ARC Driver Training Centre - Driving education forwards

Congratulations to Chris

2011-12-19T21:12:00.001Z

Passed first time today at Sevenoaks test centre.

Billy passes his driving test today at Erith test centre

2011-10-07T15:02:00.001+01:00

Jack passes his driving test in the new Mercedes-Benz A class.

2011-09-14T15:32:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Jack from Bexley who passed hid driving test today at Erith Driving Test Centre.

A great independent drive and reverse park demonstrating his driving skills.

C class and SLK next for his pass plus course.

BBC iPlayer - World's Most Dangerous Roads: Alaska

2011-09-05T21:14:00.000+01:00

BBC iPlayer - World's Most Dangerous Roads: Alaska:

'via Blog this'

Rosy passes her driving test.

2011-08-08T15:33:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Rosy from Erith for passing her driving test today at Sidcup driving test centre.

Joe passes his driving test

2011-07-13T20:35:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Joe who passed his driving test first time today.

Congratulations to Shanah for passing her driving test

2011-06-28T17:03:00.001+01:00

Despite the thunder storms, Shanah passed her driving test today.

Many congratulations.

Adult Education College Bexley Introduce New Driving Theory Course

2011-05-27T09:16:00.000+01:00

Learning to drive and having the ability to transport oneself from A to B has been an amazing development that has benefitted people of all ages, classes and genders ever since the introduction of the driving test 75 years ago. For the average 17 year old, applying for their provisional driving licence and booking themselves for their first driving lesson is cause for great excitement, anticipation and often increased social status with their peers. Driving represents a huge metaphorical and practical step towards freedom, almost a ‘rite of passage’ in their lives. But whilst cars and the road network have evolved into much safer entities, young novice drivers do not seem to have undergone a similar leap of development. It is a distressing fact that car crashes are the single biggest killer of young people between the ages of 17 and 25. In a recent survey by the AA, only one in 10 of 18,500 AA members considered it the biggest threat to younger adults. Highest risks to teenagers were considered to be: Drugs 31%, Drinking 25%, Gun and knife crime 25%, and driving 11%. The car and driving is now viewed by society in general as a right, and one that is relatively harmless in the modern world.

In recent years, research and studies into why newly trained drivers continue to represent such a high proportion in road crash fatalities have reached many thought provoking conclusions. From understanding the teenage brain and it’s limitations in anticipating danger, emotion, impulse, eye movement and assessing risk, until full frontal lobe development around the age of 25, to looking at current levels of in car driver training that tends to focus on vehicle control and traffic factors in preparation for passing the driving test. The results of these studies have prompted the development of improved training programmes and changes within driver assessment and testing which is carried out by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

In October 2010 the DSA introduced independent driving into the driving test, where for approximately 10 minutes test candidates are required to follow traffic signs, a series of directions or a combination of both, improving the opportunity for examiners to observe and assess decision making skills. This September another change to further develop the testing process of new drivers will come into effect when the DSA stop publishing the theory questions and answers. Currently the theory and hazard perception test which consists of 50 multiple choice questions and 14 video clips each showing developing hazards draws questions randomly from a bank of 1000. These 1000 questions and answers have been available to publish, resulting in many new drivers simply learning questions and answer with little or no actual understanding.

Mike Penning Road Safety Minister said:

“The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

“No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers.

“I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

Mark Born, Approved Driving Instructor and holder of a Diploma in Driving Instruction from Middlesex University, has been working with Adult Education College Bexley, with the support of Bexley Road Safety and Drive iQ (providers of a Level 2 BTEC qualification in Driving Science) in developing a driving theory course, that not only better prepares students for passing their driving tests, but also the road ahead beyond passing their driving test. The 20 hour course which can be taken as a three day short course or ten week evening class, follows five units from the Driving Standards Agency; Driving for Life Syllabus and also enables students to complete 16 assessment modules, receiving a Certificate in Driver Awareness and taking a step towards the BTEC Level 2 qualification in Driving Science. The BTEC which consists of 5 units combines theory- online and in-car assessments which can be integrated into normal driving lessons taken with a specially trained coach. Whilst the benefits to completing the full qualification will lead to students not only being coached on their control and perception of other road users, but also to develop skills in assessing the kind of behaviour and attitudes that put themselves and their passengers in danger, a financial incentive will be that they will also benefit from great rates on provisional and graduate insurance.

