As the festive season approaches and we nervously scratch our heads for present ideas, we thought we would provide inspiration to suit the car lovers in your life.

Check out our social channels for a chance to win these gifts from the 1st-12th of December.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

1. Skid Control Training

Our skid pan training is a gift that will deliver two-fold. Not only does it provide key driving skills which are necessary for a British winter, it is also a really enjoyable and unique experience. You’ll understand how and when a car will lose traction and learn techniques for putting you back in control. The training takes place at our specialist Training Centre at Donington Park Race Circuit, which offers the safety and reassurance of an off-road environment. This experience is also open to drivers who have not yet passed their driving test, so long as they are competent with the controls of a car. The cost per person is £115 and vouchers are available to attend on an individual or group basis. 

A revolutionary product, cue the wireless charging mount. Gone are the days of messing around with USB ports and wires getting tangled in the gear stick. From start-to-finish, this will do all the work for you. Simply place your phone into mount and the power of electromagnetic induction will automatically close the clamps and begin charging. Given the scope of its capabilities, it is really fairly priced too.

2. Wireless Charging Mount

A revolutionary product, cue the wireless charging mount. Gone are the days of messing around with USB ports and wires getting tangled in the gear stick. From start-to-finish, this will do all the work for you. Simply place your phone into mount and the power of electromagnetic induction will automatically close the clamps and begin charging. Given the scope of its capabilities, it is really fairly priced too.

Auckly Wireless Car Charger, £29.99.

3. Digital Tyre Inflator

Possibly the most underestimated car essential. It goes without saying that well-inflated tyres are crucial for safety but that’s not their only benefit. If tyres are  under-flated it can lead to uneven treadwear, poor fuel efficiency and less control. It is important to regularly check your tyre pressure, especially before long journeys.If the recipient needs a whistle-stop tour of how to use a type pressure gauge, be sure to direct them to our guide.

Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator, £39.99.

4. Driving and Test Day Nerves Course

The ideal gift for drivers who are yet to pass their test or for anyone who’s anxious about driving or driving lessons. Our new online webinar course is designed and delivered by our experts with the sole intention of helping nervous drivers relax using tried and tested techniques. 

Driving Test Nerves Webinar, £34.95.

5. Car Magazine Subscription

Petrol heads unite. Depending on the level of car-obsession, there are a number of magazine subscriptions out there. We recommend Auto Express as a solid middle-ground, this is Britain’s biggest selling weekly car magazine, providing reviews, advice, best car and accessory insights. They also have a section dedicated to buying cars, perfect for those who are just about to pass their driving test with RED. 

Auto Express, Annual subscription £79.99 (£108 discount off RRP)

6. Cleaning Kit

Do you know someone who treats their car like their first born? Someone who has no greater pleasure than that achieved by the glisten of their freshly cleaned car? Or simply a full-license newbie that is still in the driving honeymoon phase? A car cleaning kit is guaranteed to go down a treat. Auto Finesse has a range of products suitable for everyone. The sample kit is a good starting point with mini 100ml versions of some of their best-selling wash and detailing products.

Auto Finesse Sample Kit, £29.95.

7. Air Freshener Subscription

Everyone wants to keep that new car smell lasting for as long as possible. Between leftover drive-through food and wet-dog smells, it can be hard to do this. Behold the perfect car accessory, ideal for the holiday season. The Christmas gift set contains three limited-edition scents inspired by popular fragrances and is presented in a premium gift box with free delivery. 

Christmas Gift Set, £35.

8. Driving Lesson Gift Voucher

RED Driving School Gift Vouchers are the perfect gift for those already learning with RED or who are about to embark upon their journey to freedom and independence. Voted the UK’s National Driving School of the Year 2021 we have over 1300 DVSA registered driving instructors able to cater to all student needs. You can see for yourself from over 4000 reviews. Our gift vouchers are available to purchase online from £10 and will give the recipient access to our best introductory offers and course packages. 

