With effect from 1st May 2010 new rules are introduced making it illegal for anyone to act as an
accompanying driver in a category C1, C1+E, D1 or D1+E vehicle unless they have passed a driving test for the particular category of vehicle concerned. From 1 May, the supervising driver in category C1 or D1 Vehicles (including vehicle plus trailer
combinations) must:
1. hold a full (post 1997) licence for the same category of vehicle as that being driven by the learner
2. have held that entitlement for the relevant period of time, usually three years
The intention was that drivers holding category C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E entitlements obtained before 1997 (on other words, implied rights), and who passed a driving test in one of those categories before 6 April 2010, would be given credit for the time they had held the implied rights entitlement for the category concerned. The effect being that they would, from the date that the clarifying amendments to the regulations were implemented, already meet the requirements at (a) and (b) above. However, the deadline for passing the test(s) and gaining access to the concession has been extended and is now 1 May 2010.
Drivers who pass the relevant driving test(s) after 1 May will have to wait until they have held their new entitlement for the relevant period, usually three years, before they can act as an accompanying driver in a category of vehicle covered by that entitlement.
These new arrangements do not affect a person's existing entitlement to drive a medium sized lorry or minibus.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Newbury Instructor’s New Product To Banish Nerves
A NEWBURY driving instructor has launched a unique two-CD-set solution to driving test nerves has
just been launched which allows nervous learners to overcome their nerves and pass their driving tests.
Do you remember your driving test? Do you remember how you felt on the day of your test? Arriving at the driving test centre, anxiously waiting for your turn and wishing you were back at home.
These nerves have caused many a sleepless night, and in many cases may have hindered a learner from gaining their full driving licence. A recent survey of 1,500 learner drivers found that 51 per cent are ‘panicked’ by the prospect of parallel parking with a further 22 per cent ‘terrified’ about reversing around a corner.
The thought of stalling the car strikes fear in to the hearts of just 21 per cent of learners and only eight eight per cent were worried about failing their theory test. Sixteen per cent claimed to dislike turning right at a T-junction and admitted to sometimes driving ‘the long way round’ to avoid
the manoeuvre. Driving instructor Martin Caswell specialises in teaching nervous drivers and decided that he would develop a product to help learner drivers to overcome these learning to drive and driving fears.
The product that he came up with was the Driving Test Nerves series of two-CD Sets. He drew on his own teaching experience stretching over 35 years together with the experience of fully qualified and hypnotherapist David Clayton.
This series of CDs combines hypnotherapy sessions with simple to follow practical advice to help learners to grow in confidence to the extent of enabling to pass their next driving test.
Mr Caswell has tested his CD sets on his own pupils, and said: “So far, astounding results have been achieved. Each person without exception has felt much calmer and relaxed and perhaps more importantly, enhanced feelings of much greater confidence, and have gone on to pass their driving test at the following attempt.
“What makes this series of CDs unique is that it is not like any other hypnotherapy CD made for learner drivers, as the content for this series is drawn on the specific teaching experienced of a fully qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI).
The flagship Driving Test Nerves hypnotherapy two-disc set walks the learner through the actual driving test procedure as it is today in 2010, step-by-step, as well as providing additional hypnotherapy session to give the newly-qualified driver confidence when driving on their own for the very first time.
This particular series contains two CDs, with the second CD containing detailed diagrams and offering practical advice on precisely how to competently complete the required driving manoeuvres, such as reversing round a corner, parallel parking, bay parking and three-point turns, with step-by-step instructions on each individual action you need to do to complete them successfully. Other CDs in the series include Motorway Driving, Refresher Driving and even one specifically for those who suffer with road rage.
Mr Caswell explained: “It’s really about getting the mind to be positive. A lot of people go in feeling negative. They say ‘I won't think about passing, so if I fail, it won’t be so disappointing.’ I say to them ‘think about Richard Branson. Do you you think, when he started Virgin Atlantic, he said ‘I won't think about it being successful in case it fails’? The CD is about reinforcing what you have been told – you can do this. It reinforces what the instructor has told you.”
