FAQ

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Questions:

LEGAL
Is it true that the police can stop you for no reason?

It is never for no reason, but you may not think you have done anything to have attracted their attention.

Why is the age limit for driving going up to 18?

Firstly, it is not finally decided. However, the reason it is being discussed is that there are a disproportionate amount of young people killed and seriously injured on our roads. (Just 7% have licenses but they are involved in 30% of deaths and serious injuries). The highest risk group are 17-19yr olds. The thinking is that young new drivers need more experience on the road before being entitled to drive alone after their test. Experience is the biggest factor affecting how drivers react in different situations. Crash rates among drivers of all ages are highest in the first 1000 miles. It might feel like a restriction to your freedom, but driving is a privilege not a right.

If I get stopped for not wearing a seatbelt, what is the punishment?

You may get away with a telling off from the officer or a lecture about the consequences of your actions. Be polite and thank the officer for his advice. You may get a fixed penalty ticket, which is a fixed fine payable within 28 days from issue. Currently it is £30. If you don't pay this you will get summoned for a court appearance with a possible fine of up to £1000. But worse than any lecture or fine would be to lose your life. A third of people who die in cars are not wearing their seatbelt.

What do I do if I crash?

a. You must STOP.
b. Exchange details with other parties where damage or injury is caused, e.g a cyclist, a pedestrian or another driver, or the owner of a wall or garden fence you've hit. If its possible give insurance details but its not always possible at this time. If it is not your car, you must give the vehicle owner details as well as yours
c. If you have the ability to take some photos of the vehicles in the road showing damage and position directly after the collision then this will be useful later to help explain what happened.
d. next, collect information from independent witnesses. Bystanders will give a useful description which often helps clear up misunderstandings of who was at fault.
e. if there is an injury, or you suspect an offence you must call the police.
f. if for some reason you do not exchange the information as above at the time you need to report the incident to a Police officer or at a Police Station within 24hrs or as soon as practicable.

Why do the police pick on young drivers?

Believe it or not, the police are not picking on young drivers. They are trained to spot any driver's behaviour which displays inappropriate or anti-social use of a vehicle. This includes tailgating, aggressive overtaking, undisciplined lane behaviour and road rage (to name just a few). If you play loud music, or have extreme after-market modifications, behave foolishly on the road or in the car (that includes your passengers leaning drunkenly out the windows!) then you are going to attract attention. If your driving is all about 'look at me', then that will include the police.

Why should all number plates have to look the same?

The main reason is crime prevention. It is difficult for enforcement agencies to differentiate between the individual who wishes to make a fashion statement or enhance the appearance of their machine from one who is deliberately attempting to avoid detection for criminal purposes. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is used throughout the country to spot cars which are known to be used by criminals and terrorists. Criminals have a reason for making their number plates hard to read. That probably isn' t you, so there is no need to attract attention to yourself.

What is wrong with a blue light underneath?

Lights give important information. Wrong lights can confuse other drivers and maybe cause a crash. As a driver, if you see a white light you automatically expect it to represent a vehicle moving towards you. If you show a white light to the rear, a driver might think you are moving towards them and swerve. Similar confusion might be caused by a red light to the front. Blue is associated with the emergency services. Unless you are trying to impersonate a police vehicle, you should avoid using blue.

SPEEDING

What is the point of a 30mph limit?

Limits are set depending on the road layout and conditions, and are chosen to enable cars to stop in time if there is a hazard. A car at 30mph can stop in 23metres. This is a longer distance than many people realise, but is often enough to avoid hitting a pedestrian during an emergency stop. At 40mph the stopping distance is 36m. In a busy high street, hazards will appear at much closer distances. That is why we need to drive at an appropriate speed. Also, see answer to previous question.

It is twenty near where I live, what’s the point of that?

The limit is there to protect pedestrians. At 20mph, the chances of killing someone if you hit them is just 5%. Twenty zones are installed where there is a high risk of hitting a pedestrian, eg outside a school or in a residential area with narrow streets where children play out. These zones often have traffic calming measures installed as well. Tinsley in Sheffield was one of the first areas in the country to have a 20 zone. It was installed in 1991.

DRINK DRIVE LIMIT
What is the most I can drink without being over the limit?

It is different for different people. And you cannot measure it yourself as it depends on your size, body fat content, tiredness, how much you usually drink and the efficiency of your liver! The legal breath alcohol limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. But how do you know what yours is when you get in the car? Even half a pint will affect your reaction times. It might not put you over the limit but it will affect your driving. Consider this: might it be better that alcohol and driving never mix at all?

What is the most I can drink at night without being over the limit next morning?