9. Dash Cam

Whether they’ve just passed their test or have spent most of their life behind the wheel, there is always the possibility that an incident can occur when driving. Often, it can be hard for people to recollect exactly what happened during an incident and can be a case of one word against another. A dash cam can provide useful footage in a number of instances such as being involved in or witness to an accident and identifying crime (hit and run, damage, crash for cash). They also have GPS enabled features which can help emergency services find the vehicle quickly and accurately in an incident.

NextBase 122 Dash Cam, £59.

10. Multi-tool

A problem-solving multitool makes for a great gift with a guarantee of use and practicality, even if it is just to open a parcel. The Nextool Flagship Pro has 16 tools including spring-assisted scissors, a substantial knife blade and a hardened point for breaking car glass if needed in an emergency. Having a tool with certain capabilities sitting in the glovebox provides a degree of reassurance should an unfortunate incident occur. 

Nextool Flagship Pro, £41.95.

11. Sat Nav

Wake [the sat nav] up before you go, go. The rise of built in navigation systems has somewhat diminished the importance of the humble sat nav, but if you know someone who has recently passed their test it can be a winner. The typical new driver is often fated to drive a car that has more miles on it than an Emirates A380 and may not come with all the bells and whistles. Finding their way around the roads confidently and safely is hugely important and this gift is the perfect way to ensure that it will happen. 

TOMTOM Start 42 4.3” Sat Nav- UK & ROI Maps, £89.99

12. RAC Breakdown Cover

With up to 5 roadside and home rescue call-outs, 10-mile tow and 20-mile taxi cover, this breakdown cover is ideal for regular drivers that tend to stay local. 

Cover is available on a monthly rolling-basis or through fixed plans from 12 to 24 months. You will also receive a free car health check when you join, as well as access to the free legal helpline, free accident care and everyday discounts. RAC’s 24-month standard plan is as little as £8.50 a month, giving you long-term peace of mind for the road ahead. 

RAC Breakdown Cover, £8.50 monthly (£102 per annum). 

The post 12 Days of Christmas for Learners, New Drivers and Car Lovers appeared first on RED Driving School.

1. Driving on the wrong side of the road

“I drove out of the test centre on the wrong side of the road (to be fair, it was a very narrow road). I told the examiner that I had just got back from France, where I had become so immersed in the culture that I’d forgotten which side of the road to drive on.

2. Queueing behind parked cars

“I thought a line of parked cars was a line of traffic waiting for the traffic lights to change. After seven excruciating minutes of waiting, the instructor asked me to drive around the parked cars.”

3. Distracted by an attractive motorcyclist

“A good-looking man on a motorbike caught my attention while I was driving and, without realising, I started to drive directly towards him. The instructor had to enforce an emergency stop as I nearly hit the man on the motorbike. I then blamed the move on my bad eyesight!”

4. Confused between left and right

“I turned left when told to turn right (twice), and lied to the examiner that I had dyscalculia, which affected my ability to turn left or right.”

5. Crossing confusion

“When crawling towards a zebra crossing, I went a little too far forward and (gently) bumped into a pedestrian before the examiner could stop me. I then argued that it wasn’t my fault as he was fine, and that his outfit had made him blend into the stripes.”

6. Wrong direction

“I tried to turn the wrong way up a one-way street, and then blamed the instructor for putting me off!

7. Energy overdose

“I took my test when I was 18, the day before my final A-level exam. At this point, I was studying like mad for my final exam and drinking at least three cans of energy drink a day. I turned up for my driving test twitching like a madman and hadn’t revised anything. I received two majors and I lost count of the minors.”

8. Movies taught me bad habits

“I failed my test the first time round because I thought the way to overtake was to zip in and out of traffic like in a car chase – the only background knowledge I had was taken from James Bond, so I blame the movies! Looking back, I can definitely see why it was so important for me to take more lessons.”

