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Kings Hill based Automatic Driving School

19th April 2018 by Mark Lanario

Kings Hill Based automatic driving school

Pro Coach is a Kings Hill based Automatic Driving School

We are an automatic Driving School and have years of experience in teaching in auto vehicles.

There are lots of good reasons for learner drivers to pass their driving test in an Automatic:

  • usually takes less time to pass Kings Hill based Automatic Driving School
  • less to do in the car, means more concentration on the road Driving School West Malling
  • safer, less stressed way of driving Kings Hill

A lot of younger pupils don’t really want to learn to drive in a manual car, but are told ” well you should learn in a manual, then you can drive both”

Well, for most, unless they want to go on to drive a van or such like, that’s an old fashioned view.

In any case, we will all be electric in 10 years!!

Why choose Pro Coach Driving School?

  • our Driving Instructors are all fully qualified DVSA ADIs, with many years experience
  • all have advanced teaching qualifications
  • local independent Driving School
  • training in the Sevenoaks area

We are currently offering Driving Lessons to students living at or close to Kings Hill, including, West Malling, Offham,  Mereworth,Borough Green, Wateringbury, Ryarsh, Ightham, and Plaxtol

 

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Borough Green, driving instructors, driving lessons, Ightham, Kings Hill, Kings Hill based Automatic Driving School, Mereworth, Plaxtol, pro coach driving school, ryarsh, Sevenoaks, Wateringbury

Pull up on the right-hand side of the Road

7th February 2018 by Mark Lanario

new driving test

The Driving Test changed on the 4th December 2017.

A new reverse manoeuvre was introduced.

It was controversial indeed and there were protests from Driving Instructors!

The Highway Code states that you should not do it, but in the real world it gets done!

The DVSA’s new Driving Test is all about real world driving, such as use of Sat Navs etc.

The brief is: ” pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and re-join the traffic.

The DVSA Driving Test examiners are only doing this manoeuvre on very quiet roads and so far it seems to be quite popular with test candidates.

Here is the official DVSA guide video on you tube

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driving instructors, driving test, DVSA, Pull up on the right-hand side of the Road, you tube

New Driving Test Mess?

21st November 2017 by Mark Lanario

driving test mess

 

Well, painful experience has taught most of us that leaving a Government Department to run anything is bound to end in a mess and the DVSA’s new Driving Test Mess is no exception.

Unfortunately for tax payers, an expensive mess.

On 4th December 2017, DVSA are introducing their new baby; a shiny new Driving Test.

Unfortunately, the shine is already fading and its not even been launched yet!

As part of the Driving Test, some of the old reversing manoeuvres have been dropped.

So, no more reversing around a corner or turn in the road ( 3 point turn).

One new manoeuvre that DVSA has introduced is very controversial amongst Driving Instructors, but now even their own examiners are kicking off!!!

Examiners are going to strike, citing Health and Safety issues with the new test.

This new manoeuvre involves pulling up on the right hand side of the road; yes that’s right, and then reversing back a couple of car lengths, after which the candidate re-joins traffic.

Now, as Drivers some of us do this, however we avoid it most of the time because it can put us in a vulnerable position in the road.

The Highway Code, Rule 239 states, ” do not park facing against the traffic flow”.

It does not state that” you must not”, so not illegal per ‘se.

However, the Highway Code is prepared by the Department for Transport and the DVSA, so DVSA is introducing a manoeuvre that breaks its own code.

DVSA, Driving test mess……oh yes!

The DVSA has stated that in trials, the manoeuvre is ” low risk”, however should any Government Department be allowed to introduce anything that contravenes its own code or code of another Government Department??

Particularly when the codes relates to safety.

Now, I know that people working in Local Authority and Government Departments can sometimes be accused of being a little ” jobs worth” and over the top with Heath and Safety, but the Driving Instructor fraternity is with them on this one.

Solidarity brothers !

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driving instructors, driving test, DVSA, highway code, new driving test

Changes to the Driving Test 2017

15th September 2017 by Mark Lanario

Changes to the Driving Test 2017

As mentioned in a post earlier this month, changes to the Driving Test are due for implementation on the on 4th December 2017 . The launch date is on track according to DVSA.

