The California Fail-Phone Law

It's the end of the month, which means it's a time for another funny video. As every Californian knows, beginning tomorrow, you are not allowed to talk on your cell phone while driving without a headset. Many people criticize this law, but some people even went far enough and created a funny video about it. Watch how someone can fail his driving test because of a cell phone.



This is taken to an extreme, of course. No examiner will talk like that, and no examinee will take his hands off the wheel. However, this is a funny way to criticize the new law.

Drive legally and have a great July,
Nadav

nadavs

Foot-Operated Brakes

How well can you control your car? Apparently, some people come to their driving test unprepared. They don't know how to operate their car, and obviously didn't read any good guide on the subject. Here is a good video from the California DMV that explains the subject.



Notice how one person couldn't even operate the parking brake with the foot. Some people should definitely not be on the road.

Have a great week,
Nadav

nadavs

Driving Temper and Temperature

How hot is your car when you drive? Do you like driving when the temperature inside your car is over 30°C, or do you prefer to cool it down with your air conditioning? From what I found out, the temperature inside your car is very important and directly affects your driving ability.

High temperatures expand your blood vessels and reduce your blood pressure. As a result, you become more sleepy. This situation has a big effect on your driving. Combine it with itchy sweating, and you have a recipe for disaster. Low temperatures, on the other hand, cause increased blood pressure and better awareness.

When I drive, I always set the air conditioning to supply cold air into the car, unless it's really cold outside, and then I warm up the car a little. When the temperature inside the car is over 25°C, I feel a serious drop in my driving ability and awareness. Sometimes, in really hot days, I drive with the air conditioning at maximum power. It may waste more fuel, but it's worth saving my life.

Drive safely. Set a good temperature in your car.
Nadav

nadavs

Control your Car

Car control is a vital skill for a driver. Without it, any driver is likely to hit a wall, a car, or a person every time he drives. There are some very important driving control skills you must master before you officially become a driver. Here is an article I wrote about the topic.

Deadly Car Control Mistakes on the Road Test

One very important part of driving a car is controlling the vehicle. Without that, the roads will look like chaos: cars turning left and right without any reason, sudden brakes and accelerations without proportion, and highly dangerous roads. In the driving test, every driver should demonstrate good ability to control the vehicle. However, some driving students don't know how to control their car, and they make the same mistakes over and over.

Steering control is a very serious issue when it comes to the road test. As weird as it may sound, some students come to the road test with very limited steering skill. They have trouble turning, passing cars and other objects, and in general, the steering wheel is not their best friend. These driving students come to the test unprepared, and as a result they fail the test miserably.

Acceleration is also an issue the examiners face with students drivers. Acceleration should be done smoothly most times and quickly at others. However, some drivers fail to understand this, and their use of the gas pedal makes the entire car swing back and forth. This improper use of the accelerator often sends the examinee to a new test.

Braking is a greater issue than acceleration. Improper braking can lead to an accident, and so is a too-slow braking. Like acceleration, braking should be done smoothly, with a pace that matches current road conditions. During the road test, some students don't brake well and upset the examiner.

A very common mistake on the road test is wrong usage of gears. Some students stick strictly to shifting gears by speed and don't listen to the engine or road. When the driver doesn't seem to know how to use the gears the right way, the test is probably over.

Controlling a car should not be an issue for any person applying for a driver's license. All they need to do is get enough practice, but not just any ordinary practice. To control a car well, driving students should get a guide specializing in the driving test.

You can get a good guide explaining this issue - Pass your Driving Test.

Have a great weekend,
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: Dakota

For the second time in the history of the blog - we have a boy. Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, even boys upload videos of themselves driving for the first time. Today's video belongs to Dakota (yes, that's his name). The funny part comes from his sister, who apparently doesn't trust him and believes she's going to die. How nice of her.



This video was uploaded two days ago, so Dakota has a very long way before getting his license. One step towards getting it is not having his sister in the car while he's driving.

Good luck Dakota!
Nadav

nadavs

Second Chance Driving School: Part 7

The end of June is here, and it also brings the end of the Second Chance Driving School series. Definitely sad, I know. Out of ten students, two didn't take their test and two failed so far. How many more will pass? Who will discover something she didn't know? Who will do really well on a blind intersection? What big surprise will the passing students get at the end? All of that is in the last part of Second Chance Driving School.



