Blog|ProCoach Driving School

How do i fail my Driving Test

30th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

You all seem to focus on this question, rather than the positive!

But we understand.

How do i fail my Driving Test?

Ultimately, if you are prepared, including reading up a bit on ” how to pass your Driving Test“, you should be OK!

However, lets go into detail on how this all works.

Here is a top ten list of failure reasons compiled 18/19 by the DVSA, the people that conduct the driving test:

Junctions (observation)
Move off (control)
Control (steering)
Response to signals (road markings)
Reverse park (control
Junctions (turning right)
Mirrors – (change direction)
Move off (safely)
Response to signals (traffic lights)
Positioning (normal driving)

So, above we have the list of “bad stuff”, where you are most likely to get it wrong, according to DVSA

Driving Test faults- how they effect the Result

In relation to the list above, there 3 types of faults you can make:

a driving fault – this is not potentially dangerous, but is a departure from good driving
a serious fault – potentially dangerous error
a dangerous fault – this involves actual danger to the public, you, property or the examiner.

We will clarify some of misunderstandings on ” faults”, for you now.

You have probably been told that, you’ll pass your driving test if you make:

no more than 15 minor faults (driver faults)
no serious or dangerous faults (majors’)

However, it’s not as clear cut as it seems.

Serious or dangerous faults first, make one of these and it’s an instant fail.

There is another way to instantly fail a driving test though, that we will tell you about.

” ETA”, examiner took action, verbal or physical. If the examiner uses the dual controls for example, that’s physical intervention and a fail. The physical action need not be as serious as using the dual controls.

Imagine your test is on a rainy day. We all know that the car windows tend to steam up, making in difficult to see out. Windows steaming up can reach a point where is dangerous.

If this happened on your test, you let it get to the point of danger and the examiner has to tell you to put the demist on, or does it him or herself, that’s ETA.

How many driver faults or “minors” can i make?

You may have been told or read, make 15 or less and you are home free?

Well, its a case here of ” when is a minor a major”!

So, on your driving test, if you had 15 driver faults, evenly spread, you could pass.

However, it rarely works out that way in reality.

As an example, missed mirror checks, before a direction change, no other road user involved.

This is a minor fault.

Imagine you a mirror check on your test, no problem. You miss a second, then a third. There comes a point, where the examiner escalates this minor fault to a serious fault, resulting in failure. The view that they take is that this was not just an aberration, but a systemic issue with your driving and therefore-unsafe.

The point at which a minor, becomes a major is a judgement call for the examiner. They are more likely to escalate earlier on faults which are safety related, such as failing to check the right blind spot before moving off.

You now have your top 10 list ” how do i fail my driving test”, which is where you are most likely to go wrong-so don’t!

Train hard on these area’s with your driving instructor and good luck!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driver faults, How do i fail my Driving Test, serious faults

Automatic driving lessons in the Bexhill, Hastings and St Leonards Areas

19th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

Pro Coach is an Automatic Car Driving School

We offer automatic driving lessons in the Bexhill, Hastings and St Leonard’s Areas of East Sussex.

You may be new to driving or a returner coming back following some lessons in the past……automatic is the way ahead!

Why learn in an Automatic Car?

no clutch and therefore no clutch control to master
no gears to change yourself
less stressful and more enjoyable learning experience
easier to control speed and direction
easier to concentrate on the road, as less to do in the car

Why do people drive automatic cars?

All the reasons above, plus:

in traffic, less physical stress, continually being on the clutch and changing gear
creep function makes it so much easier emerging from junctions and moving in queues.
less wear and tear on friction parts, no clutches to burn out-particularly those that do a lot of city driving
probably more reliable overall
a more relaxing drive

Soon, if you believe the Government, we will all be driving electric cars anyway, which are as close to automatic cars as you can get, with the exception of auto hybrid cars!

We are often asked about the differences between the Manual and Automatic Driving Tests. There are none, the test is exactly the same.

Here is our blog link to the new Dec 2017 Driving Test.

So, why use us for your driving Lessons?

super little Hyundai i10 1.2 Auto, 2017
experienced automatic driving instructor, with upgraded advanced qualifications
semi-intensive available
independent automatic Driving School, not a franchise like ” Red” or ” AA”
defensive driver training available
training to pass a Driving Test at Hastings Driving test Centre

Do you need Automatic driving lessons in the Bexhill, Hastings and St Leonards Areas?