To find out more information about the Driving Theory Course please contact Adult Education College Bexley on 020 8303 2541 or visit their website at www.adultedbexley.org

News Link

2011-05-26T07:43:00.001+01:00

BBC News - Driving test centre closure sparks campaign group anger

News link

2011-05-25T20:04:00.001+01:00

VIDEO: India drivers in fuel price shock

News Link

2011-05-22T06:20:00.001+01:00

BBC News - Pothole repairs 'could cost £13bn' says Labour

News link

2011-05-21T22:04:00.001+01:00

64 road deaths 'can be prevented'

Newslink

2011-05-17T05:26:00.001+01:00

BMW left turn assistant uses lasers to help you avoid running people over

Charlotte Passes Her Driving Test Today

2011-05-09T12:52:00.001+01:00

IMG00043-20110509-1217, a photo by ARC Driver Training Centre on Flickr.

Congratulations to Charlotte!

She overcome her nerves today and passed her driving test at Erith multi-purpose-test-centre.

Looking forward to completing Pass Plus

Diploma in Driving Instruction from Driving Instructors Association and Middlesex University

2011-05-06T08:08:00.000+01:00

Top award for local trainer

Local driver trainer, Mark Born, received his Diploma in Driving Instruction at a Driving Instructors Association award ceremony, last month. The qualification covers all aspects of the driver training industry and is awarded jointly by the Driving Instructors Association and Middlesex University. Mark, who qualified in six years ago, has been successfully been running his own driving school, ARC Driver Training Centre, since 2007, where he offers a range of services including driving instructor training and assessing company car drivers.

Following the ceremony Mark said his next goal is to produce a driving theory course for young drivers at his local adult education college in Bexley. More information can be found on his website www.arc-dtc.com

Diploma in Driving Instruction (DipDI)

The Diploma in Driving Instruction is awarded by The Driving Instructor's Association (DIA) which is the largest independent association for professional driving instructors. The primary aim of the DIA is to raise the standard of driver education in the interests of road safety. In order to fulfill this aim, the DIA believes that it is imperative to develop a professional qualification for driving instruction.

Therefore the DIA, at Middlesex University, has developed the Diploma in Driving Instruction to provide a valid professional qualification for driving instructors. The Diploma will be awarded to those who possess, and demonstrate their professional skills by achieving the required standard to gain the Diploma. While the overall aim of the introduction of this professional qualification is to improve road safety standards, it is clear that the Diploma will enhance the status and professional standing of driving instruction.

Why we changed our lessons to fifty minutes and how this saves our customers money!

2011-04-24T07:02:00.000+01:00

New for April 2011 we changed the length of our driving lessons from full hour lessons to only fifty minutes. This is in direct response to the Driving Standards Agency new business plan for 2011/2012.

At ARC Driver Training Centre we can provide the best learning to drive courses, great driving instruction and driver coaching, but we work in partnership with the Driving Standards Agency who are responsible for driving tests.

One of the key performance measures that the Driving Standards Agency have for the year is:

"We will make appointments available with 9 weeks at 90% of permanent car driving test centres."

Now being experience driver trainers, we know that the best way to learn to drive is a goal (objective) targeted course that has clear time scales and consistent learning opportunities (lessons) That is why we recommend completing two double lessons a week. We have always said that learning to drive by having one lesson per week for x number of weeks is an in-effective way of learning to drive and often results in spending far more money than necessary.

