New Driving Laws From 2015

There will be new driving laws in the UK from 2015 onwards. Please take some time to read these as some could have a huge impact on your everyday life especially smoking and use of drugs.

Click here to find out more.

Well Done Claire

Another Pass

Well done to Claire Maltman from Kirkliston on a great test pass at Currie on Wednesday with only 5 minors. 

Look forward to driving your husband around while he lords it up in the back seat :) 

Rolled Out of Bed to Test

Congratulations to Ian Lamb who today passed his test with minimum minors. A good confident drive saw Ian finally walk away with his licence. Well done again, throughly deserved and we look forward to seeing you on the road. Remember to stay safe out there

Another first time pass

Well done Andrew Hepburn. 

A fantastic first time pass with only 1 minor!

We look forward to seeing you soon for pass plus. 

Check our website for info about the best small cars and insurance deals. 

Another Family Member Passes

Fantastic announcement today as Nadir Yousif passes his test in Currie. A great achievement and thoroughly well deserved. Enjoy the licence and be safe out there

Insurance Prices Rising Again

Figures from the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index, produced in association with Towers Watson, show that in the last three months of 2014 the cost of a typical annual comprehensive motor policy rose to £594 – an increase of 2% or £12.

Back-to-back rises

This is the first time since 2011 that prices have risen in two consecutive quarters, the study found.

Falls in prices in early 2014, however, mean that current premiums remain lower than in 2013.

Steve Sanders, finance director at Confused.com, said: "These latest price increases, for the second successive quarter, are likely to fuel speculation that the motor insurance market has turned and price rises will become a regular occurrence."

The research showed that out of 121 postal towns in the UK, 96 experienced some sort of price increase between October and the end of the year.

Rises for young and old

The youngest drivers faced the greatest increase in costs in absolute terms: average premiums for 17-year-olds were up £73 to an eye-watering £1,983 a year, a rise of 3.8%.

But the highest percentage increase, 4.7%, hit drivers aged 61 – this group’s typical annual car insurance bill rose £15 from £327 to £342.

The City of London was the area which experienced the greatest price rises: by the end of 2014, premiums were up 3.3% to £1,012, an increase of £33 on 12 months previously.

In parts of the Midlands, rises were higher than average: in Telford, for example, premiums were up 6.5% or £33 to £549 over the quarter.

Price falls in some areas

Elsewhere, it was a different 

Premiums have remained largely unchanged across much of Manchester and Merseyside, while in west central London the average price was down to £888 – a fall of 0.3% over the quarter, but more than 17% lower than at the end of 2013.

Drivers across Shetland and the Hebrides have benefited from large quarterly falls in the cost of cover: price falls of 8.1% and 10.1% respectively means motorists in these islands now pay £451 and £438 for annual insurance.

Sanders added: "While some consumers may still be experiencing year-on-year savings on their car insurance policies, they should prepare themselves for further price increases over the coming months.

"Any savings they do see compared to last year will be eroded by further price increases.

"With that in mind, we would urge consumers to shop around and compare prices to ensure they get the best deal possible."

source material: confused.com

First Pass of the Year

Congratulations to Chris Plastow who helped start Compasses year with a bang. A great drive saw Chris pass in Currie with only 3 minors. Plenty more of this to come from our instructors. It's shaping up to be another successful year

Great End to The Year!!

Well we finish the year on a high for Steve as Suzie Neave passed brilliantly today at Currie. Congratulations Suzie, well done and well deserved, kept it together and passed brilliantly. Enjoy the new licence and remember to stay age out there. 

Early Morning Tests Cancelled

To all pupils sitting tests in Currie today, the 12th December. The first two times for tests are not going out. Please call 0131 449 9272
to confirm this but as it stands these tests will not be going out. Please share if there is someone you know siting tests in Currie this morning

First Time Pass From China!

