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Here we will share useful news and updates that will help keep you up to date with what's important when learning to drive.
Good quality driving lessons from one of the elite driving schools in hull 150 150 Paul Davies

Good quality driving lessons from one of the elite driving schools in hull

We at ARROW DRIVING ACADEMY think we are one of the elite driving schools in hull. We give good quality lessons at a reasonable price. Some driving schools in hull offer cheaper driving lessons but don’t always give you value for money, and therefore most people who sign up for these  tend to move to a different driving instructor when they feel they are not going anywhere with their lessons.

ARROW DRIVING ACADEMY like to offer the first driving lesson as a no obligation lesson so you can try us out before you pay for your driving lessons, and give you the chance to walk away and pay nothing if you are not happy with our service and the way that we deliver your first driving lesson with us. We also like to help out in any way we can when it comes to picking up and dropping you off for lessons if it’s possible we will arrange to pick you up or drop you off where ever is convenient for you which is not always from your home.

So always remember when looking for driving lessons don’t think the cheapest priced lessons are the best option as they are not always the best value .Ring around and get a few quotes. Ask about pass rates, decide if you would prefer a female or male instructor, enquire about the type of car you will be driving, ask if they have sufficient time to fit you in for as many lessons as you would like and remember if you take some lessons and don’t feel happy with your instructor or the way you are being taught there is nothing to stop you changing to another driving school.

Arrow Driving Academy would like to think that we will always go that extra mile to keep our good reputation and help our customers in any way we can to make learning to drive a comfortable, relaxed and happy experience for everyone.

Remembrance Sunday – Hedon 150 150 Paul Davies

Remembrance Sunday – Hedon

Remembrance Sunday in Hedon

Remembrance Sunday 10th of November.

Hedon will hold a service at St Augustines church at 11am.

 

The Royal British Legion along with the Hedon town council and other local organisations will parade through the market place on the 10th of November 2013 at 10.40am making its way to the church for the service at 11am.

An act of remembrance will follow at the Hedon town cemetery.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 saw the signing of the Armistice.

World War One ended and war heroes were remember thereafter on the 11th of November known as Armistice Day originally, which was then renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.

Remembrance Sunday is held the second Sunday in November usually the Sunday nearest to the 11th.

Remembrance Day also known as poppy day, is also to remember all the heroes that have fought and made sacrifices in all the wars since 1918.

As a mark of respect we wear our poppies with pride and hold a two minute silence at 11 am on remembrance Sunday and also Monday the 11th November 2013 as traditionally started by King George V in 1919.

Arrow Driving Academy will take part in the two minute silence to remember men and women lost in two world wars.

Eco-Driving-Hull-East-Yorkshire
Eco-Driving with Arrow Driving Academy Hull 800 600 Mark Nicholson

Eco-Driving with Arrow Driving Academy Hull

Eco-driving is a way of saving you money, reducing emissions and pollution. This is important to Arrow Driving Academy as we think that everyone should play a part in keeping a greener planet.  So here are a few tips that we would like to share with you to help you become an eco-friendly driver.

  • Never carry unnecessary weight in the boot as this can result in extra fuel usage.
  • When roof racks and roof boxes are not needed remove them as these increase drag.
  • Using air conditioning, window demisters and headlights etc. all increase your fuel consumption.
  • Drive smoothly and avoid harsh braking, good driving techniques save fuel. Drive in the highest gear possible as this is a fuel effective way of driving.
  • Always plan your route and check for any roadwork’s that may cause traffic jams. Avoid rush hour traffic.
  • Don’t leave your engine running for long periods of time whilst stood idle.
  • Always scrape your windows rather than running the engine to defrost them.
  • Always keep your car well maintained by having regular services.
  • Check tyre pressures regularly as under inflated tyres wear out faster and waste fuel.
  • Try to avoid a full tank of fuel if it’s not necessary. Make sure the fuel cap is replaced correctly as if it isn’t airtight your fuel will evaporate.
  • Always drive progressive and not aggressive as progressive driving will save you fuel.
  • Where possible car share or park and ride.

Eco-Driving = Greener driving

If you want to start your driving lessons or have already passed your driving test and want to do a pass plus or even some motorway driving tuition we are always here to help at Arrow Driving Academy. 

