Driving lessons resuming from 4th July – Be quick to miss the waiting list!
We do have some spaces left so fill out the enquiry form and let’s get you booked in asap!
How to book a driving lesson?
123 Driving School
You will need to fill in our contact form below, its a bit larger than normal as we are dealing with a larger demand and trying to fit as many people in as safely possible. Please fill in the form below with as much information as possible so we can get you booked in asap, please note we are following all government guidelines on covid safety for your lessons (see below):
What we are doing to keep you safe.
driving lessons starting back following DVSA and government guidelines
We are following all the government, DVSA and DIA guidelines to keep you safe. You will be given the full breakdown and information directly from your instructor, you can find the guidance here and the main pointer to take notice of are:
face masks/ coverings are to be used by both instructor and learner
car to be sanitised between each lesson
hand sanitiser to be used on entry and exit of the car
briefings/learning points to be done outside the car when possible
windows to be open and air con off when possible
all instructor to carry out full health and safety risk assessments
all learners to be text prior to the lesson to check they don’t have any COVID symptoms.
Full information will be given to you by your driving instructor. if you have any questions or worries please don’t hesitate to call us.
Chris RichardsDriving Lessons Restarting to all from 4th July COVID-19
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 April 28th 2020
If you are a key worker and need to drive you can still have lessons and test…
Main Update – 28th April
DVSA have now stated that you need to be ready and available for a short notice test when you book your test. They have also changed how you book your practical driving test. Its no longer via email but online. Have a read of our *UPDATED* post below for full information.
How to book a driving lesson?
You will need to fill in our contact form and state why you are a key worker. You now don’t need a test booked. We can advise you when to book your test after we have assessed your driving and worked our when you will be ready to book your test. 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 – Available NOW
You can ask the DVSA for an emergency test if you’re classed as a ‘critical worker’.
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 critical/key worker
We are now taking bookings for when we are back – book/ reserve YOUR space now so you are ahead of the queue!
We are having lots of enquiries, make sure you don’t get stuck waiting after everyone else has booked their places, book now to avoid long waits and disappointment 🙂
We are already taking booking for:
Driving Lessons
Intensive driving courses
refresher driving courses
So fill out the form below and get on the waiting list now 🙂
Use this form to book onto our waiting list, just put waiting list in the message 🙂
If you dont fall into one of the categories 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 be offering some great incentives/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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
