gices

Member since : 18 Apr 2008
Last login : 08 Feb 2012 18:48
Level : 1
Points : 240

Hi, I was supervising my son driving and he got caught speeding on a speed camera. I was just wondering if I would get a fine or any points?
There should be a section which you can fill to inform DVLA that you were not driving the car when the offence happened and that's what you need to do before sending back the form. Can you let me know if you found that section?

purplelurple | 08 Feb 2012 18:59
How to retrieve no-claim bonus from scrapped car?
You can transfer the NCB on the car you want to scrap to the new car. If you cancel the car insurance policy, then you will lose the current year' no claims, that is, if you have 5 years NCD now and you were going to be 6 years if you keep your policy, then you'll still end up with what you had before which is 5 years NCD.

You only lose you no claims discount entitlement if you do not have a car insurance policy in your name for a period of 2 years or more.

So just get in touch with your current insurer and tell them you want to change the car on the policy to the new one.

RAI | 06 Feb 2012 17:10
What will I need to transport 14 motorcycles
Well you will need a vehicle that has wheel chocks or cradles to secure the bikes during transit. Companies specialising in bike transportation will also have ramps or tail lifts for easy loading.

You can contact Bike Movers on 01253 700 877 for a quote as they can accommodate upto 30 bikes on their lorries.

ref : http://www.bikemoversuk.co.uk/

len101 | 03 Feb 2012 14:40
Does anyone know of a cheaper car insurer i can transfer my current insurer too? my current insuere is too expersive £250 per month.
£250 a month seems quite expensive! What car are you trying to insure?

Have you tried car insurance comparison websites like GoCompare or Confused? You should try getting a quote from them first as they will check most of the car insurance companies on the market for you. They will give you a pretty accurate figure as to what you should really be paying.

Note that paying monthly compared to annually attracts a much bigger interest rate. So it would be more economical if you pay your premiums in full with a credit card and then settle the amount within a couple of months.

genevieve | 01 Feb 2012 18:42
can i collect a car from police compound on a car transporter
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stevegibbs | 18 Nov 2011 09:52
My son in law is a learner and is named on daughters insurance, can he drive my car?
When it comes to learners, insurance becomes a really delicate thing. Some insurers allow the 'drive another car with owner's permission' on some comprehensive policies but I'd think this wouldn't stand for a learner because the risks are greater. However it is better to ask your son-in-law to contact his insurer (or your daughter to call them up as she's the policyholder I believe) to clarify on that matter but I'm inclined to think they wouldn't allow this.

If the response comes out negative, then you can try to add him onto your car insurance or even better get him a learner driver insurance policy which is short term (eg a month) so that he can practice in your car as well as your daughter.

pinnington | 10 Oct 2011 20:10
Do they test for drugs as well as alcohol during the DVLA medical?
The purpose of the DVLA medical test is to ascertain whether you are fit to drive. Most people will undergo this test if they have been caught drink driving and if you're considered a high risk offender (HRO). So when you go to your GP (or another doctor), they will have to perform any tests they think is relevant for you before they can report back to DVLA. The usual test that is carried out is alcohol related (liver function test) but they can check for drugs in your system as well. The following drug misuse and dependence can be tested for:

  • Cannabis
  • Amphetamines
  • Ecstasy
  • Ketamine & other psychoactive substances, including LSD and Hallucinogens
  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • Methadone
  • Cocaine
  • Metamphetamine
  • Benzodiazepines

Before sending a report on your fitness to drive to the DVLA, the doctor may perform any additional tests that he thinks is important for your situation. Therefore some people may have just a few tests carried out on them while others may have a lot more before they are issued back their licences.

Source : http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx (PDF format, page 39)

micko1234 | 03 Oct 2011 13:14
Can I get free one off drive away 1 day car insurance
If you're buying a new car, then sometimes the dealer will include drive away insurance so that you can take the car home hassle-free. Other dealers many include 7 days free insurance when you purchase a car with them. It all depends where you're buying the car from and what sort of promotions the dealer is currently offering.

Have you already set your mind on a particular car? Or you don't mind what make it is as long as you get free drive-away insurance?

barrywhite67 | 03 Oct 2011 12:40
Should I buy a separate insurance policy for my 17 year old daughter?
Has your daughter already passed the driving test? Or are you seeking car insurance for her so that you can teach her how to drive?

There are some companies which will allow you to add your daughter onto your car insurance policy but many don't do that because young drivers are higher risks for them. If you change insurer, you might be charged a cancellation fee if you paid your premiums for the full year. So depending how many months cover you've got left, it might not be the more economical alternative.

So let me know what the circumstances are to better understand your situation.

moiraelliott | 03 Oct 2011 12:35
Can I find out how long the mot is on a car I want to buy?
This question has already been answered here : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/how-to-fi...

calderbank | 27 Sep 2011 09:53
Can i be the registered keeper of i car and a relative the policy holder???
This question has already been answered here : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/main-driv...

deano | 24 Sep 2011 12:44
Temporary car insurance for son with Australian licence visiting the UK
You will need to contact your current insurer to see if they'd be willing to add your son to your policy for the 3 weeks. Some car insurance companies will bluntly refuse but there are others which will do that at an extra cost.

If you are not able to add him onto your policy, then you can buy short term car insurance for him instead. I know for a fact that DayInsure have a short term car insurance policy for people with Australian licences, so you can get in touch with them (or get the quote online) to see how much you'd be paying to insure your son for the 3 weeks that he'll be visiting.

Let me know how it goes.

Barbara | 24 Sep 2011 12:40
I lost my licence 11 years ago. Now back in the UK and have my medical on 12/9/11. I do drink and have done for the past 11 years.
Congratulations Exwelly. Seems like you've done very well for yourself :)

So have you had your first drive yet?

Exwelly | 24 Sep 2011 12:31
My sons girlfriend bought him a car on finance but put the car in his name! She now wants the car back because they have parted
If the girlfriend put your son's name on the finance papers, it surely means he is the legal owner. Does your son have any papers with his name on it for the car purchase? The contract from the finance company for example? Or bank statements to show that he's making regular payments for the car loan?

oldlondon | 16 Sep 2011 10:55
One month car insurance
For 1 month car insurance, you can try eCar Pay As You Go Insurance. They operate a pay as you go insurance scheme which runs on a monthly basis and that would suit you very well. Once you get a quote from them, you'll be able to buy the policy online and your cover can start immediately if you wish to.

Note that you will have to cancel the policy after the 1 month period has elapsed, otherwise they might charge you as the policy is on a rolling month contract which means that unless you cancel it, it keeps getting renewed. So put a reminder so that you don't forget that.

If you have any problems or you're not getting a cheap quote, let me know and I'll suggest a few more insurance companies for you to contact.

arif | 16 Sep 2011 10:23
I cant find my mot certifcate not 2 sure when it runs out as i am selling my car
You'll find your answer here : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/how-to-fi...

jennz13 | 16 Sep 2011 10:08
I lost my licence 11 years ago. Now back in the UK and have my medical on 12/9/11. I do drink and have done for the past 11 years.
Hi Exwelly,

Just wanted to know how things went on Monday for your medical. Hopefully you have some good news :)

Exwelly | 16 Sep 2011 10:06
How do i find out on line when my ban ends
This question has already been answered here : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/how-to-fi...

sgraham | 10 Sep 2011 13:15
Temporary car insurance for south african drivers
This question has already been answered, check the following link : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/temporary...

Pieletjies | 09 Sep 2011 16:39
I lost my licence 11 years ago. Now back in the UK and have my medical on 12/9/11. I do drink and have done for the past 11 years.
You have the right to appeal if you fail the DVLA medical and you will be sent a notice in that regard.

The medical test is done to find out evidence of alcohol abuse. Now that's something which varies from person to person and although you might be drinking small amounts, it is difficult to guess how that's affected your liver.

There are some good suggestions on the following question : http://answers.fancyacar.co.uk/how-to-pa...

Have a read through it as it might help you and let us know how your test went; only 4 more days to go right? Good luck!

Exwelly | 08 Sep 2011 11:41
New theory test book available for learner drivers
Back in November 2010, DSA announced that they will no longer be using questions that have been published in their driving theory test as from January 2012 and now they have revised the theory test book to help learners better prepare for their test.

The problem with the current system is that most people tend to memorise the questions & answers rather than really understand what's going on. So it defeats the purpose and to address the problem, new questions will be introduced as well a rewording will be performed.

What are your thoughts about this change to the theory test?

gices | 21 Sep 2011 20:49
Laid up motorcycle insurance
Have you tried insuring your bike under your home insurance?

gices | 14 Jul 2011 21:10
Jump start your car
Pat,
The jump start leads should pull the required amount of amps it needs. However if your battery is completely dead, it is better to get a new one as this will save you from breaking down when you least expect it.

gices | 05 Feb 2008 05:43
Car clutch
Tony,
It's quite normal to feel this way especially if you've been driving on a used clutch for a long time. New clutches tend to bite quickly, so don't worry about it and slowly you'll get used to it.

gices | 05 Feb 2008 05:33
Cheap car insurance for young new drivers
Nadine,
Please check the article on getting car insurance for learner drivers to know which companies will take you on.

gices | 05 Feb 2008 05:22
Driving ban reduction
Andrew,

The driving rehabilitation course only allows you to reduce your driving ban to a shorter term and will not facilitate the process of getting car insurance under these circumstances. Insurance companies will still take into account your driving offence I'm afraid.

gices | 31 Jan 2008 04:59
Driving Instructor Course
bernie and hussain,

Please refer to the Transport Office UK for more information regarding your suitability to become a driving instructor. You will find links to apply as an instructor on there as well.

gices | 29 Jan 2008 09:38
Cheapest cars to insure

Garry,
I had the same problem when i first passed my test; was quoted £2900! I managed to get the quote down to £1100 though. Check out:

Direct Line Car Insurance


It will allow you to build up your no claims bonus even as a second driver and will bring down your quote if you add any of your parents as the main driver (provided they are experienced drivers).



gices | 17 Jan 2008 07:43
Minor driving faults
You will not fail for stalling the car once but if you do this repeatedly, then it will be considered as a serious fault and you will fail. Remember that if you collect more than 3 minors within the same category (The Driving Test Report is divided into categories, eg Control category which tests your ability to use the clutch, gear, accelerator, footbrake, parking brake etc), you will not pass your test. If you want more information on this subject, please click on the following link and go to page 39:

How the Driving Test is assessed by DSA examiners

gices | 16 Jan 2008 04:25
Driving Theory Test
I am assuming you are refering to the multiple choice part of the driving theory test. You will fail the exam because you need 86% (43 out of 50 questions right) on the overall score to pass the test.

gices | 15 Jan 2008 09:00
Minor driving faults
The kerb is the edge between a sidewalk and a roadway. Usually when we are walking on the pavement, we need to step off the kerb (raised surface) to get on the street.

gices | 15 Jan 2008 08:51
Handbrake adjustment
Replacing the handbrake should take about an hour and the labour costs will be in the region of £30 + the cost of the new handbrake cable. However labour costs vary from one garage to another.

gices | 15 Jan 2008 08:33
Cheap car insurance for young new drivers
David,

I'd suggest you go for a Fiat Punto but you can also check out the article on cheapest car to insure for young drivers for other models which may interest you.

gices | 15 Jan 2008 06:54
Minor driving faults
As a learner, you are allowed upto 15 minor driving faults. If you make 16 or more minor faults during your practical driving test, then you will fail. Sometimes minor driving faults can turn into serious driving faults if other road users are affected but that depends on the prevailing conditions at the time of the test. On the other hand, dangerous driving faults will only be marked down if either the driving examiner or other road users have been forced to take evasive action to avoid danger...

gices | 14 Jan 2007 13:48
Buying used cars
Buying used cars can be much of a hassle if you know nothing about cars. So it is better to inform yourself before you make a purchase that you might regret later on. So here are the things you should know before buying a used car: What is the value of the used car in question? You don’t want to be paying more than you should, do you? And trying to estimate the value of the used car yourself is no good. So you need to know the real market value for that particular car make/model/year. How? Well...

gices | 02 Mar 2007 18:30
Car donation
There are a number of reasons why you would consider car donation. For example, you might be paying registration or parking fees for a car you are not using and you are looking for a way to dispose your car without any hassles. Or perhaps your car broke down and the cost to get it fixed is more than you are willing to spend. So what are the benefits of car donation? You might be thinking why you would give away your car to charity when you can sell it and get some cash for it. Well unless you ...

gices | 15 Jan 2007 10:42
Pay as you go car insurance
What is Pay As You Drive car insurance? Pay As You Drive or Pay As You Go car insurance works the same way as 'pay as you go' mobile phones, that is, you only pay when you use your car. Brilliant, don’t you think? If you are using your car only during weekends, you shouldn’t be charged car insurance when your car is parked, right? Well that’s why Norwich Union came up with two new policies, one for 18-23 and another one for 24-65, so that people pay car insurance based on how ...

gices | 20 Jan 2007 18:12
Car MP3 player
As more and more music in the form of MP3 are being downloaded off the Internet, many people have started to look for a car mp3 player so that they can listen to their favourite tunes whilst driving. Some people have attempted to create their own car mp3 player and though it works fine, the end product is just something you wouldn’t carry along in your car because it’s not a pretty sight! However if you do your research well, you can find a mp3 player to use in the car for less...

gices | 09 Feb 2007 20:27
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 waiting a few years to mature would make a difference afterwards. In some cases, this holds true as it comes down to patience and vulnerability but some would a...

gices | 12 Mar 2010 07:44
How to check engine oil
It is important to check the engine oil in your vehicle frequently to monitor its level. This will prevent the engine from being damaged as the oil acts as a lubricant which also cleans and cools the engine. Doing this little exercise is a good way to maintain your car and will make the engine lasts longer and run smoothly and save you from having to pay the expensive price of repairing or buying a new engine. How to check the engine oil level? You can easily check the oil level in your car’s en...

gices | 28 Jan 2007 16:56
Driving Instructor Course
You will need to undergo driving instructor training if you want to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and teach other people the skills to drive. If you are not a registered ADI, it is illegal to charge money for driving lessons. So if you want a job as a driving instructor to either be self-employed or work for a driving school, it is in your best interest to join a specialist training centre, which runs the driving instructor course, and follow their programme. You will need to enqui...

gices | 15 Mar 2007 18:41
Graduate and student car loan
Whether you are a fresh graduate or a college student, chances are that you will have to apply for a car loan if you’re looking to buy your own car. You don’t need to get a very expensive car but what you need is a car which is going to be reliable and not break down when you most need it. With a few thousand pounds, you will be able to afford a used car which is a couple of years old or even a new one, if you do your research well! Is there any graduate car loan or student car loan product on t...

gices | 14 Feb 2007 16:32
Car clutch
The car clutch is something that you use extensively while driving. So you need to make sure that it is in good working condition. Although the clutch normally lasts for an average of 5 years, the actual lifetime of your car’s clutch really depends on the way you drive and the journeys you make. Using your clutch to move the car from a stationary position wears it out more. Therefore driving in the city where you will have to stop like a hundred times because of traffic will wear out the clutch ...

gices | 15 Feb 2007 17:27
Practical Driving Test
The practical driving test lasts for about 40 minutes. Before you even start the driving test, your examiner will ask you to read a car number plate from about 15 metres to make sure your eyesight meets the driving standards. If you have read it incorrectly, you will instantly fail the driving test as you will be considered a danger to other road users because you cannot see properly. However if you have managed the first question, then your driving examiner will ask you two more questions but t...

gices | 02 Mar 2007 19:56
MOT
What is an MOT test? MOT stands for Ministry Of Transport and an MOT test is required to determine whether your vehicle meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards, so in other words whether it is roadworthy or not. However you should be aware that the MOT does not guarantee that your vehicle does not have any other problems because only basics checks are done and you are therefore encouraged to have a proper servicing done if you have any worries at all. When are you required to...

gices | 03 Mar 2007 12:54
List of show me tell me questions asked during the driving test
Before you start your practical driving test, your driving examiner will ask you two questions to test your knowledge of the car that you are about to drive. These questions are called the “show-me tell-me” questions and each wrong answer will result in a minor driving fault. As of 1st July 2008, 6 new questions have been added - before there were just 13 questions, now there's 19 questions for you to know. Below is the complete list of the questions including the new show me tell me questions ...

gices | 03 Mar 2007 16:21
Nissan car insurance
Nissan cars are probably one of the most reliable cars on the market therefore it is not surprising that many people are on the lookout for the best deals to insure their valued cars. The premiums for your Nissan car will depend on factors like its estimated price, the level of carbon dioxide emission and most importantly the driver’s age, no claims bonus, driving convictions among other factors. Although it is not possible to change the attributes of the driver as in you will not be able to cha...

gices | 16 Apr 2007 16:24
Driving Theory Test
Before you can sit for your practical driving test, you will need to have passed your theory test. If you're wondering the reason behind this, it is just because you need to be familiar with the different road signs and have prompt road awareness to become a good driver. The theory test is devised in such a way to give you all you need to start driving safely. What is the Theory Test made up of? The theory test is divided into 2 parts - a multiple choice and a hazard perception section. Multi...

gices | 25 Apr 2007 16:50
Cheap car insurance for young new drivers
So you’ve just got your full driving license and you are excited knowing that you are now able to drive the car which you’ve barely managed to buy. Well don’t get your hopes up too soon because the moment you start looking for cheap young driver car insurance, you’ll start pulling all the hairs on your head off. Why? Because car insurance for new drivers is ridiculously high! You are looking at £2500 on average to insure your car! Don't worry though as there are way...

