Theory Test Price Reduction

Posted: August 25th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on Theory Test Price Reduction

Theory tests costs fall from 1 October 2014

The fee for car and motorcycle theory tests will fall to £25 for tests taken from 1 October 2014.
Theory test fees for other categories of vehicle will also be reduced at the same time.Book tests at the new price

The changes apply to theory tests taken from 1 October 2014. You can book tests for this date onwards from 20 August 2014.

You’ll have to pay the old fee if you choose a test date before 1 October 2014.


Government Proposes 80MPH Motorway speed limit

Posted: October 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on Government Proposes 80MPH Motorway speed limit

In a press release, dated 3rd October 2011, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The Government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.

Vehicles have changed dramatically since the current national speed limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly safer then they were – contributing to a fall of more than 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since 1965. That is why the Government feels it is now time to look again at whether the speed limit set in 1965 is still appropriate.

Road safety is a top priority for the Government and action is being taken to tackle uninsured driving and help police enforce against drink and drug driving. However, the Government believes safety cannot be the only consideration when setting speed limits. Previous analysis shows that raising the motorway speed limit would generate significant economic benefits, worth hundreds of millions of pounds per year from savings of travel time.

Initial work by the Department suggests that setting the motorway speed limit at 80 mph is likely to represent the best balance of costs and benefits and it is similar to the motorway speed limit in other EU countries.

As many as 49% of drivers currently break the 70mph limit. Ministers believe that raising the limit to 80mph would mean that millions of otherwise law-abiding motorists would be brought back inside the boundary, restoring the moral legitimacy of the system.

Philip Hammond said:

“I want to make sure that our motorway speed limit reflects the reality of modern vehicles and driving conditions, not those of 50 years ago.

“While we must ensure that our roads remain among the safest in the world, we must also consider the huge economic benefits that can be created by shortening journey times.

“Increasing the speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour for cars, light vans and motorcycles could provide hundreds of millions of pounds of benefits for the economy and I will put forward formal proposals for making these changes later this year.”

Notes to Editors

1. An increase to the national motorway speed limit would apply to England and Wales. Responsibilities are devolved in Northern Ireland and are planned to be devolved in Scotland.

2. Increased motorway speed limits would apply to cars and motorcycles. Lorries on motorways are subject to lower speed limits and we have no proposals to increase them. The consultation is however likely to seek views about the position related to vans/light goods vehicles on motorways.

3. A thorough impact assessment which takes account of the full environmental, social and economic costs and benefits is being progressed.

4. Some stretches of motorway would be likely to retain a 70 mph limit because of their engineering and environment.

5. We are also considering the case related to increasing the speed limit on other high standard, near-motorway dual carriageways. Changes would be implemented case by case and we are not proposing to consult about raising the default national speed limit of 70 mph for all purpose dual carriageways.


Seat Belt On? Campaign

Posted: October 1st, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on Seat Belt On? Campaign

In Bradford, the Road Safety Team of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council are undertaking a ‘Seat Belt On?’ project, which is a major long term initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts. As a part of this schools will be visited in order to give an assembly and to provide an information leaflet detailing which car seat is suitable for your child. This will be ascertained by taking the height and weight of every child in school and ticking a picture of the appropriate car seat on the leaflet which will be provided. This will only occur for children under the height of 135cm & where parents have not expressed a wish for their child not to take part in the scheme.


New Theory Test Books – Jan 2012

Posted: September 26th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on New Theory Test Books – Jan 2012

New official driving and riding theory books will be published in September 2011 to help candidates revise in preparation for changes to the test in January 2012.

Since theory tests began in 1996, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published the questions and answers from the question banks for all categories of tests for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses.

However, DSA announced last November that it was to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers, with unpublished questions being used from January 2012.

DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote. The new books contain questions and answers for revision and also explain the theory behind each question.

“This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, re-worded live questions used in the actual test.”

Other theory test products including CD Roms, downloadable PDFs and ebooks have been revised too and will be published shortly after the theory test books are published on 19 September.

The agency has also launched its first ever mobile phone apps for theory test revision, which have been developed to help candidates learn in this way.

Useful links
tsoshop.co.uk/dsa


Driving Test Changes – October 2010

Posted: September 8th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on Driving Test Changes – October 2010

Since the 4th October 2010 there have been some changes to driving tests.

Learner drivers are now required to drive uninstructed for ten minutes, either following some pre-given instructions or else asked to follow signs to a specific destination. People will not fail if they make a mistake in navigating to the correct location, however will be expected to react calmly & drive appropriately should they make an incorrect turn. The aim is to make the test more realistic.

 The following link provides more information on the independent driving changes:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_189979

Additionally, driving test routes have changed & the new routes are no longer published on-line for drivers to access.


Business backing for less talk on the roads

Posted: May 22nd, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on Business backing for less talk on the roads

More businesses are planning to ban their employees from using in-car hands-free phones to prevent the danger of crashes. This resulted from a workshop – Eliminating Driver Distractions – which was organised by Brake, the road safety charity, attended by fleet managers, business leaders, local authorities and members of the emergency services.

Research has revealed that in-vehicle distractions can quadruple the chances of a crash, with mobile phones, satellite navigation and eating being the major culprits.


DSA Price Increases

Posted: March 30th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: News | Comments Off on DSA Price Increases

Please be aware that from 30th March 2009 the Driving Standards Agency increased the prices for theory and practical tests. The new prices can be found on the ‘Theory & Hazard Perception’ page of my website.