Author Archives: bevmin

3 Reasons To Consider Automatic Driving Lessons

If you struggle to learn to drive in a manual vehicle, driving an automatic is the perfect solution. Crucial differences make learning to drive an automatic car simpler to master, significantly impacting how confident you feel behind the wheel. Here’s what you need to know about automatic before you begin your automatic driving lessons.

After all, the more comfortable you feel behind the wheel, the better you will cope with learning and managing your car. An automatic vehicle means no clutch and gear change challenges while mastering the many other aspects involved to pass your driving test. So it may be easier for you to become a safe, confident driver.

Don’t get on with a manual vehicle or see a need to master the extras

Lack of confidence and nervousness about getting behind the wheel is one of the biggest concerns that cause learner drivers to quit. Perhaps you tried a manual vehicle and found it difficult or maybe haven’t had the confidence even to try. Here at Beverley Slater Driver Training, we offer automatic driving lessons that our many successful students know have made driving a real possibility.

No clutch or manual gear changing remove stalling worries

Adjusting to driving an automatic vehicle is shockingly easy. Whether you have driven a manual car before or are perfectly capable of learning to drive a manual car but choose not to, many practical or personal reasons make learning in an automatic vehicle the right choice for many. Stalling is a real confidence basher, but driving an automatic car avoids it, so you immediately have one less issue! Health, anxiety, or even lack of ability can make automatics the difference between driving success and failure. Hills and heavy traffic can be more straightforward with an automatic too.

Better control of your car

Less to think about leaves you free to focus. You will feel more in control and better able to concentrate on the other skills required to drive safely and confidently.

Manual cars can leave some drivers feeling they don’t have enough hands everywhere, especially when first learning. Choosing automatic driving lessons removes worry over changing gear, finding the biting point or stalling, making it easier on you. Automatic vehicles have no such difficulties, making them perfect for those unsure or nervous.

Whatever your reason our lessons will give you all that you require. Automatic driving lessons simplify many learning aspects and can make driving a real possibility for even the most nervous learner. Our experienced, caring driving instructors are here with all the help you need to get on the road in the shortest possible time.

We support you through the entire process. You still benefit from our theory test teaching techniques and the same care and commitment. We get you driving confidently, as safely and quickly as possible.

Why not explore the opportunities we offer? The sooner you start, the sooner you can open up the opportunities being a driver affords.

How A Pass Plus Course May Benefit You

A Pass Plus course with a driving instructor at Beverly Slater Driving School offers a number of benefits for our students who have already passed their official driving test. This DVLA created and approved course allows you to gain advanced driving skills which will help you to tackle a variety of driving situations. Particularly those which you may not have encountered during your learner driving lessons, such as motorway driving and harsh weather conditions. We often find those who have passed their driving test are still relatively nervous or un-easy about the concept of independent driving. If this is the situation you currently find yourself in, a Pass Plus course could be just what you need! Here’s why…

What does a Pass Plus course include?

At Beverly Slater, we will discuss with you what it is you would like to gain from completing a Pass Plus course. So, the structure of this course can vary slightly from driver to driver. However, there are 6 modules to cover, which were created by the DVLA. These modules cover the following:

Driving in a town
Various weather conditions for driving
Driving on rural roads
Nighttime Driving
Driving on dual carriageways
Motorway Driving

These will all be practical sessions which have been designed to boost your confidence as a driver. There is no test or exam at the end of a Pass Plus course, so there is certainly no need to be nervous. To complete the course, you will be assessed throughout the process by one of our highly trained driving instructors. Typically, this course will consist of 6 hours of practical lessons, so it is considerably shorter than your learner driver lessons.

The benefits of a Pass Plus course

A Pass Plus course is purely designed with new drivers in mind. Therefore, there are many benefits this course can offer you. Including:

A boost in confidence

The course will carry over the knowledge you have learnt as a learner driver and allow you to use these in new driving situations, or circumstances which you feel uneasy with. Along the way your instructor will offer their handy tips and advice for managing driving scenarios which would make you feel nervous behind the wheel. As you develop your experience within these scenarios, you will complete your Pass Plus course feeling much more confident as a qualified driver.

Increased road safety

With this knowledge, your road safety will also increase. Allowing you to keep both yourself and your passengers safe but also other road users. We believe, with more and more students completing a Pass Plus course, the country’s roads will inevitably be safer.

Pass Plus Insurance Discounts

Once you have completed Pass Plus course, there is the potential your car insurance provider could offer a discount. Resulting in a nice deduction in your monthly or annual premiums. As a young driver, you will almost certainly be aware of just how expensive car insurance can be for new drivers. With a Pass Plus certificate you may be able to save yourself some money. Always check with your provider first to determine if they offer this type of discount.

How To Stay Calm During Your Driving Test

For many people nerves can certainly get the better of them. On an important day like your driving test, this is no surprise. Nerves are to be expected. When sitting behind the wheel however, you want to be as calm as you possibly can be to ensure the safety of yourself, your passenger, and other road users. So how exactly should you remain calm during your driving test? Here are some of our top tips!