Working within the Driving Standards Agency targets of 9 weeks wait for a practical driving test, that would mean then that students would need to pass their theory test in week one to achieve a suitable driving test in week ten/eleven, drastically limiting our opportunity to help them prepare for their theory test.

By cutting down our standard lesson duration (and reducing the price with it) we can now schedule 12 week driving courses, with the theory test in week 3 and practical driving test 10 weeks later in week 13.

Forty hours spread across 12 weeks, fits the current targets of the Driving Standards Agency service standards and testing and is a better deal for our customers.

ARC Driver Training Centre - Driving educations forwards

Matt, Belvedere Passed his Driving Test

2011-04-01T15:59:00.001+01:00

Matt, Belvedere Passed his Driving Test, a photo by ARC Driver Training Centre on Flickr.

Congratulations to Matt who passed his driving test today at Erith Multi-Purpose Test Centre.

Check out our other recent test passes at http://www.arc-dtc.co.uk/learning_to_drive/testimonials.html

Sadiq, Mitcham

2011-04-01T11:41:00.001+01:00

Sadiq, Mitcham, a photo by ARC Driver Training Centre on Flickr.

Sadiq followed our five top tips for passing your driving test and passed first time with us at Belvedere Test Centre.

Congratulations Sadiq!

Download your copy of our five top tips to passing your driving test at http://www.arc-dtc.co.uk/learning_to_drive/free_video.html

The fear of getting it wrong

2010-08-11T09:48:00.000+01:00

I think the older we get the more we worry about getting things wrong. Understandably we don't want to look stupid, or not know something that we perhaps feel we should know. But sometimes this fear of getting things wrong actually does slow our progress and this is evident in driver training.

Consider all the people who actually have a vested interest in your driving lessons, there is you, your parents, your friends your instructor and at some point a driving examiner. That is a lot of people that you may feel you need to be getting it right for.

A student this week who is also taking private practice said to me that she couldn't drive with me like she does with her sister. Her understanding was that she had to drive 'properly' in her lessons but her sister who didn't say anything whilst she drove it didn't really matter.

I guarantee her sister currently observes a better more comfortable drive than I currently do. Why? Well my student is driving for herself during her private practice, she is monitoring what feels right, what feels uncomfortable and making decisions and adjustments accordingly.

However something I need to work on changing quickly, during her lessons she is ignoring her own thoughts and feeling (to a certain extent) in order to drive the car the way she perceives that I would like her to drive and ultimately the driving examiner. Her fear of getting things wrong, i.e. failing the driving test is actually stopping her from developing her own very important self evaluation skills.

This skills are far more an important tool that the official driving test and examiner who observes driving for only about 30 minutes. Because these skills are the ones that my student is going to use beyond her driving test, when there is no one else to evaluate her driving.

If you are learning to drive consider how you are feeling when you are driving, are you driving the way you would like to drive or are you driving for your instructor/ examiner? If its the latter consider how you are going to choose to drive after your driving test and if you have enough skills to evaluated your driving and be aware of any weaknesses.

Dual Occupancy Lessons

2010-08-06T07:43:00.000+01:00

I was browsing the interent last night looking at some my competitiors website, when I came across one website offering intensive driver training courses. They had a whole range of different courses available including one that I thought offered two to one training. So I clicked to have a look, just to get a message saying two to one training doesn't work, in 40 hours you spend 20 hours driving and 20 hours reading the newspaper in the back seat.

I did wonder if this driving school had ever actually delivered a driving course two to one? Don't get me wrong it is a valid point that you can't drive all the time, but that doesn't mean you can not be learning all the time. The problem many driving instructors face is that traditional driver training techniques; I instructor, you listen and learn, doesn't really work, hence a national pass rate of about 40% and it certainly doesn't work when teaching two to one.

