The answers to Fridays theory questions were:  

A provisional licence holder can not drive:

• on their own  
• on the motorway

Today's theory question is:

When travelling in heavy rain, your overall stopping distance is likely to be?

• doubled
• quadrupled
• twelve times greater
• the same as in the dry

Today one of my pupils took their driving test. This is always a nerve racking time for both my pupil taking their test but also for myself as I  want them to do well and pass first time. I still remember taking my test many years ago and how nervous I was so I know how they feel!
Just to add to my anxiety, my pupil decided he wanted me to sit in on the test. This is fine and I'm always more than happy to go on the test if my pupils want me to. If they don't pass, it is useful to have seen what went wrong first hand so I can help them to improve for their next test, however it is not the most relaxing experience sitting in the back of the car watching your pupil on test hoping that they will deal with each situation you see coming as well as you know they can.
My pupil drove very well throughout the test and completed the left reverse manouvre, which was one that he had said he hoped he didn't get, with relative ease. He went on to the independant driving section of the test where he was asked to follow severeal different signs throughout the 10 minutes. He showed good progress when he overtook several vehicles on the dual carriageway.
I was very pleased to hear that he had passed when we got back to the test centre, so big congratuations!
Now all that's left for me to do with him is some motorway training and wish him all the best with his driving from this point forward.

The answer to yesterday's theory question is:

To ease off the accelerator and gradually slow down.

Today's theory question is:

As a provisional licence holder, you cannot drive a motor car

• faster than 40 mph
• on your own
• on the motorway
• under the age of 18 years at night time
• with passengers in the rear

 There are 2 answers.

The answer to yesterday's theory question is:

• lowering the amount of time you are accelerating

Today's question for those who may tow a caravan or trailer:

You are towing a caravan and it starts snaking from side to side, how can you stop it?

• Slowly turn the steering wheel left and right
• Increase your speed
• Perform an emergency stop
• Ease off the acelerator and slow down gradually

The answers to sundays theory question were:

• Reduced co-ordination
• Increased confidence
• Poor judgement

Todays theory question is:

Missing out on some gears can save fuel by?

• lowering the amount of time you are accelerating
• meaning you need to use the footbrake less
• controlling the amount of steering
• ensuring coasting is kept to a minimum

The answer to yesterday's theory question is:  

• Brake rapidly and firmly, don't release the brake pedal.

Today's question is:

Which of the following will be caused by drinking alcohol?

• Reduced co-ordination
• Increased confidence
• Poor judgement
• Increased concentration
• Faster reactions
• Colour blindness

There are 3 answers to this question.

Just to try and help out anyone that is going to be taking the thoery test soon I thought I would post a theory test question each day.

Today's question is:

With anti-lock brakes fitted, to stop quickly in an emergency you should

• brake firmly and pump the brake pedal
• brake rapidly and firmly, don't release the brake pedal
• brake gently, pump the brake pedal
• brake rapidly but and immediately release the brake pedal 

I'll post the answer tomorrow.

You can take a practice theory test if you visit my website www.davidbackham.co.uk

I came across this article on the DVSA website on revised prices for the theory test starting next month. Could be useful to anyone thinking of taking their theory test soon.


The cost of car and motorcycle theory tests will drop from £31 to £25 in October 2014, and then to £23 in October 2015.

The cost of the driving theory test will be cut by 25%, saving learner drivers in excess of £100 million over the next 9 years, Transport Minister Stephen Hammond announced on 23 June 2014.
The fee for car and motorcycle theory tests will fall by £6 in October 2014, taking the cost of a test from £31 to £25, with a further drop of £2 in October 2015.
Theory test fees for other categories of vehicle will also be reduced. The changes have been confirmed following a public consultation.

Read the full response to the consultation.

Book tests at the new price

The changes for 2014 apply to theory tests taken from 1 October 2014.

You can book tests for this date onwards from 20 August 2014.

You’ll have to pay the old fee if you choose a test date before 1 October 2014.

Keeping costs down for motorists

Making the announcement in June 2014, Stephen Hammond said:

We want to keep costs down for all motorists – that’s why we have frozen fuel duty – and by reducing the cost of the theory test we will save aspiring motorists around £9 million annually.

This has been achieved without compromising on the vital role the theory test plays in making sure that new drivers know The Highway Code and the rules of the road. I am delighted that theory tests will now offer better value for money while continuing to meet these rigorous standards.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Chief Executive, Alastair Peoples, said:

By agreeing new contract arrangements for the delivery of theory tests we have secured significant cost savings, and it is right that we pass these savings on to our customers. We want to make sure that we continue to keep pace with customers’ needs and deliver services in a way which is both convenient and cost effective.

Car theory test costs - £31 currently, £25 from October 2014, £23 from October 2015

 

Link to full article
www.gov.uk/dvsa

Welcome

Welcome to my Blog.

I've been a driving instructor in Basingstoke for approximately 8 years. Most of that time has been with a large driving school such as BSM and the AA. I have now gone out on my own as an independent instructor and have been working under my own name for about a year.

I have started this blog to run alongside my website www.davidbackham.co.uk. I hope to supply more information and articles to people who are thinking about learning to drive. Also for anyone that already has a driving licence but would like to improve the standard of their driving further.