New Highway Code Rules

At the beginning of the year the Highway Code was updated with new rules. These are to improve the safety of the most vulnerable road users, so we all need to be aware of them. Of course we have to be aware that drivers may not have caught up with the new rules, so caution is always a good idea. It’s not very useful to find yourself on the right side of the rules, but injured because someone else wasn’t aware of the change.

Hierarchy of road users

This concept has a system to order road users depending on their level of risk. The groups are:

• Pedestrians
• Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles
• Drivers

Rule H1 applies to all road users. This states that it’s important that everyone is aware of the Highway Code, and their responsibility for the safety of others. The rule reminds us that it may not be obvious that other road users may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility.

Rule H2 applies to everyone except pedestrians. It reads “At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.” Previously drivers were told to give way to pedestrians if they “have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road”. It is not a big change, it only applies to junctions, and means you have to be aware that a pedestrian may step out into the road to be able to cross. A good driver should be aware of pedestrians and should be extra vigilant when turning into a junction. Pedestrians need to be aware that they can’t just step out into any road and expect the traffic to stop. A new addition also makes it clear to pedestrians that they should “cross at a place where drivers can see you.”.

Staying Safe

Rule H2 also advises on priorities at zebra crossings. This tells drivers they:

• MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a crossing
• SHOULD give way when a pedestrian is waiting to cross

Rule H3 applies to drivers and motorcyclists:

“You should not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane, just as you would not turn across the path of another motor vehicle.”

Cyclists also have advice about their position on the road.

Cyclists should ride in the centre of their lane:

• on quiet roads and streets
• in slower-moving traffic
• when approaching junctions or narrow roads

If these conditions have not been met, and it is safe to do so, cyclists should allow vehicles moving faster than them to overtake, while keeping at least 0.5 metres – or further – from the kerb themselves.

Basically drivers should give way to cyclists, and cyclists should try to ensure they are not holding traffic up when it is safe to do so.

It can feel difficult to keep up with new rules, but these new Highway Code rules are keeping everyone safe on the road.

If you want to learn to be a safe driver why not learn to drive with us!

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High petrol costs

It now costs over £100 to fill the average cars petrol tank, which is a painful fact for most motorists that need to drive to get to work. Fuel prices have been rising sharply since 2020, over the last two years they have risen around 50 pence per litre. The rise in petrol prices is due to a number of factors. The main one is the war in Ukraine, and moves to reduce our dependence on Russian oil. The cut in fuel duty has not had much of an effect on prices as they have been rising so quickly. A full report about the rise in petrol prices can be found on the BBC, that you can read here.

The Solution

With petrol prices rising to this all time high, and the climate crisis requiring us all to use fewer fossil fuels, now is a good time to invest in electric vehicles. These are only greener if your electricity is generated by renewable sources, but it is possible to have carbon free motoring in the future. We recognise that learning to drive is going to change dramatically in the future, with more people wanting to learn in an electric vehicle.

Todays learners will spend most of the rest of their lives driving electric cars rather than the petrol vehicles that most people learn to drive. This is why we have invested in a fully electric car. This makes sense not just in economic terms, with no more expensive trips to the petrol station, but in terms of the future for our learners.

Learner Drivers

If you’re thinking of learning to drive, or teaching someone else to drive there are things you need to know before you get behind the wheel of a car. We know rules are not the most interesting topic, but without them you could get yourself into serious trouble. It’s worth spending a few minutes getting to grips with what you need to know.

Legal Car and L Plates

Once you’ve got the paperwork sorted you’ll need a car to drive and some L plates. The car doesn’t have to have dual controls for you to learn to drive. If you learn with a professional driving school, such as Always Pass, all of the cars have dual controls. This means that if you make a mistake your driving instructor can help you out and ensure that you don’t do anything dangerous. If you’re learning with a friend or member of your family you will have sole control of the car. This can be daunting for a new learner.

The car that you learn to drive in has to be legal (obviously!). This means it has an MOT and the correct insurance to allow you to drive it. You also have to display L plates on the front and rear of the car. This lets other road users know that you don’t have as much experience behind the wheel, so they can give you extra room and be patient if you stall the car at a junction.

