinations, only assess the candidate’s ability to control the vehicle and do not consider it as a fault if, for example, they do not hold the steering wheel at ten to two or quarter to three or if they cross their hands when turning the steering wheel. The assessment should be based on whether the steering is smooth, safe and under control.

The examiner is looking for you to control the car in a smooth, safe and controlled mannor. Its not the technique of steering they are looking for but the accuracy of the steering.

Why do you need to make sure your steering is safe and acurate?

You need to be able to keep your car, its ocupants and other road users safe. One of the basics of this is to be able to control the car, keep in your lane and avoid any loss in control. Often students go wide or are lazy and ahve the excuse “no-one was their”. Dont be lazy be safe and risk free!

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsSteer your car safely to pass your driving test – tip 4
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Check before you change direction to pass your driving test – tip 3

Check before you change direction to pass your driving test – tip 3

20th November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

top tips to pass your driving test - move off safely

MSM – Mirrors, Signal then Maneuver!

Is it safe to set off?

 According to the DVSA, one of the top ten reasons marked for a failure on the test sheets is Mirrors – (change direction).

What does the DVSA say about Mirrors?

The DVSA every year produce a list of the top 10 fails recorded on the marking sheets. For the Past 13 years, one of the main reasons why people fail is not Checking the mirrors before changing direction.  The DVSA DT1 tells examiners to:

While in traffic, the candidate must observe (including the use of rear-view mirrors) road markings, signs and react appropriately to potential or actual risks.

When assess Use of mirror(s):

Failure to make effective use of the mirrors well before:

    • signalling
    • changing direction
    • changing speed

.

The examiner is looking for you to take effective observations and ensure its safe to change position. We use the acronym MSM – Mirrors, Signal then Manouver. This allows you to check whats around you, then decide what or if a signal would be of benifit to anyone and them contuniue the manouver you thought about carrying out.

Why do you need to make sure it’s safe to change position?

You need to always know what’s around you in order to be able to make the correct decisions. If you cant see the risks on the road then you can’t plan or prepare for them. Benjamin Franklin’s quote ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail‘ is a great thing to remember when driving.

REMEMBER MSM – Mirrors, Signal, Manouver.

 

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsCheck before you change direction to pass your driving test – tip 3
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Mirrors to pass your driving test – tip 2

Mirrors to pass your driving test – tip 2

18th November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

Top tips to help you pass your driving test - mirrors

You need to Check you MIRRORS!

 According to the DVSA, the number 1 reason marked for a failure on the test sheets is Junctions (observation).

What does the DVSA say about checking mirrors and observations at junctions?

The DVSA every year produce a list of the top 10 fails recorded on the marking sheets. For the Past 13 years! the main reason has been – Junctions (observation).  The DVSA DT1 tells examiners to:

The examiner should observe whether the candidate has the vehicle under proper control and in the appropriate gear, takes account of the type of junction, road signs and following traffic, gives any necessary and appropriate signals in good time, and keeps the vehicle correctly positioned throughout. The examiner should also note whether the candidate takes adequate and effective observation before entering the intersection, and that they do so with due regard for other road users.

The route should still include some urban roads which will allow the examiner to observe the candidate’s reaction to crossing intersections during general driving. A driver who is over-cautious at a main road may act differently at a junction of less important roads.

The examiner is looking for you to take effective observations on approach to the junctions, when emerging from a junction and then make more observations when progressing away form the junction. – Thats a lot of observations! One of the reasons why its so commonly marked as a fail on the driving test.

Why do you need to Check your Mirrors on approach to junctions to pass your test?

Quite simply, you need to always know what’s around you in order to be able to make the correct decisions. If you cant see the risks on the road then you can’t plan or prepare for them. Benjamin Franklin’s quote ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail‘ is a grat thing to remmerb when driving. – Always know what is around you especial at or near junctions as Junctions are a big area of risk when driving.

A good drive will always know whats around them at all times.

 

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsMirrors to pass your driving test – tip 2
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Be Confident to pass your driving test – tip 1

Be Confident to pass your driving test – tip 1

16th November 2019 Chris Richards , No comments

Top 123 Tips to Pass your Driving test First time

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our 123 top tips to pass your driving test.

top tips to pass your driving test

Confidence

You need to have CONFIDENCE!

 The main reason people fail a test is due to not being confident.

