Lucy Molland - ADI Red Driving Instructor

16/12/2022

This lady has waited and eventually passed. Having anxiety can truly impact on your life but Leanora stuck with it and passed today. To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement.
Congratulations 🎈🍾

15/12/2022

Everything is festive and aglow and Russell passed his test first go.
Congratulations Russell

07/12/2022

Hi,
As you're probably aware, DVSA driving test examiners are planning to take industrial strike action during December 2022 and January 2023.

The strike is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

The strike will affect practical driving tests in different regions of Britain on the following dates:

Dates Areas affected
Tuesday 13 December – Sunday 18 December North-east England & Scotland
Monday 19 December – Saturday 24 December North-west England & Yorkshire and the Humber
Wednesday 28 December – Saturday 31 December, and Tuesday 3 January East England, East Midlands & West Midlands
Wednesday 4 January – Tuesday 10 January London, south-east England, south-west England & Wales



If you have any students that may be affected, we would recommend taking lessons slowly until we receive confirmation that the test is going ahead. If this isn't possible, please let us know and we can talk to the student about possibly adding hours onto their course.

We'll be getting in touch with all students whose driving tests may be affected over the coming days. Once we receive their rescheduled test dates, we'll check if they're suitable for you before sending them to the student.

We'll also keep an eye on any developments, and will be sure to update you as soon as possible.

Please feel free to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you

02/12/2022

Why not buy the ultimate gift for a 17 year old for Christmas.
Message me for details.

29/11/2022

Congratulations Layla first time pass with only one minor!
Amazing 🤩

28/11/2022

A combination of practical and inexpensive actions by the Government could dramatically reduce the number of people killed in crashes while not wearing a seat belt.

That’s the assessment of PACTS, who have published a new briefing on the subject.

DfT data shows of the 682 people who died in collisions in cars in Great Britain in 2021, an estimated 30% were not wearing a seat belt.

This represents the highest level since recent records began.

PACTS says the seat belt is ‘probably the single most effective road safety measure of all’, reducing the risk of death for drivers in a road collision by some 50%.

For the past three years, it has been drawing attention to this ‘blind spot in government road safety policy’ – and notes that the 2021 data suggests the issue is getting worse, ‘exacerbated by cuts to roads policing’.

In the briefing note, PACTS has recommended a package of actions, including increased penalties, more use of cameras, increased roads policing, more effective seat belt reminders and better driver education.

David Davies, PACTS executive director, said: “Over 200 people died in cars last year when not wearing a seat belt. A seat belt halves the probability of death in a crash – but only if it is worn.

“PACTS is calling on the Government to act to increase seat belt wearing rates and reduce unnecessary death and injury.

“Seat belt wearing has been a legal requirement for 40 years and one of the most important safety measures. It is ridiculous that the government has dithered for so long over introducing penalty points.

“There is a new generation of cameras that detect seat belt offences. Penalty points are urgently needed to back them up.”

So a BIG message here is to 'buckle up' and stay safe

25/11/2022

18/10/2022

Congratulations to Sharon who’s perseverance has paid off. Now officially passed her driving test.
Enjoy taking your Grandchildren out Sharon.
Congratulations 🍾

08/09/2022

I am happy to announce that I am now working idependently having recently worked for Red Driving School.
I welcome any new pupils who would like to start their driving lessons.

25/08/2022

10/08/2022

This young man persevered and today passed his test.
Congratulations Gabriel it’s been a pleasure teaching you. Enjoy the rest of the summer

02/08/2022

I concur 😁

Right On Snoopy!...

20/07/2022

Congratulations to Isla who passed her driving test today first time.
Have a great time in Japan.

01/07/2022

Text message reminder service for public booked tests
From 1 July DVSA will start to send text message reminders to your pupils with a public booked practical test booking to help reduce the number of tests lost due to learner drivers failing to attend.
The reminders will be sent 6 days and 10 days ahead of your pupil’s test to remind them that their test is coming up. The first candidates to receive a text will be those with tests booked on the 7 July or 11 July.
The text will also encourage them to rearrange their test if they are not ready. This will free up the appointment for someone who is ready and may not be able to get the test they need. They can do this on GOV.UK.
The text message will show on the phone as being sent from GOV.UK DVSA.
We are only able to send text messages if a mobile phone number is included when your pupil books their practical car test, so please encourage them to include one.
Driving tests lost from pupils not attending
The number of car driving tests being wasted due to learner drivers not turning up has more than doubled compared to before the pandemic – this means that every day 1 in 22 people do not turn up for their driving test.
DVSA research found that 25% of those who did not turn up used a third-party app to book their test. The second biggest reason for not showing up to a test was that a driving instructor was unavailable (13%) and 11% said they forgot the date or time of their booking.
How your pupils can check if their mobile number has been added to their booking
Your pupils can add their mobile phone number to their test booking via the change your driving test service on GOV.UK.
They’ll need 2 of the following to pieces of information do this:
• their driving test licence number
• their booking reference number
• their theory test pass certificate number
They will need to go to 'candidate's details' section of their booking to add in their mobile number. They then need to re-enter all their details as we do not show any of the details we hold for security reasons.
Things we’re doing to make tests count
We have put several measures in place to prevent businesses who do not employ ADIs from selling driving tests.
This will help ensure more tests go ahead by ensuring tests are booked for people who are more likely to attend.