Congratulations to Zhenyu Pan who yesterday passed his test at currie with only 2 minors. A great drive all round. Well done again Zhenyu and remember to stay safe out there. Look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks for Pass Plus

The Nephew Aces it

A huge congratulations to Gavin Grahamwho passed his test in fine fashion in Bathgate. Well done Gav, great achievement and remember to stay safe out there

5 Lessons, 1 Minor!

It's with great personal delight (Steve) that I can announce that Nicolle Davies Moran  today passed her test at currie with only 1 minor and having had only 5 lessons!! Congratulations Nicolle a fantastic and well deserved achievement. Enjoy the new licence and remember to stay safe out there. 

Twins Win in Tests

It's with delight that we can announce the second Martin Twin has successfully passed her test with only 2 minors. Olivia Martin produced a brilliant drive in Musselburgh today then casually went to her dysection practical at university afterwards! Congratulations again Olivia, enjoy the new licence and opportunities that come with it. Remember though to stay safe out there. 

2 Months and 30 Hours!

A massive congratulations to Guro Elise Slettvold who today passed her test in Currie with minimal minors before she returns home to Norway next week. Guro managed to achieve this with only doing lessons for 2 months and working with 30 hours tutution!! Well done Guro, a brilliant drive and one of the most subdued reactions to someone passing their test! Enjoy the new licence and stay safe out there. 

Lindy Knight

In monsoon conditions, a massive congratulations to Lindy Knight who passed brilliantly with a challenging drive. Lindy never have up and chose the worst day to pass. Well done again Lindy, stay safe out there and enjoy the new licence. Look forward to seeing you for Pass Plus — with Al Fox and Steve Jackson at DSA Driving Test Centre Musselburgh.

Top 10 cars for new drivers under £10K by Compass Pro Drive

At Compass Pro Drive our driving instructors are often asked by our customers or parents of our customers to advise on what cars we would recommend for new drivers.

If you’re looking for a car for when you’ve passed your test, and you WILL pass your test then you’ll probably be looking for a car that’s just right for a new driver. You want something trustworthy and safe, you can do complicated and interesting once you’re a more confident driver. Right now you’re looking for reliability, security and something stylish.

Our top 10 cars for new drivers:

Citroen C3- cheap insurance, low road tax, efficient engine, good spec

A Citroen C3 is cheap and affordable to run, and to make it an even more attractive option, it has cheap insurance and low road tax. It’s comfortable inside and stylish and for what you’re paying, this offers affordable comfort and quality.

Citroen C1-cost effective running costs, cheap insurance, reasonable purchase price

Another Citroen, the C1 is another car for under £10k that’s modern, stylish and reliable. You can have a 3 or 5 door model - it comes with great steering, so it’s good for the town or city whenever you go shopping. A great car that’s economical and fun to drive.

Toyota Aygo – cheap road tax, nimble, durable

The Toyota Aygo is a car that’s cheap to buy and economical to run - expect to pay between £8.500k and £10.250k. It’s a low roofed car with a strong roof and stylish interior. It’s easy to drive and offers a comfortable ride and comes with a good chassis with five speeds and if you’re looking for durability as well as comfort and a car that’s easy to drive, then the Toyota Aygo might be the car for you.

Toyota Yaris – efficient engine, good visibility

A comfortable car with an efficient engine and good visibility but does come a little more expensive than the rest, unless you buy second hand. Expect to pay a little more than £10k. This model is a little bigger but it’s still a good car to drive regardless of its increase in size. It makes driving in town a stress free affair, which is exactly what you’re looking for when you’ve just passed your test.

 Vauxhall Corsa- reliable, spacious, popular

The Vauxhall Corsa is a great little car and it’s extremely popular. It’s still a good looking car with stylish interiors and comes with good steering and is an ideal car for the new driver, helping you to develop more confidence. A reliable care with plenty of room, the Corsa will always give you a good drive.

