Earlier this year, alongside our partners at Kwik Fit and Michelin, RED Driving School took part in some research to understand which areas – outside of the learning to drive process – learners and new drivers would benefit from some added advice, finding that tyre maintenance was a key area to work on.

The survey specifically found that over two thirds of respondents had never checked their tyre pressure, a simple way to identify any potential issues. This, coupled with the knowledge that 57% of tyres being driven on Britain’s roads are underinflated, paints a picture of a potentially costly and dangerous outcome for drivers if tyres are left untreated. 

In a time of hyper-focus on finances, it’s worth mentioning that underinflated tyres increase fuel usage and it is estimated that the UK’s motorists could be wasting between £600m – £1 billion in unnecessary fuel bills due to underinflated tyres.

Richard Bezzant, Marketing Director UK & ROI, Michelin Tyre PLC comments, “As tyres naturally lose some air through the rubber, it is important to check your tyre pressure regularly. Without this, you risk losing grip and increasing your braking distances. You can also damage your tyres, shorten their life and increase your fuel consumption. Simple practices can really make the difference.” 

1. What’s the recommended tyre pressure?

Tyre pressure is always optimally defined by the manufacturer for the vehicle / tyre combination with a clear objective: your safety. This is why it is imperative to consult the pressure recommended by your manufacturer for your vehicle. It is generally indicated:

• on a sticker in your driver’s side door,
• in the fuel filler flap,
• or in the vehicle manual.
    

The recommended pressure for your front and rear tyres may not be the same. You will also see that two types of pressure are indicated:

• Normalised pressure: this is the standard pressure
• Loaded pressure (often symbolised by passengers and luggage): to be adopted when the vehicle is particularly loaded, for example when going on holiday

The pressure is indicated in the pressure units of either BAR or in PSI (1 bar = 14.50 psi).

2. How do you check your tyre pressure?

The easiest way to do this is to check and adjust your tyre pressure at home. All you need is a portable compressor, which you can buy in Automotive tooling and accessory stores. If you don’t have one, most petrol or service stations have a tyre inflator. 

After identifying the tyre pressure recommended by the manufacturer*, insert the compressor nozzle onto the valve. Check whether the tyre pressure indicated corresponds to the recommendation. If not, press the button to inflate until the correct pressure is reached.

3. When should you check tyre pressure?

Always check your tyre pressure when the tyres have not been driven or have been driven very little and as a minimum on a monthly basis. This is  because when you drive, the tyres heat up, which causes their pressure to rise. If you check your tyre pressure after driving for a long time, you will feel that your tyres are over-inflated and you may be tempted (wrongly) to remove air in order to adjust.

It is recommended that you check your tyre pressure when the vehicle has been driven less than 2 miles. This will give you a true picture of your tyre pressure. If necessary, you can adjust by adding air if the pressure is low.

4. What should I be doing with the spare wheel?

The spare tyre is often overlooked in the tyre pressure checking process. However, if your vehicle is equipped with one, you should be able to rely on it if one of your tyres goes flat or is damaged. The spare tyre also needs to be checked regularly, even if it is not used daily.

5. How do I know I have a tyre puncture? 

TPMS

The TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) allows you to detect when your tyres are too low in pressure. It has been compulsory in Europe since 1 November 2014 (in the USA since 2007), which means that your vehicle is equipped with it if it was manufactured after this date.

The advantage of this system is that it provides an automatic warning of your tyre pressure. You might then think that you don’t have to go to the service station every month because the TPMS is there to tell you when it’s time to reinflate your tyres, but that’s not what we recommend.

The TPMS has one drawback: it only activates when your tyres have lost 20% of their air, which is about 0.4 bar on average and at this pressure level, the tyre is already under-inflated and it is known that an under-inflated tyre leads to premature wear. If your tyre wears out prematurely, it will have to be replaced earlier than expected, meaning extra costs.

6. And what do I do about a punctured tyre?

• Call Recovery if you are unable to continue your journey safely. Damaged tyres should only be removed from the rim by a trained tyre technician who can fully assess the tyre both externally and internally and determine if the tyre is repairable.
• Small punctures in the tread may be temporarily repaired with a tyre sealant. Always follow the sealant guidelines. NB Do not use tyre sealants if the puncture is too large or if the tyre sidewall itself is damaged. 