Next week we will have a new series, which will be a surprise. Until then, good luck to all new drivers.

Drive safely!
Nadav

nadavs

Drink in Ohio? Seriously, Don't Drive

A new law in Ohio will give the police more power over drivers who are suspected to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The new bill, which will be signed by the governor this week, gives the police the authority to force a driver to give a blood or urine test.

Although this law applies only for people who have been convicted, it raises worries for people who drive in Ohio. So far, blood or urine tests could be forced only with a warrant. This may seem like a blatant violation of the right to privacy, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio (aren't there shorter names?) is already planning to challenge the law when it goes into effect.

Until then, do yourself a favor. Don't drink and drive. Ever.
Nadav

nadavs

The UK Driving Test Procedure

Getting a driver's license in the United Kingdom isn't easy, especially if you come from a right-side driving country. Even if you live and breathe left-side driving, the licensing procedure can take a while. It's also important to know what you're tested on. Jane Grath is here to tell us all how it's done. It's a long article, but really worth it if you plan to drive in the UK.

Car Practical Test Explained

Your driving test will start with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. You will then start your Car practical driving test which will include some specific maneuvers.

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

The practical driving test (car)

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now able to offer tests outside the normal test times at a number of test centres. This provides customers a wider range of appointments over an extended working day.

Car Practical tests are generally available at all permanent test centres. Saturday and weekday evening tests, subject to resources being available, are offered at a premium rate. Non premium rate tests are available at various times between 7.30 am and 3.27 pm Monday to Friday.

The Car driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• Can drive safely


• Know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

What will the test include?

The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

• Reversing around a corner


• Turning in the road


• Reverse parking


• You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

Vehicle safety questions

These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.

Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

What happens during the Car Driving test?

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

After the practical test

When the driving test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

If you pass...

If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.

If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within three weeks of you passing your practical test.

If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.

If you fail...

If you fail the driving test you should ask the examiner for some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You can take another practical test 10 working days after your car or motorcycle test.

Driving test standards

All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.
Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc.

DSA do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. We will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test will go ahead. If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.

http://www.theory-test.co.uk/ online free driving mock theory test.

Source: EzineArticles.com.

As you can see, the process isn't short. But if you live in the UK or plan to live there, it's priceless.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Lose your Driver's License

Getting a driver's license is a dream for many high school students, but it must be used responsibly. Irresponsible use of the license, violation of traffic laws, and posing a threat to other road users is not the smartest use for a driver's license.

Here is a video by the California DMV showing you someone who thinks that the rules of the road do not apply to him. Of course, the DMV has taken this to an extreme, but even making one of his mistakes can cost you your license. Watch out.



The only thing he did right in this movie is pulling over for the police. Not doing so not only costs the license, but possibly your life, whether for being shot or being arrested. Not fun at all.

Drive safely,
Nadav

nadavs

Driving Footwear

How much attention do you pay for your feet when you drive? You probably don't dedicate too much thought for it. Footwork should be automatic when you drive, and thoughts about which foot and pedal to use should go away after a few practice drives.

What you put on your feet is nearly as important to your footwork, and it guarantees that your footwork will be good enough. For example, not wearing anything on your feet while driving is very dangerous and even illegal in some countries.

Other footwear items, like Crocs, are also dangerous and are highly not recommended for driving. They can slip away and cause you to lose control over your car. In an emergency, it can be a real danger. Only drive with shoes or close sandals that won't fall off your feet when you drive.

When you buy new shoes, there is an immediate change on your driving. For example, I recently bought new sandals, ones with a thick sole. When I drove with them, I could hardly feel the pedals and I had to readjust my driving. Watch out for this when you buy a new pair of shoes.

Have a great weekend,
Nadav

nadavs

So, You Want to Pass?

Passing, or overtaking, is one of the most dangerous maneuvers on the road. Too many times it turns out to be deadly. On the driving test, it's a major reason of failure. Here is an article I wrote about this topic. Read carefully if you have a test.

Passing Mistakes That Don't Help Passing a Driving Test

Passing is a simple driving maneuver. Its result is simple too: a car that was behind another car is now ahead of it. As simple as passing can be, doing it correctly is critical for driving, the driving test, and surviving as a driver. Wrong passing caused countless accidents, and will continue to kill many more drivers and families. Passing is not very common on the driving test, but when it comes up, driving students make very silly mistakes that cost them the entire test and effort.

