http://www.minidrivingschool.co.uk/

Mini Driving School, Horley (2026)

07/03/2022

10/02/2022

*Hither Green - HWC Changes meeting 10/2/22*

Firstly, appreciation to Neil at Hither Green for taking the time to deliver a very clear and open presentation about the highway code changes. I think the majority of the room were very happy by the end of things, and we all acknowledged that time will educate us. Anyone who was in the room and took something different from the following is welcome to challenge it.

Regarding the issue of time, for me it highlighted the similarity between our current situation (the new highway code rules, particularly rule H2) and that of our learners. We all know that their biggest risk comes from lack of experience and comparable situations to draw from when making decisions. This is what we now face with these changes, so drawing on similar situations and comparisons is a really good way to move forward.
With this in mind, Neil started with a comparison that I think made everything a lot easier to comprehend. (This is very much my interpretation of what he said, the words on my own and I apologise for any inaccuracies in advance)

If you are turning into a side road (see the attached picture) treat the mouth of the side road as a zebra crossing.

Stopping is a risk assessment and will be assessed accordingly. - My clarification of this is that:
If the risk in front is greater than the risk behind you should be stopping. Inversely, If the risk behind is greater than the risk in front you should continue if you can safely do so.

I did raise the question “What if the pedestrian is halfway across the road?“ (You are turning in and they are going from left to right) It was confirmed that you could proceed as long as it was safe. (This was asked due to the comparison to a zebra crossing - where we know they should be off the crossing before proceeding.)

With roundabouts, the same risk assessment should be made. It is likely that at a mini roundabout you would allow the pedestrian to cross. At a larger roundabout with faster flow in traffic you would not.

In the actual situation it is likely to be intuitive. The answer to many questions (as is very often the case with the modern DVSA) was “What would you do?“ One of the experienced ADIs in the room rightly pointed out “We don’t know what we are oils do because the rules have changed“. It was identified by the room that this was largely because of the public (pedestrians, cyclists and drivers) were still largely uninformed or even misinformed.

Acknowledgement of the pedestrian (eye contact, smile - if not wearing a mask - a nod, or even raise of the hand) is acceptable but you shouldn’t wave them out.

The DVSA are recognising a bedding in period and we were assured that even if marked as a driver fault the situation would be adequately covered in the debrief.

26/01/2022

Rules for all types of road users will be updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.

26/01/2022

Let's keep each other safe on our roads. Before moving off you should:

🚗 use all mirrors to check the road is clear

👀 look round to check the blind spots

🚘 signal if necessary before moving out

🧐 look round for a final check

🦺 Move off only when it is safe to do so.