Each person handles alcohol differently. The answer to the question depends on what you drank and when you started. You need to count the units of alcohol you consume and the number of hours since you consumed it. eg a bottle of wine contains 12 units (yes, that's right TWELVE!) which takes the average person about 12 hours to digest. If you finish drinking at midnight, but want to drive to work at 8am, you are likely to have 4 units still in your system. It will affect your reactions still and your breath sample will likely be over the limit. 48% of drink drivers in S Yorkshire were caught the morning after (Xmas campaign 2007).

LICENSES
Why don’t they teach learners on motorways?

Good question. But currently, the law states that L-plate drivers are not allowed on motorways. However, the highway code gives plenty of advice on motorway driving, lane changing, overtaking etc. It is a good idea to book a motorway lesson with your instructor after you have passed your test. The practical test is the beginning of a life long learning process. There is always more to learn. Good motorway driving needs complex observation techniques and high levels of awareness. Your instructor will teach you what to look out for and how to position the car for safety and smooth flowing progress. If you can't think of 5 things to be aware of which are unique to motorway driving, get a lesson booked now!

How many points can you get before you get a ban?

If you are a new driver in your first 2 years of driving, then you only need 6 points to get banned. The normal maximum is 12 points, but new drivers are encouraged to be extra careful by being allowed less points. Generally it works well, but it does mean that just 2 speeding tickets is enough to mean you have to take the tests all over again. What a pain in the neck , and the wallet... and when it comes to insurance, it will be even more expensive than the first time round.... lots of reasons to keep focused!

INSURANCE

Why do young people have to pay more to insure their cars?

The reason is simple. Insurance premiums are based on the level of risk insured. Young drivers crash more often than older drivers. Therefore, the risk level of a young driver is high. Any person with little experience is going to present a risk. The only way to prove that you are not a bad risk is to avoid crashing! The best and quickest way to cheaper insurance is to start off in a small, cheap car and build up a NCD (No Claims Discount). See How to Reduce Your Insurance Premium

Where can I get cheap insurance?

There is no simple answer to this question. Basically, you should shop around, every year. Insurance companies often send renewals to make it easy for you to continue cover. However, these quotes are not always the most competitive. Websites which compare prices are useful eg www.confused.com. Internet-only insurance companies often have lower prices because they don't have many staff or expensive offices. You can get a discount if you have Pass Plus, advanced driver training or even membership of an enthusiasts club. The only surefire way to cheaper insurance is to avoid crashing, avoid points and collect No Claim Discounts.

Do I have to tell my insurance company if I put Mag wheels on my motor?

If you change the appearance of your car, it might make it more attractive to a thief. If you modify the engine, it might make you a higher risk for a crash (for example if it makes more bhp than standard). Therefore, your insurance company needs to know because the car they insured you on is technically different to the one you are driving. If they find this out after you have claimed, then they may not pay out. If you cause serious injury and you are not properly insured, you will be affected by the claim for the rest of your life.

What’s size of the engine got to do with insurance?

Size is everything! - at least when it comes to power output and risk. A bigger engine will usually produce more power. More power means more speed and acceleration. If you are a new driver and want a 2.5 litre turbo then you are going to be charged more than if you had a 1 litre hatchback. More can go wrong more quickly in a powerful car. Get some experience and some No Claims Discount under your belt before shopping for the Impreza!

MISCELLANEOUS
Formula One cars are safe with slicks. Why isn’t mine?

Tyres need to be able to grip in all weathers. Slicks have the best grip on perfect tarmac on a perfect day. That's why Lewis Hamilton uses them. But when it rains, the F1 drivers return to the pits for wet weather tyres which have tread markings just like road tyres. Tyre treads provide a space for water to escape into after it has been squeezed out from underneath the tyre, leaving the rubber to grip the road. In wet weather, without treads, a tyre cannot grip well because of the water and will begin to skid. That is why there is a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Any less, and the tyre becomes ineffective in wet conditions. Therefore, slicks are illegal for road use because they do not work well in conditions which face ordinary drivers.

Why are older people safer when their reflexes are not as good as mine?

Older drivers have lots of experience which is the biggest difference between someone who has been driving 30 years compared to 30 days. Older people do tend to have slightly slower reactions but this doesn't make a big impact on their driving because, due to their experience, they will be driving within the limits of the law, the car and themselves. Younger drivers tend to put themselves in situations where even the quickest reactions are not quick enough to avoid a crash. You can be a safe driver when you are young, by driving within your limits - but you need to be realistic about what those limits are!

If this Pass Plus is so good why isn’t it part of the test?

It may soon become part of the extended training. It is a useful course which improves driver awareness.