One very common mistake is not passing at all. Passing should not be done on every situation, especially on the driving test. But some situations, like an object on the road or an extremely slow vehicle, require passing. Staying behind these, or worse, hitting them, is a sure way to fail the driving test without even trying.

Rush passing also isn't adding very much to the driving student's reputation. Overtaking other cars too fast or swerving away from an object might lead to loss of control over the vehicle. If the road is narrow or there are cars in nearby lanes, this move could lead to a deadly accident. Even if there is no accident but the examiner feels that the student drove too dangerously, the test is going to waste.

Another common mistake when passing is illegal passing. Overtaking can be limited by several rules and road marks, like a double-solid yellow line. Passing under these conditions is highly illegal and dangerous. If it's done during a driving test, the examinee can forget about getting a license.

Two-way roads, roads with one lane going in each direction, are extremely dangerous. Passing other cars on this type of road can be deadly if a mistake happens. Passing is very rare on these roads, but if the situation demands passing, extreme caution must be taken. If a student driver passes on a two-way road dangerously, even without any consequences, he will fail.

Passing is a maneuver that must be practiced under the right conditions only. Doing otherwise can harm the driving student. Also, a good guide is necessary to complete the training for the driving student and make him ready for the driving test and driving after the test.

You can find a guide for the driving test at the Pass Your Road Test area of my site. This page also contains a free course about driving test mistakes and tips.

I need to write some more articles, I'm running out of them.

Have a great, safe weekend!
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: Rain

Today's first time driving video is not about driving in the rain. A girl named Rain (or that's how she calls herself on YouTube) is driving for the first time. Driving a stick shift. Watch how the guys in the car bet about her stalling the car, how she handles it, and how she does stall the car eventually.



Driving a manual transmission isn't easy for beginners, but Rain handles it very well. According to YouTube, this video has been uploaded on June 1 of this year, so she has a lot more to go.

Good luck Rain!
Nadav

nadavs

Second Change Driving School: Part 6

The Second Chance driving school is about to close, but there are six more students who have not taken their test. Some will not take it, others will pass, the rest will fail. Watch how the examiner finds all the weak parts of the drivers, and also enjoy the continuing fabulous demonstration of crying.



Next week is the last part of the driving school, where we will see the final results of everyone. Until then, watch out - some of these drivers are already on the road.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Oregon Drivers Pay More

Oregon drivers, beware. Beginning July 1, you are going to pay more (according to The Outlook) to renew your driver's license. You will also be required to provide your full name, social security, and a proof or residency.

I don't think anyone will have a problem with the latter, except immigrants who just arrived to Oregon. The state seems as it is trying to tighten laws and control immigration.

However, the price increase is very frustrating, and I don't even live in Oregon. It is simply unfair to increase the price of something that costs nearly nothing to produce. Not that the price was low - $50 for a license, even for eight years, is a high price for a piece of plastic and a mouse click. Adding even $4.50 to that is simply stealing.

Also, Oregon drivers and ID owners, licenses and ID cards will also have an electronic technology used in identity tracking. The big brother is watching, and he also charges you money for that. Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Get a Florida Driver's License

Three weeks ago I posted an article by Kristin Stancato about getting a learner's permit in Florida. Today Kristin is getting the stage to tell us all how to get the driver's license itself in Florida. Watch and learn.

How to Get a Florida Driver's License

Find out how to get a new Florida driver's license, replace your out-of-state license and requirements for international drivers with this DMV guide.

The Rules

Under Florida DMV guidelines, you must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a driver's license.

All applicants need to be familiar with the Florida Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Online DMV practice tests are available to test your driving knowledge - it's like having the answers before you take the DMV test.

First Time Drivers

If this is your first driver's license you will need to apply for a Florida learners permit which requires a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.

Once you receive a valid learners permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test in addition to vision and hearing tests to receive a FL drivers license.

Applicants under 18 must have held a learners permit for 12 months and must present a certificate of completion for the required 50 hours of supervised driving time before taking the road skills test.

New FL Residents

New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain a Florida driver's license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence in FL. When heading to the DMV, be sure to bring the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license.

