Toyota Yaris Driving School Car

My driving school car lease came up for renewal recently, so I decided to change the make and model of car used from the Ford Fiesta climate which I had been using for the past year, to a Toyota Yaris 1.0.



The main reason for the change was the fact that the Fiesta which was on lease from the driving instructor centre AKA Robinsons garage in Leicester was not very reliable as a tuition vehicle. It did not cope well with the rigours thrown at it by learner drivers. The bonnent catch was very flimsy, and I had to hope that it always closed after the show me tell me part of the driving test as I'd had to help a learner drivers twice to shut it in the past.
I also had problems with the tilting mechanism of the 3 door version on both seats of the car within the 12 months that the Ford car was leased to me.

Toyota Yaris will not start!

I was very delighted when my new Toyota Yaris driving school car was delivered to my door step, and did not feel sad seeing the old vehicle being driven away. After the ford fiesta was driven off my driveway, I proudly parked the shinny Yaris 1.0 in it's place and went on to complete my school administration work in preparation for my 2009 driving instructor tax return.
At about 3.15pm, it was time for me to do the daily school run (3 children needed to be picked up), so I jumped into my new driving school car, put the keys into the ignition, turned the keys, put the vehicle would not start. Because the engine was not cranking at all, I suspected that some sort of immobilisation, has kicked in, but I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Luckly my wife was at home, and hadn't taken the family car to work, so I took the keys of the Toyota Avensis Verso and used that instead.

When I got back, I gave Robinson's garage a call, who then advised me that I must always press the clutch down, otherwise the Toyota Yaris would not start! I now have to mention this to all my students as they get used to the new car including one who has a driving test in 3 days time.
I'm slowly getting used to the yaris as a tuition vehicle, and the VVT engine seems to be more fuel efficient than the ford fiesta, slightly more powerful and the suspension on the Japanese car is also much stronger, with my learner drivers also liking the higher seating position.

In seven months when the car lease comes up for renewal, I will most likely be getting another Toyota Yaris, only time will tell.

Pass the Driving Test Tip

Driving Test Tips

If you are serious about passing the UK driving test, then I strongly recommend you take note of the driving test tips that follows below, and apply the ones that affect you.
The UK practical car assessment is one of the hardest and most stringent tests in the world, so don't expect the DSA examiner to allow you to scale through just by the skin of your teeth, you must demonstrate a very high and safe driving standard to get that coveted pass certificate

Take Professional Lessons.

The first step you should take towards improving your chances of passing the driving test is to take lessons with an approved UK instructor even if you possess a foreign driving licence and have many years of on the road experience.
The reason for requiring professional driving lessons is that the instructor has the latest information and knowledge on what the DSA examiners are looking for, and can pass that knowledge onto you! Don't be fooled into thinking that a friend or family member can teach you to pass, ask them this question, if you took the driving test today, can you guarantee that you will be successful? It is especially important for international driving license holders to do this, as they will have some habits which they have picked up over the years which they might not realise but are not acceptable here if you want a British licence.

Don't try to pass to early.

Don't book yourself for the driving test if you are not fully prepared, just because you want to try and save some money or have a work or job requirement for a licence. With the national average pass rate of 40%, the statistics clearly show that a lot of learner driver candidates haven't totally reached the high standard that the DSA examiner is looking for and thus don't have a good chance of passing the driving test.

Mistakes on the driving test.

The driving standards agency does not expect you to be a perfect driver which is why you are allowed up to 15 errors during the driving test and still pass as long as they aren't serious or dangerous.
With this information in mind, you are a learner driver need to make sure during the 40 minutes of the assessment with the DSA examiner that if you make a mistake (failed to signal while turning left at a T junction and there was a car following you behind), you correct it if possible otherwise don't dwell on it, get your mind focused on the task ahead, the mistake might not have failed you, are while you are still thinking about was is already done and marked on the sheet, other things are happening on the road and you might then make the error that does fail you. Concentrate on your driving, and don't be taking note of every time the examiner makes a mark on the test sheet! If you want to pass the driving test, then you need to drive and not be thinking or assuming!

Driving test Maneuvers

Many people fail their driving test during these because they either don't take effective observations or control the car (usually going to fast, ending up wide on a left reverse, hit the kerb during a 3 point turn in the road, touch the line on a bay parking exercise or hit a vehicle during the parallel reversing exercise). You need to be patient and not in a hurry to get the test over with, speed and control do not go together during Maneuvers because you won't be safe.

It takes a lot of hard work to pass the driving test, but everyday many learner drivers get that certificate that signals the graduation to a full British licence holder, and you can be one of them too on your next attempt on the DSA practical car test.

Full British Licence cost increases

The cost of acquiring a full british driving licence has increased from March 31st 2009.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has increased the driving test fees in the UK.

The Practical car test is now £62, while it will cost you £31 to take the driving theory test.

For more details of the full licence test fees, visit the DSA Direct Website.