One of the CDs even prepares newly-qualified drivers for driving on their own for the first time.
Currently available from Mr Caswell’s website, he is opening to market the product through wider channels, including promoting the product nationally.
For more details on these CDs and how they can help you overcome your Driving Test Nerves visit www.TestNerves.co.uk
Source : Richard Maynard - www.newburybusinesstoday.co.uk
just been launched which allows nervous learners to overcome their nerves and pass their driving tests.
Do you remember your driving test? Do you remember how you felt on the day of your test? Arriving at the driving test centre, anxiously waiting for your turn and wishing you were back at home.
These nerves have caused many a sleepless night, and in many cases may have hindered a learner from gaining their full driving licence. A recent survey of 1,500 learner drivers found that 51 per cent are ‘panicked’ by the prospect of parallel parking with a further 22 per cent ‘terrified’ about reversing around a corner.
The thought of stalling the car strikes fear in to the hearts of just 21 per cent of learners and only eight eight per cent were worried about failing their theory test. Sixteen per cent claimed to dislike turning right at a T-junction and admitted to sometimes driving ‘the long way round’ to avoid
the manoeuvre. Driving instructor Martin Caswell specialises in teaching nervous drivers and decided that he would develop a product to help learner drivers to overcome these learning to drive and driving fears.
The product that he came up with was the Driving Test Nerves series of two-CD Sets. He drew on his own teaching experience stretching over 35 years together with the experience of fully qualified and hypnotherapist David Clayton.
This series of CDs combines hypnotherapy sessions with simple to follow practical advice to help learners to grow in confidence to the extent of enabling to pass their next driving test.
Mr Caswell has tested his CD sets on his own pupils, and said: “So far, astounding results have been achieved. Each person without exception has felt much calmer and relaxed and perhaps more importantly, enhanced feelings of much greater confidence, and have gone on to pass their driving test at the following attempt.
“What makes this series of CDs unique is that it is not like any other hypnotherapy CD made for learner drivers, as the content for this series is drawn on the specific teaching experienced of a fully qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI).
The flagship Driving Test Nerves hypnotherapy two-disc set walks the learner through the actual driving test procedure as it is today in 2010, step-by-step, as well as providing additional hypnotherapy session to give the newly-qualified driver confidence when driving on their own for the very first time.
This particular series contains two CDs, with the second CD containing detailed diagrams and offering practical advice on precisely how to competently complete the required driving manoeuvres, such as reversing round a corner, parallel parking, bay parking and three-point turns, with step-by-step instructions on each individual action you need to do to complete them successfully. Other CDs in the series include Motorway Driving, Refresher Driving and even one specifically for those who suffer with road rage.
Mr Caswell explained: “It’s really about getting the mind to be positive. A lot of people go in feeling negative. They say ‘I won't think about passing, so if I fail, it won’t be so disappointing.’ I say to them ‘think about Richard Branson. Do you you think, when he started Virgin Atlantic, he said ‘I won't think about it being successful in case it fails’? The CD is about reinforcing what you have been told – you can do this. It reinforces what the instructor has told you.”
One of the CDs even prepares newly-qualified drivers for driving on their own for the first time.
Currently available from Mr Caswell’s website, he is opening to market the product through wider channels, including promoting the product nationally.
For more details on these CDs and how they can help you overcome your Driving Test Nerves visit www.TestNerves.co.uk
Source : Richard Maynard - www.newburybusinesstoday.co.uk
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Driving Tests 75 Years Old This Month
The driving test is 75 years old this month, and over that time motorists have become well aware of
the need for caution around learner drivers.
Provisional Marmalade, the new driver’s champion, has collaborated with Halfords to provide an innovative car insurance product that provides provisional drivers with fully comprehensive insurance on a family or friend’s car for just £3 a day.
More traditional insurance usually involves a hefty premium that can be thousands of pounds, and jeopardise the car owner’s no claims bonus.
The high cost has meant that learner drivers aged 17-21 have declined from 46% to 32% in recent years.
Halfords’ Diane Perry has said that high prices have put off many young drivers from taking advantage of extra practice outside of paid lessons.
