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UK Driving Lessons – What’s New for 2024?
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Driving Law » Driving News »
We are hiring! Are you an experienced technician? Join our outstanding team »
UK Driving Lessons – What’s New for 2024?
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Driving Law » Driving News »
The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and new developments in our vehicles also present new challenges for drivers.
It’s fair to say that learning to drive in 2024 will be quite different compared to times gone by, and in this article, the team at The Windscreen Company will take a closer look at what new elements will be incorporated into driving lessons this year.
There are a number of things that are set to be introduced to driving lessons in 2024, with instructors being asked to place a greater emphasis on the environment, new technology and more.
Let’s take a look at some of the most significant changes.
With more and more motorists becoming conscious of their environmental impact, the automotive industry has made significant changes in recent years. Pollution from vehicles is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, and driving instructors across the country are being encouraged to teach eco-driving techniques to their students to help reduce this pollution and be kinder to the environment.
This includes teaching efficient driving techniques, such as smooth accelerating and braking, which help to conserve fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases. As well as being better for the environment, these techniques will also make the driving experience more comfortable for the driver and passengers.
As of the end of 2023, the UK had more than 975,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads. This number marks an all-time high and indicates a shift toward more sustainable vehicles. A large part of this uptake could be attributed to the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars that will come into force in 2035.
With this in mind, more and more driving lessons are taking place in EVs. As well as teaching the basics of driving, lessons in EVs will also feature specific driving techniques for electric cars, information on how to properly charge them and an insight into unique features like regenerative braking.
However, it’s worth noting that if you pass your test in an EV, you’ll only be qualified to drive automatic vehicles. As it stands, you can only get a manual licence by learning to drive a fuel-powered car.
Since 2016, the majority of new cars have been manufactured with advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, installed.
ADAS refers to new technologies that are designed to make the driving experience easier and safer for all motorists. This includes autonomous emergency braking, collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings and more.
In 2024, driving instructors will be required to teach their students how to use ADAS systems if the vehicle has them installed. This will help prepare them for the future when it’s likely more and more vehicles will have them in place.
Driving instructors are also being advised to teach their students defensive driving techniques.
Defensive driving is the art of driving proactively and anticipating hazards. This includes principles such as driving at safe distances, scanning the roads for possible risks and practising evasive manoeuvres.
Driving instructors will also have to undergo additional training in 2024 to maintain their certification. The new standards will include information on the latest driving laws, teaching techniques and advancements in technology.
New training and testing will ensure all driving instructors are across the changes and can appropriately teach the next generation of motorists.
It’s also worth highlighting some of the changes to driving laws that are new for 2024. In particular, stricter punishments are being introduced for those who use their mobile phone while driving. If you’re caught using your phone while driving, you can now expect a £1,000 fine and six penalty points on your licence. Furthermore, speeding is set to be clamped down on with higher fines that better reflect the severity of the act.
While it’s unlikely that learner drivers will be committing either of these offences, it’s still worth being aware of the consequences before passing a driving test.
The various driving manoeuvres make up a big part of driving lessons and driving tests. Over the years, the type of manoeuvres you may be asked to demonstrate during a driving test have changed slightly, so it’s worth clarifying exactly what they are in 2024.
The manoeuvres you’ll need to learn include:
In every driving test, you will be asked to perform at least one of the above manoeuvres. Sometimes, you may be asked to perform an emergency stop in addition to another manoeuvre.
As anyone who has recently done a driving test will know, the wait times can be extremely long. At the end of 2023, the average waiting time for a driving test in the UK was a staggering 18 weeks, and this looks likely to remain the case in 2024.
However, while this is the national average, it’s worth remembering that every individual test centre has its own individual wait times. The best thing to do is to book your test well in advance to get ahead of the crowd.
There are various reasons why waiting times are so long, including a shortage of driving test examiners, industrial action and a backlog from the COVID-19 pandemic.
At The Windscreen Company, we offer leading windscreen services to vehicles of every type. No matter what kind of car you drive, we’re here to help by providing a windscreen repair and windscreen replacement service that keeps you and other road users safe when out and about. Plus, our emergency windscreen replacement service is here to get you moving again when you need us most. Operating across the West Midlands and South East, get in touch with our team today to find out more.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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