Learn Your Theory

Before you start it is a very good idea to learn your driving theory. Traffic laws don’t discriminate, so if you do something illegal you can still be prosecuted even if you’re a learner. Some things are very obvious, such as you can’t have a diving lesson if you’ve been drinking. The traffic laws also apply to the person supervising you, so they must be sober and not using their phone during your lesson. They are there to keep you safe, so it’s important they are trustworthy.

It’s worth reading the highway code and trying out a few practice theory tests before you start, so you know the rules. This makes the practical driving easier and you are more likely to pass your theory test.

You Passed Your Test!

So you’ve worked hard and listened to your instructor, and you’ve passed your driving test first time! Well done, but of course this isn’t the end of anything it’s the beginning. The start of owning your own car and going wherever you want to go. The freedom of the road awaits!

During the driving test you will have touched on the idea of car maintenance, with the ‘show me tell me’ questions. These are designed to make sure you know how to keep your car in safe working order by checking things like the oil, water and tyres. They are a good start, and shouldn’t be disregarded as an easy part of the test. If you have just bought your own car it is likely to be a second hand car, which will benefit from regular maintenance. If you can do this yourself you will save money and time. It is far better to keep everything working well than break down half way to your destination.

These are our top tips to simple vehicle maintenance, some are covered in the ‘show me tell me’ questions, others will just help you to keep on the road safely.

Check your tyres

Tyre condition and pressure is part of the driving test, as this is a safety issue as well as a common cause of break downs. It is worth checking your tyres regularly, if you have tyres at a low pressure you will use more fuel, so your journeys will cost you more. Tyres at low pressure will affect your cars handling and ability to stop, so you are more likely to have an accident as well.

It’s worth having a tyre pressure gauge – your car may have a monitoring system so a light will come on if they are at low pressure. A tyre pressure gauge will be more accurate, and you will be able to catch problems before the light would be triggered. Whilst you’re checking the tyre pressure you should also check the condition of the tyres. It’s important that your tyres have no defects and the tread is well within the legal limits. Worn tyres are more likely to get a puncture, so keeping them in good condition will keep you on the road.

Need Driving Lessons?

If you haven’t passed your test yet, but would like to get on the road why not contact us for some lessons.

New automatic driving instructor available

Is learning automatic the way forward for you? Will it help you pass? What is the difference?
Whether you learn automatic or manual, it does not really matter. Obviously the only difference is not having to change gear. So if you find it hard to multi task, or English is not your first language and you are finding it hard to understand, automatic driving lessons will help you. You still need to do everything, like planning your driving by thinking ahead, tackling roundabouts, reversing, mirror checks and more, including passing your theory and practical test.
Driving Lessons with automatic cars is like clutch free motoring – no problem! Automatics, by making the physical job of driving much easier, give you more time to concentrate on what’s happening on the road.

Here at Always Pass Driving School, we can help you to pass your theory and practical driving tests. Learn to drive with one of our great male or female driving instructors. We offer automatic driving lessons in Lower Earley, Woodley, Henley and Twyford areas of Reading.

How many driving lessons will I need to pass?

This is a question a lot of people ask, but it can be difficult to answer as it varies from one person to another. The Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have conducted research which states learners need about 44 hours of professional lessons to pass their driving test. But of course everyone is different and this figure can vary wildly. This depends on how naturally driving comes to you, your age and experience, how often you have lessons and whether you have any practice outside of your lessons. It isn’t helpful to compare yourself to others if you are learning any new skill, as this is likely to hold you back. Instead you should try to relax so you can listen to your instructor, and get as much practice as you can.

Is it best to learn when I’m young?

On average it’s easier to pass your driving test when you’re young. The official stats say you need an extra 2 hours of lessons for every year you get older. This doesn’t take your individual circumstances into account, so it may not be true for everyone. If you are not in a position to afford driving lessons every week you may be better off waiting until you can afford it. Taking lessons consistently every week will be the fastest way to learn, having large gaps between lessons will mean that you will forget things. Everyone learns differently, regardless of age, and a good instructor will be able to get the best from their learners.

Get in Touch

Whatever your circumstances, we have talented, professional instructors that will be able to guide you through the process of learning to drive. Please get in touch if you’d like to book a lesson.