gices | 29 Apr 2007 16:47
Driving Lessons
So you've decided to learn how to drive a car. Probably the first question you will be asking yourself is whether you should go private or with a driving school. Private Instructors Private instructors will usually charge you less than driving schools. It used to be £15 an hour but nowadays they charge £18 or more while driving schools charge about £21. So when you think about it, private instructors are more appealing because of the money you are going to save in the long run as people don't ...

gices | 25 Apr 2007 17:15
Car insurance fronting
I sometimes ask myself whether it is worth doing something morally right or financially wise in this society of ever increasing prices. Take for example this 17 year old male who has just passed his driving test and is eager to get behind the wheels. He has spent roughly £900 on the 40 hours driving lessons which the DSA recommends, bought his first car for £3500 and is now looking for a cheap car insurance deal to get him going. What happens next? He receives insurance quotes no cheaper than £2...

gices | 22 Jan 2008 10:55
Best car insurance deals for young drivers
So what are the best car insurance deals for young or new drivers at the moment? Well I've done a case study to see which company is offering the most competitive quotes among all the so-called 'cheap car insurance providers'.Case Study (Updated 29 January 2008):John Smith is an 18 year old male student (date of birth 11 Jan 1990) who lives with his parent and has just got his full UK driving license. He passed his practical test first time round and to congratulate him, his parents bought him a...

gices | 29 Jan 2008 08:42
Handbrake adjustment
How is handbrake adjustment done? If you want to adjust the handbrake cable, you will need to disconnect the handbrake cable, unbolt the caliper from its guide pins and firmly force the piston back to remove any play (put slight hand pressure on the caliper lever and you'll feel the play gradually disappear - stop at this point to avoid possible damage to the adjuster mechanism). Then wind the piston out so that the gap is just adequately wide enough to fit over the pads and disc. Refit the cal...

gices | 17 May 2007 10:29
Windshield wipers
When driving during bad weather conditions such as rain, windshield wipers are very important because they allow you to see clearly where you are going. It is therefore a good idea to make sure that your car wipers are working properly to ensure safe driving when you need them most. When to change windshield wipers? You should probably consider changing your wipers every 6 months. Having said that, if you feel the wipers are perfectly fine after inspecting them, then you can wait a bit longer....

gices | 09 Sep 2007 16:05
Earn no claims bonus as a named driver
A named driver is a person who is legally allowed to drive the same vehicle as the main driver and whose name has been registered on the car insurance policy for that particular vehicle. The main driver of the car is the one who will be using the car the most and will therefore become the policyholder. You can add other drivers on the insurance policy and they will become the second, third, fourth driver etc. The additional drivers are referred to as the named drivers on the policy. As an exampl...

gices | 08 Jan 2008 09:08
Driving ban reduction
Driving when you are under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime and can cost you your life or lives of innocent people. So it is best if you don't drink when you have to drive as it will save you from many problems including high car insurance for drink driving! How much alcohol are you allowed to consume if you are driving? A Breath or Breatherlyser Test as it is commonly referred to is carried out if you are stopped on the roads by police officers to make sure you are not over the alc...

gices | 24 Oct 2007 15:12
Driving Instructor Complaint
During your driving lessons, it is important that you feel safe in the car as you need all of your concentration on what is going on around you to make sound judgement and if your mind is pre-occupied with other things, then you will not be able to react quickly to dangers. However there are times when disgraceful driving instructors will try to hit on you. In most cases it is a male driving instructor trying to flirt with a female learner. Women instructors tend to be more professional towards ...

gices | 27 Oct 2007 12:07
Report car accident
If you are involved in an accident, the first thing you need to do is call the police. Do not attempt to move your car as this is evidence. Moving your car may result in a void claim, as supporting evidence will be lost if you are not at fault. While waiting for the police to arrive, exchange details with the other driver. Always have a notebook and a pen in the glove box of your car, you never know when you might need a piece of paper to scribble something important down! Information you will...

gices | 09 Dec 2007 08:58
10 facts about driving
1. As a new driver you might wonder ‘how do I know when my petrol tank is full?’ When filling up your tank at a petrol station, it’s impossible to overfill because the pump will cut off the petrol supply automatically when your tank is full and will not allow you to go over the maximum limit. 2. When de-icing car windows many people find it more convenient to throw water over the windows as scraping ice off is often time consuming while de-icing liquid can ruin paint work and can be very messy....

gices | 09 Dec 2007 09:04
Cheapest cars to insure
Car insurance can be really expensive, especially for new drivers who have just passed their driving test. So whether you are a young driver or an older driver who just got your driving license, you will probably struggle with high insurance premiums for the first few years until you build your no claims bonus. Until then, what you can do is ‘be sensible’! What this means is that since you know you are just starting out and because of that the insurance world is going to be tough on you, you nee...

gices | 08 Jan 2008 09:00
Jump start your car
What you will need: jump start leads (one red and one black), gloves and a small brush for cleaning. When you’ve not driven your car for a long time or you’ve left your headlights on by mistake you might find that your car won’t start because of car battery problems. Quite often all you need is a jump start to get you going again. Follow these easy DIY (Do It Yourself) steps and you’ll soon be back on the road. First of all make sure both cars (the one with the flat battery and the car be...

gices | 21 Dec 2007 07:45
Factors affecting car insurance
There are many factors which affect the quote you will receive for car insurance and if you want to get the best quote, you need to know what these factors are.  You will be able to get cheaper car insurance if you understand how insurance companies work out quotes based on the information you provide them and the criteria that contribute to the final cost of car insurance premium.So here’s a list of the factors which influence car insurance:Will you park your car in a garage, driveway or o...

gices | 22 Dec 2007 11:42
Factors affecting car insurance - Part 2
Continuing from the previous article on the factors which affect your car insurance quote:Comprehensive, Third Party, Fire and Theft or Third Party only?As the name suggest, Third Party Only covers any damage you do to another vehicle and NOT your own, which is why this type of insurance is the cheapest of all. It is most appropriate if you have an old car. However if you want to protect your car against fire and theft as well, you need to take Third Party, Fire and Theft insurance which will co...

gices | 22 Dec 2007 12:02
Weekend car insurance
There are times when we need to borrow somebody’s else car just for the weekend and it is very tempting not to get weekend insurance cover because we think it is going to be for a little while only and chances are that nothing will happen during that short period of time and we'll probably get away with it. Well unless you’ve got a crystal ball through which you can see the future, it is not advisable to do this. Even the luckiest person on earth may have the worst luck without antic...

gices | 31 Dec 2007 07:03
Cheap car insurance for learner drivers
While getting cheap car insurance for new drivers has become an increasingly difficult task these days, obtaining insurance cover for learner drivers holding just a provisional license proves to be next to impossible. Since these learner drivers have yet to master the art of driving, they are therefore considered as the highest risk group for the insurers. Consequently most insurance companies will bluntly refuse your application for car insurance if you have just got a provisional license. So ...

gices | 05 Feb 2008 04:35
17 year old car insurance
The legal age to start driving in the UK is 17. Most young adults who would be celebrating their 17th birthday very soon would have already applied for their provisional license and seeking to learn to drive with a qualified instructor. Usually after a couple of months of learning, they would have succeeded in their driving test and looking forward to enjoy driving a car of their own. However, 17 year old car insurance is rather expensive for a number of understandable reasons. For example, s...

gices | 11 Feb 2008 07:13
Temporary Car Insurance
Over the last few years, temporary car insurance has become extremely popular because drivers have recognised that they now are more at risk on the roads with the ever increasing number of new drivers and careless ones, so driving without appropriate cover is a big NO-NO. Consequently the number of companies offering this type of insurance cover has soared and this has made getting cheaper quotes easier than ever. With a larger pool of insurers providing car insurance for temporary needs, the...

gices | 10 Apr 2008 06:01
18 year old car insurance
The day you turn 18 is a memorable day for you because you've now reached a milestone in your life. You are legally an adult and can from this day onwards make your own decisions and do not require anyone to sign on your behalf. If you're been wise, you would already be holding a driving license for a year now since you are allowed to drive at 17. This would mean you now have a whole year's driving experience together with a full year of no claims bonus which would entitle you to a mass...

gices | 15 Feb 2008 05:36
Short term car insurance
Ever wondered whether you could get a temporary car insurance cover for that estate car you need to borrow from your friend to help you move houses? Well you will be glad to know that such a short term car insurance policy exists! So instead of driving without car insurance hoping nothing bad will happen, put your mind at peace and get protected against all the odds.Examples of occasions when you may need short term car insuranceDriving your friend’s car for the weekendBorrowing your friend’s va...

gices | 16 Mar 2008 10:11
First time car insurance
You've probably heard that there's a first time for everything, well the same applies for car insurance. At some point in your life, you will need to buy your first car insurance ever and it might sound like a daunting task initially but if you do your research well, you should be fine.First time car insurance will be sought by people who've just passed their driving test and looking to get ready to hit the roads. Although some people might have held their license for a long time and not actuall...

gices | 21 Mar 2008 06:17
Imported car insurance
There are a number of reasons why you would want to import a car. Firstly you will be saving a substantial amount of money by importing. For example, if you import a car from Japan to the UK, then you would be paying a fraction of the price even after the import costs. Secondly, you might have relocated and want to drive in a foreign country. Thirdly you are more likely to get a wider choice of car models than what is available in your home country. There are other reasons as well but what you n...

gices | 08 Aug 2008 08:22
Drink driving car insurance
Insurance companies don’t just randomly decide the amount you pay for your car to be insured. Highly paid specialists called actuaries make complicated statistical calculations based on many variables such as where you live, how old you are, the type of car you have and so on. That way they can take an educated and fairly accurate guess at the odds of you having an accident. When you are caught for drink driving you eliminate a huge amount of that statistical error as the company now knows...

gices | 23 Jul 2008 14:01
Test drive car insurance
A car is an important asset for anybody and it makes our rather difficult life somehow easier – no need to carry heavy bags of shopping from the supermarket; you enjoy travelling more because it is your private vehicle and you don’t have to put up with inconsiderable, arrogant and disgusting people that you see on public transport. Although it is a great thing to possess a car, it is an even greater thing to buy the right car, one which you will enjoy whenever you will be driving. ...

gices | 29 Jul 2008 05:36
Car colour and insurance premiums
When you go out looking for a shiny new motor, you have lots of things to think about - fuel economy, practicality, equipment, added extras and of course price. One thing that usually only gets a slight consideration is colour. According to the AA only 3% of women and just about 1% of men think that colour is an important factor when buying a car. Even if you are the type of person who would spend time considering the exterior colour, it is purely a matter of taste. Which is you favourite car...

gices | 13 Aug 2008 14:31
Gap car insurance
You have probably never heard of Gap insurance as it is not required under law to enable you to drive a car on UK roads, and you may have never considered how it might help you if your car is for example written off in an accident. Why would you need more insurance anyway, you paid a good amount of money for a third party fire and theft or a fully comprehensive vehicle insurance policy that covers you for just about any eventuality. That is true fully comp will cover you against just about anyt...

gices | 18 Aug 2008 20:11
Young drivers car insurance
The pride about having your own car and being able to drive can be attributed to the fact that it shows a certain level of independence. This is why most young people tend to learn how to drive at the age of 17, which is the minimum age requirement by law. After much determination, they manage to pass their driving test hoping they've overcome the only obstacle between them and driving. This is when they find out that young drivers’ car insurance is rather expensive and it is yet another h...

gices | 06 Oct 2008 09:50
1 month car insurance
Most insurers will give you a yearly quote for car insurance when you start shopping around and people will need to fork out at least £600 on average to get their car insured. Some may be able to pay this amount in one go and others who are struggling to make ends meet will have difficulty in finding this sum to pay all at once. However some insurance companies give you the option to pay your car insurance in monthly instalments rather than having to pay everything in one go. Although t...

gices | 19 Aug 2008 06:10
Car insurance policy types
Selecting and paying for car insurance is hardly the most exiting or interesting part of being a driver but the law requires you to deal with it, so it is an unavoidable part of being a motorist. There are several thousand insurance companies operating in the UK, all of them use similar terms to describe what they do, and the types of car insurance that they provide. If you don’t understand the basics of what these different terms mean, you could select a type of car insurance that is not...

gices | 26 Aug 2008 13:59
Halal car insurance
There’s been some good news in the car insurance industry for the Islamic community as Salaam Insurance introduces the UK first Halal Car Insurance product which is in line with the faith of Muslims as it is Shariah compliant. Before its introduction, Muslims had no choice other than to take any other car insurance cover to abide by UK motoring laws but now it seems that those days are finally over. This specific type of car insurance does not contradict the religious faith of Muslims and ...

gices | 02 Sep 2008 14:01
Provisional car insurance
You’ve just received your green provisional licence through the post and you’re now excited to get behind the wheels for some driving lessons. The first thing you will need to do is find yourself someone to teach you how to drive. Okay, here are your options: contact the local driving schools in your area, go with a private driving instructor who has been recommended by somebody you know or learn with a family member or friend. But whichever option you choose, you will need to have p...

gices | 05 Sep 2008 14:18
Learner drivers should get cheaper insurance
As it stands, car insurance for learner drivers are very expensive because the insurance industry treats them as being of very high risks. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said provisional car insurance should be made cheaper to enable learner drivers to have more practice in their family cars which would eventually lead to better and safer drivers on the roads. When driving under supervision, learners are less prone to accidents as well. Therefore learner drivers car insurance should ...

gices | 28 Sep 2008 07:26
Free car insurance
If you want to get a free car insurance offer, then it is most likely that you will need to buy a new car to be eligible for it. These types of offers are made throughout the year among car companies and dealers in order to attract more customers to buy newer car models or to get rid of old stock so that they can make room for the new ones. It is more common in July/August time because dealers are preparing for the new registration number plate around this time of the year. New car with free in...

gices | 28 Sep 2008 11:12
Learner Drivers Car Insurance
The scarcity of information available to learner drivers is the main cause for confusion and misconception that learners need to get an annual insurance policy for them to be able to practice driving. Contrary to that, there exists a short term policy from Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance which allows the learner to drive his/her parents’ car (or anybody's car with their consent) and are covered by a learner driver car insurance policy. Poor knowledge has therefore led many learners o...

gices | 15 Oct 2008 09:59
How early can I get my licence back after driving ban?
Many people wonder when they will be able to get the driving licence back after a ban and whether they could get it well before the ban expires. The good news is that these people could get their licence earlier but it depends on the individual circumstances. There are two main factors which govern this possibility – first is the length of the driving ban imposed by the court and second is the conduct of the individual following the driving ban, that is, whether more driving offences were ...

gices | 05 Jan 2009 07:01
Budget car insurance
Times are tough these days as the financial crisis is kicking in slowly and most people are already feeling the pinch. Some people have stopped using their cars because of high petrol costs while others are struggling to make ends meet in that respect. If after planning your bills you find that you are only left with little money to spare on insuring your vehicle, then it is worth looking for a budget car insurance. What you need to remember here is to carefully plan your expenses against your ...

gices | 21 Oct 2008 08:20
Free car loans
Everybody likes free stuff because there’s no need to pay for it and in this money-minded society, something free from time to time comes in quite handy actually. However there’s no such thing as free car loans and I doubt very much that there will be any such offers in the future. The reason for this is quite simple – if lenders start free car loans schemes, they will be giving away free money to everyone. And who wouldn’t sign up to these schemes? I would and I know ev...

gices | 21 Oct 2008 10:46
Interest free car loans
When you are struggling with finances but want to buy a used car or a new one, you can get what is called an interest free car loan. Under this scheme, you do not have to pay any cash upfront and this will give you enough time to save for the car and pay it afterwards. Therefore you can get the car that you want now and not incur any interest on the money borrowed. If you respect the conditions of the contract, you will not face any problems. However if any part of the agreement is breached, yo...

gices | 23 Oct 2008 11:12
Get an interest free car loan when joining the NHS
Sometimes you want to change jobs but the only thing stopping you from applying is the location of the new job. Who really wants to spend a lot of time commuting anyway? Working full-time itself is a huge commitment and you have little time left for the family afterwards and on top of that travelling makes you more tired as well. In an attempt to attract potential jobseekers from applying (and to recruit better qualified staff), some companies are giving away incentives like interest free car lo...

gices | 27 Oct 2008 10:11
Drink driving solicitors
If you have been charged with a drink driving offence and you’re likely to be prosecuted, you may avoid the driving ban by having a drink driving solicitor defend your case. There are many ways a solicitor can win your case but you need to contact one as soon as possible rather than wait for the last minute so that a solid case can be prepared for you. This will maximise your chances of being proved non-guilty for the driving offence. A minimum driving ban of 12 months can be applied to s...

gices | 14 Nov 2008 05:33
Free driving lessons
Many driving schools and driving instructors offer different types of incentives to attract new customers. These include free driving lessons, an introductory price on the first lesson, a discount when you book lessons in bulk or simply a half price offer on the 1st driving lesson. A while back HSBC was offering a free driving lesson with BSM to its customers but this has now been discontinued unfortunately. However the flexibility that a driving instructor job offers has seen an increase in th...

gices | 21 Nov 2008 06:50
Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons
Hybrid cars have been introduced to help combat pollution. They are more energy efficient and more environmentally-friendly than conventional cars. What is a hybrid car? A hybrid vehicle contains an electric motor and a gasoline motor to rotate the wheels. At low speeds, the electric motor is used and when travelling at high speeds the gasoline motor kicks in. With this mechanism, fuel is used efficiently as petrol is only burnt when it is needed and when the electric motor cannot cope with th...

