Max Langley- Barnton, Edinburgh
A huge congratulations to Max Langley (Simon from The Inbetweeners). from Barnton, Edinburgh, who today passed his test in Currie (yellow car in the background) with only four minors and astonishingly 14 hours tuition! Max is already a motorcyclist and did brilliantly transitioning his skills from the bike to the car to great effect. Enjoy the new Scirrocco and above all be safe out there.
Max Langley- Barnton, Edinburgh.
Jordan Chatt- Edinburgh
It's with great pleasure that we can announce that Jordan Chatt from Edinburgh City Centre, has today passed his test with minimum minors in Currie AND achieved this with only 30 hours! A brilliant result following in the footsteps of his sister Kimberly Chatt who did the same a few years ago. Well done again Jordan, enjoy the new licence and remember to stay safe out there.
Jordan Chatt- Edinburgh City Centre.
How to prepare for your theory test
If you’ve decided to take driving lessons, you will be aware that you have to sit what’s known as a theory test. This theory test is a way of testing your knowledge of the Highway Code and there’ll also be a hazard perception test. The cost for sitting this test is around £34 which you can pay online.
Revision
It’s a good idea to do some revision beforehand and you can buy books and find articles online which will aid your study. You’ll be given 50 questions on multiple choice and you’ll need to answer at least 43 correctly to pass.
Around 20 to 25 hours should be adequate study and preparation time, and if you can, get someone you know to test you on it. It’s important to put the time in because if you don’t, you may fail the test and lose money.
There’s a handbook you can buy from the Driving Standards Agency, DVSA, which is a theory test handbook, you should find this useful. You’ll find some sample questions and some great tips on what to look out for, and it will prepare the way for you before you sit the test.
As we mentioned earlier there will be a hazard perception test and it’s important therefore to prepare well for this. When you sit the test, you’ll be given some video clips where there are driving hazards for you to spot. You’ll find lots of information about this both online and in your theory test handbook.
Also, online you’ll find some hazard tests you can run through to help yourself which will help you to identify which distractions could lead to a potential hazard.
For the hazard perception test, you’ll need to get 44 out of 75 to pass, so that’s something else that’s worth spending time on.
We mentioned earlier about taking tests online, these are known as mock tests and they’ll give you a real feel for what you’re up against once you sit the test itself. It’ll give you time to practice what you know and to get a feel for what it’s like to sit the test. By testing yourself in this way, you’ll be helping yourself to feel better prepared and more confident about what you know.
On The Day
Always leave in plenty of time because you don’t want to arrive feeling hot and flustered, that’s not a great start. You’ll need proof of identity, and this can be in the form of a provisional license, or if you have the old-style driving license and you’re an older driver, then you’ll need a passport with a recent photo of yourself.
Before you start you’ll have around 15 minutes to get yourself ready, adjusting yourself to the layout and to play around the touch screen. You’ll have just under an hour to answer 50 questions, if you’re stuck on one then touch the flag button and it’ll mark it so you can go back to it later.
You’re allowed a 3-minute break during both tests. This should help you to take a few deep breaths and prepare yourself mentally for the rest. Take your time and don’t rush through the questions.
With the hazard perception test you’ll need to press the mouse button every time you see a potential hazard developing. The earlier you respond, the higher the score. If you click too many times you will get zero for that particular clip.
You’ll find out whether or not you’ve passed as soon as you leave the exam room. Someone in reception will let you know what your marks were and whether or not you’ve scored enough to pass. We wish you luck with your theory test and if you have any questions about what we’ve discussed today, please get in touch, one of our team will be able to help you. Here at Compass ProDrive, we have some of the most successful driving instructors in Edinburgh, we pride ourselves on our pass rate and the standard of our teaching. Give us a call today.
New Driving Test 2017
Barring potential lobbying with local MPs to review whether these are appropriate changes, this is how the new test will shape up as of 4th December 2017.