9. The engine didn’t sound right 

“I failed my manual test, so did an automatic test instead and passed. I told everyone this was because I grew up with parents who only drove automatic cars and so wasn’t used to the ‘sound’ and ‘feel’ of gears changing in the car.”

10. When in doubt, blame your dad!

“Like lots of people, my dad was my first ‘driving instructor’. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great driver, but given that he took his driving test in 1959, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise to me that he didn’t teach me the official way to do all the manoeuvres…

When it came to take my test, I didn’t know that I should be looking in the mirrors quite so often and gliding my hands around the steering wheel like a pro. So, despite my awesome driving skills, I failed big time – perhaps because my lack of mirror checks meant I nearly drove us straight onto a busy roundabout at exactly the wrong time. Thanks, Dad! But we all know all the best drivers pass second time, right?!

On a more serious note, starting off on the wrong foot meant I had to un-learn a lot of bad habits, so I’d really recommend that anyone learning to drive gets a top driving instructor behind the wheel with them – someone with up-to-date knowledge and loads of experience. That way, you’ll have no excuse when it comes to test day (and neither will your Dad).

Best of luck out there and, if you’re looking for a way to get around for less while you’re still learning, LiftShare can help you find a safe network of qualified drivers to get you across those tricky roundabouts safely!”

Ian Arrowsmith, project executive, Liftshare.com

About RED Driving School

RED Driving School, part of RDS Driving Services Ltd, is one of the UK’s largest driving school.

RED Driving School teaches in excess of 100,000 learner drivers to pass the UK government driving test each year. RED delivers a tailored teaching programme focused on helping its learners become safe and confident drivers.

RED is a franchise business, allowing driving instructors to trade under the company’s established and trusted name. Instructors benefit from a centralised lesson booking system, national promotion by association with RED and a range of technical and business development support services.

www.reddrivingschool.com

The post You did what?! 10 of the funniest reasons for failing your driving test appeared first on RED Driving School.

Scottish Highlands

For open roads, crystal clear rivers and dramatic mountain views, head north of Glasgow on the M8, then the A82, to get to the start of the Scottish Highlands. We particularly recommend a visit to Inverness, capital of the Highlands and home to the magnificent Loch Ness.

Lake District

Take the A591 into Windermere to enjoy unparalleled views of the Lake District. There are plenty of quaint little towns – such as Kendal or Keswick – to stop off at if you fancy stretching your legs.

The Evo Triangle

This driving route is becoming one of the most popular in Britain – and for good reason. Starting on the A543 in the Denbigh Moors in North Wales, the Evo Triangle allows you to admire beautiful views of the moors as well as the majestic Llyn Brenig.

Snowdonia

You’ll want to stop for endless snaps on a road trip to Snowdonia National Park, where you can take the A470 through picturesque Welsh valleys and snow-capped mountains. Keep an eye out for  birds of prey and other wildlife.

The Atlantic Highway

The West Country is home to some truly spectacular coastal scenery, which you’ll be able to explore by taking the A39 – the Atlantic Highway through North Devon and North Cornwall. Prepare to experience beaches and cliffs galore.

If you’re thinking of taking driving lessons with RED Driving School, check out our offers page and find out how you could learn for less.

The post Life after driving lessons: the UK’s best road trips appeared first on RED Driving School.

With 47.7 percent of UK learners passing first time and an overall pass rate of 47.1 percent in the UK, Ian McIntosh, CEO of RED Driving School, recently spoke to Auto Express to compare driving tests across the globe. In this blog, Ian takes a closer look at how the UK driving test stands up against the rest of the world.

Colombia’s driving test

Colombia has a particularly convoluted and lengthy process for learning to drive. You can start a year earlier than the UK at age 16, but you must enrol in the Gradual Rearing of Adult Drivers, or GRAD, programme before being granted a full driving licence.

In Colombia, anyone interested in learning to drive must first complete an exam which determines the learner’s knowledge of traffic laws, road signs and driving safety rules. On completion of the test, you are issued with a learner’s permit. Once you have this, you can begin your driving lessons. After 40 hours of training, you may take a road skills test to upgrade your licence to a provisional.

