Driving Lessons Newcastle Gateshead Sunderland & Durham
Archive for September, 2010
Driving School Website Link Exchange
Sep 16th
Driving School Link Exchange:
If you have a related website, and you feel that our website can add value for your own visitors, why don’t you consider exchanging links with us?
If you wish to do so, please place our link on your website before sending an email to info@passwithus.com with your own link details.
Please use the HTML code below when linking your website to us:
<a href="http://www.passwithus.com/driving-school/" Target="_blank">Pass with us Driving School Lessons in Newcastle Gateshead Sunderland Durham and the whole North East</a>
Please contact info@passwithus.com if you need to discuss this link exchange in more details or if you would like us to help you place our link on your driving and driving school related website.
Useful Tips on inspecting and checking a used car before buying. Mechanical, Interior, Exterior and paperwork Car checks
Sep 16th
Very useful article from Auto-Trader that we thought we should share it with our Pass with us driving school learner drivers before going ahead and buying a used car. Please make sure you take advice from your Pass with us driving instructor before or after your driving lesson prior to purchasing a car.
Giving a used car a thorough check can seem daunting, but many faults are easy to spot. We take you through the must-do checks when inspecting a used car.
Car checks
You don’t need to be a mechanic to check the car for mechanical problems or damage from a crash.
Exterior checks
• Check the bodywork for a consistent paint finish – the paint should be the same shade all over the car; if not, it’s probably had some damage and a respray
• Make sure the gaps between the panels are the same width – if not, the car could have been crashed and repaired
• Check the doors and the boot open and close smoothly, and examine the rubber seals for paint – it could point to a respray
• Press down carefully on the car at each corner and release; the car should return smoothly to its normal height – if it bounces before settling the suspension could need work
• Bubbling paintwork indicates rust and is most common around the wheel arches, bumpers and window frames – check everywhere, particularly areas regularly in contact with water
• Check the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for signs of tampering. The VIN is recorded on a metal strip found in a window at the base of the windscreen in modern cars, above the grille under the bonnet and is often stamped into the chassis under the carpet beside the driver’s seat
• Check the tyres and the spare wheel with a tread depth gauge, which are available from car accessory shops. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the width of the tyre, but more is better
• Make sure the tyres have even wear – more wear on one side of the tyre than the other indicates the suspension or tracking alignment needs adjusting – it could also point to crash damage
• If the car is a convertible, make sure the roof moves up and down smoothly and locks fully into place, check the material for tears, and make sure the rear window is free from cracks and discolouration
Under the bonnet
• Check the car’s VIN is the same as recorded in the logbook
• Check for oil, water or other fluid leaks around the engine and other mechanical components, as well as on the ground underneath
• Remove the engine oil dipstick, wipe it with a cloth and replace it. Remove it again and check the oil is on or around the ‘max’ level; the oil should be golden and free from debris – if not, the oil will need changing and could indicate neglect
• Check the top of the engine (you may need to unclip the plastic engine cover first) and underneath the engine oil cap for a white, mayonnaise-like substance which could indicate a damaged engine head gasket and often-irreparable engine damage
• Check the fluid levels for the engine coolant (large, often round tank with a screw cap filled with pink fluid) and brake fluid (small bottle, often attached at the rear of the engine bay) are at the correct indicated level when the engine is cool
• Check the battery terminals and connectors on top of the battery are rust-free and in good condition
Inside the car
• The mileage on the odometer inside the speedometer should be consistent with the advert and car’s documents
• Check wear on the seats and steering wheel are consistent with the car’s mileage – high mileage cars will often show wear on the side bolsters and the steering wheel may have a shiny appearance
• Check the VIN for signs of tampering. The VIN is recorded on a metal strip found in a window at the base of the windscreen in modern cars, and above the grille under the bonnet and is often stamped into the chassis under the carpet beside the driver’s seat
• Make sure everything works, including the air conditioning, all electric windows, sunroof, adjustable seats and even the fuel-filler and bonnet release
• Look for damage to the steering column and ignition – damage could indicate the car has been stolen at some point
• Check the seatbelts, the passenger side of the dashboard and the steering wheel cover – frayed seatbelts could indicate they’ve been activated in a crash and damage to the dashboard and steering wheel could mean the car’s airbags have been activated in a crash
Paperwork checks
• Always visit private sellers at their home address and check it is the same as the one listed in the car’s logbook
• Check the car’s logbook, service history, previous MOT certificates and any old bills and receipts to establish if the car has been cared for, identify recurring faults and checking the car’s mileage is genuine
• Look at each MOT certificate and servicing stamp – the car’s total mileage should increase at a steady rate at each MOT and service interval
• Only accept original paperwork, and check for forgeries – the logbook should have a watermark, and you can call the garage the last MOT was carried out at and the previous owner to check the car’s past
Source: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/buying/inspecting-a-used-car
Driving Test Changes From October 2010: independent driving and less manoeuvres
Sep 14th
Driving Test Changes From October 2010: independent driving and less manoeuvres
What’s happening to the driving test from October 2010?