It is a very divisive set of changes that has split opinion within the instructor community both north and south of the border
Compass ProDrive are at the cutting edge of the changes and are in a prime position to be able to help make sure you are ready for these new changes. Our instructors have attended national meetings, seminars and enrolled in future training programs through the DVSA to keep ahead of what is expected and how these changes will be taught both theoretically and technologically
Now is the time to get in touch with Compass to ensure you are in pole position to secure your skill for life.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-test-changes-4-december-2017
Stephanie Metcalfe- Sighthill, Edinburgh
A massive congratulations to Stephanie Metcalfe from Sighthill, Edinburgh, today brilliantly passed her test first time in Currie, Edinburgh. What makes Stephanie's achievement more pleasing is that she passed her test with NO MINORS and with only 30 hours tuition. Well done again Stephanie, brilliant dedication and commitment to your lessons and it's paid off. Enjoy the new licence and remember to stay safe out there.
Stephanie Metcalfe- Sighthill, Edinburgh.
Zero minor test result.
Simon Thomson- Sighthill, Edinburgh.
Delighted to announce that Simon Thomson from Sighthill, Edinburgh, has today passed his test with only 4 minors in Currie, Edinburgh. This is particularly impressive as Simon only took 3 months of hard work to pass his test with flying colours. Well done again Simon, great result, enjoy the new licence and above all stay safe out there.
Simon Thomson- Sighthill, Edinburgh.
Zoe Hogg- South Queensferry
It's with great delight that we can annnounce that Zoe Hogg from South Queensferry today brilliantly passed her test in Currie, Edinburgh, with minimal minors. Zoe has worked tirelessly to achieve this and it culminated with a very good solid drive that finally got her licence first time of asking. Well done again Zoe, well deserved, enjoy the new licence and above all stay safe out there.
Zoe Hogg- South Queensferry
Driving Instructor's Tips: Adjusting Mirrors
Adjusting your mirrors correctly is an important part of driving safety. You will learn more about this once you start driving lessons. Perhaps you haven’t quite got around to adjusting your mirrors before a driving test, but it’s something you need to master because inappropriately adjusted mirrors will have a serious impact on your driving test and on how you drive in general.
Not only is this an important step in passing your test, it’s critical in being able to observe and avoid accidents. We’re going to be going over some of the things you can avoid when adjusting your mirrors so you get it right on the day you sit your test, and every day after that.
Moving Off
It’s important to make sure your mirrors are clear before moving away, especially in bad weather. This could include de-icing or demisting the inside of your mirrors before taking off.
Make sure you check your wing and rear view mirrors so you can see whether the road behind you is clear. Always look over your shoulder, this is your blind spot, something you won’t see in your mirrors. If everything is clear from this point take off.
Once You’re On the Road
Once you take off, you should constantly be checking your wing and rear view mirrors. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s going on behind you. By adjusting your mirrors properly beforehand, you’re prepared for driving. You should keep looking behind you and always check mirrors before changing lanes.
Reversing
When you reverse again check your mirrors and your blind spot as you would when pulling off.
Now you will begin to see the importance of adjusting your mirrors so you can see behind you and to the side. Never take off unless your mirrors are adjusted to the correct position, and that position should be where you can see behind you. You need a wide view of the road and this way you can avoid an accident, when you can’t see clearly, then it’s easier to hit someone.
How can you make sure your mirrors are adjusted properly?
Your right-wing mirror should be adjusted while you’re sitting in the driving position as if you were about to take off. The horizon should be in the centre of the mirror. From your left door mirror, the same techniques should be applied. It might be a good idea to adjust your left mirror so it’s slightly lower than the right, but not by much. This allows you to have a better view of the pavement or curb, especially when you’re reversing round a corner. Don’t have your mirror too low because you won’t see as clearly.
For the best driving instructors in Edinburgh
If you’re looking to start learning to drive, or you’re looking for advice and guidance on anything we’ve discussed today, please get in touch with us here at Compass ProDrive. Anyone of our qualified Edinburgh driving instructors will be more than happy to help you, so get in touch today.
