Music on Driving Lessons

As a local driving instructor Nottingham area I am always learning from my pupils. Recently I have had pupils who requested that we keep the radio on at low volume during lessons. This is a new thing among pupils and not something I really thought of before the pupils mentioned it as traditionally this was not a thing. Now when a pupil is nervous I suggest we put the radio on to see how they feel about it. I must say it can lead to more relaxed lessons for the pupil and instructor. Having the radio on is good experience for real life driving after the test when drivers have to deal with a certain amount of distraction without losing concentration on the driving task. It has been quite an eye opener for me. It provides a more informal and friendly atmosphere to driving lessons in Nottingham

It is possible for music to change a person’s mood and demeanour? I certainly think it is. It's the emotional change that makes music enjoyable. The emotional connections we make with songs can have a range of effects from bringing back old memories to getting our hearts racing. It is therefore important to consider how this can impact on the way we drive.
Dr David Ireland who lectures in music psychology at the University of Leeds believes there is a strong relationship between listening to music and concentration levels. This relationship however, is not necessarily a negative one. There can be both positive and negative impacts of listening to music, depending on the characteristics of a given song. Heavy rock music may cause you to drive more aggressively whereas classical music would calm you down.

Driven to distraction

The two key aspects that determine what the impact of what you are listening too will be are the tempo and volume. If volume and tempo are high the music will “influence our arousal levels”. The consequences of this heightened sense of arousal can be erratic and bullish driving.
The potential for music to distract a driver is also important to remember. Research has shown that more energetic music is more distracting to drivers. This can be particularly dangerous when in difficult driving conditions as you may already be at the limits of concentration.
Young drivers have shown to be more susceptible to distraction when their favourite songs begin playing. The study, carried out by Dr Warren Brodsky and researcher Zack Slor stated that:
“As they get drawn-in by a song, they move from an extra-personal space involving driving tasks, to a more personal space of active music listening.”
This particular study found that a staggering 98% of young drivers involved made mistakes while driving and listening to their favourite song.

Easy listening

The news isn’t all bad, and the message here isn’t “don’t listen to music”. Research carried out by Dr Simon Moore at London Metropolitan University found that listening to calmer music can actually aid concentration and potentially make you a better driver. By listening to music that has a tempo that closely matches a human’s heart rate you can avoid the potential distraction music could cause. Songs that have between 60 and 80 beats per minute are considered the safest to listen to while driving so are ideal listening when in your car; take a look at the playlist below for some inspiration.

So there you are. Listening to music during driving lessons can be a good thing. Some pupils enjoy a bit of light jazz and some prefer pop music. Chat radio would be the most distracting I think as you may become engrossed in what is being said than what is happening on the road ahead. So be sensible and enjoy music while you drive.

Learning the Driving Test Routes

It seems appealing to some learners to find a driving instructor who places great emphasis on teaching mainly test routes. You may feel that this will increase your chances of a first time pass on the driving test in the fewest number of lessons possible. There is great danger in this approach and not something that should be done by independent driving instructors Nottingham.

Don't just learn on driving test routes

I can always tell when a pupil has been trained mainly on test routes.

They feel nervous when asked to drive on unfamiliar roads. This fear can go on after the test leading to people only driving on roads they know when the weather is nice. Driving is all about freedom to go wherever you want so you need the confidence that comes from experience. You need to learn on busy roads to deal with things such as emergency vehicles

I may ask a pupil if they have covered roundabouts as we drive up to one. Their reply is often “I haven't done this one”. The idea is that you are taught the basic rules of all roundabouts so that you can deal with any roundabout at any time. Not to simply go around one or two that happen to be on the local test route. You will have problems later on if this is how you learned. I recently had a pupil who used an app that had all the test routes stored and could put them into GPS map so you could follow it and learn the routes. My pupil was not successful at passing the test until we broke off from following the routes and dealt with her driving problems. After the problems were solved she went on to pass her test with no faults recorded. This shows which approach is best if you want that driving licence.

Gain plenty of experience during your driving lessons.

Driving lessons can be extremely boring if all done in the same area. You need variety if you are to remain interested and grow as a driver. Longer lessons may be needed to go further afield but remember that you are investing in your future safety. Doing the work now will pay dividends later. You need to gain experience on faster roads. Rural road and also on the motorway if there's one within reach.

There is always a chance on the big day that you will go off a test route due to road works or high volumes of traffic. Finding yourself in unfamiliar territory can really knock your confidence and lead to mistakes. You need to be able to drive safely even if you don't know where you are. This is where confidence and the ability to follow signs come into play.

