Car tyre labels are required by a regulation that was introduced by the EU in 2012 to offer more information to consumers on tyre safety, reduce the impact tyres have on the environment and to promote road safety. The legislation was designed to make it easier for motorists to compare the characteristics of different tyres. After 10 years, the regulation is evolving to keep pace with technology and drive tyre development.

From 1^st May 2021, for every tyre sold in Europe, tyre manufacturers must specify the performance of their tyres against revised classifications of fuel efficiency, wet grip, external rolling noise and whether tyres meet specific test standards for severe snow conditions and grip on ice.

Similar in style to energy labels for white goods, tyre labels provide comparable information about a tyre, regardless of the brand or tread pattern. By using clear diagrams, the new tyre labels allow motorists to make informed choices when buying tyres, ranked on a scale from A (best) to E (worst) – a partial rescaling from those previously displayed, where rankings ran from A to G.

Certain types of tyre, such as T-type temporary use tyres, professional off-road tyres, racing tyres, and tyres designed specifically for cars registered before October 1990 are excluded from this regulation.

Tyre labels explained

Fuel economy

Tyre labelling for fuel economy ranges from A to E. Tyres with the best fuel economy have a green A rating. Tyres with the worst miles per gallon (mpg) have a red E rating, and savings are usually calculated over the life of a set of four tyres, or equivalent distance.

For every five tanks of fuel, one is consumed for tyres. With each rotation of the wheel, a tyre is deformed when it comes into contact with the road. As its structure is deformed, the tyre heats up and some of the energy is lost. Reducing this heat build-up makes it possible to lower fuel consumption and in turn decreases greenhouse gas emissions. For a vehicle driving 40,000km / (24,855 miles equivalent)  consuming 150 litres of fuel, there is a 217.50 Euros (£186.31) reduction in fuel costs for a vehicle fitted with A-rated tyre compared with one equipped with E-rated tyres ^(1).

Even within each grade, there are significant differences between tyres.  For example, the Michelin ePrimacy tyre is an eco-responsible summer tyre for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. Michelin ePrimacy tyres have the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in their category and long-lasting safety, from the first mile to the last.

• Based 1.45€ per litre (Source: avg Ron 95 Unleaded price in UK https://www.drive-alive.co.uk/fuel_prices_europe.html on 12 May 2021). Euros to Sterling conversion rate of 1 Euro = 0.8566p, Bank of England 12 May 2021. The effect may change depending on the vehicle and driving conditions. Performance measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

Wet grip

Tyre labelling for wet grip ranges from A to E. It uses a gradient colour scale to depict stopping distances in rainy weather: tyres with the shortest stopping distances have an A rating and tyres with longer stopping distances have an E rating.

On average, there is a 9m reduction in braking distance for a vehicle travelling at 50 mph  and equipped with A-rated tyres compared with one fitted with D-rated tyres ^(2).

• Performance of braking from 80 km/h (50mph equivalent) to 20 km/h (12mph equivalent), measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

Noise

The tyre label for noise uses a tyre diagram with sound wave bars. The overall decibel rating will also be provided, as well as a letter ranking from A to C.

For a vehicle moving at a constant speed of 50 mph, the noise generated by the tyre rolling on the road is generally superior to engine noise. Rolling noise depends on the type of tyres as well as on the road surface. An A-rate tyre is half as noisy as a B-rated tyre^(3).

• Noise is measured on a vehicle travelling at 80 km/h (50mph equivalent) with the engine switched off, measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

New additions

There may also be icons on the tyre label depicting whether the tyre meets specific standards for use in severe snow conditions, or ice.

Being tyre-savvy can help keep you safe on the road and reduce fuel costs. Make sure you’re up to scratch with tyre-labelling regulation changes so you know what you’re looking for! Our partner, Michelin, has a strong reputation for tyre safety. The Manufacturer makes sure its tyres are engineered to high quality standards and that they are thoroughly proven in repeatable tests on track and then in extensive road testing. Importantly, product quality control is also a key focus.

