Theory Test Changes

The Driving Standards Agency has announced it will stop publishing theory test questions from 1 January 2012.

The move follows changes to the practical test introduced last month to encourage learner drivers to focus on driving skills and not the routes examiners would use.

Currently provisional drivers can go through and memorise the questions and answers used in the theory test, which the DSA doesn't feel helps them to learn the principles behind them.

New questions will be introduced in 2012 that will check whether learners actually understand the rules of the road.

Junior Transport Minister Mike Penning said: "The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

"No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers."

Learners will still have access to practice questions that will not be used in the theory test.

Female Automatic Driving Instructors Portsmouth

1st TOP GEAR Driving School Portsmouth welcomes our new Automatic female driving instructor in all the Portsmouth areas. Sam has an excellent reputation with all her clients and offers friendly professional tuition and advice like all our driving instructors in Portsmouth. If you are looking for a female automatic driving instructor in Portsmouth or Automatic male driving Instructors please call us and arrange the dates and times.
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Automatic driving lessons, driving instructors, driving schools. driving instructor, All areas of, Portsmouth, Havant Waterlooville, Cosham, Fareham

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Driving Instructor in Portsmouth.

NEW ELEMENT for the Driving Test 4th October 2010.

The driving standards agency has a new element to the Practical driving Test,
Candidates will be asked to drive without step by step instruction from their examiner for about 10 minutes showing they can make decisions for themselves in unfamiliar contexts. This will mean following a series of verbal directions, following traffic signs or a combination of both. To help them visualise the directions the examiner may also show you a simple diagram.

If a candidate goes off route the test is not terminated. It is neither a fault either. There will also be a reduced number of manoeuvres on the test. An examiner may also intervene due to poor signage. The examiner will tell you to continue ahead if this happens.

Driving Schools and Driving lessons for Driving Instructors all of Portsmouth

Manual and Automatic driving lessons in Portsmouth, Southsea, Northend, Cosham, Hilsea, Waterlooville, Horndean, Clanfield, Petersfield, Havant, Leigh Park, Bedhampton, Emsworth, Hayling Island, all Petersfield areas Gosport, Fareham, Lee on Solent, Havant, Hayling Island and Chichester, Bognor Regis.
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Automatic Driving lessons all Portsmouth areas, Gosport and Fareham.

Automatic driving lessons Portsmouth Cosham Paulsgrove, Waterlooville, Horndean, Clanfield Havant, Emsworth, Chichester, Portchester, Gosport and Fareham. ADI Driving Instructors for 1-1 driving lesson. We pick you up from home work or college. Also Manual Driving lessons with a Male or female Driving Instructor
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New Powers To Suspend Driving Instructors

New powers to suspend driving instructors

• Legislation receives Royal Assent

• Closes loophole in existing law

• Immediate suspension possible


Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) who pose a significant threat to the safety of the public will face immediate suspension under new legislation which gained Royal Assent today.

The Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act 2009 will close a loophole in existing law by allowing the Registrar of ADIs to immediately suspend ADIs who pose a threat to learner drivers and other road users while they are removed from the register permanently.

It currently takes 45 days to remove instructors from the register of Approved Driving Instructors, during which time they can continue to give driving instruction.

The new law originated as a Private Member's Bill introduced by Willie Rennie MP and was supported by the Department for Transport and Driving Standards Agency who also provided technical and organisational assistance.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said: “The Government has been pleased to support Mr Rennie’s Bill.

"The overwhelming majority of driving instructors provide tuition in a professional manner but a small number fail to maintain these standards.

"These new suspension powers will allow the Registrar to protect the public in those few instances where there is a need to take immediate action to prevent an instructor from working with learner drivers.”

Willie Rennie MP (Dunfermline and West Fife) said: “I am delighted that this Private Members Bill has reached the statute book, and I would like to offer my thanks to all of those who have supported me throughout this process. It will send a strong message to those driving instructors who are guilty of an offence and present a danger to the public that they will no longer be able to carry on as normal.

"This will improve the safety of learner drivers and will also offer support to the vast majority of instructors who conduct themselves quite properly in carrying out the valuable role of teaching young people to drive.”

