'Show me tell me' explanation

You will be asked one 'show me' question and one 'tell me' question on your driving test. You will most likely be using these controls during driving lessons but below is a reminder. Please familiarise yourself with these questions so you don't stumble before you head out for your test.

The following is based on my Ford Focus ST Line.

For a full list and explanations of the 'tell me' questions, please have a look at the DVSA website.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd wash and clean the rear windscreen?'

Using the right-hand stalk, gently push this backwards towards the windscreen and hold for a couple of seconds. This will release screenwash for the rear windscreen and automatically activate the rear wiper.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd wash and clean the front windscreen?'

Using the right-hand stalk, gently pull this towards you and hold for a couple of seconds. This will release screenwash for the front windscreen and automatically activate the front wipers.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?'

Locate the sidelight/headlight dial, turn it to the position shown below. Remember to switch it back to the 'Auto' position.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how'd set the rear demister?'

Locate the button shown below, press it to switch on, press again to switch it off.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?'

Press the centre part of the steering wheel, just below the VW badge.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how'd demist the front windscreen?'

Locate the temperature control unit. Ensure the right dial is set on the windscreen (as shown.) Set the temperature to cold and the fan speed to 6.

'When it's safe to do so, can you show me how'd open and close the side window?'

Using the buttons on the door panel, push down to open, pull up to close.

You may be asked to open the bonnet and identify one of the following three items. This is categorised as a 'tell me' question. The bonnet release lever is beneath the glove box. Pull the lever towards you, walk round to the front of the vehicle, lift the bonnet up slightly. Just to the left of the centre of the gap is a lever (this is shown as figure 1 in the picture below). Gently slide this to the right and the bonnet will release. Lift this up and secure it with the strut.

1. Bonnet release lever. 2. Dipstick. 3. Engine coolant tank. 4. Brake fluid reservoir.

'Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.'

Locate the dipstick, explain that you'd pull it out, wipe it with a clean cloth, push it back in, remove it again and the oil level should be between the markers shown on the dipstick.

'Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check the engine has sufficient engine coolant.'

Locate the engine coolant tank, explain that the coolant level should remain between the 'minimum' and 'maximum' levels as indicated on the side of the tank.

'Open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.'

Locate the brake fluid reservoir, explain that the brake fluid level should remain between the 'minimum' and 'maximum' levels as indicated on the side of the reservoir.

The remaining 'tell me' questions can be found on the DVSA website.

I'd love your feedback on this blog. If you find anything confusing or are unsure of how I've explained it, please let me know.

Drive With Joe: Welcome onboard!

Welcome!

Welcome to the road, thank you for choosing to share your learning journey with me. I have provided some information and frequently asked questions but do feel free to ask any questions throughout your journey.

This document should be read together with the terms and conditions of tuition.

What can you expect?

Passing your driving test safely and efficiently relies heavily on commitment and dedication on your part. You can expect a reliable, prompt and professional service at all times. I am dedicated to your success. I commit to undertaking regular Professional Development – always finding ways to improve my skillset. This ensures I stay up to date with the industry within which I operate.

I promote client-centred learning that puts you at the heart of your learning journey. I will encourage plenty of timely discussion and problem solving throughout. If at anytime you are finding something difficult, I will work with you to find appropriate solutions. I have vast experience of working with those with learning disabilities and will work closely with you to find the most effective strategy for your specific requirements. I am happy to work closely with parents/guardians where appropriate.

I will always endeavour to accommodate your preferred lesson slot however sometimes this will need to be altered due to upcoming practical tests. Those booking tests must take priority over regular lessons. You can expect this when you are ready for your practical test.

Payment

Payment is required at least 48 hours before the lesson commences. Bank transfer is preferred.

Cancellation policy

Please be aware that I operate a 48 hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel your lesson within 48 hours I reserve the right to charge the full lesson fee. I am human and I do understand life can be unpredictable so I will assess the situation as it arises.

Please see my terms and conditions for further information.

Theory practice

For more information about the theory test have a look at www.gov.uk/theory-test/revision-and-practice. To book the theory test use only the official Gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/theory-test.

How many hours?

I often get asked how many lessons you’re likely to need before you are ready for your test. It is very difficult to assess this in the early days, and will depend on many factors.

It is important to understand that everyone is different and that the learning process varies from one person to another. As you work through your lessons you will see your progress and get a better understanding.

