Archive | April, 2013

UK Driving license for Non UK Drivers

26 Apr

Many Persons moves from one country to another for many reasons and any person migrate to the United Kingdom. The very big thing to get an authority to drive in the UK. The person needs a UK driving license to drive legally in the UK.

If you are a visitor and you have a full driving license or international driving permit then your license or permit valid for 1 year. That means you can drive in the UK for 12 months with your current Non UK license. You may drive any vehicle which has 8 passenger seats and weight up to 3.5 tones.

If you have an ordinary license holder and provide your license to DSA then you will drive a small vehicle for 1 year. You must pass the driving test before 1 year. If you don’t pass the driving test within 1 year then you must stop driving in the UK. You cannot drive legally in the UK. If you want to drive in the UK, you must take the provisional license and pass the test before you driving period ends.

After passing the driving test you can drive but the Normal provisional condition applied for 1 year after passing the test. If you are a student and have the community license then you can drive cars and motorcycle until your license valid and if you don’t have a community license then you can give the drive test only you are studying in the UK for at least six months. If you want to exchange your UK driving license and you are resident in great Britain and your driving license issued in the European Union, Northern Ireland, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Faroe Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe or Jersey then you can fill D1 application form and sent to DVLA with the license fee, your identity and address proof and you will get your driving license within 3 weeks. You can use DVLA online ordering services for filling the D1 application form or you can send to the DVLA address by post.

After you exchange your license, you can drive freely and legally in the UK roads. Before driving, you must know the United Kingdom driving rules, traffic rule, signs and signals. First you to familiar with the UK roads and traffic and after that you can drive safely on the road.

Useful Defensive Driving Suggestions

24 Apr

Defensive driving is the key to safe driving. Defense driving is a standard that saves lives, money and time. Every driver wants to become a safe driver and possible when the driver knows the safe driving techniques and follow these techniques while driving on the road. Many driving schools include defense driving courses that help to improve driver’s safe driving skills.

Follow defense driving tips and techniques and become a safe driver:

Vehicle maintenance: The important factors for defense driving to check tyre pressure and other vehicle part regularly and maintain the vehicle properly and avoid accidents caused by the vehicles’ conditions.

Avoid braking unnecessarily: When you are driving in the heavy traffic, avoid slamming your brakes. Try to avoid unnecessary braking during the driving and maintain a proper distance between the other vehicles. This helps to reduce the chance of collision between two vehicles.

Driving in the blind spots: Blind spots are the spaces where you can’t see the other coming vehicles. It is necessary to keep extra concentration while driving in the blind spots. Use horn and warning lights to warn the other vehicles and give safety indication.

Driving speed: Defense drivers must drive the vehicle within the speed limits and drive not to fast or not to slow. Different road surface and traffic conditions affect the driving speed and different surface has different driving speeds limits. Drivers must use traffic signs tells the speed limit for the road surface.

Surface conditions: Driving according to the road surface conditions. You must know the driving surface information and conditions before planning for the driving on the specific road surface. These details help you to give an idea of driving on the specific road surface.

Signal lights: Signal lights help to run the traffic properly and reduce the accident chances. Always stop the vehicle when the signals turn red and drive the vehicle after signal lights turns green. Driving according to the traffic rule, signs and signals and become a defensive driver.

Avoid distraction: During the driving, avoid any kind of distraction that affects driving. Avoid use of cell phones or mobile phones, eat or drink something and talking while driving. These activities reduce your concentration during the driving and increase the chance of crashes and road accidents that cause the number of kills and injuries.

Safety precautions: Always use safety precautions while driving. These safety precautions include seat belts, headrests and air bags. So always wear seat belts and adjust headrests properly while driving on the road. These safety features help to reduce the injury level and save lives during the crashes and road accidents.

Body fitness: Drive only when you physically and mentally fit for driving. If you think that you have mental stress or you are not fully fit for driving than not to drive.

Parking rules: Use the parking rules when you parked the vehicle in the parking zone and remember that you can’t park the vehicle anywhere on the road or no parking zone.

The driving courses help to become a safe driver and boost confidence while driving on the road. So remember defense driving techniques and driving safely on the road.

The Importance of Driving License for Drivers

18 Apr

Driving is the great thing and every person wants to drive on the road or public areas. Every country has own certain criteria to drive on the road. Learner driver’s skills first test by the authorized agencies and then agencies certified the drivers to drive. Agencies provide a valid certificate called driving license. License is the key for drivers to drive legally in the public areas.

