Coles Driving Academy

12/07/2026

💡Cardiff did you know...? one of the world's most important road safety inventions has its roots right here in Cardiff.

In 1967, Welsh scientist Dr Tom Parry Jones OBE and electrical engineer Bill Ducie founded Lion Laboratories in Cardiff. Working from humble beginnings in a terraced house in Splott, they set out to improve the way drink-driving was detected.

Following the introduction of the Road Safety Act 1967, the team first developed the Alcolyser, before going on to create the world's first hand-held electronic breathalyser using electrochemical fuel cell technology. It was smaller, faster and significantly more reliable than earlier chemical testing methods, becoming the blueprint for the modern breathalysers used by police forces around the world.

The invention earned Lion Laboratories the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement in 1980, while Dr Parry Jones was later awarded an OBE for his contribution to science and road safety. By 1983, Lion's evidential breath-testing equipment had become the first approved by the Home Office for use in prosecuting drink-driving offences in the UK.

Today, virtually every modern electronic breathalyser traces its heritage back to the pioneering work carried out in Cardiff nearly 60 years ago. It's an innovation that has helped police forces across the globe, changed the way drink-driving laws are enforced, and has undoubtedly played a part in saving countless lives.

Not many cities can say they helped make the world's roads safer, but Cardiff can.

13/06/2026

Booking your driving test? Make sure you’re doing it the right way. ✅

Since 12 May, it has been against the law for anyone but the learner driver to book a driving test. Using unofficial apps, bots or automated tools also breaks the terms and conditions of our booking service.

We've already cancelled 450 tests where tests have been booked outside the new rules – and we're continuing to monitor activity closely. 💪

If misuse of the booking system is identified, we can cancel your booking and suspend your ability to manage your test online.

Our priority is to make the system fair for every learner and to stop you being exploited by third parties. The only way to book and manage a test is through GOV.UK. 💻

👉 Find out more about the risks of using unofficial driving test booking services: https://ow.ly/86GB50Zb0Jh

28/04/2026

Keep it simple!

❓ Have you got a friend or family member who receives a chorus of horns when using a roundabout?

👀 Make sure to share our post with them:

↔️Signals and position:

When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise:

👈 signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
👈 keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

👉 signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
👉 keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
👈 signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

👆 select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
👆 you should not normally need to signal on approach
👆 stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
👈 signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and pay attention to road markings and signs.

28/04/2026

I know I say this often, but I really am lucky to teach such wonderful people.

Do they sometimes push me to use every bit of my teaching experience? Absolutely! But it’s always a pleasure to work with them—watching their confidence grow, seeing their progress, and even celebrating the small wins, like calmly handling a roundabout (and remembering to breathe!), makes it all worthwhile.
And then comes the best moment… when they pass their driving test first time.

That’s exactly what Lisa has just done—fantastic news! She may not have expected it, but I only ever put people in for their test when I truly believe they’re ready.

So, well done Lisa. It’s been a real pleasure teaching you. Take care out there, stay safe—and don’t forget to keep breathing! 🚗

01/03/2026

10/02/2026

Well sometimes you have to join in, must be super happy he's broke through the windscreen.🤣

02/02/2026

Northern Ireland will be introducing a graduated driving licence (GDL) from October.

The GDL system, announced as part of the nation’s new Road Safety Strategy Action Plan, will include:

A mandatory minimum learning period of six months before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test

A programme of training that details the learning required to become a safe driver, and which must be completed and recorded in a logbook before a learner driver can undertake their practical driving test

An increase in the restriction period from the current 12 months to 24 months requiring new drivers to display a distinguishing mark (plate) on the vehicle for two years after receiving a full licence

A period of six months with nighttime driving restrictions for new drivers under 24

Age related nighttime passenger restrictions for newly qualified drivers, with exemption for immediate family members.
GDL permits ‘L’ drivers to drive on a motorway as long as they are accompanied by an Approved Driving Instructor. Once the learner passes their test, they will be issued with the new ‘R’ plate which also allows them to drive on a motorway, where they can drive up to the posted speed limit.

Will this follow here in Wales?

01/01/2026

Happy New Year, may 2026 be a great year for you.

11/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/174ph2A1NV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In 2024 61 cyclist were killed or seriously injured on roads in Wales.

As a driver, do you give cyclists at least 1.5m distance when passing?

01/12/2025

A massive well done to Katie today on test in her own car, we had a great lesson yesterday afternoon just doing a last bit of coaching before the test today and she nailed it. Well done and have a safe journey back home.