Ford Ka-reliable engine, cheap road tax, simple

This is a car that was extremely popular when it first came out in the 1990s and is still good for the city run and easy parking. It’s compact, with not as much space as the Corsa or the Citroen, but if a small car is what you’re looking for then this is it. Economically this is a good buy with a reliable engine and cheap road tax.

Peugeot 207- a different badged c3, high spec, and new cars redesigned bottom up

The Peugeot 207 comes in many guises, as a hatchback, an estate or a coupe cabriolet. There are different engines to choose from, with either petrol or diesel. It’s an excellent value car, newly designed from the bottom up and selling at a reasonable price.

Renault Clio- high spec, and new cars redesigned bottom up

The Renault Clio is a stylish car that’s reliable with plenty of space, good interior style with plenty of room. This is a new style and it’s certainly an improvement and now available in 5 door design only. The styling is certainly impressive, and it’ll get you around town in no time, with a well-designed engine that works just as well on rugged roads as in the countryside. It’s easy to park and makes an excellent first time car. With good steering and excellent suspension, the new Clio is worthy of the investment.

VW Polo- great build quality, highly efficient engine and good performance, solid

This is a great quality car with a highly efficient engine and offers excellent performance. This is a car that can take you through town and country with brand new petrol engines and some swanky new technology inside. It’s nicely styled and offers great comfort for both driver and passenger. It’s a little more costly than those listed here and like the Toyota Yaris it’s over £10k, so if you want to invest in a VW Polo it’ll cost you a little more.

Hyundai i20- 5 year unlimited warranty, good engine range, cheap road tax and good for insurance

The Hyundai is nicely priced and you can get one starting from just under £10k, it comes with a 5 year unlimited warranty, a good range of engines to choose from, with cheap road tax and good insurance. There’s good quality styling and it’s a practical, reliable and attractive car. It comes with a small engine, and it’s reliable for town and country driving.

So there you have it, if you’re looking for a car to start your driving with, then we’ve chosen our top 10 for you and hopefully, taken the hard work out of it. Good luck!

How to Choose a Driving Instructor

If you’re about to embark on driving lessons, perhaps for the first time, you may have some questions you need answering.

So we thought of all the questions you might want to ask your local driving instructor and provided some comprehensive answers:

Why should I learn with your driving school?

Here at Compass ProDrive we provide a calm, positive and fun learning environment where your development and comfort is our priority, so when you learn with us, we’ll do everything in our power to make you feel relaxed and confident during each lesson, that way, you’ll learn much more.

How long should it take from lesson 1 to test?

On average, according to DVSA statistics, a novice driver from start to finish takes about 46 hours with an instructor, and 22 hours out and about with lessons taken with a full licence holder with a minimum of 3 years holding a full UK licence. So it’s really not that long!

Can I do anything to speed up the process?

Yes you can, there are a couple of options:-

You can have your lessons condensed into a shorter period to build on previous lesson

or -

Go out with a parent or an experienced driver with a 3 year old full UK licence. This can help you along as you learn and can be an added extra to what your instructor has already been teaching you during lessons. You can put into practice what you’ve learnt with your instructor and this can really help.

Please note it is essential that you follow the criteria that has been set by your driving instructor to ensure continuity and safety. ( Parents – if you have any questions please feel free to the pupils instructor)

Do you have any testimonials?

Yes, here at Compass ProDrive we have testimonials from many satisfied former pupils on our website and this will highlight our successes as well as visiting our link to our Facebook page.

How do I know I'm being taught correctly?

We provide an electronic record sheet that is emailed to you after each learning milestone is met. We sit down and put in place a plan designed for you with targets that we look to meet. As such, we give you a comprehensive record which will provide you with all the information you need for revision between lessons, that way, you’ll know exactly what you need to work on to achieve success.

What is the main reason for not passing a test?

There are a multitude of reasons for not passing your driving test, but the main ones tend to be nerves, not following the correct procedures at the right time, not checking your mirrors before changing direction and speeding. However don't focus on what you could do wrong - concentrate on what you know is correct.