For UK drivers, DSA has the right to provide the driving license. DSA conducts a certain process and if learners pass all the process in order to obtain the license. These processes called the driving test which includes two parts. The first part is theory test and the second part is practical test. The theory test part again includes two sections multiple choice sections and hazard perception test sections. The theory test multiple choice part includes the driving theory questions with several answers and learner have to choose correct answer. The questions may contain several correct answers and learner needs to choose all correct answers. The learner uses touch screen computer to select the answers and must get minimum 43 marks out of 50 to pass the multiple choice section.

The second section is the hazard perception test and learner needs to click on the computer screen in correct time when developing the hazard and minimum passing marks for this test is 44 out of 75. After passing the first part, the next step is practical test. The main aim of this exam is to test learner’s driving skills and after clear this test, DSA provides the driving license. To get the driving license you need to pass driving test.

If drivers have the license then they can drive any public places in the UK. Driving license is the key to drive legally and without the license, drivers cannot drive. If you want to become a professional driver and build your career in driving or drive your own vehicle then you must have driving license. Many designations have one of the conditions that you must have driving license. So driving license is very helpful for your job point of view. If you migrate to one country to another and you have international driving license then you can use or exchange your license and get the permit to drive in the current country. Each country has different road, traffic and driving conditions and due to these conditions, driving rules can differ from one country to another. If you are driving in any country then you must follow the country traffic rules, signs and signals. So if you already get the driving license then drive safely and save yours and other people’s lives and help to reduce the number of road accidents, kills and injuries.

Importance of Driving Lessons in Driving Test

17 Apr

Any learner driver can drive in the UK roads and public areas only if he gets the driving license. The driving license process involves driving test. Initially the learner driver first applies for the provisional driving license and if he gets the provisional license then he can book the theory test. The Theory test includes two sections, the first section is a multiple choice theory question and second sections include hazard perception test clips. After passing the both sections separately, learner move to the second part called practical test and if he passes the practical part then he gets the authority to drive on the roads.

The learner driver prepares hard for passing of the driving test. He goes to the driving school or chooses the driving instructor to get more lessons to pass the test. There are so many professional driving instructors available but learner choosing the best driving instructor and pass the driving test in the first attempt.

Professional driving instructor provides driving lessons which play an important role in passing the driving test. Some learners struggle in the theory test and feel very nervous then driving lessons help to reduce nervousness and boost confidence level. Driving lessons help to increase driving skills and learner can know the road signs, traffic signs and other driving techniques. Learner always looks for safe driving methods and keen to learn new driving techniques which help to reduce the mistake during the test and improve diving skills.

Learner driver spent a lot of money and time for preparing the driving test and after that if he fails the driving test then he feels very nervous because he knows that he wasted money and time and he will spend more to take lessons and driving test booking. Be patient when you prepare the driving test and take as many driving lessons and if you and your instructor not fully confidence about your practice then not decided to go for the test. It is suggested to take minimum 30 to 40 hours lessons must take before the test. The number of lessons depends upon your learning skills. If you have any doubt during the practice then asks the driving instructor and clear the doubt instantly.

Driving instructors charged for every driving lesson. The cost depends upon the locations, driving schools and driving instructors. You must remember that you will pay for the lessons so you need more concentration and alertness during the learning process. Learn from the previous mistakes and avoid these previous mistakes in the future.

Any additional driving knowledge is the bonus for your practice and boosts your confidence. If you take driving lessons with the right attitude and patience then it must help you to perform well in the test. When you fully satisfied for your preparation then book your test. This will increase your confidence during the test and you must pass the driving test easily.

How to Prepare for the UK Driving Test

16 Apr

The driving test is the key for learner drivers to get their driving license. If learners pass the driving test then they can get the authority to drive in the UK roads. The driving test is conducted in two parts. The first part is theory test part and the second is practical test part and learner must pass both parts in order to obtain the driving license. The main aim to conduct the test to check the driving ability of a learner driver and reduces the number of accidents. Learner drivers prepare hard for the test and want to perform well in the test but some learners fails the driving test due to lack of knowledge about driving test. Here we discuss the best way to prepare driving test.

Theory test:

Theory test is the important part of driving test. In this test, DSA checked the theoretical driving knowledge. DSA driving theory test includes two sections, multiple choice questions and hazard perception test and drivers must get the minimum passing marks separately to pass the Theory test part. There are so many online and offline study materials available which help to prepare the theory test. These materials include online theory test questions, hazard perception test clips, theory test book, The Highway Code book, driving test CD and DVD. Learners can use any resources to prepare the test. Learners must know the test process and scoring mechanism and plan to prepare according to the process and monitor the progress regularly.