There is no written exam or road skills testing required to change a valid out-of-state license to an FL driver's license, however you will need to pass the vision and hearing tests.

If your out-of-state driver's license has expired, you may be required to apply for a Florida learners permit and pass all required testing to receive a driver's license.

International Drivers

Florida honors a valid foreign driver's license with an international driving permit. Once your foreign license expires, you must apply for an FL learners permit and pass all required testing to receive a driver's license. (Some exceptions apply for Canada, France, Germany and Taiwan. See the Florida Driver Manual for details.)

Paperwork

Before you head to the DMV Office, make sure you have all of the documentation needed for proof of identity and residency. Click on a link below to see the list of acceptable documents for proof of identity and residency for U.S. and Non-U.S. Citizens.

• United States Citizen proof of identity and requirements.


• Non-United States Citizen proof of identity and requirements.
  

On the Road

Once your licensing requirements have been met, your Class E Driver's License will be valid for 4 years. Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.

Test Questions and Answers provides online DMV practicetests approved by The National Safety Commission in all 50 states. Prepareonline for your Texasdrivers license, Georgiadrivers license and Californiadrivers license today!

Hope you learned something valuable today.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

100th Post Special: Getting a Driver's License

Today's the day. After 99 days of writing, it's time to write post number 100.

For today's post, I chose a video of a girl getting her driver's license, filmed by her mother, who was also her driver's education teacher. This video is brought here to encourage anyone who is still waiting to receive the document saying he or she can drive.



Always remember the first rule of the road: "Don't hit any pedestrians!"

I hope you enjoyed the last 100 posts. May the next 100 will be as good.

Have a great week,
Nadav

nadavs

Driving to the Airport

Today I drove to the airport. This may not be a big deal, but driving to the airport is one of the only times I get to drive on the fastest freeway in the area, which allows driving at 110 km/h (about 70 mph).

I like to drive, and I like to drive fast. Going to the airport means driving really fast, about 20 km/h more than normal roads, which allow only 90 km/h. Getting over the 100 km/h mark feels great.

The airport itself is built in a very strange way. After you enter, you are driving in a big circle for a few minutes until you find what you need. If you're headed straight for pickup or drop-off, you have to go even further.

Driving there was fun, and going back was even better, because it was with my dad, who I picked up there. I should definitely do it more often.

Have a great weekend,
Nadav

nadavs

Freeway Merging Mistakes

Freeways are a great way of transportation, but in order to drive on them, you have to know how to merge. If you don't have a guide (with a lowered price), you are prone to fail on your test in case it goes on a freeway. Here are the common merging mistakes on freeways.

Freeway Merging Mistakes That Ruin Road Tests

Freeways are a great form of transportation. They allow a large volume of cars to travel at high speeds. They have no traffic lights, and entering them requires cars to merge. Merging is normally an easy task, but for beginners and driving students it's not easy at all. It requires patience, timing, and coordination, yet some people don't have these qualities. On a driving test, driving students make many mistakes on freeway merging, some of them repeat more than others.

One silly yet critical mistake is not stopping at an on-ramp red light. Some on-ramps have traffic lights to regulate traffic on the freeway. Some drivers are not aware of it and just go through them like they don't exist. Doing this counts as running a red light, which is, of course, a critical error and immediate failure.

Stopping unnecessarily at on-ramps is a very serious mistake that takes ages to fix. Freeway traffic is fast, so merging cars should also drive fast. Some driving students, out of fear, stop at the on-ramp. This is highly dangerous, as other drivers expect fast moving traffic and might hit the stopped student. Furthermore, stopping makes it very hard to merge with freeway traffic, and the driving student gets lost.

Signaling is an important part of merging. Although drivers expect the new entering drivers to merge, signaling is still required for the driving test. Also, some places require signaling, since the entry lane is also an exit lane, and freeway traffic expects drivers on this lane to exit. Not signaling is a minor error, but it can be one minor error too much.

Not merging at all with no reason is the worst mistake that can be made. If the driving student reaches the end of the merging lane without merging, this tells the examiner that the student has no idea what to do on freeways. On this case, there is not much the examiner can do. The students fails on the spot.

