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“Hotspot” Areas in Anniesland – Known Places Where Serious Driving Test Errors Occur

Posted on 05.28.12 By andyrgds123

Some driving test routes – in fact most – have areas or junctions that commonly cause candidates problems on tests. There is way more to driving safely than learning test routes however, and credible instructors would always teach effective scanning and forward planning, but a bit of “local knowledge” never hurt when under the pressure of a test.

From Anniesland test centre I would suggest to be careful when turning left at the traffic lights at the top of Archerhill Rd. as there will be a red light at a pelican crossing within 20 meters around the corner. Many candidates fail to see this, alas.

On Chamberlain Rd., after Jordanhill School on the way back to the test centre, there is a sharp bend to the left just over a hill – it is also highlighted with a “sharp deviation to left” traffic sign. Again, some candidates fail to recognise this and attempt to carry on straight, effectively crossing the path of potentially oncoming traffic. This has caught many candidates out over the years.

If you are concerned that you may need a bit more local knowledge before taking a test at Anniesland, consider a course of lessons with www.reallygooddrivingschool.com  We will teach you how to scan and plan, and also give that bit extra in sharing our “local knowledge.”

These are just two potential “hotspots” and, as previously stated, if “scan and plan” is developed candidates will cope with all situations.

 

Intensive Driving Courses – Do They Work?

Posted on 05.22.12 By andyrgds123

Intensive driving courses in Glasgow seem much more popular nowadays than when I was instructing in the Nineties and Naughties. Perhaps people are enticed by the notion of getting it all done in a few weeks, or may feel their learning style requires longer periods of driving spaced closely together. In many cases riving schools offer big discounts on intensive courses. It would seem however, that driving instructors are themselves divided in opinion as to how effective intensive courses really are.

Personally,  I think intensive driving courses certainly have their place as a training programme. What i would say with certainty is that they are not suited to everyone. This is where a skilled and experienced driving instructor can really help. As learners are all individuals in their learning needs, so they require an approach that is individually suited to them. Just a few hours with a “Really Good” instructor will normally enough to assess a learners suitability for intensive training. Instructors then have the opportunity to help learners decide if they have the necessary concentration and stamina for such a course, how long the course should be, and if they are likely to progress quickly enough to take a test at the end of their course.

It is in the interest of any responsible driving instructor to “best advise” their pupil on the above. In addition, instructors are professionally obliged not to submit pupils for tests until they have proven themselves “test ready.” Herein lies a potential problem: the learner may for instance, not progress to test standard within the course time. Sometimes learners may be doing really well but could struggle with reversing or roundabouts, for instance. The closer to test date they get, the more the pressure goes on – for both learner and instructor. Here, the instructor will do their very best for their pupil, but in final analysis, if the pupil is not at a safe standard, the instructor must advise cancellation of the test – however disappointing that may be.

On the up side, the learner will still have gained a lot of driving skills in a short space of time – they will just need to persevere a bit longer in their training. The down side could be a loss of a test fee, unless the instructor is able to determine difficulties early enough.

There is much to consider with intensive driving courses in Glasgow. Please feel free to contact Really Good Driving School or our sister site www.mytestpass.com anytime to discuss learning requirements.

Anniesland Driving Test Centre – Is The Home of All Matters Driving to Close?

Posted on 05.20.12 By andyrgds123

As the D.S.A. continues in preparations to deliver driving tests more locally, the public may well consider the benefits of not having to pay  extra driving time for lessons to reach Anniesland. Certainly, having satellite practical driving test centres where instructors can take their pupils in Bearsden, Milngavie and Clydebank delivers a localised service. But what of the Anniesland centre?
As i understand Anniesland is one of very few centres that D.S.A. actually own, and it’s always busy – the freedom driving centre some may say! That said, under the current economic conditions, i wonder how secure it’s future will be? If for example, D.S.A. find rolling out tests from public libraries and car parks proves a cheaper and popular move, will it then give them a legitimate reason to hoist up a “for sale” sign?

Following Distances at Speeds Over 40m.p.h. – Some Useful Advice

Posted on 05.15.12 By andyrgds123

It has happened to all drivers, and by the same token, nearly all drivers must have done it. It occurs frequently on faster roads. It’s the cause of many accidents. The slang name for it is “tailgating,” which happens when one driver is following another vehicle far too close to be safe. Bang! You have either joined the vehicle in fronts occupants unexpectedly, or someone behind has joined onto the rear of your vehicle. Either way, you lose.
So, what do you do to reduce the risk of collision? Simply leave a gap of two seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front – four seconds in wet or adverse weather. If you are taking Driving Lessons with “Really Good Driving School” in Glasgow, your driving instructor will show you how to time this.