Want to learn or have refresher driving lessons in an automatic car?

Pro Coach is the Automatic Car Driving School for you!

Call 07500771127 to book automatic driving lessons or go to Contact us .

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: auto driving lessons, automatic driving instructor, automatic driving school, bexhill, east sussex, Hastings and St Leonards Areas

Learning to Drive in an Automatic Car

19th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

Are you thinking of learning to drive in an automatic car or a manual?

Pro Coach Driving School, advocates learning to drive in an automatic car for lots of reasons.

Safety

If you want to get on the road quickly, then automatic is the way to go-no messing around with the clutch and gears.

You will learn quicker, as your brainpower is more quickly out on the road, where it should be, rather than focused in the car, which is where it is for a good while, if you learn in a manual car.

If you think about it, as your hands are always on the wheel, rather than having to constantly change gear, it must be safer?

In addition, as the power of the engine is never disconnected from the road wheels, the traction is always present.

In a manual car, there is always an element of ” coasting”, when the clutch goes down. The clutch disconnects the engine from the road wheels, whilst you change gear, which can lead to a loss of traction.

Less Mental and Physical Stress

Secondly, you will find that driving an automatic car less stressful to drive in volume traffic.

Manual cars can be very hard work in stop-start traffic. Constantly on the clutch and gears.

If you intend to commute, no you want to arrive stressed?

Stress and driving is a bad thing, it causes humans like you and me, do things that we would not usually do- take risks.

Driving an automatic car, there’s no clutch or gears to deal with at all.

Learning to drive in an automatic car, as far as safety is concerned, is the way to go for learner drivers.

Less to do in the Car

Automatic cars have gears, that’s how the engine applies its power to the road

All you need to do to drive one, is put the selector in ” Drive”, the car senses when a gear change is necessary and does it for you.

We all work hard in our jobs right?

Do you really want to work harder to drive a car, than is necessary?

Want to know more about auto lessons, please give us a call on 07500 771127

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automatic car, driving school, learning to drive in an Automatic Car

Young Novice Driver: Causes of “Accidents”

19th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

Unfortunately, many young drivers take a course of driving lessons, pass a Driving Test, and are soon after involved in a road incident. The statistics are alarming:

1 in 5 crash within a year of passing the Driving test
38,800 deaths and injuries in crashes involving drivers of less than 2 years’ experience
An 18 year old new driver is more than 3 times more likely to crash than a 48-year-old new driver

Until recent times, passing the Driving Test was focused narrowly on ability to manoeuvre the vehicle safely and dealing with a variety of traffic situations; all very much in an educational context.

The Driving Test assessed whether the candidate could drive safety, however took no account of the life style and personality skills and factors that motivate someone or not to drive safely.

Time for Change?

A European project called ” Hermes” which took place between 2007 and 2010 sought to address’s the causes of young novice driver collisions.

This has resulted in the implementation of the DVSA’s National standard for driver and rider training, which attempts to incorporate and address some of the findings in the Hermes Project, through training delivered by Driving Instructors, using the Goals for Driver Education or GDE matrix.

This Matrix has 4 levels, the lower 2 are focused on safety, maneuvering the vehicle in traffic etc., with number 3 focused on context of the journey and 4 on personality/emotional factors.

To look at how this all works, we must go back to the Hermes report. The finding in the report was that most collisions involving young novice drivers happened at night, on rural roads, with two up in the vehicle.

So, although young novice drivers are assessed as competent to drive, something is stopping them doing it. This is where levels 3 and 4 of the GDE come in.

Responsibility is the key issue.

Too often in driving people avoid this by using the word “accident”, which in some way gives comfort and shift’s blame. People don’t want to be blamed, none of us like “it’s your fault”. Using the word “accident” gives comfort, however is not much use if you are seriously injured or dead.

The driver training industry needs to build awareness in young people of the causes of novice drivers crashes, factors such as overestimation of ability, group pressure, distraction, fatigue, emotional driving motives and seeks to provide them with real coping strategies.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: safe driving, young drivers

Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill and Hastings Area

19th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

Looking for Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill and Hastings Area?

Pro Coach Driving School offer automatic driving lessons for learner drivers near you!

