I'm pleased to say you've passed your driving test, Jemma!

Jemma, what a journey you've had! It was an absolute privilege to have been part of your journey towards you getting your driving licence. Here's what Jemma had to say about her time with me.

"I started with Helen having failed two practical tests already, one of which was part of an intensive driving course. I had no confidence in my driving and would either drive really slowly or take dangerous risks, all due to my massive fear of driving. I had a poor attitude and a poor awareness of others on the road and viewed the test as something ‘I just had to do to get out of the way’, feeling that I could learn the important bits afterwards. Scary considering I had been put forward for two tests already! Driving with Helen has been life-changing, like car therapy! Just being able to talk about the decisions I made and explain the thinking behind it, and being able to go back and repeat areas I had made a mistake on so that it didn’t eat away at me and add to the fears I already had. I’ve been on a massive learning curve with Helen, moving from hating roundabouts and being in a constant state of anxiety each time I was behind the wheel, to loving every minute of it…even her rambling! I’ve never felt more relaxed while driving and it’s all down to her. I think the biggest surprise for me was when I failed my third test, when it didn’t crush me as much as it had for my first and second tests had, it didn’t make me feel as though I was a terrible driver and should just give up…if anything it made me more determined to improve my driving and book the next test! That moment when I passed my fourth test….I can’t even explain it. I’m still in shock! I’m so excited to be on the road by myself, with my own car, taking complete control of wherever I want to go, something I never thought I’d achieve, even if I had passed the first or second time. Thank you so much for everything Helen, words cannot even describe how incredibly grateful I am for what you’ve done for me. I’m so glad I failed those two times, as it brought me to you and allowed me to change both my thinking and my driving skills, it now feels like the most natural thing in the world to me! Thank you! :)" Jemma - 28 April 2015

Zoe...another excellent parallel park!!

November 9th 2012 - Zoe...another excellent parallel park!!

At the beginning of our driving lesson, Zoe had a clear plan in mind; she wanted to be able to parrallel park properly. 

When we got to a suitable area, Zoe and I discussed exactly what she was struggling with about this manoeuvre. She said she found it difficult to remember the "routine" she had been taught...mainly remembering what to do and when. She recognised that reference point were important, but found it difficult to remember what they were. 

I'd like to stress at this point that it is not important HOW you do this manoeuvre, as long as your control and observation are such that you can safely and accurately get into a position that is within two car lengths from the car in front, and parallel with the kerb! Some pupil's seem to need to have a set routine with set reference points, whilst others seem to be able to develop a system which suits them, and don't use reference points at all! Your examiner won't mind at all what method you use  either, as long as your finishing position is within two car lengths, and you have completed it safely and under full control.

It turned out that Zoe did remember what to do and when and why, after a little prompting from me...and one of the easiest ways I do this is to get the pupil to talk me through the method, as if they were relaying it back to a friend...it seems to stick in their memory this way! It also became apparent that in actual fact Zoe was afraid of hitting the kerb, and was putting full lock on too early, which left her too far away from the kerb. It didn't take her long before she became braver/more confident, and then she managed to do it without any help/prompting from me at all. BRILLIANT result Zoe!!

Thank you for all the hard work you always put into your driving lessons Zoe...it's always a real pleasure to see your driving skills grow so much and so fast...along with your confidence levels!

Helen Adams ADI

www.purple-driving.co.uk

www.121aditraining.co.uk

Give Way Markings...where to stop...

Have a look at the following diagram, and tell me what you think about where the cars are positioned...in relation to where they are stopped behind the give way lines...

So which car's position is correct? 
BOTH!! As long as you are not positioned OVER the give way lines....

Helen Adams ADI

Reverse parallel parking...

Reverse parallel parking…

This is one of the manoeuvres you may be asked to perform on your driving test. You will perform this exercise behind one vehicle and not between two, so that makes it a lot easier! It’s really not as difficult as you might think! Here are some guidelines you may find useful…

First, let me explain what will happen if you get asked to do this whilst on your driving test. The examiner will ask you to park on the left, some distance from the car in front. He will then explain to you what he expects you to do, and it will go something like this…

“I’d like you to pull up alongside the yellow car and then reverse park behind it. Try not to touch the kerb.”

Sounds simple doesn’t it? And it is! This is how I teach my learners... 

1 - For your starting position, pull up parallel and approximately 2/3 of a meter away from the yellow car. Aim to get your door mirror level with the nose of the yellow car as in diagram A. Once stopped apply the handbrake (if necessary) and select reverse gear. This means you are signalling to other road users what your intentions are. Before moving the car in reverse, take appropriate observation; this means a good all round check, and, most important, a proper blind spot check.  If it is all clear, very slowly reverse the car, using clutch control. Aim to go as slow as a snail dragging a stone! That way, you are in full control, and can easily stop if necessary.

2 - Looking out of the rear window, slowly reverse until the rear of your car is level with the rear of the yellow car (bum to bum!). Keeping continuous observation, you must stop your car if any cars or cyclists approach at a reasonable close range. Once they have passed, you can continue. Remember to look out of the back and the side window, as it is important that you are always looking in the direction of travel.

Once the rear of your car is level with the rear of the car you are parking behind, as in diagram B, re-check your blind spot and then get your car just moving and then turn the steering wheel briskly one complete turn to the left (360 degrees). This will put your car at a 45 degree angle. Continue to look out the rear windscreen as this is the way you are traveling as well as in front and also down the road looking out your driver seat window. Effective observation must be continuously made. Many tests are failed due to this.

 

Once you have reached the point in diagram C, (where the door mirror of your car is level with the yellow car’s rear) pause, recheck your blind spot, and then get the car just moving before turning the steering wheel one whole turn to the right (360 degrees). This will make sure your front wheels are now straight. 

3 – The next part will take some practice to get it exactly right! In my car, I have a reliable “reference point” to help learners. (Every car will have a different reference point; mine is where the top of the door handle lines up with the top of the curb).  What you need to do now is to slowly reverse back until your reference point is in the right place, and then put full lock onto the right as quickly as you can. If you don’t have a reference point, aim to get your rear tyre about 1 foot from the curb…and then apply full lock. This will swing the front of the car towards the curb. Make sure you keep an eye on the front of the car so the back of the front wheel does not hit the curb. Once you are nearly parallel with the curb straighten out the wheels. Ensure you are not parked too far into the road. If so correct your position by slowly continuing to reverse if there isn't enough room to move forward. As long as you are parked within two car lengths, that will be fine!

The other thing to remember is that if you get it wrong, don’t give up! Try to correct the situation, just as you would in real life…

And now onto my lesson with Megan, who has been practising this manoeuvre… As she has her test booked and coming up fairly soon, I felt it would be good to challenge her, and make her park between two cars! She had not done this before, but was willing to have a go!

The first photo shows the view she had out of her rear window! She found it really difficult to judge exactly how far away the white car was, so I suggested she got out of the car to have a look. At first she gave me a really funny look, but when she did, she realised that she had approximately four feet between her and the white car! I know it might not always be appropriate to get out of the car, but it really does help the brain to gauge things a lot better, so I always get my learners to do this…

 

The second photo is the final result…and when she realised what she had achieved, she said “Coolio”!! Absolutely brilliant result Megan; a real confidence booster!! I just have to add, (for all you eagle eyed readers!), that of course, she would then pull forward and straighten her front wheels...

Helen Adams ADI

www.purple-driving.co.uk

www.121aditraining.co.uk