Information
The number of vehicles on the road are increasing every day, as the numbers increase so do the accidents. When learning to drive it is important that you receive quality driving tuition not only to prepare you for your test but for a lifetime of safe driving. DL driving are committed to ensuring you have the best possible training at the best possible price in the shortest possible time.
How old do I have to be to learn to drive? - At least 17yrs of age.
What must I do to prepare for lessons? - You must have your provisional licence which you can apply for when you are 16yrs of age. Then all you have to do is call us about 3 weeks before your 17th birthday (or earlier) to book your first lesson.
How many lessons will I need? - We all learn at different rates. You probably know someone who passed the test with only a few lessons, others may have taken many more. The average is around 30-50 hrs. Normally the older the student the more lessons required,the DSA recommendation is two hours per year of age.
Can I have lessons with a friend or family member? - Lessons with a friend or family member will help reduce the number of lessons required with an instructor but it is recommended that this is in conjunction with instructor supervised lessons not instead of. Anyone wishing to accompany a learner driver must be over 21yrs and have had a licence for over 3 yrs and of course the car must be insured for a learner driver.
Do you run intensive courses? - We will run semi - intensive courses of 10 hours maximum in one week. You will be required to pay a deposit (half the total amount) at least three weeks in advance during an initial assessment lesson. Your test will only be booked when your instructor has assessed your driving and has discussed a suitable date with you.
Is the car fitted with dual controls? - Yes our tuition vehicle is the Ford Fiesta (Diesel), known for its excellent safety record and its very low fuel consumption. The seat and steering wheel have a wide range of adjustment to suit all students making it an ideal car to learn in. Maintained to the highest standard by Birchwood Ford the car is clean, tidy and well presented. It has HE-MAN dual controls, power assisted steering, air conditioning and electric windows and mirrors.
Do you have an automatic car? - No but we can normally put you in touch with someone who does.
10 good reason to choose dl-driving
- We have fully qualified Instructors (ADI), that have passed a series of very comprehensive tests and are regularly check tested. They have also had criminal records checks (CRB).
- DL Driving has fully comprehensive insurance that also covers you.
- We carry £2m of Professional Indemnity Insurance.
- We carry £2.5m of Public Liability Insurance.
- DL Driving teach you the entire syllabus for learning to drive.
- We can teach you beyond the 'L' test with the money-saving and potentially life-saving Pass Plus course.
- You Learn in a modern, clean, non-smoker car with dual controls for your safety.
- You get in-car theory and hazard perception training (Not all driving schools offer this) and a free highway code and starter pack on standard learner lessons.
- You get one to one tuition (no other pupils in car unless requested) and receive full one hour lessons.
- DL Driving do semi-intensive courses for those who find it difficult to do weekly lessons.
Safely dealing with emergency vehicles
The Highway code offers little advice on the correct course of action to be taken upon seeing emergency vehicles traveling on an emergency callout.Below is advice provided by driving magazine:
Kerbs:
Do not mount kerbs to avoid emergency vehicles. You may damage your vehicle, larger vehicles may damage the pavement and there is a risk for pedestrians.
Causing Obstruction:
Do not stop opposite vehicles or obstructions if such positioning would not allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
Junctions:
If you are about to emerge from a side road and see or hear an emergency vehicle on the major road, do not try to emerge until it passes.
Second emergency vehicle:
After one emergency vehicle has passed be aware that a second may be following. Check your mirrors and listen for more sirens. If two emergency vehicles are traveling together they will use different types of sirens to help other road users.
Double white lines:
If an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind whilst you are traveling along a double white line system, where the line nearer you is solid, maintain a safe speed and do not exceed the limit. The emergency vehicle will hang back from your vehicle and may even turn off his siren. If you see an obvious area to pull off the road signal your intention to do so. At the end of the white line system or where the lines change priority find a safe place to stop or slow to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
Motorways or dual carriageways:
Where emergency vehicles are traveling on dual-carriageways or motorways drivers in front should move to their nearside lanes. This will allow the emergency vehicle to use the outer lanes. When moving into the nearside lane, drivers should signal their intentions take care not to pull directly in front of a vehicle already in that lane.