gices | 28 Jan 2009 12:58
Policy holder, registered keeper and legal owner of vehicle
If you’re shopping around for car insurance, you are more likely to come across questions asking whether you are the registered keeper of the car you want to insure and whether you are going to be the policy holder as well. Therefore before you can fill out the insurance application form as accurately as possible, you will need to understand properly the terminology that is used. Who is the policy holder? The policy holder is the main driver of the vehicle and is the person who will be u...

gices | 04 Feb 2009 06:52
Uninsured Driver Accident
It is against the law to drive without insurance on UK roads. However there are still many people out there who still drive uninsured. Most of us do not realise the problem these drivers causes until we find ourselves in a situation where we are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have any insurance cover. If are hit by an uninsured driver and it was not your fault, the claim side of things will be very promising. For someone with comprehensive cover, you can expect your insuranc...

gices | 17 Feb 2009 09:42
Car Insurance Groups
You’ve heard it before – cars in a lower insurance group are cheaper to insure. But why? Well first you need to know that there are 20 insurance groups (Group 1 – Group 20) at the moment and cars falling into Group 1 attract the cheapest insurance premiums. The panel which decides which insurance group a car should be classified under use research data from Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Centre. With this information at hand, cars are then listed under their specific gro...

gices | 18 Feb 2009 08:31
Jumping Traffic Lights
As everyday users of the road, we drivers sometimes forget that the Highway Code is there for a reason and the most important reason of all is security. Newly passed drivers tend to obey the Highway Code more than experienced drivers because everything they learnt is still fresh in their minds and they are more afraid of going against the law now that they’ve just got their full licence. However experienced drivers are more comfortable on the roads and sometimes in a state of hurry to get...

gices | 03 Mar 2009 09:37
Driving Without Licence
It is against the law to drive without a valid licence. This law is in place for the safety of road users in the first place. People who want to drive must first learn how to drive and pass both a theory test (with hazard perception) and a practical test to obtain a full driving licence. You can be prosecuted for driving without a licence under these circumstances: a) Not having a valid licence but still driving b) Driving with just a provisional licence and not accompanied by someone who is ...

gices | 03 Mar 2009 11:02
Provisional Driving Licence
You come to a point in your life where you want to learn how to drive because you’re either fed up with public transport and want your own mode of travelling or you’re ready to embrace the joy of being an adult. Or simply you just want to drive! Well for starters, you will need to get hold of a provisional licence so that you are legally entitled to learn to drive the vehicle of your choice. Failure to obtain a valid licence is an infringement to the British law and you could face s...

gices | 04 Mar 2009 06:00
Pass Plus Driving Course
For most of us, it is a long journey from being a learner driver to becoming a qualified driver. It takes a lot of lessons, a lot of mistakes and a lot of learning to get there but it’s all worth it at the end because finally getting the full driving licence is proof that you can now drive on the roads without any supervision. However, not many newly qualified drivers realise that driving on their own is a lot different than when learning. Many will say that when they reached the final st...

gices | 04 Mar 2009 07:08
Female Car Insurance
Being a woman can sometimes have great benefits like getting cheap car insurance deals just because of your gender. In fact, insurers have realised that female drivers are more careful on the roads and seem to have fewer accidents than men in general. Statistics gathered over the years have shown that more than 80% of speeding convictions and careless driving offences were committed by men. Since insurers want to provide cover for drivers who are less likely to claim (otherwise they will run ou...

gices | 17 Jul 2009 05:17
Student Car Insurance
Whether you’re still studying at college or leaving home for University, getting car insurance for students like you is not an easy task. At this point in your life, you are either working part-time in McDonalds and earning a little bit of money or not working at all and relying on EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance). So you should be getting the cheapest insurance deals to afford having your own transport, shouldn’t you? Well, a reality check reveals that students pay the most to ...

gices | 20 Jul 2009 10:14
Short Term Car Insurance Companies
Getting insurance cover for a short period has become increasingly popular because of the flexibility that it offers. So whether you’re looking to get insured on a car you’ve borrowed for the day, looking for driveaway insurance or just want to get insurance for a couple of days rather than committing to a long term contract, temporary car insurance is the way to go. Below is the list of companies offering short term car insurance together with the age restrictions that apply: ...

gices | 21 Jul 2009 09:10
Cycle Accident Compensation
More people are opting to cycle to work rather than drive or use public transport. With a recent 5p increase in fuel duty and unreliable expensive transport services, cycling is the cheaper alternative. Although you can get very good bicycles cheap, you do not need insurance to be out on the road. However the downside is the high risk of a bicycle accident when you're on the move. How to avoid cycle accidents? Make sure you wear a neon vest after dusk Have reflective lights fitted t...

gices | 07 Sep 2009 15:18
Taxi Insurance
Premiums for a taxi are much higher than that for a normal car because taxis present a higher degree of insurance liability and therefore cheap taxi insurance is hard to find. However, if you don’t just stick with your taxi renewal quote and spend some time shopping around, you will eventually find the right cover at a more affordable rate. It is a legal to have sufficient cover for all liabilities that you may face including claims from the passengers you are carrying and any damages to ...

gices | 22 Jul 2009 06:08
Driving Without Insurance
Third Party insurance cover is the minimum legal requirement for driving in the UK. If you’re driving without insurance, then you could face tough penalties as this is regarded as a serious criminal offence. If you think you can get away with it, then think again because there are now advanced technologies which quickly scan your vehicle and check whether you have valid insurance in place. Even when driving in a quiet area, you are still at risk and you may get caught when you least expect...

gices | 29 Jul 2009 07:48
Convicted Driver Insurance
In today’s world, it is becoming extremely rare to find a person with a clean licence. If you’ve have convictions on your licence because you have committed a motoring offence, it doesn’t necessary mean that you are a bad person and you shouldn’t be able to find cheap convicted driver insurance. After all, you wouldn’t even bother looking at insurance cover at all if you were the “bad guy” now, would you? Common driving convictions Below is a list of m...

gices | 08 Aug 2009 12:02
Driving Instructor Insurance
Teaching absolute beginners how to drive is a very risky business as learners have yet to master clutch control and emergency stops among many other things to make them safer drivers. This is why driving instructor insurance is a must for people working in this industry to ensure adequate cover is available in the event of misfortune. Many private driving instructors have dual controlled cars as this offers a safe way to intercept the mistakes of the learner who is primarily driving the car. Th...

gices | 13 Aug 2009 09:20
Cheap Scooter Insurance
With sales of cars declining, many people are looking into alternative transportation. Although motorcycles are common, scooters have become increasingly popular because they are cheaper.  We take a look at why insurance for scooters is very important. Reasons to insure your scooter There are many risks associated with owning a scooter, these include: Safety while driving - just like motorcycles, car drivers are less likely to see a scooter so accidents are more likely to happen. ...

gices | 26 Aug 2009 11:59
Car Accident Injury
When you leave your house to go to some other place, you usually don’t think that you may be involved in any sort of accident. People usually don’t think about such things and if they did, then it would be really hard to step outside out the doorway for fear something bad would happen to them. Life itself is unpredictable and there’s always a chance (however tiny or big it is) that you may end up having a car accident injury whilst you’re away from home. There are many d...

gices | 31 Aug 2009 11:03
Cheap Driving Lessons
All learner drivers will need to have driving lessons at some point or another. Driving is not something that you can just learn through books, online materials or through mere discussions with other drivers. You need to practice your driving as well and this is what is going to make you a real driver. With the help of a professional, you will eventually not only learn the skills of driving but also become a safe and independent driver. The question nevertheless is whether you will be able to ge...

gices | 05 Sep 2009 12:50
Pedestrian Accident Claim
All people think that walking is safer than driving but there are a small minority of accidents involving pedestrians occurring every year. Although I would like to assure you that pedestrian accidents are rare, let's just take a look at some of the accidents that have taken place in the last year. Are you really safe walking on the pavement or the zebra crossing? In the past year there have been reports of cars and buses mounting pavements and injuring pedestrians which have sometimes proved ...

gices | 11 Sep 2009 09:56
Personalised Licence Plates
Are you looking for a way to customise your car but not sure how? Well how about personalised licence plates? Many people have the misconception that only the rich can afford to customise their licence plate but this is not true. Depending on what you want spelt out, it can be relatively affordable. To celebrate an achievement, you can give your loved ones their own personalised licence plate. For example, after graduating from University or after getting a big promotion in your job, your own li...

gices | 11 Sep 2009 10:03
Child Car Seats
One of the very important things that new parents need to think of after buying nursery furniture, clothes and toys are child seats. There are many different types available nowadays like child car seat for use as a newborn to 3 years of age and booster seats as your baby starts to outgrow their child's seat. For cyclists, there are bicycle child seats. As your baby becomes bigger, you may also consider the use of a child table seat to enable your toddler to eat with you during family meal times...

gices | 11 Sep 2009 10:18
Named Driver Insurance
A car insurance policy can have multiple drivers – the main driver who is called the policyholder and additional drivers (as many as you want) who become named drivers on the policy.  However named driver insurance can have implications and you’ll find out what they are soon. Most people will consider becoming a named driver on an insurance policy if they are young or new drivers. This is because car insurance premiums for this specific group are very high because of the lack o...

gices | 14 Sep 2009 13:57
Car Journey Checklist
When heading out on a long journey, there are a few things that you may need to check before hitting the road. Windscreen wiper fluid Most people may not think this is important but when driving on the motorway, your windscreen is likely to get very dirty. You can buy 2.5 litre windscreen wiper fluid for as little as £3.49. Most people opt to just add water or mix with washing up liquid instead of buying screen wash but the difference when cleaning your windscreen is easy to see. When dr...

gices | 14 Sep 2009 14:39
Avoid Speeding Fines
Whilst travelling in a 40mph zone, do you find that you’re the only one obeying the speed limit? In most cases, you will find that the careless drivers always get away with speeding while those of us who usually play by the rules are most likely to get caught for the one time that we accidently go over the speed limit. How to avoid speeding fines? The most obvious answer is not to speed in the first place. If you cannot obey the speed limit, then buy a speed detector as they work just li...

gices | 14 Sep 2009 14:45
Car Window Tinting
A trend that doesn’t seem to be fading away is getting tinted car windows. Window tinting has been around since the 1980’s as an optional luxurious extra but now most top of the range cars have them included as standard. The growing trend has been blamed on celebrities - many people have someone who they look up to and they tend to copy what their idol do. So by having a famous idol sporting tinted car windows makes us so called ‘normal’ people want them too. Why do peop...

gices | 14 Sep 2009 15:35
Insurance Write Off
When a car has been damaged extensively to the point where it cannot be repaired, it is then called an insurance write off. Every year hundreds of thousands of cars are involved in car accidents, thefts or fires. Insurance companies will classify some of these cars as write offs so that they do not spend more money on repairing the car than what's it's worth. So if you have reported an accident and your insurer believes your car is a write off, then don't despair as scrap metal also sells well a...

gices | 30 Sep 2009 15:09
Women Car insurance
As we all know women’s car insurance has always been cheaper when compared to men. It has been said and proved that men are careless and impatient when they drive. The risk of a woman being involved in an accident is 15% while that of a man is at an alarming 85%; statistics show that women are safer drivers but they have just as many accidents as men. Why is car insurance for women drivers so much cheaper then? Men tend to drive a lot faster Young male drivers are too cool to ...

gices | 01 Oct 2009 14:25
Mock Driving Theory Test
As well as passing the hazard perception test, you will also need to pass the theory test's multiple choice questions part to be able to go for the practical exam. The test consists of 50 questions which have to be answered in 57 minutes and you need to score 43 out of 50 to pass. Therefore it is necessary to practice a mock theory test before you go for the real one. As from 28 September 2009, there will be some case studies added to the actual theory test. They are about real life scenarios...

gices | 03 Oct 2009 14:19
Hazard Perception Test
23 years ago, when my mother took her driving test, it was very easy to pass as there were no theory tests involved and obtaining a driving licence was mainly associated with a learner's ability to drive safe and sound. Hazard perception test was only introduced in the UK on 14th November 2002. You have to take your hazard test at the same time as the theory test and you need to pass both to be able to take the practical driving exam. Statistics have found that new drivers are most at risk of b...

gices | 03 Oct 2009 14:33
Drug Driving Car Insurance
Driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous and everybody knows that. If you’ve been lucky enough not to have been in a life-threatening accident but unfortunate enough to have been caught by the police, then another unpleasant surprise awaits you in the form of higher car insurance because of drug driving. Taking illegal drugs is quite common among young people as it sets them in a party mood so that they can have more fun (or so they believe). It is good to have fun, look cool and...

gices | 07 Oct 2009 11:18
Car Rental Insurance
The common misconception when hiring a car is whether or not you need to buy car rental insurance. Most people don’t read the terms and conditions when they rent a car; if they did they would find that although you are covered under Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft if the car was stolen or involved in an accident you would have to pay the first portion of the costs also known as excess for the damage. The reason for car hire companies to take your credit card details is because if y...

gices | 14 Oct 2009 07:57
Performance Car Insurance
One of the first things we must think about when purchasing a car is insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and if caught you could be faced with a fine and a ban. As people get older and wealthier, they tend to choose higher specs cars to reflect their status and stand out from the crowd. For these super fast or heavily modified cars, performance car insurance comes at a price. Why are high performance cars not really cheap to insure? High performance cars are more prone to be involv...

gices | 16 Oct 2009 09:12
Heathrow Airport Car Rental
Heathrow airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It has five terminals, long and short term car parks as well as a busy taxi stand. Tourists coming to London will find a range of transport facilities to get them to their hotels or any other place they will be staying at. If no one is coming to pick you up from Heathrow, then you can try travelling by taxi, public transport (bus, underground tube and overground train) or rent your own car. Some people prefer to book in advance but if...

gices | 18 Oct 2009 07:54
Pelican and puffin crossing
As a child I was never taught about the different types of crossings there are when you have to cross the road. All we were taught was to wait if the man was red and go if the man was green. As an adult learning to drive, it is very important to learn about the different types of crossings you may come across when driving. Some crossings require you to stop while others do not (depending on the circumstances). Most people get confused with a pelican and puffin crossing so let's find out the diff...

gices | 18 Oct 2009 07:56
Car Bumper Repair
Everything does not go smoothly when you’re driving on the roads. You might be a really good driver but that doesn’t mean you will never be involved in an accident. Contrary to this, you may find yourself in a situation where damage has been done to your vehicle but you were not at fault like what happened to me when my car front bumper got dented and scuffed because of the stupidity of another driver. Without going in too much detail about the accident itself, I found that my car h...

gices | 26 Oct 2009 09:09
MOT Reminder
With the busy lifestyle that everyone has, it is almost impossible to remember all the things that you need to do. Birthdays, doctor appointments, paying bills, meetings are examples of things that we need to constantly remember doing. If you own a car now, you cannot forget to renew your insurance and tax because you are reminded of them by letters a few weeks before they expire. However for MOT, it is a different story. There’s no MOT reminder service from the Vehicle and Operator Servic...

gices | 26 Oct 2009 14:58
Driving under the speed limit
There are so many different signs that display the speed limit but I’ve noticed that sometimes they are displayed several hundred yards down the road. One of the most annoying things that you come across when driving are people who drive under the speed limit. You sometimes find that people will drive up to 5mph under the speed limit. On the motorway there are usually three lanes. The first lane (left hand side) is usually used by lorries and cars that do a maximum of 60mph. The middle la...

gices | 01 Nov 2009 05:12
Carvertising - Get paid to display adverts on your car
Advertising plays an important part in our daily life as it introduces us to new products/services and the latest offers that we can grab. This is a really huge business and it is found almost everywhere from radio to television, newspaper to internet and posters to leaflets. Marketers are always trying to find new ways to find exposure for their products and services and recently they have come up with advertisements on cars (carvertising in short). If you think about it for a minute, you&rsquo...

gices | 02 Nov 2009 09:58
Seatbelt law - Fine for not wearing seatbelt
There is a small minority of people who still refuse to wear a seatbelt whilst driving but if they are caught, do they really know what the outcome will be? What the law says about seatbelts? The driver of the vehicle is responsible for all children under the age of 14 to wear a seatbelt. As a driver you are also responsible for wearing a seatbelt but all adults in the car are responsible for wearing their own seatbelts. If you are caught travelling in a car without a seatbelt, you can face a ...

gices | 02 Nov 2009 10:11
Windscreen Chip Repair
There are quite a few adverts showing free windscreen chip repairs but are they really free? Windscreen chips have to be smaller than a £2 coin to be repaired and if they are bigger than that, the windscreen may need to be replaced entirely. You can sometimes find mobile windscreen chip repairers in big shopping centre car parks offering a free windscreen chip check; in most cases you will find that these companies offer to repair a chip in the windscreen for free. When these companies sa...

gices | 03 Nov 2009 04:17
Driving At Night
One of the scariest things about driving for some people is the thought of having to drive at night or when it is very dark. Driving at night can be very dangerous as you have to be extra careful of the hazards that you look for during the day as they are harder to see at night. There are also other hazards that you will encounter when it's dark such as animals like rabbits or foxes on the road as they come out to find food. As it is not always possible to know the route you will take beforehand...

gices | 08 Nov 2009 13:51
Car Park Accident
When we put our car in a car park, side road or designated parking space, we assume that it's safe but we may return to find that our parked car was hit whilst we've been away. There isn’t much we can do if the driver of the other vehicle involved didn’t leave their details but there are steps that we can take to prevent another car park accident from happening again. Reduce the risk of a parked car being hit Make sure you are in the white box if you are parking in a designat...