Driver coaching however works differently. Firstly the relationship is different, rather than the instructor tying to force his information in, information is draw out of the new driver or drivers, which requires a more equal relationship. I remember the first dual occupancy course I ran, I think it was on the second day when one of my students turned to me and said "I thought we were going to get some fat old guy telling us what to do but ......" I have to confess I forget what the rest of the sentence was, but it was positive and helped me see that I had indeed created an equal relationship.

With the relationship being equal, learning can take place in both the front and back seats. There certainly is no time for reading a news paper. Besides if we are going through car controls, I sit in the back seat and reading a newspaper would really be bad customer service!

Students on my dual occupancy courses are both working all the time, working on different things but working. A great example that always get my local driving examiners smiling is when it comes to mock tests. I'm a bit of geek with mock tests, I wear the bright yellow jacket and have a clip board with my test report, I even change my name and take on the personality of one of the local examiners. Guess what my second student does. Yes they also have a bright yellow jacket and a clip board and test report.

Everybody's opinion is important, and how better to learn about the driving test than actually becoming an examiner and then having to substantiate your observations.

Badly run 2 to 1 courses like any badly run course does not work. I have a 70% first time pass rate, 100% pass rate on my dual occupancy courses.

And what's more our new dual occupancy courses are backed up with a guarantee - of no more tuition costs beyond the initial payment should more time be required. Additional training will be available throughout the initial course on a one to one basis, or remedial training if required until students pass their driving test.

Read more....

about driver coaching on our website http://www.arc-dtc.co.uk/arc_dtc/about/successful_learning/coaching.htm

dual occupancy driving courses
http://www.arc-dtc.co.uk/one_price.htm

Self evaluation & driving lessons

2010-08-05T17:17:00.000+01:00

One of my students this morning wanted to drive in a more hazardous area. By hazardous she meant more traffic, pedestrians and hazards such as traffic lights and pedestrian crossings as well as being unfamiliar.

Being a 60 minute driving lesson, we decided to split it into three 15 minute sections with 5 minutes review and discussion at the end of each segment. For the first 15 minutes my student drove unaided, noting what she handled well and what not so well. During the first session review I asked her to score her driving on a scale of one to ten, considering anticipation of hazards, car control skills, road position and speed. Her first score was 6/10, and when I challenged her thinking, the main reason for her score was unnecessary gear changing.

So the next 15 minutes was focused on gear changing, smooth well planned gear changing. Funnily enough the drive during the session wasn't as smooth and event free as the first drive, but during the review, my student realised that by focusing more on gears, had taken effect on the overall drive, especially anticipation. The score for the session went down to 5/10. So after a short discussion about how anticipation, observation and gears are all linked, we started on the last 15 minute session.

The routes for each session gradually increased in difficulty, with the final route containing many of the hazards my student had been most concerned with before the lesson started. For 15 minutes she drove, anticipated hazards extremely well and made good choices with the gears and use of speed. On the final review my students final score was 7/10 with the main areas of improvement being the use of anticipation, speed choice and gear selection.

On further analysis we discovered other opportunities for developing the use of the mirror, signal, manoeuvre routine to further assist in the anticipation of hazards and correct approach. A fantastic starting point for our next lesson...

One Price from ARC Driver Training Centre

2010-07-30T07:13:00.000+01:00

One Price from ARC Driver Training Centre

Imagine knowing exactly how much money you were going to spend on learning to drive from day one. One Price from ARC Driver Training Centre provides just that, all your driving tuition until you pass your practical driving test for only £649, with a minimum initial course of 36 hours. That works out at an incredible £18 per hour, one of the most competitive prices in the area.

Our Unique Guarantee is unmatched in the area with any additional training (if required) provided for absolutely no extra cost, once you have paid for tuition with ARC Driver Training Centre you have paid until you pass the driving test.

The tuition is based on our successful dual occupancy six week semi intensive courses of five half days and two full days of training, with your driving test in week six or seven depending on availability.

Booking now for courses starting in September, places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Are you ready to tackle roundabouts?

