Driving lessons in Portsmouth

Premier leading Driving school saving you money on driving lessons welcomes our newest Driving Instructor to our team of qualified driving instructors in all of, Portsmouth, Southampton. Petersfield, Havant, Emsworth, Chichester, Gosport, Fareham and all areas in between

SEAN is an Adi qualified Driving Instructor like all our driving Instructors and will promote his patience and professionalism to all our clients.
Sean covers a large area like all our driving instructors including Portsmouth, Cosham, Waterlooville, Denmead, Horndean, Clanfield, Petersfield, Havant, Emsworth, Porchester, Cowplain, Hayling Island, Fareham, Gosport and all the surrounding areas in between.

A big welcome Sean from all of us 1st TOP GEAR Driving School an excellent asset to our business

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.
Call 02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292

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.

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

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Driving Lessons and Test Passes

02392 798999

Photo card driving licence holder

Applying at the test centre

If your photo card driving licence was issued after 1 March 2004, you’ll be given the option to have your full licence issued electronically. The examiner will take your licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to DVLA.

You’ll be given a pass certificate, as proof of passing, and DVLA will send your full licence to you within four weeks of you passing your practical test.

Applying by post

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• send it, together with both parts of your driving licence (photocard and counterpart), document to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ

If your name has changed since your last licence you'll also need to:

• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, which is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office® branches
• provide original documentation confirming your new name

Renewing the photo on your licence

You'll also need to check the expiry date of your photo on your driving licence. If your photo is due to expire very soon, it'll need to be renewed before the date of expiry. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence.

Beware of the time limit!

If you don't claim your test pass within two years of the date of your test, the driving entitlement in which you gained the test pass will be lost. You'll have to take and pass both parts of the driving test again for that category of vehicle if you wish to have it included on your driving licence.

Paper driving licence holder

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available from DVLA's form ordering service or from any Post Office® branch
• provide original documentation confirming your identity
• enclose a passport type photograph and your driving licence

Send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ or use the premium checking service at selected Post Office® branches or DVLA local offices.

When to expect your licence

DVLA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It’ll take longer if they have to check on your health or personal details. Allow at least three weeks for your licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.

When your licence is issued it’ll have a number of added security features. One of the main differences is a laser engraved black and white photograph.

Driving before your licence is returned

You can drive before you receive your licence as long as you:

• have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence
• aren't disqualified from driving (the traffic commissioner for your area will decide whether to grant your entitlement to drive lorries and buses)
• haven't been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries
• wouldn't be refused a licence for medical reasons (if in doubt, check with your doctor)
• keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence

Driving lessons and a test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Steven on passing his Driving test with 1st TOP GEAR Driving School in Portsmouth.
Steven James Parsons at 13:01 on 13 July 09

Thank you Mark my driving instructor, for helping me pass my driving test, very much appreciated, can't say how pleased I am at the moment, after about 20 hours (I think it was) enjoyed every minute of every lesson I had with you, will be telling everyone about you and 1st Top Gear! I really am lost for words just so pleased and grateful for all of your help.

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.
02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292
Text Name to 07817 947654 for a call back.

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.

Vehicle Discount Scheme

How to take advantage of the vehicle discount scheme

Contact your local dealer to see if they have joined the vehicle discount scheme. They will check that your vehicle and the new vehicle you want to buy both meet the rules of the scheme. When the sale is agreed, the dealer will sort out the paperwork and arrange for your vehicle to be scrapped.

The discount is deducted from the price you pay for the new vehicle and will be shown on your invoice when you take delivery of your new vehicle.

The rules of the vehicle discount scheme

The vehicle you trade in and the new vehicle you want to buy must meet certain conditions for you to be able to get the discount.

Your vehicle

The vehicle you are trading in must:

• be a car or small van weighing up to 3,500 kilograms (kg)
• be first registered in the United Kingdom (UK) on or before 31 August 1999
• be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in your name
• have been registered to you continuously for 12 calendar months before the order date of the new vehicle
• have a UK address on the registration certificate (V5C)
• have a current MOT test certificate before date of order for the new vehicle

The new vehicle

The new vehicle you want to buy must be:

• a car or small van weighing up to 3,500 kg
• first registered in the UK on or after mid May 2009
• declared new at first registration in the UK with no former keepers

Government Scrappage Scheme starts.

