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Learning to drive should be an enjoyable, exciting experience! Passing the driving test can open up many new oppertunities and experiences, but knowing how best to achieve this can be difficult. What route (sorry about the pun) should you take? How should you choose a driving instructor? or should you learn with family and friends? If you are the parent of the leaner how can you help?

Our aim is to provide you with the information and advice on these and many other questions, to help you to make the right decisions. All the information has been compiled for Your Online Driving School by an experience Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), the owner of a long established driving school here in the UK. Whether you are Learning to Drive in Scotland, England or Wales we are here to help you to achieve Your Aim of passing your Driving Test (first time)! 

Why not try one of our learn 2 drive handbooks or downloads available through our new online shop (secure PayPal and credit/debit card checkout). We also have a carefully selected range of books and DVDs available through us as an official Amazon Associates member.

 

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Your learn to drive questions answered for free!

Want your questions on Learning to Drive answered by an experienced DSA Approved Driving Instructor?

Well here's your chance. For a trial period we are offering you the opportunity to ask the author of our highly successful private Driving Practice handbook and Driving Test Revision Cards your driving questions.

Simply go to our contact us page. Then enter your question and our expert will email you back (normally within 72 hours) with the answer.

It's as simple as that, so whether it's to ask for advice on a situation you have encountered, or for driving test tips,  give it a go it's completely free!

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Driving Test centres, pass rates and test routes.

Want to know more about your local practical (car) test centre? We have compiled the official DSA driving test pass rates for UK test centres, together with the test centre addresses. You will also find links to pdf files detailing the local test centre's practical driving test routes. Driving Test Centres, Pass Rates & Test Routes.

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Preparing for your practical driving test?

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Great value @ £2.45. To purchase & download your Sign & Road Markings  Revision Cards, click on the Paypal Button and follow the instructions on screen

Then let us help you to pass your test 1st time, with our superb revision cards.

 how to? Clutch Control

What is clutch control?

A driver will use clutch control to enable them to move their vehicle from a parked/stationery position, under full control and at the speed that the driver wants.

How the clutch works.

First a brief explanation as to how a clutch works. The clutch has two plates; the first is linked to the engine and is rotating all the time the engine is running. The second plate is linked to the vehicle's wheels and will only rotate when the two plates are held against each other (clutch pedal up). When the driver depresses the clutch pedal the plates will be forced apart. With the clutch pedal depressed (down) there is a gap between the plates, therefore no power is being transferred between the engine and the vehicles wheels.

In short if the clutch pedal is up the engine is connected (subject to being in gear) to the wheels, if the clutch pedal is down the engine is disconnected from the vehicles wheels.

Bite point.

Next we need to look at the Biting Point (Bite Point) which is the point when the two clutch plates begin to make contact/come together. By controlling the amount of contact, by either slightly raising or depressing the clutch pedal, the driver will be able to control the amount of power being transferred through to the vehicles wheels.

Whilst the driver can depress the clutch pedal as quickly as they want/need, if the clutch is raised too quickly it will cause the clutch plates to come together too suddenly, which is likely to cause the engine to stall, or the vehicle to jump/move forward faster than intended and out of control.

Practice.

Practising clutch control will help you to be able to move the vehicle under full control, which is essential for safe driving and passing the driving test. You should practice this control by selecting 1st gear then raising the clutch pedal to the biting point, holding the pedal at this point for a moment then depressing the pedal again. Identifying when the bite point has been reached can be difficult at first. You should listen for a change in the sound of the engine, as the engine starts to connect to the vehicles wheels it begins to take on the load or weight of the vehicle. This causes the engine speed to drop and the engines sound to change. You may also notice a change or feel as the engine starts to take on the load of the vehicle.

Another way of identifying the bite point is to practise somewhere quiet and level. You can (without the handbrake engaged/on) select first gear, apply slight pressure on the gas/ accelerator pedal, then slowly raise the clutch pedal until you start to feel/hear the bite point. Also as you are on a level section of road you will be able to judge this bite point by the fact that the vehicle will start to move forward as the engine begins to connect through the clutch transferring its power to the wheels.

Remember.

Always make sure that you practice safely. Ideally the vehicle you are practicing in will have dual controls, so that if you make a mistake your accompanying driver can depress the clutch or brake using their own pedals. Even if your vehicle does have dual controls, clutch control is best practiced somewhere quite without any other vehicles or obstructions nearby.

Remember the higher you raise the clutch pedal (when in gear) and the more pressure on the gas/accelerator pedal the faster you will move away. So be careful and take your time.

If you would like to download this advice on Clutch Control for free please click here. This will take you to our free downloads page where you can either download the pdf document to your computor or simply print your copy.

As you can see you may need a good sense of humour to be a driver.

 

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News Flash, independent driving coming october 2010!

Well yet again we have a change to the practical driving test, but what will it mean to you!

On the 4th October the independent driving section of the practical driving test comes into force. This will mean that for 10 minutes during the test the learner driver will need to drive following a series of directions, following traffic signs or a combination of the two.

This differs from how the examiners have been conducting the test as the learner will have to remember the instructions for this 10 minute route rather than simply waiting on the examiners next instructions. If you need to you can still ask the examiner to repeat the instructions and even forgetting the route and going the wrong way is not a fail.

The DSA say 'Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going'.

There has been a lot written in the press about how the practical test pass rates will drop. However I would suggest that if the changes are implemented as the DSA have outlined there really should be nothing to worry about. 

 

Learning to driving age change!

As a driving instructor I am reguarly asked when is the minimum age for learning to drive going to change?The answer is the same as it was over 20 years ago when I was learning to drive, and that is there is no change, the minimum age (in most cases) is still 17 years old. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) are currently conducting a consultation paper on various aspects relating to learning to drive. One of the areas being considered is the minimum age limit. My own feelings are that there will be no change, however when the final decisions on the consultation paper are published we will advise you here of any changes.

 All information correct at October 2008.

update to, learning to drive age change.

Well the DSA have finally finished their consultation paper (as detailed above) and, as we expected there is to be no change to the age at which you can start to learn to drive, or take the driving test. However as is normally the case I expect to start hearing all the same rumors with regards to a change any day!

So if you want reliable advice and information on Learning to Drive visit us, don't rely on newspaper headlines or rumors! Updated July 2009.

We hope that you find the following pages helpful and informative.

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Your Online Driving School
9 Stile Close
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Norwich
Norfolk
NR14 8BH
Tel. 05601855838
Email youronlinedriving@btinternet.com
 

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