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Reflective Log

Block booking tracker

Lesson 1
14/01/21
Lesson 2
xxxx
Lesson 3
xxxx
Lesson 4
xxxx
Lesson 5
xxxx
Lesson 6
xxxx
Date: 10/05/2021
Lesson Goals
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I'd like to look at reversing, when I've tried to reverse previously I've struggled to control the speed the car is travelling at.  The consequence of this is I'm unsure of my steering & struggle to remember to know which way to turn the wheel.
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I'd also like to look at a more rapid move off.  Sometimes when I move off it takes me a while to get the car going.  Sometimes I stall and once I stall I struggle to move the car away and the stalls become repetitive.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I decreased the speed I reversing the car.  I achieved this by working on how high I lifted my clutch.  I allowed the clutch to push my foot up as opposed to lifting my foot, quickly off the clutch.  I had much more control
  • I'm really proud of how my steering in reverse improved.  I achieved this by slowing my speed by improving my clutch control.
  • My use of gears was great, it now feels natural & smooth when I change from 1st to second gear.  My changes are also more rapid.
  • More move off is far faster.  I've achieved this by applying a gentle pressure on my accelerator, before lifting my clutch, and increasing the pressure on the accelerator as I move off, dependant on the road conditions.
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What I'd like to improve on?
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  • Sometimes I find it really hard to multitask when driving, specifically I sometimes forget to put the clutch down when stopping.  I also sometimes struggle to remember to keep a constant pressure on the accelerator when other things are going on.
  • Sometimes my braking is a little harsh.  This is as I sometimes push the brake pedal all the way to the floor as opposed to partially pressing it until the car comes to a stop
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Our plan for next lesson

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In my next lesson I'd like to work on my braking, I may practice this in between my lessons.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

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If you're able to practice before your next lesson I'd recommend working on braking.  Think about operating your brake pedal in the same way you'd use your accelerator; you often don't need to press it all the way down.  When you're bringing your car to a stop work on applying a gentle pressure to your brake pedal and slightly reducing the pressure as it comes to a stop.  Try not to press the brake pedal all the way to the floor as this will result in a harsh stop.  You can use Beginner Practice Route 2 to practice this.

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You might find it useful to look at the order in which we do things, when we move off from the side of the road.  You can find a guide to this HERE

Date: 17/05/2021
Lesson Goals
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I'd like to perfect my parallel park.
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Lesson plan adapted to look at driving a wider route, including roundabouts.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I improved my parallel park.  When there's no cars around I'm great at it.
  • I drove a far more complex route this lesson and was proud of how calm I stayed.  I felt like a normal car on the road!
  • My speed was great!
  • My gear use was really good!
     
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to do some more work on my parallel park.  I'd like to become more familiar with knowing when to turn to improve my accuracy.
  • I'd like to do some more work on rolling 1st and what to do once I've selected my first gear.
  • I'd like to improve my knowledge of who's got priority on roundabouts.

Our plan for next lesson

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In my next lesson I'd like to work on roundabouts, specifically who has priority and my road positioning.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

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If you're able to practice before your next lesson I'd recommend working on beginner practice route 2 and beginner practice route 3.

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When coming up to a closed junction practice sliding the car into 1st gear.

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You might find it useful to read the highway code section on roundabouts.  You can find this HERE

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You might find it useful to look at the order in which we do things, when we move off from the side of the road.  You can find a guide to this HERE

Date: 24/05/2021
Lesson Goals
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I'd like to work on roundabouts.
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Specifically I'd like to increase my knowledge of who has priority and be able to use this knowledge to build my skills when tackling roundabouts.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud that I drove places I'd normally walk!
  • I've hugely increased my knowledge of who has priority at roundabouts
  • I'm driving roundabouts well when under full instruction
  • I had to perform an angled start, under pressure.  My clutch control was great!
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on hill starts, when a car is behind me.  The added pressure sometimes causes me to lift my clutch too quickly
  • I'd like to increase my understanding of where and when I need to use my handbrake

Our plan for next lesson

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In my next lesson I'd like to take responsibility for planning my route to school.  I'll decide which way we're going to go and with my instructor we'll decide what skills we will need to work on within that route.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

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If you're able to practice, before your next lesson, I'd recommend working on beginner practice route 7 this route will allow you to work on your hill starts.  I'd also recommend looking at beginner route 8, this route focuses on an introduction to roundabouts.