The changes will mean that anyone taking a Driving Test on or after this date will take the new test.

This would include those that booked a test before this date, that had their test cancelled by the DVSA and subsequently took a test on or after the 4th December 2017.

The DVSA has implemented these changes to the Driving Test   to ” make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving”

In the earlier post we talked about changes to the Independent Driving section and the maneuverers that will be examined.

We deliberately left out one new part of the test, as it was a little controversial and we were not sure if DVSA would go ahead with its inclusion.

Yesterday, we received from the DVSA a book entitled ” Driving Test Changes”.

Title on page 17 ” Pull up on the right and Reverse”

The instructions that the examiners will give a candidates are ” Pull up on the right when its safe to do so, please”.

“Id now like you to reverse back for about 2 car lengths, keeping reasonably close to the kerb”.

Looking at these instructions, we can all see where this has put the candidate in the road.

The introduction of this manoeuvre has been controversial to say the least, with the biggest hue and cry coming from Driving Instructors citing the Highway Code. The press has picked up on it as well!

Rule 239 states, ” do not park facing against the traffic flow”.

As the rule does not state ” you must not”, the move is not illegal in itself.

However if it were not risky or bad practice, the Highway Code wouldn’t include it as an issue.

Unfortunately, many drivers do pull up on the right, facing against the traffic flow and therefore the DVSA has gone with the manoeuvre as it’s representative of real life driving.

Could it encourage more bad driving?

Time will tell.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automatic driving instructor, changes to the driving test, driving instructors, driving test, DVSA

Driving Test Key Changes from December 2017: Independent Driving

1st September 2017 by Mark Lanario

Driving Test Key Changes from December 2017 Independent Driving

 

The Driving test is changing from 4th December 2017.

All learners taking a driving test in a car from that date, weather they have failed one before, or had their test cancelled, will be examined using the new format.

There are some Driving Instructors that train pupils to pass a test at a particular test centre, rather than to be able to drive safety anywhere. An example would be Sevenoaks test centre, where a pupil is not asked to perform a bay park and often not trained to perform one.

Such learners are going to need a good few hours of additional training, if they fail a test just prior to the introduction of the new DVSA Driving Test.

Driving Test key changes Dec 2017:

Independent driving will increase to 20 minutes

Under the current regime, this section lasts for 10 minutes. When first introduced, there was a hue and cry about how difficult this would make the UK test. At present candidates are either asked to ” follow the signs to” or the examiner draws a little map, which is a bit pointless really.

There is a bit of a misconception about this part of the test, re going the wrong way. If a candidate goes the wrong way correctly, that is using the correct mirror, signal, manoeuvre routine and is in the right place in the road, at the right speed, no laws are broken……then all is well. The examiner will simply get the candidate back on track and no fault is recorded.

When the new Driving Test is introduced, 4 out of 5 candidates will have to follow directions given by a Sat Nav device.

The pupil does not have to operate the devise in anyway, the examiner pre-programmes the route for the candidate…….so don’t worry.

In addition, if a candidate is unsure of what the Sat Nav is asking them to do, they can ask the Examiner to clarify.

Notice that we said, what the Sat Nat is asking them to do, that’s because the candidate is still expected to drive safety and override ” orders” being given by the Sat Nav where necessary.

We have all heard the stories of motorist’s driving off of cliffs, whilst following instructions given by such devises !!

Just as under the old test rules, if the candidate goes the wrong way, using correct road procedure and does not make a fault……….no problem. The Examiner will simply get the candidate back on track.

Sat Nav’s are not perfect and sometimes go wrong. This is not a problem, the DVSA Examiner will deal with the situation appropriately.

We have a video for you to watch which covers all of the key changes, click here to view

 

Enjoy

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driving instructors, driving test, driving test changes, Driving Test Key Changes from December 2017 Independent Driving, DVSA, new driving test

Are you as good as the AA Driving School??

31st August 2017 by Mark Lanario

 

Pro Coach Driving School is quite a busy local Driving School, specialising mainly in AUTOMATIC driving lessons.

We are very fortunate to receive plenty of new enquiries from would be learner drivers each week………always a good thing!

