This week's cheapest petrol in Bristol award goes to ...
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Mrh Filton Park @ 129.9p

Gloucester Road North, Filton, Bristol, BS7 0SH

This station hasn't been in the top 5 before and it's very unusual to see non-supermarkets with the lowest fuel.  Good to see the price continue to fall and under 130p is stunning for everyone in the motor business.  Driving instructors can rejoice this weekend.
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If anyone ever doubted that our mayor hated cars and motorists, then this is the proof.  He´s going to close the city roads off to cars on Sunday´s ...?  That´s handy for everyone, isn´t it?  Let´s hear your thoughts Bristol. 

As a driving school, this isn´t very helpful, but I no longer provide driving lessons myself at the weekend, but I know instructors who do.  So good luck to them and all the students who are effected by this. And good luck to everyone who lives near these  supposed...
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This weeks cheapest fuel in Bristol is supplied by ...
Asda Patchway

Highwood Lane, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5TL

Coming in at just 131.7p.  

Other cheap places include Morrisons and Shell up at Cribbs and Sainsburys on Winterstoke Avenue.  Esso on Whiteladies and Murco in Henleaze fall out of the top 5 for the first time in several months.  So it looks like all driving instructors in Bristol will be heading to the  supermarkets  with everyone else then this week.

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Supermarkets announced fuel cuts this week meaning that Asda shoppers will pay a maximum of 133.7p for petrol and 137p for diesel.  Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsburys have all slashed prices too due to the low oil prices and the weakening  dollar.  Good news for everyone who drives for once, especially us driving instructors.
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Seat, the car  manufacturer, has an amazing deal of offering their own insurance to new car buyers.  Have a read of the full story here.  I wonder if this deal would be available to driving schools and driving instructors?  
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This weeks cheapest petrol in Bristol is .... Asda Patchway, Highwood Lane, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5TL.  Selling at £1.34.  Asda in Bedminister is also the same price with Esso and Murco on White Ladies and Henleaze respectively snapping at their heels at £1.37.

It's good news for everyone with a car, especially us driving instructors that we're well below the national average here in Bristol.

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It´s been 100 years now of car making up in Cowley, Oxford.  The Bullnose Oxford was made the first and since then it has  churned  out over 11,000,000!  Many driving instructors have tuition vehicles these days from the Mini site (sadly not owned by the British anymore, BMW  smartly  snapped that one up) and if you can believe it they pop out 900 a day!  Who´s buying all these cars?


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Finally the Government has had it's meeting on addressing the overhaul on how to improve the driving quality in young people.  There are a lot of ideas on the table.

 Here are the highlights -
- a minimum learning period
- driving practice on motorways, in poor weather conditions and during darkness
- more rigorous testing in preparation for driving unsupervised
- longer probationary periods
- incentives for post-test training

I agree with a few, not so sure about others.  Have a read of the full a...
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Red, one of the big schools, has announced that it will start giving access to their students an online driving tutorial, something we've had here at A-Class Driving School for around 4 years.

A new study has shown that humans don't really develop their hazard perception skills in their brain till around the age of 25. So, apparently, a 7 hour dose of on-line computer watching will make up for it!  The amount of fails, re-sits and crashes in young people is now being blamed by looks of things ...
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Apparently we need £10.5bn to fix the crumbling roads here in the UK.  The council are responsible for keeping them fixed, but simply do not have the money to do so.  The patch it up trick isn't working and with compensation claims up 50% on 2011, their leeking more money than they can afford.
If you come across a pot hole, don't forget to report it.  The Bristol city council has an online form where you can report these giant craters and if enough people have complained and you damage your c...
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Doesn't seem like all of them are in Bristol?  In the north west here, there must be around around 7 or 8 within a mile of each other.  And what takes the biscuit is that I never see anyone actually working.  

240 extra miles per person per year to avoid them.  1,434 miles of road closed.  43 minutes extra per week of sitting in a car.  