It is anticipated that the Registrar will use the suspension power only in exceptional circumstances.

The Driving Standards Agency intends to consult early next year on the detailed arrangements for implementation of the Act.

The new suspension power will also apply to Potential Driving Instructors, who are authorised to provide instruction using a trainee licence.

New requirements to improve safety

New requirements to improve safety for motorcyclists and lorry and bus drivers

Proposals to improve skills and safety for new motorcycle riders, drivers of lorries and buses and new drivers who want to tow medium sized trailers were published today by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The measures are contained in a consultation on the implementation of new European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing which come into force in 2013. Other motorists will not be affected.

The main aspects of the new requirements are:

• Motorcyclists – The current two categories of motorbike will be replaced with three – A1 (up to 125cc), A2 (up to 35Kw) and A (above 35Kw) - and new rules introduced for riders of larger bikes. Riders wanting to progress to larger categories of motorbikes will have to take additional training or a further test and there will be a rise in the minimum age from 21 to 24 for those wishing to start riding larger bikes without previous experience.
  
  
• Trailer towing - New car and light van drivers wanting to tow trailers may also be affected. The consultation proposes that drivers will be able to tow a slightly larger trailer on a normal car driving licence (category B), if they take a further test or undertake training. There will also be a restriction on the overall size of the vehicle/trailer combination that can be driven on a category B+E licence entitlement (car/light van plus trailer).
  
  
• Licence renewals for bus and lorry drivers – at present, drivers of medium-sized and large buses and lorries need to renew their licences every five years once they reach the age of 45. Over-45s also need to demonstrate their fitness to drive through a full medical report. From 2013, under-45s who drive these vehicles will also need to confirm medical fitness and renew their licence every five years. However, under-45s will not require a full medical report and will still only need to renew their photograph every 10 years. All other drivers and riders will continue to renew their driving licences every 10 years as is currently the case.
  
  
• Driving examiners – Compulsory initial qualification, periodic training and quality assurance checks for driving examiners will be required for driving examiners. The DSA already fulfils most of these requirements but the introduction of periodic training will enhance these existing arrangements.

Uturn for mandatory sitting in on test

Plans to force driving instructors to sit in on their pupils L tests have been put into reverse according to a report in the daily mail on the 12th October.
The controversial plan introduced by the Government's much hyped Learning to Drive consultation has now been dropped according to the mail. The Department for Transport has now ruled that Candidates will be encouraged to take an observer who could be a parent, friend or an Instructor to help them understand feedback from the examiner and tailor further learning.

Toyota iQ banned on test by the DSA

The DSA has announced that the Toyota iQ is not being accepted for driving tests with an immediate effect. According to the DSAs technical standards department the thick B and Cs pillars and rear porthole windows prevent the examiner from being able to see clearly at angled junctions.

Their advice to any instructors who owns an iQ needs to part exchange it for another car should contact their local Toyota dealer

Portsmouth DVLA

DVLA Local Office - Portsmouth

• Contact point
  DVLA Local Office - Portsmouth
• Address
  5th Floor
  The Connect Centre
  Kingston Crescent
  PO2 8AH
• Phone number
  For enquiries about vehicles
  0300 790 6802
  For enquiries about driving licences
  0300 790 6801
• Text phone
  Minicom users
  For enquiries about vehicles
  0300 123 1279
  For enquiries about driving licences
  0300 123 1278
• Opening Hours
  Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm; 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on the second Wednesday of every month

Driving Instructors Driving lessons Driving Schools Portsmouth Gosport and Fareham

1st Top Gear on Facebook

Automatic Driving Test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Leanne on her driving lessons in Portsmouth and Passing her Practical Driving Test 1st Time and only 3 minors in an Automatic car in Portsmouth.

Leanne Daniel
Thanks Bill and co! You were a truly amazing instructor. I never thought I would be able to drive with all my health problems, but you were patient and forgiving and got me through. I was very lucky to have you as my instructor, and my examiner, Dave Kemp was a really friendly guy too and put me right at ease. I'm glad I chose 1st top gear and highly recommend it, it's a great school, and the teaching is top class! Thank you for everything Bill. I promise to keep safe and slow down!!

