its tyre safety month peeps!
TYRE SAFETY MONTH 2014
An opportunity to include Tyre Safety in your lessons…
The 2014 Tyre Safety Month campaign is designed to raise awareness about the importance of driving on tyres with adequate tread depth and, following the wettest winter on record, includes advice about minimising the risk of aquaplaning.
The campaign theme is ‘Driving Rain, Driving Safe’.
Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “The weather last winter was truly treacherous and at times like these, it’s essential that your tyres are safe and legal.
“This October we will remind drivers about this by asking them to take the 20p test or to visit a local retailer for a free tyre safety check.

Insurance companies to access your details!
View Driving Licence goes live today
Source: Rohan Gye – DVLA Service Manager, 7 October 2014 — View Driving Licence
Integrated Enquiries Programme (IEP) was being driven by DVLA’s commitment to provide the insurance industry with access to driver data to speed up the process of applying for insurance and to provide more accurate quotes, with hopefully cheaper premiums for the honest motorist. The annual volume of predicted enquiries is huge, estimated at over 500 million, requiring a database that can cope with hit rates of up to 300 per second. This meant building an enquiry platform that was robust, scalable and able to meet such a high volume demand.

Get the work done and evendence of it or your test will be cancelled.

Vauxhall is now recalling some Corsa and ADAM models that have been built from 6 February 2014 onwards, including some ’63’ number plates.
This is also because of the potential problem with the steering system.
The recall notice issued last Monday (29 September) had only applied to cars built from May 2014.
Check if your vehicle is affected
If you want to take a driving test in a Vauxhall Corsa or ADAM that has been built from 6 February 2014, please check the Vauxhall website to see if your vehicle is affected.
Taking affected vehicles on test
If your vehicle is affected, you won’t be able to take it on test without written proof that the vehicle has been checked by the manufacturer and remedial work carried out if needed.
DVSA examiners will accept documents from the vehicle manufacturer or the manufacturer’s appointed representative or dealership.
For tests taking place within next 3 working days
If you’re affected by this and any of your pupils have a driving test booked within the next 3 working days up to and including Friday 10 October, they can cancel or re-arrange it free of charge.
They can do this by contacting DVSA practical test enquiries and booking support to re-arrange; telephone 0300 200 1122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to midday).
For tests taking place in more than 3 working days’ time
If any of your pupils have a driving test booked to take place in more than 3 days’ time, they’ll still have to give the usual 3 clear working days’ notice to change or cancel without losing their fee.
They can do this by using one of the following links:
change the date of your driving test
cancel your driving test
Read the updated news story on GOV.UK.

Industrial action planned.
Information for DVLA customers as industrial action is planned
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union has called upon its members to take part in industrial action on Wednesday 15 October 2014.

We will do all we can to maintain a service to our customers, however you may experience longer waiting times if trying to contact DVLA by phone or social media.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

DVLA online services are available in the driving section of GOV.UK.

Image removed by sender.

Congratulations Adam Davies on passing your driving test on Tuesday with only 4 minors.

Women drink driving stats almost equaling men’s this year. Something that I’m sure will shock most of us!
Female Drink-Drivers Double, Survey Finds
The number of female drink-driving convictions rises from 9% in 1998 to 17% in 2012, with nearly two thirds unaware of the limit.
The number of women convicted of drink-driving has nearly doubled in the last few years, a survey has revealed.
Women totalled 9% of drink-drive convictions in 1998, but that figure had increased to 17% by 2012, the figures showed.
The survey, by car insurer Direct Line and transport or- ganisation the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, revealed 17% of female motorists thought they had driven while over the legal alcohol limit in the last year.
Nearly two thirds (60%) said they were unaware of the legal limit.
More than half of those who admitted to drink-driving (59%) said they did so because they felt “ok” to drive.
Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: “Drink-driving wrecks lives, and the personal consequences of a drink-drive conviction can be devastating.
“In 2013, 803 women failed a breathalyser test after an accident and that is 803 too many.
“That is why we are cracking down on the minority who drink and drive by introducing a new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and closing loopholes in the law to make it easier for police to prosecute drink-drivers, as well as tackling the menace of those who drive under the influence of illegal drugs.”
Steve Maddock, managing director of claims at Direct Line Group, added: “Part of the problem is a lack of awareness and confusion as to what constitutes drink-driving and also the misguided belief that in some circumstances, driving while over the limit can be justified.” http://news.sky.com/search?term=drink+driving&fromdate=anytime&order=date
This is something to add to your instruction on safe driving for life

Just  quick reminder about the new car tax laws.

From 1 Oct. 2014 vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. If a valid tax disc is displayed on the windscreen then it should be removed and destroyed. When DVLA is informed of the sale/transfer, the registered keeper will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the tax. The buyer will need to get new tax before the vehicle is used. This can be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online or by phone or at a Post Office branch that deals with vehicle tax. Buyers will be able to tax using the new keeper supplement of the vehicle registrations certificate (V5C logbook). If the seller doesn’t have the logbook, the buyer can still go to the Post Office who can help them apply for a logbook at the same time as taxing their vehicle. More detailed information on the changes can be found at www.gov.uk/dvla/nomoretaxdisc. Toolkit To access our second toolkit please follow the instructions below: 1. Go to http://we.tl/IARCDFs1V6. 2. You may be asked to agree to cookies, click ‘I Agree’ 3. Select ‘download’ 4. You’ll be asked where you want to save the files 5. Save the files to a memorable location Please note:  Welsh versions of the materials are available on request We can send you the material in different format/sizes. If you have any problems downloading the toolkit please email InsideDVLA@dvla.gsi.gov.uk Please note that any questions related to vehicle tax changes should be sent to aotdanddirectdebit@dvla.gsi.gov.uk

It is a criminal offence to record your driving test. Do not do it. The dvsa have reviewed their policy below.

DVSA has concluded its review of the policy on filming driving tests. The agency has decided to maintain its general policy of not allowing the recording of theory or practical tests.
However, cameras fitted for insurance purposes will be allowed providing they:
· are external facing and do not film the inside of the vehicle;

· do not record audio from the inside of the vehicle.
DVSA will under no circumstances accept, comment on, or review audio or video footage provided by a test candidate or third party to facilitate a challenge to the conduct of any theory or practical test or its result. Any footage received in connection with an allegation of criminal activity or intent will be referred to the police.

trim.944C375A-4F39-47ED-9B68-9FD6A67A623A my ice bucket challenge

The promised reduction in theory tests has arrived.

Theory tests costs fall from 1 October 2014 The fee for car and motorcycle theory tests will fall to £25 for tests taken from 1st October 2014. Theory test fees for other categories of vehicle will also be reduced at the same time. The cost of the driving theory test will be cut by 25%, saving learner drivers in excess of £100 million over the next 9 years says Transport Minister Stephen Hammond. The fee for car and motorcycle theory tests will fall by £6 in October 2014, taking the cost of a test from £31 to £25, with a further drop of £2 in October 2015. Book tests at the new price The changes apply to theory tests taken from 1 October 2014. You can book tests for this date onwards from 20 August 2014. You’ll have to pay the old fee if you choose a test date before 1 October 2014