Daniel Kelly- Kirkliston
We are delighted to announce that Daniel Kelly from Kirkliston today passed his driving test in Currie, Edinburgh, with minimal minors. Daniel produced a brilliant drive albeit with some minor incidents that were not enough to deter the examiner on commenting how good a drive it was. Well done again, very well deserved after your hard work and commitment but remember above all to enjoy the new licence and be safe out there.
Daniel Kelly- Kirkliston.
How the New Driving Laws Could Affect You
New laws will be implemented shortly and this will impact quite heavily on drivers. If you’re having driving lessons with us or another firm, then it’ll be in your interests to know about them, so you can avoid breaking the law.
You will find that as of March this year, there are some important changes, due to accidents caused by mobile phone use on the road. Now, when drivers are caught using their mobile phones within two years of having passed their test, they will have their licence revoked. These rules apply throughout Scotland, England and Wales.
Penalties
You will also find that penalties for using your phone while at the driving wheel from the beginning of March last month, will now mean six points on your license and a fine of £200. If you’re a new driver, and you have six points or more, you will have to re-sit not just your practical but your theory test too. If you’re a more experienced driver then you can be banned altogether if you’ve received more than 12 points in the past 3 years.
Awareness Campaign
There’ll be some pretty strong advertisements to ram the point home as well, so everyone is made aware of the more stringent rules and stronger punishments. There won’t be any excuses left for drivers who still try to use their mobile phones while driving, as the whole point of the exercise is to make sure everyone is made aware of them, so saying you didn’t know won’t be a good enough excuse.
The new changes to the law are because of the serious accidents that have been caused by mobile phone use while driving
These tougher punishments come close on the heels of some horrific accidents over the past couple of years. Over 20 people alone have died in car accidents, with nearly 100 seriously injured just in 2015 alone. Police are now extra vigilant and are planning to put out extra patrols on the road to catch people out.
Thing is what can you do, if say, for arguments sake, you get texts or social media messages whole you’re at a set of lights? Surely if you’re stationary you should be able to answer the phone. No, this is no longer allowed, even if your car is stopped at a set of traffic lights, you cannot use your phone. It doesn’t matter even if your phone is on a hands-free holder it can be distracting and dangerous.
No videos, but you can listen to music and podcasts
You won’t be able to watch videos because your eyes are not on the road, but you will be able to play podcasts and listen to music. Keep in mind though that even if you are just listening to music, if it’s providing enough of a distraction to make you drive dangerously – you can still be prosecuted.
If you need to look at a sat nav, and it’s on your phone, then it’ll need to be on a hands-free mounted holder. Remember that if it’s in your hands then you can be prosecuted.
You can always pull over to check your phone if it’s urgent, as long as you’ve chosen somewhere safe to park and your engine has been switched off.
What is considered a hands-free holder?
Hands free items are cradles, dashboard holders, earphones or Bluetooth connections. You must never hold a microphone in your hands or to hold your phone out in your hand to use a loudspeaker. If you have a smartwatch and/or any voice activated software, you’ll find that these are legal, but like listening to music on a radio or phone, they can be distracting, and again you can be prosecuted if you’re seen to be driving erratically as a result.
So, remember that the only time you can use your phone with your hands from now on is if you are safely parked. There is only ONE exception and that is if there’s an emergency and you need to call the police or an ambulance/fire brigade. That would be 999 or 112, and it’s simply impractical to stop or it’s unsafe to do so.
If you have any questions about what we’ve discussed today, please get in touch with us here at Compass Prodrive, where one of our trained and experienced driver instructors can advise and guide you on the correct procedure when driving. We are the premier driving instructors in Edinburgh, and your safety as a fully qualified driver is always our highest priority.