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving School comments, “The cost of replacing tyres prematurely far outweighs the effort it takes to check on their wear and tear. We urge all learner and new drivers to get into the habit of regularly checking their tyre pressure once a month, taking into account Michelin’s handy advice.” 

The post October is Tyre Safety Month – here’s some tips to look after your tyres! appeared first on RED Driving School.

National Driving School of the Year, RED Driving School, has crowned the Driving Instructor of the Year as Niall Davies from Cardiff in its inaugural Instructor of the Year Awards final. 

The event took place at Donington Park race circuit on Saturday 24th September and saw the regional winners take on a series of challenges to determine the most efficient and best driver, following initial identification of the regional winners based on those with the most 5-star Trust Pilot reviews in their localities. The overall individual winner was Niall Davies from Cardiff, Wales who explained he was “truly stunned when he won.” Second and third place were awarded to David Hughes of Merseyside and Lee Underwood of Ascot, respectively.

Regional winners included Kiran Kaur from the East Midlands who told us that the certificate will “take pride in [their] home office and [they] will truly treasure this moment for a very long time“. Mukesh Kumar, from Wolverhampton, regional winner for West Midlands, has said that it was “an amazing feeling to be nominated but to have won the award is another type of feeling and such a proud moment.“

The original reviews were taken between 1st May to 31st July, where over 1,000 5-star reviews were posted, demonstrating the strong competition among driving instructors under RED. 

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving School commented, “We’re extremely proud of the high standards our instructors work to, and it’s brilliant to see it being recognised in our learner’s reviews. RED Driving School is the most reviewed driving school in the country, demonstrating the calibre of our talented instructors.”

The winners from the final events are as follows:

The winners and runner-ups from each region are as follows:

The post RED Driving School crowns the best driving instructor in the country in inaugural Driving Instructor of the Year Awards appeared first on RED Driving School.

Research from RED Driving School, National Driving School of the Year, has revealed the concerns of learner and newly qualified drivers when it comes to potholes – a hazardous aspect of driving which is not specifically tested against in the UK driving test or mentioned in any DVSA publication at present. 

In the survey which asked over 1,000 learner drivers about their sentiment towards potholes and road safety, nearly two thirds (60%) of respondents claimed that they would be scared about how a pothole would impact their vehicle. 

Although the majority of the UK’s learner drivers are fearful about potholes, almost half (44%) of learner drivers admitted that they wouldn’t consider stopping to perform any checks on their vehicle immediately after hitting a pothole. While some (32%) resolved that they would perform checks on arrival of their planned destination, a small portion of respondents (4%) said they would completely ignore the fact that they had hit a pothole, demonstrating a lack of awareness of the potential severity of hitting a pothole.  

In response to these findings, RED, Kwik Fit and Michelin are teaming up to educate the learner drivers of our country on best practice to ensure optimal safety as well as becoming more mindful when it comes to tyre and car maintenance.   

While potholes aren’t specifically acknowledged within any DVSA publication, RED Driving School instructors teach learners about the dangers of potholes during skills lessons in the learning process, alongside other topics such as road positioning, dealing with obstructions, anticipation and planning. 

Ian Fido, Head of Training at RED Driving School states: “In all cases of road obstructions– and certainly while in a test environment –we suggest following the MSPSL routine: checking Mirrors, Signal if required, Position the car early, Slow down and Look to negotiate the problem, to return safely to a normal road position as soon as practically possible. 

“As a learner approaches test standard, the discussions would include what to do should they encounter a road with potholes on their driving test. If you spot a pothole on a test, steer around it, as long as it doesn’t cause a risk to another road user. If it is too risky to steer around the pothole, adjust your speed and drive over the pothole as slowly as possible, reducing the risk of damage to your car and tyres. 

“If you are not able to avoid driving through the pothole, I would recommend finding a safe place to stop as soon as possible after the event, informing the examiner that you need to make a quick vehicle check. At this point, you should get out and inspect tyres and wheels for signs of obvious damage and if you believe it is unsafe to continue based on these checks, advise the examiner of your thought process. At this point, the examiner would offer advice or either continue or abandon the test depending on their safety call. 

While the Asphalt Industry Alliance stated an increase in potholes being filled by councils in 2021, resulting in 1.7 million potholes being addressed across England and Wales, their presence on local roads are still a reality for learner drivers; nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents claimed that there are one or more potholes on their driving test route. 