Pro Coach is often asked questions about the learning to driving process, such as  how to obtain provisional driver insurance or whether we recommend private practice ( we do) and such like.

Usually the answers flow seamlessly, as do the conversations.

One of today’s conversation’s was quite different.

The telephone rang and was promptly answered.

After a brief period the prospective student said ” are you as good as the AA Driving School”!

Well, where exactly do you start with that one; a low ball?

We explained that unlike our Independent status, the AA Driving School is a franchise and that each Driving Instructor is Self Employed and not an AA employee.

Moreover, we said that the self employed Driving Instructors trade using the AA brand, so liveried tuition vehicles, promotional support and……… an AA Driving School franchise fee.

The enquirer said “What they pay?”, ” why would they do that?”

We told the enquirer that many ADIs ( Approved Driving Instructors) require support with promotion and marketing their offers etc. The AA give that and their cars do look good!

Others needed to get the business off the ground very quickly, which is difficult to achieve on your own as an inexperienced instructor.

An AA Driving School badge, no doubt helps with credibility.

We said that it was our choice to be Independent and build our reputation ourselves, based on what we do for our customers.

Our closing comment was that a learner driver needed to judge the quality of any Driving Instructor on more than a badge.

So, things like additional qualifications, over and above the basic “green ADI badge”, might be a useful indicator of a Driving Instructors approach to the job?

We like to think so, but the question is……………

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: auto driving, automatic driving instructors, automatic driving lesson deals, automatic driving lessons, driving instructors, driving lesons, driving school

2017 Changes to the Driving Test

15th June 2017 by Mark Lanario

 

2017 changes to the driving test

Later in 2017 the UK driving test is changing. The DVSA has decided, in consultation, that changes to the Driving Test are necessary to ” make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving”

The new Driving Test launch date for the new driving Test is 4th December. Driving Instructors are now being briefed on the final format.

As part of the DVSA Practical Driving Test, candidates will be asked to follow the directions given by a Satellite Navigation devise, during the Independent Driving Part of the test, which has been extended to 20 minutes.

1 in 5 will not have to take directions from a “Sat Nav” system, they will simply be asked to “follow the signs to”.

This part of the test is not about testing a candidate to see if they can follow directions.

If a candidate goes the wrong way on the road correctly, the examiner will simply get them back on track and not register a fault. In other words, if a Driving Test candidate go’s off track following the correct road procedure, no fault will be recorded.

This latitude would only be given once or twice though!

 

The new Driving Test will have a few other changes, particularly with the reverse manoeuvres. The turn in the road, colloquially know as a “three point turn” and the left reverse, known as the reverse around a corner are being dropped.

Candidates will now either be asked to drive forward into a parking bay, reverse into a parking bay, or reverse park behind a car.

The 2 safety questions will now be asked on the move, rather than at the test centre.

The good news as far as candidates are concerned is the length of the test…………..it’s not changing!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 2017 chnages to the driving test, driving instructors, driving test, driving test changes, learning to drive

What is advanced driving?

18th May 2017 by Mark Lanario

what is advanced driving

 

 

A good question and one that’s difficult to answer in absolute terms. The reason is that it depends on who you are talking to!

There are several motoring and safety organisations that offered tests based on different systems of “Advanced Driving”. Each will have its own marking schedule and criteria for pass, fail or grade. Each test will have its roots based in a system of car control.

The tests offered by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) or RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, have their system based on Roadcraft, which is the Police system of driving. At its heart is the use of IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Accelerate). Mastery over the last 4 elements of the system being based on interpretation of information. The test offered by RoSPA requires a more purest approach to use of the system.

The test offered by the DIA (Driving Instructors Association under the brand name “Diamond” Advanced Driving Test is based the more familiar DVSA system of MSPSL (mirror, signal position speed and look. It is available to non -Driving Instructors and Driving Instructors alike.

Which Driving Test is best?

The answer to some extent depends on why a candidate wants to take the test!

A potential driving instructor(PDI), that is looking to take the DVSA Part 2 Test of Driving Ability should look at the benefits of taking the “Diamond” Advanced Driving Test, as the marking template would be the same as the DVSA test; the DL 25. In order to pass the ” Diamond” Advanced Car Test, the candidate must pick up fewer than 6 driver faults, no serious or dangerous.

