Traffic jam is something everybody tries to escape. Traffic jam usually makes us nervous and late. There are a lot of cities in UK and all over Europe where traffic jams are very usual thing. Unfortunately, people have not yet learned to take it easy. They are taking stress each day, each day they spoil their mood instead of going by public transport or getting out of home earlier. That’s their choice. As well as it is our choice what to do while sitting in traffic jams – using mobile for calls or texting, eating, drinking, reading, communicating with other traffic members etc. Whatever you do, please, take into consideration safety and better don’t do anything we mentioned before. Just be patient and think positive! The following video will absolutely help you at least to try to think positive.
Tags: driving, safe driving, traffic jam
Independent driving is component of practical driving test and was introduced in autumn, 2010.
The section of independent driving lasts just 10 minutes without instructions from your examiner. Take into consideration that lack of instructions will be only during independent driving section, during other sections of driving test you will continue to receive directions. To help you orientate where you are going, the examiner may show you a diagram of route. It does not matter if you go the wrong way. Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. It is designed to test combination of your practical driving skills and driving theory and ability to make your own decisions about road situations and safe driving.
See yourself what is independent driving by watching video produced by Driving Standards Agency.
Tags: driving test in UK, independent driving, uk driving license
Driving games are good way to practice driving theory, to learn road signs and Highway Code. Of course, not all of the driving games are useful for driving theory practice. Therefore you should be critical when choosing on which games to spend your spare time. Just have quick look on visual aids appearing during game, is there any reference with signs and traffic going on the roads. If it is not, then it is no worth to spend your time and hope that you will practice driving theory while playing.
Tags: driving theory, theory test energizer, uk driving license
The driving test could be taken after you have passed a theory test. Driving test usually takes 40 minutes and includes:
* Eye sight test,
* Vehicle safety questions (known also as “Show me, tell me questions”),
* Driving manoeuvres,
* Drive with examiner, incl. so called independent driving.
The driving test is designed to see can you drive safely, do you know Highway Code and are you able to demonstrate this knowledge.
Tags: driving license in UK, driving test in UK, UK theory test questions
Driving license category determines what kind of vehicles you are allowed to drive (or ride). See the detailed explanation below in the table:
| Category | Vehicle | Min age |
| A | Motorcycles with a sidecar and a power to weight ratio of up to 0.16 kW/kg | 17 |
| A | Medium-sized motorcycles up to 25 kW (33 bhp) and a power to weight ratio of up to 0.16 kW/kg | 17 |
| A | Any size motorcycle, with or without a sidecar if you have completed the large motorcycle Direct Access Scheme | 21, a |
| A1 | Light motorcycles with an engine size of up to 125 cc and a power output of up to 11 kW (14.6 bhp) | 17 |
| B | Motor vehicles with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, no more than eight passenger seats, with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750 kg | 17, b |
| B | As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle | 17, b |
| B auto | As category B with automatic transmission | 17, b |
| B+E | As category B but with a heavier trailer that isn’t covered in the descriptions for category B | 17 |
| B1 | Motor tricycles, quadricycles and three or four wheeled vehicles with an unladen weight no more than 550 kg | 17, b |
| C | Vehicles over 3,500 kg, with a trailer up to 750 kg | 21, c, d |
| C+E | As category C but with a trailer over 750 kg | 21, c, d |
| C1+E | As category C1 but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 12,000 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle | 21, c, d, e |
| C1 | Vehicles weighing between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg, with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750 kg | 18, c |
a You can ride a large motorcycle at any age two years after passing a test on a medium-sized motorcycle
b Age 16 if you are currently getting Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate (mobility component)
c Age 17 if you are a member of the armed services
d You can drive these vehicles at age 18 if one of the following apply:
- you have passed your driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification
- you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC initial qualification
- you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC initial qualification
- you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009 – you must take the CPC periodic training within five years of this date
e Age 18 if you got your driving license before 10 September 2009 and the weight of the vehicle and trailer together is under 7,500 kg
Theory test is probably one of the challenging tasks in anybody’s life. For those who are planning to pass theory test and obtain driving license it is worth to know that starting with January, 2012 there will be changes in DSA theory test questions. Basically there will be completely different approach. Now a theory learner can access all DSA theory test questions before the real theory test day and in case the learner is extremely diligent, he can even learn everything by heart. Since January, 2012 the situation will be completely different. The theory learner will not have access to the real theory test questions during studies – DSA will not publish the theory test questions anymore. Therefore passing of a theory test will be more challenging than it is now. On other point of view, it will increase safety on streets.
Learner driver has an objective to get driving license. To reach his / her objective learner driver has to pass theory test and practical driving test. Practical driving test consists of eye sight test, vehicle safety questions (show me tell me questions), driving manoeuvres, drive with examiner and independent driving.
Learner driver rules:
1. Holder of valid provisional license.
2. The vehicle you drive is roadworthy, taxed and insured.
3. L plates displayed on he vehicle you drive.
4. Instructor needed. It could be also somebody of your family or friends. In this case accompanying driver should be at least 21 and hold valid driving license at least for 3 years.
5. There is limit to drive less powerful motorbikes.
Tags: driving test, learner driver
Driving lessons are needed to practice for driving test, similar practice is needed to pass theory test. Practice for theory test includes taking mock tests and hazard perception tests.
Mock tests are very similar to multiple choice section in DSA theory test. Mock test questions come from various categories: accidents, alertness, attitude, documents, hazard awareness, motorway rules, other types of vehicle, road and traffic signs, rules of the road, safety and your vehicle, safety margins, vehicle handling, vehicle loading, vulnerable road users. These categories are the same you will have in DSA theory test. You can take mock tests online or in print. It depends on your own choice and habits. Be aware that DSA theory test could be taken only on computer. Probably it is worth to decide in favor of computer to be familiar with on the theory test day.
Hazard perception tests could be practiced only on computer. You just should decide among various products available online – is it convenient for you to test online or it is more comfortable to buy CD and practice offline. Again, the choice is yours!
Tags: driving test in UK, DSA theory test practice, hazard perception test practice, mock theory tests online, theory test
Driving test consists of DSA theory test and DSA practical driving test. For both tests you can apply online. You can also do heory test practice online – it is several sites available which offer trial theory test (available just some questions from DSA all questions bank) as well as paid account or membership to practice with all questions bank. Besides, it includes also hazard perception test practice with all official DSA hazard perception test clips. Don’t forget reading of Highway Code.
Unfortunately, practical driving test practice is not possible online. Of course, you can play several online games about driving as well as take a lot of hazard perception tests online, but thus you will strengthen only your theory test knowledge. Practical driving skills could be obtained just by driving a car, moving up or slowing down a gear and depressing the brake. For sure, the correct consequence is the following: first, driving theory and then practical driving.
Tags: DSA driving test, UK theory test
Driving license is impossible without practice of driving. To feel comfortable and accustomed to road situations you should take driving lessons. To practice with the the help of family member or friend is always cheaper than to practice with approved driving instructor (ADI). The choice is yours! But there are still some factors to consider when making decision:
- Your instructor should have driving license in respective vehicle category at least for 3 years and should be at least 21 years old.
- It is important you will be taught right already from the very beginning. Think about this carefully – have your instructor the necessary experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly?
- What is experience of your friends? Probably they can recommend instructor for you.
- Try couple of instructors – family member, ADI or whatever you chose. Test with each of instructor and then decide which one you feel the best – the safest and the most comfortable during driving.
Tags: approved driving instructor, driving instructor, driving lessons in UK
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