In short, make sure you get good practice on all different types of roads. You'll find the driving test much easier and your driving will be up to a good standard when you're out there on your own. Don't be one of those drivers who only drives to places they know in good weather. Driving is about freedom so get over those nerves and be a confident driver. Go for it!

Dealing with Traffic Lights

 This is not the start of a race.

It's amazing how many people learning to drive think that traffic lights mean Stop, Get ready and go. The correct meanings are different. Let's take a look with one of the independent driving instructors Nottingham area.

Red does mean Stop, but also wait at the stop line. Drivers can get confused when turning right at major crossroads and slam on the brakes when they see the red light intended for traffic on the other road. Remember, if there is no stop line on the road surface then the light is not for you. Same if you're turning left in a filter lane. Unless there is a set of lights on both sides of the lane you're in, then the light is not for you and it'll be a give way line on the road.

Red and Amber together still means Stop but green is not far away so start preparing to move off. This is a good time to have a look side to side to make sure nobody is running a red light coming from the other direction. Don't leave it until the last second to have a look. Check before you move so you can look in the direction of your steering.

Green does not mean Go. It means you may proceed if your exit is clear and it is safe to do so. Don't feel pressure imagined pressure from drivers behind to move off if you're only going to move forward a bit and block the junction. People taking driving lessons in Nottingham tend to get a bit worried about this. Stay at the stop line until your exit is clear. Watch out for people crossing the road as well, probably texting.

Amber doesn't mean foot down you can make it if you try. It means Stop unless you have already crossed the stop line or you have to brake so hard you may cause an accident. Always check the mirrors and if a vehicle is really close behind them be careful how you brake. If a green light has been on for some time and 'gone stale' then ease off the gas and be prepared to brake if it changes.

Finally, keep an eye out for green filter arrows. New drivers tend to miss these as they don't stand out as much as red and can be difficult to see if you are driving in fog or heavy rain. The windscreen wipers in my car go slower when the car is stood still which is a bad idea because it makes it more difficult to see the lights change. Be careful when driving in bright sunlight as it can be difficult to see which light is lit up. If this happens slow down in good time so you can have a good look before you commit over the stop line. Don't start daydreaming and miss them either or you'll be hearing car horns from behind, and that'll be embarrassing.

So there you are. Stay safe and happy motoring!

The Car you Learn to Drive in

 

It's the Driving Instructor that counts, not the car.

It seems when shopping around for one of the driving instructors Nottingham area that some new pupils are looking to learn in a particular make and model of car. Usually it's something like an Audi or a Mini or perhaps the same make as the family car. If you are looking to take driving lessons in Nottingham then there are more important things to think about than which car you will be using. It's far better to have an instructor who is experienced and has a good track reord of test passes. Punctuality is important as late starting lessons can leave pupils nervous and of course a friendly and couteous manner will make your lessons a more pleasant expericence. The car you drive is of much less importance than getting the right instructor for you.

Ask yourself how much you actually know about cars. Most people get their info from family and friends who are not really experts in the field. Ask yourself what type of car you you will want or be able to afford after the test and keep your expectations reasonable.

Learning in an expensive model of car is a poor choice if the instructor is not up to scratch. Remember you are buying tuition, not the status of driving a certain make of car. Many new cars have features like an electronic parking brake which most learners will not have in their first car. Much better to learn to drive in a basic model car and then if you want to upgrade later when you have the money then that's fine

If you do learn in a prestige car you may be more nervous about mishandling or even damaging it. Too big a car can make you nervous on the road especially in tight situations. Too many control options can be confusing so keep it simple.

Chances are if you are a new driver you will not be in a position to buy an expensive car on passing your test. Your first car may seem like a bit of a shed by comparison.

Lesson prices may be more expensive to cover the cost of the tuition vehicle.

It's the quality of the driving lessons, not the school car.

Your overall aim is to obtain your driving licence and be a competent driver at the end of your course so make sure you put this at the top of your priority list. Check out driving instructors reviews or ask around friends who have passed their test when selecting an instructor.

Obviously you will need to be comfortable when learning so the driving school car will need to be a decent size. It should be reasonably clean inside and out and be in good mechanical condition. Other than that there is nothing to worry about. All driving instructors should have a car suitable for just about anyone to drive. I use a Skoda Fabia and have done for many years now. It accomodates all sizes of pupil and is a really smooth drive. Anyway, have fun on your lessons and happy motoring!

