It’s the 20th anniversary of MINI being assembled in Plant Oxford by BMW Group. In early 2001, production began for MINI body parts in Swindon and on the 26 April the first new MINI rolled off the line in Oxford which has since built over 5 million cars and currently makes MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch, MINI Clubman and the MINI Electric, all on the same production line. A post mortem has … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Driving lessons restart monday
Driving lessons in Wales can restart on monday 12 April. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said driving tests will resume 10 days later on 22 April and to help clear the backlog of candidates, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will offer more tests and examiners, including at weekends and on bank holidays. Driving tests for motorcycles, lorries and cars with trailers can also take … [Read more...]
Driving tests with toy cars and no examiners for candidates
If you think the UK Driving test is hard, spare a a few thoughts for candidates in other countries, where toy cars, no examiners or even other candidates might be in the vehicle. The weird and wonderful world of driving tests has been studied by Zuto, who came up with the following differences: Zuto Finance compiled data in their study analysing over 190 countries to find out how practical and … [Read more...]
Best of the tests are in Wales
Llandrindod Wells is home to Britain’s best drivers, according to Collingwood Insurance Services. The Newcastle-based insurance intermediary examined the latest data from DVLA test centres across Britain and discovered the Welsh town returned the highest pass rate, with 73.19 per cent passing the test. Of 593 conducted tests, a staggering 434 people passed with flying colours and subsequently … [Read more...]
Some Welsh driving tests resume 3 August
Some driving tests will resume in Wales on Monday 3 August, but there will be a phased return and candidates must wear face masks. Details have been published by the DVSA Centres will be closed but toilets will be available and candidates must not arrive until five minutes before due start time and observe social distancing rules. The DVSA says this advice replaces any given in emails to … [Read more...]
Pressure on instructors means parents and friends step up
As lockdown measures continue to ease, new drivers in England can now start taking driving lessons and theory tests again and practical tests from 22 July. However, with only key workers able to take driving lessons and tests since 17 March and the DVLA only starting to take applications for provisional licences again since mid-June, GoCompare Car Insurance experts estimate there may be 370,000 … [Read more...]
Putting the L into Llandrindod is almost failsafe
As the driving test approaches its 85thbirthday on 16 March, a new look at pass rates has thrown up some wide differences. Taking your driving test is a huge milestone in any motorist’s life, and while some are able to pass their tests the first time, most need a couple of attempts. Just Tyres has analysed data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to reveal which towns in the UK are the … [Read more...]
The new driving test changes and you
Just over a year ago, the UK’s driving test witnessed its most significant shake-up in 20 years. Changes seen included those sitting a practical examination having to undertake different reversing manoeuvres, following directions provided to them by a sat nav, participating in the independent driving portion of the test for 20 minutes and answering a vehicle safety question while … [Read more...]
Motorists admit overlooking eye-sight safety
Findings from comprehensive eye tests conducted by a leading optician on over 1,000 UK residents have revealed that one in five – which equates to 7.6 million licence-holders - haven’t had any vision check since reading a number plate at 20m when passing their driving test. In a bid to scrutinize the 20m test as a worthwhile indicator of roadworthy sight, Vision Express carried out the number … [Read more...]
Use it or lose it aptitude test confirms confidence
When it comes to driving, motorists must ‘use it or lose it’, research has revealed. A recent opinion poll of more than 1,000 UK drivers found that more than half (53%) know someone who they think needs to retake their driving test, with a quarter (26%) thinking that we should all have to retake our tests every decade. More men (58%) than women (50%) know someone who they think would be a … [Read more...]