Please do not compare yourself with others.

How do I know when I’m ready to book a test?

In order to assess your progress we will conduct a devrief session at the end of your lesson. This will highlight anything that needs improvement. I encourage pupils to take a mock test to help familiarise them with the practical test scenario.

See my list of frequently asked questions here.

Booking the test

Once you have reached the required standard for the driving test, you can then book your practical test. You should be able to drive independently, safely and responsibly at all times with very little input from me.

You can book the practical driving test online at www.gov.uk/book-driving-test. Please only use the official Gov.uk for this.

More information can be found here.

It is important that you check with me before a test is booked to ensure my car is available. Failure to do so could mean you will not have a car for your test. You can cancel or move your test up to three working days before the date of your test should you need to.

Feedback

If you are happy with my service and would like to leave feedback please do so on my Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/pg/drivewithjoe/reviews.

If you have any problems or concerns at any time during your learning journey, please feel free to discuss these with me. I will do everything within my power to put things right.

Contact me

Call or text 07934 137560 (up until 6pm weekdays)
Email joe@drivewithjoe.co.uk
Whatsapp 07934 137560
Facebook Messenger: @joebass.adi

Please visit www.drivewithjoe.co.uk or www.facebook.com/drivewithjoe.

Drive With Joe: Terms and Conditions of Driving Tuition

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DRIVER TRAINING – JOE BASS APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTOR (DVSA GRADE A)

These Terms and Conditions set out the ground rules for all of your driver training with Joe Bass. To be clear – these rules apply to both the customer and your driving instructor.

The only exception to the rules herein would be where the driver training vehicle is unexpectedly off the road due to mechanical failure.

These Terms and Conditions are an integral part of your tuition, and will be issued to you upon request or downloaded from my website (https://www.drivewithjoe.co.uk).

It is your responsibility to attend all lessons with a valid provisional driving licence, if a lesson is attended without such a licence – the full lesson price will be due. Joe reserves the right to refuse to provide you with tuition or to cancel any lessons you have agreed to or booked, without liability, if you fail to provide Joe with the licence prior to your first lesson.

The contract for driving tuition is solely between you and Joe. You and Joe are responsible for agreeing all matters relating to the timing, location and duration of individual lessons. Lesson prices are available on request - these may be varied at any time by Joe. All prices include VAT at the prevailing rate.

The cost of block booked tuition is based on the lesson price in force at the time that the booking is made and will be honoured for a period of 6 months from the date of the booking. If you fail to use a minimum of 50% of your block booked tuition within the first 6 months of the booking date, Joe reserves the right to increase the price of any unused tuition time.

Payment – Lessons must be paid for in advance unless by prior arrangement and agreement with Joe.

Pick up points – Joe will be pleased to start and finish your lesson from different pick up points – providing these are agreed at least one week in advance – and that both are within the usual area of work.

Cancellation Policy – Lessons can only be cancelled with 48 hours notice. Where a cancellation is received within this period, the full cost of the lesson will be due. Where repeated cancellations occur, Joe reserves the right to charge for the cancelled lesson. Successful driving training depends on continuity of tuition – this policy is in place to maintain this progress.

IMPORTANT – COVID19 UPDATE – 18 MAY 2022

Please let Joe know if any of the following applies: • If you or anyone in your household has become unwell or has symptoms of COVID

• If you or anyone in your household has been tested in the last week

• If you believe you may have been in contact with someone showing symptoms

• If you or anyone in your household have become unwell or are showing symptoms

If so please inform me, your lesson will be rescheduled to a later date at no cost. If I have any of the above I will inform you and reschedule your lesson. Should either party show symptoms during the lesson, the lesson will be terminated at no cost.

Communication – All communication must be in person – not via a relative or friend. This is for both security and data protection. Bookings will be accepted by call or text (07934 137560), email (joe@drivewithjoe.co.uk), or via Facebook Messenger (joebass.adi). Please be aware that Joe may not be available to talk to you during normal working hours due to teaching commitments. He will get back to you at his earliest convenience.

Re-arrangement Policy – Lessons cancelled but re-booked and taken within 5 days have no additional charge.

Bad Weather – Lessons will be taken as booked unless advised Joe in every circumstance. If weather is such that Joe feels that a lesson needs to be re-arranged – he will be in contact with you. To ensure that communication channels are in place – please ensure that Joe is aware of your mobile and landline numbers.

