National Speed limit signs

Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 08:16PM
Filed in: Iscal Instructor's thoughts
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As far as I know the reason that the National Speed Limit sign is a black diagonal line trough a white background instead of 60mph is that when speed limits were first introduced they only applied in built-up areas. When drivers left the built-up area they were informed by a derestricted sign. When our present system of speed limits came into force all derestricted areas became the National speed limit of 60mph. As there were thousands of these signs throughout the country it was not though economical to change them to 60mph.

Note: Some years later the 70mph speed limit was introduced on motorways and dual-carriageways so we now have 2 speeds for the national speed limit - 60mph on A roads and 70mph on motorways and dual-carriageways.

Instructors add thoughts here

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 10:52AM
Filed in: Iscal Instructor's thoughts
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What has selling a house got to do with Iscal?

Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 04:38PM
Filed in: The way forward
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What a fantastic idea!! My father, Roy Gold, is looking for a buyer for his home. The house is a beautiful, large (8 bedroomed) historic country residence on the edge of Bradninch in Devon. It dates back to the 1600s and is in need of some TLC. It has 18 rooms, which include 2 kitchens and three bathrooms so is well suited for a large family, a family with dependent relatives, headquarters for a business, a retreat, rental income or development. The house is set in a large, easily maintained garden with the added potential of 2 large barns. Check it out at www.kenshamhouse.co.uk Once he has sold the property he wants to establish a purpose built learner driver centre for our driving school Iscal Driving Tuition. Our website is www.iscaldrivingtuition.co.uk The centre will incorporate facilities for young people to start their driver training at 16+, for learner drivers to practice their manoeuvres and for post test candidates to experience skid control as well as facilities to learn theory and hazard perception, basic car maintenance and all manner of other useful training. We would also offer fleet training, towing training and off-road instruction as well as residential courses. With the centre in operation we could also give disabled and blind people the chance to experience driving in a safe environment. Just imagine the thrill. Iscal Driving Tuition has been running since 1986 and has helped thousands of people pass their driving test. Our pass rate of 66% far out-strips the national average of 42%. We are a business built on trust and integrity and we offer our pupils excellent training at affordable prices. Think what we could do with our own facilities - it would be a dream come true and would help so many people.

What grade instructor?

Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 10:28AM
Filed in: All about driving instructors
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What Grade instructor?

Each instructor has a grade

Every driving instructor has a 'check test'. A Government examiner will sit in the back of a driving lesson and grade the instructor on various aspects of his/her teaching

All driving instructors are graded. The grades are 1 - 6.

Grade 6 - very good, the highest standard with no significant weaknesses

Grade 5 - good, only minor deficiencies

Grade 4 - Adequate, some shortcomings that need attention

Grade 3 - Inadequate, unacceptable shortcomings in technique and/or behaviour

Grade 2 - Poor, numerous deficiencies such as inaccuracies, errors, serious ommisions and/or fault in manner

Grade 1 - Bad, instruction is grossly wrong, potentially or actually dangerous and/or serious shortcomings in attitude and approach

Educational Grade - Is given on the instructor's first check test so no actual grade is given.

The number of approved driving instructors (ADIs) graded below 4 for the period 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008 was

1,869 out of 13,596 tests conducted.

This can be broken down as follows:
Grade 1 - 0
Grade 2  - 173
Grade 3  - 1155
Educational Grade  - 541
All other check tests were graded 4 or above. 

This is the percentage of grades on the register showing the gender of the instructor

 

Check test grade	Male ADIs %	Female ADIs %	Total ADIs %
Ungraded	9.66	12.83	10.33
1	0	0	0
2	0.09	0.06	0.09
3	0.74	0.78	0.75
4	50.57	54.36	51.33
5	32.37	28.22	31.51
6	6.57	3.75	5.99

It is reassuring to know that Iscal is run by a grade 6 instructor - 0ne of only 3.75%  female instructors.

How to find a driving instructor

Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 09:52AM
Filed in: All about driving instructors
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How to find a driving instructor

Finding the right instructor

It is very important that you find the right instructor for you - not for your parents or your friends or the rest of your family. You have to like your instructor or you will find it very difficult to learn with him/her.

Ask around and find out which instructors names keep popping up - if lots of people says they are good it might well mean they are. It does not neccessarily follow that they will be right for you.

One easy way of tracking down driving instructors is to do some online research - put "Exeter driving instructor" (or whichever town you are looking for) into search and then email them all with a brief outline of what you require.

Your email may look similar to this: "Hi, I am looking for a driving instructor in Exeter. I am 17 and have never driven before. I would prefer a small car to learn in. Could you please tell me about yourself and your charges. Thank you"

You should be looking for a response similar to this: "Hi, thank you for getting in touch. My name is ***, I have been an instructor for ** years and my pass rate is ***. My grade is ***. I teach in a dual-controlled *****. My charges are £*** per hour. I offer **** discounts. I would love to teach you and could start your lessons ****. Please let me know if you would like any further information or if you would like to book your first lesson. I look forward to meeting you."

You should expect a reply within 48 hours.

So, when you have received your replies, you will need to decide which instructor to learn with. Look through the emails and discard any that you don't like - go with your gut feeling. Did they give you the information you were looking for? Did they have the right qualifications? Try to narrow the emails down to about 3 or 4 and then phone each one up. Were you able to get through to them? If you left a message, did they get back to you quickly? Did they make a good impression? Were they helpful? One instructor will probably stand out from the others.

A Tip

When you email an instructor it is worth remembering that they are the experts in their field. It would not be right to say "I have never driven before and am looking for an instructor who can teach me in under 20 hours".

You will have little or no idea how long it will take you to learn to drive - everybody is different and instructors would not be able to answer this enquiry.

Governament statistics show that an average 17 year old will take 45 - 50 hours professional tuition plus 23 hours private practice. But please do remember that everybody is different and learn at your own pace. It will be worth it in the end.

 

Answer to Louise -we don't shout!

Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 09:51AM
Filed in: All about driving instructors
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Hi Louise

First of all thanks for getting in touch. I am sorry you have had a bad experience with a driving instructor but remember they are human beings and in life sometimes we do not "click" with some people. It is very important to get on with any teacher or trainer otherwise you will not learn with them. You have done the best thing by stopping your training with an instructor who does not suit you. Perhaps we can have a chat and after talking to you I can place you with an instructor who I think you will be compatible with. Having said that, none of my instructors shout. It only leads to friction and never to learning. It is a shame your previous instructor did not have the sense to recognise a clash and suggest you find another instructor. Wehave found that if a pupil is finding difficulty in a particular area of their training, it is up to us to find another way of explaining. No two people learn in the exact same way so as instructors we need to be adaptable. We feel although lessons can prove difficult, you should have fun and have a sense of achievment at the end of each lesson. Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care!