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Grantham Driving School, Jenkinson Crescent, Grantham (2026)

19/10/2026

🚗 GDS KNOW YOUR ROAD SIGNS – POST 3 🚦

SIGNS GIVING ORDERS – PART 2

🔵 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE BLUE ROAD SIGNS ARE TELLING YOU?

Welcome to Post 3 in our ongoing Grantham Driving School series, helping learners and experienced drivers understand the road signs we encounter every day.

In our previous post, we looked at signs with red circles, which generally tell drivers what they must NOT do.

This week we're looking at blue circular signs, which usually give a positive instruction — something you MUST do.

Unlike warning signs, these are not suggestions. They give instructions that drivers are legally required to follow.

Let's look at the eight signs featured in today's graphic.

🔵 1. AHEAD ONLY ⬆️

You must continue straight ahead in the direction indicated by the arrow.

You cannot turn left or right at the junction where this instruction applies.

🔵 2. TURN LEFT ONLY ⬅️

You must turn left in the direction indicated.

Continuing straight ahead or turning right is not permitted where this instruction applies.

🔵 3. TURN RIGHT ONLY ➡️

You must turn right in the direction indicated.

You cannot continue straight ahead or turn left.

🔵 4. KEEP LEFT ↙️

You must pass to the LEFT of the obstruction, traffic island or other feature indicated by the sign.

You'll often encounter these signs on traffic islands and pedestrian refuges.

🔵 5. KEEP RIGHT ↘️

This is the opposite of Keep Left.

You must pass to the RIGHT of the obstruction or traffic island.

Pay attention to these signs, particularly on unfamiliar roads.

🔵 6. MINI-ROUNDABOUT 🔄

This blue circular sign tells drivers they are approaching a mini-roundabout.

You must follow the direction indicated by the arrows.

Remember that normal roundabout priority rules apply, and you should pass around the central markings rather than drive across them, except when the size of your vehicle makes this unavoidable.

🔴 7. GIVE PRIORITY TO ONCOMING VEHICLES

This sign is particularly important where a road becomes too narrow for vehicles travelling in opposite directions to pass safely.

The red arrow represents your direction of travel, while the larger black arrow represents oncoming traffic.

You must give priority to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

You may encounter these signs near narrow bridges, traffic-calming measures and other restricted sections of road.

🟦 8. ONE-WAY STREET ⬆️

This sign tells you that traffic travels in one direction only.

You must follow the permitted direction of travel.

Be particularly careful when entering unfamiliar one-way systems, as approaching a junction from the wrong direction can create a serious danger.

🚗 GDS DRIVING TIP

One of the most important skills we teach at Grantham Driving School is early observation and planning.

Seeing a road sign is only the beginning.

A good driver should be asking themselves:

✅ What is this sign telling me?

✅ Does it affect my intended direction?

✅ Do I need to change my speed or road position?

✅ Is there anything I need to do before reaching the sign?

The earlier you recognise and understand the instruction, the more time you have to respond safely.

Remember, learning road signs isn't simply about passing your Theory Test.

It's about becoming a safe, confident and independent driver for life.

🚗 GRANTHAM DRIVING SCHOOL

Patient • Experienced • Trusted

Building safe, independent drivers for life.

📘 NEXT IN OUR SERIES: POST 4 – SPEED LIMIT SIGNS

We'll explain the different speed limit signs, including the National Speed Limit sign and what it actually means on different types of roads.

15/10/2026

GDS KNOW YOUR ROAD SIGNS — POST 2

SIGNS GIVING ORDERS — PART 1

🚗 Do you know what these signs are actually telling you?

Following on from Post 1, we're starting with some of the most important signs on our roads — signs giving orders.

These aren't simply warnings or suggestions. As a driver, you need to recognise them and respond correctly.

🔴 NO ENTRY
No entry for vehicular traffic.

🔴 NO VEHICLES
No vehicles are permitted beyond the sign, although bicycles may be pushed where applicable.

🚲 NO CYCLING
Cycling is prohibited beyond this sign.

🏍️🚗 NO MOTOR VEHICLES
Motor vehicles are prohibited. You'll recognise this by the motorcycle above a car inside the red circle.

🚫➡️ NO RIGHT TURN
You must not turn right.