Why do you need to be confident to pass your test?

We find that you need to be confident to pass your test. The main reason for this is that if you are unsure about anything, it will lead to doubt, worry and hessitancy on a test! When the pressure is on to pass a driving test, you need to know what you are doing is the correct thing for that situation. If you have any doubts, then you will get flustered over think the situationand then end up hesitating and then usually you then rush the next bit. Often, either of the option you were thinking about could have been ok, but as you hesitated then now you can t do any and you are stuck in “no mans land”!

Confident / lack of confidence driving test example.

Emagine you are on a driving test, driving down the road towards a meeting situation, you think about going past parked cars but you hesitate, now your road positon is not showing what you are doing, the car comming from the other direction doest know your intentions and just at the last minute, you pull out past the parked car forcing the car form the opposite direction to change his actions and you caused unessary risk! If you were confident that you could get thought the gap and you had enought time/space for it to be safe and you positioned early and maintained a safe speed, you could have got thought the gap with no risk. Also if you had slowed down early, and positioned in a “holding back” position, you could have timed it to let the car form the opposite way get thought the gap and then preceded to go after him. Either of the above example would have been fine but if you werent confident, you delayed making the approproite action and thefore ended up partly going, partly showing you were stoping and the risk involed made it a major fault on a driving test! Moral of the story is to be prepared, be confident and if you are not confident have an extra lesson or two to get you to be confident and pass your driving test with ease 🙂

If you have any thoughts or comments on this post, we would love to hear your opinions or views. Just leave us a comment below.

Chris RichardsBe Confident to pass your driving test – tip 1
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july special offer for driving lessons in Lancaster with Luchmie

july special offer for driving lessons in Lancaster with Luchmie

3rd July 2019 Chris Richards 4 comments

July Special Offer for Driving Lessons in Lancaster with Luchmie

JULY OFFER – Save £25 on your first driving lesson in Lancaster.

Call for our latest offers in your area

Call for our latest offers in LANCASTER today!

Book your driving lessons in Lancaster this July and save £25 on your first 2-hour driving lesson with Luchmie in the Lancaster area.

About Luchmie – Driving Instructor

Luchmie teaches people to drive in Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham in her Red Fiesta. She has a great wealth of experience.

Luchmine - Learn to drive in Sale with Luchmie

Learn to drive in Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham with Luchmie

Luchmie is a Fully Qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (car). She is passionate about road safety and teaching people to drive to the best of their ability. When you learn to drive with Luchmie, she will show you all the best driving routes and areas to learn to drive in. Your lessons will be fun, educational and effective.

Book your initial offer driving lesson with Luchmie now!

This offer is for any learner driver wanting to book driving lessons in July. The offer will expire on 31st July 2019 and is only available to be used once. This is your first 2 hours for only £30! Hurry while Luchmie still has spaces available, Just check out her availability below or give us a call to book your driving lesson call 01524 574 123

Chris Richardsjuly special offer for driving lessons in Lancaster with Luchmie
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Show me – Tell me questions

20th April 2019 Chris Richards , , No comments

Car 2019 Show me & Tell me Questions

As a trusted driving school we get lots of questions asked about learning to drive etc. So we have decided to create blogs for all the FAQ’s about learning to drive. This blog post is part of our Frequently Asked Questions on learning to drive.

On your UK Driving Test, you will be asked two Questions (safety questions). One will be at the beginning of your test (‘Tell ME’) and one when you are driving on your test (‘Show Me”).

It’s advisable to make sure you fully understand the answers and questions as these are not only necessary for your driving test, but they are often needed to ensure your car is safe before you drive it!!

When are you Asked the safety questions on your test?

You will be asked to answer one ‘Tell Me” question on your car driving test at the beginning of your test.

You will be asked to answer one ‘Show Me” question on your car driving test while you are driving on the test route.

When you start your test, the examiner greets you and you sign the declaration form. You will then walk outside, read a number plate and then usually on the way to the car you will be asked the “tell me” question (sometimes you are asked this question once you are both in the car).

The “Show Me” question will be asked by the driving examiner at some point during your test. Dont worry they won’t try to trick you. They will ask you by stating “When its safe please show me how you…”. So dont worry if you are about to go around a corner or you suddenly can’t remember how to do it. Just wait till you are on a quite straight road and then operate the control you need to. If you struggle then glance at it and then do it.

