MSM Driving School's Learner Driver News
20th Jun 2023 - The cost of failing the practical driving test.
The pass rate for the practical driving test remains stubbornly under 50%. It’s an issue that has proved very difficult for clearing the backlog in driving test post pandemic. In fact the issue of long waiting times for tests was a problem for years prior to the lockdowns too.
While every year there are around a million people looking to take their test for the first time, there are hundreds of thousands looking to retake. This failure rate is costing candidates millions of pounds every year. Click Here to read more...
7th Jul 2023 - DVSA chief questioned about the state of test waiting times.
Waiting times for driving tests are not improving but getting worse in many areas. In a number of areas of the UK, candidates are having to wait more than five months. In all, 80% of all driving test centres have waiting times above the pre-pandemic average of six weeks.
The long waits are one reason why Loveday Ryder, the Chief Executive of the DVSA, was called to a meeting with Parliament’s Transport Select Committee. Click Here to read more...
27th May 2023 - MSM Driving School Turns 18.
MSM Driving School turns 18 today. We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the 1000’s of you that have learnt to drive with us and supported us over the past 17 years. We couldn’t have done it without you. From all the team at MSM Driving School.
11th Apr 2023 - MSM Driving School Teams Up With Theory Test Experts.
9th Apr 2023 - Happy Easter.
Happy Easter from all the team at MSM Driving School.
22nd Mar 2023 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Tina.
17th Mar 2023 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Rebecca.
13th Feb 2023 - ‘Driving Instructor of the Year 2023’ Highly Commended Award.
Last night was the Intelligent Instructor Awards 2023. This year, both myself and MSM Driving School were shortlisted for 2 categories, ‘Driving Instructor of the Year’ and ‘Regional Driving School of the Year’. Even though this wasn’t our year, I'm proud to announce that I received a 'Highly Commended' award in the Driving Instructor of the Year category for the South East region. This is a huge honour and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who nominated me and voted for MSM Driving School. This wouldn’t have been possible without all of your help and support.
I would also like to say well done to everyone who made this years shortlist and congratulations to all of this years winners. From Matt and all the team at MSM Driving School.
5th Feb 2023 - Check Out MSM Driving School On YouTube.
Did you know MSM Driving School has a YouTube channel? We have various videos of roads, junctions and roundabouts commonly used on Reading's practical driving test. Click Here to check out our channel.
Don't forget to subscribe! We have new videos coming soon...
25th Jan 2023 - Driving Examiners To Wear Body Worn Cameras.
From today, 25th January 2023, driving examiners will begin to wear body worn cameras to help tackle an increase in abuse. The DVSA have taken this decision due to an increase in unacceptable violent and abusive incidents against driving examiners since testing restarted after the pandemic restrictions. Although the most recent figures show incidents of abuse have dropped since, they still remain on course to be higher than before the pandemic.
When the cameras will be used?
The cameras will be an essential part of the uniform, for examiners’ safety. They will only be switched on if the examiner feels threatened or to capture inappropriate behaviour. The footage, where appropriate, will be used to prosecute offenders if abuse occurs. The cameras cannot be used to dispute a candidate’s test result.
23rd Jan 2023 - PCS Union Strike's On 1st February 2023.
Driving tests, motorcycle tests and the DVSA’s customer service are likely to be impacted by industrial action planned for 1st February 2023.
Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union have called for strike action over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms. A ballot of members voted in favour of action over the ongoing disputes.
The Government says that the industrial action will not affect theory tests or MOTs.
Tests provided by private providers are unlikely to be affected. These could include Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 3a (off-road exercise) tests and Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests.
The customer service centre will close at 4pm on Wednesday, 1st February 2023.
The DVSA issues the following notification:
The PCS union has instructed all DVSA members to take part in a national civil service-wide day of strike action on Wednesday 1st February 2023.
The DVSA are unable to confirm what level of impact this action might have on their services but some driving tests will be affected.
21st Jan 2023 - Intelligent Instructor Awards 2023 - Voting Closes Tonight.
Please help MSM Driving School by voting for us in the Intelligent Instructor Awards 2023. Head over to Intelligent Instructor's website to cast your vote
Voting closes at midnight tonight (21st January 2023). You don’t need to vote on all categories, just the ones you feel strongly about.
Thank you to everyone who has voted for us so far. We really appreciate your help and support. From, Matt and all the team at MSM Driving School.