gices | 09 Nov 2009 07:26
How long do points stay on your licence?
When people are caught speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, jumping traffic lights etc, their licence are endorsed with penalty points. What many people know is that after 2 years of driving and accumulating 12 points, they will be disqualified from driving. If you get 6 points within the first two years of passing your driving test, then you will be banned from driving as well. The real question though is how long will these points stay on your licence for? There are many differen...

gices | 10 Nov 2009 08:35
Car Insurance Claims
One of the most frustrating things when involved in a car accident is the process of making a claim through your insurance company. All companies have their own policies on how they handle claims and although filing the claim can be straightforward, it can be a long wait before you hear anything afterwards. If you’re lucky, your claim may be settled within a year, otherwise you can be left waiting up to 3 years before a decision is reached. If you have legal cover on your policy, your clai...

gices | 11 Nov 2009 08:45
Change Address on Driving Licence - Why Should You Do It?
Circumstances often change in life and there are times when we need to move from one place to another, usually if we are going to live in a better home. Moving homes can be quite stressful because of the many things that you need to sort out to ensure the move is as smooth as possible. One thing that many people forget to do after moving houses though is to change the address on their driving licence. Of course, even after moving into a new house, you still have plenty to do like unpacking boxe...

gices | 12 Nov 2009 13:53
Not switching on headlights when dark
One of the first things we do when entering a vehicle is to put on the seatbelt and check our mirrors. What a few of us fail to do is to switch on the headlights when it's dark. By not doing so, you not only cause dangerous driving conditions for those around you but also for yourself. If oncoming drivers can’t see you or cars approaching from behind don’t know that you are there, they may not slow down and crash either into the rear, front or side of your car. Although the reason f...

gices | 13 Nov 2009 11:01
Using mobile phone while driving
The law was changed in 2003 to penalise all drivers who use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving. Before this law was introduced, drivers could only be prosecuted if using a mobile phone while driving caused them to lose control of their car. Since February 2007, the fine has risen to £60 and if you are taken to court, you may have to pay up to £1000. You will also have 3 penalty points endorsed on your licence should you be caught. While it is illegal to use a handheld mobile phon...

gices | 14 Nov 2009 14:23
Car insurance and natural disasters
When purchasing car insurance, how many people actually take the time to sit down and read all the terms and conditions properly? A minority perhaps! Although we all know the different levels of car insurance cover, do we really know exactly what is covered under each policy? Would your insurer pay out for a claim that's been caused by earthquake, flood, lightning, storm or any other natural calamity? Not sure? Find out what is really covered under your policy: Types of car insurance cover at a...

gices | 15 Nov 2009 15:11
Car Clamping
Sometimes people take their chances and park where they shouldn't thinking they're not going to be long enough to get a ticket or have their wheels clamped. Some are lucky but for others who have had their car clamped, everything halts down. If you're car hasn't been towed away, then you can make a phone call and pay the release fee and get back to what you need to do. However if you're car has been taken, then the fees will work out more expensiive. Car clamping law All wheel clampers must ha...

gices | 16 Nov 2009 08:25
Car damage by potholes
When out driving, the last thing you think about is whether or not you have to swerve to avoid damaging your car in a pothole. Sometimes potholes are easily seen but other times, you just drive into them and only realise afterwards when you feel your car shake. How are potholes formed? When there’s bad weather such as rain, the water gets into the cracks of the asphalt of the road surface. In time, the asphalt will crack and on top of that it will cave in as well causing a crater. This i...

gices | 17 Nov 2009 13:19
Car scratch removal
One of the most common fears of owning a car is getting your car scratched. Will you be able to fix it yourself or will you have to go to a garage? Many people do not see a mechanic for something so trivial and attempt to fix it themselves. For small scratches, you can get away with it but for deeper and wider ones, the finishing touch may not turn out so good. How to remove car scratch? There are many products on the market that claim to remove scratches from car but how well do they work and...

gices | 19 Nov 2009 10:09
Driving In Snow
In the UK, we don’t get a lot of snow - maybe a week at the most (here in London) but the further North you go like down in Scotland, you can get a few weeks of snow fall a year. Most people love snow as it’s a rarity for some of us but for those of us who have cars and rely heavily on them, the thought of snow is horrible. When snow has freshly fallen, it’s easy to walk on but as many people have sloshed around in it, it turns to water which will then turn to ice. Advice and ...

gices | 19 Nov 2009 10:13
Car Dent Repair
No matter how careful you are, sometimes you just cannot escape getting dents in your car. It can happen if you didn't notice an obstruction when you were reversing or it could be that somebody bumped into you when you were parked. Most cars will have gotten a dent or two during the course of their driving lifetime but there are simple steps you can take to avoid this and even fix it yourself. How to prevent your car from being dented? Don’t park too close to parked cars in a bay. Don&r...

gices | 20 Nov 2009 14:18
Repossessed car
So you’ve taken the decision to buy a car but not sure where to look first? Have you considered a repossessed car? You could potentially save yourself hundreds of pounds! The best place to buy repo cars are at car auctions; they are held all over the country. What are repossessed cars? Repo cars are vehicles which were used as collateral or more often cars that were purchased on finance. If the person who took out the loan couldn’t repay it, then the company has a legal right to ha...

gices | 21 Nov 2009 14:17
One Day Car Insurance
With an increasing number of vehicles on the road, it has become more necessary than ever to drive with adequate car insurance in place just in case the unexpected and most dreaded thing happens while you’re on the go – an accident! Of course, there are many situations where someone who needs to drive doesn’t have the right insurance cover to do so and the need for one day car insurance thus arises. For instance, a couple might decide to get insurance just for the husband beca...

gices | 22 Nov 2009 08:42
Protected No Claims Discount
Car insurance is such a delicate thing – it takes a very long time to earn the trust of insurance companies and just when you think you’ve finally made it to the VIP club who pay cheap premiums, all that is taken away from you in the blink of an eye. You can scream as much as you want at how life is unfair but the reality wouldn’t change and that is why it’s probably better if you have protected no claims discount to save you the regret afterwards. Unfortunately, not eve...

gices | 22 Nov 2009 14:46
Green Car Insurance
Everywhere you go these days, be it at your local supermarket or the airport, you’re bound to see signs about “going green”. So what’s this hype all about now and what has green got to do with car insurance? It’s not just the name of a new insurance company I can assure you but it’s rather a concept. There are 4 categories of people in my opinion. The first category of people relates to those who understand the growing problem of pollution and how alarming it...

gices | 23 Nov 2009 10:15
Best Commuter Car
With so many people still opting to drive to work and their local towns, it makes sense to buy not only a fuel efficient car but a good commuter car. Not only do you want an economical car but also one you know you will have no problem parking. Many people who have 4x4’s, estate cars or SUV’s will have to park in a multi storey car park due to off road parking not having big enough spaces for parallel parking. What to look for in a commuter car? Fuel efficiency Comfortab...

gices | 23 Nov 2009 13:42
Whiplash Injury Claim
If you’re involved in an accident and you suffer minor injuries, you can claim compensation. For example if you suffer from whiplash in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you can make a claim. Often, people overlook these things and just try to get on with their lives to avoid any more hassles. Of course, there's the trauma associated with the accident itself but sometimes even the tiniest injury can be quite unpleasant and discomforting. Passengers in a car have always the ri...

gices | 25 Nov 2009 10:47
Driving in windy conditions
Most people know what to do when driving in rainy conditions or snow but many people don’t realise the dangers of driving in windy conditions. Apart from the danger of being pushed into adjacent lanes, driving in strong winds also have other hidden dangers. Why is driving in strong winds dangerous? Strong winds can uproot trees onto roads and houses Flying debris can be thrown against the windscreen Overtaking in windy conditions is harder for larger and taller vehicles ...

gices | 26 Nov 2009 09:41
Driving With No Insurance Or Licence
Perhaps the obvious but most overlooked factor in getting car insurance is having a valid licence which entitles you to drive the vehicle you want to. This prerequisite can be a huge problem for people who have been trying to get hold of a license and it can push people to start driving without insurance. Another important factor which can prevent drivers from purchasing a car insurance policy is the cost of the premiums. Many foreigners who have come to live in the UK tend to drive without lic...

gices | 27 Nov 2009 12:17
Vehicle Data Check
When buying a new car, the process is more straightforward if you have the finances but for a used car, the same cannot be said unfortunately. A used car can have one or many previous owners and it is important to find the vehicle's history before committing to buy the car. There are some factors that could have long term implications when not knowing about a car's previous history. Cars which have retained their original colour will have more value than one which has had its colour changed. If ...

gices | 28 Nov 2009 10:05
Buying second hand car
Buying a second car is the norm these days as everyone knows that by driving a brand new car off the forecourt, the car has already lost a few thousand pounds of its value. So what do you need to check before purchasing a nearly new or second hand car? Before you go to a showroom how about researching what cars you like and then read the reviews on them? Once you have narrowed it down to about three cars, you should start test driving them and finding a reasonable budget to purchase the car. The...

gices | 28 Nov 2009 10:08
Under 25 Car Insurance
Age plays an important role in determining the cost of car insurance for two main reasons. First statistics show that younger drivers drive more recklessly and are therefore more prone to accidents. Second, as people get older, they mature more and tend to have more responsibilities and are thus more careful when driving. This is why car insurance for under 25s are significantly higher than for drivers above that age limit. You may be wondering why the cut off point has been taken at 25 and not...

gices | 28 Nov 2009 10:37
Best Hybrid Cars
With so many adverts on TV asking us to change the way we live or face devastating effects in the future, many people are changing their car to hybrids in a bid to combat climate change. The problem with conventional cars is that they release a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air which pollutes the environment and increases global warming. What is a hybrid car? A hybrid is a vehicle or mode of transportation that combines the use of two or more sources of power. Most hybrid cars are a combi...

gices | 29 Nov 2009 10:34
Road Tax Exemption Vehicles
As we approach 2010, many car drivers are worried about any rise to road tax. As you probably already know, road tax increases every year and those who have larger engines are penalised because they have to pay a lot more. Road tax charges range from £35 to £405 and you cannot avoid these charges but there are ways where you can legally be exempted from paying vehicle tax or pay the smallest fee applicable. Nowadays many people are taking the amount they need to pay for road tax into...

gices | 29 Nov 2009 11:07
Car Servicing - Why it is important!
After a minimum of three years, you should start thinking about servicing your car yearly. All new cars come with 3 years warranty when they are first purchased but the chances of anything going wrong is very slim during that period of time. Guidelines for all vehicles vary, so read the handbook that comes with your vehicle to check when you should service your car. Some car manufacturers advise you to service the car when you reach X amount of miles, however if you are a heavy user and drive mo...

gices | 01 Dec 2009 13:20
Advantages and disadvantages of electric cars
With many people in the UK looking for greener alternatives for travelling, purchasing an electric car is the preferred option where riding a bicycle is not possibly. Over the last 15 years alone, the amount of people owning an electric car has gone up by 20% and there are many tax benefits and saving that come with electric vehicles that many people find it too hard to resist. Pros and Cons of electric cars? Like everything, purchasing an electric car has its good points and bad points. So to...

gices | 01 Dec 2009 14:27
Alternative Fuel Cars
With the ever increasing petrol/diesel prices and the falling economy, many people are looking for ways to efficiently run their cars in an attempt to save some money. In many situations, a vast majority of people are choosing to use their car as the primary mode of transport and therefore if savings can be made on fueling, then this topic needs to be explored further. Choosing an alternative fuel car not only saves you money on fuel but you can also be exempted from paying road tax if the vehic...

gices | 01 Dec 2009 14:57
Extended Car Warranty - Do you need it?
There are some makes and models which are more prone to problems such as breakdown, power steering and braking. Before buying a car, most people do a little bit of research but if you are one of the unlucky few who haven’t done their homework properly, then extended car warranty could save you thousands. Modern cars come with many features as standard these days such as DVD entertainment, heated seats, air conditioning and navigation system - the more features you have the more expensive i...

gices | 02 Dec 2009 10:36
Are 4x4s safer?
Recent studies have found that 4x4s are not as safe as you may think because motorcyclists are more likely to crash into a 4x4 than any other vehicle. As 4x4s have larger engines, they are more capable of reaching top speeds in no time, so drivers tend not to be aware of how fast they are actually going and intimidate the driver in front of them. If a 4x4 was involved in a car crash, the driver and the passengers of the other vehicle would sustain life threatening or critical injuries. Smaller c...

gices | 02 Dec 2009 15:50
Common accidents during driving lessons
Many teenagers in the UK apply for a provisional driving licence at the age of 17 which then entitles them to take driving lessons by a licensed and qualified driving school or self employed instructor. As the prospect of being a licence holder is both exciting and daunting, many do not realise that accidents can still occur whilst learning to drive. As a learner driver, accidents are rare as the driving instructor has duel controls to help control the vehicle if needed but sometimes accidents ...

gices | 16 Dec 2009 08:53
How to modify your car to boost performance?
There are many people who spend a lot of money on their car to either make it look good or to boost the performance of the car. There are many ways to do this and some of the ways to boost your car are not as expensive as you may think. Here are a few most common and cheapest ways to boost car performance without breaking the bank. There are many things you can do yourself to modify your car with the help of the internet but there are some things that require the help of an experienced and qual...

gices | 17 Dec 2009 10:25
Accidents driving in snow
In the UK, when it snows everything grinds to a halt; the local authorities just don’t know how to cope. Every year they promise that the following year they will plan better to aid motorists and passengers who need to use public transport but they never do. This year we have had snow twice - first in February and again in December. Local authorities are still short of grit for the roads and salt for the pavements. What does snow mean for motorists? When you listen to the radio and watch...

gices | 18 Dec 2009 10:55
Car frosting
Frosting is the term used when you are de-frosting and de-icing the car on a cold winter morning with the car keys in the ignition. Most people do this to warm up the car inside whilst they clear ice and snow off the windows. There are opportunistic thieves who jump at the chance to steal the car to either joy ride or use the car in a theft. With the cold winter months now in full swing, de-icing the car in the morning is a must and most people like to leave the car on to warm up the engine to b...

gices | 19 Dec 2009 10:58
Renewing your car insurance during Christmas & New Year
December is the month where everyone is in a festive mood. Sometimes the preparation for Christmas and New Year can even start during the early days of November depending on how much needs to be done. If you have a large family and a lot of friends, then you will find it easier to begin the hunt for presents weeks before the last week of December so that you don’t miss anyone on your list. And Christmas disasters can be avoided if you take the time to get things ready well ahead. The only ...

gices | 20 Dec 2009 14:37
Short period driving disqualification
There are many people who receive a short period driving disqualification because of a whole range of reasons - the most common being drink driving or driving recklessly. If you fall into this category, you may be given the chance to redeem yourself and get your driving licence back sooner for good behaviour or taking a course. Some drivers who get disqualified may be able to take a drink driving awareness course to help them get back on the road sooner. If this wasn’t offered to you as an...

gices | 23 Dec 2009 07:50
Cut and shut vehicles
There are an estimated 30,000 cut and shut vehicles on the road with most of them belonging to unsuspecting motorists. With the country in a recession, many buyers are looking for cheap cars rather than buying a nearly new car from a showroom or dealer. The majority of the younger buyers also want to save money on their first car as everyone knows that insurance and running costs are high for them. What are cut and shut vehicles? Cut and shut vehicles are two separate vehicles that have been w...

gices | 04 Jan 2010 09:57
Second Driver Insurance
There are times when becoming a 2nd driver on an insurance policy makes more sense than being the principal driver. This can sometimes lead to reduced premiums especially if the additional driver is female. Getting second driver insurance is an option which you can choose if you want to save money whilst still being able to drive legally. If there’s just one car in the household and that’s going to be shared among family members who can drive, then only a single car insurance policy...

gices | 05 Jan 2010 06:06
Vehicle inspection - Services to check the car
Most new buyers opt for a vehicle data check when deciding whether or not to purchase a car and find out any history that may have been hidden from you. Sometimes the vehicle data check doesn’t provide enough information such as if it’s a cut and shut or if it has had water damage. You can for free get some background knowledge on what to inspect when buying a used car by going to the library and looking on the internet for information. Alternatively you can pay a mechanic or expe...

gices | 06 Jan 2010 13:38
Winter driving myths
With much of the country suffering from sub zero temperatures that we Britons are just not used to, we look at the most common winter driving myths that some still believe in today: Skidding – when your car skids it’s said that you should just slam on your brakes or let go of the wheel to let the car regain control. This is false, you should never let go of the steering wheel if the car skids, instead steer into the skid and you will then regain control of the car. Gears &ndash...

gices | 07 Jan 2010 11:02
Category A insurance write off
If a car has been given a Category A Write Off, then the car can only be sold to the scrap yard only. The same goes for the parts of the vehicle. In most cases the damage is too severe and so even after selling it to the scrap yard, the cost of recovery and delivery to the scrap yard is not always recovered. Examples of Cat A Write Offs Cars that are beyond repair usually fall under Cat Insurance A Write Off; this means the car has been completely demolished. This usually happens when the vehi...

gices | 08 Jan 2010 09:36
Category B insurance write off
If your car has been classed as a Category B Insurance Write Off, then this will mean that the car must not be driven again but roadworthy parts and components may be sold. Structurally the vehicle cannot have parts removed for the use in other cars as this can be deemed a safety issue. There are many private sellers that still try to sell Category B cars so it is advisable to always have a vehicle data check as it could save you thousands. Recently there was the case of a buyer who had put dow...