 

Hull Driving Test Centre Closure 150 150 Mark Nicholson

Hull Driving Test Centre Closure

Did you know? People of Hull now have to take their driving test in Beverley or Bridlington?

As from the 23rd of September 2013 there was to be no more driving tests going out from Hull test centre on Reservoir Road. This is due to the explosions that occur frequently at the car recycling plant at the back of the test centre which causes a loud bang shaking the driving test centre building.

It is a concern that when students are on their driving test, the loud noise could frighten them when for example doing a reversing manoeuvre in the driving test centre. Another worry locals and the authorities have is with the fumes that come over after the explosion. Hopefully this problem will be remedied quickly and the local people of Hull taking their driving test can do so in Hull rather than having to travel to the Beverley Driving Test centre in the meantime.

So all car driving tests are now going out from Beverley or Bridlington until further notice. This mean students are getting worried about taking their driving test in a different town to where they have learned to drive. You may think that it shouldn’t matter where a driver takes their test – but actually we think that this can add even more pressure to something that may already be a challenge for some.

How can we help you?

Here at Arrow Driving Academy, Hull we try and take our pupils up to Beverley at the quiet times i.e. Sundays or late evenings so that we don’t interfere with tests that are already going out in the area. This is to get the pupil some knowledge of the area before they will be taking their driving test and not to teach test routes.

Test are very stressful as it is, and to put someone in an area which they are not familiar with can be very daunting for them. This can make students drive a little under the speed limit which could cause them to fail their driving test.

The roads in Beverly are not that different to any other towns. There are some rural roads with different speed limits and  some one way streets too which as I said are not that different to roads that the student will have to drive on when they have successfully passed their driving test. We always teach our students how to read the roads and do not teach driving test routes – after all, drivers are certainly going to be planning on driving some much more interesting and varied routes so we try to prepare them for that.

Arrow Driving Academy would like to wish everyone who is taking there driving test in Beverley good luck and we wish them every success.

Interested in taking driving lessons in Hull, Beverley or Driffield? Then why not get in touch – we would love to be the people that help you pass your driving test first time!

Learning to drive with your parents 1024 680 Paul Davies

Learning to drive with your parents

Over the years I have been providing driving lessons in Hull & East Yorkshire and fewer and fewer people tend to private practise. Learning to drive with family or friends can save you money and help you get to test standard quicker, but we recommend you always use a qualified Approved Driving Instructor and just practice with family or friends. Always remember to drive to the standard that you are taught by your instructor, otherwise you will spend the first half f you next lesson correcting bad habits you may have picked up.

If you are teaching someone to drive you will need to have L-Plates clearly displayed, appropriate insurance for the learner driver and you must have held your licence for a minimum of 3 years and be at least 21 years old. Taking them out to early can knock their confidence if they are out of there depth. If you are going out for the first time then you don’t really have a clue what their driving is like until you have seen it. Always drive them to a quiet place ideally a quiet industrial estate on a Sunday morning. Do this even if they have had loads of driving lessons as they will need to get used to the car and they may feel a bit nervous as they would have got very used to driving with their ADI. Learner drivers react slowly so give them plenty of time to do things. If things do go wrong and they do something a bit dangerous then this can be frightening and stressful but it is important not to show any stress or fear or they will get very stressed which you don’t want when they are behind the wheel. Where possible pull over and discuss what happened. Try not to just tell them off ,try to have a constructive discussion about it trying to create a win win situation. Make sure the vehicle is roadworthy and legal and definitely insured it’s a good idea for the accompanying driver to be insured as well as you may need to drive the vehicle sometimes as you may need to drive the vehicle as well

Tips for accompanying learner drivers:

Don’t relax too much!

Be ready for absolutely anything. Hazards can occur very quickly and situations can change.

Don’t have too high expectations!

Always give plenty of positive comments and remember to stay calm.

Give clear instruction well before you need them to respond.

Keep descriptive and consistent with directions/terms.

Choose appropriate routes carefully!

Try not to take the learner into difficult situations. Stick to quiet roads until you are confident with their abilities. It will really knock their confidence if this happens. If this situation is unavoidable help the learner out as much as required. But try to roughly plan routes before you set off, taking into account the time of day and traffic conditions.

Stop and discuss!

If the learner makes a pretty serious mistake, pull up and talk about what happened.
Then discuss how it can be rectified.

The Approved Driving Instructor is “always” right!!