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving School comments: “The findings of this survey demonstrate an appetite for a learning curriculum which encompasses more about tyre pressure and damage, so that learner drivers can know what to look out for should there be an incident while independently driving. Including an aspect on the test which requires the learner driver to prove they are able to set and test tyre pressures would encourage better education and we believe the DVSA should make this adaption to the current test.”  

Hitting a pothole can cause damage to a tyre that results in inflation pressure loss. This pressure loss might be slow and progressive but could be sudden if the impact is severe enough. The same survey also revealed a lack of knowledge when it comes to tyre pressure checking, with two thirds (66%) of learner drivers never having performed a check themselves, and nearly half of this demographic (26%) admitting that they simply do not have the knowledge to perform this check themselves.  

Brian Porteous, Michelin Technical Manager commented: “Tyres are designed to be robust, but driving through potholes, even slowly, can cause abrasion and deep scoring to the sidewalls if they are forced against sharp, jagged stones.  

“More severe impacts can cause internal damage to the tyre structure that propagates over time. Setting tyre inflation pressures correctly helps the tyre resist damage and regular checking can help detect early signs of internal damage, too.  Setting correct tyre pressures is important not only for a car’s braking performance, handling and fuel consumption, but over-inflated tyres are more vulnerable to shock impact damage and underinflated tyres crush and distort more easily.” 

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, says: “Potholes present both a safety risk and a financial cost to drivers through the damage they can cause. Unfortunately, our research has shown that the total cost of potholes to the nation’s drivers is rising each year, partly due to the country’s deteriorating road surfaces. Any driver who has hit a pothole and suspects they may have suffered damage but are unsure what to look for can take their car to any Kwik Fit centre across the UK where our expert technicians will check for damage.”

Advising the UK’s drivers on best practice to reacting to potholes, Michelin and Kwik Fit have created a guide on what to do following pothole impact. 

The post Potholes: New research reveals that learner drivers may be unaware of the dangers of hitting a pothole, with almost half willing to keep driving after hitting one appeared first on RED Driving School.

There are a number of internal and external checks you can do to ensure your car is roadworthy! We have detailed them below to make your staycation as stress free as possible.

External: 

1. Check the general condition of your tyres including the tyre pressures and tread depth. Tread depth is explained in detail below. 
2. Check for fluid leaks and try to determine where the leak is coming from and what’s actually leaking. The easiest way to do that is to slide some white cardboard underneath the car while it’s parked up so it can capture the drips. Once you find out where the leak is coming from, you can take the necessary steps to sort it out. 
3. Investigate any warning lights by taking the car to be serviced if you see any. 
4. Check that your headlights and all other lights are working by testing them before you drive. 
5. Turn on your windscreen wipers and check the wiper blades are functioning and not leaving any streaks or smears. 

Most of the above are fairly obvious and self-explanatory, however checking tyre tread depth and condition may be a little more involved, so here’s our easy-to-follow guide.  

The best way to check your tyre tread depth is to use a tyre tread depth gauge but if you don’t have one to hand, take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. However, if you can see the band and that section of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and require professional inspection by a mechanic. 

If a tyre requires replacement ensure it’s to the car manufacturer’s recommended size, speed and load rating and a match to the tyre on the same axle. Where two new tyres are fitted, they should always be moved to the rear. 

Check that your tyres are in good condition by first checking the tyre pressures at a local service station, or use a digital tyre pressure gauge/inflator at home if you have one. For any tyre that has a pressure significantly lower than the car manufacturer’s recommended pressure, look for anything obvious that may be causing a slow puncture, e.g. screws or nails stuck in the tread. Any visible bulges are likely to indicate kerbing damage and in either instance you should take the car for inspection by a professional. If you see any of these, chances are your tyre needs replacing so get it checked by an expert.

Internal: 

1. Check your coolant level is between the min and max line. This can be done by raising the bonnet and securing in a raised position, locating the cooling tank and checking the level.
2. Use the dipstick to check your oil level. Do this by opening the bonnet to locate the dipstick. Once you’ve found the dipstick, pull it out and wipe off all the oil with a cloth or rag. There will be two marks towards its end indicating the upper and lower levels of oil. If the oil appearing on the dipstick is towards the lower level then it is time to top it up.
3. Make sure to refill your screen wash bottle. The wash bottle can be located anywhere under the bonnet. The easiest way to find yours is to look in your car’s handbook. The cap is frequently blue, although it might be black or even white. Added to this, it will have a graphic that shows the shape of a swept windscreen with water drops squirting up from the middle.