20/06/2022

First time pass for Lauren with just a few minors. Congratulations and enjoy the lovely weather ⛱

13/06/2022

8 things you need to know about changes to the driving test booking service
Here are a few messages about the changes made to book and manage your pupils’ test service. These changes will prevent people from profiting from selling driving tests.
We thought it would be useful to send you a round up with all you need to know about the changes, and what it means to you and your pupils.
1. Driving test can be changed up to 6 times
We have reduced the number of times a driving test appointment can be changed from 10 to 6.
If you or your pupil changes the test more than 6 times, you will need to cancel it and rebook the test.

2. Short notice cancellations are changing
From Wednesday 22 June, we will no longer automatically rearrange or refund practical, or theory tests cancelled within the 3-day short notice cancellation window if your pupil tells us they have COVID-19.
This means that you or your pupils will lose your test fee if a test is cancelled within the short notice period unless your pupil:
• is ill or injured
• has been affected by a bereavement
• needs to take an exam
• has had their driving licence stolen
The full details about the change and how to apply for a refund were sent to you by email on June 7.
We’ll also be updating the guidance on GOV.UK.

3. Who can use the book and manage your pupil’s driving test service
Only businesses who employ at least one ADI can register and access the service.
Vocational and motorcycle trainer bookers will also be able to continue to use the service.

4. How to get your business ID
If your account was suspended, you can still access the service to get your business ID number by:
• choosing account management
• clicking on 'Business details' on menu - your business ID is shown in the general details section
Alternatively, you call the customer services centre on 0300 200 1122 or and they can give you your business ID number.


5. How to register or re-register to use the book and manage your pupil’s driving test service
Registering or re-registering is now done via email to stop abuse of the system, but you will need your ADI number.

6. Changing your pupils' tests via the book and manage your pupil’s driving test service
Our customer service team have access to the same live booking service that you and your pupils can use.
So if your pupils want to change the date of their test, encourage them to use the change your driving test appointment service on GOV.UK.
If you are not able to use the online service, you can still contact our customer service centre during opening hours using the ADI fast-track number, 0300 200 1122 (option 25 at point of connection).

7. Updating the terms of reference people using the service
We are making changes to the terms and conditions for using the service to make it clear you’re not allowed to use it to make a profit.
We’ll share more information about this as soon as we can.

8. Updating the ‘fit and proper’ guidance for ADIs
Nick Taylor, the ADI Registrar, is reviewing the ‘fit and proper’ criteria to make it clear that profiting from driving test bookings is not considered fit and proper behaviour.

13/06/2022

Congratulations Arren on passing first time. I hope you have a long and lustrious football career and I shall look out for you in the future.

09/06/2022

Abuse and intimidation on the road towards learner drivers is still widespread. A shocking 81% of learners have experienced abuse or intimidation from other road users, which leads to 72% of learners making mistakes. Marmalade Insurance have made it their mission to put a stop to this, and they need your help!
Help make a difference!
Marmalade Insurance are asking the Government to do more to prevent on-road bullying of learners by introducing measures to impose stronger sentences on drivers who drive carelessly or dangerously around learner drivers.
They'll also be raising awareness amongst all road users, providing guidance to learners on how to deal with on-road abuse, and sharing resources on how road users can curb their road rage.

23/05/2022

Congratulations to Issy. Enjoy your trips to Bournemouth Uni.

23/05/2022

Congratulations Sam you did it!!
No more lifts from Dad.