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If your supporting driver is comfortable with how you're dealing with Beginner Route 8 you can move on to look at Intermediate Route 1.  This route also focuses on roundabouts.

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You might find it useful to read the highway code section on roundabouts.  You can find this HERE

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You also find it useful to look at the order in which we do things, when we move off from the side of the road.  You can find a guide to this HERE

Date: 07/06/2021
Lesson Goals

I've planned my own route to school & I'd like to work on this.  I feel the following areas may be challenging:

The R turn into Tennyson, I'm worried I may struggle to move off again, if I need to stop for traffic.

The roundabouts, I'd like my instructor to confirm who has priority.

Any hill starts, I'd like my instructor to talk me through these.​
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my move off, it was more rapid and I'm moving up the gears more rapidly.
  • My steering hugely improved, my turns are far tighter now
  • I'm really pleased with my use of speed, I'm beginning to keep up with the flow of traffic.
  • I'm happy with my overall standard of driving, it's hugely improved!
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on reading the road ahead, sometimes I get preoccupied with actions I need to take in the car and forget to read what's coming up on the road ahead.
  • I'd like to work on my reversing manoeuvres.
  • I need to work on my observations, particularly when moving off from a parked position.

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my reversing manoeuvres including reversing off my drive.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your observations, particularly when moving off from the side of the road.  Using the Blue Monkey move off guide will help you hugely to make sure you're following the correct process.

Focusing on all round observations will help you greatly when we look at your reversing exercises next week.

Once you're happy with your knowledge, on the move off process, you can complete the knowledge check quiz.

Date: 14/06/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to focus on my reversing manoeuvres. 

I'd like to look at parallel parking, bay parking and reversing off my drive
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my parallel park.  In a quiet road I'm comfortable carrying out this manoeuvre
  • My first attempt at reverse bay went really well
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on adding observations into my PP and bay parking manoeuvres
  • I'd like to do some more work on my forward bay park
  • My road position on approach to roundabouts sometimes drifts.  I'd like to work on understanding where to position my car and how to do this.

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my approach position to roundabouts.  I'd also like to look at reversing the car out of my driveway.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on practicing the manoeuvres we worked on today.

Date: 28/06/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to focus on roundabouts.  I'd like to be more confident in knowing where to position my car, on the approach and when I can go.

I'd also like to look at reversing my car off my drive.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I dealt with faster roads
  • My position at roundabouts had hugely improved and I'm much better at finding a gap at the roundabout to put my car into.  I'd score my roundabouts as a 7/10
  • When I did some independent driving I was great at reading the road ahead
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to do a bit more work on reversing off my drive
  • I'd like to work on independent driving in areas I don't know

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my manoeuvres

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your forward bay parking in preparation for next week's lesson

Date: 19/07/2021
Lesson Goals

As we haven't had a lesson for a while I'd like to get used to the car again.

I'd then like to focus on my manoeuvres, in particularly my bay park.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I dealt with roundabouts
  • I'd pleased with my reverse bay park, I'd now scale it as a 8/10
  • I'm pleased that my forward bay park is now consistently between the left and right bay lines.  I'd scale it as a 7/10
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on knowing how far forward my car is as sometimes I overshoot my bay when forward bay parking
  • I'd like to work on how I set up my reverse bay park

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on more town driving and using areas around the test centre.  I'd like to work on dealing with parked cars and judging who has priority.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on embedding the parking learnings from your last lesson, paying particular focus on how far forward your car is in the bay.

I'd also recommend practicing how you meet traffic and decide who has priority around parked cars. I'd suggest using the streets around your house or on the trip to school.  If the car is parked on your side and there isn't room for 2 cars you need to allow the oncoming traffic pass before you proceed.  If the parked cars are on the other side watch what the oncoming cars are doing to determine if they're giving you priority or if they're planning on passing the parked car.