🚫⬅️ NO LEFT TURN
You must not turn left.

🚫↩️ NO U-TURNS
You must not make a U-turn.

🚗🚙 NO OVERTAKING

Motor vehicles must not overtake other moving motor vehicles where this restriction applies.

All of these are examples learners should be able to recognise quickly rather than having to stop and think about their meaning. The Highway Code groups these among its signs giving orders. GOV.UK

🚗 GDS DRIVING TIP

When you see a red circle, immediately think:
“What am I NOT allowed to do?”

Don't wait until you're alongside the sign before reacting to it.

Good observation means spotting the sign early, understanding the restriction and adjusting your driving in plenty of time.

Learning road signs isn't just about passing the Theory Test.

It's about recognising information quickly enough to make safe decisions on the road.

GRANTHAM DRIVING SCHOOL

Patient • Experienced • Trusted
Building safe, independent drivers for life.

12/10/2026

WHY LEARN TO DRIVE IN YOUR OWN FAMILY CAR?

Did you know that at Grantham Driving School you don't have to learn in my driving school car?

You can have professional driving lessons in your own family car, whether it's a manual or automatic!

After 25 years of teaching people to drive, I've discovered that learning in a family car can offer some tremendous advantages.

Here's why!
✅ 1. SAVE 10% ON YOUR DRIVING LESSONS
Yes, that's right! When you use your own family car for lessons with Grantham Driving School, you'll pay 10% less than you would using my driving school car.

Over the course of learning to drive, those savings can really add up.

✅ 2. LEARN FASTER WITH REGULAR PRACTICE

Imagine having a professional driving lesson in the morning and then practising what you've learnt with Mum, Dad or another qualified family member later that day.

Instead of waiting another week for your next lesson, you can reinforce those new skills while they're still fresh in your mind.

In my experience, learners who combine professional lessons with regular family practice often reach driving test standard considerably sooner.

✅ 3. NO MORE SWAPPING BETWEEN DIFFERENT CARS

Every car is different!

The clutch, brakes, steering, visibility and controls can all feel slightly different.

When you learn in your own family car, you become familiar with one vehicle instead of constantly adjusting between two.

That means more time concentrating on your driving and less time getting used to a different car.

✅ 4. GREATER CONFIDENCE ON DRIVING TEST DAY

Here's something I've noticed over many years of teaching.

Learners who have regular professional lessons and additional practice in their own family car often achieve excellent driving test results.

Many of my learners using this approach have passed first time, sometimes with zero or very few driving faults!

And there's another advantage.

If your family car meets the DVSA requirements, you can take your practical driving test in the very same vehicle you've been learning in.

No unfamiliar controls.
No last-minute adjustment to a different car.

Just you, your driving skills and a vehicle you already know.

✅ 5. GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED

Learning to drive can be a family effort!

Parents and other eligible supervising drivers can help reinforce the skills covered during professional lessons.

Naturally, the learner must have the correct insurance, the vehicle must be suitable and the supervising driver must meet the legal requirements.

I'm always happy to offer guidance to parents who want to help their son or daughter become a safe, confident driver.

🚗 BUT WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FAMILY CAR?

Absolutely no problem!
My Volkswagen Polo is available for learners who prefer to use a driving school vehicle.

The choice is entirely yours.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS NOT JUST PASSING YOUR DRIVING TEST.

It's learning to become a safe, confident and independent driver for the rest of your life.

That's what I've been teaching local families to do for 25 years.

🚗 GRANTHAM DRIVING SCHOOL

Patient • Experienced • Trusted
Building safe, independent drivers for life.

📞 07734 049978
📩 Message Grantham Driving School to find out more about lessons in your own family car.

💬 AND HERE'S A QUESTION FOR PARENTS AND LEARNERS...
If you had the choice, would you prefer to learn in your own family car or your instructor's car?

I'd love to hear your opinions!

06/10/2026

APPROACH ASDA ROUNDABOUT FROM TOWN CENTRE

🚗 GDS LOCAL DRIVING GUIDE

ASDA ROUNDABOUT – APPROACHING FROM GRANTHAM TOWN CENTRE

This week we're looking at ASDA Roundabout when approaching from Grantham Town Centre.