We also work closely with Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading fast-fit supplier of tyres. Every Kwik Fit centre nationwide offers a free no obligation tyre check and trained technicians will carry out a thorough inspection of all your tyres for free. If you’d like to learn more about checking your tyres, their website includes a variety of resources on maintaining correct tyre pressure, checking tread depth and looking for signs of tyre damage. All the information is also included on their website where you can get all the tyre help you need to help you maintain your tyres in a safe condition!

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It has come to RED Driving School’s attention that scam artists on social media are impersonating driving instructors and, in some cases, established driving schools to take payments for fraudulent lessons. We would like to remind all learner drivers that, at the time of writing, driving test centres are still closed and driving lessons are still on hold for all learners, aside from essential workers.

RED Driving School would like all learner drivers to remain aware of these scams and not become a victim of online fraudsters. We urge you all to act with extra caution and only pre-pay for driving lessons via an established school, using only their official, authorised payment channels.

RED Driving School CEO, Ian McIntosh, says,

“Fraudsters are having a field day…they’re exploiting those who are anxious to start driving lessons ASAP. The examples we’ve seen this week on social media show that they are offering lesson prices that are often too good to be true. Some have gone further by asking for a deposit to be paid immediately with the balance to be paid in instalments. Once the money is received, the scammer disappears with the customers’ cash, they then close down their social media presence. It is really distressing in these difficult times to see that some hard-pressed learners are being taken for ride rather than learning to drive.”

We look forward to a time in the near future when we can get back on the road safely, and we understand the demand to get back on the roads is high, so when we restart we will be prioritising RED customers who have pre-paid for lessons in advance.

You can become a pre-paid RED customer by purchasing a PRIORITY PASS VOUCHER which means that you will be at the front of the queue to book driving lessons as soon as it is safe to do so.

Find out more here https://www.reddrivingschool.com/offers/priority-pass/.

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RED is an award-winning business and has become one of the most successful driver training organisations in the UK helping a wide spectrum of customers from learner drivers to blue chip corporate customers achieve their goals.

To meet the needs of our customers, we operate an internal training programme focussed on helping people to qualify as driving instructors, learn the business skills to succeed as a RED instructor, and progress to more advanced levels such as Fleet Driver Training.

Trainee Driving Instructors receive most of their one to one training from one of over 100 RED Instructors who have progressed to become Driving Instructor Trainers.

Reporting to a director, your role will be to lead a team of 11 full-time staff who provide:

• training for the 100+ self-employed Driving Instructor Trainers;
• support services for all RED Trainee Instructors;
• business training for instructors embarking on a career as a RED Instructor;
• advanced courses such as the DVSA Fleet course.

In addition, you will liaise with external agencies such as the DVSA with respect to all matters relating to training with particular reference to the National Standards for Driver Training.

As a key member of the RED management team, you will need to be committed and adaptable as the business continues to grow.

Our ideal candidate will be a very experienced in the field of training and development, probably with corresponding qualifications.

You will be comfortable working with a wide range of people, have great presentation skills and crucially be able to excel in a data-driven environment.

You will be managing a significant budget and you should have experience of managing costs.

Strong people management skills are important as you must have the ability to give feedback, coach and build capability.

Experience in the driving school sector would be useful but not essential. More important is that you can learn, adapt and help lead RED to even greater success.

The role is based on Teeside at our National HQ. Some travel nationwide will be required to be successful.

We will offer a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, company pension and a company car.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our business.

Applicants are invited to send their CV and a covering letter to jobs@go-red.co.uk

Closing date: March 31^st 2020

You can download a copy of this job description here.

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The accolade comes after RED’s consistent qualification for Feefo’s Gold Trusted Service award, an award received by RED for three consecutive years. To qualify for Gold Trusted Service each year, a business must have collected at least 50 reviews between January 1st and December 31st in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and achieved a Feefo service rating of at least 4.5 out of 5. With RED receiving this award year after year, it has been rewarded with a Platinum Trusted Service award for making fantastic customer service a key part of the business.

