4front Driving School

  Learning to Drive When Your Brain Works Differently: Supportive Books for Learner Drivers Learning to drive is an exciting step towards independence. It can mean getting to work, visiting friends, supporting your family or simply having the freedom to go where you want, when you want. But the journey isn't always straightforward. For some learners, driving lessons bring anxiety, information overload, difficulties with concentration or the feeling that everyone else seems to find driving easier. Others may be autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia or other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and find that traditional learning resources don't always work for them. If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and struggling with one part of learning to drive doesn't mean you cannot become a safe, confident driver. I'm Simon Harrison, an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), qualified teacher and author of a range of books designed to help learners understan...

🚗 Learning to Drive in 2025? Here’s the Truth About the Test Backlog If you're learning to drive this year, you're not alone in wondering “why is it still so hard to get a test?” Here's what's really going on 👇 📅 The backlog is still huge – During the pandemic, over 1.3 million tests were cancelled or delayed. Even though the DVSA is now doing more tests than before COVID (about 150,000 a month), at the current pace, it could still take: ➡️ Over 6 years to clear the backlog of people who still need to pass (not quite the covered up cracks that DVSA are predicting) ➡️ Or up to 11 years if you count every missed test spot Yes they are employing more examiners, but unfortunately more are leaving the industry and at a rate that is too hard for them to keep up with. But on the positive: ✅ Pass rates are improving – More than 50% of learners are now passing, up from around 45% pre-COVID. So if you’re fully prepared and working with a good instructor, your chances are bette...

How To Achieve A Perfect Forward Bay Park If you are asked to do a forward bay park as your manoeuvre during your driving test then you would be directed to a public car park (Reverse bays would take place at the test centre car park if it has one). At which point you would be asked to choose a space on the left or the right and park your car safely forwards into a bay. To do this safely and correctly - at 4front Driving School , we advise our students to keep the car positioned to the left if you are choosing a space on the right. And vice versa keep the car positioned to the right if you are choosing a space on the left. Depending on how busy the car park is will probably affect the decision you make regarding choice of space. You may also need to indicate early if the car park is busy so that you don't build up a backlog of drivers getting frustrated with you stopping. However, the more confident and competent you become with this manoeuvre, the quicker, s...

Have you ever considered different senarios that you may face when you are out on the road. Here is a common one to consider. Senario - So we’ve just had a downpour of rain and the sun has started to come out which is rather low in the sky. What do you need to consider or be aware of? The glare off the sun on the road As the the sun reflects the water on the road it causes a glare that affects the drivers visibility and makes the road markings more difficult to see. How could you deal with this situation to make the driving condition easier to contend with? At 4front Driving School we encourage our students to, 1) Use your sunglasses, (and bring them with you to each lesson so that you are prepared) 2) Use the sun visor to reduce the glare, 3) Slow down if your visibility is reduced to give yourself more time to make decisions and direct the car more safely and efficiently. 4) Remember to still check your mirrors as you will still be able to see how accurately you are positioned ...

Those who write down their goals are more likely to achieve their goal than those that don't. You should carry your goal with you and reflect on its progress and development in the form of a reflective journal. Goals that can be measured and set within an achieveable time frame sre more effective. Explaining your goals to others can increase your chances of achieving them as others share ideas and support you in your aims.  Avoid keeping your goals to yourself, they tend to get lost or forgotten amongst other things that begin to take over. Goals need commitment and, regular reflection and motivation. Achieving a goal often means sacrificing something or putting aside certain habits. Achieving a goal can be very energising- the greater the goal, the greater the achievement and the more energising it becomes. When you choose to learn to drive you are setting yourself not only an end goal but many goals along the way. Each goal is an achievement which takes time, effort and commitmen...

What’s the difference between a manual and an automatic car? You will discover that most cars are available in both manual and automatic versions, but what’s the difference?  You will also find that many manufacturers are offering their automatic models in electric and / or hybrid versions too. You won't however find a manual version of an electric or hybrid car. So basically when you compare an automatic against a manual, it’s down to the gearbox. With a manual car, you’ll have to change gears yourself with the aid of a clutch and gear stick, while an automatic car changes gears by itself, depending on the speed you are travelling, rate of acceleration and revs. When comparing the function of automatic and manual manual cars you will find that an automatic has just two pedals - the accelerator and brake. Where as the manual has a gear stick and a third pedal to operate the clutch. Because of these extra components, manual cars are more difficult to learn to drive in than automatic...