Car Advice - Page 1
1. Quad Bike Insurance
No matter how fun it is to ride a quad bike, no one can deny the risk of getting seriously injured due to an accident while riding it. In fact, statistics and some other research propose that quad bike accidents as being much more serious than most of the other vehicle accidents. Most often than not, a patient of such an accident needs...
2. Classic Motorbike Insurance
Insurance for classic bikes is probably cheaper than you may might think and many insurance firms will offer you good deals, especially if you are a member of a classic or vintage motorbike club. Different companies classify classic bikes by different years, but basically a classic bike is one that was made and registered before 1983,...
3. Lorry Insurance
It is always recommended to have proper lorry insurance in place before starting to ply your lorry on the road. Insurance for lorries would provide necessary support and security to your lorry business in case something goes haywire. The insurance company would always be there to help you out in any eventuality. This insurance is...
4. Car clamping and towing to be outlawed
For years British motorists have been bearing the wrath and unfair clamping and towing fines that incur when parking on private land. As there are no current rules to how much a clamper can charge, rates are from £50 - £400 and another few hundred if your car is towed away. For the time being, you need a licence to be able to...
5. Driving With Dogs
Often you will see people driving with dogs and sometimes you may wonder whether the dogs which are taking a ride in the car find it fun and feel happy or they take it as nothing other than a nerve-wrecking experience. Dogs can have their own reasons to classify the journey as a pleasant or a horrible experience, which mainly depends on...
6. Minicab Insurance
Before understanding why it is important to have minicab insurance, one needs to know what exactly a mini cab is. There are basically two types of taxies, private and public, where each of them requires their own type of insurance. A private taxi is essentially a mini cab, which can't pick up any passenger from roadside like a public...
7. Congestion charge
In the city of London, the congestion charge was introduced in 2003 and at that time the fee was £2 a day for all car users that entered within the congestion charge zone. Not only do car owners have to pay this ridiculous charge for entering into the city of London but also a fee for parking too. In recent years the congestion...
8. Drink driving course
As the rate of first time drink driving offenders keep rising, the government has introduced a drink driving course to help educate drivers of the risk of drink driving and also reduce the chances of re-offending. You are most likely to receive a lenient punishment if it is your first offence providing no-one was injured and you...
9. Motability car scheme
If you or a close member of your family or even a friend suffers from a disability and is able to claim the Higher Rate Disability Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners, then you may be able to get a specially adapted car for a reasonable price. There is a strict criteria before you can get a car through...
10. Expired endorsements
If ever your licence is endorsed with points for a driving conviction, you are still able to drive unless they disqualify you or you exceed the current total of 12 penalty points. Each conviction will have a time period of when it will expire. You can apply to have the expired endorsements removed from your licence afterwards.
Do I...
11. Expired driving licence
Since the introduction of the new photo card licence, the driving licence itself doesn’t expire until your 70th birthday. The photo on the licence does expire every 10 years from the date of first issue. The DVLA will sometimes send out reminder letters informing you that your licence is about to expire but it is each driving...
12. DVLA complaints and problems
A year ago there was a feature on BBC1’s Watchdog featuring DVLA and the many problems that they have failed to resolve. You would think that having just one organisation that does everything would save time, money and hassle but in fact having the DVLA deal with the responsibility of handling thousands of licences and entitlements...
13. Driving Abroad
As driving abroad becomes more popular and affordable, it’s silly not to take advantage and hire a car even if it’s only for a few days. Driving abroad is so popular that travel agents are now starting to offer tour packages that include the hire of a car. In most cases a map is provided but you can always request one if you...
14. Vehicle weight restrictions
You may have noticed that there are places where weight restrictions to vehicles are applicable. If you drive an average car, chances are that you have not spotted places that have weight restrictions but if you were to drive a heavy vehicle, then you'd be more alert to these signs. Even a small tow truck attached to the rear end of a...
15. Surrendering your driving licence
There may come a point in your life where you or your doctor will deem you unfit to drive a vehicle. It may be for a short period of time or it might be for longer. If this is the case, you will need to contact the DVLA to inform them of change of circumstances relating to your health. If you want, you can voluntarily give back your...
16. Advanced driving test
Everyday there are accidents which are caused by new and inexperienced drivers or those who have picked up bad driving habits of their friends or family, regardless of age. To reduce the likelihood of being involved or causing an accident, better driving awareness is needed. By preventing an accident, you will also preserve no claims...