Where the traffic is stationary, or very slow moving, the emergency vehicle may straddle the lane markings. Other road users should move in the appropriate direction to allow this to happen.
Traffic Lights and roundabouts:
If, whilst traveling across a traffic light controlled junction or roundabout, you become aware of an emergency vehicle approaching do not brake harshly, this may cause an accident. If you can not stop by gradual braking keep going. Emergency vehicles will give way to traffic crossing on a green light.
It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction; they could be approaching faster than you think. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully.
When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.
Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.
Adopting an eco-driving style is easy and once you've mastered it, not only will you start to make real savings, but you'll also be doing your bit for the environment. That's because eco-driving means driving your car more efficiently. Doing this means your car will produce less carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas contributing to climate change.
Remember to follow the steps below and you'll soon be saving money and reducing your car's impact on the environment:
- Check your revs - change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
- Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
- Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
- The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 45 - 50mph. Faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption.
- Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
- Accessories such as roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
- Avoid short journeys - a cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective.
- Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.
- Check your tyre pressures regularly - under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
- If you're stuck in a jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.
Weather in the UK is unpredictable, bad weather can strike suddenly so the best advice when severe weather hits is to stay off the road. If you must drive, make sure you are prepared for the conditions.
You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. You may also use front or rear fog lights when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet), but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads this is because your tyres have less grip on the road.
In winter it is even more important to check your vehicle is well maintained and serviced.
- Keep the lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow.
- Keep your battery fully charged.
- Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles.
- Make sure wipers and lights are in good working order.
- Check that tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.
Wet weather:
In wet weather:
- You should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This will increase your ability to see and plan ahead.
- If the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
- Rain and spray from vehicles may make it difficult to see and be seen.
- Be aware of the dangers of spilt diesel that will make the surface very slippery.
- Take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders
On flooded roads:
- Don’t attempt to cross water that seems too deep.
- Drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling.
- Avoid the deepest water, usually near the kerb.
- Remember – test your brakes when you are through the flood before you drive at normal speed.
Windy weather:
High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather, but strong gusts can also blow a car, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when passing bridges or gaps in hedges.
In very windy weather your vehicle may be affected by turbulence created by large vehicles. Motorcyclists are particularly affected, so keep well back from them when they are overtaking a high-sided vehicle.
Fog:
Before entering fog check your mirrors then slow down. If the word ‘Fog’ is shown on a roadside signal but the road is clear, be prepared for a bank of fog or drifting patchy fog ahead. Even if it seems to be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself in thick fog.
When driving in fog you should:
- Use your lights as required.
- keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. Rear lights can give a false sense of security.
- Be able to pull up well within the distance you can see clearly. This is particularly important on motorways and dual carriageways, as vehicles are travelling faster.
- Use your windscreen wipers and demisters.
- Beware of other drivers not using headlights.
- Not accelerate to get away from a vehicle which is too close behind you.
- Check your mirrors before you slow down. Then use your brakes so that your brake lights warn drivers behind you that you are slowing down.
- Stop in the correct position at a junction with limited visibility and listen for traffic. When you are sure it is safe to emerge, do so positively and do not hesitate in a position that puts you directly in the path of approaching vehicles.
- use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
Drivers aged between 17 and 21 make up 10% of all license holders but are involved in 20% of all injury accidents.
A young male driver is 7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than a middle aged man.
Every year 1000 people die in road accidents involving a young driver.
Pass Plus is a training scheme linked to insurance discounts that benefit you, the NEWLY QUALIFIED DRIVER, by saving you money on your car insurance premiums, showing you a positive driving style which is both enjoyable safe and helping you gain quality driving experience safely.
Our Pass Plus Course should cost you no more than £126 for the 6 hours training, the savings on your car insurance can be significantly more than that, ask your insurance company now. More importantly you will feel safe in the knowledge that you are better equipped to cope with any situation safely and confidently.
Just in case all that's not enough, you can now get a discount of£60.00 by attending a locally-run East Sussex County Council workshop covering:
- Why people speed.
- Drinking and driving.
- Causes of accidents.
- Defensive driving.