-
Basic Car Knowledge
This section acts as an introduction to learning to drive. Describing the different controls of the car and how to use them
-
Junctions
This section looks at how we use different road Junctions
-
Driving on the Road
This section looks at some of the different problems found when driving on the road
- Adequate distances / Speed Limit / Stopping Distances
- Dealing with corners
- Eco Driving
- Emergence Stop / Skidding & Coasting
- Meeting traffic – how to deal with
- Overtaking
- Parking safely on the road
- Planning and Assessment
- Road Signs & Markings
- Traffic Lights / Pedestrian Crossing / Railway Crossings
- Driving on the Road
-
Manoeuver
This section looks at the different maneuvers that you could be asked to complete on the test
-
Independent Driving
-
Driving test
-
Useful Knowledge from the Highway Code
-
Planning A Journey
-
Useful information for after the Test
- Buying a car
- Car crash scam
- Cost of Running a car
- Dangers of using a Mobile Phones
- Dealing with being Old (Sage Training) or Disabled
- Driving Alone for the first time
- Driving an Automatic
- Driving in Europe
- Environmental issues related to driving a car
- History of the Driving Test
- Insurance
- Learning with families & Friends
- Non UK Drivers European & Non European
- Other Tests & becoming a Driving Instructor
- P plates
- Police Stop procedure
- Risk Assessment concerns for Companies
- Rules regarding the use of Tinted Windows
- Security, Car Parks, Home on the Road
- Towing & weight distribution
- Tyres & Changing Tyres
-
Breakdowns what to do
What to do if you Breakdown
Breaking down can be dangerous, particularly if you’re on a motorway. But remember that the hard shoulder is only for emergencies, not for making calls, having a stretch or toilet stops.
If your car has broken down, here’s what to do to stay safe before you call us and while we’re on our way.
-
Make sure you’re in a safe place
- Move your vehicle off the road if possible (watch out for any soft verges).
- If you’re on a motorway and can’t turn off at the next exit, pull up onto the hard shoulder. Make sure you stop as far to the left as you can, with the wheels turned to the left.
-
Put your hazard lights on
- Turn on your hazard warning lights.
- If it’s dark or foggy, keep your sidelights on too.
-
Stay well away from moving traffic
- It’s usually safest to get out of your car (using the doors facing away from passing traffic) and wait behind a barrier.
- If you’re on a motorway, move up the bank if you can and stay upstream of oncoming traffic.
- Leave any animals in the car.
-
Wear a reflective jacket
- Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one.
-
Don’t put a warning triangle on the hard shoulder
- If you’re on a motorway, it’s not safe to use a warning triangle.
- If you’re on a road and it’s safe, you can put a warning triangle at least 45m (50 yards) behind your vehicle.
-
Call your Breakdown Service
- Don’t attempt even a simple repair if you’re on a motorway.
- If you don’t have a mobile, walk to an emergency phone on your side of the carriageway. Follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder – the phone is free and connects directly to the police.
- All these steps are in line with the Highway Code Rule 274 which tells you what to do if you break down.
How to keep safe in a vulnerable situation
If you have a disability which would stop you from following our steps if your car’s broken down, here’s what to do:
- Keep your seatbelt on
- Switch on your hazard warning lights
- Call your Breakdown service or dial 999 if you’re in immediate danger.
If you feel at risk from another person
- If you feel at risk, get back into your vehicle using a left-hand door and lock all doors.
- Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed.
If you can’t get to the hard shoulder
- If you’re in a live motorway lane, stay in your vehicle unless you can be sure it’s safe to leave it.
- Put your hazard lights on, keep your seatbelt on and call the emergency services.
Car park breakdown advice
If your car’s broken down in a car park, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a flat battery, keys locked in or a puncture, lots of people break down in car parks.
The good news is, they’re one of the safest places to be if your car lets you down.
- Call for assistance.
- You don’t need to use hazard lights if you’re not causing an obstruction.
- If you feel comfortable to do so, leave the car and wait by the car park entrance for us to arrive. Or you can arrange a clear meeting spot when our mechanic calls you. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to find a broken-down car in a sea of other cars.
- If you want to wait in the car, open the bonnet so we can spot you.
- Check you’ve got enough time left on your ticket or notify the parking attendant if not.
Town or city breakdown advice
Breaking down in a busy town or city can be pretty stressful. You might be causing an obstruction and delaying other road users.
Here’s what to do:
- Try to get to a safe spot where your car isn’t in the way of others.
- If you are causing an obstruction, put on your hazard lights straight away.
- Call us or use our app to tell us your location and get help.
- Call a family member or friend and let them know where you are.
- Open your bonnet to show others that you’ve broken down (and not just stopped to make a phone call or pick someone up).
- Wait for little way away from your car so you can keep an eye out for our van.
A-road or dual carriageway breakdown advice
Busy main roads are among the most dangerous places to be stranded.
Stay safe by following these steps:
- Try to exit the carriageway or pull into a lay-by.
- If you can’t, get as far off the road as possible, being careful of ditches and soft verges.
- Put on your lights and hazard lights. It’s important to be as visible as possible.
- Call us or use our app to let us know you need help. Say that you’re in a dangerous location.
- Call a family member or friend – let others know where you are.
- Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one.
- If you’re sure it’s safe to do so, put a warning triangle about 45m behind your car. If you’re on a bend, put it where it’s most visible (which might be further back around the bend).
- Wait outside the car behind a barrier if there is one. If you can, move up the embankment but stay upstream of oncoming traffic.
- If your car’s in the road and is obscured by a bend or other road feature, stand in a safe place further back down the road so you can warn other road users of the hazard.
Remote area or country lane breakdown advice
Breaking down in a remote area can be quite scary. But, it’s among the safest places to be stranded.
Here’s what to do:
- Call us or use our app to let us know you need help and to send your location.
- Call a family member or friend to see if someone can come and wait with you.
- If you aren’t causing an obstruction, stay in the car and wait for assistance. You can lock the doors if you feel vulnerable.
- Use your hazard lights only if you’re causing an obstruction.