gices | 09 Jan 2010 09:21
Multi Car Insurance
Having a car is undoubtedly a necessity in this modern day and age. While most people own just one car, there are some families who have two or more cars in their household. Of course, if both the husband and wife need to drive to work and have to go separate ways, you cannot rely on one of them to drop the other. Circumstances like this often lead to the purchase of a second car to make things simple. However this decision mean that costs are likely to increase because of the higher consumption...

gices | 09 Jan 2010 09:53
Joyriding
Joyriding is illegal in most places around the world and the UK is no exception. Driving a car without the owner’s permission is illegal and if caught you could face a fine, a prison sentence and even a driving ban. Proper insurance is needed when driving someone else’s car and a valid licence is needed too. Most joy riders are between the age of 17-25 but could have started joyriding from as young as 13. A quarter of cars that have been involved in joyriding have never been recovere...

gices | 10 Jan 2010 09:28
Car Seat Covers - Protecting your seats for longer life
The UK doesn’t seem to see much sun but just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not causing any damage. The sun along with normal wear and tear can cause damage to car seats. The answer for this problem is simple - replace them with new car seat covers. Cheap car seat covers can actually work out more expensive in the long run. Cheap covers are usually plastic or made from synthetic materials so long term use is not really guaranteed. Nowadays when purchasing a ne...

gices | 12 Jan 2010 09:25
Advantages and disadvantages of alloy wheels
With a growing number of people still wanting to customise their cars, one of the ways to stand out is getting alloy wheels. If you are purchasing a new car you can usually request alloy wheels at an extra cost but most people choose to wait and purchase them after as they can be bought cheaper elsewhere. Alloy wheels are sometimes made of magnesium or metal alloy making it lighter and aid better performance compared to the classic steel wheels. If you decide to remove your alloy wheels for wha...

gices | 13 Jan 2010 11:53
Car Loan With Balloon Payment
There are many ways to buy a car – you can pay the full amount if you have the money, get a personal car loan from the bank or purchase it on finance from the dealer. Not many people have that sort of money in hand though and for most of us getting a loan is the most common way of purchasing a car. If you want to keep repayments to a minimum initially though, you should consider getting a car loan with balloon payment. You might have come across a new car and fell in love with it or badly...

gices | 13 Jan 2010 12:37
Car ringing - How to avoid it?
This is the term used for stolen cars that have had their identification numbers swapped with another vehicle. Usually these car identities have been replaced by a written off vehicle thus giving them a new identity. All cars have their VIN number under the bonnet, stamped in the floor of the car and even in the pillar of the door, boot of the car and at the base of windscreen. It’s worth finding out where the VIN is located on the particular make and model of the car you intend to purchas...

gices | 14 Jan 2010 11:01
Category C Write Off
Cat C Write Off is a vehicle that is repairable but the cost of the work to be carried out would exceed the value of the vehicle; it is by no means unsafe to buy or sell. As long as the DVLA has been informed and a VOSA check has been done as well as MOT and all repairs undertaken on the vehicle, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t buy the car. Not all dealers will declare the previous history of a vehicle so it’s up to you to do necessary checks before purchasing. Can I ...

gices | 15 Jan 2010 09:23
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 car with you instead of having to go there and not having your own transport. Of course, you can move to this beautiful island and then search for another car to...

gices | 21 Jan 2010 14:09
52 Days Free Car Insurance
Everyone likes a good discount or free stuff thrown along with some purchase. It makes you feel like you’re getting a very good deal indeed. Sometimes it’s the little extras that you get that make you buy a certain product or service. This is true for many things and car insurance is one of them. Who wouldn’t want to get 52 days free car insurance when purchasing a policy for their vehicle? In a year, there are 52 weeks and if you’re getting fifty-two days free, it means...

gices | 22 Jan 2010 14:37
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 think. What you should know about car shipping Depending on the country you are shipping your vehicle to, you may have to pay tax at customs and depending on how m...

gices | 23 Jan 2010 05:59
Girly car accessories
In today’s modern times, there is nothing that you cannot purchase to make your car more personalised. As men like to be seen macho, you won’t see them kitting out their car to make it more unique; it is usually younger women and girls that accessories are more appealing to. What girly car accessories are there to buy? Everything you can imagine and more! If you cannot see something you would like to buy, you can get items custom made for your car but usually there's a hefty premi...

gices | 25 Jan 2010 09:27
How to pass your driving test?
Before you are able to sit the practical driving test, you are expected to have completed the theory test with hazard perception to ensure that you are familiar with the Highway Code and can notice driving dangers well ahead for the safety of everyone including you. With all the knowledge you have gathered and the driving skills you have acquired through hours of practice, you are finally ready to give the driving test a go with the hope to pass first time round. To maximise your chances of pas...

gices | 25 Jan 2010 10:30
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 minimum and maximum age for hiring one of their cars for any duration There may be a minimum period needed for you to have held your licence before driving...

gices | 26 Jan 2010 04:50
Driving Test Routes
In order to maximise your chances of passing the driving test, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the driving test routes that the examiner will take you on when you decide to sit the test. The test routes vary from one test centre to another but you can get to know the actual routes if you take driving lessons with an experienced local instructor. You can get it from the DSA website as well and I’ll show you where in a minute because there’s something important that I want y...

gices | 26 Jan 2010 07:02
Tinkerbell Car Accessories
As we all know, the ladies love their car accessories and if they’re not too fond of buying just pink car accessories then why not try the alternatives. Tinkerbell car accessories have something to suit all tastes and budgets. You can get Tinkerbell car stuff in pink and also black but still with some girly touches such as glitter and pastel colouring. What Tinkerbell car accessories are there to buy? Everything you can possibly think of is available to buy in the Tinkerbell car accessor...

gices | 26 Jan 2010 08:56
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 because police cars are now patrolling more frequently and they are equipped with ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology which enables them to sca...

gices | 26 Jan 2010 11:17
Under 17 driving
In the UK, the youngest age to legally hold a driver licence is when you are 17 years old. You are then allowed to apply for your provisional license, sit your theory test including hazard perception and book the practical driving test as well. Although you are allowed to apply for a provisional driving licence 2 months before you are seventeen (16 years and 10 months old), you are not allowed to drive on the roads until your 17th birthday though. However for under 17s, driving lessons can be ta...

gices | 27 Jan 2010 09:25
Spongebob Car accessories
SpongeBob Squarepants has become increasingly popular in the last few years; children adore him and so do the adults. If you have a young child, you can use them as an excuse for having SpongeBob car accessories and if you don’t, it does not really matter. There are many childless adults who love SpongeBob just as much as the kids so why not buy some fun car accessories about that porous yellow creature who lives in a pineapple under the sea? What SpongeBob car accessories are there to bu...

gices | 29 Jan 2010 09:47
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 be done if we want to stop car crime. Below if a list of the top 10 most stolen cars   Vauxhall Vectra Ford Mondeo Ford Focus Ford Es...

gices | 01 Feb 2010 04:22
Hello Kitty Car Accessories
In recent years hello kitty has gained immense popularity and it was so much that companies have also introduced a line of hello kitty car accessories. They are the perfect gift for a hello kitty fan or as a means of accessory when keeping young children calm on a trip or even the school run. Many young children enjoy having some stimulation when sitting in the car and with some pretty pink car accessories, little girls will soon enjoy the school run and family shopping days. What hello kitty c...

gices | 05 Feb 2010 08:00
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 see when they drive past and the second is a trim sign for the roof. Once you have a car with professional driving school advertising, you will soon start to ge...

gices | 08 Feb 2010 04:53
Business Car Insurance
The most common car insurance policy that most people buy offers protection for social, domestic, pleasure (SDP) use and commuting. This is enough for many of us as it also allows us to use the car to travel to work. The assumption here is that you have a fixed place of work and when you’re working, your car is parked somewhere until you’re ready to go back home. If you need to travel to other places as part of your job description, then you will need to have business car insurance a...

gices | 08 Feb 2010 05:28
Can you really get learner insurance from £3 a day?
Many learners are looking for the opportunity to be able to drive their own car (or their parents) for more driving practice to help them pass their test. Knowing that car insurance is a must, not only for legal reasons but also because of the chances of them doing something wrong and them being liable for loss or damages, they are looking for ways to get insured at reasonable rates. Of course, everyone is really inclined to go for the cheapest quotes they can find but when it comes to learner ...

gices | 08 Feb 2010 06:59
Disabled Car Insurance
As we all know, even disabled drivers are allowed to have driving lessons in specially adapted cars for their disability. Although we don't see advertisements showing car insurance for the disabled, it is nevertheless a growing industry as more people with special needs decide to take on driving in an attempt to become less dependent. Disabled drivers are a lower risk category when it comes to insuring so insurers are most likely to accept if you are a blue badge holder. Having a specially adapt...

gices | 09 Feb 2010 05:00
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, you will need to go back to the beginning and apply for a provisional licence, pass the theory test and then pass the extended driving test. A standard driving ...

gices | 10 Feb 2010 10:51
Under 21 Car rental
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 vehicle? To be honest, if you're under 21 and looking to rent a car, then chances are that you won't find anything because of your age. How to rent a car when you're u...

gices | 11 Feb 2010 09:58
Banned Driver Insurance
A significant number of motorists find themselves in situations where they face huge car insurance premiums because they have been previously banned from driving. The disqualification itself may have arisen from dangerous driving, speeding, totting up points, drink driving or any other breach of the Highway Code. This makes banned driver insurance a hard thing to find and expensive as well. Many times when you are banned from driving, you are also required to retake your driving test and since ...

gices | 15 Feb 2010 05:13
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 found to keep offending even after receiving penalty points, then they could have their licence taken away from them, sometimes indefinitely. By accumulating eno...

gices | 15 Feb 2010 06:41
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 time though and that driving without an MOT can have some serious consequences. Consequences of driving without valid MOT Being caught driving a vehicle without a...

gices | 16 Feb 2010 05:56
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 speeding and accidents. The worst speed bumps are found in private car parks; they are often too high or sharp and cause damage to low vehicles such as sports c...

gices | 18 Feb 2010 08:57
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 25 can be as high as £3,000 and though it is no excuse, this is the main reason most choose to drive with no insurance. The more uninsured drivers there are...

gices | 19 Feb 2010 05:22
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 that have speed bumps still have the national speed limit of 30mph but just because it says 30mph, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always safe to do ...

gices | 22 Feb 2010 04:10
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 there should be a sign up telling you the times the bus lane is in use. Bus lane convenience Using a bus lane is sometimes quicker than using the ‘normal&rsq...

gices | 24 Feb 2010 09:15
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. As more and more people have caused accidents whilst eating and driving, there are now consequences for those who get caught. I’m sure when you are on the c...

gices | 26 Feb 2010 09:48
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 reliable 4x4's In tenth place is the Toyota Landcruiser with the average repair bill costing £525.01, it’s still a tough SUV and favourite for many...

gices | 01 Mar 2010 08:45
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 licence plate number and scan it through DVLA’s database to see if you are up to date with car insurance, road tax and MOT. Sometimes you might forget that y...

gices | 02 Mar 2010 03:58
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 them are slim. Unless there is a witness or some form of security i.e. CCTV cameras, victims are left suffering with no justice. There are several hit and run ...

gices | 02 Mar 2010 03:59
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 moment, articulated lorries are used for domestic and also international transport as it can support cargo shipmen that is also containerised. There are now sm...

gices | 02 Mar 2010 08:03
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 seven days a week, so if you have young children or your partner is expecting, it may not be the best job to take on. Most recovery businesses are small usually with...

gices | 02 Mar 2010 08:23
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 become part of a well established franchise instead. The most well known driving schools at the moment are Red, BSM and AA. By joining their ever expanding drivin...

gices | 03 Mar 2010 09:19
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 from £300 so it’s not surprising to see why not many people here in the UK own one. Bicycle for two As well as couples many parents and child have b...

gices | 03 Mar 2010 09:43
Insurance for disqualified drivers
People can get driving bans for a number of different reasons - these include drink driving, totting up points, speeding, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs. If you are disqualified from driving, you may face a ban of upto 10 years and be required to retake your test. Under those circumstances, finding a cheap car insurance quote can be very hard if not impossible. Insurers may reject your quote or quote you a very high premium as a result of the disqualification. If you...

gices | 03 Mar 2010 10:23
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 possibly miss their home? Well unless you've just moved to a new house but then again, a tree is a large enough obstable and you couldn't not notice it and driv...

gices | 05 Mar 2010 08:03
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 this year. Who is to blame for car insurance rise? Due to high costs of running a car along with the obligation to purchase car insurance, many people choose not...

gices | 05 Mar 2010 08:49
Car Insurance Scams
As the recession bites, there have been more and more insurance scams than there were 3 years ago. This is another contributing factor to insurance premium rises. Although some of the scams are very old tricks, they are still used today and with so many ‘no win, no fee’ solicitors it’s easier to make a claim and win. Below is a list of old and new insurance scams which have been used: Claiming for a car that you don’t own – as many people struggle to pay off...

gices | 08 Mar 2010 06:21
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 taking a taxi when you take into account things like congestion charge, high parking fees and limited spaces for parking. Where to find mini cab jobs? Mini cab...

gices | 08 Mar 2010 09:28
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 about minicab insurance and how much money you can really make with this type of job. How to get a mini cab licence in London? You will need to contact the Pu...

gices | 09 Mar 2010 04:15
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 entered into the worst recession ever in history. The majority of people getting to work or even doing weekly grocery shopping rely on their cars for transport. When ...

gices | 09 Mar 2010 08:54
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 instructor supplies. Where can I buy the things I need as a driving instructor? Depending on what exactly it is that you need, you can buy everything off the i...

gices | 12 Mar 2010 09:21
Trainee driving instructor
Everywhere you look you can find companies and franchises trying to lure you with the prospect of earning potentially good money. Sounds really good but how much does it cost to learn, start up and become a trainee driving instructor before actually becoming an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor)? We take a look at how to train to become a driving tutor and what the advantages are. How do I go about teaching learners to drive? First you will need to understand the financial side of learning to b...

gices | 15 Mar 2010 05:11
Lorry rental
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 between the ages of 25-70 but this varies according to company, so check first. If you are over 25, you will need a minimum of one year’s driving experience...

gices | 15 Mar 2010 05:33
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 should it be bought and is it mandatory? As caravans are becoming more popular, thefts are also on the increase as a result. Some cannot afford to buy a new one an...

gices | 15 Mar 2010 09:38
Log book loans
Log book loans are loans taken out with your car as security. You can borrow as little as you need or as much as 75% of the value of the car. On average, you are charged with an admin fee and 10% interest every month. You can settle early but most people who take out these loans are struggling anyway so paying off early is not really an option for them. How to get a loan using your car as a security? To be eligible for a log book loan, you must be the owner of the car and have all outstanding ...

gices | 16 Mar 2010 09:32
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 they've kept them. Why are spare car keys important? Newer cars do not have key holes to open cars, instead they are battery operated and can be opened and locke...

gices | 16 Mar 2010 10:47
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 choose to have any of the many extra optional choices available to you. People who purchase or own reliable vehicles do not usually take out cover as it’s n...

gices | 18 Mar 2010 04:54
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 boarding your flight and start you holiday from as early as check in. What are executive lounges? These are lounges where you sit and relax in a nice calm enviro...

gices | 18 Mar 2010 05:22
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 removal purposes or delivering large items which you no longer need. If you go with the van hire company, the insurance they will quote you can be very hefty and...

gices | 18 Mar 2010 09:31
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 collector usually starts work around 6am if not earlier. Each day they have a certain area that is due for waste collection. Very rarely do they miss a collecti...

gices | 18 Mar 2010 09:54
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 cream van sellers in the UK however are at a disadvantage due to the weather as it rains a lot and bad weather can be crippling. Generally ice cream starts sell...

gices | 19 Mar 2010 08:50
Courtesy car insurance
If you have courtesy car cover as an extra on your insurance policy, this can be a lifesaver especially if you have children to drop off school or rely heavily on your car to get out and about to go to work. If you are to ever get involved in a car accident that was either your fault or not, your insurer will give you a courtesy car if that's included in your policy. Do I need courtesy car insurance cover? In most cases it is not necessary to get insurance to cover a courtesy car. If you have ...

gices | 22 Mar 2010 10:10
Driveaway insurance
There seems to be an insurance policy for all aspects of driving, so is driveaway insurance really necessary? Many people do not even think about it when they are getting a new car from a dealer and are more focused on getting the car back home than thinking about the consequences that this little overlooking car have. When would you ever need to have driveaway insurance? As you well know even if you are picking up a new car and driving it home, you still need to have proper insurance in place...

gices | 22 Mar 2010 11:04
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 everything. Why do I need motor trade insurance? If you have to drive or move a car, you will need insurance to cover yourself and any other staff who are likely to d...

gices | 24 Mar 2010 09:29
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 than 60mph due to the heavy load they are transporting; international lorries however vary in speed and can sometimes cause confusion through the speed they displ...

gices | 25 Mar 2010 08:35
Best driving instructor
Every new student who wants to learn how to drive wants the very best instructor that they can find. As long as the driving instructor is fully qualified with the green badge clearly displayed on the windscreen, they will be able to give teach you the good driving skills and they will be either independent or belong to a driving school. There is no way for you to know how good a driving instructor is prior to taking lessons with them and having an actual lesson. You may get many recommendations...

gices | 25 Mar 2010 09:04
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 neighbourhood. Driving school instructor facts If you choose a driving school to learn how to drive, the lesson fees will be a little higher than an independent inst...