2010-07-18T08:38:00.001+01:00

For many learner drivers the introduction of roundabouts often seems to generate fears of anxiety, worry and sometime even outright fear. This even continues right the way up to the driving test, with pupils who should be confident, panicking about test centre roundabouts. In the local areas I teach, feared roundabouts tend to be the fish roundabout at Erith, Ruxley Corner roundabout, Cliftlands roundabout and Crittals Corner roundabout. I sure there are many roundabouts in many areas that people fear.

Why do so many learners fear roundabouts?

Well one reason often is that there has not been enough development of the pupils sub skills prior to starting to complete roundabouts. Here are just some of the skills required:

Moving off, hill starts, emerging left and right and at crossroads, approaching junctions and crossing the path of traffic, lane changing, overtaking, dealing with traffic, use of mirrors and signals.

Student drivers should have mastered skills within all of these areas, so that skills are being transferred to the new environment. If you are a learner driver and roundabouts cause you problems, consider the skills that you need to develop further before tackling your next roundabout.

Roundabouts are easy and safe for drivers who can manage their driving skills appropriately and no roundabout should be feared prior to test or on or beyond your test. Have a look at this roundabout in Paris http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=48.8739,2.2952404&z=17&t=h&hl=en 1000's of cars negotiate their way round safety every day and new drivers should be no different.

Middlesex University DIA Diploma in Driving Instruction

2010-06-30T18:21:00.000+01:00

Mark Born of ARC Driver Training Centre has achieved his Diploma in Driving Instruction awarded by the Driving Instructors Association at Middlesex University. A great couple of weeks for ARC Driver Training Centre who were also awarded ORDIT registration last week, for their Driving Instructors training program.

Read more about Mark Born at http://www.arc-dtc.co.uk/arc_dtc/about/owner.htm

"The DIA, at Middlesex University, has developed the Diploma in Driving Instruction to provide a valid professional qualification for driving instructors. The Diploma will be awarded to those who possess, and demonstrate their professional skills by achieving the required standard to gain the Diploma. While the overall aim of the introduction of this professional qualification is to improve road safety standards, it is clear that the Diploma will enhance the status and professional standing of driving instruction."

Learner Drivers to take Breathalyser Test before Starting Lessons

2010-06-22T08:30:00.000+01:00

Local driving school, ARC Driver Training Centre, is inviting all off its students to take an alcohol breath test and discuss the effects of alcohol before commencing their driving lessons over the next couple of weeks as the new Transport Secretary plans to lower the drink drive limit.

The current drink driving limit for drink-driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The new proposals would reduce this to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, with an even lower limit for learner drivers. It has also been proposed that the option of a second test should be scrapped and the breathalyser reading allowed to stand as evidence of drink-driving. At present a driver can request another test if the breathalyser reading is close to the limit. That blood or urine test, which has to taken by a doctor or nurse, takes place back at the police station. The time wasted, up to half an hour, can allow the level of alcohol in the blood to decrease and give a negative reading.

Road safety campaigners believe up to 200 lives a year could be saved if the limit was cut, but would like the government to go further and introduce a zero tolerance approach to drink driving. This means a limit of 20mg alcohol per 100ml blood or lower – an effective ban on drinking any alcohol before getting behind the wheel, which would support the Government’s THINK! campaign message, ‘Don’t drink and drive’.

Julie Townsend, Brake’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Sir Peter North has missed a fantastic opportunity to make far-reaching recommendations to Government based on the evidence at hand. It makes no sense to lower the drink drive limit to 50mg/100ml blood when even Government campaigns are sending out the message that you shouldn’t drink any alcohol before getting behind the wheel. Let’s get the message straight so there can be no confusion – let’s make the limit 20mg alcohol or less, an effective zero tolerance approach.”