Freeway driving, and especially merging, should be practiced by driving students. But not every practice is good. Driving students should get a guide that explains them in detail how to merge, drive on the freeway, and exit properly for the driving test. Moreover, it should explain how to avoid these mistakes and more mistakes that were not mentioned here. Without it, the chance for passing the driving test is less than 50%.

You can find a guide like this at the Pass Your Road Test area of my site (again, the price was dramatically reduced). There is also a free driving test mistakes and tips course on this page.

Have a great weekend,
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: Tina

Sometimes it just seems that people have nothing better to do than to upload videos of themselves driving for the first time. Apparently, it gives them the opportunity to laugh about themselves and how poor their skills were when they began driving.

Today's first time driver is Tina, driving in Santa Maria. She made the mistake of having passengers in the back seat (after all, who is going to videotape it?), but she handled driving very well for the first time. The sound quality becomes bad at times, but it's mostly good.



According to YouTube, this video was uploded on June 7 of this year, but the video description explains that this drive was done on April of this year, so Tina has about 4 months to go before she can take her test.

Her mother explains well, but she could use a driving test guide, especially with the fact that California has very strict driving test rules.

Good luck Tina!
Nadav

nadavs

Second Chance Driving School: Part 5

The testing season on the Second Chance driving school begins, and the examiner already has decided the fate of three drivers from the driving school. Who will pass? Who will fail? Who will cry? It's all in today's episode of Second Chance Driving School.



Only two parts to go and about ten more tests. Let's see who will be able to drive alone after the series is done.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Re-Passing the Permit Test

According to a recent phone test, sixteen percent of American drivers should not be on the road, according to this story on the Birmingham News. GMAC Insurance asked 5,524 drivers across the United States 20 permit test questions. Then they averaged it for each state and for the entire United States.

The results are not encouraging, with an average score of 78 (although it is an improvement from last year, 77). The highest scoring state was Kansas with an average of 84. The lowest score was achieved by New Jersey drivers with an average score of 69.

Most drivers had problem with flashing yellow lights and identifying a safe distance. What a big surprise. These are very confusing for many drivers, especially the flashing yellow lights. Only a good driving test guide can make sure new drivers know that.

Obviously, drivers forget about the permit test when they start driving, and the 78 averge is not that bad (and not that good either). If those people were forced to take a permit test to pass again, most of them would pass. Otherwise, they have no reason to memorize exact rules that they never encounter. Furthermore, many people break the law often, so they have no reason to remember those tiny laws.

So, would you pass your permit test again right now? Feel free to answer in the comments.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Mini Roundabouts in the UK

Roundabouts are a great tool for traffic control. They do not force drivers to stop, and their clear right of way rules make it very easy for anyone to drive through them. However, during a driving test some students often have trouble handling them. Luckily for us, Shola Ogunlokun wrote a (VERY long) article about mini roundabouts in the UK driving test. Shola is a driving instructor, so he knows what to do.

For all non UK drivers: if you drive on the right side, like in the United States, reverse all directions. You enter a roundabout on the right and watch traffic from the left.

UK Driving Test - Dealing With Mini Roundabouts

Dealing with roundabouts is one of the skills many learner drivers find very daunting, and would ng test. rather avoid them if possible, especially on the UK driving test.

I'm going to give a few tips that will help you better understand how to deal with them and hopefully boost your confidence, starting with mini roundabouts.

First of all there are two prerequisite skills which you should have that will go a long way to helping you deal with roundabouts and get you confident for the driving test.

1. Make sure you do not have a problem moving off. If you are consistently stalling the car when moving off, or are having problems remembering to select the 1st gear after stopping before moving off, then get plenty of practise doing this until you are confident with this skill.

2. You should be able to make smooth gear changes down, using block gear changes where necessary. Again practice changing down various gears until you are confident in this area. The key here is you use the brakes to slow down the car and then select the right gear to continue at that speed. Using block gear changes on the driving test will demonstrate to the examiner that you have put extra work into getting to the test standard, as this is an advanced driving skill.
Get these two skills right, and you are half way there when it comes to roundabouts.

You obviously know how to identify a mini roundabout, and know the rule that you only have to give way to traffic on the roundabout approaching from the right. It is absolutely key you know these 2 steps, as it will help you to deal smoothly with mini roundabouts.

You should not bother about signalling to come off a mini-roundabout, they are too small, and you usually don't have enough time to do it while you are steering.