gices | 26 Mar 2010 06:20
Driving instructor books
Committing yourself to becoming a driving instructor is financially and emotionally demanding as many to start to train do not have the courage to continue. To avoid failure, the best thing to do is to have a lot of reading material and teaching aids that will encourage you and help you pass first time round. As driving test pass rates are increasing, many people are opting for a career in teaching learners to drive but the minimum £3,000 start up fee just to train is undoubtedly difficul...

gices | 26 Mar 2010 06:39
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 able to provide coverage for you. This is not illegal and in most cases this is what is likely to happen. Having been caught speeding can also affect job applic...

gices | 29 Mar 2010 06:13
Trainee driving instructor insurance
If you have received your pink trainee instructor driving badge, you only have 6 months to put it to good use before it expires and will have to continue the last part to become an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor). If you choose to teach students how to drive to gain some experience before becoming fully qualified, you are able to do so by applying for your pink badge. This must be displayed at all times on the vehicle that you are driving though. At the moment there is no law to say that you ...

gices | 29 Mar 2010 08:02
Car accident settlement
If you have ever been involved in an accident, you will know how time consuming it is and how hard it is to get the result you are looking for. If you are at fault and accept liability, then the claim can go through quickly without getting nasty but if no one accepts the blame, then it can drag on for years. Sometimes you may be required to pay up for all costs relating to the damage caused to your car;. If you are found to be innocent, then the money will be refunded back to you afterwards. If...

gices | 30 Mar 2010 08:29
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 on the right side of the road, so when you come to the UK you may find it harder to adapt to. If you rent a car in Britain, you can also get a satellite navigato...

gices | 31 Mar 2010 05:56
Car insurance for foreign licence holders
In most cases when you start driving in the UK on a foreign licence, it is usually because you have come here for work or study and plan on becoming a resident. If you are, then car insurance is much easily obtained whereas if you are here temporarily, on a holiday for example or if you intend on driving on another foreign licence, then insurance is harder to get and can be extremely expensive. Car insurance for an EU licence holder Many insurance companies will accept your EU licence until yo...

gices | 31 Mar 2010 06:15
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 maybe people have not yet posted questions on the problem you're having. The solution then is to join a car forum in the hope that someone will eventually reply w...

gices | 31 Mar 2010 11:19
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 member or friend; you'll be surprised how common this is. If you so have to drive someone else’s car, then make sure you ask their permission first. If you h...

gices | 01 Apr 2010 07:46
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 have. Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t always mean you will never be able to drive but there may be other ways to help. For example if you don&rsq...

gices | 01 Apr 2010 08:32
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 licence. When would you need a driving licence for a short period only? There are a few reasons when a short period driving licence may be issued instead of a...

gices | 02 Apr 2010 06:49
New driving test changes October 2010
As we all know every year there is the same discussion and threat that the practical driving test is set to get harder. So every year younger and older drivers want to get it over and done with as soon as possible while it's still relatively easy to maximise their chances of getting their driving licence. How much has the driving test changed in recent years? 20 years ago learners got off easy; all they had to do when they took a practical driving test was to show that they were competent in d...

gices | 02 Apr 2010 07:14
VAT increase on cars - How can you save money?
Since January 4th 2011, VAT increased by 2.5% bringing it to 20% and many people shopped frantically before this date to save some money. Most people put off spending until after the New Year as shopping over Christmas can be expensive though. For those who didn’t manage to buy a car last year and was waiting for this current year, they will be disappointed to find that buying a new car in 2011 will mean that it costs on average around £350 more than it did in 2010. Unfortunately ...

gices | 06 Apr 2010 08:51
DSA part 2 check test insurance
If you are a PDI (Potential Driving Instructor), you know that there are three parts to the test to enable you to become an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor). The second part of the test is a practical driving test. The practical driving test is very similar to the one you take when you are a learner driver, only know the test is much harder and is aimed at making sure you can drive as safely as you teach. Although very difficult to fail there are some who need to take the test a few times be...

gices | 06 Apr 2010 09:07
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 really need to have expired endorsements removed from my licence? You don’t have to have them removed but if you get pulled over for anything it may be used a...

gices | 08 Jun 2010 05:23
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 bonus and get a better quote the following year; statistics show that new drivers can pay as much as £1,200 for insuring a small car such as a Clio, Micra or ...

gices | 13 Apr 2010 05:06
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 time to ensure you are still in good health to drive. If your condition worsens, then you must inform the DVLA who will then decide if they should revoke the licenc...

gices | 08 Apr 2010 07:43
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 legally unless you renew your licence. How to drive when you are passed 70? When you are approaching your 70th birthday, you will need to remember that your driver&...

gices | 08 Apr 2010 12:36
Tips to pass your driving test
All new drivers regardless of age are all eager to pass their test and start driving straight away. Before you can get your full UK driving licence, there are a few important things you must do to enable you to pass. You must complete the theory test and hazard perception test and you must be able to read a licence plate from a distance of 20 metres but most importantly you must be a confident driver to be able to pass. The best way to learn is to have a good instructor that you feel confident ...

gices | 08 Apr 2010 12:38
Can learner drivers drive at night?
As a learner driver, you will have lessons in all sorts of weather conditions providing it is safe to do so. You will also experience different types of driving such as urban driving, dual carriageway driving and driving at night. As long as you are always supervised by someone who's held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years and is over the age of 21, you are fine to drive as long as you stay off the motorway. It is also safe to drive with a family member or friend provided the mention...

gices | 12 Apr 2010 06:04
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 hit by a vehicle and is put in hospital, the driver may be charged with reckless driving but if the injured person dies the charge can be changed to vehicular mans...

gices | 12 Apr 2010 08:40
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 driving licence. You may also have to surrender your licence due to a driving conviction or ban; in this case you will need to send back your licence for the period ...

gices | 13 Apr 2010 05:30
Wedding car insurance
With so many things to organise before the big day, having proper insurance for the wedding may seem unimportant but we take a look at why it could save the day. Every bride’s nightmare is that the car will break down, not turn up or crash on the big day. By having wedding car insurance in place you can be sure that you will be covered for pretty much all major catastrophes that may happen relating to the car. Whereas most people choose to hire a car or fleet of cars for the bride, groom ...

gices | 17 May 2010 07:51
Crash course driving lessons
For people who are new to driving but want to pass their test quickly or for those who have taken a driving test and failed before, crash course driving lessons could be the solution. Before you take a crash course though, it is advisable to take the theory test first, so that you can take the driving test at the end of the course, and if you pass, you can apply for your full driving licence without any further delay. These intensive courses vary in length and depend on how experienced a driver...

gices | 24 May 2010 05:25
Intensive driving courses
When you are learning to drive, it is advisable to stick to it until you pass your test. Some people take lessons that are much spaced apart like every other week or once a month. This is a very bad way to learn as you need as much practice as you can get, so having lessons more frequently like twice a week or once every week is the best way to pass quicker. It’s a misconception when people say it’ll cost more because if you take driving lessons regularly, then you’ll pass quic...

gices | 02 Aug 2010 11:10
Over 50 car insurance
When seeking to renew or take out car insurance age, driving experience and time you have held a valid licence all work in your favour. Many people believe that under 25’s get a bad deal in car insurance premiums but the age which car insurance companies find less risky to insure is actually 50 years and over. One of the reasons why insurance companies like the over 50’s is because most have held their licence for 25 years or more; they are most likely to have 10 years or more of no ...

gices | 25 May 2010 05:26
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 vehicle can cause a weight increase that can consequently deviate you through alternative route for safety reasons. Although height restrictions are more common, w...

gices | 26 May 2010 08:42
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 are new to the place you are visiting. Also with technology getting better you can now get maps for most countries abroad for your satellite navigation systems a...

gices | 27 May 2010 06:52
Learner Driver Insurance
First of all it, is very important for you as a learner to hold a valid provisional driving licence before you start to drive. Failure to have one is an offence according to UK laws. You can apply for your provisional licence online from government site (DirectGov) or by using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) one or even from any Post Office branch. Once your provisional driver licence is at hand, you need to start searching for an insurance company to provide adequate cover for ...

gices | 27 May 2010 06:56
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 is in fact a joke. Every aspect of driving has to be declared to the DVLA such as applying for a provisional licence, getting a full driver's licence, declaring...

gices | 31 May 2010 10:12
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 licence holder’s responsibility to check this. Expired driving licence renewal If you are caught with an expired licence or the DVLA do a random check, you ca...

gices | 02 Jun 2010 08:09
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 Motability with the choice of two options. Motability Contract Hire This is the most popular choice for people with disabilities who would like to gain some indepe...

gices | 21 Jun 2010 14:09
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 were not proved to also be drunk and disorderly. Drink driving awareness course details When you arrive in court charged with drink driving, the courts may offer...

gices | 22 Jun 2010 08:14
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 charging zone has expanded to cover wider area around the city. Why is there a congestion charge? The congestion charge was put in place to reduce traffic build u...

gices | 05 Jul 2010 10:59
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 taxi does. Private taxi insurance is the mini cab insurance that is required to provide insurance coverage to the driver as well as to the passengers. For each and...

gices | 10 Jul 2010 10:47
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 the actions of the dog and car owner. To understand this, let's assume that you use your car to take your dog to a vet more often than you use it to take your do...

gices | 24 Jul 2010 13:59
Japanese Car Insurance
Japanese cars are, no doubt, one of the best cars running on the roads of UK. What makes them stand distinct from other cars is their wide array of features and specifications at comparatively cheaper price. However, lower price of these cars have their own costs. Some of the Japanese cars are not built according to European standards (including the standards of UK). The difference in standards may mean that you can pay considerably more for Japanese car insurance if you do not shop around. How...

gices | 30 Jul 2010 14:04
Classic Car Insurance
Almost all insurance companies provide a completely different design for covering classic cars, which is distinctly called classic car insurance. Before you apply for this type of policy though, you need to know whether your car qualifies as classic and if it does, then for which category. As per UK Governments' Revenue and Custom department, a car qualifies as a classic if it is worth £15,000 or over and is at least 10 years old. There are mainly five different groups of cars that are cl...

gices | 01 Aug 2010 11:22
Driving School Insurance
There are specialist insurers for both driving schools and individual driving instructors. The size of your driving school will determine what type of insurance is best for you. One thing in your favour in the expensive world of insurance is that driving instructors are known by insurance companies to be good drivers. So, if you only have a few instructors, you might find it cheaper to take out individual driving instructor insurance for them rather than taking out a block comprehensive insuranc...

gices | 08 Aug 2010 09:56
Advanced Driving Courses
Learning to drive can be quite hard but there are things that you can do to make the whole process easier. For example, advanced driving courses are useful for drivers of all ages and can make getting your driving licence this little bit easier if followed properly. Both experienced and new drivers who have just passed their test benefit from them as well. Research conducted by some people from Brunel University has shown that when drivers take advanced driving courses, their skills improve, es...

gices | 08 Aug 2010 10:14
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 clamp cars but as most people know clampers rarely show you their badge number and some are rogue clampers that do it to con innocent victims out of hard earned...

gices | 17 Aug 2010 08:30
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 important not only because it provides protection to your vehicle but also because it is mandatory by law to have adequate insurance cover when driving any type of vehi...

gices | 17 Aug 2010 10:23
Intensive Driving Lessons
If you don't want to wait for too long to get your driving licence, then you do have an option and that is to skip the regular driving course and enrol for intensive driving lessons. There are people who never thought that they would ever need a driving license. But, at some time in their life, they find the driving license very essential for them, may be because of their job requirements or may be because they moved in a place where private car is the only mode of conveyance. For such people to...

gices | 20 Aug 2010 14:37
Car shipping to Spain
As more and more people move abroad to start a new life, almost all families will also ship the car they have purchased in the UK as well as other personal belongings and furniture. The warm weather, beautiful beaches and appealing sea are a few of the reasons why many people decide to live in Spain rather than in England. However a car is a much needed commodity if you want to take full advantage of what the country has to offer and make things easier on you. Popular destinations where Britons ...

gices | 25 Aug 2010 08:34
Student discount driving lessons
As a student, you can enjoy many benefits in life such as discounted rail travel, discounts of clothes and films at the cinema and even free dental treatment. But did you know that you can also get discounted driving lessons too? Most driving schools or independent instructors will offer a discount if you are a student. As long as you have proof that you're still studying, you can greatly benefit from it. In most cases an instructor will ask for your NUS card number as these are widely availa...

gices | 25 Aug 2010 09:10
Seat belt extender
At the moment seat belts are made to fit people who have a 47.2 inch hip circumference and a 42 ½ inch waist circumference. While these dimensions will fit the majority of passengers and drivers, there are some people who may not be able to sit comfortably with a standard seat belt in place. It is against the law to drive without a seatbelt and this applies for passengers in a car as well. Under no circumstances are people allowed to remove their seatbelts as it is for their safety as ...

gices | 25 Aug 2010 09:44
NHS car leasing
As an employee who as part of their job description needs to travel regularly, your employer may offer you the option of leasing a car instead of using your own personal car. Having a leased car is usually offered if it is financially viable to do so. If you spend the majority of your time travelling between locations and spend over 60% of your time doing this, then you could save a lot of money by having a lease car instead. If you are an NHS employee, then the savings and benefits are even gre...

gices | 26 Aug 2010 07:37
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, although some insurers regard a bike as classic if it was built before 1988. More often, though, bikes built between 1983 and 1988 are termed ‘modern classic...

gices | 27 Aug 2010 19:50
Track Day Insurance
Track day insurance can be purchased for sports cars and motorbikes of all types. One day insurance for a car can cost as little as £20. Most standard car insurance policies don’t cover track days, and some companies won’t insure drivers for these events, so you will need to shop around. Of course, if you don’t purchase insurance for such events hoping that you are not going to get caught and you will not have an accident, then it's a huge gamble. You can expect to pay...

gices | 27 Aug 2010 20:15
Advanced Driving Lessons
Most people live in the assumption that advanced driving lessons are meant for those people only who used to be involved in one or other kind of racing events. Probably, this assumption has been instilled in the mind of common people by several misleading advertisements that present these lessons as a way to improve one's racing skills. On the contrary, these lessons are there for improving one's driving techniques, no matter if you are a racing driving or a day-to-day driver. Advanced drivi...

gices | 28 Aug 2010 13:44
Someone bumped into my car but won’t accept fault, what do I do?
You can be a really safe and cautious driver but at the end of the day there are things which are not in your control. On an unfortunate day, someone might just bump into your car no matter how careful you are. However, not everyone will accept their mistake and you could have a hard time proving that the other person was at fault. If you’re wondering why you need to bother proving your innocence, it’s because first you are not to blame and second and most importantly, you don&rsquo...

gices | 28 Aug 2010 18:08
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 some sort of surgery that comes along with a long bed rest. This is why it is very important to get quad bike insurance if you really like to ride this bike. ...

gices | 30 Aug 2010 20:00
How to Increase the Value of Your Car
It doesn't matter if you want to protect the investment in your car or you intend to sell right away, it is always wise to increase the value of your car. There are certain things that you can do to make your car always look like a new one and look more valuable than any other car of same model. Cleaning There is no one who feels comfortable in a dirty car. So, you need to keep it clean. Cleanliness is a big factor that strikes the mind of a car buyer. Even if you are not going to sell your...

gices | 30 Aug 2010 20:38
Car repair questions
There will come a time in your life when you will need to have your car repaired. Although most people turn to the internet to fix minor problems, many are also attempting to fix more complex problems by themselves. Silly things such as checking your oil level, wiper fluid and engine coolant are pretty easy and basic things you can do for yourself without the need of a mechanic but other problems such as rewiring a radio and problems with headlight should be rectified by a qualified mechanic. ...

gices | 31 Aug 2010 11:57
Short term car lease
Short term car leasing is usually available for 3-12 month periods although there are a few companies that lease cars for 28 days as well. This is opposed to the standard 2-3 year contract for long term car leasing. The way this works is by getting you to stick to an agreed mileage limit, then the difference of the value of the car at the beginning and then the end of the lease period is calculated and payment is made for the difference. If you go over the agreed mileage limit, you will need to ...

gices | 31 Aug 2010 12:19
Top 10 reasons people fail their driving test
Driving students will need at least 45 hours of professional driving lessons and the lucky few will also have 22 hours of private driving lessons to be fully equipped. On average 43% of learner drivers will pass but fewer first time learners will pass first time. This means the failure rate is higher that the pass rate and each year the percentage of new drivers failing increases. If you are lucky enough to have extra driving practice with a family member or friend, then you are most likely to p...

gices | 31 Aug 2010 14:02
Using own car for driving test
When you are a learner driver, you do not necessarily have to take lessons in an instructor's car. If you are lucky enough to have a car before you pass or will be car sharing with a parent or sibling, you can choose to learn in your own private car. The same applies to taking the practical driving test; you can choose to use your own car for the driving test also. If you plan on using your own car for your driving test, then you must make sure that it is taxed, has passed MOT and you have th...

gices | 31 Aug 2010 14:33
Independent driving for practical test
As you may well know as from the 4th October 2010, a new part of the practical driving test will be mandatory. The driving test will be extended so that this new assessment referred to as independent driving can take place. If you are fortunate enough to sit the test before this date and pass, you will be the lucky few who will escape this new change to passing the practical driving test. Independent driving is a new test that is added on to the practical driving test and it should last aroun...

gices | 02 Sep 2010 14:13
Bad Credit Car Loans
First of all, if you have a poor credit rating, you cannot expect to find the kind of deals on loans that those with good credit rating have. Unfortunately you will have to pay higher monthly installments and interest when paying back the loan. However, you will still be able to get a loan if you shop around. Ideally check out several brokers and insurance companies before you sign on the dotted line. You can get quotes online or over the phone, but try to ensure that you are dealing with a repu...