There will be two important changes to the driving test commencing 4th October 2010:
1) a new section on independent driving,
2) a reduction in the number of reversing manoeuvres candidates will need to do.
Driving Test October 2010 Changes
The UK Practical Driving Test is changing in October 2010! There will be two important changes to the driving test from 4th October 2010: 1) independent driving, 2) a reduction in the number of reversing manoeuvres
The new independent driving section of the driving test will test how you make your own decisions when driving. The examiner will ask test candidates to drive independently for around 10 minutes by either following traffic signs, a series of directions, or a combination of both. If you’re asked to follow a series of verbal directions, you’ll be shown a diagram to help you.
The length of the driving test will not be extended, so in order to allow time for the independent driving section, from 4th October 2010 candidates will only need to perform one reversing manoeuvre instead of two as in the current driving test.
Here’s what the Driving Standards Agency have said about the new independent driving section of the driving test:
“From 4 October the Driving Standards Agency is introducing changes to the practical driving test. This involves all vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses and lorries.
During your test, you’ll be asked to drive for around ten minutes by following either traffic signs, verbal directions or a combination of both. The examiner can also show you simple diagrams.
The aim is to show that you can handle road and traffic conditions safely, while following a series of traffic signs or verbal directions. It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way – this can happen to the most experienced drivers.
If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them to you. If you go off the independent driving route, nothing will be marked unless you commit a driving fault.
Sandra Dodson, Driving Standards Agency: “A lot of people worry what will happen if they go wrong.
“First of all, they can ask the examiner, just as they can now: ‘Which way was it you wanted me to go at the end of the road? Am I still following the signs for Edinburgh?’
“That’s just the same as they could do now. There’s no problem with that and the examiner will respond accordingly.
“If they do go wrong, again, that happens today in the present test. It doesn’t matter – there’s no fault, unless of course a fault has occurred whilst going wrong. The examiner will simply get them back on route.
“If the route, in the independent section, is actually obscured at some point by trees, a building or even a large parked vehicle, the examiner knows that and they will say: ‘The sign’s obscured but you need to take the next left.’ They’ll let them continue to drive independently after that point.”
The new driving test is designed to focus less on manoeuvres and more on the kind of realistic driving experience that you might encounter day to day.
New drivers will need to navigate and make decisions, so the new test gives you the chance to show that you can drive safely in any conditions, preparing you for the first time you drive on your own.”
What happens if the candidate gets it wrong when they’re driving independently…
The DSA say:
“If the candidate goes off-route during the independent driving section, the examiner will get the candidate back on route and continue with the independent driving section wherever possible. The test won’t be terminated.
If the candidate looks like taking a wrong turning, the examiner will control the situation as they do now and preferably step in before the candidate goes off route. If that’s not possible, the examiner will help the candidate get back on route as soon as possible by guiding them with normal directions.
Independent driving is not a test of the candidate’s orientation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault, there’s nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time – as usual. There is no change to assessment.
There will be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say, ‘There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please’ and then, ‘Now, carry on following the signs to ………….’
If the candidate asks for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them. Driving independently means making your own decisions and, just like when driving with friends, this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you’re going. ”
Can satellite navigation be used during the independent driving section of the new driving test?
No, you will not be allowed to use a sat nav during the independent driving section of the driving test.
The DSA state:
“A sat nav gives directions in much the same way as the driver trainer, or the examiner, so it’s not appropriate to use for independent driving.”
“You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.”
Source and Further details: http://www.squidoo.com/driving-test-october-2010-changes
Theory Test Centres in the North East of England United Kingdom (UK)
Sep 6th
Tyne and Wear DSA Theory Test Centres:
- Newcastle upon Tyne Theory Test Centre:
Collingwood House (1st Flr) 3 Collingwood Street Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1JW
- Sunderland Theory Test Centre:
Havelock Buildings (2nd flr) 6 Fawcett Street Sunderland Tyne and Wear SR1 1SJ
Durham DSA Theory Test Centres:
- Durham Theory Test Centre:
Suite 1 Abbeywoods Business Park Abbey Road Durham Durham DH1 5TH
Northumberland DSA Theory Test Centres:
- Morpeth Theory Test Centre:
Unit 7 Telford Court Loansdean Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2DB
- Berwick Theory Test Centre:
Shop Unit 3 Border Court Woolmarket Berwick upon Tweed Berwick Berwick TD15 1DP
Pass with US
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