High costs are not only an issue for learner drivers.
Recent research by moneysupermarket.com has shown that one in ten families are performing the criminal act of ‘fronting’, which is when a parent takes out insurance on a child’s car in the parent’s name.
Steve Sweeney, moneysupermarket.com’s head of car insurance, has said that the practice is illegal and would be classed as fraud by an insurer.
Source : Richard Kilner - www.insurancedaily.,co.uk
the need for caution around learner drivers.
Provisional Marmalade, the new driver’s champion, has collaborated with Halfords to provide an innovative car insurance product that provides provisional drivers with fully comprehensive insurance on a family or friend’s car for just £3 a day.
More traditional insurance usually involves a hefty premium that can be thousands of pounds, and jeopardise the car owner’s no claims bonus.
The high cost has meant that learner drivers aged 17-21 have declined from 46% to 32% in recent years.
Halfords’ Diane Perry has said that high prices have put off many young drivers from taking advantage of extra practice outside of paid lessons.
High costs are not only an issue for learner drivers.
Recent research by moneysupermarket.com has shown that one in ten families are performing the criminal act of ‘fronting’, which is when a parent takes out insurance on a child’s car in the parent’s name.
Steve Sweeney, moneysupermarket.com’s head of car insurance, has said that the practice is illegal and would be classed as fraud by an insurer.
Source : Richard Kilner - www.insurancedaily.,co.uk
Monday, 22 March 2010
'Are You Ready?' Video For Car Tests
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has updated its 'Are you ready?' video for the car driving test.
'Are you ready?' is the official step-by-step explanation of the driving test. It's been updated so you know what the examiner will ask about taking someone with you on you driving test.
DSA encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. This will usually be the person who has taught you to drive, but it could be a relative or a friend. They must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.
The person who goes with you will be able to see how you perform during the test. To get the most benefit from this, it would be sensible to ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.
If you run your own website, you can embed the new clip into it. You can also share it using social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo.
See the video by copy'n'pasting this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsagov#p/p/7C69D49DC86A8F23/1/cIHkJe8DbAU
or visiting our facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Select-School-of-Motoring-Wales-Ltd/339159797746
Source : DSA
'Are you ready?' is the official step-by-step explanation of the driving test. It's been updated so you know what the examiner will ask about taking someone with you on you driving test.
DSA encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. This will usually be the person who has taught you to drive, but it could be a relative or a friend. They must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.
The person who goes with you will be able to see how you perform during the test. To get the most benefit from this, it would be sensible to ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.
If you run your own website, you can embed the new clip into it. You can also share it using social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo.
See the video by copy'n'pasting this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsagov#p/p/7C69D49DC86A8F23/1/cIHkJe8DbAU
or visiting our facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Select-School-of-Motoring-Wales-Ltd/339159797746
Source : DSA
Friday, 19 March 2010
Car Joy For Man Who Lost Two Limbs
A MAN who lost an arm and a leg in a motorcycle accident 26 years ago is celebrating after finally
passing his driving test.
Chris Allen, 44, from Kempsford, has passed his driving test after the fourth attempt in a car which has been specially adapted to meet his needs.
Chris was left devastated at the age of 17 when he lost his right arm and his right leg in a motorcycle accident on a dual carriageway between Chippenham and Lavington in 1983.
His injuries were so serious that he was in a coma for more than two months and even had to learn to speak again.
He also uses a prosthetic leg.
At the time of the accident he was having driving lessons but vowed never to get behind the wheel again due to the severity of his injuries.
However, last month, Chris finally passed his test in Chippenham with four minor faults.
He said: "I am so delighted. I was craving some indepedence and I just wanted to feel normal again. Now I do.
"It is a saviour having a car. There is only one bus a day from the village into Cirencester which was a nuisance.
"Now I can just hop into my car and go anywhere, anytime.
"Having a car is essential if you live in a remote village."
In 2008 Chris asked the government to help him fund his lessons. However, he found he was ineligible for charitable funding because he is not aged between 16 and 24. So he paid for the lessons himself.