gices | 03 Sep 2010 13:05
Business Car Leasing
You might be wondering if it’s worth leasing a car or a fleet of cars for your business needs. In the UK, there isn’t really a history of car leasing on a personal basis, and companies usually opt for leasing a fleet of company cars rather than one or two. However, if you sit with your accountant and go through the maths, you might discover that with the deals on offer at the moment, and calculating the depreciation value per annum of a vehicle or a fleet of them, leasing may be the ...

gices | 03 Sep 2010 13:16
Driving in Europe
To begin with, remember that they drive on the right in Europe, so if you are thinking of taking your own right hand drive car, you may have some problems. It could be worth your while to check out the cost of hiring a car when you get to your destination on the European mainland. Of course, you may be intent on driving through Europe to get to your final destination; in which case, apart from driving on the opposite side of the road, there are other things to take into consideration. First o...

gices | 03 Sep 2010 13:29
Learner Driver Pack
When you receive your provisional licence, it will be accompanied by a Driver’s Record, which details the 24 skills tested in the practical driving test. There are spaces for your instructor to fill in as you progress through the levels 1 to 4. When you reach level 5, the instructor provides full details of your abilities and you and the instructor can see at a glance which areas you need to improve. Your instructor will also help with the theory part of the test, but you may want to do so...

gices | 03 Sep 2010 13:38
Bogus driving instructors - How to find the fake ones?
All new learner drivers will need to take driving lessons if they wish to pass successfully. This does not necessarily mean they all have to be trained by a professional teacher. It is beneficial to have as many lessons as possible before taking the practical driving test but as the cost of lessons increase, you can also have some private lessons by a family member or friend. As long as the person teaching you is over 21 with a clean licence and has held it for three years, it is legal to do so....

gices | 05 Oct 2010 14:45
Deer warning for drivers
Did you know that the deer population has risen to over 1.5 million and still rapidly increasing? There are 27 million cars in the UK so you would think that the likelihood of hitting a deer would be very small. There are around 74,000 deer collisions every year and since January 2009 there have been 2,000 reported incidents. As daylight savings time will change in the next few weeks, the Highways Agency are trying to make people more aware of deer related incidents. Accidents involving deer ...

gices | 28 Sep 2010 14:23
Independent driving and dyslexia
In the UK the DSA (driving standards agency) and DVLA work closely with charities to ensure that all would-be learners are not discriminated against regardless of disabilities, age, sex etc. The UK prides itself on helping people with disabilities or conditions that may prevent them from driving to find an alternative. For example if you have lost a limb or have no use your legs, you can get a specially adapted car that allows you to control it using your hands or other body parts. All learner d...

gices | 29 Sep 2010 14:09
Test routes to stop being published
Did you know that driving test centres across the UK publish their test routes online so that learner drivers can familiarise themselves before taking the practical driving test. This has proven to be a very good idea as many students who cannot book at their local test centre of choice are then given the option of booking at another test centre instead. This could be near their college, university or place of work, and by being able to familiarise themselves with the driving test routes, the ch...

gices | 30 Sep 2010 14:15
Driving lessons for people with disabilities
There are no rules to say that people with disabilities are not allowed to drive. If you receive the higher rate of the mobility component Disability Living Allowance, then you can at the age of 16 (which is a year younger than the legal age of driving currently at the age of 17) start the learning process. Learners between the ages of 16-24 may be able to get help from motability to financially aid them with the cost of learning to drive. Firstly, like all other learners you will need to ap...

gices | 07 Oct 2010 15:25
Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) - Insurers not updating your details
We all know the importance of having car insurance, so every year we are faced with the boring and time consuming task of finding the cheapest car insurance quote. If you drive without insurance for even a day, there is a chance that you will be found out by the police or cameras that have licence plate recognition. As all motorways have speed cameras, one of the checks carried out other than speed is making sure that all details are up to date such as insurance, MOT and tax disc. Police also do...

gices | 11 Oct 2010 13:59
DSA info pack for new driving instructors
As a newly qualified instructor, the prospect of setting up your own independent driving school may seem like a far-fetched idea without any proper guidance and information. This is why many new driving instructors work for well established driving schools before gaining the experience and knowledge to venture out on their own. Many new instructors find that once they have qualified and are legally allowed to teach and charge learner drivers for lessons they are left on their own to find their w...

gices | 13 Oct 2010 15:10
Driving lessons affected by potholes
When we have extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures and snow, the road surfaces seem to get worse and crumble. As a result of this, drivers have to take extra precaution when driving; they will most probably slow down or try and avoid driving directly into a pothole. Potholes are small craters that are formed due to freezing temperatures causing the tarmac to crumble. If you were to drive over these potholes at a high speed, it could cause your tyres to burst or even cause your...

gices | 14 Oct 2010 14:43
EU certificate of conformity
As there are many opportunities to work in the EU, many people often move here on a temporary basis before deciding if they would like to make it a more permanent move. One way to make your move easier is to import your car to make your life a little easier. One of the reasons why people go to great lengths to import their car and get the EU certificate of conformity is because it makes insurance slightly cheaper. How to get an EU certificate of conformity? The best place to go is directly t...

gices | 18 Oct 2010 11:54
Preparing your car for winter
As much of the North of Britain prepare for the first snowfall this winter, it’s a good time for those who live a little further south to start preparing their car for the winter months. Before it gets too cold, all drivers should perform checks and stock up on potentially life-saving items. This winter is predicted to be very cold with snowfall expected for most of the UK by Christmas. As we have already had snow at the beginning of the year, we can take benefit by heading the warnings th...

gices | 21 Oct 2010 15:41
Choosing the right car seat for your car
When it comes to starting a family, most people have paid off debts such as their car loan. So it would make sense to stick with the car that they have for a while before having the burden of buying a new car just because of difficulties regarding a car seat. There is no way of really knowing which car seat is best for your car as what might work for one family may not be suitable for yours. Budget and practicality will also play a part in what type of car seat is most suitable for your car. ...

gices | 22 Oct 2010 15:31
Airport parking - How secure is your car?
In recent years, airport parking has become a popular choice for holiday makers instead of booking a taxi for airport transfers in the UK. After a well deserved break abroad, you want nothing more than to be in the comfort of your own home. Some people who choose airport parking will opt for this as it is cheaper than getting a taxi to and from the airport. In general the further away you live from an airport, the more the taxi fare, so the best solution would be to drive there yourself and pay ...

gices | 25 Oct 2010 14:50
Speed trapping
Did you know that there are some councils that make hundreds and thousands of pounds from speeding tickets and parking fines? Some councils are now re-evaluating some speed cameras as some have been found to be unnecessary and too expensive to set up. As the country is trying to cut back and reduce losses, some decisions made by the council regarding speeding cameras are unjust and unfair. We all know that drivers take advantage of country roads that stretch for miles and have no speed cameras a...

gices | 26 Oct 2010 11:48
Undercover traffic wardens
One of the most hated people in Britain has to be the traffic wardens; not only have they built up a bad reputation of fining innocent motorists unnecessarily but they also have sneaky tactics under their sleeves to make some commission on each parking fine they issue. Being a traffic warden has to be one of the worst jobs in the world and also a very dangerous one as you get verbally and physically abused daily and in some cases resulting in a trip to accident and emergency. Traffic wardens ...

gices | 28 Oct 2010 11:36
Buying a car that has been written off
As accidents involving cars are at an all time high, the number of vehicles that are being written off is increasing every year. There are four categories that written off cars fall into. A and B category write offs mean that the car is damaged beyond repair and must be crushed. C and D category write offs mean that the car can be driven again if it is extensively repaired to a high standard. Most people who have had cars written off will not have the car repaired, instead they will opt for the ...

gices | 29 Oct 2010 14:28
Patrol trucks to clamp down on lorry drivers who don't obey the law
When it comes to driving and flouting the law, lorry drivers are the worst offenders. Since the vehicles they drive are very high, standard patrol cars cannot be certain or see what is going on in the cab. This is how so many lorry and truck drivers get away with eating, drinking, using a mobile and reading a newspaper whilst driving. A pilot scheme has been carried out in the West Midlands to see whether introducing marked patrol trucks would help in catching truckers who break the law. Aft...

gices | 02 Nov 2010 13:37
New 3D cameras to check car speed, insurance tax and seatbelt
We know that the government are constantly looking for new ways to improve and catch out bad motorists. New schemes and ideas are discussed on a regular basis but like everything else, research and planning costs money and unless an idea is sure to work, the government will not provide funding. A new speed camera has been unveiled and although it is still at the testing stages, it's set to change the way drivers are caught here and abroad. As you have probably seen in the news thousands of sp...

gices | 03 Nov 2010 11:48
Car slamming
We know that there are many insurance frauds circulating with some new ones starting up all the time. Police and the car insurance companies see a trend and the investigation starts but in the mean time all these car frauds that are happening on a daily basis is costing each motorist and increase of £44 a year as car insurance companies start incurring heavy losses due to falsified claims. Slam ons Car slamming has been around for some time but recently the demand for them has increased ...

gices | 04 Nov 2010 15:56
Cash for crash car fraud driving up insurance quotes
Earlier this year it was estimated that insurance quotes would rise by as much as 13%; though most of us were sceptical the majority of drivers found that this was in fact very true. Drivers of all ages saw their premium go up even if they hadn’t made a claim in the last five years. The average price hike on renewal quotes at the beginning of this year was as much as £50. The beginning of 2011 will also see car insurance renewal quotes rise again and this will be the third year that ...

gices | 08 Nov 2010 12:03
Digital radio switch over for cars
It has been announced that by 2015 the analogue FM and MW signal will be turned off and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) will be introduced instead. Currently the analogue signal for television services is currently being switched off in stages all around the country and by 2015 everything will be digital, so it was only a matter of time that this would be introduced to cars. The digital switch over for television started in 2008 and will be complete by 2012 but when they introduced this service...

gices | 22 Nov 2010 11:44
Car Cover - Protect your vehicle in Winter
The last week has seen much of the UK covered in a blanket of snow, though the North put up with much of the harsh weather, as usual the South grinded to a halt because as usual the South cannot cope with this weather. Places that only had a dusting of snow also had to contend with hard frost as this affected many motorists at the start of the day. Car covers can be a great investment as they will protect your car from damage but will also save time when it comes to snow and frost. As the ni...

gices | 06 Dec 2010 14:35
Snow fines to be issued to careless drivers
When you leave for work in the morning, do you make sure that the car is free of snow? Most people only clear the front windscreen so they can see the road ahead but not the rear, lights or the roof of the car. Yes it does take a long time to shift it all and many will argue that they just do not have the time to spare in the mornings without the risk of running late. Some people mostly women cannot even reach the roof of the car so they just leave it but in the last year alone, many people have...

gices | 08 Dec 2010 13:46
Cost of speed awareness courses to increase to fund speed cameras
As the government continues to find ways to increase revenue, one of the ways that this can be done is to penalise bad drivers for speeding and accidents. Currently if caught speeding, you face three penalty points on your licence and also a fine of £60. New measures will be brought in to encourage motorists who speed to go on speed awareness courses instead as this will generate more income to keep speed cameras on as funding cuts mean that there will be many that will be switched off. ...

gices | 03 Jan 2011 13:21
ISOFIX car seats
If you have children or thinking about starting a family then you will need to find an appropriate car seat that is both practical, easy to carry and fits your car properly. Unfortunately nowadays  people do not have the time to search endlessly for the best car seat or even have it fitted correctly to see how it’s done and how hassle free it is to install. It doesn’t matter so much anymore as now we have ISOFIX car seats that are simple to fit and take the guess work out of mak...

gices | 04 Jan 2011 15:22
Instant car loan
With so many different comparison sites to choose from, it can be quite a hassle having to enter your details on more than one website when looking for car finance; not only it is time consuming but you are more prone to make errors while typing your details when doing it over and over again. Of course comparison sites allow you to check many providers but still you need to go to several of these websites to cover the whole range of providers. However when looking for a car loan, most people wan...

gices | 05 Jan 2011 14:17
Racing experience
Nowadays if you want to start a new career, you don’t need to go in blind as you can have a taster to see if you like it and then make a decision. The same goes for racing; most young men think it's cool and may even attempt to do so in a normal car but this is illegal and dangerous. America is known for illegal racing also known as drag racing but did you know you can also make a career out of it? Racing experience days Racing experience is not only for people who want a career as a r...

gices | 06 Jan 2011 15:38
Rally Driving
If you like Formula 1 (f1), then rally driving is something that you would like to try but it can be very dangerous when not done under professional conditions such as being unsupervised and not properly organised. It is basically racing cars that have been modified or specifically built for racing legally during track days. Rally driving requires the driver to have a co-driver where they take it in turns to drive between special stages and win based on speed. Rallying has been around since the ...

gices | 06 Jan 2011 16:18
Uninsured cars to be crushed under new laws
Nearly 5 years ago in 2006, Labour tried to enforce a law that would enable The Department of Transport (DfT) to seize all uninsured vehicles and have them crushed even though they are not being driven. The proposal never went through and the Road Safety Act remained the same - the new coalition government aim to change this and hope to save current motorists around £30 in annual insurance premiums. DfT estimate that around 160 people are killed every year from uninsured drivers and furthe...

gices | 10 Jan 2011 14:40
Mobile mechanic
We all dread that time of year when MOT is up for renewal; not only do you have to pay a fee for a qualified mechanic to look at your car but if the car is over 3 years old, there may be small parts or work to be carried out so that it passes the MOT test. You can always decline work to be carried out but you may forfeit the fee you paid and no MOT certificate will be issued as a result. This is why it is important for vehicle owners to have their car serviced at regular intervals so that the...

gices | 11 Jan 2011 11:37
Driving experience days
With so many different types of driving experience days to discover, it can be hard to choose just one. This is why you can now book packages that are inexpensive and last a few hours so you can experience a few on the same day. Every young boy wants to grow up and be a racer as it looks exciting and the thrill is exhilarating, but under the wrong conditions it can be very dangerous. As leading toy manufacturers continue to advertise racing cars and tracks, young boys are influenced into thinkin...

gices | 11 Jan 2011 12:00
Tank driving
Experience something new today and try driving a tank, they are most often seen in war stricken areas or on the television but now you can experience handling one of these military vehicles and see just how heavy they really are. Many companies big or small like to have team building days or corporate entertainment so why not try tank driving and see how much you really trust your colleagues. Tank driving isn’t just necessarily about driving you can experience using the different contro...

gices | 13 Jan 2011 16:05
Bad credit car finance
Most people who already have a car do not think about trading it in for a new one until something goes wrong. If this were to happen, there are not many people who have the finances to pay for a car straightaway so are forced to take a car loan. If you need or want to buy a car and do not have the finances to do it, the first point of contact would be your bank and as a current account holder, you may be able to get a good deal as you are already and existing customer. But there are some people ...

gices | 14 Jan 2011 15:24
Driving Games
There are so many games consoles to choose from nowadays whereas 10 years ago you were limited to only 2 or 3. On such advantage for younger people is playing driving games where they can see what it’s like to drive. There are a few games that are not about driving at all but more about destruction, performing manoeuvres and hand eye co-ordination. As teenagers get older, they want to know how it feels like to be behind the wheel of the car. Unfortunately many do not have the finances to s...

gices | 17 Jan 2011 12:25
Basic car maintenance
It’s very common for motorists to pay mechanics and garages money to check the simplest car parts and maintenance. Every year car owners stump up to £50 for a qualified mechanic to look over their car and check things such as engine oil, wiper fluid and that all lights are in working order. It should take no longer than 20 minutes to carry out basic car maintenance on any car make/model. Here are just a few things you should be checking on a yearly basis: Check that wiper f...

gices | 17 Jan 2011 13:45
SORN - Statutory Off Road Notification
If you have a car that is not currently being driven or have decided to stop driving for a medical or non personal reasons, then you will need to declare your vehicle as off road. You must let the DVLA know and fill out a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) form; you can do this online, over the phone or when applying for a road tax refund. Usually students and people who have classic cars are the ones who apply for SORN as they will not drive it for most of the year or none at all. Those ...

gices | 18 Jan 2011 11:58
Laid up car insurance
If you have a vehicle you are no longer driving, whether it is short term or permanent, then the car must be declared to the DVLA as SORN. A car registered as Statutory Off Road Notification is not allowed to be driven on public roads legally and insurance is not also required by law and many people tend to leave it as such. Although that's perfectly fine and will save you some money, there are more serious problems if anything should happen to the car whilst in a garage or private driveway. Tha...

gices | 18 Jan 2011 13:38
International driving licence & permit
A great thing about having a UK driving licence is that it entitles you to drive in most European (EU) or European Economic Community (EEA) states. Though you can drive here at the age of 17, some states require that foreign visitors be a little older and have held their licence for a few years. If you want to drive in a non-european community or economic area, then you may need to have an International Driving Permit to allow you to drive legally in that country. What is an International Dri...

gices | 19 Jan 2011 16:06
Laid up motorcycle insurance
As the weather in the UK is always unsettled and unpredictable, many motorcycle owners find that during the Autumn/Winter months it’s too cold and wet to drive safely. On average the UK has only 6 months of good weather that permits motorcyclists to drive. Accidents are more likely to happen during dusk and dawn when there is less visibility due to limited daylight and motorcyclists also have to contend with drivers who don’t indicate or check their mirrors properly when they switch ...

gices | 19 Jan 2011 16:30
Speed camera axing leads to fewer deaths
Since the launch of speed cameras over 20 years ago, there has been much controversy over whether or not lives have been saved as a result of them. Most argue that with the introduction of speed cameras, the environment has gotten more polluted as motorists brake harshly before a camera and then spill out exhaust gas as they speed away. As the government continues to find ways to save money in this long winding recession, speed cameras are one of the ways where money can be saved. Although th...

