Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, May 15, 2013,
In :
Motoring news
Matt Dawson has recently embarked on a fuel saving challenge, seeing him drive from Preston to London trying to use as little diesel as possible. He undertook the 294 mile, Shell backed mission in the the new VW Golf Bluemotion, averaging an impressive 78.1mpg. It's the kind of figures that all drivers want to achieve (especially us driving schools) and many teams have invested heavily in wining the competition so to take part in European leg of the world Eco-Marathon, starting today i... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Sunday, April 21, 2013,
In :
Motoring news
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? Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 15, 2012,
Congratulations to Henry for passing first time at Brislington driving test centre on Tuesday. Henry passed with just 3 minors, an excellent achievement. Well done Henry, see you on the road. Continue reading ...
Found a great place for cheap tyres today. F1 Autos on St.Phillips Causeway. Only £40 with labour for a new 15" rim tyre for my A-Class. Hi-Q are £50 and Kwik Fit (if anyone ever gets round to seving you) would be £53.
The road works at the crossroads on Shirehampton Road and Sylvan Way have been cleared up, however, no road marking have been laid down yet, so be careful of your position.
West Town Lane is due to be closed in the next few days. For how long? No one knows. Why? You got me, I've no idea. A few test routes will need to be diverted, so if asked to turn left at the lights onto Callington Road, get into the right hand lane as you'll have to go down the hill and stay on Callington Road.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 27, 2010,
Last one, I swear! If you get this test route in either direction at the moment, you'll need to be really on your toes! The one way system has a load of bollards and cones in the left lane as you come around the corner, without much notice. You'll be wanting to get into the right lane anyway, but just make sure you use your mirrors and signal to change lane and position. Also worth noting to take the signal off as just a little way down the street is a hidden right hand turn, that you are... Continue reading ...
Henleaze High Street has some massive digging works going on at the moment. As you head towards the test centre, going down the hill the road is blocked off by some high fencing protecting what looks like a port-a-loo ... make of it what you will, you'll have to go around it. It's just at the start of the busy section, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for cars coming towards you as you move around the digging, making sure you check your mirrors first.
'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 ...
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.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, March 17, 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, we ask you to
attend as scheduled.
We won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all
of our examiners and staff are members of the union. We don’t know at
this stage who will attend for work, which is why we ask that you arrive
for your test regardless.
Chandag road is being dug up at present. The cones are right on the corner by the school where everyone parks on either side of the road on approach just to make things even worse. You should be approaching with caution here anyway, holding your postion is vital, don't over commit to the corner or take the racing line, otherwise you could come unstuck.
At the top of school road, pretty close to the test centre (out fothe centre, turn left and down the hill towards town, then first right across the bath road) we have some major digging going on. On approach you are probably going to be concentrating on keeping your speed constant with the huge incline up the hill. Just as soon as the road bends around you'll see some signs for road works and just before the top of the hill you have the "please wait here when red lights show" sign. Mirrors... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, March 13, 2010,
Some serious digging is taking place on East Hill in Westbury Village. Temporary traffic lights have been put up and the traffic is backing up in both directions a fair bit. Due to the East Hill being so up and down, handbrake and neutral is required here. Make sure you use those mirrors for big changes in direction as you move around the cones when the lights turn greeen.
If you have torubles in Westbury Village, have a read of the guide - Westbury Village
Posted by Will Dracott on Thursday, March 4, 2010,
If you have a passenger suffering from car sickness, open a window. Stuffy conditions may contribute to feeling ill. If this doesn't work, try driving a little smoother. Gentle steering, early braking would all help in making your passenger feel better.
This one is just for the learners. Make sure you know what is going to happen for the exam, so nothing catches you out. The DSA have just released this new YouTube video, watch it!
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, February 22, 2010,
Kellaway Road, very close to the horrid cramped up little crossroad, has cones and bollards in the street. The wall has collapsed and is having some emergency work carried out here. The street is narrow enough as it is, so make sure you speed is suitable if someone is coming towards you down here.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 17, 2010,
Druid Stoke Avenue is the street with the really posh houses with massive cast iron gates. You've probably done a few turn in the road manoeuvres and the emergency stop down here. On approach to this street there are still lots of road works on the mini roundabout. It's very difficult to see what is going on here, so be careful. The next issue is then turning into Druid Stoke Avenue. Straight away there are more roadworks and diggers and cones etc. Don't switch off, keep focused when ent... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 10, 2010,
Congratulations to Samina for passig today with an amazing 2 minors!!! A fantastic effort from her today, she worked ever so hard on her driving. Studied the online driving lessons every day on the run in to her test and took a lesson 5 days running. Just goes to show, if you work hard and want it bad enough, you can do it. Well done once again Samina.
Posted by Will Dracott on Wednesday, February 10, 2010,
I'm guessing it's that time of year when road works start to pop up left right and centre. Sea Mills Lane is down to one lane. As you turn left off Shirehampton Road (coming down the hill with the zebra crossing, the crossroads and little parade of shops) you'll see warning triangles very quickly. Get some mirror checks in to show the examiner you've seen the danger, then goet your speed down. You won't be able to see the road works until it's possibly too late. cars could be coming at y... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 6, 2010,
The traffic light controlled crossroads on Kellaway Road is having a little bit of work done to it at the moment. The work spills into Bishop Road and will only effect those making this turn. Just be aware that potentially pedestrians could be walking in the street, or work men could be moving around without taking too much notice of the traffic, so be careful for that type of road user here.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, February 6, 2010,
The mini roundabout at the end of Druid Hill, just by the park has quiet a lot of barriers and cones surrounding it. The work is on the pavement, however, it does obsure your visibility on approach. So be extra cautious in making sure nothing is coming before emerging.
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, January 16, 2010,
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.
Posted by Will Dracott on Monday, January 11, 2010,
Just spome to the test centre in Southmead and the manager tells me they are hopeful that exams this afternoon should be on. I've been out and about and the side roads are still dangerous, so I assume that the test routes will be jiggled around so no one will be put in harms way. Not many places offer the grip to perform the manoeuvres, but a few do exist, so lessons are back on again for those wishing to get out there!
If you have a lesson coming up, and don't like the look of the streets w... Continue reading ...
Posted by Will Dracott on Saturday, December 19, 2009,
Tecnical issues have resulted in all 3 test centre blogs being lost, so from now on I'll be usig just the one to report on all issues with Southmead driving test centre, Brislington test centre and Warmely MPTC. As well as keeping you updated with road works and road layout changes I'll post any news and information from the Driving Standards Agency regarding driving exams.
This blog is for everyone and anyone who has an interest in driving. We have all the latest from the DSA, High Way Code news, Motoring Headlines and Car Reviews. If you're a learner, motorist or driving instructor, we welcome your input in the topics we bring you.