17. Vehicular manslaughter
Vehicular manslaughter is the term given when a driver kills a person whilst driving which results in the death of the passenger, pedestrian or any other individual. There are many other circumstances where vehicular manslaughter may be used to file a case against someone who has contributed to the death of someone. If a pedestrian is...
18. Driving licence when over 70
As long as you are a fit and you're a healthy individual with no medical conditions that may pose a threat to other drivers, then there is no reason why you can’t drive even after the age of 70. When a driving licence is issued in the UK, it is valid until you reach the age of 70; after that time you will not be able to drive...
19. Lost licence on medical grounds
Having a medical condition or illness does not always result in a denied application for a provisional licence. If you have the backing of your GP and the DVLA have asked you to attend a medical, then you are able to go on to having a full driving licence. The DVLA will stay in contact and may also check with your doctor from time to...
20. Short period driving licence
When you get your full driving licence, it's usually valid for many years to come. However many people forget that there is an expiry date which needs to be checked to make sure it’s still valid. If you have special circumstances, you can get a driving licence for a shorter period of time and this is known as a short period driving...
21. Medical conditions and driving
When you decide to start taking driving lessons, you will need to apply for a provisional licence that will allow you to take driving lessons before qualifying for a full UK driving licence. When you complete the form you will find a section where you will need to provide information about your health and any disabilities you may...
22. Driving vehicle without permission
There may a time when you need to borrow a friend or family members’ car for an errand or to pop into the nearby shops. If you do not inform the owner of the vehicle that you are borrowing the vehicle, it unfortunately counts as theft. There are hundreds cars a year that are reported as stolen but have been borrowed by a family...
23. Car Forums
Most of the time when we have problems with our car, we turn to the Internet to find answers. Sometimes an online search can pretty much lead you to a website which answers your question or give you enough hints to clear your doubts. However there are times when there’s not enough information on what you’re searching for or...
24. Driving in the UK on a foreign licence
If you have a licence from Europe and want to drive in England, you must comply with the local motoring laws and be over the age of 17 for cars and 21 for lorries and as long as the vehicle you want to drive is on your european licence, then it will pose no problems when you come to the UK. Some countries in the EU however tend to drive...
25. Speed awareness course
If you are caught speeding, the consequences are usually a £60 fine and 3 penalty points issued on your licence. As a result of this conviction, you will need to let your insurance provider know so they can update their records. This means that the insurance provider can refuse to insure you or increase the insurance premiums to be...
26. Driving school instructor
As we all know when it comes to learning how to drive we can either go with an independent driving instructor or go with a well established driving school. Some learners will go with an instructor who has been recommended by family or friends while others will search in yellow pages or online for someone who teaches in their...
27. Lorry accident
There seems to be a lot of coverage lately on how dangerous lorries are and if new control measures and laws should be brought in to reduce the amount of lorry accidents that occur daily. The fact is that lorry drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident than any other vehicle. Most lorry drivers cannot drive more...
28. Motor trade insurance
Insurance for motor trade is usually taken to cover a small or big business that involves in all parts of selling vehicles. It can be in the form of car sales, mechanic or garage insurance. By getting insured on this type of policy, you're more likely to make better savings as it will be cheaper than having insurance for each and...
29. Ice cream van insurance
If you own an ice cream van, you will know how difficult and expensive it is to ensure it especially as ice cream is only sold a handful of times throughout the year due to unpredictable weather. Most people who have an ice cream van will also have another permanent job that’s more reliable and generates a fixed monthly income. Ice...
30. Refuse lorry
A refuse lorry is a lorry that are used to crush and transport household waste. There are now newer refuse lorries that also crush and transport recyclable material. These lorries are usually branded with the logo of the local council but sometimes the latter may need to hire one if their own one breaks down or needs repairing.
A refuse...
31. Short term van insurance
There may be a time in your life where you will need to insure a van either for personal use or business use. If you only plan to use it for a short period of time, then it's worth taking out a short term van insurance policy to cover you only when you use it.
Why would I need temporary van insurance?
You may be hiring a small van for...
32. Airport executive lounge
Do you find travelling makes you really stressed? Are you a frequent traveller who likes to sit back and chill out rather than trawl though all the duty free shops? If this is the case, then airport executive lounges are just for you and you can be relaxing as soon as you're done parking. Sit down and have a complimentary drink before...
33. Breakdown cover
Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement when you own a car. When you take out car insurance, it is however available as an optional extra to give you peace of mind should you ever need roadside assistance.
Breakdown cover is not really that expensive to have; a basic package can cost as little as £36 a year or increase if you...