Practical test:

Practical test is the second part of the test. In this test, the examiner checks the eyesight and judges the driving skills such as driving maneuvers, speeding, braking, use of mirrors etc. Driving maneuvers include Reversing, turning and parking etc. While preparing for the test the first important thing is to choose a good driving instructor. The instructor should be qualified, experienced and approved by the DSA. After choosing a good driving instructor, learn driving lessons carefully and ask the questions if any doubt, learn from the previous mistakes and not repeat these mistakes again. Learn more driving skills and also take driving related suggestions.

On your test day, arrive 15 minutes before the test timing and prepare yourself for the test. Calm your body during the test and be confident about your preparation. If you make a minor mistake then do not worry and try not to make any other mistakes. Reduce your nervousness and pass the test with confidence.

How Driving Test Study Materials Important to Pass the Test

15 Apr

Passing driving theory and practical test is a great experience and every driver wants to pass the test in his first attempt and start driving as soon as possible but passing the test is not so simple, the driver needs to work hard for the practice with full concentration and spend money to take some driving lessons. The driver feels very bad when he prepared hard and not passing the driving test. He thinks that he wasted a lot of time and money for the test practice and feels more pressure for the test next attempt.

If a learner driver passes the driving test in his first attempt then it is necessary to choose the best driving test resources for the practice. Driving test study materials play a vital role to pass the driving test. There are so many study materials available for practice. These resources include theory test book, practical test book, the Highway Code book, driving test CDs and DVDs. You can choose any of these resources but before select the resources for the practice; you compare the resources with the other resources available and choose the best test study materials. Compare the number of question and details and price before selecting the resource.

You can choose the driving theory test questions available on the internet and practically as many questions and increase your confidence. If you sect the best driving test study materials and prepare thoroughly with full concentration then you must pass the test with confidence. These resources help to improve driving skills. For Hazard perception test, you must practice more hazard test practice clips that help to increase your hazard skills and you can score well in the exam.

When you prepare for the test, you must know the actual driving test process, basics and details and if you have any doubt during the practice then clear the doubt and move to the next part. Take the help of other drivers who already pass the test and learn important points and get all the details related to driving. Monitor your test progress and correct the errors and make sure that not to repeat these mistakes in future. Get the important tips and suggestions to prepare the test and follow these tips in the practice. You can refer previous driver’s records for your practice and learn driving theory test details and avoid mistakes made by other drivers. If you select the best driving study materials and prepare well according to the test process then you can pass driving test easily with confidence.

Good Driving Instructor Qualities

4 Apr

Any learner driver who passed the theory test and looking for the best way to pass the practical test part then driving instructor play an important role while preparing for the test. A good driving instructor can teach the driving lessons very well. He includes the easiest method to teach the lessons. You must remember some important points when choosing the driving instructor. The driving instructor should be approved by DSA and have a Green, octagonal badge. Green badge shows that the instructor is fully qualified. If driving instructor is fully qualified and have so much experience in driving teaching then he must prepare you well for the test.

Before choosing the driving instructor, you must ask few questions about his driving history such as how much time he gives you and he uses the same car while teaching the lessons and he carries passengers while teaching the lessons etc.

A good driving instructor must have following qualities:

Good knowledge: Knowledge is the key of success. Driving instructors have full knowledge about the test process and have good driving skills. He has a long driving teaching experience and ability to handle the different situation.

Responsibilities: He can able to take responsibilities about your driving teaching and able to judge the driving knowledge and skills and provide the best method to teach the lessons.

Patience: If any learner driver does not learn the lesson in first attempt then he has a lot of patience while teaching and repeat the lesson and this time explain the lesson in the different ways. He can understand the leaner’s knowledge and gathering capacities and teach the lesson according to the learner’s ability.

Excellent communication skills: A driving instructor has an excellent communication skill that remembers by the learner easily. He explains the lessons with the good examples and apply the language that the learner can understand easily. A communication gap may create some difficulties during the driving practice and both learners and instructors face a lot of problems.

Confidence: A good driving instructor has confidence in his driving teaching methods and ability to increase learner’s confidence for passing the driving test. Before the actual driving test, he must conduct pre driving test regularly and monitor the learner’s progress and change the teaching methods which will boost the confidence to pass the test.

