New Tracks driver training - new trax

12/10/2026

DRIVING TEST RELEASE DATES

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-test-appointments-release-dates-and-finding-earlier-tests?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=69570870-fb9d-4bc7-b773-c704af85d497&utm_content=daily

05/10/2026

AUTUMN - HOW DOES IT CHANGE YOUR DECISION MAKING?

How do autumn leaves affect grip, braking and steering?
What if it has rained on the leaves?
If you were turning into this road, how might your car react?
What might you do differently about your speed?
If you were approaching from the right, where might your car finish?
With leaves on pavements, where might pedestrians step?
What junction markings might be hidden?
What additional observations and awareness is required to notice the hazard, anticipate the danger and adapt the control of your approach?

Autumn leaves can change everything, be ready to change with the seasons. Get in touch to learn how to drive in all seasons and adapt to different road and weather conditions.

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 07827 011160
e: [email protected]

29/09/2026

We’re changing how learners can swap their driving tests

From 1 October, the process for how learner drivers can swap their driving test is changing. The change will remove the need for learners to coordinate their availability and will make the process smoother and less stressful.

What's changing?

To request a swap, the first learner driver will still need to call DVSA. The second learner will then need to call DVSA on the same working day to confirm they're happy with the swap.

We can only process the swap if both learners call DVSA on the same working day.

Previously, both learners needed to be available at the same time to make the swap.

29/09/2026

National Highways has launched the latest phase of its T.R.I.P. road safety campaign, encouraging drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before setting off – with a particular focus on tyre safety.

The autumn campaign coincides with Tyre Safety Month and aims to encourage drivers to make checking their tyres part of their routine before a journey.

The latest National Highways figures show that the number of breakdowns recorded on England’s motorways and A-roads has increased by 24% since 2022.

At the same time, research commissioned by National Highways found that 11% of UK driving licence holders had missed or delayed their last MOT, while 17% had put off their last scheduled service. Of those who had delayed an MOT or service, more than half (56%) continued to drive their vehicle.

Tyre-related issues remain the biggest single cause of breakdowns, accounting for 19% of all recorded incidents in 2025.

However, almost a quarter (23%) of UK driving licence holders said they had ignored a tyre-related MOT advisory. Of those, 34% said they did not think the issue was urgent, while 28% said they could not afford the repair. A further 19% planned to wait until their next MOT or service.

National Highways is using the latest campaign wave to remind drivers to check their tyres before setting off, including tread depth, pressure and overall condition.

Drivers are advised to check their tyre tread and replace tyres if the tread depth is below the legal minimum of 1.6mm. They should also check that tyre pressures are correct for the vehicle and the load being carried, and look for cuts, bulges or other damage to the tyre walls.

The campaign forms part of National Highways’ wider T.R.I.P. advice – Top-up, Rest, Inspect and Prepare – designed to help drivers prepare for safer and more stress-free journeys.

The four T.R.I.P. checks encourage drivers to:

Top-up – check fuel, oil and screenwash before setting off.
Rest – plan to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours.
Inspect – check tyre tread, pressure and condition.
Prepare – check the weather and route and make sure the vehicle and driver are ready for the journey.

National Highways says that taking a few minutes to carry out basic checks before a journey can help prevent an avoidable breakdown, saving drivers time, money and inconvenience.

The campaign’s autumn advice also highlights the importance of preparing for changing weather conditions, including checking the forecast, keeping windscreens and lights clean and carrying useful items such as water, a torch and warm clothing.

27/09/2026

Different types of speed cameras across the UK and Europe. If you behave yourself, these shouldn't be a problem.

Enforcement cameras look different in every country: different colours, different technology, and different rules about whether they even have to be visible at all. Further below, you'll find what's really out there, country by country, based on publicly available information.

24/09/2026

When you park on the pavement, you reduce driver visibility at junctions.
Be mindful of the consequences of parking your vehicle on a pavement and think about the needs of others.


Department for Infrastructure Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland NI Road Policing and Safety Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Air Ambulance Northern Ireland The Road Ahead NI Road Safe NI Charity New Driver NI

21/09/2026

Driving test appointments: release dates and finding earlier tests.
Some slightly updated information about how / when to book your driving test.

How often you can search

You should not repeatedly search the service over a short period.

Do not use more than one device to try and access the service at the same time.

If you search too often, you may:

receive a ‘search limit reached’ message
be temporarily unable to search again
receive an Error 15 message

Find out when driving test appointments are released, when to search for earlier tests, and how long people wait to take the test.

20/09/2026

If you are interested in reserving driving lessons please:
Call/SMS/WhatsApp 07827 011160
e: [email protected]

12/09/2026

YOUR FIRST CAR ISN'T LIKELY TO BE AN EXPENSIVE AUTOMATIC EV, SO WHY LEARN IN ONE? PASS IN A MANUAL AND YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO DRIVE ANY CAR.

Opinion: As a newly qualified driver, with a limited budget, it is likely your first car will be an older model with a manual gearbox. Learning with a Manual Gearbox Car is More Involved, More Skilled, More Fun and Helps You Understand the Car Better. For a lot of drivers, changing your own gears feels more involved, more skilled, and honestly more fun than letting an automatic handle everything for you.

There is a practical reason to learn a manual too. Driving one teaches coordination, smoother control, and a better feel for the response of your car. Even people who later change to automatic, often say learning manual made them more aware as drivers.
One of the biggest benefits is how clearly a manual lets you feel what the car is doing. You learn how engine speed rises, how gears affect acceleration and engine braking, and how clutch control and engagement changes momentum. That hands-on feedback can help a new driver better understand how power gets to the wheels and the road.

Using a clutch smoothly takes a little practice, but the good news is that most learners get it quickly once they understand the clutch's bite point, throttle input, and smooth release. After you’ve mastered the clutch and gearbox, the fun begins and you have full control of how the car reacts.

12/09/2026

New look digital cockpit, and 6 gears for even greater driver control.