It's not good enough.  Let us know your thoughts Bristol drivers.  How do you learner drivers feel about lessons in traffic?  How do driving instructors avoid ...
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A really interesting article on Yahoo this morning from The Association of British Insurers (ABI), looking for big commitments and changes from the government on the way young drivers should be taught.  It could be premiums come down by over £370 per person, but you'll have to learn for a year, have a restriction on the number of passengers in the car at all times and have a zero tolerance stance on drink driving.

What do you think Bristol learner drivers?  Would you be happy with this?  The ...
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A new report says that this year less of us will be buying a new car, but more will be spent by those who do.  The article on Yahoo Car News states "A study carried out in conjunction with the Sainsbury’s Bank Car Buying Index has revealed that while 14% of motorists plan to buy new between March and August, down around a third from the previous period, the average spend is expected to be 4% higher, at £10,685."

Are you looking for a new car?  Let us know what you're looking to buy Bristol....
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The new Think campaign, costing over £1.2 million (some how) is aimed at making those who believe that drink driving is alright's wallet.  It's now believed that the cost for someone caught will be between £20,000 and £50,000 over a life time.  This reflects the fines, legal costs, rise in insurance premiums and possible job losses faced by offenders.

Mr Hammond, the Government minister, was then heard to say "Anyone thinking of drinking and driving should be without any doubt. If you are c...
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Congratulations to Clay for passing first time yesterday at Southmead test centre.  He passed with just two minors to convert his U.S licence to a U.K one.  Well done and see you on the road.
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Congratulations to Vicky for passing yesterday over at Southmead test centre.  Vicky passed with just 5 minors, an excellent achievement.  See you on the road!
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Congratulations to Adam for passing his driving test with Dave yesterday.  See you on the road!
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Approved driving instructor (ADI) check tests in English or Welsh

From 1 October 2010 the Driving Standards Agency will align the languages in which check tests are conducted with those used for ADI practical tests.

The part 2 (driving ability) and part 3 (instructional ability) tests are conducted in English or Welsh only. Most ADIs who have qualified in Great Britain then continue to have their check tests conducted in these languages.

There has been an increase in the numbers...

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The road works and temporary traffics have vanished after the resurfacing, however, no road markings have been laid down yet, so be careful of your position.

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It's all go in Sea Mills.  Not more than 100 meters down the hill from the major resurfacing is more resurfacing!  Temporary traffic lights in all directions and they are on a 4 way slip.  Meaning you could be waiting here a while.  Handbrake when waiting is a must, if you are coming up the hill, treat it as a massive hill start, so plenty of gas.


Have a read of how you should be taking this set of traffic lights and why several people have failed here before in the past!

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The roadworks no longer push you onto the wrong side of the road.  An island of bollards and now sit in the middle of the road.  Make sure no work men spring out of the centre at the last second, be careful.

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Second-hand car warning: know your rights

Consumers are paying an average of £425 each to fix faults with second-hand cars that are the dealer's responsibility to correct. A study by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) also found that many dealers are using illegal disclaimers like 'No Refund'. Make sure you know your rights when buying a second-hand car.

Read the full story on the Directgov newsroom

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Just to make it clear to everyone who is learning to drive.  Mini roundabouts are there for you to go around, not to go over, or diagonally across.  Its called a ROUNDabout for a reason.  Go AROUND it.  If you don't make an effort to move around the markings on the floor during your exam, you'll fail.

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The area just outside of the hospital in Southmead is under traffic cones.  A 3-way traffic light system is in place just by the entrance off of Monk's Park Avenue (the uphill road from the double mini roundabout).  Make sure you pick up the signs on approach, check those mirrors and stop where you are told, making sure you're not narrowing the road for on coming traffic.



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Lessons are off again and so too are tests.  With this new blanket of snow, tests are going to be off for a day or too.  perhaps with a slight increase in temperature the snow will go by Friday ... fingers crossed

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