gices | 07 Feb 2011 12:09
Driving in the dark
Scientists have conducted tests that show that driving for just a few hours at night has the same effect as driving when drunk. Most motorists cannot avoid driving in the evening or when dark because when daylight savings time comes, almost everyone experiences less light in driving conditions. Most accidents that occur at night are due to tiredness and sleepiness with as many as one in three admitting to nodding off whilst driving at night. This is a serious matter so the experts who have carr...

gices | 08 Feb 2011 11:11
Sound systems for cars
Almost everyone in the United States has an upgraded sound system in their cars so it was only a matter of time until the UK followed the same trend. It’s a misconception that only boy racers and the younger generation have pimped up sound systems as there are many adults that also enjoy listening to music on good quality audio. Sound systems for the car may seem like an unusual and expensive luxury but when you are stuck next to a car that’s playing music too loud for the stereo ...

gices | 10 Feb 2011 14:37
What to do if you're stopped by the police?
As a motorist, would you know what to do if you were being asked to stop by a police officer in a patrol car? How do you know that the officer is asking you to pull over and not the driver in front or behind you? Most people don’t really know what to do if they were to be asked to stop by an officer of the law and what the most common reasons for being pulled over are. Most common reasons for being stopped by a police officer in a patrol car? Although some officers are trained to use a...

gices | 14 Feb 2011 12:23
Rising costs of fuel causing drivers to drive on empty tanks
Over the last three months, the cost of fuel has risen to the highest it has ever been putting even more financial strain on families who are unable to cope with the high cost of living. As a result of this, breakdown service Green Flag have reported a 40% increase in the volume of calls related to cars breaking down due to no fuel. Many people have seen the cost of fuel increase by as much as £30 when filling up the tank completely but on average the cost of filling up has increased by...

gices | 15 Feb 2011 11:50
Parent and child parking bays
There seems to be much confusion on parent and child parking spaces, like are there any laws, rules and can fines be issued? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding parent and child parking. Are there any laws on parent and child parking spaces? At the moment there are none as such, parent and child parking rules vary depending on where they are. For example on private land owned by a supermarket, they will have their own rules and may fine those who abuse the spaces...

gices | 16 Feb 2011 12:35
Car lights - Styling and modifications
Many young men think of their car as their pride and joy, they spend hours cleaning it and making sure maintenance is carried out regularly. The one thing that can make a car look boring are the lights as each make and model have standard light designs that don't appeal to those who like to be a little different. This is why a lot of people go for older cars as they are easier and cheaper to modify than newer cars. Car lights styling The most common and cheaper light modification carried out o...

gices | 22 Feb 2011 14:31
Finance and repossessed car crime
With more and more people unable to keep up with the costs of running a car, they are forced to sell it on and use other modes of transport or sell it to buy a cheaper car to run. Along with soaring fuel prices, annual increases on car insurance and even road tax increments, it’s easy to see how so many people have to abandon their beloved cars. Outstanding finance on a car may result in repossession Car crimes that are related to finance and repossessed cars are usually people who hav...

gices | 24 Feb 2011 15:03
Painted alloy wheels
Alloy wheels have been in the top 5 when it comes to modifying and tuning cars so it was only a matter of time until they got more exciting and unique. Unless you have a lot of money to spend on alloy wheels, you are sure to find someone else with the same ones you have. The latest trend in car tuning and styling at the moment is painted alloy wheels. Just like the name suggests painted alloy wheels have a little colour on it and are not so bland compared to the traditional styles. The most p...

gices | 25 Feb 2011 14:45
Driving test scam
Learning to drive isn’t so hard but you may need a few extra lessons before you are confident in sitting the practical driving test. The theory test is easier to pass as it consists of multiple choice questions and combined with some driving experience, the answers are simple enough as you understand the questions better. Driving test fraud has been rife for some years now but in the last year alone it has increased by a whopping 400%; impersonators are paid up to £2,000 to sit a ...

gices | 28 Feb 2011 12:54
Cheaper car insurance for women will cease to exist
One of the plus sides of being a female driver is the cheaper car insurance quotes they get compared to male drivers but a new ruling by the European Court of Justice has agreed that this is discrimination and should be banned. As of December 21st next year, it will be illegal to do a risk assessment based on gender, it also applies to pensions and health insurance. As the UK is part of the EU, it will be forced to follow the same practices that are in place in the other European countries su...

gices | 01 Mar 2011 12:09
Taxi licence renewal after new car purchase can be a problem
As the government and local councils continue to crack down on bogus taxi’s that tout for clients, Manchester council decided that one of the ways that this could be achieved was to have a strict colour code for their licensed taxis. A few years ago the council brought out a new colour policy for private hire vehicles; this was to ensure passenger safety and for members of the local community to recognise licensed private hire vehicles. Just recently a taxi driver traded in his old car ...

gices | 02 Mar 2011 11:45
Travelling with dogs in the car
Sometimes you have no choice but to travel with your dog in the car with you and though they are easier to look after than cats there are still some important safety points to take into consideration. There is currently no law that requires dogs to be restrained if being transported in a car but you should always have your dog’s best interest at heart. You may have the cutest dog in the world but it’s no excuse to have them hang out the window or sit in the passenger seat causing ...

gices | 03 Mar 2011 15:05
Fuel thefts and drive offs
As nation waits to see if the cost of petrol will continue to rise, there have been reports of drivers filling up with petrol then driving off without paying for it. Since the price of petrol started to increase in 2010 motorists who fill up and drive off without paying has increased by over 50%. The average price for a litre of petrol stands at £1.30 if you’re lucky, otherwise you could be the unlucky few that have no choice but to pay up to £1.40 a litre. What are ‘dri...

gices | 07 Mar 2011 12:20
Foreign drivers pushing up car insurance in the UK
We all try to save money when we insure our cars but for the last few years the cost of insurance has risen and there is no sign that it’s likely to stabilise anytime soon. Years ago if you were a loyal customer with a year or more of no claims then you would be rewarded with a cheaper annual car insurance quote; now you’re lucky to even save £10. Drivers who have years if not decades of driving experience are also being told that car insurance renewal quotes are going up by at...

gices | 08 Mar 2011 13:12
Headlight converters - Making your headlamp beam conform to European standards
Did you know that there are specific legal requirements for headlight beams whilst driving in most European countries? As most people in the EU drive on the right hand side, there is a high chance that cars used to be driven in the left lane can dazzle oncoming vehicles due to the beam pattern. Headlamp beam converter kit These are only necessary if you are driving to a European country where your headlamps do not conform to the current European motoring law. Headlamp adaptors are available ...

gices | 21 Mar 2011 11:23
Bump starting a car
There will come a time during your car's lifetime where you will need to change the battery. Depending on how much you use it and how old it is, you may be lucky to not have to worry about it for 7 years. As all cars are different, some people may find that they need a new car battery as early as 3 years. It's perfectly normal but an inconvenience when you go to use it and it won't start up. The first thing most people will do is panic, especially if they are a new driver that has never experien...

gices | 22 Mar 2011 14:55
New traffic lights system to be trialled
In parts of Europe, traffic lights are left on amber in the late hours of the evening or early morning. Drivers are then able to decide whether to stop or not; it works well in most places as it has been in force for many years. Here in the UK, Portsmouth City Council have also decided to do a trial - they will need to apply for permission from the Department of Transport first but if they get approval it will be the first in this country. Traffic light rules when amber In the UK when the li...

gices | 28 Mar 2011 13:55
New car seat recommendation for babies
It is a legal requirement that all children and babies travelling in a vehicle be securely strapped in via a car seat or booster seat. Currently a rear facing car seat is recommended for babies until the age of one; after this age a car seat that is forward facing is then legal to use or unless the child outgrows the car seat before the recommended time. In many European countries parents use rear facing car seats until the child is much older and after much research by the American Academy o...

gices | 29 Mar 2011 14:21
Car won't start - What is the problem?
You get in your car one morning, put the keys in and turn them and all of a sudden you hear this strange noise. You discard it and try one more time and the same weird noise comes again but your car won’t start. You pause for a bit and try again to no avail. Now why would your car not start? This can happen to anyone and if your car is particularly old, it could happen to you especially. Now it is difficult to imagine what it’s like not to be driving if you use your car most of the ...

gices | 19 Apr 2011 16:04
Renewing your car insurance
Every year we are faced with the same tedious boring task of renewing our car insurance policy to abide by the law. A month before the current policy expires, most insurers will send out a renewal letter stating how much the new premiums will be taking into considerations your driving experience and years of no claims discount. If you’re happy with that quote, usually you do not need to do anything as the policy will be renewed automatically provided that the car insurance company can take...

gices | 27 Apr 2011 16:18
Driving licence renewal
A new driving licence format is now available throughout the European Union namely in the form of a photocard. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) is replacing all ancient paper licences with the new photocard that bears the signature and photograph of the driver. The advantages of the photocard are: the card is more secure thus reducing misinterpretation chances qualifies the holder of a provisional driving licence, taking the test and obtaining the licence as one co...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:40
Motorcycle test
To be eligible to ride a bike, you have to be 16 years old, but over 17 to ride a motorcycle of an engine capacity of more than 50cc. You also have to have some compulsory basic training (CBT) to validate your provisional driving licence. This will also determine the type of bike that you are legally allowed to drive. Lessons should be taken at an approved instructor's and can last for around two weeks depending on how quickly you learn and want to get on the road. Care is recommended when ridin...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:41
Motorhomes
Also called a recreational vehicle, a motorhome is a vehicle that offers living accommodation in addition to transport. They differ from campervans in that they tend to be larger with more luxuries. Motorhomes usually have a small kitchen with grill and hob (can include a microwave in some models), toilets and shower, sleeping berth which can be either fixed or detachable, a side lounge at the rear, a small dining place with table and chairs, the usual cab area for the driver and passenger which...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:42
Campervan insurance
A campervan is a vehicle that acts as means of transport and also provides everyday facilities like sleeping accommodation, kitchen with stoves (fuelled by gas/battery/electricity) and refrigerator, portable toilets (some even have showers), air conditioning, heater and a roof that pops out or that is fixed. Makes vary from country to country as do the names (Recreational Vehicle in the United States, Kombi in Australia). A campervan is your ideal choice for holidays where you can drive around e...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:51
Motorcycle insurance
Insuring your motorcycle is not just about getting you protected in case something nasty happens to you or your bike but it is in fact against the law to ride a vehicle with no insurance. While the age limit to ride a bike is 16, the person must be 17 or above to ride a bike with an engine capacity greater than 50cc. People with a provisional driving licence must have a compulsory basic training certificate (CBT) to ride a bike. Motorcycles can be broadly categorised into scooter, quad, moped, n...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:52
Swindon council to try red lights barrier for speeding offenders
Councils and the Government are always looking for new ways to curb the nations speeding habits as they have an effect on everyone including pedestrians and other drivers. After successful trials in Europe, approval has gone ahead to test a new system in Swindon starting this autumn. A pilot scheme will be introduced in a few months to help stop speeding by turning the traffic lights red when a car is speeding. Sensors will be installed in the road to monitor vehicle speed; if a motorist deci...

gices | 24 Aug 2011 14:52
Vintage car insurance
A vintage car is one which has been built between 1919 and 1930 based on the British cut off point; however the proper time period differs from country to country like in America it's taken to be up to 1925. Though a vintage (classic) car has no real definite definition, it is usually a car more than 20 years old and more than £15,000. Vintage cars are those vehicles that you no longer see on the roads but just the one that you have been dreaming of driving as a kid. While some forget their chil...

gices | 27 Jun 2011 20:53
Private driving instructors
The advice that many people will give to you is to learn to drive with a qualified driving instructor rather than with friends or family because then you do not adopt their bad driving habits. Either you go with a reputable driving school or a recommended private driving instructor; the choice is yours! Although it makes sense to have someone close to teach you, like a parent or close friend, the problem is that these drivers may not necessarily teach you the right way to do things and over t...

gices | 04 Aug 2011 10:24
What to look for when test driving a car?
When people buy a car it doesn’t matter if it’s your first, second, third or fourth, you should always take the car for a test drive. Most people see a car they like and just go for it but just because it looks nice, is in your budget and has great recommendations and reviews, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is suitable for you. The best place to take a car for a test drive is directly from the car dealership, and just because you're going directly to them doesn’t mean you have to buy a bran...

gices | 25 Aug 2011 16:12
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
Having a disability doesn’t mean you need to stay confined in the house nor does it mean you need to take public transport only. We know that buses have wheelchair ramps but there is not always space available to accommodate a wheelchair user. The same applies if you are a carer for a family member or an agency because having the right vehicle will help you tremendously. Many years ago there was very little choice, so wheelchair users had to buy or get around in minivans but if you do not need t...

gices | 29 Aug 2011 17:26
Driving with dementia
Dementia is a state where a person loses the ability to think and act as he/she used to and it affects the important cognitive parts of the body and decreases the capacity to think, talk, hear or even understand clearly. Driving on the other hand requires full concentration and demands that the person can act and react as the road demands and so it is crucial for the driver to be alert all the time and to be able to make good judgment on the road not only for his own safety but for other road us...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 12:20
Driving with kids - how not to get distracted by your children
Driving requires a lot of concentration but when driving with kids, concentrating fully on the road can become quite a challenge. Besides having to watch out for the traffic around you and other road users, you have to make sure that your kids are all right which is not always possible when kids are crying or fighting. Still, your major goal is the safety of your children and so you have to prepare yourself before getting in the car with your children and realise that, as chauffeur, you have to ...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 12:22
How distractions while driving can be deadly
Driving is an activity that requires total concentration and focus, being able to make sharp and quick decisions and being always alert. The slightest distraction can be fatal and very often one distraction can lead to another. These distractions are mainly in the form of getting your hands off the wheel, having your eyes roaming everywhere except on the road and being unable to think clearly. Driving safely is not important only for the driver’s safety but for other road users as well. Distract...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 12:22
How to overcome your fear of driving
Many people suffer from a common problem, a phobia, which is a fear of driving. It can take many forms like intense sweating, incapacity to move, palpitations and even panic attacks. These may result when people find themselves in certain situations where they are no longer at ease such as the thick strand of traffic on the highway, crossing bridges, getting out of traffic jams etc. if not tackled properly and at an early stage, this phobia can take some of the forms of entertainment like simple...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 12:23
MyKey from Ford - An ingenious way to set restrictions on your car when others are driving it
There is always news features telling us how expensive insurance for teenagers and newly qualified drivers are, the statistics show that the majority of drivers under 21 will have to pay in excess of £1,500 for car insurance. Many report that they have been quoted as much as £3,000 for third party insurance on a car worth just £1,000, fortunately for their parents they do not have this problem as experience counts and most adults who have held their licence for at least a few years will find tha...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 13:03
Drink drive limit to stay the same in the UK
Since the UK joined the EU, it has been under enormous pressure to change their laws so that they are in line with the other European states. The latest law to be questioned was the drink driving limit, currently you are allowed to drive if you have 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. But in much of the continent and all of Europe the limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. How much can I drink and still drive legally? This has been debatable for some time as there are other factors to ...

gices | 10 Sep 2011 13:10
Having things hanging in your car can be a danger when driving
The AA has recently done a survey about 'ornamental clutter' that compromises road safety. We all learnt about the blind spot when we took driving lessons but now drivers are inadvertently causing dangerous blind spots by hanging things up in their car. Hanging air fresheners are nothing new and have been around for a long time and are getting out of hand. Nowadays drivers are putting up all sorts of things by hanging them under their rear-view mirror thinking it looks nice but they are causing ...

gices | 06 Oct 2011 12:53
Jewish community gets help with traffic signal for safe crossing during Sabbath period
The UK is known for being diverse with many people of all religions and cultures setting up home here. One community that we do not hear from much is the Jewish community who are very private; there are many parts of the UK that have large Jewish communities with most of them in London itself. Friday’s are particularly sacred for Jews as it is Sabbath and as result of this Jews are forbidden to use electricity or operate machinery. In their homes they can adapt and get by without having to break...

gices | 06 Oct 2011 13:07
Beware of new car thieving scam
Car thefts have been occurring since they were first made in 1894 but as technology advances and car manufacturers continue looking for new ways to prevent thefts, are our cars really safe? Many cars nowadays, especially top of the range ones, have a GPS tracking system so if they are stolen they can be easily tracked down. Other security measures are cars that need pin numbers in order for the driver to operate it and also the good old fashioned alarm system. Thieves nowadays are getting more...

gices | 13 Oct 2011 23:10
Cancel car insurance
When it comes to car insurance, I usually pay the premiums in full because it saves me money on interest. However 7 months into the year, I no longer needed the insurance cover because I was moving abroad. So I knew I had to contact the insurance company to get any refunds that I was due but little did I know how difficult that would prove to be. First of all, let’s have a look at some facts when it comes to car insurance cancellation. You are usually given a 14 day cooling period when you st...

gices | 21 Nov 2011 17:38
Adding an immobiliser, alarm or tracker will not necessarily reduce your car insurance
It is a known fact that installing security devices like an immobiliser, a car alarm system or a tracker device will bring your car insurance quote down but that’s not necessary true. I wanted to know how much I could save on my car insurance premiums if I had one or more of these security devices however this information was not readily available on the Internet. I thought somewhere on a blog or forum I would be able to see what difference it really makes to your premiums but unfortunately I ha...

gices | 02 Feb 2012 11:47
 
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