If you’ve been driving for some time now, you’ll understand the role it plays in daily life. Whether you’re commuting to work, planning a road trip, or picking up friends and family, having clear vision is absolutely essential when it comes to driving. If you’ve recently noticed your vision becoming blurred, you may have astigmatism, which poses a challenge when it comes to driving.

In this blog post, we will explore the signs of astigmatism, how it affects your driving, and what you can do to ensure you’re driving safely and comfortably. 

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that causes blurry or distorted vision. Astigmatism is usually a minor problem, but it can affect your driving. The main symptoms of astigmatism are: blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches.

How it affects your driving

Astigmatism can affect your night driving in particular, as it can cause halos and glare from vehicle or street lights. This is made worse at night in low-light conditions. If you find your vision becoming distorted when driving at night, it’s important to visit your local eye care professional for corrective treatment.

Another way astigmatism can affect your driving is that you may struggle to see crucial information such as road signs. This can put you and other road users in danger. 

Additionally, astigmatism can also cause eye strain, which results in a lot of discomfort when driving. This is why it’s important to have astigmatism corrected, as it can affect your ability to drive safely and comfortably. 

How astigmatism is treated

If you suspect you have astigmatism, it’s important to seek treatment to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Below are a few of the ways astigmatism is managed. 

Corrective lenses: This is the most common treatment for astigmatism. Corrective lenses help you see clearly again, ensuring your driving is safe.

Anti-glare coatings: Anti-glare lens coatings can be very helpful for those driving with astigmatism. These coatings help to reduce glare and halos.

Regular eye exams: Visiting your local optician regularly is important. Your eye care provider will check to see if your prescription needs to be updated or not.

Tips for struggling with night driving 

Whether you have astigmatism or not, night driving can be a challenge for some drivers. If you find driving at night challenging, our team at Beverly Slater can help. We offer a pass plus course, which is designed to boost your confidence in specific areas, such as night driving.
Please contact our team for more information.

Parallel parking is no easy feat, it’s one of the most dreaded manoeuvres for new drivers. If you’ve found yourself dreading the day you will have to learn to parallel park, you’re not alone. Many people experience anxiety at the thought of parallel parking on a busy road, as it’s an intense experience, especially for a new or learner driver.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what parallel parking is, the importance of it, and why so many people struggle learning and mastering this skill. By the end of this blog, you’ll hopefully be more confident and ready to conquer this tricky driving challenge. 

What exactly is parallel parking

You may have heard the term used frequently, but if you don’t know exactly what parallel parking means then keep reading.

Parallel parking involves parking your car parallel to the road, typically in line with other parked cars. This means you need to slot your car into a space that’s just a little longer than your car, between two already parked vehicles. It’s a skill that requires precision, spatial awareness, and technique.

The importance of parallel parking 

Parallel parking is a practical and necessary skill to have, especially if you live or work in a busy urban area. Crowded streets often have limited parking spaces, and being able to parallel park can save you time and stress. Many driving tests include parallel parking as a requirement, highlighting its importance for safe and competent driving.

Why do people struggle with parallel parking?

One of the primary reasons people struggle with parallel parking is a lack of practice. While driving schools like us cover the basics, this manoeuvre requires repeated practice to master. New drivers may avoid parallel parking out of fear, which only adds to the problem.

Another reason is because parallel parking demands a high level of spatial awareness. New drivers often find it challenging to gauge the distance between their car and the surrounding vehicles accurately. 

Additionally, the presence of other drivers waiting for you to park can add immense pressure, leading to anxiety and mistakes when it comes to attempting parallel park. This stress can make even the most experienced drivers nervous.
If you’re a new driver or learning how to drive, and you find yourself struggling with parallel parking, we can help. Our team offers a pass plus course that can help you conquer your fear of parallel parking.

Driving is an essential part of many people’s lives, offering freedom and convenience day to day. However, having clear vision while on the road is crucial for safety. Many drivers unknowingly put themselves and others at risk by not addressing changes in their eyesight.

