There’s nothing quite like repeating a journey day after day to dull your senses. This is especially true if you’re the driver of a journey that you take regularly. This can be dangerous due to being lulled into a false sense of security or driving on autopilot.

It’s on just those occasions when you must make sure that your brain remains engaged. Be actively looking for dangers, threats, bad drivers, pedestrians, motorcycles, bicyclists etc etc. Keeping your mind awake and avoiding ‘autopilot’ is imperative to ensure that you’ll be able to react, should the worst happen and a crash become a possibility.

Let me give you an example of just such an incident that happened to me – where I was switched on and the other driver was not. I was arriving to work at a previous place of employment, where there was a small roundabout prior to the parking area. A new Mazda RX-8 driver was clearly half asleep still as he swung in front of my path on the roundabout. Luckily, no damage was done to either vehicle and the (still tired) driver drove off looking incredibly sheepish.

There’s no substitute for experience and for me this means ensuring you’ve driven on all kinds of roads, during day and night, in a variety of different weather conditions. This is the point of the Pass Plus scheme and why it also grants you lower insurance premiums (from some, but not all companies).

A really important aspect of driving is learning from your experiences. Without actively thinking about what’s gone on (what took place) and how we handle situations, we never learn or improve our skills. This is why there are many out there who’ll tell you that your learning to drive actually begins when you pass your test. Roadcraft is a lifeskill when you do pass – and so it should be when you’re behind the wheel of something weighing more than a ton and capable of very quickly becoming an out-of-control weapon.

Alternatively, a competent, skilled driver with a comprehensive understanding of roadcraft can take pleasure from driving every day. Look out for future articles on roadcraft, where I’ll be giving tips on becoming a better driver.

• For a first provisional licence the cost is £38
• Driving Theory Test is £20.50
• Practical Driving Test £42 (if taken on a weekday)
• Practical Driving Test £51 (if taken on a weekend or in the evening)
• See individual instructors or companies for the cost of lessons but these are around £20 for a one hour lesson

Within a year of passing your driving test you can apply to complete Pass Plus training. This is a very sensible idea, since statistics have shown that new drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident in the first two years after passing their test.

Pass Plus is a course to improve your driving, and save you money. You will:

• Gain valuable driving experience
• Save money on insurance premiums
• Reduce the risk of being involved in a crash
• Boost your confidence

There is no test!

There are 6 main Pass Plus training sessions which cover

1. In Town
2. Out of town
3. At night
4. In all weathers
5. On dual carriageways
6. On motorways.

To find out which insurers offer Pass Plus driver discounts, check www.passplus.org.uk for a list

Some local authorities offer assistance with the Pass Plus course fees, so check with your local council.

To find a Pass Plus instructor:

• Look on the PassPlus website (www.passplus.org.uk)
• Contact the Driving Standards Agency 0115 901 2533
• Ask your local driving school
• Check in the telephone directory, or in the local papers

Well done, you have passed your driving test, and can now take to the roads alone.

The first trip you make after this is very exciting, and can be memorable.

You may want to visit friends or family to show off your latest achievement.

Wherever you decide to go, it is best to ensure that the route you take is one you are familiar with.

Plan the route, and ensure you take a map and a mobile phone with you in case of emergencies.

Let someone know where you are going, and roughly when you expect to get there.

Ensure you have enough fuel – running out will only cause you stress and maybe even a red face.

‘P’ plates – they can be very helpful as they let others know that you are a new driver, and to allow you a little more consideration than other road users.

Stay calm – even if something does go wrong, it is best to pull in somewhere safe and think about what to do rather than panic while on the road, and possibly make mistakes.

Now that you have started getting lessons, you will want to get out in the car and practice your newly found skills behind the wheel!This is a great idea, and will help you to put what you are learning into practice. However, there are some points to consider

You must have another driver with you who is over 21yrs, and has held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.

The vehicle you use must be taxed and Mot’d up to date, and you must possess insurance in case of an accident.

It is best not to carry any passengers, as they may be a distraction.

Stay Calm – If you start to feel anxious for any reason, find a safe place to stop, pull in and take time to calm down, and talk it through with your co-driver.

Stay alert – keep the radio off, and keep interesting gossip for later, as you will need to concentrate on what you are doing.

Use ‘L’ plates. They alert other road users that you are just learning, and you should get more consideration from them.

This is provided by the DSA, and is a booklet that you keep throughout your tuition, which your instructor fills in.

It can help you to monitor your progress, as well as being a lasting record of your progress while learning to drive.

There are a list of 24 Key Skills, which are covered in the practical driving test, and has 5 levels.

Your instructor can sign and date each level once it has been achieved, and once you reach level 5 fuller details can be added.

Levels

1. The skill is introduced
2. It can be carried out under full instruction
3. It can be carried out correctly when prompted
4. It seldom needs to be prompted
5. It can be carried out consistently without prompting

Although you can be taught to drive by a friend or relative if they are over 21 years old and have held a full licence for at least 3 years, it is highly recommended that you use an approved and registered instructor.

They are called Approved Driving Instructors (ADI’s) and are registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

They must show their green certificate of approval by the DSA on the windscreen of the tuition car.

Approved instructors will provide a high level of tuition and give you the best possible guidance on driving and safety. This in turn gives you the greatest chance of passing your driving test, so you can get on the road sooner.

Approved instructors also have to pass tough theory and driving tests, as well as having their tuition standards checked regularly.

You can ask them about all aspects of driving, including when to sit your driving test, what to read to help you pass the theory test and what is the best way to practice your driving.

There are a number of ways to find an approved driving instructor:

1. Look in the local papers for instructors in your area
2. Yellow Pages/Directory
3. Local test centre
4. Driving Standards Agency (www.dsa.gov.uk)
5. Word of Mouth – friends or family who have used an instructor and found them to be very good

A good driving instructor should also be punctual, reliable, have a good reputation and have a car that is suitable for you.

The Minimum age for learning to drive in the UK is 17, and you can apply for your provisional licence two weeks before your birthday.

For those with disabilities and in receipt of mobility allowance the minimum age for learning to drive is 16.

To apply for your provisional driving licence you need to complete form D1, which is available from the Post Office or local BSM centre. You will need to enclose documents which confirm your identity, such as your passport, birth certificate, adoption certificate or travel documents from the home office.

A provisional licence allows you to learn to drive when accompanied by another driver, who must be over 21years old and have held a full British Driving Licence for at least 3 years.

There are two main parts to the driving test – the Theory Test (incorporating the Hazard Perception Test) and the Practical Driving Test.

You don’t need to pass the theory test before you start taking lessons, and it is recommended that you study for the theory test at the same time as taking lessons to consolidate what you are learning.

You cannot drive alone on the road until you have passed both the theory and practical tests.