04/05/2022

Congratulations Hannah. Your perseverance paid off in the end.
Enjoy your green bogey machine 😅

14/04/2022

Big congratulations to George who passed first time today.
Just like your Father said - I’m very proud 😄

08/04/2022

First time pass for Owen today. Few minors!!!
Congratulations and enjoy yourself tonight.
I shall miss our chats

25/03/2022

DVSA
From today (25 March), rules in The Highway Code are coming into force to make any hand-held use of a mobile phone while driving illegal, except in limited circumstances. The changes were supported by 80% of respondents in a public consultation in 2021.

This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. The law applies to you if you’re:

• supervising a learner driver
• stopped at traffic lights
• queuing in traffic
• driving a car that turns the engine off when you stop moving
• holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode

There are exceptions, such as if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency or making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving.

You can find the full rules on using a phone, sat nav or another device when driving on GOV.UK

The government’s award-winning THINK! team will launch an awareness campaign today to remind drivers not to use a hand-held phone at the wheel and the penalties of choosing to ignore this new law.

Why staying up to date is important

It's important that everyone – not just learner drivers – understand their responsibility for the safety of other road users.

Many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you’re committing a criminal offence.
If you do not follow the other rules in the code, it can be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.

How to stay up to date

The full version of The Highway Code is available, free of charge, on GOV.UK.

______

Our Business Support Line is open to anyone who feels they need help, ADIs, PDIs, franchisees and independent instructors.

Call:
Matt Stone - 07900225502 or
Stewart Lochrie 07791559318

Our Welsh Ambassador is Richard Spiers and can be contacted - 07908 768722 or [email protected]

Our Scottish Ambassador is Stewart Lochrie and can be contacted - [email protected] or 07791559318.

25/03/2022

What a beautiful day to pass your test first time!
Enjoy your lunch and your new found freedom.

17/03/2022

Due to the increase of fuel charges RED have confirmed that lessons will increase to £34.50 going forward.
This will be reviewed on a regular basis.

15/03/2022

Here’s a great example of what practicing over and over again can do.
Congratulations Sheela on passing today. I couldn’t be more thrilled for you.

28/02/2022

This is great news for all those learner drivers who struggle with masks when wearing glasses.
This will be effective from the 1st March. A very important date for your diaries as it's my birthday


Driver testing services – lifting of COVID-19 driving test restrictions
We are lifting COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in England from Tuesday 1 March in line with the government announcement that English restrictions ended on 24 February.
The changes in England are:
• face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners
• driving tests will no longer end early unless the candidate’s driving is so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users - in line with the pre-COVID-19 policy
• instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests
• you no longer have to self isolate if you have COVID-19, but we encourage you to rearrange your test if you feel unwell for any reason
You need to make your pupils aware of these forthcoming changes, especially if you have made their practical test booking for them.
The current driving and theory tests safety measures in Scotland and Wales remain in place and we will let you know of any changes.
DVSA guidance on GOV.UK will be updated shortly.
Face coverings
Your pupil will have personal choice on whether they want to wear a face covering on their driving or theory test from 1 March in England.
Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 1 March. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils.
Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish.
Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in England.
Ending driving tests early
From 1 March, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early and they can continue after a candidate has committed a serious or dangerous fault to give them the full-test experience.
Tests will only be terminated early if the driving examiner assesses that the candidate’s driving is so poor it risks their safety and that of other road users. This is in line with our pre-COVID-19 policy.
ADIs sitting in on tests
We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 1 March.
This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to:
• sit in the back of the car during the test
• be with them for the result and feedback
ADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests
The lifting of restrictions for wearing face coverings on tests from 1 March also includes ADI part 2 tests and ADI standards checks.
Standards checks will continue to last for 40 minutes.
Clean vehicles
We will no longer be cancelling driving tests if the inside of a vehicle is not clean.
However, we continue to encourage you to clean and tidy the inside of your vehicle when presenting it for a driving test in line with good hygiene.
It will be optional for examiners to wipe down surfaces in test vehicles or ventilate these vehicles during tests.
Pupils testing positive for COVID-19
We encourage candidates testing positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days before their driving test not to attend their test to reduce the spread of the virus.
You or your pupil should email us at [email protected] with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange their test.
You or your pupil will need to include the following information in the email:
• their driving licence number
• their driving test booking reference number
We will then contact you or your pupil to help rearrange the test. Your pupil will not have to pay again.
Taking rapid lateral flow tests
Until 1 April, we continue to ask your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home.
Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test.
Thank you for your support
We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry.
The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement.
We want to thank you for taking the necessary action to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and protect our colleagues.