Driving test preparation

Preparing yourself for the big day ahead is really important in being able to manage your nerves. Once you know everything is organised and you are aware of all that will be happening throughout the test day, you can feel relaxed. Your preparation could be as simple as eating a hearty breakfast the day of your test and planning a comfortable outfit, with shoes you are able to drive in. At Beverly Slater driving school, our instructors are trained in helping nervous students. If you are concerned about your test, we can go over everything you feel worried about before your test day. You will also be able to book a lesson with your instructor before your test to ensure all your knowledge is fresh in your mind.

Keep your diary clear

To keep a clear focus on your driving test, we recommend leaving the rest of your daily schedule clear, if this is possible. This gives you ample time to prepare and will prevent you worrying or thinking about anything else you may need to do on this important day.

Keep your driving test date a secret

If you are feeling the pressure of having to pass, it may be useful to keep your test date a secret from your friends. Often young people, when learning to drive over a similar time period to their friends, will feel pressure to pass first time like others. This added pressure will only make you more nervous. There is no harm in keeping your test a secret until after you have completed It. This way you will not be worried about receiving a reaction from others if you do not pass.

Focus on your driving

Try to place your focus on the road and driving the car, not on the examiner and their marking. Although it is tempting to take a peek at the examiner’s marking, this will only add pressure and take away your attention from your driving. If your examiner needs to inform you of any important points they will do so. Be sure to listen to their directions carefully and pay attention to any of their questions.

A top tip: It is sometimes reassuring for learners to pretend you are doing a mock test and to imagine your instructor in the passenger seat, instead of the examiner. By keeping your eyes on the road, as you should be, there won’t be much time to pay attention to what your examiner is doing or thinking.

For those of our learners at Beverly Slater Driving School in preparation for your tests – we wish you the best of luck! And don’t forget – Stay Calm During Your Driving Test!

Navigating Motorways: Tips for New Drivers

After passing your test you will reach a time when you feel ready and confident to face the motorways. This is an opportunity to improve your confidence with driving and your knowledge of the UK road system. These bigger roads are great connectors between large cities and towns across the country, however, they can be daunting for new drivers. So, here are some of our handy tips to navigating motorways for new drivers.

Prepare for your journey

If you are venturing onto the motorways, chances are you are headed on a longer journey than usual. The best advice we can give you before setting out on the open road is to prepare for your journey. Carry out checks on your car before leaving. Some important things to check include, your tyre pressure, engine oil, lights, brakes and brake fluid, windscreen wipers and engine coolant level. This is particularly important when embarking on long journeys. keeping you and your passengers safe, preventing breakdowns, and acting as some added reassurance to keep you calm behind the wheel.

Complete a Pass Plus Course

As a new driver, and with motorways prohibited for leaner drivers, motorways are a new challenge. One of the most popular ways to learn the rules of motorway driving and gain some experience is to complete a Pass Plus course. This course can be completed after you have received your pink license. With the experience of an instructor to guide you, you will gain great additional driving skills, including navigating motorways. Our Pass Plus courses are available to book online, covering 6 modules and with no test or exam at the end!

Use your mirrors

As you will know from your driving lessons, your mirrors will be at the core of your driving. There are just as important, if not even more important, when it comes to motorway driving. With busy roads and fast cars you must stay vigilant, keep checking your mirrors and pay particular attention to your blind spots. Before changing lane and overtaking, always check behind your right shoulder to ensure the lane is clear and nobody is along side you.

Take Breaks on Long Journeys

Tiredness while driving can be fatal. Making sure you are well rested and hydrated is very important and will ensure your full concentration is focused on the road. When you start to feel tired, visit a service station and take a break. There are many service stations along the UK’s busiest motorways, and these can be easily accessed via an exit just off the main road. Take this time to eat some food and rest before starting your journey again.

Some of the biggest service stations around Greater Manchester include:

Birch Services on the M62
Sandbach Services M6
Burtonwood Services M62
Knutsford Services M6

Revise the motorway rules and road signs

If this is your first time venturing onto a motorway, it may be a good idea to look back at your notes from your theory test. Although, once you got that pass it feels a distant memory ago, it is always a good idea to read up on the rules just to prepare yourself. Remember, the national speed limit for motorways is 70mph and this is to be adhered to at all times.

Some notes to remember:

Motorway signals are used to warn you of hazards and danger ahead. This could be a spillage in the road, traffic accident or road works where workers are in the road. These will also alert you to lane changes where a lane may have closed, and merging is required.

When joining the motorway on a slip road, you must give priority to existing motorway users.

Do not cross solid white lanes when joining the motorway.

Remain in the left-hand lane until you have matched the speed of other road users before considering overtaking.

We hope these tips will help new drivers on their future motorway journeys! If you’re still nervous to tackle motorway journeys, then get in touch with our team about our Pass Plus Course. A Pass Plus course from Beverly Slater will help you become a more confident driver.