Pete Austin - Driving Instructor : Dorchester, Weymouth, Bridport

13/06/2021

The DVSA have announced that from Monday 14 June 2021 driving examiners will return to offering 7 driving tests a day instead of 6 – which is the number carried out before the pandemic.
Tests will begin to be added to the system from 9 June, increasing the number of appointments available.
They are also reintroducing the 3 working day short notice cancellation period for practical car tests.
This was suspended when we restarted testing following the first lockdown in August 2020.
All tests taking place from Thursday 17 June 2021 will be subject to the 3 working day short notice cancellation period.
If you need to cancel a test within the 3 working day period as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result or having to self-isolate you will need to email the DVSA at [email protected]
Please put – COVID SHORT NOTICE CANCELLATION – in the subject of your email and they say they will look to reschedule your test for the earliest possible appointment.
If you have cancelled as a result of COVID-19 the booking will be made for a date after you have finished self-isolating.
You may be asked to provide evidence when cancelling at short notice.
If you need to cancel your test for any other reason or do not turn up for your test you will lose your test fee.

07/06/2021

Not having proper control of the steering is the third most common reason for people failing their driving test ⚠️

Follow our tips on how to get it right and check the skills where others fall short on test 👇

http://ow.ly/PvlJ50F1Uch

28/05/2021

Well, how about that ? 2 on the trot ! Well done to Charlie Murley ... A first time pass with lots of additional help from husband John and extra lessons from me. As they do say 'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail". Excellent result in the end and well deserved, Charlie 🙂

28/05/2021

Congratulations to Jemima Dimbleby ... Great result at Dorchester test centre. First time pass - lots of hard work and it"s paid off. Well done :)

28/05/2021

22/04/2021

MIRRORS ... Mirrors and more bloody mirrors 😃 Check them for awareness and to keep yourself safe particularly when changing lanes

The second most common reason learners fail their test is for not using their mirrors when changing direction.

When does this happen?👇

Normally it’s when the learner hasn’t checked their mirrors properly when exiting or changing lanes on a roundabout🔄.

The best thing to remember is ✨ mirror, signal, manoeuvre ✨

Always check your mirrors before changing speed, direction or signalling.

22/04/2021

Most common test fail ... So stay calm, look early and keep looking. Don't rush and you'll make good, safe decisions

😱 The number 1 reason learners fail their test is by not making effective observations at junctions.

❗ Are you confident judging the speed of an approaching vehicle? It’s important when pulling out you don’t cause others to have to slow down or take action to avoid you.

Looking too late ⏰ You must properly check your surroundings before moving out of junction to make effective observations.

👉 Failing to turn right correctly at a junction is also at number 4.

20/04/2021

We know many of you will have waited a long time to be able to take your driving test and we want to help you make sure you’re ready, to get you that first time pass 💯

We’ve analysed the stats and found the top 10 reasons why people fail their test - so you can make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.

We will be sharing these reasons over the next week to help you think about what to work on with your instructor.

Can’t wait? Have a look at the top 10 reasons here 👉
http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test-in-great-britain?utm_source=fb1&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

07/04/2021

APRIL 12th >>> And we're back. GO !

07/04/2021

Great news ! Finally, the confirmation from the DVSA that we can restart driving lessons from April 12th !!

04/01/2021

Sorry :( No lessons for quite a while

30/12/2020

West Dorset has just gone into Tier 3 with Poole (just 20 miles away) into Tier 4. This is very worrying ...
I can still teach but it will be LIMITED from 31st December 2020 till further notice to :
1) Pupils with a test already booked for JANUARY
2) Pupils I am currently seeing EVERY week for lessons
3) Key workers and NHS
I have thought very seriously about this decision and I think it's important to limit my contacts since I have family members with health issues.
For those NEW and wanting to start lessons, I can only ask for your patience. I WILL contact you again when the virus threat is reduced and the government does it's next review. I'm so sorry.
In the meantime, stay safe and healthy and I wish you all the best for 2021. I'm sure it will better :)