Are you Sitting Comfortably?

Take control during driving lessons in Nottingham

One of the first things a new pupil is taught by driving instructors Nottingham is how to set the driving position for optimum comfort and safety. This is something perhaps forgotten after the test as you can see so many experienced drivers who do not pay attention to their seating position. They will often strain themselves to reach the pedals or sit too close to the wheel. Let's have a look at a few things to consider before you turn on the engine and move off.

First thing to look at is the clothes you are wearing. So many pupils get into the car and keep their coat on. Yes, it may be cold outside but the car is heated and soon you will be too warm. Many times we have pulled over to allow the learner to take off coats and jumpers. If you were on a motorway you may have to sit there boiling before you got the chance, so make yourself comfortable before you start. I think some nervous drivers feel more protected if they keep a large coat on. It may protect you in a crash, but not much.

Footwear is the other big thing. In a learner it can make a huge difference when it comes to clutch control. You don't want the soles too thick or you can't feel the pedal movement. Too thin and you may have trouble pushing the pedals down. Make sure they are not too loose or tight and that they aren't flip flops. These have got to be the worst shoes for driving. I had to take a pupil home the other day as she had mistakenly put her crocs on and had no control over the steering because she was concentrating on working the gas pedal in her crocs. Because she was uncomfortable she couldn't concentrate at all!

Next comes the seating position. Car seats have a pretty wide range of movement nowadays to accommodate the tallest to the shortest people. It's important that you adjust things correctly as poor posture can cause aches and pains particularly in the lower back and can effect your level of awareness on long journeys,. You need to be a distance from the pedals which allows you to fully press down the clutch pedal without reaching too far or locking your knee. If you have to reach then chances are you won't press the clutch all the way down and will grind the gears. If your knees are locked and you have even a moderate collision you stand a bigger chance of breaking your leg. If your leg is bent it will just fold in a crash. If you are driving an automatic check you can press the brake or accelerator without reaching. Sitting too far forward can hinder movement and trap your legs under the wheel.

Shorter people will benefit from raising the height of the seat. This will give you a better view of the road ahead and also the dials on the dashboard. As the seat tilts forward as it is raised it allows for better reach of the pedals. The seatbelt anchorage point can also be lowered so the seatbelt fits correctly over the shoulder and across the chest. With the seat too low the seat belt can cut into your neck.

Nottingham driving instructors do it while sitting comfortably!

Alter the rake of the seat, that means the degree of backward tilt, so it supports your weight and doesn't have you leaning too far back or hunched over the wheel. New learners tend to have the seat  tilted too far back and then pull themselves forward using the wheel. This causes wobbly steering and is sometimes a sign of nerves. Remember the head restraint is just that and not a head rest. One pupil I had recently could not help but force his head back against the head restraint by pushing against the wheel with his arms. Not a good posture at all. You can't move your head properly to look to the side.

A guy I gave instructor training to was involved in a car accident. He was hit from behind by a car moving at speed. He had checked his mirror and saw that he was going to be hit. The mistake he made was to brace himself by locking his arms and gripping the wheel tightly. He suffered serious damage to his wrists on impact. This is one good reason not to lock your arms when driving. When the arms are extended then the inside of your wrists should touch the wheel. They will then have a bend in them when the wheel is gripped properly allowing for more accurate steering. In the event of a crash the arms will bend and the seatbelt will prevent you from being propelled forward.

Once the seat has been set you may need to adjust the steering wheel to finish things off. If you've got long legs like me then you may have the seat quite far back and low down. To prevent reaching for the wheel, flip the lever and pull the wheel out towards you. It can also be raised or lowered. Don't have the steering wheel too close to your chest. There can be the risk of injury if the air bag goes off. You need a distance of at least 12 inches between you and the steering wheel for the air bag to do it's job. When you have the position you want just flip the lever back and make sure it locks back into place.

There you have it. Take a bit of time before your next drive to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Happy motoring to you.

 

ADI Standards Check Triggers

 

It's enough to make any driving instructor nervous. If you trigger three of the four DVSA stats then you will be called in for a standards check. Some instructors don't mind doing a standards check but I must admit I'm not a fan. Here are the four triggers -

Average number of driving faults per test 6 or greater

Average number of serious faults per test 0.55 or greater

Percentage of driving tests where the examiner had

to take physical action 10% or higher

Driving test pass rate 55% or lower

If 3 of the triggers are met within a 12 month period then an ADI will be requested to attend a standards check. This only applies to an ADI who has presented for 5 or more tests.