This might seem like a lot to do, and it will be a little time consuming, but do you know what’s more time consuming? Breaking down en route!

Once you’ve checked your car is in top condition, make sure you don’t overload with your packing.  Kwik Fit has teamed up with SAS officer Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham to provide advice on what should – and shouldn’t – go in your boot. 

If you want help, Kwik Fit offer a free vehicle health check. Their trained technicians can advise on any maintenance required, either now or in the near future, so that you set off on your summer holiday with complete peace of mind– all you have to do is hope the sun shines!

For further advice on tyres and tyre care, visit michelin.co.uk/auto/tips-and-advice/advice-auto.             

The post The Great British staycation: how to make sure you’re safe before setting off appeared first on RED Driving School.

Ian Fido, Head of Training at RED Driving School shares his top tips for staying safe in high winds and precarious weather…

Plan your route and don’t rush

Allow plenty of time for your journey and make sure your car engine is warmed up before you embark. Ensure you have de-iced the vehicle thoroughly and you can see clearly through all windows in your vehicle before you set off. Due to extreme weather, exposed crossings will likely be blocked off, so it’s worth checking for any closures before setting off. 

Reduce speed and increase the size of your bubble 

As a first step, reduce your speed. Secondly, try to increase the space around your vehicle. These steps will give you more time to react to any unpredictable situations that may develop

Give more space to motorcyclists and cyclists who are more vulnerable to gusts of wind. For the same reason, on high speed roads be very wary of high sided vehicles. 

Avoid smaller roads 

If possible, avoid smaller roads when travelling, sticking to main roads if possible. Main roads are better lit allowing for more visibility in case of any fallen branches or debris that may have fallen into the road, and are less likely to be blocked by fallen trees. 

Be aware of gaps between buildings and trees

In high winds, gaps in buildings and trees could leave your car vulnerable to unexpected gusts of wind from different directions. Be aware of your surroundings and take adequate preparation when approaching these gaps and leaving plenty of room between yourself and other road users.

Hold onto your doors

When getting into the car – or out of it – be sure to hold tightly onto your doors to avoid them springing away and causing serious damage to a door’s hinges or hitting other cars and objects. 

Invest in all season tyres

All season car tyres combine the best properties of summer and winter tyres to create an all-round performance tyre. By investing in them early, you can avoid the hassle and cost of changing between summer and winter tyres. Regardless of whether you live in a part of the country that’s especially prone to harsh weather and slippery conditions, we’d recommend using Michelin CrossClimate tyres, available through Kwik Fit. 

Pack winter essentials

You never know when you might get stranded due to weather conditions. Be prepared. Pack a torch, a blanket for warmth and portable charging for your device. Your vehicle should always also carry a warning triangle in case of vehicle breakdown. Stay safe!

The post Driving in stormy weather conditions appeared first on RED Driving School.

The UK Government announced that it will ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and many of our learners have shown an interest in purchasing an EV after they pass their tests. But there is still some hesitation when it comes to going fully electric!

We’ve taken a look at your most common concerns…. 

Charging costs  

Electric cars have a higher upfront cost than petrol and diesel equivalents, but money can be saved on the charging costs vs fuel. The average cost of buying an electric car in the UK is around £44,000, with prices ranging from £17,350 up to £138,826, or even more. For many, the cheapest entry point to driving an EV will be through monthly leasing or PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) schemes.

The next big consideration is the cost of charging. Many EV car manufacturers claim a battery range of 250 miles on a single charge, although some, including Teslas, can achieve about 350 miles on a single charge.

Charging an electric car at home costs about £9.20 for a full charge and is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your car fully charged. Most drivers will charge their electric car overnight, waking up to a full battery every morning. If you decide to mainly charge from your home, it’s important to get the right EV electricity tariff. This means you spend less money charging and save more on your bill. There are two types of tariff: two-rate tariffs which offer cheaper electricity overnight or single-rate tariffs. This is where you pay the same rate throughout the day however it’s discounted if you have an EV. To find the right tariff, it is usually best to do a manual comparison.  

EV Range

The distance you can travel in your EV depends on your vehicle type. The main influencing factor is the battery capacity. Typically, the greater the capacity of an electric car’s battery, the further it can drive between charges.  