Once you are 17, or have held the provisional licence for six months, whichever comes first, you can apply for a full licence with conditions. You cannot apply for a full driving licence until you are 21 years of age – this requires a further road skills test that looks at the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle, use turn signals, parallel park and a range of other skills. Have I lost you yet? If we thought the UK driving test was difficult, we really need to look at what it is like abroad before we complain!

France’s driving test

France also has a rather lengthy system for learners. Unlike the UK, provisional licence holders in France are required to complete a minimum of two years’ worth of training, starting at age 16 with parental supervision and covering no less than 3000km. They are also subjected to reduced speed limits while they are learning. For example, on Autoroutes, learners must drive no faster than 110kph even though the speed limit is 130kph.

The driving test Down Under

Australia matches France with a lengthy licence application process. There are typically three stages which new drivers must pass. Drivers begin by acquiring a learner’s permit at age 16, and then progress to a restricted, probationary licence which lasts for roughly two years, before progressing to a full licence. New drivers must also keep a log of how many hours they have spent with their instructor to ensure that they hit a regulated number of hours, with a segment dedicated exclusively to nighttime driving. The pass rates range from 43 percent to 58 percent depending on whether it’s the restricted or full licence being tested.

Road safety

In some countries, it is much easier to pass your driving test than in the UK, although you have to seriously question how road ready and safety conscious the drivers are. Unsurprisingly, this is reflected in the countries’ high accident rates.

For example, although you have to wait until you are 18 or older to take your driving test in Pakistan, the test itself is relatively simple. It consists of a theory test and a short practical test, both of which can be taken on the same day. There are no stipulations about the number of practice hours you must have done and the practical test consists of driving through a short course of cones. As you would expect, the pass rate in Pakistan is very high, with around 80 percent of all drivers passing their test first time. The accident rate is also very high, with 16 road accident deaths in every 100,000 inhabitants.

Getting your driving licence in America can be a bit arbitrary as driving laws vary from state to state. Some states, like Kansas and Idaho, issue ‘driver’s permits’ to teenage drivers as young as 14, while in other states you have to wait until you are 17. As long as these learners complete a six-month graduated driver’s licence programme, they are able to drive on the roads if they are accompanied by a person who is 21 or over. However, the graduated licensing law does restrict certain driving privileges, such as whether the new driver may carry passengers – and if so, how many – as well as setting a curfew for young drivers to be off the roads. Pass rates across America vary so widely within cities and across states that it’s hard to figure out the country’s pass rate.

Even more worryingly, in Mexico you do not even need to take a driving test if you are over the age of 18. In fact, all you need to do is simply buy a licence for 626 pesos (equivalent to £28). Mexico City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with four million cars on the road. With no standardised driving test, drivers learn empirically and car crashes are a daily occurrence.

Strict is not always best

Nevertheless, a strict system also has its flaws. The starting age to obtain your licence in South Africa is 18, and you need to pass both a yard test and a road test, where you can lose points for not checking beneath the car for leaks and not using the hand brake every time you stop silently. You will also automatically fail if the vehicle rolls back even just an inch. The pass rate is a low 39 percent and, although the test is purposely hard to improve road safety, it has had unintended consequences, with many learners bribing officials to ensure that they pass.

Even stricter than South Africa, however, are Japan’s road tests, which boast pass rates that fall below 35 percent. Although taken on a course, the test resembles real road conditions. Drivers must remain at 30kmph or under at all times, and driving over a curb, failing to stop at a light or junction, and failing to check for oncoming traffic results in instant failure. With people failing for ‘not staying left enough in the left lane’ or ‘not bending down low enough when checking for cats or children before getting into the car’, Japan requires perfection from drivers before they are licensed.

Should there be a standardised global driving test?