I always train my pupils to a standard beyond what is required for the test. This way we can take into account the detrimental effect of nerves on the day. I make sure that the pupils can drive without my intervention over all types of roads and traffic situations. The easy routes come first to make sure all the basics are in place. Next come the intermediate routes to develop the basic skills and get used to interacting with more moving traffic. Then come the manoeuvres to develop and fine tune the car control skills and finally the busy city centre routes. Sat nav and sign following develop hazard awareness skills to ensure the pupil is good to drive unattended after the test.

Even after all this people still fail for one reason or another. Is the pass rate a good and fair indicator of an instructor's teaching ability? I don't really think so. The stress of the first attempt is usually the reason for failure. Not thinking straight or mishandling of the vehicle are common on the first attempt but an instructor can only do so much to soothe the nerves of a pupil, once the test begins they have to do it for themselves.

An instructor's pass rate can depend on which test centre they are local to. The trigger pass rate is 55%. The test centre with the lowest pass rate is Speke in Liverpool with a miserable 29%. The highest is Kendal with a pass rate of 68.3%. If an instructor worked out of the Liverpool test centre they would be hitting the pass rate trigger every year whereas an instructor in Kendal would have a much better chance of staying above the trigger. This would not be a true reflection of the driving instructor's abilities. It's simply the luck of the draw on which test centre you are using.

Six driving faults or less per test is a strange trigger. Given a test candidate can commit 15 driver faults before failing without a serious fault being committed the figure of six seems arbitrary. I always have regarded six or less faults as indicative of a good clean drive and personally I think that 15 faults allowed is too many. I would go with 10 as it brings the committed faults to less than one every three minutes. Six seems a bit too low given people are prone to nerves on a driving test.

It is a serious matter when an examiner takes physical action on a test as they will only do so if there is a definite danger that a safety critical incident will occur. This really shouldn't happen at all to pupils who are genuinely at test standard so I suppose this trigger is fair. I don't want to get to a place where I worry and become annoyed at pupils if they fail their test as you never can tell. I just had a great pupil who took 4 tests to pass. He just couldn't remain calm and come up with the goods on the day. If all pupils tested like him then I'd be having a standards check every year but there's nothing I could really do about his poor performance on tests. Ah well, I'll just keep doing my best and teaching safe driving for life.

Brought to you by Russ Chaplin, one of the driving schools Nottingham area.

Driving Instructor Hacked

Having your website hacked is a little bit depressing.

It's been one of those turbulent times recently where lots of problems associated with driving instruction all seem to come at once. A high turnover of new pupils owing to loads of tests going out in the same week. Car damage due to pupils reversing the car into a trolley corral in the supermarket and most shockingly the driving school website going down owing to it being hacked.

   It's my first experience of being hacked though I have had my driving school website spammed many times. My website seemed to be accruing fake URLs which went from my website to a page about Viagra or Casinos or some other such thing. They never really effected anything so I had a word with a web developer guy and just redirected them to my site's home page. This time though the site went down totally.

  I must give a shout out to the nice people at GoDaddy who managed to get my site back up and running after nearly a week. It took a good few hours back and forth on the phone but now we are back in business. I've dropped to the 2nd page on Google search but hopefully I will be back on the front page soon. Phone calls did definitely drop off during the down time. Was it because it coincided with the students just getting back to university or does a website help to sell lessons? I have been a bit sceptical about the effectiveness of websites recently with most enquiries coming from Google my Business. It surely can't help consumer confidence when they click the website button and are presented with a blank screen though. Probably better to have a site than not.

   So why would anyone want to hack a lowly driving instructor's website? one thing hackers do is make a copy of your website and then destroy yours a bit at a time. When it has completely gone you receive an email from them offering to sell you the site files for a price. If it came down to it I would just redesign the site on the same domain and link it all up again. No way would I give in and pay some hacker for my own stuff. Another reason is to access any online payment data to get into people's bank accounts. If you are taking payments through a website you need top notch web security which can be expensive. As payments can be made using the banks over the phone I don't see the need for this function on a website. Not for a small one person business. 

  So anyway we are back up and running online. I'll now be taking online security more seriously and have got a firewall installed to prevent further interference. The rear lights of my car will be fixed next week. My diary should settle down and everything running smooth again soon. You need the difficult times to appreciate the good times. Yes indeed.

Value driving lessons Nottingham