Leaving a separation gap allows you to react if the driver in front slows down suddenly, and means you don’t have to brake so hard that the driver behind – who may be following YOU too close – doesn’t run into your vehicle. On slower roads leave a yard -or metre – for every mile an hour of your speed.

Remember, tailgating does not get you anywhere more quickly, but does increase risk and anxiety for those around.

You Don’t Have To Be Young To Learn To Drive- Just Determined!

Posted on 05.14.12 By andyrgds123

Well I am on a high today! Even after 22 years of driving instructor work in Glasgow I still  love when my pupils pass. Today was the turn of Rajan Thomas, one of my more mature pupils – well, only seven years older than myself.

Often it does take a wee bit longer when a mature learner takes to the wheel, but also they are often completely blown away by their success, and so they should be. I must admit when i was a younger man i probably was “ageist” in the sense that i thought anyone over 50 was   not going to achieve much more in life. How naive I was! Personally, I have never felt more energised in business and if anything i have found myself working harder and longer than ever before. Rajan, like so many of my contemporaries, proves with his achievement that with will and determination anyone can succeed. My advice would be “Go For It” – don’t let anyone hold you back.

As a youth i may have hated the man i have become. But, then again, as Mark Twain said, “Youth is wasted on the young!”

Driving Home The Lesson In Bearsden – A “Really Good” Place To Start

Posted on 05.10.12 By andyrgds123

These days i notice many of my Bearsden pupils are fortunate enough to have the help of their parents giving them extra  “private practice.” This can really help pupils overall experience, and help them build confidence – if done correctly. One of the first questions i will ask a pupil is if they will have the opportunity for private practice, and if so I will speak to parents to let them know where i can help. Not all instructors may be so proactive as this, but when approached a few words with the local driving instructor/school for Bearsden can give great direction to this type of practice. Beware though, because without this rapport an over- enthusiastic mum or dad can easily take their offspring into very dangerous territory where the learner is completely out of their depth.

Take for instance, that the learner will normally need time to get used to a different type of vehicle, where the controls are situated, and how it handles. The majority of driving instruction vehicles are diesel engined – changing to petrol can be tricky to master clutch control. Ancillary controls such as wipers and light switches may be located in an entirely different position. The gears and pedals  may well feel unfamiliar, and, the vehicle may well be much more powerful and larger in size.

Considering the above, do you really want to let your child loose on Canniesburn Toll or Pendicle Rd. without firstly finding out what they can do or giving them a chance to get used to a different car?  Take them to somewhere quiet and build car control before getting too adventurous. Avoid the “jump in at deep end” scenario – you may both drown…
Most a.d.i’s would be more than happy to discuss the progress of their pupil and give direction to private practice. If I am aware my pupil can handle Crossroads fluently but struggle with reversing to the left, whats the point in parents doing more Crossroads? Parents may not be sure where to take their children for reverse left driving practice during driving lessons in Bearsden – but I do and i would be happy to help!

Personally, i really enjoy when parents get involved, and i will go out of my way to offer advice, teamwork can work! If you are thinking of enrolling your son or daughter for driving lessons in the area of Bearsden, why not call Really Good Driving School? We are the local experts.

Learn To Drive – A Valuable Addition To The School Curriculum

Posted on 05.5.12 By andyrgds123

So many of our young people are leaving the educational system and finding a job hard to come by these days. I am left wondering why such an essential skill as driving is left aside from the educational process. From what i can see, many employers are looking for applicants with driving licences to fill their “situations vacant.” This must surely bring jobseekers a severe disadvantage, unless they have been lucky enough to have been afforded lessons funded by family. Surely a driving licence is as essential a qualification as Arithmetic in many jobs?
For a number of school leavers, perhaps their academic prowess has fallen short of the mark for university, college, or an engineering apprenticeship, yet these same young adults could be able to get into stable employment if they were given the opportunity to gain a driving licence. It seems the exclusion of driving from the school curriculum could fail a number of young adults.
As many driving instructors would attest, the vast majority of their pupils are aged 17-25. I can only see benefits if we – instructors – could work within the school system. Firstly, financial restraints could be relieved from families and learners could be given comprehensive training in all driving aspects. Currently, money still restricts pupils from fulfilling their full potential. How many go on to Pass Plus? Less than one percent the  last i knew.
Instead of jobs being only open to the financially fortunate, why not give our young people an equal chance?