His car, which is on a three-year lease through Motability from the Allen Ford dealer in Swindon, has been specially adapted. The car is automatic and the brake and accelerator are both operated by the left leg.
There is a knob fitted to the rim of the steering wheel which Chris can move with one hand. Features such as indicators and windscreen wipers are operated by an infra-red panel just off the steering wheel.
"I was so nervous getting behind the wheel for the first time but I was determined to do it," Chris said.
"When you are 17 you think you are indestructible. I won’t be making that mistake this time.
‘The car took a lot of getting used to but now it has become second nature. I never thought I’d be behind a wheel again, I know I’m very lucky."
Source : Gemma Casey - www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk
passing his driving test.
Chris Allen, 44, from Kempsford, has passed his driving test after the fourth attempt in a car which has been specially adapted to meet his needs.
Chris was left devastated at the age of 17 when he lost his right arm and his right leg in a motorcycle accident on a dual carriageway between Chippenham and Lavington in 1983.
His injuries were so serious that he was in a coma for more than two months and even had to learn to speak again.
He also uses a prosthetic leg.
At the time of the accident he was having driving lessons but vowed never to get behind the wheel again due to the severity of his injuries.
However, last month, Chris finally passed his test in Chippenham with four minor faults.
He said: "I am so delighted. I was craving some indepedence and I just wanted to feel normal again. Now I do.
"It is a saviour having a car. There is only one bus a day from the village into Cirencester which was a nuisance.
"Now I can just hop into my car and go anywhere, anytime.
"Having a car is essential if you live in a remote village."
In 2008 Chris asked the government to help him fund his lessons. However, he found he was ineligible for charitable funding because he is not aged between 16 and 24. So he paid for the lessons himself.
His car, which is on a three-year lease through Motability from the Allen Ford dealer in Swindon, has been specially adapted. The car is automatic and the brake and accelerator are both operated by the left leg.
There is a knob fitted to the rim of the steering wheel which Chris can move with one hand. Features such as indicators and windscreen wipers are operated by an infra-red panel just off the steering wheel.
"I was so nervous getting behind the wheel for the first time but I was determined to do it," Chris said.
"When you are 17 you think you are indestructible. I won’t be making that mistake this time.
‘The car took a lot of getting used to but now it has become second nature. I never thought I’d be behind a wheel again, I know I’m very lucky."
Source : Gemma Casey - www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Driving Examiner Strike On Wednesday 24 March
The PCS union is asking its members to take strike action on Wednesday 24 March.
If you have a driving test booked for that day, you are asked to attend as scheduled.
The DSA won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of their examiners and staff are members of the union. They don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why you are asked that you arrive for your test regardless.
You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA.
If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post.
If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.
Source : DSA
If you have a driving test booked for that day, you are asked to attend as scheduled.
The DSA won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of their examiners and staff are members of the union. They don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why you are asked that you arrive for your test regardless.
You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA.
If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post.
If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.
Source : DSA
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Virtual Tragedies Get Teens’ Attention Behind The Wheel
Sometimes a single choice can change a life forever. It's especially true with new teen drivers. A
new program called One Simple Decision, available later this month to schools and law enforcement agencies across the country, drives home the risks of being distracted or impaired when you're behind the wheel - without putting anyone in danger.
Students sit at a computer screen and control a small steering wheel on a simulated drive, adjusting speed with a gas petal. The program uses videotaped scenes with real police officers and a judge to help teens experience a mock arrest, booking and sentencing for mistakes they make behind the wheel.
Per mile driven, teenagers have about four times the risk of other people of being in a car accident, according to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a community-based education and advocacy group. And the first 18 months when new drivers are gaining experience is the most dangerous time. Experts say about 4,000 teens die each year in car accidents, and being distracted or impaired is often a contributing factor.
"So you take inexperience, add on hand-held electronic devices distracting teenagers and you have a fatal combination," says Dr. Brendan Campbell of Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. "It's almost like an addiction that teens are not able to recognize the risk that hand held devices pose and they can't resist the urge to use them," says Campbell.
