The Cockpit Drill

To get off to a good start on your driving test, you've got to be comfortable in the car and everything must be in order. If you fail to adjust your mirrors (if needed) then you may struggle later on in the test. This could cause you to fail your test, so make sure you go through the cockpit drill!



The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:- 

·  Make sure all the doors are closed.

·  Ensure your seat and head restraint are properly adjusted.

·  Check your mirrors are properly adjusted.

·  Fasten your seatbelt. 

The examiner will also be looking to see that you make sure the hand brake is on and the gearstick is in neutral before starting the engine. 

Changing gears

One of the first things you'll have to master when you begin learning to drive is changing gears. Some people will find it relatively easy and straightforward, whilst others may struggle. If you're part of the latter group, then don't worry! We're here to help you successfully master changing gears.


When driving, you should be able to change gears without looking down at the lever or your feet. Practise this sitting in the car with the engine switched off and the clutch pressed down. 



The examiner on your driving test will expect you to:-

·  Use the controls smoothly and correctly

·  Balance the accelerator and clutch to move away smoothly

·  Accelerate evenly

·  Avoid stalling the car

·  Choose the right gear and change in good time before a hazard

·  Brake gently and in good time

·  Know how and when to apply the hand brake 

Reverse Around a Corner

For our first instructional blog post, I thought i'd jump into one of the manoeuvres that pupils tend to struggle with... The dreaded Reverse around a corner!
If you're finding it difficult, check the diagram at the bottom of this post for an illustration.



Using reverse gear is difficult for new drivers. The car steers differently, the front wheels become, in effect, the rear ones. When you drive forward you can see the car turning when you steer. In reverse, you have to wait for the steering to take effect.

The examiner on the test will expect you to reverse:-

·  Safely

·  Correctly

·  Smoothly

·  Under control

·  Keeping reasonably close to the kerb

·  Without mounting or hitting the kerb

·  Without swinging out too wide.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:-

·  Check traffic and road conditions

·  Look out for traffic and pedestrians

·  Stop in a safe position. 

As long as you stick to the following sequence and remember to check for hazards, then you will have no problem with this manoeuvre on your test!

100mph drivers face having to take tougher driving test to get licence back.

Motorists caught driving at more than 100mph on motorways face being forced to take an extended driving test before getting their licences back under Government proposals. 

To read the full article, click here.

Welcome to The Passfaster Blog!

Welcome everyone to the all new Passfaster Driving School Blog Page

This is our first of hopefully many, many blog posts! This post is here to welcome you and to let you know about Passfaster and what we do. In addition, I'll be explaining what future blog posts will be about and hopefully enticing you into getting some driving lessons/passing on the word!

Passfaster driving school has been established for over 15 years, and has a proven track record in supplying quality driving lessons in Liverpool and Warrington. We will make learning to drive as easy as possible, and will make you feel confident behind the wheel.

To find out more, CLICK HERE or click the logo at the top of this post to take you to our website.

The primary aim of this blog is to keep you up to date with any driving/dvla/theory test/practical test news that may be very important to learner drivers. You may say "My instructor will let me know if anything is going to affect my test/theory etc..", and you're right! Which is why we're going to be doing more than that. This blog is here to help you pass your test.

We're going to be posting about things which learner drivers struggle with. We're going to be teaching you about how to deal with roundabouts, right turns, difficult junctions, hill starts, maneouvers and all the other things which learners find difficult.

What's more, we will be using local areas of the North-West of England (where we're located) and commonly used paths that are taken on driving tests. This means that you'll be able to directly relate to the help we will be giving you, and hopefully help you to pass your test!

Finally, if there are areas of your driving that you're really struggling with, get in touch and we will get back to you with tips on how to improve!

Passfaster has over 30 driving instructors, and all are fully qualified to a high standard. This means that all of your driving questions will be answered!

Enjoy our blog, and feel free to ask us a question!

- Joe Chamberlain.

www.passfaster.org