Motorway Driving Lessons In Glasgow West

Posted on 05.4.12 By andyrgds123

Motorway driving lessons in Glasgow West- in fact any area with a motorway, could possibly be the single biggest advance in new driver training since…since i can remember.  The news that learner drivers may soon be allowed to have driving lessons on the Motorway in Glasgow West accompanied by their approved driving instructor, and be allowed to learn safe driving practices on the Motorway, can only be of great value to all. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17093564

For many years this has been an opportunity deprived of the learner driver and often a significant omission in their driver training. Imagine the current state of affairs, where the new driver, having just passed their test, sets off on the M25, oblivious to what awaits them. After many years of campaigning someone in office has finally woken up to the thought that new drivers would be better learning how to drive on a motorway with a professional instructor, rather than be left fighting for themselves or being misinformed by some well-meaning family friend.
I cant wait to help my pupils negotiate the M8 during their driving lessons throughout Glasgow. No – one will be put into situations they cant cope with though. Motorway driving will come after all the more core competencies are achieved.
It is no surprise to me that the majority of drivers have little clue how to use a motorway. I keep hearing phrases like “fast lane”  “slow lane” and various other misnomers. It will be great to educate pupils in Motorway use, and hopefully these roads will be safer for all.

Some groups seem to be against the idea of “slow moving”  novice drivers clogging up Motorway lanes though. While no professional driving instructor would allow this situation to occur, it is possible that someone learning to drive with a well meaning family member or friend could be placed at risk, and therefore place everyone on the Motorway at risk. Here, i think is where we need to consider making Motorway learning restricted to being supervised by an Approved Driving Instructor. No doubt some will be up in arms with my proposal, but i think overall it is just too risky otherwise. It seems though, that the Government will allow learners to use Motorways with anyone holding a valid driving licence over 21 years of age, and who has been driving for over three years….

Driving Lessons Partick- The Clydeside Expressway

Posted on 04.28.12 By andyrgds123

When i first started teaching people to drive, the driving test took about 30 minutes. A candidate would be unlikely to drive at more than 30mph and usually the tests routes stayed within Knightswood, Jordanhill and Whiteinch. Nowadays, expect to travel on faster roads for further distances! One popular route is on the Clydeside Expressway between Finnieston and Jordanhill.

Any reputable driving instructor should train their pupils to drive on all types of road, and even back in the day i ensured my pupils could handle areas outwith driving test routes. Personally, i believe that by training my learners to be observant and “read the road” they will be best prepared for all eventualities – not just a test route. That said, the Clydeside Expressway is an excellent area to teach any learners getting driving lessons in Partick and surrounding areas, how to join and leave a busy dual carriageway.

At various locations on the Expressway a driver would enter it from a slip road . On most slip roads  drivers should build their speed to match that of traffic on the carriageway, check mirrors, signal, and merge into the main carriageway  without causing any other road user to slow down, stop, or swerve to avoid them. This is how we “harmonise” with traffic. Sometimes though, the  slip road may be quite short – like at Thornwood- and it could be unsafe to build up too much speed only to have to brake hard if no gap exists! At peak times it may even be necessary to stop on the  slip road and wait for a gap. This can happen often at the Clydebank/Clyde Tunnel shared merging point.

Once on the dual carriageway leave a gap of 2 seconds in dry weather, and 4 seconds in wet weather, between yourself and the driver in front at speeds of 40mph and above. This will eliminate much of the risk of running into the vehicle in front, or the following vehicle running into you!

When leaving the Expressway, remember to use mirrors and signal in good time before reaching the  slip road. On the slip road  watch for a reduction in the speed limit and use your speedometer to check your speed. You may be faster than you think.

All Really Good Driving School instructors are expert in training their pupils in the negotiation of these procedures so rest assured, learners will be in safe hands.

If you are thinking of driving lessons in Glasgow West, give us a call or email. You can find even more information on our homepage.

The Driving Test – Is It All A Fix?

Posted on 04.23.12 By andyrgds123

New to the world of blogging, i was thinking of what subject from the world of driving i should choose to open for debate. So here goes, and it may be a controversial topic – IS THE DRIVING TEST A FIX?

For over 22 years I have been meeting people who believe that driving examiners have quotas and it’s mostly down to luck whether a candidate passes or not.
It is indeed a fact that examiners have quotas. For instance, if an examiner conducts seven tests in a day, then only seven candidates can therefore pass.

As for the belief that passing is down to luck, there is also some truth in this. For instance, a candidate who is lacking in some competencies may just get lucky on the day: but then again, may go on to be fatally unlucky in their  future driving. One thing I can be certain of is that those candidates who have been thoroughly trained and have gathered enough experience usually pass. The converse is equally true: those who have not gained sufficient skill and experience will, thankfully for themselves and the rest of the public, almost certainly fail.

 

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