1st Jan 2023 - Happy New Year.
With 2022 now behind us, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2023. Thank you to everyone who has been learning to drive with us during 2022. We really appreciate your continued support and we wouldn’t be here without you. Stay safe and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all again very soon. From all the team at MSM Driving School.
25th Dec 2022 - Merry Christmas.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas. From all the team at MSM Driving School.
<>24th Dec 2022 - MSM Driving School - Shortlisted For Two Awards.
We are excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for not one, but two awards. For the third consecutive year, I have been shortlisted as one of Intelligent Instructor’s Top 100 Driving Instructors in the UK. The Top 100 are initially nominated by learner drivers and then an independent judging panel draws up the Top 100.
I’m extremely proud to announce that MSM Driving School has also been shortlisted for the Intelligent Instructor Regional Driving School of the Year 2023 award.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who nominated both me and MSM Driving School. This would not have been possible without you and we really appreciate your support.
Public voting closes at midnight on the 21st January 2023. The award winners will be announced on the 12th February 2023.
Again, thank you to everyone who nominated us. From Matt and all the team at MSM Driving School.
24th Nov 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Zoe.
13th Nov 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Christy.
7th Nov 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Laura.
5th Nov 2022 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Seren.
2nd Nov 2022 - Be Aware Of Fake Copies Of The Highway Code.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced they are currently investigating and taking action against unscrupulous sellers of a fake version of The Highway Code.
The DVSA have said the errors in the fake versions could potentially put road users at risk of breaking the law or, even worse, having an accident. As well as this, it could cause failure in both theory and practical tests.
The sale of counterfeit books containing unlicensed intellectual property breaks copyright laws.
The easiest way to decide whether you have an official copy of The Highway Code or a fake version, is to look for these key differences:
• Compare the bar code numbers; the official copy has an ISBN number above its barcode.
• On the fake version, the logos on the front cover of the book are slightly pixelated.
• The official version of The Highway Code has a matte cover, the fake version has a glossy cover.
If you think you have been sold a counterfeit copy, you should contact your local trading standards office or contact DVSA at crowncopyright@dvsa.gov.uk
24th Nov 2022 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Rawand.
24th Nov 2022 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Kira.
17th Sep 2022 - MSM Driving School will be closed on Monday 19th September.
As a mark of respect for the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, MSM Driving School will be closed on Monday 19th September.
We will reopen on Tuesday 20th September.
14th Sep 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Haritha.
26th Aug 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Ryan.
25th Aug 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Julia.
18th Jul 2022 - DVSA Launches 'Ready To Pass?' Campaign.
Today the DVSA launched their ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which aims to increase the pass rate for the driving test and bring waiting times down.
DVSA’s research also shows:
• 1 in 10 people say the main reason they failed their test was because they were too nervous.
• 1 in 5 people say the main reason they failed their test was because they made a silly mistake.
• 1 in 5 people incorrectly thought they had failed because they were marked too harshly – showing they do not understand the standard that’s required to pass.
The ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign provides advice on:
• finding an approved driving instructor.
• how to monitor and check progress of your driving lessons and private practice.
• when to take a mock test.
• how to manage your test day nerves - 1 in 10 of learners who fail their driving test say the main reason they failed was because they were too nervous.
It also includes a checklist that has all the things that learners should do before taking their driving test.
For more information about the 'Ready To Pass' campaign Click Here.
4th Jul 2022 - A First Attempt Driving Test Pass For Laura.
28th Jun 2022 - A Driving Test Pass For Ellie.
13th Jun 2022 - STOP Learner Abuse.
81% of learners have experienced abuse or intimidation from other road users while learning to drive. Some drivers see an L-plate and automatically act differently. We MUST put a stop to this.
A petition has been set up asking the government to do more to prevent on-road bullying by introducing measures to impose stronger sentences on drivers who drive carelessly or dangerously around learner drivers.
How would you feel if it was your son, daughter or loved one being intimidated on the road?
Remember, we were all learners once.
Sign the petition Here.
27th May 2022 - MSM Driving School Turns 17.
MSM Driving School turns 17 today. We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the 1000’s of you that have learnt to drive with us and supported us over the past 17 years. We couldn’t have done it without you. From all the team at MSM Driving School.
Check out our customer reviews Click Here...
Driving Lessons in Reading with MSM Driving School - Driving tuition you can trust.
