Findley's Driving School of Nuneaton
Let my professionalism be your guide!


Post practical driving test

Aftercare

Many congratulations upon passing your practical driving test!

The following are a few points that you may wish to consider:

The UK road system is now yours to explore! Freedom is a two sided coin though: on one side you have the freedom to go wherever and whenever you please, but on the other hand you are now on your own, and entirely responsible for your journey without the helpful passenger that you are so accustomed to listening to.

First Drive

The freedom is delicious but the responsibility which comes with it tempers it a bit. It is absolutely normal to feel a little apprehensive but this is an important step. A few pointers if I may:

  • Go on your own
    You do not need any peer pressure. Your family and friends can wait just a little longer.
  • Stay in areas that you know well
    Getting lost only makes things worse.
  • Don't drive for too long
    Tiredness causes crashes.
  • Make sure you have enough fuel
    The next person to run out will not be the first.
  • Do you know what type of fuel your car takes?
    Good idea to find out if not. Mis-fueling a car causes a lot of damage.
  • Make sure that you know the controls of your car
    Should you need the lights, wipers or to demist the windscreen, wondering where the controls are has caused problems for new drivers before.

'P' Plates

I strongly recommend getting a set of these even if you hate the idea.

You may not wish to tell others that you only recently passed, preferring the anonymity of a plain car. This leaves you invisible to any idiots out there. The message that said idiots receive from P-plated vehicles is, "If you fluster the driver of this car then if you are lucky you will be waiting longer, on the other hand, they may dent your pride and joy." Makes them think!

Motorway Lessons

You may well not need them. For many of you a short motorway journey will be enough to tell, look and plan well ahead, and see how you feel. If you are not keen upon the idea of taking to the motorway network without me for the first time you will not be the first. As you may know, prior to being an instructor I was a lorry driver so I have seen many weird and wonderful happenings on the motorway network. You can benefit from this experience.

If you wish to have with me then I will happily sort out a two hour lesson for you. Motorway lessons require much more fuel than normal ones. The page shows the current fee for this lesson.

Eco-Driving

Driving in an ecologically and economically sensitive manner will save you money in the short term by reducing your fuel costs as well as saving you money in the long term by reducing your servicing costs.

I will have taught you to eco-drive as a standard part of the course and I encourage you to use that knowledge now that you have passed your driving test.

Points to bear in mind - NOT on your licence

From the date that you pass your practical driving test you are on probation for the first two years. This means that you will lose your licence, and have to completely re-qualify, if you amass six penalty points on your licence, not the normal twelve.

This is the on the subject. I also offer so that you can see for yourselves that the penalties for drink driving have been ramped up considerably in recent years. If you are interested in the range of penalty points and endorsements that you may fall foul of then and prepare to be surprised by both the number of offences and the severity of punishment available.

Pointers about offences

  • The tally for speeding is three to six points, not the three that many people assume.

  • The three points for defective tyres is per tyre. Two defective tyres is therefore a six point offence.

  • Do not use your mobile phone whilst driving
    I strongly suggest copying my example and refusing to use it unless safely parked.

  • Pedestrian crossings - I regularly see offences committed at the site of pedestrian crossings and I think many people do not necessarily realise.

    Remember what you were taught.

Drive Safely and enjoy your time on the roads

I look forward to seeing former pupils on the road and happily wave but I must ask you to bear something in mind for me. Please do not beep your horn or flash your lights if I don't see you. Whoever is driving my car at the time does not need it.

There is so much that I can say, but of course, you have heard it all from me before. It simply remains for me thank you once again for allowing me to teach you and wish you well in your future.

all the best, Martyn.