Latest News

Congratulations to our Competition Winners!
Monday 15th September 2008

Following last week's fantastic promotion in Town Square Shopping Centre, Oldham, we are proud to announce the winners of the competition. We had literally hundreds of entries, but the lucky winners are:

10 FREE Driving Lessons - Lee Gladrey of Oldham
A Complete Head Start Course - Melissa Bell of Manchester

Congratulations to you both - we hope you enjoy your prizes!

 

Come See Us in Town Square Shopping Centre, Oldham!
Monday 9th September 2008

Latics Driver Training have a promotion all this week in Town Square Shopping Centre, Oldham, outside Greggs and Boots. Sophie is on hand to answer any questions you may have, and is also giving away TWO prizes - 10 FREE Driving Lessons and a FULL Head Start Programme. Simply complete an entry form, mark your prize choice and keep your fingers and toes crossed! The draws will be made on Sunday 14th September, and the winners notified on Monday 15th September. Our winners' names will be here on Monday.

Sophie also has hundreds of half price lesson vouchers to give away! These can be used to obtain your first lesson for just £10!

As well as our fantastic competition and voucher giveaway, we have an extra special offer on all week. Book 10 driving lessons with Latics and you'll not only automatically save £10, but you'll also receive a FREE Driving Test Success DVD and FREE Official Highway Code (worth £12.50). If you can't make it down to Town Square Shopping Centre this week, then don't worry, as this offer is also available by phone for this week only. So call us today on 0800 027 4130 or 0161 345 3452 and get started with your driving lessons!

 

Important Changes to the Practical Driving Test from September 2008
Sunday 22nd June 2008

On all practical driving tests taken from 10 September 2008, an assessment will be made of a candidate’s ability to drive in a way that demonstrates recognition of the principles of ‘Eco safe driving’. Eco-safe driving is a recognised and proven style of driving that contributes to road safety whilst reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Candidates who complete a driving test in any of the licence categories will receive feedback on their eco-safe driving skills as part of the debrief at the end of the test. They will also receive a fold out leaflet containing more detailed information to help them to drive in an economic and ecologically friendly manner.

A revised edition of the DL25 (Driving Test Report) will be introduced to include two Eco-safe competency headings:

• Control - always try and use the vehicle controls as smoothly as possible, with particular attention to: starting and moving away, accelerating, using gears, and driving at an appropriate speed. This reduces wear and tear on your vehicle and will help in reducing CO2 emissions.
• Planning - Reduce harmful emissions by anticipating road and traffic conditions, acting in good time, rather than reacting to them at the last moment, especially: showing hazard awareness and planning, making use of engine braking, and stopping the engine when appropriate.

The leaflet will give a more detailed explanation on the above points. Candidates will not fail their test because they do not demonstrate Eco-safe driving techniques because the government sees Eco-safe driving as a matter of public education.

 

Refunds for Saturday Tests!
Wednesday 18th June 2008

The Driving Standards Agency is writing to learner driver candidates who have booked practical tests on a Saturday since November 2005, to offer a refund for overpayment of fees caused by accidental overcharging and to apologise for the error.

They are taking this action because of an error in regulations made on 1 November 2005 which had the unintended consequence of removing the differential between normal weekday hours and Saturday charges for taking a test. The refund offered is the premium paid for a Saturday test, currently £10.50 for a car test.

An amending regulation has now been laid in Parliament to reinstate in law the intended differential in fees. The Agency is obliged to recover administrative costs through fees, including the extra costs of Saturday operation, for example in overtime. Tests booked from 7 July onwards will be charged at the intended Saturday rate of £67.00

The Driving Standards Agency has apologised for the error and is contacting all those affected, but customers can speak direct to the Agency’s advisers by calling (0191) 201 4098 if they want information in the meantime. DSA believes around 270,000 candidates will be affected.

 

Latest DSA Test Fee Increase Proposals
Thursday 5th June 2008

The DSA are planning to increase their fees in 2009, taking the price of a theory test to £34 and a normal weekday practical driving test up to £64. Click here to download a full list of the proposed fee changes.

 

Petition to reduce Fuel Taxation
Thursday 5th June 2008

Sick of the price of fuel at the moment? Then join over 200,000 people and sign the petition to lower the current levels of taxation on fuels (Petrol, Diesel, Heating Oil and Gas) within all UK territories by at least 30%. Click here to sign the petition before the closing date of 17 June 2008.

 

Learning to Drive – Have Your Say!
Wednesday 4th June 2008

On 7 May, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced the publication of the Government consultation paper, Learning to Drive. The document ignores calls for a minimum learner period and mandatory lessons with an ADI in favour of a radical overhaul of the driving test and tighter regulations for instructors, including the introduction of a star rating system based on pass rates.

The document, which was widely trailed as being the most fundamental shake-up of the learner driving process since the test was introduced, ignored many of the key recommendations in last year’s Transport Committee report into novice drivers. Instead, and despite prevailing wisdom from road safety campaigners, the Government has said it is not persuaded by the case for regulated learning and post-test restrictions and has chosen to focus on revamping the driving test – already acknowledged as one of the toughest in the world.

The document’s starting point is straightforward: newly qualified drivers have too many accidents. The DSA’s solution, improved training and testing, is in four parts:

Step 1: An improved driving test
Step 2: An improved learning process
Step 3: Better information about driving instructors and improved instructor training
Step 4: Further options for learning and qualifications

The DSA says: “We have an ambitious programme of reform, which will take time to develop, pilot and implement. We want people to engage with this consultation and share views on the general approach, as well as on specific proposals.” The easiest way to see a copy of the consultation document by clicking here and clicking on ‘Downloads’ at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, phone the DSA helpline on 0300 200 1122 or email
consultations@dsa.gsi.gov.uk and request a copy.

 

Changes to UK Driving Tests from 1st July 2008
Tuesday 3rd June 2008

From 1st July 2008, additional Safety Check (or 'Show Me, Tell Me') questions will be asked at the start of all learner and ADI Part 2 practical driving tests. The new questions cover the following: Use of wipers, Demisters, Brake lights, Fog lights, Head restraints, Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Warning lights and the correct operation of relevant controls and switches. The full document containing all the questions can be found here. The additional questions to the ones currently in use are as follows:

Q. Show me how you would set the Demister Controls to clear all the windows effectively, this would include both front and rear screens?
A. Engine will need to be running and when it has warmed up, set the controls to direct warm air onto the windscreen and adjust air vents to side windows. Switch on heated rear screen.

Q. Show me how you would switch on the rear Fog Light(s) and explain when you would use it/them?
A. Operate the switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced to 100 metres or less. They should be switched off when visibility improves as they can dazzle and distract following drivers.

Q. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?
A. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

Q. Show me how you would switch your Headlights from Dipped to Main Beam and explain how you would know the main beam was on from inside the car?
A. With ignition or engine on if necessary turn on headlights, operate main beam control (on indicator stalk), check main beam warning light (blue) is illuminated.

Q. Tell me how you would make sure your Head Restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of an accident?
A. The head restraint should be adjusted so that the rigid part of the restraint is at least as high as the eyes or top of the ears and close to the back of the head as is comfortable.

Q. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the Windscreen Washers & Wipers?
A. Turn ignition on if necessary, operate washer control, usually on stalk mounted on steering column. On most vehicles the same stalk controls both wipers and washers.

 

New Look Website Launched!
Friday 30th May 2008

Our new look website is now online. Thanks to the team at Fluid Creativity for all their hard work!