34. Spare car keys
The majority of cars that are bought are supplied with a spare set of keys as standard but there are some makes and models that do not offer this service. Most drivers do not worry about spare keys until they run into a problem and are forced to search for them and end up turning the house upside down because they can't remember where...
35. Caravan insurance
Over the past few years, caravan sales have doubled if not tripled as more and more Britons are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than going abroad. Caravans are versatile and can accommodate up to 8 people if not more, so you can save a lot of money in the future by investing in one.
What about insurance for caravans though? Why...
36. Lorry Hire
There may be a time when you will need to hire a lorry rather than a large van. You can hire lorries with a small weight capacity of 2,600 kgs or higher capacity of 18,000 kgs. Lorries are available on a daily, weekly, monthly or contract hire period.
What do I need to hire a lorry?
You will need to hold a full driving licence and be...
37. Driving instructor supplies
One of the first things that you will need to so after qualifying as an ADI (approved driving instructor) is to get all the professional materials, signage and advertising. The good thing is that since there are so many driving schools and independent driving instructors, there are also many specialist companies that can provide driving...
38. Trick banned drivers use to drive again
Have you ever wondered how a banned driver is able to get back behind the wheel again? It has been found that there are a few ways that you can cheat the system to get your driving licence back again. I know that everyone deserves a second chance as most drivers learn to drive too young and end up getting disqualified and you would think...
39. Repossessed cars scam
There have been reports of a new scam circulating involving repossessed cars being reported as stolen. It is not yet clear if insurance companies have caught on to this or even if all of them are aware of it.
During these last few years, drivers and car owners have been left feeling the pinch after inflation soared and the country...
40. Mini cab licence
Being a licensed mini cab driver can be very profitable with the average salary ranging from £2,000 to £2,500 a month. There are many things to take into consideration before pursuing this career though and the most important thing is the financial cost and time of getting the licence. Once this is covered, then you can worry...
41. Mini cab jobs
Recession or not, driving a mini cab can allow you to work independently or for a company. Wherever you go, there will always be someone who will need transport and will sometimes choose a mini cab as it can be faster. This is especially true in cities or busy towns because driving your own private vehicle there can cost a lot more than...
42. Car insurance premium rise for 2010
There’s another blow in store for car drivers this year in 2010 as insurance premiums are set to rise for the second year in a row. Last year, unknown to most drivers, insurance premiums rose by 10% and this year insurance is set to rise by 13% making the average quote £500 or an increase of £50 on policies taken out...
43. Silly car insurance claims
At some point in our driving lifetime, around 75% of drivers will need to make a claim on their car insurance but in some cases the excuses used are just silly. Here is a list of reasons for making a claim gathered from all around the world.
Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have - How can someone...
44. Bicycle for two - Tandem bikes
Tandem bicycles are cycles that have two seats and are also known as bicycle for two. They date back to the late 1800’s but are less common nowadays to 10 years ago. It’s said that the tandem bicycle is still very popular in the US where most couples are seen out and about on them regularly. A standard bike for two can cost...
45. Driving instructor franchise
As more and more people encourage their children and partners to learn to drive, there will always be a need for driving instructors. Although competition for students is very fierce, by having a good reputation, it will help you earn more money. Setting up your own driving school can be hard work and for those who find it hard why not...
46. Recovery lorries
Most drivers would have needed the services of a recovery lorry at some point in their life as a broken down vehicle can occur at any time. This is a good business to go into and the pay is also not bad. The only thing is that you will never know when someone may need your services. Most recovery lorries are available 24 hours a day...
47. Articulated lorry
A lorry that is also a tractor and trailer at the same time is called an articulated lorry and is allowed to carry up to 44 tons. They are most commonly used as freight vehicles for large goods and also for transporting containers. The lorry is required to have 3 axles on both the tractor and the trailer with eight wheels on each. At the...
48. Hit and run accidents & laws
Hit and run is classed when you hit a person or personal property including a vehicle and failing to notify the owner afterwards. Depending on how serious the collision and damage was caused, you could face a fine, get a driving ban or even spend some time in prison. As most hit and run drivers are rarely caught, the means to catch...
49. Driving without tax
As a vehicle owner, we are all obliged to display a road tax disc to show that we have paid road tax for the vehicle being driven. If you do not display a road tax disc, you can get pulled over by a police officer and fined. Also many people fail to realise that when you drive around town or through road cameras, they can pick up your...