Well usually! If the learner is doing something what you think is incorrect and he or she says “That’s the way my instructor tells me to do it” it’s usually correct but bearing in mind that the learner may be telling a porky. So if in doubt don’t hesitate to ask the instructor as they will always be willing to help.

Determination is key 150 150 Paul Davies

Determination is key

Determination!

It was reported this week that a girl failed her theory test 105 times!!! Read the story here  failed Theory Test 105 times.

What a predicament to be in.

As we all know, a large percentage of people don’t work well under pressure with any tests. And this story must show that with determination you can do anything if you keep trying and don’t give up.

So imagine how the girl in question must feel. This would make anyone very disheartened, especially as the cost would have been in the region of £3255.00.

Whilst on a driving lesson your instructor would point out things from the Highway Code book to assist you when you study for your theory test.

Our advice at Arrow Driving Academy is when you study or are taking the real exam, just stay calm and make sure that you read all the questions and consider your multiple choice answers carefully before you make your decision on your answer.

Good luck to you all revising for your theory. We do a free online theory test for any one on our website

Check out Theory Test Pro here

Facing driving restrictions? 150 150 Paul Davies

Facing driving restrictions?

Currently the Association of British Insurers (ABI) is proposing that young people should spend at least a year learning to drive. The ABI also wants a lower alcohol limit for new drivers and a ban on intensive courses as the only method of learning. So, what does Arrow Driving Academy think?

For us the issue is not how long a person takes learning to drive but the quality of lessons and the quality of assessment. Some of our students learn quicker than others and don’t need to have a lot of lessons to adopt a safe driving style. Young people with high living costs due to uni tuition fees don’t want to spend more than necessary on driving lessons.

Young drivers work very hard to pass their tests, with lessons often being supplemented by parents or guardians in their own car. All learners should be assessed on an individual basis and should not be penalised for their efforts to become a good driver.

However there seems to be some positives from ABI’s review. As we agree that no blood alcohol should be allowed during the first six months of driving and that the opportunity for young people to learn to drive from the age of sixteen and a half would be beneficial to all young drivers as they would possibly gain more experience before they became qualified.

Preparing for your driving test 150 150 Paul Davies

Preparing for your driving test

Nerves and confidence are the two main factors when it comes to success or failure in the practical driving test.

It is natural to experience a certain amount of nerves as you approach the test. The examiner is expecting this and will make some allowances although it will not excuse dangerous or serious mistakes.

The best way to beat nerves is to be confident in your own ability. Insufficient preparation is the other principal cause of failure and it will have a bearing on your confidence going into the test. Your driving instructor will probably assess you before booking you for test via a mock driving test. Don’t go against their advice, even if you suspect they merely wish to retain your custom. In the vast majority of cases this will not be true, and you will probably save money in the long run by waiting until you are deemed to have a realistic prospect of passing.

Make a test appointment early in the day. This will ensure you have less time to get worked up. Don’t pay any attention, however, to myths about daily pass quotas or people only passing on a Monday etc. as there is no proof of this and the DSA say this is not true.
Try to make sure the test date does not clash with other stressful events such as school exams or wedding preparation.

In the week before the test

Get as much practice as possible. Book extra lessons with your driving instructor. In your final sessions, ask the instructor to concentrate on the manoeuvres your least confident with.
Complete at least one ‘mock test’ in which your instructor ensures that conditions are as realistic as possible, providing a full debrief at the end of the session.
Don’t be demoralised if you mock exam isn’t perfect, it is basically to give the instructor an idea of which skills you need to brush up on to get you to test standard.
Don’t listen to the advice of your friends / family. They doubtless mean well, but their instructions may be confusing, misguided or otherwise unhelpful. Remember that your driving instructor has years of experience as well as a professional training.

On the day before the test

Don’t drink any alcohol.
Get a good night’s sleep
Get all the required documents together so that you are not rushing around looking for them just before you leave for the driving test centre. Remember you will need BOTH parts of your driving licence.

On the day of the test

Think positively from the moment you wake up. Tell yourself that you are going to get through the day calmly.
Eat light meals at your normal mealtimes and ensure you get your regular fluid intake. Even if your test is early in the morning, it is important to have a good breakfast in order to boost your concentration levels. Try not to over eat, however, as this may make you uncomfortable or lethargic.
Wear clothes that make you feel as comfortable as possible, especially comfortable shoes.
Try not to worry too much about the test until it is time to leave.
Definitely do not drink any alcohol.
You need to be there about 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time or you risk the test being cancelled. But try not get there to early or you will get in the way of others taking their driving test.