We hope that this post answers your question ” what is advanced driving”. If you are looking for an Advanced Driving Course or need to know more, please use our contact form.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: adi part 2 training, advanced driving, advanced driving test, driving instructors, dvsa part 2, rospa advanced driving, Rospa Diploma

Driving Test: Latest Campaign

15th May 2017 by Mark Lanario

Campaigners in Scotland are looking for changes in the Practical Driving Test after a spate of accidents involving Horses. They are looking for changes to the theory test, including a section involving how to deal with Horses on the highway.

Link the link below for the full story!

 

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/1006681/telling-tails-learners-respect-horses-roads/

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: changes to theory test, driving instructors, driving test, learner drivers, pass driving test

Driving Test: We are only Human

11th May 2017 by Mark Lanario

 

 

Unfortunately, many learner drivers have a rough ride when it comes to taking and passing a Practical Driving Test.

Disappointment and disillusionment are just some of the emotions suffered; but it doesn’t have to be like that.

Here are some practical tips to help you pass your driving test and get rid of those “ L” plates!

1: Learn the Driving Test routes.

Each Driving Test Centre will have set of test routes that are used to test a candidate’s ability. Officially the DVSA stopped publishing test routes a while back, however routes that are near enough to those used by DVSA can be found online using a few “Google” searches.

The routes used are designed to test a candidate’s ability to cope with a variety of road and traffic conditions. They are designed to be challenging.

When in discussion about the benefits of training learner drivers on established Driving Test centre routes with other Driving Instructors, we sometimes hear them say “well if they can drive a car, they can drive it anywhere can’t they?”

Our answer to this question is yes, but when learner drivers pass their test’s and are driving for real, it won’t be under test conditions with an examiner sitting next to them wearing a high visibility vest, scribbling on a marking schedule!

As professional Driving Instructors, we know that anyone taking a driving test will suffer with nerves to varying degrees and that this can affect driving performance. When our learners take a Driving Test they are on familiar territory in terms of routes. We have found that this improves performance as it gives them one thing less to worry or stress about.

 

2: Mock Test

Schools don’t let their pupils take exams without “mocks” so neither do we!

Every pupil would want to know if they are ready to take a test or not; wouldn’t they?

Mock Driving Tests are a great way to assess driving performance against DVSA test standard.

Some pupils can drive very well during lessons, but use the word “ test” and bring in a physical marking schedule on a clip board………….and it all goes wrong!

The human factors that can negatively affect performance should never be underestimated.

As part of our learning to drive course, we always put in a couple of mock tests to build up resilience to the pressure of a test situation.

 

At ProCoach Driving School, we only work from the Eastbourne and Hastings Driving Test Centre’s and therefore have total familiarity with the test routes used by the D.V.S.A. Driving Test Examiners.

We also happy to mock driving test pupils that come to us from other driving schools where training has taken place in the Sevenoaks area.

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driving instructors, driving test, DVSA, eastbourne, hastings, learning to drive

Why choose ADI?

Nine out of ten learners that passed the practical test on their first attempt were taught by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) rather than a friend or relative.

Driving Lessons available Everyday

Our Approved Driving Instructors are friendly, approachable and always professional. They are available for driving lessons every day of the week, including some Sundays. Please contact us on 07500 771127 for full details and availability.

From the blog

Automatic Driving Lessons Hastings

Automatic Lessons Hastings

Driving Lessons in an Automatic

Returning to driving Lessons

Driving an Automatic Car, safer than a Manual?

Pass your automatic Driving Test with Us!

Learner- Driver

Driving lessons in your Area

Pro Coach Driving School offers quality Driving Lessons and instruction across a wide area of East Sussex. We can offer driving lessons in these and surrounding areas: Bexhill on Sea, Hastings and Eastbourne. A further list is available here.

Pass with Confidence

At Pro Coach Driving School our aim is to teach our pupils to drive (rather than just passing a test).

We use a modern coaching approach aimed at ensuring that our pupils take early responsibility for their learning and safety, not only in an educational context, but as an independent Full Driving Licence holder.

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