Date: 27/07/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on tighter roads and focus on meeting situations

I'd also like to look at the type of roads likely to come up on my test
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I dealt with driving in town
  • The independent driving we did helped me think quicker and be more observant
  • My meeting situations were great, I always knew what to do
  • I'm now judging really well the speed I need for the tighter corners.
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to start looking at busier roads
  • I struggle to remember to check my mirrors so would like to improve on that

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my mirror use and use the roads around town to do this.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your mirror use in your private practice.  This is currently your main development area.

If you'd like to combine this focus area with town driving you could use Experienced Route 7

Date: 06/08/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my mirror use.  I'd currently scale this area as a 4/10 and would like to improve it to a 6/10

I'd like to look at busier roads
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of how I've started checking my mirrors.  I'd now scale this as a 6/10
  • I dealt with the busier roads really well, I achieved his by reducing my speed
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to continue to work on my mirrors to make it feel more natural to check them before indicating

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my mirror use.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend continuing to focus on your mirror use in your private practice.  This is currently your main development area.

If you'd like to combine this focus area with town driving you could use any of the experienced routes to help begin to prepare you for your test.

Date: 19/08/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to continue to work on my mirror use.  Last lesson I scaled this as 6/10, I'd like to improve this to a 7/10 this lesson
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my mirror use, it's becoming established and I'd now rate this as a 8/10
  • I'm really pleased with how calm and steady I remained when driving in town
  • I was great at meeting traffic and judging small gaps
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on only using the clutch when needed
  • I'd like to use rolling first more
  • I'd like to increase how quickly I accelerate away from meeting situations

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on accelerating away from meeting situations

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend using Experienced Route 4 and working on your meeting situations and your acceleration once you can see the road ahead is clear and there are no further obstacles.

Date: 26/08/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on accelerating away from meeting situations.  I'd also like to work on only using my clutch when needed and using rolling first at closed junctions.
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really proud of my rolling first at closed junctions, it was great
  • My coasting improved hugely this lesson
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work a bit more on only using the clutch when needed
  • Sometimes my speed is a little slow, I'd like to work on increasing this
  • I'd like to work on bringing my clutch up quicker by utilising the dead area of the clutch

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on my speed.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your speed.  You could start your practice at the test centre and choose any roads from there.  Focus on reducing your speed in meeting situations and then rapidly building your speed back up once the road is clear.

Date: 02/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my speed and ensuring I'm driving to an appropriate speed for the road.
What am I proud of?
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  • My speed was great!  I've really picked it up and I'm starting to drive like a full licence holder!
  • My mirrors were great and are becoming established
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on the busier roundabouts including the one at the end of all saints rd, the PrestburyAlbert/Wellington & Pitville circus roundabout, in particularly using blockers to help me enter the roundabout

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on roundabouts using blockers.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on the roundabouts we used in todays lesson.  

Notes to think about......

You're great at driving quieter roundabouts, you judge when you can go and increase or decrease your speed to take your gap onto the roundabout.  Try and transfer this skill to busier roundabouts.

When you tackle busier roundabouts, if you need to stop, you're mainly focusing on traffic coming from your right.  This means that you often miss cars, that are coming around the roundabout, that will block the oncoming traffic from the right.  When you then see "blocker" cars it's often too late to take advantage of them temporarily "blocking" the traffic to the right. 

I'd recommend freeing your vision and not solely looking at the cars immediately to your right.  Try focusing on the roundabout as a whole, think about where the cars from the other entrances are going and how they might affect the cars to your immediate right. 

Identify which cars will stop the cars from your right, entering the roundabout.  

If you need any help over the next fortnight just drop me a text or give me a call.

