Thursday 30 August 2012

Driving Lessons Reading


10% Fall In 17-24 Year Olds Taking Their Driving Test

In recent statistics released by The Department for Transport (DfT) reveal nearly a 10% fall in 17-24 year olds took their test between 2011 - 2012 (just under 320,000). A fall of nearly 50,000 compared to 2010 - 2011.

With the UK in it's tough economic situation, not having a driving licence can have a big impact on you when you enter the working world. In many industries, a person that doesn’t hold a full driving licence is at an automatic disadvantage over other potential employees. This can mean they are overlooked in favour of someone who can drive.

Driving is the biggest step you can take in gaining your independence. So, what are you waiting for? Where will passing your test take you?

For driving lessons in and around Berkshire, give MSM a call on 01189612055 or drop us an email at info@msm-online.co.uk

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk

Statistics correct as of 31st August 2012 - http://www.dft.gov.uk

Sunday 26 August 2012

Driving Lessons Reading

Maintaining Your Vehicle


Maintaining your vehicle is essential to help ensure that it is roadworthy, reliable, safe to drive and not a danger to other road users.
                                              
There are several weekly checks you should make on your vehicle such as…

  • Checking and topping up fluid levels such as engine coolant, engine oil and brake fluid.
  •  Checking your vehicles tyre tread depth is more than 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre and around the entire circumference. Make sure there are no cuts or bulges in the tyre wall. Also check your tyres air pressure and replace the valves dust caps. Always remember to check your spare wheel if your vehicle has one.
  •  Check that all your lights are working correctly, (head lights, tail lights, full beam, indicators, brake lights and fog lights).
  •  Check your wiper blades are in good condition and the windscreen washer fluid bottle is full.
  •  Also, ensure that all your windows, mirrors, lights and number plates are clean.

The information on how to perform these tasks will be in the vehicle owner's manual supplied with the vehicle. This manual will also cover any other additional maintenance activities that are recommended for your vehicle.

As well as these regular vehicle checks it’s also important that you stick to the manufacturer’s routine service intervals. These will vary with every manufacturer and vehicle. Details of the service requirements are normally written in the owner's manual which was supplied with the vehicle.

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM – Matthew’s School of Motoring – www.msm-online.co.uk

Driving Lessons Reading

Driving Test Booking Scams

For many of you out there learning to drive you will be ready to start thinking about booking your theory or practical driving test. When it comes to booking either your theory test or your practical test, it’s very important you don’t fall for one of the many scams that are out there on the internet to rip you off.

If you enter “UK theory test”, “UK driving test” or similar into one of the major search engines you will be shown many companies where you can book your tests. The majority of the companies are merely a "booking services" who charge a sizeable fee to book your test for you once you have provided them with all of your personal information. It has been known for people to pay up to £55.00 for a theory test and between £85.00 to £100.00 for a practical test.

The current DSA test fees as of 27th August 2012 are as follows...

Theory test - £31.00.

Practical test - £62.00 for a week day & £75.00 at the weekends.

The is only one official website to book your tests which is www.direct.gov.uk

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk







Driving Lessons Reading

Advice On Buying A Vehicle

Find out what you should look out for when you buy a used vehicle. The following advice is from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Here are some tips to consider to reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle etc. But remember, the final decision is your responsibility.

DVLA's advise when buying a used vehicle

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk

Driving Lessons Reading

Driving Test Examiners Set To Go On Strike


The DSA's Driving Test Examiners are set to go on strike (yet again) on the 30th of August 2012. The DSA are urging all candidates who have a practical tests booked on the morning of the 30th of August 2012 should attend as usual, despite the potential for strike action by driving test examiners who are members of the Public & Commercail Services Union (PCS).

The DSA’s Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew said:

"Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can’t be sure that they’ll support the strike. So we’re asking candidates to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

Candidates who turn up but can’t take their tests because of strike action will not have to contact the DSA to rebook. They should hear from the agency with a new date within 5 to 10 working days. If candidates fail to attend they won’t be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they’ll need to rebook their own tests.

Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtestexpenses

Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk

Thursday 23 August 2012

Driving Lessons Reading

We Are Now On Facebook

To celebrate MSM joining the world of Facebook this week we are running a special offer until Friday the 31st of August 2012 where you can book your first 5 hours of manual or automatic Driving Lesson for only £100.00* (Saving up to £32.00 on our standard lesson rate)

Come and see why so many people choose to learn with MSM

Head over to our Facebook page by clicking here alternativley email us at info@msm-online.co.uk or speak to a member of our team on 01189612055.



*Terms & Conditions apply.

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk

Driving Lessons Reading

Pass Plus Courses For New Drivers


If you have just passed your driving test, Congratulations! But remember, the learning doesn’t stop there. Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident within the first two years of passing their driving test. This is because of their lack of driving experience. This is where Pass Plus comes in.

Pass Plus is an established training course that is a minimum of 6 hours additional training aimed at newly qualified drivers. It was designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers & the driving instruction industry.
Pass Plus has been designed to build on your skills & knowledge. Throughout the course you will learn how to anticipate, plan for & deal with all kinds of hazards, to help you become a more confident driver.

A Pass Plus course can be taken at any time. However, it’s mainly aimed at new drivers in the first year of passing their test.

Pass Plus consists of 6 modules about driving in different conditions. Each module will last a minimum of 1 hour. The 6 modules are…
  • Town Driving,
  • All Weather Driving,
  • Driving on Rural Roads,
  • Night Driving,
  • Dual Carriageways,
  • Motorways.
Driving Lessons Reading

MSM's Driving Instructors are all Pass Plus Registered. To book a course or if you have any please contact a member of the team on 01189612055 or email us at info@msm-online.co.uk 

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

For more details please visit www.msm-online.co.uk/passplus.php


Driving Lessons Reading



Competition Time

Win a copy of Driving Test Success Theory Test & Hazard Perception Apps

We have a copy of the Driving Test Success Theory Test & Hazard Perception Apps to give away courtesy of our friends at Driving Test Success - the creators of the UK’s best-selling Theory Test App.

To be in with a chance of winning these 2 great apps all you need to do is “Like” MSM Driving School’s Facebook page before Friday the 31st of August 2012. The winner will be picked at random on Monday of 3rd September 2012.


MSM Driving School offer theory training within the Berkshire area. To book a theory training session or if you would like any further information, please contact a member of our team on 01189612055 or send us an email at info@msm-online.co.uk

For driving lessons in Reading contact MSM.

MSM - Matthew's School of Motoring - www.msm-online.co.uk