With the government’s decision to stop the production of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, almost every major car maker has electric vehicles available to buy or planned for the next few years. This means there is a substantial choice already which is only going to expand, helping your decision as you find one with the right range for you.  

Some of our personal favourites at RED are the EV Renault Zoe, the EV Vauxhall Corsa and the EV Peugeot e-208. 

While battery capacity is one of the most obvious factors which determines the range of an EV, a lesser-known consideration is the tyre choice. 

EVs are designed for efficiency, range and low running costs at relatively low speeds. Here, a low rolling resistance tyre is key. EVs have a more efficient way of moving than diesel or petrol Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, meaning that tyres are responsible for a slightly larger proportion of the overall drag on the vehicle.  

Michelin has a long history of producing low rolling resistance tyres. The demand an EV places on a tyre is often greater than that of an ICE vehicle as they tend to be heavier due to the battery drive system, which can reduce tyre life.  

EVs are also typically quieter than ICE vehicles, and therefore tyre noise within the car’s interior can be more pronounced. In response, Michelin has developed Acoustic Technology with a polyurethane foam applied to the inner surface of the tyre to help reduce noise from the tyre cavity, delivering an approximate20% reduction in perceived noise level inside the cabin.  

With the different and novel demands that EVs place on tyres, choosing the right tyre has never been more important, and our friends at Kwik-Fit are on-hand to help you find tyres that suit your needs and budget. 

The post EVs- Are They Really Worth the Investment? appeared first on RED Driving School.

Yellow Lines

You will come across both single and double yellow lines whilst driving. Single yellow lines indicate that there is no parking on that stretch of road during specific times of the day. These times are often displayed on nearby signs or at the entrances to controlled parking zones. These areas can often be utilised for picking up and dropping off passengers unless signs state otherwise, however you must not wait for a prolonged period of time. Double yellow lines operate differently. The highway code states that double yellow lines ‘indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.’ As a general rule of thumb, we recommended never parking on double yellow lines. One exception to this rule is for Blue Badge holders. This would permit you to park for three hours with a badge clearly on display. 

White Lines

White lines are another common road feature and often a useful one (if you’re trying to park). Solid, unbroken white lines indicate that parking is allowed. However, in some cases a single white line may be an indication of no pavement and in this instance you must not park there. 

Residential Areas

Typically, in residential areas residents in that area will have priority with regards to parking. Parking bays are marked along the road for permit holders. In some cases, the parking will be for permit holders only at all times. In other instances, you may find that signs indicate permit holder times. The hours displayed show when permit holders only can park. This means that you can park in that area outside of these hours. If there are no signs displayed this would suggest that parking is allowed at any time. Be mindful of where your car is positioned when parking. Do not park in front of driveways or on the pavement. Your parking should not cause problems for pedestrians and other road users. 

Car Parks

There are certain spaces in car parks reserved for specific drivers. Some of which include disabled spaces and parent & child spaces. You may also see signs that permit parking with a mention of, for example, ‘two hours, return within 1 hour’ which means that you’re allowed to park there for 2 hours but you can’t park and return within one hour to park again. 

Other areas where parking is prohibited:

• Red lines
• Cycle tracks
• Taxi bays
• Bus stops
• Bus lanes during times of operation (check signs)
• Double white lines
• Clearways (indicated by a round blue sign with a red cross)
• Loading bays
• Yellow zig-zag lines

What will happen if I wrongly park?

If you park in unauthorised areas you could land yourself a large fine. A Penalty Charge Notice (parking ticket) will be issued if a traffic enforcement officer deems that you are wrongly parked. The cost of this depends on the area. You will be granted 28 days to pay, often with a 50% discount if you pay within the first 14 days.

Having a strong knowledge of the other places you cannot park will help you in the long run. Generally, if you’re unsure whether or not to park and there are no clear signs to indicate yes or no then we suggest refraining from parking altogether to minimise risk.

The post Where You Can’t Park appeared first on RED Driving School.

Traffic-Light Controlled Junctions

You must stop and remain stopped behind the white ‘stop’ line on your side of the road unless the green traffic light is showing. It is only permitted to proceed on amber if you have already crossed the stop line or if stopping may cause a collision. 