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09/02/2022

Here are the changes that have been made to the highway code.
Changes at a glance
The latest changes to The Highway Code include:
• Giving people walking across and people cycling going straight ahead priority when turning in and out of junctions
• Leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
• Passing people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle at speeds under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space
• Allowing at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a person who is walking in the road
• Encouraging people driving vehicles to open their doors with the hand furthest from the door, to help them look over their shoulder behind them to see people cycling or walking nearby
• People cycling may ride in the centre of the road or two abreast for their own safety, whilst allowing others to overtake when it is safe for them to do so
Food for thought especially people crossing a junctions.

06/02/2022

Some guidance for all you pupils learning to drive. Here are the top 10 reasons why pupils fail their driving test in Great Britain.

1. Not making effective observations at junctions
2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
3. Not having proper control of the steering wheel
4. Incorrect postioning when turning right at junctions
5. Not moving off safely
6. Not responsing appropriately to traffice lights
7. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
8. Not respoding correctly to traffice signs
9. Not having control of the vehicle when moving off
10. Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking

All of the above can be avoided by using your MSPSL.
Remember the examiner is looking for :-
Control
Observations
Accuracy

02/02/2022

Changes at a glance
The latest changes to The Highway Code include:
• Giving people walking across and people cycling going straight ahead priority when turning in and out of junctions
• Leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
• Passing people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle at speeds under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space
• Allowing at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a person who is walking in the road
• Encouraging people driving vehicles to open their doors with the hand furthest from the door, to help them look over their shoulder behind them to see people cycling or walking nearby
• People cycling may ride in the centre of the road or two abreast for their own safety, whilst allowing others to overtake when it is safe for them to do so.
It’s easy to keep up to date with The Highway Code, and any other future changes, online.
GOV.UK includes a list of the latest updates that have been made, so it’s quick and easy to see what has changed. You can also sign up for email alerts whenever the Highway Code is updated.

For those pupils who are test ready I strongly suggest you read these new changes.

Keep using those mirrors and drive safely

27/01/2022

This young lady has waited a year and a half, due to COVID, to pass her test first time.
Congratulations 🎉🍾🎈 Louise

27/01/2022

From 29 January 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.
As a professional trainer or instructor, you know how important it is to stay up to date with the Highway Code.
We are asking for your support to remind your pupils to “check the Code” regularly, even after they finish their professional training or instruction with you.
New hierarchy of road users
The changes being made by the Government on 29 January introduce a new ‘hierarchy of road users’.
The new hierarchy explains that those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.
This principle applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, cars and motorcycles.
Other more vulnerable road users have a responsibility to reduce danger to people walking. None of this detracts from the responsibility of ALL road users, including people walking, cycling or riding a horse , to have regard for their own and other road users’ safety
You can read more about these changes on GOV.UK.
Changes at a glance
The latest changes to The Highway Code include:
• Giving people walking across and people cycling going straight ahead priority when turning in and out of junctions
• Leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking people cycling at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
• Passing people riding a horse or driving a horse-drawn vehicle at speeds under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres of space
• Allowing at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a person who is walking in the road
• Encouraging people driving vehicles to open their doors with the hand furthest from the door, to help them look over their shoulder behind them to see people cycling or walking nearby
• People cycling may ride in the centre of the road or two abreast for their own safety, whilst allowing others to overtake when it is safe for them to do so

Pupils and drivers are recommended to keep up to date with the highway code at all times regarding changes.

26/01/2022

Masks still mandatory on tests?

Our Helpdesk is currently receiving lots of queries on this issue as the government gears up to ditch masks in most contexts from this Thursday. We have asked DVSA to issue guidance to trainers as
soon as possible on whether masks will still be required on test and at DVSA test locations, as well as what the agency's overall guidance is on face coverings in testing and training moving forward.
As soon as we hear, so will you.
Comment from NASP on the Consultation
Let's wait and see what the outcome will be. I personally still prefer to wear a mask to ensure all my pupils are safe .
It would be interested to hear your views?

26/12/2021

Merry Christmas and here’s to many more passes in 2022!
🚘

10/12/2021

This young man passed his driving test 1st time today.
Congratulations Alex you’re a ⭐️ star

15/11/2021

The demand for driving lessons is continuing to increase.

To avoid disappointment I would strongly suggest that you give me at least two months notice prior to you wanting to start your lessons.

So book up now!!!!

04/11/2021

Congratulations to Georgie who passed first time today.
No more buses for you!

29/10/2021

This young man has waited just under a year due to COVID lockdowns but today he passed first time with flying colors.
Congratulations Edd so pleased for you.
Enjoy your Halloween 🎃 party. Maybe you will pick up a ghoulfriend!