On the hour before the test

Listen to the last-minute advice of your instructor, and don’t be afraid to ask him or her for clarification / reassurance on any matter.
If you are driving to the test centre, do so to the best of your ability. Maintain the accuracy and observation levels you have been taught so that you are properly ‘warmed-up’ by the time you arrive at the test centre.
Just look upon your test as a normal driving lesson, but with a different instructor.

During the test

Remember that some nervousness is normal. It can increase your alertness and improve your performance.
Don’t be intimidated by the examiner. He is merely a person doing a job. He is not a god and he will not be judging you as a person.
Don’t try to interact too much with the examiner. Silence is normal in the test car, as the examiner does not want to distract you or break your concentration.
Listen carefully to the examiner’s instructions. If you are in any doubt of what they say just ask them to repeat the instruction.
Bear in mind that the examiner just wants to see how you would normally drive – nothing you don’t already know!
If you come across a new situation, don’t panic, stay calm and assess things carefully before you proceed. Be prepared to change your decision if necessary.
Take a deep breath and exhale slowly if you feel you are getting a bit tense at any point in the test.
Don’t give up if you feel you have failed the test. You may be mistaken, so don’t drop your concentration levels.

Buying your first car – handy tips 150 150 Paul Davies

Buying your first car – handy tips

My name is Paul and I run one of the local Driving Schools In Hull covering the whole of the East Riding of Yorkshire too.
When I conduct driving lessons in Yorkshire my pupils often ask for advice about buying their first car. Buying your first car, especially if the first car is a used car, can be a daunting experience. Below is a guide to make the process easier.

First of all decide how much you can afford to pay for your first car. Not just the sum to buy the car itself but also the running costs – car insurance, MOT, road tax, petrol, repairs and servicing. Bearing in mind that going for the cheapest is not always the best option as if its to cheap then the car probably won’t be very safe or reliable.
With a figure in mind consider what category of car you want your first car to be in. As new drivers this is likely to be a small car or maybe small family car.
Then do your research. Magazines such as Parkers and The Which Car Guide rate, review and price all types and models of cars. Road tests will give you detailed information on performance, reliability, handling and other important points. When you come to negotiate the purchase of your first car such information will prove vital. You will know the price you should be paying, whether the model has any common faults, specific issues to look out for etc.
Now with a model and price in mind you’re ready to shop. So what are the options when it comes to buying a first car?

Franchised dealer – usually better quality used cars but at higher prices.

 Good after sales services and assistance. Buying from a franchised dealer gives you maximum legal protection. Of course dodgy franchised dealers exist so look for an established company with a good reputation. Ask family and friends for recommendations. Generally speaking using a franchised dealer is a good option when buying a first car.But you will probably need to get the car on finance so as long as you can keep up the payments maybe this is a good option.

Independent dealer – often a wide variety of potential first cars at lower prices.

However, variable used car quality and after sales service. You will get the car cheaper and they offer finance but you are more likely to encounter problems with the car and the warranty is probably not worth the paper it is written on. Typically cars from these dealers can have high mileage, higher mileage usually means more problems so more bills.

Auction – potential to pick up a first car bargain.

 Car quality can be inconsistent however, and some dodgy cars can be bought. There is also little chance of financial comeback if the used car develops any serious faults. To get the best out of a car auction it is best to go with someone who knows about cars. Your usual legal rights may not apply if the seller issues a disclaimer, i.e. ‘sold as seen’, which excludes all or some of those rights. Read the auctioneer’s conditions of business carefully to check whether this is the case.

Privately – lots of used cars to choose from and low prices.

 However no after sales service and you could get ripped off. If you buy your first car privately you have fewer legal rights. The car must be as described but the other rules don’t apply i.e. there is no legal requirement that the car is of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. Car dealers will sometimes pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations and get rid of faulty or over-priced cars. Be suspicious when ads give a mobile number, when you see the same phone number appearing in several ads, when the seller wants to bring the car to meet you.
Try to Negotiate  as sellers usually inflate the price and they will generally expect you to knock the price down a bit but be realistic when negotiating if you try to cut the price in half they won’t take you seriously.
Ask the seller to provide you with a copy of the service history manual and the user manual. Look at the service history to see how often the car has been serviced. The manual will tell you the service schedule. Each service entry should be stamped with the mechanics stamp and dated. Look to see if any other work has been carried out on the car. A good service history will also have receipts for work carried out. If the seller can’t provide any service history information then assume the car has been poorly looked after.