The road markings here are becoming quite faint, but there is one particularly important point to understand:

⬅️ LEFT LANE = ASDA SUPERMARKET

For the normal through routes used during lessons, you therefore need the right-hand approach lane.

An easy way for my pupils to remember it is:

LEFT = ASDA
RIGHT = EVERYWHERE ELSE

➡️ SECOND EXIT – SANKT AUGUSTIN WAY

Approach in the right-hand lane.

There is normally no need to signal on approach when taking this intermediate exit, unless the road layout or circumstances make a signal helpful.

Once on the roundabout, maintain a safe, positive position in your lane. This is particularly important here because the road layout has changed over the years and some drivers may try to position themselves alongside you.

As you pass the ASDA exit and prepare to leave at the next exit:
Mirrors → Signal left → Check → Exit

Before committing to the exit, make a good left mirror check. You need to know that another vehicle hasn't appeared alongside you or tried to squeeze into the space on your left.

If there is a vehicle there, don't force the exit. Continue safely around the roundabout and come back to your exit. Missing an exit is inconvenient — having a collision is considerably worse!

➡️ THIRD EXIT – NOTTINGHAM / BARROWBY ROAD

Again, approach using the right-hand lane, but this time signal right on approach.

Maintain the appropriate position around the roundabout.

After passing the exit before yours, check your mirrors and signal left to show that you intend to leave towards Nottingham/Barrowby Road.

Once again, the left mirror check before moving across or exiting is extremely important.

If another vehicle has positioned itself alongside you, don't simply move across because you have the right of way or because you're in the correct lane.

Stay safe, continue around if necessary, and try again.

⚠️ WHY I TEACH THE LEFT MIRROR CHECK

A driving examiner isn't simply interested in whether you know which lane to use.

They want to see that you are observing, anticipating what other road users might do and making safe decisions.

You can be perfectly positioned yourself and still have another driver do something unexpected.

That's why I teach:

Don't just know where YOU should be — know where everybody else is too.

If an examiner has to take physical action with the steering or dual controls to prevent a dangerous situation, that can obviously have very serious consequences for the test.

So don't rush an exit simply because it's the one you intended to take.

Observe. Assess. Decide. Act safely.

As always, if you're learning to drive around Grantham and have any questions about this roundabout, please ask. There are no silly questions when you're learning how to drive safely.

Grantham Driving School
Building safe, independent drivers for life.

05/10/2026

🚗 "I'M TOO NERVOUS TO LEARN TO DRIVE..."

Do you know what?

That's probably the sentence I hear more than any other.

The good news is...
You don't need confidence before your first lesson.
That's my job.

Every confident driver you see on the road today started somewhere.

Many of them were nervous.
Many thought they'd never manage.
Many believed everyone else could drive except them.

Twenty-five years later, I've learnt something very important...

The best drivers are often the people who start with the least confidence.

Why?

Because they listen.
They think.
They take their time.
They don't assume they already know everything.
My aim isn't to rush anyone.
It's to help each learner build confidence at their own pace until driving begins to feel natural.

If you've been putting off learning because you're nervous...
You're exactly the sort of person I'd be happy to help.

🚗 Grantham Driving School

Patient • Experienced • Trusted

02/10/2026

🚗 **GDS KNOW YOUR ROAD SIGNS – POST 1** 🚦

# # # DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE SHAPE OF A ROAD SIGN IS TELLING YOU?

Before you even read a road sign or recognise the symbol, its **shape and colour can give you an important clue about what it is telling you.**

🔴 **CIRCLES – GIVE ORDERS**

Circular signs generally tell you something you **must or must not do**.

🔵 **BLUE CIRCLES**
Usually give a positive instruction – for example:
➡️ Turn left
⬆️ Ahead only
↙️ Keep left

🔴 **RED CIRCLES / RED RINGS**
Usually tell you something you **must not do**, or show a restriction.

Examples include:
🚫 No vehicles
🚫 No U-turn
⭕ Maximum speed limit

⚠️ **TRIANGLES – GIVE WARNINGS**

Triangular signs warn you about a hazard or situation ahead.

They are designed to make you think:

**“What might I need to prepare for?”**

Examples include:
🔺 Roundabout ahead
🔺 Bend ahead
🔺 Pedestrians
🔺 Slippery road
🔺 Road narrows

🟦 **RECTANGLES – GIVE INFORMATION**

Rectangular signs are generally used to provide information or directions.