Experienced Instructor
New Hyundai I 10 Auto tuition vehicle
Local independent Automatic Car Driving Instructor
Advanced Driving Lessons
Manual to Auto Conversion
Bexhill on Sea, Battle, St Leonards, Hastings and Eastbourne areas of East Sussex

You may be totally new to driving or had a go in a manual car in the past and not enjoyed it.

What ever the story, we are here to help you.

Our Instructor has over 8 years experience and if you check out our “about” us page, has gained lots of additional advanced driving and training qualifications. If you want to learn, Mark is the chap that you need.

The tuition vehicle is a Hyundai i 10 1.2 Auto. We thought that it was the perfect choice for the role.

It’s a very small vehicle, with good all round vision, making parking a treat. It’s also easy to maneuver and of course has power steering. The seat height is fully adjustable, as is the steering wheel, meaning that it can be driven by people of all shapes and sizes. Knowing that learners like to avoid rolling back on hills, when considering which vehicle to purchase for our driving school, hill start assist was high on the list of requirements. Of course,on the safety side, it’s equipped with dual controls

We get a lot of calls from people looking for automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill and Hastings Area, that have tried to pass a driving test in the past, failed and given up. Most have tried manual, because for some reason, people told them that it was the thing to do! If that’s you, surely the important thing is simply to get mobile?

Call us on 07500 771127 to book your automatic Car Driving Lessons.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automatic car driving lessons, automatic driving instructor, automatic driving lessons, Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill and Hastings Area, battle, bexhill on sea

Last minute Driving Test Tips

17th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

It goes without saying that you want to pass your driving test quickly and first time?

Yes of course you do, however remember, “it takes time to do things quickly”!

Meaning take your time and listen to the advice of your instructor, or it could take you much longer to get through.

This post has been put together for you as part of our series on “How to pass your driving Test”?

It’s based on various faults and issues that are reported to us by the test examiners, at local test centre surgeries.

Here are our last minute driving test tips:

1: Moving Off and Stopping

Signalling.

Ask yourself, does anyone need to know what I am doing?

If there is- tell them with a signal.

However, you should not signal to priority traffic behind, you wait.

We have all seen motorists waiting to pull off, sitting with a signal on, which can make a motorist behind, believe that the vehicle is going to pull out in front of them, causing that motorist to brake sharply.

When you’re stationary, you have no priority, so if you slow another motorist by signalling to fast moving traffic behind, and they change speed, or swerve…. it’s a fail.

2: Signalling

Parked cars.

You should not signal to pass parked cars.

If you have been taught by Mum or Dad, they may have taught you to do this?

They may have been trained to do this, back in the day.

However, parked cars are everywhere now and doing this would lead to all sorts of misinterpretation issues

Lorries signal to pass parked cars, because a motorist behind cannot see through them and apply logic as to what is going on.

3: Meeting situations

Stationary obstructions, on your side of the road.

If you are going to make oncoming traffic change speed or direction; hold back.

Don’t be too hesitant, if you think that you can get through, without affecting oncoming traffic, slow right down or stop first and assess. Show the examiner that you’re not the sort that careers into the unknown!

If you can get through without making the priority traffic slow, but are only, say a drains width from parked cars, keep speed at no more than 10 MPH.

You must not cause oncoming traffic to change speed or direction. If you do…it’s over.

If you are unsure, slow down or stop until you are.

4: Overtaking

On a Driving Test, only do it if safe, legal and necessary.

On a dual carriageway plan well ahead, looking as far up the road as you can.

You cannot sit behind a slow-moving lorry at 50 MPH and a dry day, with a good traffic flow.

This would be a necessary overtake.

In this case, you would check your mirrors first, when it’s safe to signal, in other words you won’t slow traffic in the lane that you’re intending to enter, signal, then move into the lane.

Once you have passed the lorry and can see its headlights in the centre mirror, check the left mirror, if safe, signal and move back to lane 1

On a single carriageway, cyclist only on test (usually)

5: Parked cars on both side of the road

In this case, oncoming motorists share equal priority

You should not speed up to beat them, it is dangerous and you’ll frighten the examiner!

You and the oncoming motorist will have to work out which one of you will go first, by co-operating.

If they slow down, you have eye contact, they flash their lights and it’s safe to go…………then go!

If you don’t go and get into a “Mexican standoff”, you could fail your test by failing to respond to another motorists’ signals.

