The truth about Guranteed Pass driving courses uncovered.

 

Hi, my name is Paul Roach and I am a Driving Instructor who has been providing intensive driving courses in Liverpool for many years. For anyone who is unsure what an intensive driving course is, it's when someone wants to learn how to drive in a short space of time. Presently a lot of driving schools are selling an intensive driving course as a guaranteed pass course. I have written this post to help people understand what they're actually getting when purchasing a guaranteed pass course.

Overview

When booking a guaranteed pass driving course you could be forgiven for thinking you're getting a guarantee of passing your driving test! Well that's what it says on the tin doesn't it!? Sadly no one can guarantee a driving test pass, so why do so many driving schools use the term 'guaranteed pass course' when promoting an intensive course of driving lessons?

Marketing Gimmicks

Have you ever heard of the term 'up-selling'? For example when I use the drive-thru service at McDonald's and ask for a Latte, the assistant usually will ask me "Would you like to make that large sir?"  "No thank you."

 

What is happening here is the company in question is trying to up-sell me an item I didn't ask for which will increase their profit margin. A guaranteed pass course is built on exactly the same foundation as this.

Look at this example which is taken from another driving school.

25 hour course = £582 

25 hour guaranteed pass course = £612

As you can see the guaranteed pass course is £30 pound more expensive. It's a win-win situation for the driving school! If you pass first time they've increased their profit by £30. If you fail they've got you hooked into taking around half a dozen driving lessons before taking your second driving test.

Strapline

At blah blah driving school we're so confident you'll pass your driving test we'll pay for the next one if you don't!

Sounds enticing doesn't it! The question you need to ask yourself though is who exactly is paying for the next driving test? You or your driving school?

Evolution's essential guide to passing your theory test first time

Hi, my name is Paul Roach and I am a driving instructor, predominately providing driving lessons in Liverpool. I have helped many people pass their theory test, so I thought I would share some useful points that could help you pass too!

You can study towards passing the theory test using books, CD roms, smartphone apps or online study programmes. My recommendation would be to sample them all if you can and try to work out a study programme that will suit your needs best.

For example, a smartphone app would be good as you can use it whilst travelling regularly on a bus or train. Or possibly you would prefer an online study programme as you are on the computer quite a lot. If you don't have a computer, don't worry as you can practice at a local library.

When studying the multiple choice questions try to vary the topics as much as you can. Look at which subjects you're doing well on and try to work on the ones you're struggling with. If there are questions you're struggling with, write the questions/answers down on some paper and get a friend or family member to help you with remembering the correct answer. Also, try to read more about the subjects you're struggling with in the Highway Code book as it'll give you a deeper understanding about the subject.

Studying for the hazard perception test should be varied because if you know where the hazard is, you'll not really be challenging yourself and may fail. Treat it the same way you would do if you were driving the vehicle which is on the video.  Only press for a hazard if there is something that may cause you to slow down. Don't treat it like a computer game and just keep pressing the button as it may cause you to score zero points.

Try to make sure you structure your practice regularly and give yourself goals to aim for. Work towards a booking date when you're progressing well as this will give you more motivation to study regularly.

 

Avoid booking the theory test via unofficial vendors as they will overcharge you. Make sure you book your theory test directly via the DSA as they will charge you the correct amount which is £31.

On the day of your theory test make sure you know where you're going. Your driving instructor can give you advice on the location of the theory test centre which is closest to you. Arrive around 20 minutes before it starts. Make sure you take along both parts of your driving licence with you. If you have an old style licence you'll need to take proof of your licence with you, such as a passport.

Try to stay calm and take your time reading and answering the questions. May we wish you every success with it! Paul Roach - Evolution Driving School.

 

Evolution's essential guide to having a smooth driving test

Hi, my name is Paul Roach and I am a driving instructor, predominately providing driving lessons in Liverpool. During my time as a driving instructor I have helped many people pass their driving test, so I thought I would share some useful points that could help you pass too!

 

 

 

 

Why is the national average for driving test passes only around 50%? Is it due to people getting nervous on test day? Or is it because some learner drivers are unprepared?

It can sometimes be a combination of both factors. When booking a driving test you need to make sure you will be ready for it. Usually your driving instructor is best placed to give you guidance on when you'll be ready and how much practice will be needed before booking it.

Regular feedback of your progress will help you understand what is needed to achieve your end goal. If you're close to booking the driving test try to develop an action plan with your driving instructor to outline any weaker areas you may have. Also try to get an idea of how much practice will be needed before test day to avoid any unnecessary disappointment.

How can I stop myself from getting nervous on the big day?

 

It's impossible to stop the nerves completely. Believe it or not, I actually don't think nerves are a bad thing - as long as you feel in control of them and not let them control you. Your confidence can be a key factor in how you can stay in control of your nerves. Sometimes I encourage my learners to talk themselves through their driving. This can help you to reinforce your decision making and helps your concentration which in-turn will help you grow in confidence.

My friend has just failed for driving too slow - can you really fail for this?