Only signal at a mini roundabout when you are either turning right or left, so if following the road ahead no signals are needed on a mini roundabout.

When your instructor or examiner on the driving test is referring to a mini roundabout, there is a word that is constantly absent 'EXIT'. The instruction will usually be 'at the roundabout I want you to turn right.

Okay now lets deal with the approach and what you need to do when you get to the roundabout.
A roundabout is a junction, and from your knowledge of junctions you will know a junction is either OPEN or CLOSED.

An OPEN junction is one which on the approach, you can see clearly what is approaching from either sides, and in the case of the mini roundabout we are only concerned with what is approaching from the right.

A mini roundabout is usually found in residential or built up areas, and you need to go round them very slowly (avoiding driving over the white central section if possible).

Okay so we are approaching an OPEN mini roundabout and are turning right (it doesn't matter which way we are going, the speed we drive round the roundabout will almost be the same), we check our mirrors, put our signal on, our position in the road does not change, we now look ahead, spot the roundabout, our main concern is traffic approaching from the right, so if there is anything that we think we might give way to, then our first thought is to try and slow the car down enough so that if possible we get to the roundabout just as that car goes past our entrance and we don't have to stop, but follow it if there is a safe gap, this is where smooth gear changes come in. Many people make a habit of stopping at a roundabout during the driving test when they could have just slowed the car enough to give way to the approaching traffic from the right.

If we find out that we do have to stop, then approach the junction in whatever gear you are in, stop at the give way line, put the car in 1st gear, and if stationary for more than about 3 seconds put the hand brake on. You should also always put the hand brake on when you stop if there is a possibility the car will roll back.

Once you have stopped at the roundabout, get that car at the biting point ready to go when you spot a safe gap in the traffic.

Spotting a safe gap requires practise, there are clues that can help though, the speed of cars, their signals, road position and the way the front tyres are pointing all give indications of what a car is about to do. For example a car approaching a mini roundabout from the opposite direction going ahead should not have any indicators on, will probably not slow down a lot, and the front wheels will be straight, so with that in mind you should be ready to proceed once that car is in the middle of the roundabout, and has blocked any traffic that might come across from the right. This skill takes practise, so don't be worried if you don't get it right at the first few attempts, the aim is to be able to do it safely during the UK driving test, so keep working on it.

If you are approaching a CLOSED mini roundabout, where you can't see what is coming from the right, then treat it like a T junction, slow down enough (make sure you also select the right gear) for you to check what is coming from the right before deciding if it is safe to go or not (Look Assess Decide Act).

It is not possible for me to go through all the scenarios you might come across, but the most important thing is spot the roundabout, approach with the right speed to allow you to decide if you can go or not, always aiming for a gap in traffic if possible.

Finally whenever you are a passenger in a car, practice these decision making skills, and see if you do the same thing as who ever was driving, and don't be afraid to ask why they choose to go when they did (if it was done safely, and they did not force another vehicle to slow down for them).

I will deal with major roundabouts in my next article.

Shola Ogunlokun is a qualified and approved UK driving instructor, runs a blog UK driving school where he provides articles, tips and videos to help pass the UK driving test.

Source: EzineArticles.com.

Did you survive?

Have a great practice,
Nadav

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Rules of Intersections

It's the beginning of a new week, so I think it's time to learn something new or refresh your memory. Today I want to do a little intersection refresher. As you know, intersections are very dangerous places, and knowing how to deal with them is crucial for driving and the driving test.

To help you deal with them, here is a video from the California DMV about intersections. It is also showing a small part of what Pass your Driving Test, so you will have the idea what's in the eBook.



Hope you learned something today. Now go practice it!

Also, the price of Pass your Driving Test has been cut to $27, and Pass your Permit Test's price has been cut to $14.95.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Criminals Behind the Wheel

Usually I encourage people to pass their test. After all, my guide and the purpose of this blog is to show people how to pass, not how to fail. However, some people should not get behind the wheel. Period. I nearly had an accident because of such person.

It happened on Tuesday, and I was driving on a major highway in my area. I was around 4pm, so traffic was fast, but crowded. I was on the left lane, the passing lane. Ahead of me there was a motorcycle, and I kept a safe distance from him. Behind me was the person I nearly hit, driving a van. Everything was good.