However, as you know from your training, the flashing of headlights actually means “I am here”, so don’t do this yourself, or you will get a driver fault.

6: Roundabouts

Approach every roundabout, as if you were approaching a red traffic light, hoping it will change ‘

So, you are planning to stop-looking to go.

7: Instructions

Whatever the examiner tells you to do……………it starts with mirrors. The only exception is the emergency stop, no mirror check necessary to stop.

8: Moving Off

Do not attempt to move off without checking your right blind spot first.

If you find yourself in the middle of the road, after an emergency stop, its essential to check the left blind spot as well.

9: Pulling up/Parking

Make sure that you do not pull up next to a car/van/lorry, as you will block or narrow the road.

10: Vision

Of all the” last minute driving test tips”, this one is just that- so easy to go out of the door, without your glasses!

Don’t leave home without them

You will fail your Driving Test instantly, if you can’t read the car number plate at the prescribed distance.

We hope that you like our “last minute driving test tips”, more can be found on our page dedicated to passing your driving test.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Last minute Driving Test Tips

Why Take Automatic Driving Lessons?

7th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

Thinking ” Why take Automatic Driving Lessons”.

Well, opting to drive an automatic car is quite normal.

Of course, we are almost fully in the the electric era for cars and they are classed as autos.

However, as a nation, for some reason, we still tend to cling on to the old ways, passing in a manual car. This does not work for everyone learner driver though, as the following story illustrates.

About 5 years ago we were contacted by a male pupil that had been learning to drive,on and off, for 20 Years! This of course put us on alert,that something was not right.

At the time ProCoach Driving School was teaching in both manual and automatic cars. The pupil, requested manual lessons, so we duly obliged.

During the first driving lesson, we assessed the pupil and very quickly learnt that the multi tasking required to drive a manual car, was a problem for this pupil. We also knew that to persevere would waste his money and achieve nothing. This is what had been happening over the last 20 years.

Our Instructor told him this at the end of the first lesson. Of course, the pupil didn’t want to hear this and asked for another lesson, which the Instructor went along with.

At the end of the second lesson, both pupil and Instructor agreed that it may be an idea to try a car with an automatic transmission.

7 Weeks later, the learner passed his Driving Test.

This is an absolutely true story and shows that its pointless spending thousands of pounds and years trying to do something that isn’t working for you.

Why take Automatic Driving Lessons??

If the above story rings home, give us a call and maybe try something different?

Here is a link to our areas serviced, for driving lessons, which includes the Eastbourne, Battle and Bexhill-on-Sea area’s of East Sussex

Filed Under: Blog

Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill on Sea

5th May 2020 by Mark Lanario

In 2017, Pro Coach made the decision to offer automatic driving lessons only for learner drivers, as we felt that the market needed a specialist Driving School.

Since going automatic only, we have not looked back in terms of the number of students looking to train with us. It was a leap of faith initially, to completely give up manual driving lessons, but since doing so, our instructors are less stressed and have told us that they have never enjoyed the job so much! This has to be a good thing and there is no doubt that driving an automatic car is a less stressful experience.

We are able to offer all types of lessons, including Advanced/Defensive Driving, ADI Part 2 training and have the qualification’s to deliver these subjects at a high level.

If you are a full licence holder that wishes to convert to driving an auto and you need refresher lessons, we are more than happy to help you.

Here are some of our highlights:

Hyundai i10 Auto, with full climate control
very experienced driving instructor
advanced driving lessons available
ADI part 2 training available
conversion lessons, manual to automatic available
refresher lessons available
instructor with advanced qualifications.
covering the Bexhill, St Leonards and Hastings Areas of East Sussex.

If you are looking for Automatic Driving Lessons, Bexhill on Sea, and surrounding areas………….look no further!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: adi part 2 training, Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill on Sea, bexhill, east sussex, hastings, Independent Driving School., st leonards

Pro Coach Automatic Driving Lessons

28th April 2020 by Mark Lanario

Pro Coach has now made the transition and is now only offering Automatic Driving Lessons for learner drivers.

We have and it was easier than we thought!

At first, we were not sure what sort of business levels we would see-it was into the unknown for us.

You have surprised us, we are flat out giving learner driving lessons in the auto and have given up the manual car completely. It seems that many learner drivers are skipping the manual phase.

It is course easier for you to learn in an auto, more fun and a good deal safer.

Why would you want make life hard for yourself?

