Some learner drivers seem to be unclear about the law regarding using an international licence to drive in the UK and how it affects their provisional licence if they have one.
If you are only visiting the UK for a short time, or are temporarily resident in Britain for less than 12 months, then you can legally drive a car here as long as it is insured and fully roadworthy. You therefore don't need to apply for a provisional licence and take the UK driving test. If on the other hand you are going to be resident in the UK for longer than 12 months or have permanently moved to the UK, then your international driving permit is only valid for 1 year after which you will need to obtain a UK provisional licence and only drive while being supervised by a Full British licence holder of 3 years or more and must display "L" plates.
This means that you can't be legally insured to drive a car on your international driving permit 12 months after your initial arrival in the UK, even if you have been back to your country of origin. You will also not be able to drive a car in the UK on a provisional licence even if that car is insured for you to drive with your international licence.
Your insurance policy can only cover you either as an international foreign licence holder or a provisional learner, not as both, so while your local licence is still valid, you don't need L plates and can practice for the UK driving test using that, but once you apply for your provisional licence, you will need to inform your insurance company and only drive while being supervised. If in doubt, always speak to the insurance company, and get things covered in writing, as in the event of an accident you want to be covered.
Monday 21 September 2009
Quality Tuition V Cheap Prices in the Current Financial Climate
Can you have quality tuition and still retain value for money in todays financial climate??
Usually the two don't go hand in hand, why would a Driving Instructor want to charge less if they are busy with plenty of recommendations referring new work continually. On the other side of the coin why are Instructors charging sometimes half of their busier counterparts in an effort to attract new customers??
From a Driving Schools point of view we see this price scenario raised virtually every day and unfortunately the criteria for selecting an Instructor should be far more broad that just "how much are your lessons", usually followed by "I can get them much cheaper than that"............
Quite possibly, however you need to ask yourself WHY they are cheaper, is it because they don't want to make more money???, do they drive an older vehicle which may make lessons more unpleasant or unreliable - there are many reasons for price fluctuation in this Industry but perhaps before selecting a driving school you should consider a few other thoughts, have I seen their cars around, do they have a website where I can find out more about them, do I know anyone who's passed with them, are their Instructors reliable and professional, the cars clean and tidy and what is their Instructor grading.
Our prices here at Select are competitive and represent good value for money, if you are lucky enough you may stumble across one of our adverts offering you a few lessons at a reduced price, these are sometimes in local press, leaflet campaigns or on local radio.
Remember it's not all just about "how much are your lessons?"
Usually the two don't go hand in hand, why would a Driving Instructor want to charge less if they are busy with plenty of recommendations referring new work continually. On the other side of the coin why are Instructors charging sometimes half of their busier counterparts in an effort to attract new customers??
From a Driving Schools point of view we see this price scenario raised virtually every day and unfortunately the criteria for selecting an Instructor should be far more broad that just "how much are your lessons", usually followed by "I can get them much cheaper than that"............
Quite possibly, however you need to ask yourself WHY they are cheaper, is it because they don't want to make more money???, do they drive an older vehicle which may make lessons more unpleasant or unreliable - there are many reasons for price fluctuation in this Industry but perhaps before selecting a driving school you should consider a few other thoughts, have I seen their cars around, do they have a website where I can find out more about them, do I know anyone who's passed with them, are their Instructors reliable and professional, the cars clean and tidy and what is their Instructor grading.
Our prices here at Select are competitive and represent good value for money, if you are lucky enough you may stumble across one of our adverts offering you a few lessons at a reduced price, these are sometimes in local press, leaflet campaigns or on local radio.
Remember it's not all just about "how much are your lessons?"
Theory Test Changes – September 2009
Later this month will see extra questions introduced into the driving theory test, it has been announced.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) revealed that the changes would come into force on September 28th in a bid to test potential drivers on both understanding and knowledge.
Candidates will be confronted with one case study example during the test, which will involve 5 questions based on a scenario or short story.
"Over time, we plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates' understanding of what they have learned," revealed DSA Director of Driver Education and Learning Jill Lewis.
However, just one case study will be used for the time being in order to allow the DSA to monitor the impact on the theory test, she added.
At present. candidates are expected to answer 50 questions in 57 minutes, with the pass rate standing at 43 out of 50.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) revealed that the changes would come into force on September 28th in a bid to test potential drivers on both understanding and knowledge.
Candidates will be confronted with one case study example during the test, which will involve 5 questions based on a scenario or short story.
"Over time, we plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates' understanding of what they have learned," revealed DSA Director of Driver Education and Learning Jill Lewis.
However, just one case study will be used for the time being in order to allow the DSA to monitor the impact on the theory test, she added.
At present. candidates are expected to answer 50 questions in 57 minutes, with the pass rate standing at 43 out of 50.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)