Drivers of all ages are four times more likely to be in an accident when using a cell phone and at least eight times more likely while texting, according to the National Safety Council.
But unlike adults, teens' brains are not fully developed, especially in the areas affecting judgment and decision-making.
"They think that they are invincible and that they're bulletproof and that bad things aren't ever going to happen to them," says Campbell.
On his One Simple Decision drive, Henry Sewell, 17, rear-ended a car while using his cell phone. High school junior Kaley Markham crashed into a fire hydrant while driving under the influence.
Would those lessons apply to their real lives? "I do text sometimes in my car and I occasionally do talk on the phone," says Henry. For Kaley too: "I change the song, I text occasionally and usually my GPS I use when I'm stopped, but sometimes I have to fix it while I'm driving." But watching scenes through the eyes of an arrested driver who is booked in a real police station and then taken before the judge for sentencing was unsettling for Kaley and Henry.
"One minor rear ending while you're texting or calling could end up being jail time," says Henry. Kaley fatally struck a pedestrian during her second driving simulation. "I was actually scared when I saw the video of what you get charged for when you hit people," says Kaley.
But will this virtual driving experience change their driving behaviors? Henry says he'll wait until he's at a stop before calling people and is rethinking his texting habits.
"I'll definitely prohibit myself from texting as often as I do," explains Henry.
Campbell says he's encouraged by the possibilities new virtual driving tools offer but advises teen and parents alike to also remember the low-tech fundamentals.
"The most important thing you can do as a parent is to drive with your teenager," he says.
Source : Leslie Wade - CNN Medical Producer http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com
new program called One Simple Decision, available later this month to schools and law enforcement agencies across the country, drives home the risks of being distracted or impaired when you're behind the wheel - without putting anyone in danger.
Students sit at a computer screen and control a small steering wheel on a simulated drive, adjusting speed with a gas petal. The program uses videotaped scenes with real police officers and a judge to help teens experience a mock arrest, booking and sentencing for mistakes they make behind the wheel.
Per mile driven, teenagers have about four times the risk of other people of being in a car accident, according to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a community-based education and advocacy group. And the first 18 months when new drivers are gaining experience is the most dangerous time. Experts say about 4,000 teens die each year in car accidents, and being distracted or impaired is often a contributing factor.
"So you take inexperience, add on hand-held electronic devices distracting teenagers and you have a fatal combination," says Dr. Brendan Campbell of Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. "It's almost like an addiction that teens are not able to recognize the risk that hand held devices pose and they can't resist the urge to use them," says Campbell.
Drivers of all ages are four times more likely to be in an accident when using a cell phone and at least eight times more likely while texting, according to the National Safety Council.
But unlike adults, teens' brains are not fully developed, especially in the areas affecting judgment and decision-making.
"They think that they are invincible and that they're bulletproof and that bad things aren't ever going to happen to them," says Campbell.
On his One Simple Decision drive, Henry Sewell, 17, rear-ended a car while using his cell phone. High school junior Kaley Markham crashed into a fire hydrant while driving under the influence.
Would those lessons apply to their real lives? "I do text sometimes in my car and I occasionally do talk on the phone," says Henry. For Kaley too: "I change the song, I text occasionally and usually my GPS I use when I'm stopped, but sometimes I have to fix it while I'm driving." But watching scenes through the eyes of an arrested driver who is booked in a real police station and then taken before the judge for sentencing was unsettling for Kaley and Henry.
"One minor rear ending while you're texting or calling could end up being jail time," says Henry. Kaley fatally struck a pedestrian during her second driving simulation. "I was actually scared when I saw the video of what you get charged for when you hit people," says Kaley.
But will this virtual driving experience change their driving behaviors? Henry says he'll wait until he's at a stop before calling people and is rethinking his texting habits.
"I'll definitely prohibit myself from texting as often as I do," explains Henry.
Campbell says he's encouraged by the possibilities new virtual driving tools offer but advises teen and parents alike to also remember the low-tech fundamentals.
"The most important thing you can do as a parent is to drive with your teenager," he says.
Source : Leslie Wade - CNN Medical Producer http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com
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