Yes you can! But if you haven't had a problem with this on your lessons then don't worry. Talking to other people about their driving test experience may help you to understand the process better but try not to focus on other people's errors as everyone's driving can be different.

 

 

 

 

Driving test do's and don't's!

Do try to get all the details you'll need to take along with you for the driving test prepared a week in advance and don't go searching for them the night before.

Do try to get a good night's sleep the night before taking the driving test and don't drink any alcohol.

Do an eyesight check a couple of weeks before taking the driving test - don't leave it too late to get it checked because if you fail the eyesight check your driving test will be terminated.

Do make sure you and your instructor have all the correct booking details and don't leave it to chance - recheck your booking information the night before.

Do try to remember a large part of your driving test will be conducted in silence and don't try to chat too much as it may affect your concentration.

Do try to stay positive if you make a mistake and don't dwell on it as it may not have caused you to fail the driving test.

May we wish you every success with your driving test! Paul Roach - Evolution Driving School.

Budget 2014

How will the Budget affect Motorists in Liverpool?

 

The Chancellor announced in today’s Budget announced a handful of small measures intended to help motorists. First was to confirm that fuel duty will be frozen until spring 2015, meaning that the planned rise in September has been abandoned. In his fifth budget, George Osborne described how this would make petrol 20 pence per litre cheaper on average than it would have been under the previous Government. 

However, plans to increase vehicle excise duty costs in line with inflation remain, meaning that from April 1 any band from D upwards will rise by £5 or more.
 

It has also been confirmed that motorists will be able to pay for their vehicle excise duty on a monthly, biannual or annual basis from October 1 2014, and that when selling a car any remaining tax is no longer transferrable.

 

There was news of a £200 million fund for local authorities to repair potholes, a move that was cautiously welcomed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists: “Every little helps and it will be welcomed in many areas hit by this year’s bad weather,” said Neil Greig , the IAM’s director of policy and research. “With a ten billion pound back log in repairs, however, it is only through consistent long-term funding that the pothole problem can finally be fixed.”

The RAC, however, warns that merely patching up potholes isn't enough: “We need whole stretches of road to be resurfaced regularly rather than just patching them when they start to fall apart, costing taxpayers more and more money every year. Simply filling potholes is a massive false economy which has now unfortunately become necessity. We really need to put an end to this by making sure roads are never allowed to degenerate to the point where potholes develop,” said David Bizley, the organisation's technical director.

 

 

At years budget it was also announced that the exemption from vehicle excise duty for classic cars will move to a 40-year rolling period, which takes effect from April 1 2014. This means that models such as the Austin Allegro, Reliant Robin and MGB V will qualify for tax exemption, which could have a positive impact on their value. Previously only cars built before January 1 1973 were exempt from tax, after the Government abandoned the previous 25-year rolling scale in 1997.

 

 

 

The Five step to taking Driving Lessons in Liverpool

 

 

 

Applying for a Provisional Driving Licence

 

Most people don’t know this but you can actually apply to the DVLA for your Provisional Driving Licence (car) three months before your 17th birthday. Although you can’t take a driving lesson on the public highway until you turn 17. When taking driving lessons with Evolution Driving School, our instructors will first check both parts of your licence and then check to see if you can read a number plate from the prescribed distance, (20.5 metres) as this is a legal requirement before you can get on the roads.

Searching for a Driving School

I have five different driving schools so which one should I go with? Sound familiar? Recommendation is usually the best method as the person you’re using has a reputation amongst people you know for getting results. Going with the cheapest driving school? What you need to ask yourself is will it work out cheaper in the long term? How about if it takes 20 hours longer to learn how to drive with the cheaper option compared to the most expensive Driving School? There are a lot of factors that you will need to consider before deciding which one will offer you the best value.

Preparing for the Theory Test

When learning to drive, knowledge is very important. To pass the theory test you’ll need to pass both parts which are a series of multiple choice questions and hazard perception video tests. At Evolution we actively encourage our clients to continue reading the Highway Code after passing the theory test. This will help to expand on your knowledge as there are things you may forget after passing and it is likely there will be things you still need to learn.

Preparing for the Practical Test

The day has come for you to take your driving test. This test will last for around 45 minutes. The testing criteria will be to drive the car safely in that time taking in various traffic and road conditions. You’ll be asked to do one reversing exercise, a phase of independent driving and a controlled stop (depending on traffic conditions). At the end of the driving test the examiner will give you your feedback on how you performed.

Full Licence Holder

Congratulations you’ve passed your driving test. You’ll now be eager to get out on the roads to help build on your experience. After passing the test just remember you are still in a probation period which is better known as the New Driver Act. What this means is, if you get 6 or more penalty points on your driving licence within the first two years after passing, you will then return back to learner status and have to pass both theory and practical test again to regain your full driving licence. Try to stay safe on the roads by building on the things you’ve learnt and keep trying to self reflect on areas that you can develop within your driving.

 

 

 

 

http://evolutiondrivingschool.com/

 

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