Do I fail if I get a question wrong?

NO, As long as the show me questions was done safely even if it was answered wrongly!

BUT! You can fail if you commit a Serious or Dangerous fault while demonstrating the controls.

If you answer One or both questions incorrectly, it will be recorded as a driving fault (use to be called a minor fault). You are not required to have an in-depth knowledge of the questions / answered. You just need to know how to check and/or operate the controls safely.

A serious or dangerous fault Could be one of the following:

Whilst demonstrating the ‘show me’ question on the move, you look down at the controls and the car drifts towards the other lane – You have committed a Major fault, which would be a fail on the test.

If during the ‘tell me’ question, you start the car to demonstrate (You dont have to start the car for any ‘tell me’ questions – just explain) the answer and inadvertently starts the car up in gear, the Examiner may have to take action to stop the car hitting another car, then you would have committed a serious/dangerous fault.

usefull LINKS

Chris RichardsShow me – Tell me questions
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Food to help you enjoy your trip to Blackpool

7th May 2018 Heather Trimnell No comments

Discover great places to eat so you can make the most of your trip to Blackpool.

Boonnak Thai Restaurant

A fabulous, charming little find, a real hidden gem. Friendly traditional welcome from the staff and great service. Pleasant atmosphere and spotlessly clean, bright and spacious. Even the cleanliness of restrooms deserves a mention. The truly authentic food is delicious, fresh, beautifully presented and very good value.The early bird menu is particularly good value. There is a wide range of fish and seafood dishes for those that don’t eat meat and a good choice of tasty, vegetarian and vegan dishes.

West Coast Rock Cafe

Amazing atmosphere, amazing music, amazing food, amazing drinks. Superb food, right on time, hot and at a great price. Great with kids, well looked after with a play area for them. Attentive, friendly, helpful and polite staff. A lovely cafe that is clean and tidy. Although very heavily meat orientated there is a choice of vegetarian options.McHalls Bistro

McHalls Bistro

Friendly, down to earth, service and atmosphere, and high-quality cuisine worthy of a fine dining restaurant. The food is beautifully and expertly prepared, cooked and presented and is extremely tasty.  The menu choices are plentiful and inviting, a perfect selection in all three courses. There is also a good selection of beers, wines and spirits all reasonably priced. The Bistro itself has a lovely ambience, cosy with a lovely, personal, homely feel. It is an amazing place, spotlessly clean and tidy. Highly recommended.

Ambrosini’s

Amazing, incredible food, so fresh and delicious, proper Italian food. The front of house staff are delightful, warm and friendly yet professional and courteous, they really look after you. A great place, a real diamond find, it is only small, seating 15-20 people, but the staff are really accommodating and flexible when fitting in party bookings.

Hauze Restaurant

A great little find. Lovely, fantastic customer service, friendly and attentive making you feel really welcome. If you’re looking for something different this Latvian Russian fusion menu will not disappoint, vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options are also available. The food is delicious, consistently high standard and all reasonably priced. The restaurant is nicely laid out and caters for couples or large groups with a great atmosphere, soft lighting and lovely background music, really inviting.

Montagues

An independent neighbourhood restaurant & bar, offering a small, considered menu that is cooked from scratch using well-sourced, local ingredients. Open every day for breakfast and lunch, open evenings Thursdays to Sundays. A lovely, friendly little Bistro, warm and welcoming, staff very friendly and attentive. Gorgeous food.

Othello’s Greek

If you love Greek food you must visit this restaurant. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the service is very efficient. All food is authentic Greek, excellent, delicious and of the highest standard and very reasonably priced. The restaurant is exceptionally clean and there is a lovely atmosphere. Certainly worth a visit.

Ziggy’s Cafe Bar

This is a lovely little David Bowie-themed cafe just at the back of the town centre which serves really good quality and innovative food at reasonable prices. A friendly welcome, quality drinks including alcohol, good food, sensible prices. Great for delicious homemade cakes, afternoon tea or just a drink and a light snack. There are lots of choices and the servings are large, freshly cooked and great value for money. Nice clean cafe with a great atmosphere.

These are just a few of the numerous and varied places to eat in Blackpool. From fast food outlets and teashops to fine dining, there’s something to suit all tastes, budgets and requirements.

Other things to look at or do in Blackpool:

Heather TrimnellFood to help you enjoy your trip to Blackpool
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