Mark Born, Proprietor of ARC Driver Training Centre, said “Drink driving has devastating effects, that last long after a crash and effect many more people than the driver often imagines. Statistics suggest drinking and driving occurs across a wide range of age groups but particularly among young men aged 17-29 in both casualties and positive breath tests following a collision.”

To help current students of ARC Driver Training Centre to make positive decisions about there driving long after passing the driving test, they can participate in group lessons that looks at high risk areas of driving, such as night driving, driver distractions including satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, drink driving and driving whilst passengers are under the influence of alcohol. The group sessions conducted in car allow the opportunity for in depth discussion and analysis, looking at not only the risks but also the ripple effects across the drivers, their families and their friends’ lives.

Drink Drive Facts

If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash, than a driver who hasn't been drinking.

Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit or of knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely.

So the only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive.

Information taken from THINK! Road Safety website at www.dft.gov.uk/think/

‘Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of between 20 mg/100 ml and 50 mg/100 ml have at least a three times greater risk of dying in a vehicle crash than those drivers who have no alcohol in their blood. This risk increases to at least six times with a BAC between 50 mg/100 ml and 80 mg/100 ml, and to 11 times with a BAC between 80 mg/100 ml and 100 mg/100 ml.’

Information taken from The North Report

Anyone interested in finding out more information about the new proposals can contact Mark Born from ARC Driver Training Centre or visit their website at www.arc-dtc.co.uk/drinkdriving.htm

Independent Driving

2010-06-16T17:53:00.000+01:00

Watch the latest video from the Driving Standards Agency about independent driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg

Driving test is 75

2010-05-31T06:56:00.000+01:00

The driving test celebrates its 75th birthday on Tuesday 1 June.

The first car and driving licences were introduced in Britain in 1903. But it was not until 1 June 1935 - amid rising numbers of deaths as the popularity of the car increased - that a compulsory driving test was introduced.

The first driver to pass was Mr J Beene and within a year, the number of deaths on the road had fallen by 1,000.

In 1934, 7,343 people were killed on the roads and there were 1.5 million cars. The latest figures show there were 2,538 deaths on the roads in 2008 when there were around 34 million cars.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "The driving test is not just a rite of passage, it has helped save thousands of lives on our roads."

"The test and the learning needed to pass it are a vital part of giving drivers the skills they need to drive efficiently and safely."

"High standards of driver training and assessment are an essential contribution to helping Britain's roads remain among the safest in the world."

Trevor Wedge, Chief Driving Examiner at the Driving Standards Agency, said: "The driving test still retains some of the original elements included in 1935, such as turning in the road and reversing, but it is updated regularly. We continue to make sure that the test properly prepares drivers for the demands of modern roads."

"This year will see the introduction of independent driving into the test, to help candidates demonstrate their ability to drive without step-by-step instruction. We believe that this added element will lead to better and safer drivers."

Facts and figures:

The test became compulsory on 1 June 1935, after being introduced on a voluntary basis on 16 March the same year

The test was suspended during World War II and the Suez Crisis – examiners were put in charge of fuel rationing instead

Until 1975, candidates still had to demonstrate hand signals

The theory test was introduced in July 1996

Roadsafe Project

2010-05-29T09:20:00.000+01:00

The Roadsafe Project is not a road safety organisation, it is a professional workshop where 17 to 24 year old inexperienced drivers and learner drivers can learn, be educated and appreciate that, the components and functionalities of a motor vehicle is not all it seems.

Fact: 22% of young drivers have serious injuries and for some, death occurs just because of an unroadworthy vehicle. It is not their fault, they were not taught what perils lay under the car and under the bonnet. Just because a motor vehicle has a current MOT certificate, it does not mean that the vehicle is safe.

This initiative has the full backing of RoADAR HQ and the Kent RoSPA Group are also involved. If you know of any learner driver or young driver who would benifit then please point them in the direction of this very worth while project.

For more details please follow this link:
http://www.roadsafeproject.co.uk/