The Driving School with a Difference…

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.

More information from the Department for Transport website

The dangers of snow and ice in the winter are obvious as is the need to take extra care, but what about the autumn?

There are a number of things to conside this time of year which can make driving really tricky, so here are a few hints and tips.

Low sun

The sun is still  bright and can be really dazzling when setting. Keep your screen clear and clean inside and out, use the car’s visor and keep sunglasses handy.

Puddles and lying water

Sudden heavy rain can leave puddles in unexpected places. Fallen leaves easily block drains preventing water draining away. Driving in to deep water too quickly can easily lead to loss of control. Potholes can be hidden by innocent looking puddles so avoid them if safe to do so, or go through very slowly.

Leaves on the road

It’s just a fact of life, autumn means lots of fallen leaves! They can obscure road markings, make the verges and kerbs hard to define and make braking more hazardous as they form a slippery layer on the road when wet. If there are trees, there will be leaves, so take more care on tree lined roads.

Wind

Autumn (and spring) can have sudden variations in the weather, storms and high winds appearing suddenly. It’s not only the obvious vulnerable road users (high sided vans and trucks, caravans, bikes) that may veer from side to side in high winds, ordinary cars can be caught by sudden gusts. When you overtake something slow and large in windy conditions, you may experience strong side-force from the wind when you emerge from the shelter of the large vehicle. Open roads, bridges and exposed motorways need especial care in these conditions.

Verges

Solid dry verges in the summer can turn to soft wet areas in the autumn. On rural roads especially verges can also have gulleys cut to run water off the road, and driving into one of those can easily get your car stuck or even damaged.

Whether it’s your first autumn on the road or you are an experienced driver, remember to observe thoroughly, plan ahead and take account of the changing road conditions.

New laws to tackle uninsured driving will be enforced from today.

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law it’s an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

From today, registered keepers identified as having an uninsured vehicle will be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured, and warning them of the consequences if they fail to take action. Those who don’t act on this warning – either by taking out insurance or declaring their vehicle off the road – will receive a £100 fine and could have their vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. They may also face a court prosecution.

All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded correctly for free at askMID.com

Under the new system:

• DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles
• motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action
• if the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine
• if the vehicle remains uninsured – regardless of whether the fine is paid – further action will be taken. If the vehicle is on public land it could then be clamped, seized and destroyed; alternatively court action could be taken, with the offender facing a fine of up to £1,000
• seized vehicles would only be released when the keeper provided evidence that the registered keeper is no longer committing the offence of having no insurance and the person proposing to drive the vehicle away is insured to do so

Vehicles with a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) won’t be required to be insured.

For more details, visit direct.gov.uk/stayinsured

Hi Anne

I found the Go Driving driving tuition that was given by John Richards was a very good experience that was carried out in the correct way in relation with the learners ability. From this tuition I passed confidently first time with only one minor fault.

James Lewis, Hereford

Andy, I thought the way you came about when I first met you and the way you went about your training was excellent the information you gave me was brilliant and I learnt so much about not only driving with a trailer but driving in general.I think the company go driving is fantastic, I felt so comfortable the way I was treated even though I failed my first attempt the second test I took I felt quite calm &quietly confident in my ability to drive with car &trailer.

Thanks again Andy for all your help and patience

Best wishes
Ben. Crompton
Hillandale caravans.

I decided to have lessons with Go Driving as my girlfriend had used them in Llandrindod Wells and had nothing but good things to say about them.

I started taking lessons in Hereford with Paula and couldn’t believe how quickly I was driving. Within 15 minutes of my first lesson I was driving around quiet back streets and withink another hour I was out on the main road A bit nerve-wracking at first admittedly but I never felt the lessons were being rushed ahead of my capabilities.

Paula was great at identifying the weak areas in my driving as the lessons progressed an made sure every base was covered before going to test. That I felt confident in the test and passed first time is a testament to what a great job she did.

I cannot recommend Go Driving highly enough.