There are huge disparities in the driving test from country to country, and it is shocking how the driving test standard varies on a global scale. For some learners, mastering the reverse park or driving through a congested city centre is challenging enough, so spare a thought for learners across the world where, in some cases, the driving test is far lengthier and more complex than the UK’s.

The post Driving tests around the world appeared first on RED Driving School.

Are you suffering from holiday boredom? We thought we would take the opportunity to highlight our retro RED Driving School Games for any newcomers – as well as a reminder for those of you who have been with us for a while.  So if you’re looking for something fun to do when you have ten minutes, why not spend some time playing on our games!

Can you pass all three parking challenges? Can you keep those petrol heads happy in fuel duel? Have a play and find out how skilled you are!

Hopefully these will keep you entertained.

The post BORED? WHY NOT PRACTICE YOUR PARKING! appeared first on RED Driving School.

Picture by Kincuri

1. Red Bull
2. Coca Cola
3. Lemonade
4. Fruit juice
5. Lime and soda
6. Root beer
7. J2O
8. Kopparberg (non alcoholic)
9. Shloer
10. Sparkling water

You could also make your own non-alcoholic cocktails, take a look at the drinkaware website which provides videos and recipes for some unusual and tasty drinks! Share your ideas with us by making a comment below, or visiting our Facebook page.

The post Top non-alcoholic drinks for a summer BBQ! appeared first on RED Driving School.

When you think of taking your summer holiday in the UK, what comes to your mind? Is it long lazy days on the beach? Perhaps strolls through lush green valleys? Or even a visit to the historical landmarks throughout Great Britain? For most of us though it also means long trips in our cars and what better to help time pass than a selection of the nations favourite driving music.

We have compiled a list of our 10 favourite songs to drive to, but do you agree? Join us on Facebook now and vote for your favourite driving tunes.

RED’s favourite driving tunes:

1. Gary Numan – “Cars”
2. The Beatles – “Drive My Car”
3. Stealers Wheel – “Stuck In the Middle With You”
4. Jimi Hendrix – “Crosstown Traffic”
5. Talking Heads – “Road to Nowhere”
6. Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car”
7. AC/DC – “Highway To Hell”
8. Lenny Kravitz – “Are You Gonna Go My Way”
9. The Cars – “Drive”
10. Snow Patrol – “Chasing Cars”

Follow RED Driving School on Facebook.

The post RED’s favourite driving tunes – but do you agree? appeared first on RED Driving School.

Well, it’s Wednesday and we’re half way through the working week already!

To keep you going through the second half of the week, we thought we would take the opportunity to highlight our retro RED Driving School games or any newcomers – as well as a reminder for those of you who have been with us for a while.  So if you’re looking for something fun to do when you have ten minutes, why not spend some time playing on our games!

Can you pass all three parking challenges? Can you keep those petrol heads happy in fuel duel? Have a play and find out how skilled you are!

Hopefully these will keep you entertained as the weekend draws nearer!

The post RED Driving School Games! appeared first on RED Driving School.

Anyone taking driving lessons in London?  If you are, we think you might have it harder than most.

According to a study by Holiday Auto’s (a car rental agency) London is the ninth worst city to explore on four wheels.  Speeding is the main danger with thousands of speeding fines being handed out every month.  We’d also like to highlight the congestion charge!

Don’t start making excuses just yet though, it could be worse. Drivers in Bangkok have to put up with some of the most congested roads in the world and one way systems that actually change their direction depending on the time of day.

Then there’s Paris which is probably best avoided if you’re not a fan of busy, narrow streets and a roundabout which doesn’t see the need to mark out lanes!

Check out the top ten worst driving cities in the image (right).

The post The Ten Worst Cities for Driving Lessons appeared first on RED Driving School.

Photo by J.Star

We would like to take this time to remind you to be safe and responsible when driving on the roads at this time of year, especially for those of you who get a white Christmas!

Merry Christmas from everyone at RED!

The post Driving home for Christmas appeared first on RED Driving School.