Holidays and Availability – Joe will give you the maximum possible notice of holidays / days where he is unavailable, please ensure that you do likewise – to maintain progress. Please be sure to book your first lesson after your holiday / break in tuition, to retain your place in the diary – and to maintain progress.

Refund Policy – Refunds for lessons not taken will only be made in exceptional circumstances, and entirely at Joe’s discretion. Lessons already taken will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Health and Safety – Please ensure that you present yourself in suitable clothing – particularly practical shoes. It is also important to attend lessons with any appropriate glasses / lenses for reasons of road safety.

Medication – If you are taking any medication that may affect your ability to drive – please discuss this at the earliest opportunity with Joe. Be aware that where a pupil presents themselves for a lesson in a condition that Joe believes to be unfit due to the effects of drink or drugs – the lesson will be aborted on the grounds of road safety – and the full lesson price will be due. There will be no exceptions to this rule. There will be no smoking at any time during any lesson.

Practical Tests – must only be booked with Joe’s prior agreement. If a test is booked without Joe’s agreement, there will be no assurance that his car will be available for the test. Please consult with Joe where any doubt exists. You are responsible for booking your own theory and practical tests. Test days will be for 3 hours and will be charged at £96.00.

Your service will include:

1. Provide you with driving tuition at the hourly rate agreed.

2. Recommend what are, in their opinion, the most appropriate training methods and aids to help you study for your theory and hazard perception test.

3. Design a course of lessons to match your specific driving and learning needs from your first lesson right through to your practical test.

4. Provide you with on-road lessons which will last two hours or such other duration as you and Joe will agree in advance.

5. Provide a presentable, modern, properly maintained and dual controlled car for each lesson.

6. Recommend, where appropriate, advanced courses to help you develop your skills for: motorway driving, driving in extreme weather conditions and the Pass Plus.

7. Give you relevant feedback during your lesson and encourage you to reflect on your lesson at the end of the session.

8. Monitor your progress, advise and recommend what is, in Joe's opinion, the appropriate time to book your mock practical test and once it has been agreed between you both, apply for your practical driving test and where required, Joe will advise whether it should be subsequently rescheduled.

9. Provide training on a one-to-one basis with no other learner in the car.

10. Honour the full time booked for each lesson, which should include an introduction, practical training and a debrief at the end of your lesson.

11. At all times conduct themselves in a professional manner including: i. Being courteous and considerate to you. ii. Avoiding physical contact except in an emergency. iii. Not smoking during your lessons. iv. Restricting mobile phone use to emergencies or for your benefit.

12. Reserve the right to cancel a lesson or finish a lesson early on grounds of road safety.

13. Not discriminate against you and will always abide by the law.

14. Endeavour to be on time at the agreed pick-up point and be available for the full duration of the lesson booking, subject to any circumstances beyond their control.

15. Endeavour to give you 48 hours notice (excluding Bank Holidays) should a lesson need to be rescheduled.

16. Respond professionally to any worries or issues that you may have and try to resolve them to your satisfaction. Joe commits to fulfil his responsibilities with regard to data protection. Any information and information provided will be treated as confidential, and handled securely. Mobile telephones will not be answered by pupil or instructor during the lesson. Please remember to switch off your phone at the start of all lessons to prevent distraction. You accept the above terms and conditions upon commencing your training with Joe Bass. 

Revision date: 1 June 2022.

Get ready for your first driving lesson!

You've received your new provisional driving licence, you've booked your first driving lesson, now you're wondering what to expect. I will explain everything to put you at ease and look forward to beginning your learning journey.

Thank you for choosing me as your driving instructor and I look forward to our adventure.

Be sure to get a good night's sleep before the big day. You'll want to feel fresh and ready to begin the lifetime skill of driving a car. Have breakfast and bring a bottle of water with you, particularly if its a warm day. The car is fully air conditioned but the stop-start nature of the early steps to driving will mean the engine won't always be running.

I will pick you up from the address you've given me at your chosen date and time.

Have your driving licence ready for me to check. I will check that the photo on your licence resembles something like you, don't be shy, if you've got an awful photo like me, I won't judge! I will then conduct a quick eyesight check to ensure you meet the safety requirements to drive a vehicle. Remember to bring glasses if you need them, sunglasses if its bright.