Apparently, the driver behind me decided I am driving too slow and wanted to pass me (and I am not a slow driver), but passing is illegal here on the right. I didn't want to move to the right lane because it would've slowed me down and interrupted the traffic on the right lane. However, the driver didn't have enough patience, passed me on the right, and entered between the motorcycle and me. If I was closer to the motorcycle, there would have been an accident that day.

On this highway there is a huge intersection without traffic lights. There are only two stop signs, on on each side road. The driver who was now ahead of me wanted to turn left to one of those side roads, and moved into the left turn lane (without signaling). Since he was slowing down, I was preparing to pass him (passing on the right is legal if the car on the left is preparing to turn). I got very close to him, and then he decided, without signaling, to go back to my lane. I was about two meters away from him, driving much faster (because he slowed down to turn).

Two seconds before that I looked in my side mirror and saw a quite empty road, so I braked hard and turned my wheel. Cars on the right lane ahead of me also swerved away from that crazy driver who nearly hit me.

That was one of the scariest driving experiences I ever had. Luckily, I was able to get away with it. In a more congested traffic I may have ended in a hospital.

Drive safely,
Nadav

nadavs

Heavy Traffic in the Driving Test

Heavy traffic is definitely in the top three most annoying driving situations. Crawling traffic is a frustrating situation, especially because it's against the spirit of driving and you cannot control such situation. Traffic jams really make you feel hopeless

During a driving test, there are some mistakes done by people during heavy traffic. Although many drivers are thankful if they get slow traffic during their test (no need to work too hard), there are still some mistakes you should pay attention to. Here is an article I wrote about this issue.

Heavy Traffic - Mind Blowing Driving Test Mistakes

Slow, crawling traffic is probably the most frustrating view on the road. The red braking lights and the hardly moving speedometer can drive anyone insane. When it happens to driving students during their driving test, some of them make some very silly mistakes that cost them the entire test. These mistakes often repeat themselves, and some repeat even more than others.

The safety distance becomes a real issue on heavy traffic. If drivers don't keep a safe distance from each other, accidents will happen. Since traffic is moving slowly, nothing too dangerous will happen, but even small accidents can make people angry. If a student driver doesn't keep a safe distance on the test and hits another car, the test is immediately over.

Lack of courtesy is a real problem on heavy traffic. People who try to merge into crawling traffic sometimes have a real difficulty fitting in. The reason is ignorant drivers who don't let them in. It also happens when drivers want to make a turn into slow traffic. Student drivers who don't let others in or have trouble merging will probably not get a mark, but this isn't showing the examiner any good driving qualities.

Blocking intersections is a much more serious issue of congested traffic. Some drivers are eager to go through an intersection, but they don't see if they can make it to the other side safely. The result - they block the intersection. This practice is illegal. If a driving student blocks an intersection during a road test, the test will probably be a big failure.

Lane changes are very hard during rush hour traffic. Usually lane changes are made when the road is clear. However, when the road is full, moving between lanes can be rather difficult. Driving students who want to change lanes usually signal and turn their car. However, some of them can't estimate distances well and hit a neighbor car. If it happens during a test, the examinee can forget about the license.

Heavy traffic isn't pleasant, but it must be practiced. Without practice, no driver will be able to driver through crawling traffic, and this could lead to dangerous situations mentioned earlier. Every driving student should find some time to practice in rush hour, even if it's boring and frustrating.

You can find a good guide that will help you go through slow traffic at the Pass Your Driving Test area of my site.

Hope you enjoyed this article. Practice heavy traffic, especially if you live in the city. It might just save you and your test.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: Pauline

Driving for the first time is not easy. The hardest part is controlling the steering wheel and making good turns. Pauline, today's first time driver, is having the exact same problem. Look how she nearly hits the curb, walls, and other cars.



Compared to other first time driving screamers, Pauline is a very good driver for a beginner. With enough practice, she can be better than the Second Chance driving school students (only if she doesn't cry).

This video was uploaded 8 days ago, on May 28 of this year. This means Pauline has a long way to go until her license. I wish her good luck and safe driving.

Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Second Chance Driving School: Part 4

We are already in the middle part of Second Chance Driving School. On today's part, Steve is being criticized, Tara keeps crying (you still got your Kleenex from last week, right?) and gets a top instructor, and the instructors debate whether some students can pass, or they are better on the passenger seat.