In this blog post, we will be outlining the key signs that indicate that you may need glasses for driving. It’s important to pay attention to these signs and take the necessary steps to ensure you have clear vision when driving, for your own safety and others around you. 

The key signs to look out for 

Below are some of the main indicators that you need to visit your local optician to see if you need glasses for driving.

Blurred vision 

One of the most clear signs that you might need glasses for driving is experiencing blurred vision. This can occur when trying to focus on distant objects, such as road signs or traffic lights. If you find yourself squinting frequently to make out words on road signs while driving, it might be time to schedule an eye exam with your eye care provider.

Blurred vision can result from several factors, including myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism. These conditions can worsen over time, leading to more significant challenges behind the wheel. These conditions can be effectively managed with corrective lenses, to ensure you can see clearly. It’s important to not ignore this common symptom.

Eye fatigue/strain 

Another indication that you may need glasses for driving is if you are experiencing frequent eye strain or fatigue. Long hours on the road, particularly during night driving, can put a lot of extra stress on your eyes. If you start feeling tired or your eyes become sore after a long drive, this could suggest that your eyes are working harder than they should.

Eye strain can also turn into headaches, burning sensations, or a need to rub your eyes regularly. These symptoms suggest that your eyes are struggling to focus, and this could be because of uncorrected refractive errors. Visiting your optician is necessary to get the eye care you may need.

Difficulty driving at night 

Driving at night presents a unique set of challenges, even for those with perfectly clear vision. However, if you find night driving particularly difficult, it could be an indicator that glasses are needed. Common difficulties include glare from oncoming headlights,reduced ability to see objects in low light, and seeing halos.

These symptoms might suggest a condition known as night blindness or a more general decline in vision quality. Astigmatism is also a common condition that causes difficulty driving at night.

For many drivers, wearing glasses specifically designed to address the difficulties you experience when it comes to night driving can drastically improve visibility and reduce glare. Making it easier and safer for you to drive at night. If you notice a marked difference in your comfort and safety levels between day and night driving, it’s time to explore corrective options.

If you need further support when it comes to night driving, contact our team today. You may benefit from a pass plus course that we offer here at Beverly Slater. A pass plus course involves receiving specialised help in certain areas of driving, for example, night driving.

Getting your driving licence is an exciting milestone, but the road to passing your driving test can feel like a long and winding one. For many learner drivers, one of the most pressing questions is, “How many driving lessons will I need to pass my test?” If you’ve been wondering the same thing, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about driving lessons as a learner driver, questions such as how many you might need, and why this number can vary from individual to individual, will be answered.

The basics of a driving lesson 

What to expect in your first lesson 

As an aspiring driver, you may be apprehensive about what to expect from your first driving lesson. Your first lesson will entail an introduction to the car, as well as basic driving skills. You’ll likely start in a quiet area where you can get comfortable with the controls. Your driving instructor will guide you through starting the car, stopping, and basic manoeuvres.

Typical lesson duration

Most driving lessons last between 1-2 hours. Shorter lessons may not provide enough time to practise new skills thoroughly, while longer lessons can be information overload for a new driver.

Ideal frequency of lessons

Consistent practice is key to mastering driving skills. A common recommendation is to have one to two lessons per week. This frequency allows for steady progress without becoming too overwhelming! 

How many lessons does the average learner driver need?

National averages

It’s been thought that the average learner driver requires around 45 hours of professional lessons and an additional 20 hours of private practice to pass their driving test. These numbers can serve as a general guideline, but individual needs can vary significantly. There is also no minimum number of hours or lessons, how quickly you can learn will vary from person to person. 

Factors influencing the number of lessons

Numerous factors influence how many lessons a learner might need. These include the learner’s confidence, natural aptitude for driving, previous experience, and the quality of instruction they receive. Personal circumstances, such as the amount of practice time available outside of lessons, also play a crucial role.

Comparing different learning paths

Some learners prefer intensive driving courses, which condense the learning process into a shorter time frame. Others opt for traditional weekly lessons, allowing for gradual skill development. Both approaches have their merits and can affect the total number of lessons required.