We will then go to a suitable area ideal for practising the basics of car control. During the journey I will introduce myself and tell you a little about today's lesson. Feel free to ask any questions - at any time - no question is a silly question, ask away.

When we reach a suitable area, we will swap seats (Covid19 regulations followed of course). We will get you sitting comfortably, set up those mirrors, get everything ready to go. We will then begin to explore what the various controls, switches and levers do. I will check your understanding and fill in any gaps in your knowledge. Keep those questions coming.

Once you've familiarised yourself with the car, we can then have a look at the process of moving off and stopping. We will break it down into small chunks for you to have a go. Try it, have fun, don't worry - you won't break anything! It's worth pointing out I have a clutch and brake pedal so I can stop the car safely if the need arises. You'll be moving off in no time. Imagine that! We will spend time repeating the process until you feel ready to try some gear changes.

Depending on the area's suitability we may get the chance to use some quiet junctions - no pressure, the option will be there if you wish. I will always encourage you but I'm conscious it is a lot of information to take in on a first lesson.

You will be amazed just how much progress you will make in such a short amount of time. Feel free to do as much or as little as you wish, there are no hard and fast rules, just relax, get used to it and enjoy it.

Again, if you have any questions, fire away. Your input is always welcomed and encouraged. Been driving with your parents prior to lessons and want to try things a different way? Go for it.

We will then have a little debrief about what you've learned and what you'd like to achieve next. As always, I will ensure you are very much in control of how you'd like lessons to develop. I will ensure everyone's safety at all times. We will then set a few goals for the next lesson.

We will then head home and we can set a date and time for your next lesson. Congratulations, you've taken the first steps to getting onto the road. Now is the time to begin practising for your theory test - the earlier you pass this the more time you'll have to focus on the practical test.

I very much look forward to meeting you.

Additional support available for those taking their theory and practical tests

 Special provision will be made by the DVSA for those with additional needs when taking their theory and practical tests. Whether you're hard of hearing, you have a physical disability or a learning difficulty, support is available for you.

You must inform the DVLA of any special needs or physical disabilities which might affect your ability to drive safely. More information can be found here.

Theory test support

Extra time may be given for those with learning difficulties or hard of hearing. You can choose to listen to the test using a headset, this option is available to everyone - no proof of disability is required. You can also opt for a one-to-one reader/recorder. This is a person appointed by the test centre who can read and record your answers. They are not allowed to explain any questions to you. No allowance will be made for additional support for the Hazard Perception Test.

You must inform the test centre of any additional support needed when booking your theory test.

More information can be found on the DVSA website.

Practical test support

There are a few options available to help support those hard of hearing, those with a physical disability and those with a learning difficulty. Your examiner will allow you extra time for your test. This will allow time for the examiner to explain the support available to you. You may choose to take a break during the test.

You must state any hearing, physical disability or learning difficulty when booking your practical test. Details will then be passed to your examiner who will be aware of your needs before meeting you.

More information can be found on the DVSA website.

Useful links

Further information on driving with additional needs can be found at the following websites.

 - East Anglian DriveAbility
 - Driving Mobility
 - British Dyslexia Association
 - National Autistic Society
 - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Safeguarding Adults: Level 3 Training

 

As part of my commitment to professional development, I have completed Level 3 training in Safeguarding Adults, a course from Health Education England provided by FutureLearn.com.

'This course forms part of a programme designed to cover the complete set of Level 3 learning outcomes in the Safeguarding Adults Intercollegiate Document - Adults Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff, published in August 2018.'

Lesson dedication - why regular lessons are so important

Whether you choose an intensive driving course or you opt for weekly lessons, its important to stick to a routine that maximises efficiency and keep things fresh. Here's why.

The route to driving success is dedication and good organisation on your part. Past test results have shown that a set routine for your driving lessons will improve your chances of going on to pass your driving test in the most efficient way possible.

That is, if you choose a 2 hour slot once a week this will ensure your knowledge is fresh, you will quickly build on what you have learned from your previous lesson, keeping recapping time to a minimum. Those whose lessons are infrequent and patchy will spend more time recapping on previous lessons, ultimately requiring more lessons to pass their driving test.

You will see more rapid progress too.

Inevitably, life gets in the way sometimes and there may be times where you cannot commit to a regular driving lesson. Do try to make it as regular as you can though.

Get it booked, get it done, get passed.