Jack Robinson- Kirkliston
A huge congratulations to Jack Robinson from Kirkliston who today passed his test in Currie with only 3 minors. Jack has been up here in Edinburgh for university from Liverpool and recently landed himself a new job following graduating from Heriot Watt. The licence will no doubt help in many news ways. Well done again Jack, enjoy the new licence and remember above all to stay safe out there.
Jack Robinson- Kirkliston.
Lesson Availability
Due to some unforeseen circumstances we now have some availability coming up for any new pupils in the following/surrounding areas:
Kirkliston, South Queensferry, Broomhouse, Sighthill, Westerhailes, Currie and Balerno.
The dates and times available are same times weekly:
From Wednesday May 31st 0930-1130
From Friday 2nd June 0700-0900
From Monday 5th June 0930-1130
From Tuesday 13th June 1430-1630
From Wednesday 14th June 1430-1630
If you are interested or know of anyone looking to start with those dates and those areas then give Steve a text on 07736659265 or email compassprodrive1@gmail.com
Luke Gibson- Kirkliston
A huge congratulations to Luke Gibson from Kirkliston who today passed his test first time in Currie with only 2 minors. A brilliant confident drive from Luke who worked incredibly hard even getting up for lessons at 0700 on a Saturday morning! Tremendous dedication to getting his licence and the result reflected that. Well done, very well deserved and enjoy the new licence. Above all though stay safe out there.
Luke Gibson- Kirkliston
Brandon Christman- Marchmont
A huge congratulations to Brandon Christman who today passed his test in Musselburgh with only 2 minors. This is a brilliant achievement on its own but what makes it even better is that Brandon is from the USA and here studying and as such decided to take his test here. Delighted to have been the school that for your through your test, enjoy the licence and your adventure to Europe but above all be safe out there.
Brandon Christman- Marchmont.
Susan Veitch-South Queensferry
We are delighted to announce that Susan Veitch from South Queensferry today passed her test in Currie with only 2 minors. This is a great achievement for Susan as this will make her life so much easier for work purposes and also for our instructor Laura who maintains her incredible pass record. Well done again Susan, we at Compass are so pleased for you. Enjoy the new licence and remember to stay safe out there.
Susan Veitch- South Queensferry
Driving Instructor's Tips: The Hill-start
Today our driving instructors have helped us put together a hill start guide, so for those unsure of what to do when it comes to these pesky little occurrences, read on to see what our driver’s instructor’s tips suggest.
Coordination and Practice
Good coordination is needed when handling a hill start. It’s not an easy thing to master, even for more experienced drivers. When a hill start happens, you’ll usually experience one of two things, your car will stall or it will start rolling back, and that’s not good.
But why does your car stall in the first place?
Your car stalls because you don’t have enough gas or acceleration. You need to give your car enough power, or ‘revs’ to get the car over the brow of a hill. Not too much and not too little. Your car can also stall if your clutch comes up too fast which is to say, past the bite point, which means the neither the clutch plate or fly wheel engage when they should.
Always prepare your call well and observe the following:
Choose first gear and press down on the accelerator (gas pedal)
Bring the clutch up to biting point, this will be when the engine connects with the wheels
Keep your feet still.
Checks
Look all around, and always make sure you use your mirrors
Release the handbrake as gently as you can, if the car starts to move forwards or backwards, keep your feet still as possible and pull your handbrake back up
Check the road is clear, and try again.
Stay in control of the pedals
By being in control of the pedals in this way and you’ll never roll back more than a few centimetres, and each time you do it and the more you practice, the better you will be at doing it. Confidence will be the difference between constantly stalling and hardly ever.
Make sure you get enough practice out with your driving instructors, driving lessons should be the ideal opportunity to practice anything you’re unsure of, and that includes hill starts. The more practice you get the better.
Compass Prodrive – Where Good Driving is Par For the Course
If you have any questions about what we’ve discussed today, or you’d like to book a few lessons with us, why not give us a call, and one of our friendly team members will be on hand to help you with any queries.