Automatic Driving School, Driving Instructor, Driving Lessons.

1st Top Gear Driving School offers Automatic Driving Lessons in all Portsmouth, Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Hayling Island and Chichester areas. ADI Driving Instructors for your driving lesson. We use a Citreon and Ford Focus for Automatic Driving lessons. Or maybe you wish to learn in a manual car we have a wide variety of cars in all areas with a qualified driving Instructor.

1st TOP GEAR Driving School Portsmouth.

Over the last two months 1st Top Gear driving school has achieved an extremely High Level of passes. Our ADI trained Driving Instructors have worked hard on your Driving Lessons whether that was for Manual Driving Lessons or Automatic driving lessons a really big Well Done to all. We have added a face book link on our website which has gained fantastic support from our learners and the feedback we are receiving. We are covering a much larger area now from all the Portsmouth to Petersfield areas, Havant to Chichester and Portchester to Gosport Fareham Lee on Solent, Titchfield and Hill Head.
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Campaign Targets Summer Drinkers

Motorists are being warned that a drink in the sun could see them behind bars as the Police and Government join forces to break down the troubles of drink driving over the summer.
The 1.5 million THINK! campaign will remind people of the devastating consequences of drink driving. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are coordinating a nation wide operation to catch the drivers who put peoples lives in danger.
Between June and September 2006 670 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes involving drink Drivers.

The TV campaign 'Moment of Doubt' focuses on the consequences that drink drivers face when they are caught. This will also be advertised in pubs, radio and online.

Driving Instructors Accompany Clients October 2010

Instructors To Be Required To Accompany The Candidate On Test From October 2010

Following consultation with the public and ADI industry,
the benefits of the instructor accompanying the candidate on test have been
recognised.

The Minister has announced that, as from October next year,
instructors/accompanying drivers will be required to accompany the candidate on test.

1st TOP GEAR Driving School

Are you looking for one of the leading Driving Schools in Portsmouth, Gosport or Fareham? 1st Top Gear Driving School has a Driving Instructor in all these areas including Waterlooville, Horndean, Havant, Emsworth and Chichester. Our Manual and Automatic Driving Instructors are ADI qualified and CRB checked.

Our Driving School prides itself on our extremely high pass rates as you can see on our website via the Facebook link and the Discounts we offer to New Beginners, Students, NHS staff, Armed Services and Block Bookings.

If you are looking to join an established Driving School in any area call us today on 02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292 or TEXT your Name to 07817 947654 and we call you back

Pass Plus Portsmouth.

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers. Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of passing their test due to a lack of driving experience - this is where Pass Plus comes in! The course aims to build upon your newly acquired driving skills and knowledge.

What is Pass Plus?

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers, designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry. Pass Plus will build upon your existing skills and knowledge, it will teach you how to anticipate, plan for and deal with all kinds of hazards, and can help you to become more confident on the roads

Pass Plus is made up of six practical modules which include:

• driving in town
• driving in all weathers
• driving on rural roads
• driving at night
• driving on dual carriageways
• driving on motorways

Anyone who holds a full UK licence is eligible to take part in the scheme. You will not have to take a test at the end of the course but you will be continually assessed. You must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard.

How much does Pass Plus cost?

Fees for the Pass Plus course will vary depending on where you live and the instructor or driving school you choose. You should bear in mind that the course will take a minimum of six hours, if more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost.

When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course.

Accompanying Drivers to Attend Test Debriefs

Accompanying drivers whether ADI or unqualified supervising driver will be required to sit in on all car Practical Tests and the test debrief from October next year as part of the DSA's Learning to Drive Consultation.
Other Key Proposals to be introduced over several years include
The continued roll out across Great Britain of the

New Pre Driver Safe Qualification in Safe Road Use.

Introduction of a partial credit for the theory test for car drivers awarded the new pre driver qualification in safe road use.

Introduction of case studies into the theory test for learner car drivers and moped/motorcycle riders with the next refresh of the question bank.

The trial of a new 3D Hazard Perception Test.