Wednesday 25 March 2020

Driving Tests for Critical Workers-Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Theory tests are suspended for one month, and driving tests are suspended for up to 3 months due to coronavirus - but tests are available for critical workers

The DVSA have updated for critical workers on how they can apply for tests, whilst the Theory Test & Practical Test centres are closed.
Booking Emergency Test Procedure for Critical Worker
You can still get an emergency test during the suspension period if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in a critical sector. These include:
·         health and social care
·         education and childcare
·         key public services
·         local and national government
·         food and other necessary goods
·         public safety and national security
·         transport
·         utilities, communication and financial services
Book an emergency theory test
Email DVSA to ask for an emergency theory test.
You must send a photo or scanned image of valid ID such as your work ID badge.
If you do not have an ID badge you can send:
·         an email from a work email address
·         evidence from your employer, such as email or scanned document including company letterhead
·         a scan of your payslip
This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
You also need to tell them :
·         your telephone number and preferred contact time
·         which test centre you want to take your test at (currently only Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Ballymena)
·         the type of theory test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
·         your driving licence number
If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you to explain what happens next.
Book an Emergency Driving Test
Email DVSA to ask for an emergency driving test.
You must send a photo or a scanned image of a valid ID such as your work ID badge.
If you do not have an ID badge you can send:
·         an email from a work email address
·         evidence from your employer, such as an email or scanned document including company letterhead
·         a scan of your payslip
This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
You also need to tell us:
·         your telephone number
·         your preferred test location
·         the type of driving test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
·         your driving licence number
·         the driving test reference number (if you have one)
·         your theory test certificate number
If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you with a test date.
This may take a while, please do not send another request.

Friday 20 March 2020

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Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation, all Theory Tests are cancelled for 4 weeks starting Friday 20 March 2020, until Monday 20 April 2020. 
What DVSA is doing 
DLVA are emailing anyone with a test booked during this time to let them know their test has been cancelled and that they will be automatically refunded.
All candidates are asked not to rebook or rearrange their test at this time untill further notice.
 DVLA will continue to monitor emerging situation and update regularly.

Thursday 19 March 2020

Driving test Centres Close for 2 days



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Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation, Driving tests for Thursday 19 March and Friday March 20th has been postponed for the following.
·    car driving tests
·    motorcycle tests
·    ADI tests
·    lorry, coach and bus driving tests
DVLA will get in touch with everyone with a test booked during this time to let them know if their test has been cancelled and will automatically re-book for them.
Financial Losses
Because DVLA had to cancel tests at short notice, Driving Instructors and your pupils will be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.
DVLA will continue to monitor emerging situation and update.

Thursday 12 March 2020

Smart Motorways and their future

         
   

                                      Smart Motorways


Smart Motorways were created by turning hard shoulder into live lane so you have an extra motorway lane keep traffic moving. ie 3 lanes now become 4 lanes.  If hard shoulder can be turned on or turned  off, then its known as Dynamic hard shoulder. This type of dynamic hard shoulder causes additional confusion among drivers, as this is new driving rule. Also unless you have done your Pass Plus you may not be familiar with motorway rules and high speed driving can be very intimidating.

Smart Motorways also have cameras fitted to spot any vehicle breakdown and so that affected lane can be closed to keep people safe. Also extra lay-bys were introduced every 600m where breakdown vehicle could stop.

Initially M42 was converted to smart motorways and it all went well. Currently many smart motorways are scattered around the country.

AA considers Smart Motorways are dangerous and not fit for purpose and if you breakdown, ring 999 and either stay inside your vehicle with Hazard Lights on or leave your car through passenger side and wait on the verge. Waiting in your car is still dangerous and people has been killed while waiting for a rescue to arrive.

According to Highway report it takes 17 minutes to spot breakdown vehicles and  3 minutes to activate sign and then further 17 minutes to recover that vehicle so basically you are sitting duck for about 30min.

RISK STATISTICS
Prior to smart motorways there were 72 near misses reported and in 5 years of smart motorways 1485 near misses were reported, that equals a rise of 20 folds in risk. There has been 38 deaths while people are waiting in or outside there cars for recover vehicles to arrive .

WHATS THE FUTURE
Government has now decided to introduce Radars on all smart motorways and also introduce more lay-bys, although many people think enough is enough and we should do always with so called smart motorways.

What do you think, let us know in comments section.

Sunday 1 March 2020

Fuels for Driving in future




 Fuels for Driving in future

Driving pros from LeaseVan.co.uk have listed  alternatives to petrol and diesel which might be used to power vehicles in the future.
The  price of diesel and petrol,  is constantly fluctuating but has steadily risen over the last couple of decades.
Also  the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels is also being realised, so manufacturers and scientists are trying to find a feasible, eco-friendly alternative to petrol and diesel.
Electricity looks set to lead the way, but many other chemicals  possess the necessary properties to fuel vehicles.
Although hybrid vehicles do still use petrol or diesel, it’s all about taking smaller steps and reducing the amount that individuals use and  who knows what we’ll be filling our cars with a few years down the line?!
Electricity
Electric powered vehicles are more popular than ever, and there’s been a particular rise in hybrid cars. Charging points are popping up all over the country, making electric-powered vehicles a much more feasible – and often cost-effective – option for the car owner.

Solar
Solar powered cars where   sun’s energy would be converted into electricity to fuel the vehicle.

Biogas
Biodiesel is similar to biogas in that it’s created from waste liquid, such as animal fats and vegetable oils. Biodiesel is currently being mixed in with regular diesel to offer drivers a more environmentally friendly fuel option.

Chip fat
One of the components of biodiesel is waste cooking oil, which means that technically speaking, you could fuel your vehicle with chip fat.

Alcohol
The official name for this alternative fuel is biobutanol and it’s made from the barley kernels which are left over after fermenting whisky. It works in exactly the same way as diesel does, just from a more sustainable source.

Hydrogen
Materials required to make hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles  are very expensive , but if a cheap and environmentally sustainable way is ever found to extract large enough quantities of hydrogen from water, this fuel could revolutionise road travel