The colour can also help:

🟦 **Blue** – information signs and motorway direction signs
🟩 **Green** – directions on primary routes
⬜ **White** – directions on non-primary routes and other information

🛑 **BUT THERE ARE IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS!**

Two signs have particularly distinctive shapes so that drivers can recognise them immediately:

🛑 **STOP** – the only common **eight-sided (octagonal)** road sign.

🔻 **GIVE WAY** – an **upside-down triangle**.

Their unique shapes mean you can recognise them even when approaching from an unusual angle or when visibility isn't perfect.

# # # 🚗 GDS DRIVING TIP

Don't just memorise road signs for your Theory Test.

Learn to recognise their **shape, colour and meaning** so that you can process the information quickly when you're actually driving.

A good driver doesn't simply look at a sign.

**They see it – understand it – and act on the information in good time.**

🚗 **GRANTHAM DRIVING SCHOOL**

**Patient • Experienced • Trusted**

*Building safe, independent drivers for life.*

➡️ **Next in the series: POST 2 – SIGNS GIVING ORDERS**

30/09/2026

🚨 **POLICE DRONES – ARE THEY REALLY WATCHING DRIVERS FROM ABOVE?**

**Yes — and their use on UK roads is increasing.**

Most drivers are familiar with fixed speed cameras, camera vans and police traffic cars.

But several UK police forces are now using **drones to help detect speeding, dangerous overtaking and other driving offences.**

And recent operations show just how effective they can be.

🚔 **DORSET – MAY 2026**

Dorset Police deployed a drone above Sandbanks following complaints about anti-social driving.

During just one evening, **more than 70 motorists were identified exceeding the speed limit.**

Police also dealt with offences including:

• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving without insurance
• Careless driving
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

Two motorists were also arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving.

🚔 **NORTH YORKSHIRE – AUGUST 2026**

Police used specialist drones above the B1222 near Sherburn to target **excessive speed, dangerous overtaking and high-risk driving**.

Over two days officers issued **44 Traffic Offence Reports**, seized uninsured vehicles and carried out numerous vehicle stops.

Police say the aerial view enabled them to spot dangerous manoeuvres which can be difficult to identify from a conventional roadside position.

🚔 **SOUTH WALES**

South Wales Police has also confirmed using drones and aircraft to gather evidence relating to **speeding and illegal motorcycle activity**, with offenders prosecuted where appropriate.

👀 **SO HOW DOES IT WORK?**

The drone can operate high above the road, giving police a view that drivers may simply not notice.

Officers can observe vehicles and driving behaviour from the air, record evidence and communicate with roads-policing officers positioned further along the route.

So seeing no police car or camera van beside the road **doesn't necessarily mean nobody is watching.**

⚠️ And drones aren't only looking for speed.

Their aerial position can potentially reveal dangerous overtaking, careless driving, mobile-phone use, seatbelt offences and anti-social driving.

For learner and newly qualified drivers there is a very useful lesson here:

**Don't drive safely because you can see a police car or speed camera.**

**Drive safely because that's simply how you drive.**

That's why at Grantham Driving School I believe in teaching people properly — developing **safe, independent drivers for life**, rather than simply teaching someone how to pass a driving test.

🚗 **Grantham Driving School**

**Patient • Experienced • Trusted**

29/09/2026

🚗 GDS LOCAL DRIVING GUIDE

ASDA ROUNDABOUT – APPROACHING FROM NOTTINGHAM

This is a roundabout that can easily cause problems for learner drivers — particularly because the road markings and guidance arrows are becoming faded and can be confusing.

As you approach ASDA Roundabout from the Nottingham direction, there are two lanes feeding towards Grantham Town Centre.

⬅️ LEFT LANE
Use the left lane when travelling towards Grantham Hospital or continuing towards the Town Centre.

If travelling towards the hospital, do not signal on approach. As you reach the appropriate exit, briefly signal left to show other road users and pedestrians that you are leaving the roundabout.

The same principle applies when following the signs towards the Town Centre — remain correctly positioned and signal left when you are ready to leave the roundabout.