Under no circumstance should you pass the white stop line whilst the red light is showing. Only proceed when the traffic lights are showing green provided that there is room for you to cross the junction clearly and with no risk of blocking other traffic. 

An additional traffic light signal that you may come across is the green filter arrow.  This permits traffic in that filter lane only to proceed.

Advanced stop lines allow cyclists to be positioned in front of other traffic at junctions. Motorists have to stop at the first white line reached if the traffic lights are showing amber or red. Blocking this area should be avoided at all times, if the junction ahead is blocked, remain behind the first white line until you can proceed. When the traffic lights show green, allow cyclists time and space to move off safely. 

Turning Right

Turning right into a junction can be tricky and overwhelming. A lot of safety precautions have to be carried out to prevent an accident occurring. Well in advance of your right turn, ensure that you’ve used your mirrors to assess your position and the flow of traffic behind you. Use your right indicator to announce your intention and then move into an appropriate position which will allow you to turn right when the oncoming traffic allows but also allow the free-flow of traffic to the left of you. When there is a gap big enough between you and oncoming traffic to allow safe passage, check your mirrors once again and proceed into the road. 

You may have a situation where you’re turning right at a cross-road and an oncoming vehicle is also turning right. In this instance you should proceed with caution but there are two main options:

• Turn right side by side to the other vehicle, ensuring that it is always to your right and that you turn behind it
• Turning in front of one another- this can be dangerous in terms of blocking your view so if this method is chosen proceed with caution

*NOTE that road markings (shown by white arrows painted on the floor) may be present to indicate which of these methods to use- this MUST be adhered to. 

Box Junctions

These are square boxes with criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road. They are used to prevent congestion at junctions by allowing traffic to take alternative exits whilst allowing the free-flow of other traffic. You are not permitted to enter a box junction unless your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. 

Staggered Junctions

A staggered junction occurs when a minor road reaches a major road but the continuing minor road is not directly opposite. The continuing minor road is usually offset slightly from the major road. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme care and make extra observations when dealing with these types of road junctions.

Precautions to take when approaching junctions

• Reduce your speed well in-advance of the junction to allow yourself time to assess the traffic flow before proceeding.
• Look early and be aware that other vehicles may not always use their signals to announce their turning intention, prepare for last minute decisions.
• Be aware of your position. Whether you are turning right or left, other vehicles should be able to position themselves alongside you at most junctions. Don’t sit in the middle of the junction.

If approached with care and attention, junctions are a relatively straightforward part of driving. Whilst you may encounter certain struggles at first, regular practice will ensure that you are able to navigate junctions safely and without problems.

The post A Guide to Junctions appeared first on RED Driving School.

How do I know the speed limits when driving? 

Whilst it is really useful and important to become familiar with the speed limits for certain types of roads, it can be difficult to make a judgement when driving on an unknown road.

To determine the speed limit, look for a number displayed within a red circle sign. Minimum speed limit signs also occur, although much more infrequently, these are indicated by a blue circle sign with a white number. These are sometimes seen in tunnels as stationary or slow-moving traffic can actually be considered a traffic and pollution hazard to the free-flowing traffic in the tunnel. 

In general terms, when driving within built-up areas, a speed limit of 30 miles per hour will apply unless road signs indicate otherwise. This is due to the increased likelihood of hazards on these roads such as children and more-vulnerable individuals and cyclists. You need to be vigilant on these roads. Maintaining the appropriate speed and having quick reactions to hazards will help minimise the risk of danger on these roads.

Single carriageway roads, those that have no barrier separating your lane and oncoming traffic, operate differently. Depending on the prevailing road signs, you can drive to a maximum of 60 miles per hour on these roads. Then, there are dual carriageways, roads with a central reservation to separate the carriageways. Similarly, depending on the prevailing road signs, you can drive to a maximum of 70 miles per hour on these roads. Finally, when driving on motorways, major roads designed for high speed travel and long distances, you should not exceed 70 miles per hour. 

National speed limit applies, what is this?

If you see a sign that states, ‘national speed limit applies’ or alternatively, a white circle with a black diagonal line through it, this means you can travel up to the max speed limit for that road, e.g. dual carriageways and motorways up to 70 miles per hour. 

Some things to note: 

• A speed limit of 30 miles per hour applies to all single carriageway and dual carriageway roads with street lights, unless there are signs advising otherwise.