The award cements RED’s important role in the instructor training industry, with its unique approach to training, one consisting of personalised training, psychometric risk assessments and e-learning.

Ian McIntosh, CEO of RED RR Instructor Training says: “It is fantastic to be recognised again by such a trusted industry voice. RED prides itself on its industry-leading standards of instruction, and we are proud to offer excellent training to instructors who value our pragmatic approach to road safety. We look forward to continuing to deliver outstanding customer service for everyone taking part in our RR Instructor Training Course and beyond.”

The Platinum Trusted Service award recognises those businesses that go above and beyond to provide a consistently excellent service and dedicate themselves to first rate customer experience year after year.

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RED trains their own instructors to the accredited DVSA Fleet Trainer standard which ensures that any in-car training is delivered to a consistently high quality.

The fleet driver training is available nationwide for a wide range of businesses, from SMEs to multinational corporations across any industry. RED even offers vocational training such as taxi, delivery or minibus driving.

There are approximately four million fleet or company cars in the UK and companies with five or more employees are required to implement a policy on corporate drivers.

Directors have a duty of care to employees and are liable for any accidents so comprehensive fleet driver training can reassure companies that their drivers are as safe as they can be on the roads.

Ian McIntosh, CEO of RED Driving School, says: “A comprehensive fleet driver training program can add value to a business that far outweighs the investment in training.

“These new developments give us the capability and capacity to provide to companies large and small throughout the country.

“As staff are safer, more efficient drivers and businesses can expect to see fewer accidents and damage to vehicles, which in turn reduces the number of claims and the cost of insurance premiums.

“Vehicle upkeep and maintenance costs are also lower. Not to mention reduced stress levels and increased confidence for drivers and managers alike.”

RED Driving School is proud to unveil this comprehensive offering, from end-to-end for fleet driving training with bespoke packages to suit any business’ needs.

ENDS

For further information on the services, please contact the fleet driver training team on info@redfleetdrivertraining.com or 01642 373 389.

For media enquiries, please contact Lauren Probert at The PHA Group on REDPR@thePHAgroup.com or 0207 0251 350.

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The hardest part about learning to drive

We asked what they thought was the most difficult aspect of learning to drive and perhaps unsurprisingly, 42% said it was other drivers that they felt were the biggest problem.  It can be hard to ignore impatient drivers, particularly when starting out.

Other bugbears include clutch control, learning manoeuvres and navigating the intricacies of roundabouts.

How much extra practice did they get?

Private practice is really important, not just for passing the practical test, but also for confidence as a newly qualified driver. As a provider of learner insurance for practicing in someone else’s car, we wanted to know how much practice people actually did outside of their lessons. A massive 50% said they hadn’t practiced at all compared to the 30% who said they practiced regularly.

Of those drivers who did practice, 83% of practice partners were parents. 17% of grandparents stepped up to the plate and the rest were relatives and friends.

But did they enjoy it?

Driving is one of those skills that most young people think they will love but that’s not always the case. 38% of our community said they did enjoy their lessons though, while a similar number enjoyed most of it.  Just over a quarter didn’t like learning to drive at all.

In our experience, those people who aren’t enjoying the learner experience are feeling that because of something specific. Maybe they live in an area where traffic is heavy, or they don’t get on with their instructor.  Or maybe they just aren’t ready for it yet.  Getting to the bottom of the issue is the first step to solving it!

And the best thing about passing?

We wanted to know what passing meant to them. Is it just about freedom or something more? Road trips were lowest on the list, followed by not having to carry home shopping! A quarter of drivers loved that they no longer have to ask for lifts. But by far the most popular was that they no longer have to use public transport!

ingenie provides black box car insurance for drivers aged 17-25, offering savings of around £400 and the ability to earn an extra 21% off over the course of the policy for good driving. Learners can also buy insurance with ingenie for learning in their own car or for learning in another person’s car.