Edd Tipton

Being new to Hereford and completely new to the world of driving I took to the web to find a suitable driving school and came across Go Driving. Not being local and being a late bloomer as far as driving was concerned (25!) I didn’t have anyone to recommend to me an instructor with a good reputation, all I had to go on was their website and the reviews I found on Google Maps. I choose Go Driving based on these and the straight forward, pleasant conversation I had over the phone at their office. I explained that I wanted to learn how to drive and not JUST pass my test, that I was not in a rush and wanted to become a confident and capable driver. I had no friends to impress (they passed years and years ago!) and unfortunately I didn’t have mum’s or dad’s car to practice in so it was all down to me and Andy, my Go Driving Instructor.

After my first lesson I was getting around a quiet estate, slowly but surely, changing into 2nd gear and getting to grips with the various controls of the car. After my 2nd lesson I drove home… via real streets… with other cars on them! I was pleasantly surprised by how much confidence I had gained over such a short period of time. The reassurance Andy gave me from the beginning and throughout my continued lessons was subtle but consistent which gave me the feeling as if I was in control of the car and the freedom to make my own choices and learn from them. More than anything I really enjoyed learning to drive with Go Driving; when looking back most of my friends felt learning to drive was a struggle, not the learning but the experience as a whole and couldn’t wait to get it over and done with.

When my position at work changed and I needed to pass sooner Andy was happy to bump up my lessons to two a week, fitting in with my work and other commitments. I found the relationship with Go Driving flexible and relaxed. I paid for my lessons on pay day monthly which worked for me financially and fitted in with the number of lessons we had agreed to complete …And didn’t those lessons fly by!

Due to test availability Andy booked me my test in Abergavenny, somewhere I had not driven around before. We booked in two 3hr lessons in Abergavenny and I felt confident enough to drive safely in any area, not just locally to where I had learnt, so I was not worried about taking my test somewhere more unknown. And… I PASSED!

Andy gave me a route to drive in my own car locally to build up my confidence and get used to my own vehicle. After passing in the morning I did the route in the afternoon and felt a great deal of accomplishment in being able to drive my own little car in such a controlled and safe way.

I have a great time learning to drive and found the whole experience enjoyable, uncomplicated, comprehensive and tailored to me, my skills and my pace of learning. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking to learn to drive or is looking for a pair of safe hands for their son/daughter to start their driving life.

I wish anyone reading this the best of luck with learning to drive and a great place to start is with Go Driving.

Amy (19/05/11)

Motorists are being warned to insure their vehicles ahead of a new crackdown to tackle the menace of uninsured driving.

Under the new system:

• The DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles.
• Motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action.
• If the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine.
• If the vehicle remains uninsured – regardless of whether the fine is paid – further action will be taken. If the vehicle is on public land it could then be clamped, seized and destroyed. Alternatively court action could be taken, with the offender facing a fine of up to £1,000.
• Seized vehicles would only be released when the keeper provided evidence that the registered keeper is no longer committing an offence of having no insurance and the person proposing to drive the vehicle away is insured to do so.

You can view a video here for more information

Congratulations to John Richards & pupils – 2 first time passes in Hereford this week!

Congratulations Emily!

Emily took her driving lessons in Hereford with Go Driving instructor John.  She passed first time with only 4 less serious faults (minor faults).

Go Driving was recommended by a family member; we asked her a few questions about her experience of learning to drive.

• On first contact with Go Driving what was your impression? “I thought it to be a good service with a good reputation”.
• What was your first impression when you met John your driving instructor? ” I thought John was very welcoming and put me at ease”.
• What was the most difficult part of learning to drive? ” To start with reversing, you had to be aware of more things, just remembering everything was difficult.
• How do you feel your driving instructor John helped you overcome this? “John made sure I felt confident before moving on to something else.”

Emily is continuing to develop her driving by undertaking the Pass Plus course with John, this will consolidate her knowledge, gaining experience in driving in larger, unfamiliar cities, use of motorways and could also reduce her car insurance by up to 30%!

Pass Plus is a must for anyone who is conscientious about safe driving for life.

Go Driving wish Emily all the best for her future on the road.