From today consumers can drive off with a £2,000 discount on a new car, under the government's scheme to scrap their old banger for a new model.

"Thirty-eight companies have signed up - all the major UK car manufacturers and a number of other companies"

Peter Mandelson

The £300m scrappage scheme, announced in last month's Budget, is intended to boost consumer confidence and kick-start demand for new cars.

Motorists will be spoilt for choice with 38 manufacturers taking part in the scheme covering all the major brands.

The manufacturers who have signed up to take part are: Allied Vehicles, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Citroen, Daihatsu, FIAT, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, London Taxis International, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, MG Motor, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Renault, Rolls Royce, SAAB, SECMA UK, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, Koelliker UK Ltd, Iveco Ltd, Chrysler, Renault Trucks UK Ltd.

The £2,000 grant is made up of £1,000 from government with matched funding from vehicle manufacturers. The scheme will operate until March 2010 or until the government funding has been exhausted

New Drivers Act

Under the New Drivers Act your driving licence will be revoked if you build up six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test. You’ll need to reapply for your driving licence as a learner driver and resit your driving test.

Penalty points gained before passing your driving test

Any penalty points you gain before passing your first driving test are taken into account. However, having six or more doesn’t mean your licence will be revoked straight after you pass your test.

Gaining further points after passing your test, taking your total to six or more, will mean your licence will be revoked.

Who’s affected by the New Drivers Act

The act applies to all drivers from, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the European Community and European Economic Area, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

Drivers from designated countries

The act applies to you if you have exchanged a driving licence from a designated country for a British licence and pass a further driving test in this country.

The designated countries are: Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

Getting your full driving licence back

To get your full driving licence back you must first reapply for a provisional driving licence.

You’ll also need to pass the theory and practical driving tests again and claim your test pass.

Pass the theory and practical driving tests

You’ll need to pay for and resit the theory and practical driving tests.

Claim your test pass

After passing your driving test, you’ll need to exchange your provisional driving licence for a full one.

Your driving entitlement for other vehicles

Any other entitlements you had on you driving licence, such as lorry or bus, will only be restored after the approval of a traffic commissioner in the area you live.

The traffic commissioner may request you retake a driving test for those vehicles.After passing your retest

After Passing your Retest

It’s important to remember that passing a retest doesn’t remove the penalty points from your driving licence. The penalty points remain valid.

Appealing against the withdrawal of your driving licence

You can only appeal against the conviction that led to you getting the six penalty points. Contact the convicting court for advice on how to appeal.

Choosing a Driving Instructor.

If you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only a registered approved driving instructor (ADI) can charge money for teaching you to drive.

Recent surveys indicate that nine in ten learners who passed both theory and practical tests first time were taught by an instructor. A fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the car while teaching you. Some trainee driving instructors are granted a licence so they can gain experience before their qualifying examination. In this case, the trainee driving instructor must display a pink certificate on the windscreen.

DSA is responsible for maintaining and checking the standards of all approved driving instructors (ADI), who to qualify must:

• have held a full driving licence for at least four years
• pass a much tougher theory test than the one learner drivers take
• pass a strict driving test
• reach and keep up a high standard of instruction. The standard of tuition given by the ADI is regularly checked by a supervising examiner from DSA
• be registered with DSA
  
• display an ADI identification certificate on the windscreen of the tuition vehicle.
  

  You should take advice from your ADI on:

  • all aspects of driving
  • what books to read
  • when to take your test
  • how to practice

  DSA, as a government agency, is not allowed to recommend an instructor. We suggest that you ask friends and relatives to recommend someone they know. You could also look in a local business directory for ADIs in your area. Try and choose an instructor who:

  • has a good reputation
  • is reliable and punctual
  • has a car that suits you

Uk Licence Holders

UK licence holders

You will need to take a theory test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a car licence and you want a motorcycle licence you will need to take a theory test.

If, however, you want to upgrade within a vehicle category you will not normally need to take a theory test, for example, if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence you will not have to take a theory test.

It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct licence for the vehicle you are driving. If you are unsure if you need to take a theory test please contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).