➡️ RIGHT LANE

The right lane is used for traffic heading towards ASDA or continuing around the roundabout towards Sankt Augustin Way, which takes you towards the other side of town and the Morrisons area.

For ASDA, signal right initially and then signal left before leaving the roundabout.

During a driving test, however, you would not normally be deliberately directed into the ASDA car park. If you accidentally took that exit, the examiner would allow you to find your way back out before continuing the route.

⚠️ THE IMPORTANT DRIVING TEST LESSON

A very common mistake here is getting into the wrong lane.
If that happens:

DON'T PANIC — AND DON'T SUDDENLY CHANGE LANES.

If you accidentally continue towards the hospital when you intended to take Sankt Augustin Way, continue safely in the lane you have chosen.

The examiner can give you another direction afterwards.

Taking a wrong turning safely is very different from suddenly cutting across another vehicle trying to correct your mistake. The unsafe correction is what can turn a simple navigation error into a driving-test fault.

❗ ONE MORE IMPORTANT DETAIL

The first exit leads into the nearby housing area and is effectively a dead-end for driving-test purposes.

This is why you shouldn't indicate left as you approach the roundabout when you actually intend to continue towards the hospital/Town Centre.

An early left signal could mislead another road user into believing you intend to take that first exit.

Remember:

Wrong direction = not necessarily a problem.
Unsafe last-second correction = potentially a serious problem.

🚘 Grantham Driving School
Building safe, independent drivers for life.
Patient • Experienced • Trusted

28/09/2026

PASSING THE TEST IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

Learn to drive for LIFE

📍 GDS local tip

Learners, parents and newly qualified drivers:

What Grantham road, junction or roundabout did YOU find hardest to learn?

23/09/2026

🚗📵 YOUR DRIVING LESSON. YOUR INSTRUCTOR’S FULL ATTENTION.

Learning to drive — or paying for someone who is? Here’s something every learner, parent and carer should know.

An instructor must not hold and use a mobile phone while supervising a learner driver. Sitting in the passenger seat does not exempt them.

That includes texting, scrolling, making handheld calls, taking photos or checking bookings. The restriction also applies while waiting at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. [Official mobile phone rules](https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law)

⚠️ WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Illegal handheld phone use while supervising a learner can mean 6 penalty points and a £200 fine. [Police guidance](https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/news/wiltshire/news/2022/march-2022/changes-to-mobile-phone-use-when-driving/)

An instructor can also face a DVSA investigation. Proven misconduct or motoring offences can put their registration at risk, including possible removal from the approved instructor register. That decision depends on the circumstances; removal is not automatic. [DVSA registration rules](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/whats-involved-in-being-a-driving-instructor/approved-driving-instructor-adi-register-guide)

📱 “BUT IT’S HANDS-FREE…”

Hands-free use is not automatically the same offence, but it can still distract. Highway Code Rule 149 specifically covers learner supervision and warns about hands-free distraction. A properly mounted sat nav is different from an instructor holding and using a phone. [Highway Code](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158 )

For routine phone use, stop and park safely first. There are limited legal exceptions, such as a genuine 999/112 emergency when stopping is unsafe or impractical.

👪 PARENTS AND CARERS: START A CONVERSATION

Ask your learner:
“Does your instructor ever hold and use their phone while you’re driving?”
“Do you feel they’re paying attention and ready to help?”

Learners: you deserve safe, attentive teaching. If you feel uncomfortable, ask to stop somewhere safe and talk to someone you trust.

✅ WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

The existing instructor code also expects professional behaviour, respect, safe teaching, clear prices and cancellation terms, and a complaints procedure. [DVSA code of practice](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/driving-instructor-code-of-practice/approved-driving-instructor-adi-code-of-practice)

📩 CONCERNED ABOUT AN INSTRUCTOR?

DVSA specifically lists phone use while a pupil is driving as behaviour you can report.

Email [email protected]. Include what happened, when, and the instructor’s name, school and vehicle registration if known. Write down details once safely stopped; don’t try to film while driving. [How to report a concern](https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor)

These rules concern England, Scotland and Wales. The handheld-phone restriction also applies to parents or friends supervising private practice.

Please share with a learner or their family. Safe habits start with the person teaching them.

Grantham Driving School

19/10/2026

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