50. Top ten least reliable 4x4
With all the recent bad weather, many people are asking whether or not it is a good idea to switch to a 4x4 for their next vehicle purchase. The recent findings released by Warranty Direct looked at the most common faults and breakdowns for over 150,000 cars between the age of 3 -8 and the results can be found below.
Top ten least...
51. Eating while driving
Research has been carried about the effects of eating whilst behind the wheel and like other distractions such as putting in a new CD, this can cause accidents and also hinder judgement. If you eat while driving, there is high risk that you will not spot potential hazards such as people crossing the road or pulling out in front of you....
52. Bus lane penalty and usage
As a learner driver, one of the first things you are told is to always use the bus lane if the notices say you can. For example some bus lanes are only operational during certain times, usually 8-10 am and 4-7 pm whilst others are in use all day apart from weekends. You can find out if you can use a bus lane whilst approaching it as...
53. Speed Bump - The Facts
Most places in the UK now have speed bumps in place as a speed breaker and in most places they are very effective such as near schools and quiet residential roads. There are many drivers who cannot do more than 20mph in some places due to speed bumps as low cars such as sports cars are the vehicles most likely to be damaged. Many areas...
54. Uninsured Drivers - Areas you are more likely to find them!
Young male drivers are most likely to have a conviction for driving without insurance but we all knew that anyway. With insurance for newly qualified drivers so high this could be the main reason that young male drivers under 25 are most likely to flout the law and drive a vehicle uninsured. Insurance for drivers under the age of...
55. Speed bumps - The dangers!
Speed bumps were brought in as early as 1970 to help reduce speed and traffic. Speed bumps are usually up to 6 inches high and up to 3 metres wide. Many roads that have schools also have speed bumps so drivers can slow down on approach to the school. Other times they may be introduced on roads that have no cameras and are at high risk of...
56. Driving Without MOT
A lot of people only remember that they need to do an MOT when their tax disc needs to be renewed. So when this time approaches, off they go to a certified garage or mechanic to get their car checked and hopefully return with an MOT pass certificate. There are some people who don’t realise that their MOT is due well before that...
57. Totting Up Procedure & Ban
The totting up system was introduced as another way to punish drivers besides the original fine and driving ban. It is also an additional method of monitoring drivers who keep re-offending. The courts have the right to endorse a driver’s licence with the amount of points they felt were appropriate to the offence. If a motorist was...
58. Rent a car under 21
The soonest you can get your driving licence here in the UK is 17 and that’s if you’re lucky enough to have passed the theory and practical test just after your seventeenth birthday. Not everyone can afford to buy a car and sometimes it makes more sense to just rent a car but how easy is it for young drivers to hire a...
59. Extended Driving Test
Extended driving tests are given by a court as a result of careless driving or an offence that causes the court to hand out this requirement before being let back onto the road. The court will order that you return to a learner driver until you can show that you can safely drive on the road by taking this extended test. If this happens,...
60. Driving School Supplies
Now that you’ve decided to become an independent driving instructor, one of the first things you must do to drum up business is advertising. Advertising on the driving school car is probably the most effective and there are two ways you can do this. The first is to get a car sign that is usually stuck across the doors so people can...
61. Top 10 most stolen cars
With over 40% of the population admitting to being a victim of car theft, you wouldn’t have thought that car crime is still as rife today as it was 10 years ago. In 2008 alone there were 150,000 cars reported stolen and £32.5m have been recovered in assets and 200 criminals have been arrested but there’s still more to...
62. Driving Whilst Disqualified
Many people still drive after receiving a driving ban even though the court has revoked their licence. Temptations to take the car to the shop just down the road are very common and sometimes people think they know their areas too well and can get away with driving while disqualified.
Unfortunately, this is not the case most of the time...
63. Car rentals - Local and Worldwide
Would you like to drive a car for a short or long term period with no strings? How about considering car rental hire. With offers for day car rental, monthly car rental and even weekend car rental, you’re bound to find car rental offers that suit you and your budget.
Terms and conditions for hire cars?
Most companies have a...
64. International Car Shipping
There are so many factors to consider when moving abroad and one of the major concerns is transportation. If you are a car owner, the first thought would be ‘just ship the car over’ but is it that easy? With the correct information and help, shipping your car to a foreign country shouldn’t be as daunting as you may...
65. Car Shipping to Mauritius
If you already have a car here in the UK and you’re planning to move to Mauritius for good, then it might be worth considering shipping your car there. Sometimes you get really attached to your car and don’t want to leave it behind (well actually it’s more selling it on) or it could be more beneficial to just take the...
