Modern roads seem to have more and more markings, and they seem to be in an increasingly large range of colours. But what do the ‘hatched’ road markings mean? Hatched markings are an area of stripes painted across the road, usually painted in white. Their function is to separate streams […]
Driving Skills – Learning to Drive
In Driving Skills – Learning to Drive, we cover everything you need to kick start your driving career. From the very basics of getting behind the wheel, moving off and stopping & changing gear, general driving, and all the way up to preparing for and passing the test.
There is a lot to take in when learning to drive, and the information you get is not always as accurate as it should be. There are many opinions but they are not always based on fact or best practise.
We have a range of books to help you, The Driving Test Book is without doubt the best guide you could read, if you are learning to drive privately, we have a book for your instructor too. We also have book to help you get through your first experience of motorway driving safely, and one full of advice for when driving in winter and bad weather.
There is also information and articles about driving once you pass that first hurdle. Passing the driving test is just the first step. You have proved that you are safe to go and practise on your own; but there is still a lot to learn. Even after many years of driving some people don’t much beyond the standard they showed on the driving test. UK Driving Skills gives you the help you need to progress!
If you have any questions about driving skills and learning to drive, feel free to drop Don a line. He has over 36 years of teaching and testing learner drivers and he will welcome your queries.
Hazard Warning Lights & When to Use Them
All cars are fitted with hazard warning lights; you should use them as a warning to other road users. But when should you turn them on? Some drivers use them as an excuse for unsafe and inconsiderate parking. But pulling up on double yellow lines to make a phone call […]
When Can I Wait in a Yellow Box Junction?
‘When can I wait in a yellow box junction’ is a very common question from new drivers. There are some who think you cannot. The purpose of a yellow box junction is to keep an area clear. So the basic rule is not to enter it unless you have a […]
Choosing a Driving Instructor
Choosing a driving instructor is not a straightforward task. If you are going to pay a driving instructor to teach you to drive, then you should choose with care. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), need to pass qualifying exams and be registered with the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in […]
When Can I Drive in a Cycle Lane?
Can I drive in a cycle lane? Before you ask yourself, ‘can I drive in a cycle lane’, ask whether you actually need to. Cycle lanes are obviously meant for bike riders (not motorcycles and mopeds!), but can drivers enter them as well? If a cycle lane lane has s […]
When Should I Use Fog Lights?
Many drivers are not aware of the law on the use of fog lights and will often misuse them. It is only when visibility is seriously reduced below 100m that they should be used. If you pace that you out you will find it is actually not a great distance […]
Flashing Headlights – What Does it Mean?
All cars are equipped with a control for flashing headlights, but when should you use it? Between the hours of 11:30pm and 7am, it is against the law to sound the horn in a built up area. So how do you warn someone? You guessed it; you flash your lights! […]
Braking on Corners & Why You Should Avoid It
If you feel the need to use braking on corners, then you have simply approached too fast. Whenever you approach any kind of bend, to turn at a junction or take a curve in the road, your speed should be at its lowest before you enter it. A car is […]
Bus Lanes – Can I Use Them Or Not?
Wherever I drive, I find that many people seem to have a problem with bus lanes. So many drivers avoid them unnecessarily and create long queues in one lane, when two are available. There are many times when I’ve breezed down the left hand lane on my own or as […]
Brake Light Dazzle – The Danger of Reduced Vision
One of my pet hates as the weather deteriorates and the nights grow longer, is having to sit in a traffic queue behind a driver whose brake lights are burning red spots onto my eyeballs. The problem has grown worse since all cars started to feature the extra high-level brake […]