Also, the tests begin, and A.K., who was banned from driving, has to take an hour long test. Look at him as he talks to himself during the test.



Will A.K. pass? Will Steve pass? Will anyone of them pass? You'll have to wait for the next three parts of Second Chance Driving School.

Enjoy,
Nadav

nadavs

Traffic Jams Solved

On the Saturday a week ago I talked about surprising traffic jams. Those are the traffic jams that appear suddenly and disappear in the same weird manner. Well, as written in this article, a group of mathematicians has managed to solve this riddle and discover why such traffic jams occur.

The reason for these traffic jams is drivers who make sudden brakes and don't keep traffic flow. When a situation requires a driver to brake, such as a truck pulling over, the driver behind him also brakes, and it keeps going backwards. Every driver who brakes reaches a slower speed than the previous one until one driver makes a complete stop, and that's where nerves begin.

It's really frustrating to know that we depend on other drivers to keep traffic flow. The only thing you can do is avoid rush hour traffic and roads that are vulnerable to traffic jams. Also, try to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you so your braking will be as smooth as possible in case of a situation that requires braking. This way you will lower the chance of creating a huge traffic jam.

Drive safely (I nearly had an accident today, I'll tell you on Saturday).
Yours,
Nadav

nadavs

Relieving Driving Test Nerves

One of the top failing reasons in the driving test is being too nervous. Yes, driving skills and knowledge are very important, but if you come to the test with a feeling of "I'm going to fail", you will fail. Exactly for that, Shanat Kuphur wrote an article about calming down for the driving test.

Self Help for Driving Test Nerves

A valid drivers license is what you must have to be able to ride on the roads. For getting an official license one is supposed to pass in the driving tests conducted by the officials. Many people get through this test quite easily even though they are not the best when it comes to driving. The secret behind this is handling those test nerves that arise. But there are many people that cannot pass these examinations though they are good riders. The reason driving tests nerves. So it is very important for you to realize the need for controlling those nerves.

Tests are something that many of us fear it is something very common. But when it comes to giving a good test, this does not mean that you should be well prepared for it. Instead you should be able to handle the examination pressure. Driving test nerves can be devastating, as they will act as a very huge barrier for you to get a valid license. Driving test nerves are the ones similar to that of the ones that we get during the examination. Both of them have negative effects on us, you don't do well in examination you don't get good marks or even flunk, where as in the driving test you might have to part from the all important license that you want to acquire. Driving test nerves can be seen in a first timer, but controlling them is what it matters the most. If they were to take over, you might give up on the thought of getting that license. The good drivers also experience these driving test nerves, so it is not that you should be able to ride well but it is mentally preparing to handle the nerves in the pressure situation.

Driving test nerves are created due to the amount of pressure that you get, where you are supposed top pass it or else the opportunity to get the license is lost. This is where you start assuming that you might be unable to give the examination correctly. This is what adds to the nerves and before giving the shot you have already given up on getting through. Confidence, self-esteem, motivation is all that you require to handle these situations. A carefree mind is what you require to calm down those driving test nerves. So of you are looking for help in this regard then you can look ahead to get help from hypnosis. Hypnosis is not just a magic show, but it has a very important part to play in your problems. Your mind requires getting out of the mental block.

Self-hypnotizing is something that you will relish; in fact it is a very good idea to heal your mind with your own help. This treatment is available in the form of mp3, once downloaded you can conduct the sessions all by yourself and as per your convenience. Many people have already used this for getting rid of those nerves, so can you? All you require to get that license is to drive away those nerves, and mp3. This will surely help you.

For more information on Driving test nerves and Driving test check the links.

Source: EzineArticles.com.

In my opinion, a hypnotic treatment may be too extreme for driving. A good test preparation guide should do the trick easily. It prepares you for the test, so you are not nervous about what you should do.

Relax,
Nadav

nadavs

Lane Marks and Their Meaning

It's a start of a new month, so it's a good time to refresh our memories with some permit test material. Also, the practice test requires this information too. Lane marks are very important, as they tell you which way traffic is going, if you can or can't pass, etc.

Here is a great video by the California DMV explaining this in a very understandable manner:



Remember all those marks now? Now start driving according to them.

Have a great month of June,
Nadav

nadavs