It’s like buying an old mangle to do you washing, rather than an automatic machine!

Would you do that?

You all know that in United States, the mast majority of people drive automatic cars and have done for decades.

The Americans don’t bother with a manual driving test generally. Those people that do tend to be classic cars enthusiasts or in the motor industry.

Manual drivers, when they switch to auto, invariably don’t switch back because they find them far easier to drive in traffic, which is the reality of modern day life .

As you know, we are almost in the electric age, or so the Government keeps telling us and of course, they are classed as…..auto.

So, if you want to get through quickly, enjoy the process and end up driving a car that makes life easier, you know what to do.

Pro Coach automatic car Driving Lessons, for learners or those wishing to convert from manual in the Eastbourne, Bexhill, Battle and Hastings area of East Sussex.

Call 07500 771127 to find out more

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automatic cars, automatic driving lessons, automatic driving test, east sussex, eastbourne, pass the diving test, Pro Coach Automatic Driving Lessons

Are Automatic Cars the Future

6th November 2019 by Mark Lanario

We are often asked ” are automatic cars the future ?”

The short answer is yes, they are.

Automatic cars are, when compared to those with a manual transmission, still quite rare in the UK. In the USA the position is completely reversed, which if you have ever visited the US, you would know. If you tried hiring a” stick change”vehicle, that would have found that quite a challenge for you.

However, current buying trends indicate that more and more people are opting for automatic transmission cars in the UK.

But why?

There are a good number of reasons, but not least is modern technology. Today’s automatic gearboxes are smart and deliver the engines power smoothly and efficiently, due to modern electronics. They are a far cry from the clunky old 3 speed gear boxes from the 70s and 80s, which were costly to maintain and inefficient.

Combine an economical auto car with the benefits of not having to continually depress a clutch to change gear in heavy traffic and you can see the attraction to buyers.

Buying and running a car with an automatic transmission is now much less expensive than in the past, due to technological advancements. The cars are more reliable than ever, cheaper to maintain and are more fuel efficient.

Even learners are now being less influenced by peer pressure and opting to learn in an automatic car. It’s understandable, as learning to drive in an automatic costs less, is much easier and less stressful.

Are automatic cars the future? In the recent press article, it was stated ” nobody will be driving manual cars in 10 years“. This is not as bold a statement as it first appears. Climate change, political pressure, issues with fossil fuels and very recent advancement in battery technology, mean that electric cars will take over.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automatic car, learners

How do i fail my Driving Test?

Driving Test faults- how they effect the Result

a driving fault – this is not potentially dangerous, but is a departure from good driving

a serious fault – potentially dangerous error

a dangerous fault – this involves actual danger to the public, you, property or the examiner.

no more than 15 minor faults (driver faults)

no serious or dangerous faults (majors’)

How many driver faults or “minors” can i make?

Pro Coach is an Automatic Car Driving School

Why learn in an Automatic Car?

no clutch and therefore no clutch control to master

no gears to change yourself

less stressful and more enjoyable learning experience

easier to control speed and direction

easier to concentrate on the road, as less to do in the car

Why do people drive automatic cars?

in traffic, less physical stress, continually being on the clutch and changing gear

creep function makes it so much easier emerging from junctions and moving in queues.

less wear and tear on friction parts, no clutches to burn out-particularly those that do a lot of city driving

probably more reliable overall

a more relaxing drive

So, why use us for your driving Lessons?

Do you need Automatic driving lessons in the Bexhill, Hastings and St Leonards Areas?

Safety

Less Mental and Physical Stress

Less to do in the Car

Time for Change?

Responsibility is the key issue.

Looking for Automatic Driving Lessons Bexhill and Hastings Area?

Here are our last minute driving test tips:

1: Moving Off and Stopping

2: Signalling

3: Meeting situations

4: Overtaking

5: Parked cars on both side of the road

6: Roundabouts

7: Instructions

8: Moving Off

9: Pulling up/Parking

10: Vision

covering the Bexhill, St Leonards and Hastings Areas of East Sussex.

Pro Coach has now made the transition and is now only offering Automatic Driving Lessons for learner drivers.

Pro Coach automatic car Driving Lessons, for learners or those wishing to convert from manual in the Eastbourne, Bexhill, Battle and Hastings area of East Sussex.

But why?

Why choose ADI?

Driving Lessons available Everyday

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