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We do want to reduce stressful driving situations by encouraging awareness and patience on the roads!

That’s why RED will be introducing a fleet of drones to help tackle the harassment of learner drivers on the road. They will follow learners during their lessons to monitor for other drivers expressing ‘road rage’.

Ian McIntosh, CEO of Red Driving School says “Unfortunately, road rage seems to be on the increase and broadly it seems people are noticing that drivers are getting ruder on the roads.”

In general, the distinctive branding on RED Driving School cars lets other motorists know that the driver is learning and to be patient.

However, in some rare cases this seems to incite stress in drivers – who refuse to give learners the time and space they require. To help ensure this doesn’t result in too stressful a situation for leaners, all our Driving Instructors are trained to help diffuse any difficult situation and their focus is always on safeguarding people in the vehicle.

Being stressed or being in a rush are top causes of road rage, which 8 out of 10 drivers admit to!

Ian’s top tip for combatting road rage when you feel it creeping up is to “keep a bag of chocolate buttons in the car which you can tuck into when you feel yourself getting impatient! It’s not a perfect formula but anything that helps keep our roads safe – and moving is a good thing.”

Hopefully, our new anti road-rage drones will help combat this by reporting aggression from other drivers, and help learners feel more comfortable on the roads.

“We’re always thinking about how we can improve the experience for learners and drivers and we’re confident that better monitoring – via drones or otherwise – could improve driving conditions. Everyone on the road is trying to get somewhere – play nice!” 

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Cycling UK has suggested the introduction of a method – ‘the Dutch Reach’ – where people open car doors with their far hand, rather than the near. This could prove beneficial and prevent avoidable collisions. It is common practice in the Netherlands and has the benefit of allowing the person opening their car door to look behind while also limiting how far their door can open.

At RED Driving School, we absolutely agree that drivers and cyclists should respect each other and share the road. RED is the largest trainer of driving instructors in the UK and we incorporate in our course a module called “Entering and Leaving the Vehicle”. This training is passed on to RED learners as part of the essential “cockpit drill” lesson.

Fundamentally, we are teaching learners to make thorough, all-round observations before entering or leaving a vehicle and this includes checking for approaching cyclists. We also teach and advocate leaving at least the width of a car door as a gap when passing any stationary vehicle. This same rule should also apply to cyclists passing stationary vehicles. If such a gap cannot be left due to a lack of space we say: “less space = less speed”. In other words, if a doors width cannot be left, pass the stationary vehicle more slowly.

Many cyclists of course receive no training but if they did, such teachings might make them safer on the road.

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RED’s top driving Instructor, Justin Thyme confirmed that the 60 minute driving test took place at Palm Top Arizona and marks the start of a new generation of driver training for all.

Driving  the new Tesla thin air, the Hull teenager Anne Uled, who scored zero faults on the test said: “It was brilliant, I just had to turn up and start the car. I played my favourite video game – Grand Theft Auto for the first 45 minutes before moving on to have a nap.

“When I get back to the UK all I need to do to switch to a full UK driving licence is take a 45 minute test in a ‘normal’ car and I intend to do this as soon as I can!”

Ian McIntosh, RED’s CEO commented: “We’re grateful to the US authorities for allowing the test to go ahead, I’m a good friend of Donald Trump who I believe was able to pull a few strings to make this happen.”

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For the last few weeks, we have been busy fitting out our new home and we are rapidly approaching the big day. The key task is the transfer of our two superfast fibre optic broadband lines from the old building to the new! We are very reliant on our broadband service for internet traffic and telephones. Indeed, our broadband connection provides 90 lines into our business allowing us to deal with the 1000+ calls per day we receive.

All plans are now made and we’ve a team in place to help us with the big move. We’re excited to be able to provide an even better, more efficient service to help us cope with our ever-growing number of calls.

We’ll be up and running in the new and improved HQ soon – watch this space!

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