Why should I do pass plus lessons?

The pass plus takes what you’ve learned, then enhances it further to meet the greater demands and challenges that motorways, country roads and night driving have to offer. It builds on your basic knowledge and increases awareness. It also improves your proactive abilities. It’s recognised by insurance companies as an extra form of driver training, which in a lot of cases helps reduce insurance premiums.

Are cheaper lessons or packages a better option for me?

Booking block lessons can save you money when you’re learning to drive as individual lessons do cost more in the long run.

How much should I budget for?

On the basis that you would be looking at 46 hours, approximately £1000 excluding your test fee to the DVSA

What makes you the best option overall?

We have high pass rates – with an emphasis on developing an environment which encourages learning through fun and comfort. We use up to date learning techniques coupled with cutting edge hardware and software to enhance your learning experience.

At Compass ProDrive, we’re on your side.

Driving lessons in Edinburgh – crash course or taking it slowly?

If you don’t currently hold a driving license you may be considering taking to the road and learning to drive. There could be many reasons why you’re doing it, but you’ve decide to take the plunge and take to the steering wheel. It can be tremendous fun and once you’ve passed it can give you an independence you never had before. Perhaps you’ve driven in the past and for some reason you stopped, now you want to refresh your skills. You already know how great it is to drive and you can’t wait to get out on the open road again.

As you contemplate the delights of driving you look through the various driving schools in Edinburgh (and hopefully you will have chosen ours, Compass Prodrive, which is one reason why you’re reading this blog) and you notice how many different ways there are to take your lessons. But HOW are you going to learn to drive?

Are you going to take one or maybe two lessons per week, or fortnight, or take a crash course, which we also offer, over a period of 4 weeks? There are many advantages to taking it slowly and doing it quickly. Here we discuss what might be the advantages and disadvantages of both to help you decide, and don’t forget you can always get in touch with us to discuss it either over the phone, or you can drop us an email.

Driving over a longer period

Each of our driving lessons are pretty comprehensive and rather than intensive driving lessons you may choose to take them over a longer period of time giving you the time and energy you need to take in everything you’ve learnt. You can take it all at your own pace, after all this is your test, and you should feel happy and comfortable while you’re learning. Lessons are affordable, and naturally they cost less if you buy in bulk, but there’s no need to do that if you want to just take one lesson per week, or fortnight etc.

We’re friendly, patient and we listen and just as importantly we want you to pass your test. So we’ll listen to what you want.

Intensive Driving – is it for you?

There are many reasons why you might be considering an intensive driving course. You may be eager to pass your test within the minimum amount of time, so you can be on the road as quickly as possible. The reasons for this could be personal, or they could be professional – perhaps you need your license for your job.

What you get with intensive driving are lessons that are taken all day every day for a set length of time. There’s an excellent pass rate for those that learn to drive in this way and it can be the perfect approach for some drivers. You learn quickly all you need by learning to drive over several hours each day, and then at the end of it you can sit your test. We’ll decide at the outset how far away we think you are from your test, and then once you’re ready you can have a mock test with us and then you sit your “real” driving test.

At the end of the day it’s entirely up to you, your lessons, your test, your driving experience. Whatever your personality or character, however quickly or slowly you like to learn – it really doesn’t matter, you choose. We’re flexible and we can work with you, our aim, our goal, is to ensure you pass your test and have a wonderful driving experience with us and as you start your new life as a fully-fledged driver.

If you are looking for driving lessons in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas have a look around our website and give us a call today to discuss what option is most suitable for you.

The Tax Disc Is No More

A very interesting piece of information with regards to the UK Tax Disc. Please take note as of 1st October 2014: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes

Estimated Time to Pass UK Test

An interesting piece was released recently that highlights minimum DVSA requirements to pass the driving test

http://www.theaa.com/aattitude/start-learning/getting-ready/how-much-does-it-cost.jsp