Alex Macpherson - Driving Instructor

DM if anyone is looking

Do you know what motorway marker posts mean?

Vehicles towing trailers cannot travel in the right-hand lane of a motorway (unless all other lanes are closed). The maximum speed limit for them is 60 mph.

MAKING MISTAKES ON THE FIRST DRIVING LESSON

You are likely to make plenty of mistakes. Your instructor is used to this and is expecting this, especially over the first few driving lessons. Providing you try your best, that is all the instructor is looking for

THEORY QUESTION TIME
Do you know the answer? If so comment below

One of the very first things you’ll learn on your first driving lesson is the cockpit drill. Once you’ve got the hang of it, your cockpit drill won’t take more than a minute or so,

There are five basic parts to the cockpit drill: doors, seat, steering, seatbelt and mirrors. Some driving instructors abbreviate this to ‘DSSSM’ to make it easier to remember.

Whether you are a new driver getting used to the road, or an experienced driver just dealing with the normal challenges of commuting, driving can be a daunting task sometimes. You may feel frustration or anxiety crop up. But if you calm yourself in the moment, prepare for a relaxing drive, and handle your specific driving concerns you can relax when you are driving.

Many people think that if you take a wrong turning or go the opposite way to what your examiner tells you, that you’ll fail. It’s not the case - if you do it safely, you’ll be fine

When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just before you turn, you should check for cyclists or motorcyclists as they might not be paying attention

The safest way to brake is to do so early and lightly. Brake more firmly as you begin to stop. Ease the pressure off just before the vehicle comes to rest to avoid a bumpy stop

VEHICLE LOADING
Put your answer in the comments below

Fog lights need to be used at the right times to combat reduced visibility, otherwise you could be a danger to yourself and other drivers.

Using them at the right time should aid safe driving but using them at the wrong time could mean you are breaking the law and endangering other drivers

ALERTNESS CATEGORY
Which is the correct answer?

Communication is key in driving lessons; don’t be afraid to ask questions -nobody expects you to know these things straight off the bat.

If you are struggling with a certain aspect of driving, ask for a dedicated lesson on it.

Also, it helps to tell your instructor before setting off for a drive about anything you may be anxious about. This gives them an idea of what areas you may be struggling with or when to give you some extra support

To drive safely, keep in-car distractions such as mobile phones, gadgets, snacks and anything else that could hinder your concentration out of sight. Do not Rubberneck! This is where cars slow down to stare at accidents on the other side of the motorway – this causes congestion and accidents.

6 Top Tips to help you drive safely with a sat nav:

1 – Make sure your sat nav isn't blocking your vision
2 – Pay attention to road signs and the road ahead
3 – Check the route before you set off
4 – Only programme or adjust your sat nav while stationary
5 – Turn up the volume so it clear to hear
6 – Update your sat nav regularly

Circular signs are used to give orders; usually something that you must or must not do

For help passing your driving test contact us today

If you realise, once you’ve entered a roundabout, that you’re in the wrong lane, don’t panic. Check your mirrors and see if it’s safe to move into the correct lane, making sure you signal if it is. If it’s not safe to do so, continue around the roundabout in the lane that you’re in. Do not try to cut across other traffic to take the correct exit, as this will put you and others at risk.

Instead, drive around the roundabout and give yourself enough time to correct your lane positioning. Make sure you check your mirrors whenever you change speed or direction on a roundabout.

SAFETY AND YOUR VEHICLE
Put your answer in the comments below

Mini roundabouts can be difficult to see due to their size. A blue mini roundabout sign isn’t always located before the roundabout, so during a driving test, keep a keen eye on road markings and road signs.

Whilst driving, look for road signs, traffic crossing in front of you, junctions to the left and right or road markings that may help you identify a mini roundabout. Mini roundabout road markings are either a painted circle or a white circular hump with 3 clockwise directional arrows around the inner circle.

TOP TIP
If you don’t hear an instruction properly during you test, stay calm and just ask the examiner to repeat it.

Panicking will only cause you to lose focus and slip up.

While sat navs are a great help, it takes time to become accustomed to being guided by one. A great way to get used to them is to choose a different destination to drive to each week. The key to using a sat nav is making sure you’re always thinking one step ahead. This gives you time to get into the correct lane and focus on your observations - a critical skill which often is the difference between many people passing or failing their driving test.

On single carriageway roads you might see this “keep left” (or right) sign with flashing amber lights on the back of the works vehicle or the vehicle protecting the works. These lamps flash in pairs from top to bottom. It means there are slow-moving or stationary works vehicles blocking a traffic lane. Pass in the direction shown by the arrow.

Once moving you should keep to the left unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. The exceptions are when you want to overtake, turn right, or pass parked vehicles or pedestrians in the road.

ATTITUDE TOPIC
Put your answer in the comments below

Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

- while stationary on the road
- when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am
except when another road user poses a danger

THEORY QUESTION TIME
Put your answer in the comments below

Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are designed to slow traffic down and are usually used in residential or busy pedestrian areas.

Successful speed limits should be self-enforcing through both good road design and clear signs. Traffic calming measures like humps and bumps can help enforce lower speed limits

Defensive Driving is essentially driving in a manner that utilises safe driving strategies to enables motorists to address identified hazards in a predictable manner. These strategies go well beyond instruction on basic traffic laws and procedures.

With defensive driving, students learn to improve their driving skills by reducing their driving risks by anticipating situations and making safe well-informed decisions. Such decisions are implemented based on road and environmental conditions present when completing a safe driving manoeuvre

Regular servicing of your car can help improve your fuel economy by up to 10% or more. Catalytic converters are exhaust treatment systems that help reduce nasty pollutants from your engine by up to 75% but only if they are properly maintained. Keep tyre pressures checked. As well as potentially being dangerous and illegal they will wear quicker and reduce fuel economy.