Test Driving A Used Car is Essential

When you do, make sure you’re insured to drive the car you’re about to test drive! Always start the engine from cold. If the engine has already been warmed up you won’t get to see if there are any cold-start or cold-running problems. If it sounds too noisy there could be a problem, likewise the exhaust.
Test the suspension by driving over some bumps. If the car fails to correct the resulting bounces quickly then the shock absorbers may need replacing. Also:
•           Turn on the radio and all other electrical gadgets. Make sure they work electric windows etc can be very expensive to repair
•           Changing gears should be smooth and easy. If not then the gearbox may need fixing which is very expensive and if it needs replacing it would be cheaper to replace the car. Check the clutch is smooth and no strange noises are coming from it if the biting point is really high this could indicate a worn clutch a new clutch costs about £500 fitted.
•           Perform an emergency stop and test the brakes. If you hear any strange noises, especially a grinding noise the brakes may be wearing thin.
Once you have completed the road test park the car, let the engine tick over, open the bonnet up and check for the following:
•           Water or oil leaks
•           Engine rattle or other odd noise
•           Black or blue smoke coming from the exhaust, which will indicate a badly worn engine
•           Grey smoke coming from the exhaust, which will indicate water leaking into the engine which could be a fault head gasket.
  • Pull out the dipstick if the oil in sludgy this could indicate a blowing head gasket check the coolant for any floating oil this could also indicate blowing head gasket
To check the car’s identity hasn’t been changed or cloned check-
The VIN or Vehicle Identification Number which can be found under bonnet, under the driver’s seat, on the chassis or etched onto a window or sunroof, for signs of tampering. All examples of the VIN must match exactly. If you see areas of glass scratched off windows, headlights, taillights or a sunroof, or if you see stickers concealing altered etching then be suspicious and walk away from the deal. The car manual will tell you all the locations the VIN can be found.
To make sure the car isn’t stolen or a ringer(cut and shut) make sure
There’s a valid V5 registration certificate with watermark, number plate, VIN and engine numbers matching those of the car, name and address of the seller, no spelling mistakes or alterations. The V5 will also list information about the vehicle including make, model and engine size, all of which should match those of the actual car.
If you buy a second-hand car you MUST make sure you are given the correct V5 certificate. You will need to use the V5 to inform the DVLA that you have bought the car and are now the registered keeper.

Clocking

 means reducing a vehicle’s mileage reading. This not only adds false value to a vehicle, but it could add to the longer term running costs of the vehicle as it might have more wear and tear than the buyer realises. With more than 600,000 clocked vehicles estimated to be on the UK’s roads, it signifies a huge threat to used car buyers.
To help detect if a car has been clocked use the checklist below.
•           Check the service history – Check the mileages displayed in the service history and look for service stamps from a genuine dealer. Ideally the service invoices will accompany the service history. If in doubt, contact the servicing dealers and check the mileages they recorded at the time of the service. Speak to the previous keeper – Get in contact with the previous keeper (details can be found on the V5/logbook). They can identify the mileage of the vehicle when they sold it. Make sure this adds up with the current mileage.
•           Trust your judgment – Check who the car was last registered to on the V5. Was it registered as a company car but has done less than 12,000 miles per year? Or is it 15 years old with only 20,000 on the clock? Look for any evidence that indicates clocking.
•           Check the mileage – It has been known for clocker’s to wind back the mileage when you first view the vehicle and then return it to its original value once the transaction is complete. Make sure you check the mileage is the same when you pick up the vehicle.
•           Look for signs of wear and tear – Does the wear and tear on the vehicle match its mileage? Be careful to look out for signs such as worn seats, steering wheels and other vehicle parts. Also look out for brand new easily replaceable parts; the wear and tear should be consistent with the vehicle’s displayed mileage.
•           Conduct an HPI Check – HPI’s National Mileage Register has over 130 million mileages recorded on it, and can identify mileage discrepancies recorded against the vehicle.
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