Standards Check Passed
Happy to say that Steve has passed his DVSA Standards Check today at Currie which means that he has met and exceeded the level of instruction that the DVSA set for ADIs. A special thanks to Simon Thomson who very kindly agreed to be the pupil for the test.
Michelle Darrehshoori- Heriot Watt, Edinburgh
We are delighted to finally announce that Michelle Darrehshoori from Heriot Watt, Edinburgh, has today passed her test with very minimal minors today at Currie test centre. Michelle actually thought she had not been successful but was overjoyed after her examiner eventually told her of her success. This result is even better as Michelle is actually from Norway and studying here so it makes things even better. Well done again Michelle, enjoy the new licence and remember to stay safe out there.
Michelle Darrehshoori- Heriot Watt, Edinburgh.
Finbar Hendry- Gorgie, Edinburgh
It's with great delight that we can announce that Finbar Hendry from Heriot Watt University today passed his test in Currie with only 1 minor. This achievement was made even better by the fact that Finbar only had 6 lessons with us to gain his licence. Well done again Finbar and well done also to our instructor Laura Jackson who hits the dizzy heights of maintaining her 90% pass record! Enjoy the new licence Finbar and remember to stay safe out there.
Finbar Hendry- Gorrie, Edinburgh.
Navigating Roundabouts Safely
Roundabouts are notorious for causing confusion, and in some cases accidents. This is because not everyone is familiar with the rules. If you’ve just passed your driving test, or you’re on the cusp of passing, then you probably know all the rules inside and out.
Unfortunately, however, there’ll be some people out there who don’t. It may have been a while since they last sat their test, and have perhaps forgotten about what they should be doing. There are also people out there who are simply poor drivers and don’t respect the rights and safety of others. It helps though if you remember the rules and stick to them and always be on the lookout for those who don’t look, indicate or are going in the wrong direction.
What Purpose Does a Roundabout Serve?
It’s easy to question what exactly roundabouts are for but initially they’re designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Traffic goes around on a clockwise basis around an island at the centre of a roundabout. When you’re about to enter a roundabout, you must always give way to traffic approaching from the right.
Watch Out For Hazards
By applying the Hazard Drill you can take care as you approach in the usual way, by making observations in the road ahead of you, and this gives you enough time to make a judgement about the flow of traffic. By making early assessments you can manage your speed and adjust it accordingly. It’s not a good idea to make your observations at the last minute, it could result in you making a mistake and causing an accident to other drivers.
Signal
If you’re going to turn left on a roundabout, then you will need to signal left and approach in the left-hand lane. If you’re going ahead use the left-hand lane unless instructed to do so otherwise by clearly marked signs on the road, don’t signal on approach and keep to your lane as you go around the roundabout. Signal left on leaving as you past the exit, before the one you’ll be taking. When turning right always approach from the right-hand lane and make a right signal. Maintain your position and signal left as you go past the exit before the one you’re going to take. If you’re going to change lanes because you’re leaving the roundabout make sure you take extra observations to the left before moving across.
Mini-roundabouts
You’ll find that rules regarding mini roundabouts are the same as for the normal ones, expect that reducing your speed is more important. You’ll have to go around the central markings and never do a U turn on a mini roundabout, but keep in mind that many drivers do.
On a double mini roundabout make sure you treat each roundabout the same as you would a normal one and treat them separately, and always give way to traffic coming from the right, making the usual observations.
On a complex mini roundabout, there’s a large roundabout with a series of smaller, mini ones. Again, treat them all separately, and watch out for traffic coming from both directions on the larger roundabout.
Compass Prodrive – Premier Driving Instructors in Edinburgh
If you need any further advice or guidance on what we’ve discussed today, get in touch and one of our driving instructors in Edinburgh will be more than happy to help you. Of course, if you’re out with your driving instructor, whether it’s one of ours or you’re with another school, ask him/her about roundabouts, and they should be more than happy to go through it with you carefully.
