Driving at night is something many drivers dread. Especially new drivers! You rely heavily on your headlights and can’t see your surroundings as well as you can during the day. This is one of the reasons why many accidents occur in winter, as drivers and pedestrians can sometimes be unaware of each other. This makes driving in the dark a stressful experience for some drivers, as the paranoia increases. 

If you’re someone who’s afraid of driving in the dark then just know you’re not alone. It’s a common feeling among drivers in the UK. At Beverly Slater we aim to boost the confidence of our driving students and ensure they can drive confidently at night. The following are some tips to follow when you find yourself driving in the dark.

Ensure your lights are working properly 

The Highway Code states you must have two working headlights in order to drive, especially at night. You can face a fine and points off your licence if you’re pulled over by the police without proper working headlights. For safety and legal purposes, it’s important to always check your lights are working adequately. 

Regular checks on your car is important. Ensure your tyres are at optimum pressure, your mirrors are positioned correctly, and your headlights work effectively before you begin travelling at night. 

Stick to the speed limit

Speeding can happen easily, and it’s unfortunately a common mistake that many drivers make. However, it’s imperative that you abide by the speed limit when driving, especially at night. Since the risk of accidents increases during night-time hours, it’s crucial you don’t go over the limit. 

If you’re speeding it’s much harder to come to a stop when you need to. In the dark it’s harder to spot vulnerable cyclists, children, and other pedestrians. This makes sticking to the speed limit all the more important at night.

Never look directly at another vehicles headlights 

When on the road, it’s important to avoid looking directly at another vehicle’s headlights. This is because the glare of them could disorient you and make you lose your concentration. This, of course, is dangerous and can make you panic, which is never ideal. 

Take a pass plus course 

Here at Beverly Slater, we offer what’s called a Pass Plus course to help new drivers. Our pass plus courses are designed to boost your confidence and help you navigate tricky situations on the road. You don’t have to be a new driver to sign up either, it’s perfect for any driver who needs a confidence boost. 

Our pass plus courses target night driving, driving in harsh weather conditions, and motorway driving. If this interests you then do not hesitate to contact our team today for more information. 

If you’re looking for an exciting new career that involves driving, then becoming a driving instructor may be for you. Being a driving instructor is a fun and rewarding challenge that combines your love for teaching, with your love for driving. If you’ve always thought about becoming a driving instructor but don’t know where to start then you will benefit from joining our driving instructor franchise. 

Joining a driving instructor franchise has a wide range of benefits for those wanting to enter the industry. Here at Beverly Slater we have a thriving driving instructor franchise that operates in South Manchester areas such as Didsbury, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme, Macclesfield, Knutsford, and more. Click here to see our full list of locations. 

The following are some of the main benefits of joining our franchise. 

Fixed franchise fee 

One of the main benefits of joining our driving instructor franchise is that we offer a fixed fee. This means we will not surprise you with any additional fees at the end of the week or month, we honour our fixed fee. 

Unlike other franchises, we will never surprise you with any additional costs and fees. We value our driving instructors and are always looking to grow and develop our thriving team. 

Flexible hours

With most driving instructor franchises you’ll be able to work the hours that suit you. Here at Beverly Slater we believe in flexibility. This is why we allow you to create and follow your own schedule when you join our franchise. 

Flexibility is one of the main things that draw driving instructors to the job. Being able to fit your personal life around your working life is very important. Many would agree that having a good work/life balance is vital to your overall happiness and health. If you’re someone that’s looking for more flexibility in your career, joining a driving instructor franchise may be a great option for you.

You get to choose your own vehicle 

Some driving instructor franchises may give you a car they’ve chosen, whereas here at Beverly Slater we let you choose which vehicle you want to use to teach in. We know you’ll be spending a lot of time in your work vehicle, which means it’s important that you feel comfortable in it and love it! This is why choosing your own vehicle is encouraged.

These are just a few of the many benefits that joining our driving instructor franchise brings. For more information feel free to get in touch with our friendly team anytime.

Learning to drive is an exciting part of life, if you have your first driving test coming you may be feeling excited, and also nervous! Nerves are completely normal when you first start learning to drive. Here is our guide to help you prepare for your first driving lesson.

Driving comes with a lot of responsibility, it’s normal to feel nervous before your first lesson. If you’re about to start your learning to drive journey, you’re in the right place.

Know what to expect 

Knowing what to expect can help reduce your nerves and calm you down. In your very first lesson, it’s important to remember that you won’t be doing much driving. Your first lesson is all about learning the basics and getting comfortable behind the wheel. 

Your driving instructor will teach you to adjust your mirror, the basics of clutch control, and so much more on your first day. You’ll be putting some of your theory knowledge to practice! You may do a little driving on some quieter roads, but your first lesson will be all about familiarising yourself with the car you’ll be using and the basics of driving. 

Go over your notes 

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for your first driving lesson as a beginner is to go over what you already know. If you’ve already done your theory then this is great! You’ll be clued up on everything you need to know about driving, before your first practical lesson. If you haven’t yet, don’t worry! You can still go over what you already know in preparing for your lesson.  

Familiarising yourself with the theory side to driving is a great way to reduce your nerves and prepare for your first lesson. 

Get plenty of rest the night before

One of the most important parts of preparing for your first driving lesson is to come well-rested and ready to take on the day. The last thing you want when you begin your lessons is to be feeling tired and inattentive. You will want to be completely alert to take in all the information you’ll be learning. 

It’s best to relax the night before your first lesson, and go to bed at a reasonable time. Try not to let your nerves get the best of you!

If you’re interested in booking your first driving lesson, contact us today.