Notification from the DVSA

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for instructors

We’re sending you this email because of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Please do not bring your pupil to their test if you or your pupil feel unwell.

We are emailing anyone with a test booked in the next week to let them know what they need to do if they feel unwell.

If you think you might have coronavirus

Follow the latest NHS advice if you think you might have coronavirus. The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need NHS medical help and advises you what to do.

If there’s a chance you could have coronavirus, you might be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate).

If you or your pupil need to cancel or rearrange a test

We will rebook your pupil’s test free of charge if it has to be cancelled or changed because of coronavirus. This includes if it’s done at short notice (within 3 clear working days of the test).

Your pupil will need call us to cancel or change on 0300 200 1122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm).

You cannot cancel or change your test online, if it’s because of coronavirus. 

To find out more details regarding call charges click here

The Theory test is changing from April 2020.

Read all about it on the DVSA Website. Here’s the link

I was sent this link in an email by Parkers (the car price guide people). A very useful article on the kind of cars most of my pupils are likely to be able to afford and run.

Most Economical Cars for Under £2000

A useful article on towing written by the Parker’s website.

Best to know the ins and outs before you consider hooking up that trailer or caravan

Click on the linky thing below:

Parker’s Towing Article

Sainsbury’s Bank have been good enough to share this useful guide to winter driving.

At has a nice common sense approach to many aspects of both driving in bad weather and preparing your vehicle for this most challenging of seasons. Take a look here …

Sainsbury’s Bank Guide to Winter Driving

Quite often a new pupil will try and change gears very quickly. This makes the gearbox clunky and it often feels difficult to get the car in gear. It’s quite difficult to explain to someone about synchromesh while they are learning to drive so I usually resort to just saying they need to change gear smoother and slower. Some of my pupils are more ‘geeky’ minded (like me) so here’s what I think is a good little video explaining what synchromesh is and how it works. It also shows how the movement of the gear lever translates into the different gears, and, why you need them.

If you need the Show Me / Tell Me questions for the updated practical driving test then you’ll find them on the link below.

I’m happy for anyone learning to drive with any instructor to use these but note that these are copyright and not to be handed out by other instructors. Please make your own.

Show Me Tell Me Kia Rio (new test)

The following two videos were produced by the DVSA. They are certainly worth watching. Ensure you know the controls for the car you are taking the test in. They might be different. My Kia Rio has slightly different controls to the car in these videos.

 

There’s a wealth of resources on line for both the theory and practical tests. When I come across one that’s new to me I try and help by posting a link to it. So here’s a one that offers free theory mock tests. Have a go!

Theory Mock Test

Follow the link here : Book your Theory Test

The DVSA have been updating their website to add more information and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Here are some of the most popular links you may need:

• Book your practical driving test – www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest
• Change your driving test appointment – www.gov.uk/changedrivingtest
• Check your driving test appointment details – www.gov.uk/checkdrivingtest
• Cancel your driving test – www.gov.uk/canceldrivingtest
• Driving test for cars – www.gov.uk/driving-test

Just how much does texting or answering your mobile distract you while you’re driving.

This interesting little game produced by motors.co.uk aims to show you why it’s seriously a bad idea.

On my lessons I often highlight how a pupil’s driving has suffered simply because we’ve been talking about something and ask them to consider what would happen if I were replaced by one of their friends, their kids etc.

Click Here