• When driving at faster speeds, it becomes harder to stop quickly. As you increase your speed, ensure that you increase your stopping distance between yourself and the car in front of you. Always be vigilant of potential dangers which may cause you to stop suddenly.

• Speed limits may vary if differing circumstances occur for example, towing a trailer or a caravan and driving a motorhome over 3.0 tonnes. For more information about how speed limits can differ based on the vehicle you’re driving click here. 

What happens if I speed?

Speeding is a very serious offence which could result in a fine, penalty points or disqualification. If you are caught speeding the minimum outcome is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points. More serious offences are where disqualification may occur. You may also be offered a speed awareness course which will avoid fixed penalty points being applied to your licence, however you will still have to pay the fine. The speed awareness course is a theory-based workshop aimed at helping those who have sped understand the reasons for their speeding and reduce the likelihood of it happening again in the future. It is important to be aware that under the New Drivers Act, drivers that get 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing their test have their license revoked. 

Having a good understanding of speed limits and the kind of roads to which they apply will make your driving experience much easier. It is essential to become familiar with them for both your theory and practical test. After all, who wants to spend time and money learning how to drive just to risk it for an extra 5mph.

*The information displayed are the national speed limits for cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual purpose vehicles as per the highway code

The post Speed Limits on UK Roads appeared first on RED Driving School.

Multi-lane carriageways are the source of confusion for countless numbers of learner drivers.

Having a good understanding of how they work will help you to feel confident in your driving ability. When used correctly, they are an effective method of keeping traffic flowing and maintaining road safety.

Single Carriageways

In order to understand how multi-lane carriageways work, it is helpful to first establish what a single lane carriageway is. Single carriageway roads are those which have one, two or more lanes arranged in a single carriageway with no central reservation to separate flows of  traffic going in the opposite direction.

*note the distinguishing factor between single and dual carriageway roads is that a road will remain a single carriageway road unless the lanes are separated by a central reservation (barrier).

Dual Carriageways

Dual carriageway is the term used to describe a road in which there is at least one lane of traffic travelling in one direction and at least one lane of traffic travelling in the other direction, separated by a central reservation. Often, these kinds of roads may have two or more lanes travelling in each direction. 

Lane Discipline

Lane discipline is a really important aspect of driving on multi-lane carriageways. The increased speed on these roads mean that any actions taken need to be carefully considered and in-keeping with the highway code.

When driving on a two or three-lane dual carriageway, you should travel in the left hand lane or middle lanes. The right hand lane should only be used in the event of overtaking or turning right. If you wish to change lanes you should proceed with care, first checking your mirrors and then using your signal before making a manoeuvre. 

Joining

In order to safely join a dual carriageway, certain precautions must be taken. Firstly, it is important to gain speed as you progress along the slip road, ideally to match that of those already on the dual carriageway. You should be looking for an opportunity to join the dual carriageway as soon as you come onto the slip road, allowing plenty of time. Make sure you signal right to announce your intention to other road users. Maintain your line of vision in the direction you’re travelling with quick checks to your right to assess the traffic.

Once you have successfully joined, make sure that you create at least a two-second gap between yourself and the car in front.

If it is busy, or there is not a clear opportunity to join, slow down slightly until it is possible. Often in busier periods, such as rush hour, you may find yourself stopping behind the junction line as you wait for an opening. 

Leaving

Exiting a dual carriageway should be relatively straightforward. Once you have established which exit you’re going to take, you will see green countdown markers. The first sign will have three white slashes which indicate that you are 300 yards from the exit, followed by two slashes (200 yards) and one slash (100 yards). It is good practice to begin your exit procedure as you see these countdown markers.

Firstly, check your mirrors and then signal to the left. As you enter the exit junction begin to slow your speed. 

Crawler Lanes

Crawler lanes are most often found on roads with steep gradients. They are designed for use by  slower-moving vehicles such as lorries or buses, therefore allowing faster-moving traffic to pass freely. 

The prospect of multi-lane carriageways may seem daunting at first but practice really does make perfect.

If multi-lane carriageways are an area of concern throughout your learning experience, make sure to communicate this with your instructor so that you can work together to improve your confidence. Or alternatively, if you’ve already passed your test and are still wary of certain multi-lane carriageway roads, consider having some refresher lessons.

For more information regarding multi-lane carriageways, visit the Highway Code section of the GOV.UK site.

For information regarding the speed limits that apply on different carriageways, see here.

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