Punctual: Punctuality is another good quality of a driving instructor. He must arrive on time at the training place and give the full scheduled time to teach the lessons. He must schedule all the lessons and complete the lessons on time.

Flexibility: A good driving instructor must be flexible in timings and teaching methods and able to teach the lessons in busy days. A driving instructor with flexibility can manage the situation very well and adjust the lesson timing and methods according the conditions and build a good relation with the learners which help a good communication between the instructor and learner driver.

A good driving teaching skill, driving experience and other qualities makes an instructor to a good driving instructor and help learner to pass the driving test and increase safe driving skills.

General Driving Test Mistakes

3 Apr

Many learner drivers prepare their driving test very hard and very confident to pass the test and some of them pass but some of the fail the test. Those learners prepare well but make some common mistakes during the test and unable to score minimum passing marks and failed the test. Getting a driving license is not difficult but learners must remember common mistakes and avoid these mistakes during the exam.

May learners make the early mistakes when they start the test? They fail to start the vehicle’s engine properly. Some other reasons such as not use the safety precautions such as seat belts and headrests properly that could play a major role to fail the test. Some learners fails to remember the examiner guidance and invite some mistakes such as using brakes, gears and steering properly and unable to control the vehicle.

Vehicle stopping error is the most common reasons to fail the test. Some Learners stop the vehicle very fast or very slow and lose the control. If the road is empty then a vehicle stop error not so dangerous but in the heavy traffic roads if drivers not the stop vehicle properly then it could be dangerous for the road users.

The other common mistake accrues when learner change the lane. It is important to signal other users about your lane changing and use mirrors regularly when changing the lanes. Many times learners forgot the using lane changing signals and mirrors properly and create a major fault during the test. These errors accrue due to nervousness. Some learner fails to observe the distance properly before emerging at the junction and drive too fast or too slow and unable to keep the right distance between the other vehicles. Lack of correct observation could be dangerous and harm the drivers and other road users.

Driving slow is the one the common mistakes in the exam. The learner keen to reduce the mistakes during the test and has the additional pressure to avoid these mistakes. Due to nervousness learner drive very slowly and commit the mistakes. Drivers must drive according to the road and weather conditions. If any driver is driving below the ideal driving speed than other drivers who drives on the same track may face some problems.

Learners must avoid these common mistakes and reduce their nervousness during the test. Practice more and more and learns from the previous mistakes and not repeat these mistakes in the exam. Use other experienced driver’s experience and take driving suggestion and learn more skills. If learners avoid the common mistakes in the test then they must pass the driving test.

Different Ways to Prepare Your UK Driving Test

1 Apr

Driving in the UK is not a difficult thing if you have UK driving license and have safe driving skills. If you haven’t held the driving license then you must pass the driving test and get the full authority to drive in the UK roads and public areas.

Driving Standards Agency conduct the driving test in two parts, the first part is theory test which includes two subsections. The first section includes the multiple choice theory questions. You need to select the correct answers for the questions using touch screen computers. The total marks of this test are 50 and you score minimum 43 marks to pass the test.

After passing the first section, you move to the second section called hazard perception test. This section includes hazard video clips and you need to click through the mouse in the correct time when developing the hazard. The hazard test includes 14 clips and in each clip you can score 0 to 5 marks depends on the timing of the click. You must score 43 out of 75 to pass the hazard test section. If you pass the theory test part, the next part is practical test and examiner check you’re driving skills practically. After passing the practical test part you can get the full driving license.

When you know the test process, the next important thing is to prepare driving test. There are different ways to prepare for the test and you need to select the best way to pass the test.

The following resources available to prepare the test:
Online theory questions:  There are so many multiple choice questions available online and you can prepare more questions with answers. You can search over the internet and get many questions and hints and tips to pass the test.

Theory driving test book: If you want to prepare the driving questions offline then you can use book that includes theory questions with answers.

The Highway Code book: This book includes The UK roads and traffic signs and signals. You must know these signs and signals. Use this book to prepare for the Highway Code signs.

Driving test CD and DVD: You can use the driving test CD and DVD that includes latest theory test revision question and hazard perception test clips. You can run the CD on any computer or laptops which fulfill the minimum system requirements.

Theory test practice software: You can download the test practice software and save on your computer. With the help the software you can prepare test questions and hazard clips anytime.

Practical test book: You can prepare your practical test with the help of practical test book and get the hints and tips to perform in your actual test. Use previous driver’s records of the practice and get the important driving maneuvers details and safety tips.

More practice definitely reduces your nervousness and increase confidence during the test and you can pass the test without any trouble.