Your first steps as a new driver
Get your full driving licence
Your examiner will apply to the DVLA for your full driving licence. This comes in two parts: a handy photo card and a paper counterpart, which includes your driving entitlement history and any endorsements.
What vehicles can you drive?
Your driving licence will show the vehicle classifications that you're authorised to drive. Check that it shows the driving entitlement you expected. See www.direct.gov.uk/motoring. If you're thinking about buying your own car, our learning to drive pages show how to make it affordable.
Observe the 'rules of the road'
After all that time and effort spent on getting your licence, you don't want to jeopardize it with penalty points for speeding and driving without due care and attention. Remember, if you rack up six points within two years of passing your test, you'll lose your licence.
Safety & eco-safe driving:
Enjoy your driving
We all want to stay safe and enjoy being on the road. But the facts show that one in three new drivers has an accident in their first two years of driving, with 17 to 21 year olds being most at risk.
Helping you stay safe
Give yourself that extra edge, and potentially save on your insurance premiums, with the Pass Plus training course. It covers driving in town, out of town, in all weathers, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. Ask your instructor for details, contact us at BSM on 0845 851 9571* or email us.
Extra lessons
Driving solo can feel a bit daunting at first. You'll face various challenges such as multi-storey car parks, motorways and even driving abroad. To top up your confidence, you might like some extra lessons in your own car (subject to insurance). Ask your instructor for details, contact us at BSM on 0845 851 9571* or email us.
Eco-safe driving
Become a successful eco-safe driver in just two hours. You'll first learn how you can improve on your usual driving style, reduce the amount of fuel you use and ultimately save the pennies.
No test to worry about
The eco-safe session simply aims to reduce the environmental impact of your driving, and reduce your fuel consumption by up to 15%. That's a saving of up to £200 per year if you drive 12,000 miles per year. To book your eco-safe driving session today call us on 0845 851 9571* or email us.
* Calls may be recorded and/or monitored
Refresher, advanced & extra lessons
Enjoy your driving
With driving, there's always room for improvement. So why not improve your skills with one of our courses?
BSM Advanced Training Course
If you've already passed your test, the BSM Advanced Driving Course will take your skills to the next level. Training sessions usually take place in your own car; so they're just like real world driving. But instructor cars are available if you'd rather – just let us know when you book.
When it comes to the test, a specially selected Senior BSM instructor will assess your skills. The test, which lasts up to two hours, includes the standard eye test, car check and checking of your documents. It's designed to assess your risk and hazard perception, and how you manage risk in a variety of constantly changing conditions, using three categories:
- Low risk – where there's little or no potential danger
- Medium risk – where inconvenience or potential danger to others on the road is caused
- High risk – where evasive action may need to be taken
You will be given a number of tasks to complete:
- You'll carry out one reversing manoeuvre, either into a parking bay or a side road, and possibly an emergency stop exercise.
- At the end, the examiner asks at least one question on personal safety, vehicle security and environmental issues.
When the test is over, the examiner will talk through your performance and give detailed, valuable feedback. Of course, all our training and examinations are subject to quality control. These procedures are supervised by Robin Cummins, former Chief Driving Examiner of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
Your qualification grade
You'll be awarded a grade according to the risks recorded during your test.
- Platinum – up to three risks recorded (very low risk)
- Gold – between four and six risks recorded (low risk)
- Silver – seven risks recorded (some risk)
- Ungraded – eight or more risks, or one or more medium or high level risks (unacceptable risk)
- Platinum drivers need to be re-tested every three years and Gold and Silver candidates every two years, to keep the qualification.
Want to book your Advanced Driving Course?
Contact us at BSM for details on 0845 851 9571* or book your BSM Advanced Driving Course online.
* Calls may be recorded and/or monitored.