Date: 16/09/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: 6 Serious (major) faults
 
On two occasions your speed was too slow on national speed limit roads for the road conditions

On one occasion you forced another car to hold back as you pushed through a space only wide enough for one car

On the roundabout at the end of All Saints Rd you failed to sufficiently check if there was a car coming from the entrance to your right

On the roundabout by the race course you chose the exit ahead when you'd positioned your car in the right hand lane

On your parallel park you failed to carry out all around observations

The following are your driver faults: 11 driver (minor) faults

On 5 occasions you failed to check your mirrors

On 3 occasions you were hesitant at a roundabout

On 2 occasions your speed was too slow for the road conditions, there were no cars behind you which is why this is marked as a driver fault as opposed to a serious

On one occasion your left turn was too wide, causing you to enter the other side of the road.  Turning into Southam Lane from Old Rd

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your road progress.  Try to drive to the speed limit when road conditions allow.  This is currently your largest development area.

Then look at focusing on your other serious faults from your mock test.

Date: 23/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on my parallel park, I'd like to feel confident and carry out full observations.

I'd like to work on my roundabouts and focus on all exits/entrances
What am I proud of?
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  • I'd now rate my parallel park as a 7/10, I feel more confident as I now understand how far away from the car in front I can park in my test
  • I've started to take into consideration the other entrances when driving roundabouts, this makes me less hesitant.
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to continue to work on roundabouts as sometimes I can still be hesitant
  • I like to work on knowing when I can turn into side roads as sometimes I wait too long when traffic is approaching

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on freeing up where I'm looking at roundabouts to allow me to understand where all the cars are going so I can enter sooner.  I'd also like to look at turning off the main road into minor roads and taking advantage of smaller gaps in the traffic. 

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your parallel park, think about what observations your need, when and why.  Also remember you don't need to be tight to the car in front, you have room to manoeuvre in.

I'd also recommend using the route we used today, up Kingsditch rd to practice your roundabouts.  This about what cars are coming towards you as well as the ones from the right.  Will they block the cars you're giving way to?

If you need any help just drop me a text or give me a call.

Date: 30/09/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to look at my speed in my car to see if it's an issue.

I'd also like to focus on roundabouts, paying particular attention to which cars are entering the roundabout and which I can use as blocker cars to allow me to enter it.
What am I proud of?
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  • My speed was great!
  • My roundabouts were greatly improved, I missed fewer opportunities.  I slowed down my approach speed which meant I didn't need to harshly brake and my speed was more consistent
  • Commentary driving really helped me focus further ahead and have a plan for potential hazards
What I'd like to improve on?
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  • I'd like to work on busier junctions and cross roads

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on emerging at junctions and crossroads.  I'd also like to do a mock test

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on emerging from junctions.  Think about taking smaller gaps in the traffic, to enter the new street as opposed to waiting for a clear road.

I'd also recommend focusing on your manoeuvres, this will give you more lesson time to focus on your general driving.

If you need any help just drop me a text or give me a call.

Date: 07/10/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: 6 Serious (major) faults
 
When pulling up on the left you decided you weren't happy with where you'd stopped so you decided to move further up the road.  This was ok to do however you didn't carry out any observations when moving off or pulling up again.

You overtook a cyclist when there was a solid white line which made it an illegal overtake as the cyclist was traveling faster than 10mph

You pulled out in front of another driver on a roundabout which caused them to brake

The following are your driver faults: 6 driver (minor) faults

On 2 occasions you failed to check your mirrors

On 1 occasion you were hesitant when pulling out of a junction

When you passed a parked car you didn't allow sufficient room to pass it safely

When passing parked cars there was a bus indicating that the were leaving the bus stop on the other side of the road that you should have given priority to

When completing your parallel park your front wheel hit the kerb

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your roundabouts, I currently see this as your biggest driving challenge.

Once you've perfected these you could work on any of your other development areas highlighted in your mock test.

The first half of your mock test was great and the best I've seen you drive!  If you need any help practicing just shout.

Date: 09/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on the 3 manoeuvres I may need to perform on test.

I'd also like to look at the show me questions and the emergency stop
What am I proud of?
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  • My bay park, emergency stop and pull up on the right were great
  • My parallel park improved greatly and now I'm looking in the direction that the car is travelling in (over my shoulder through the rear window)
  • I correctly completed all the show me questions on the move
What I'd like to improve on?​
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See recommendations before your test box below

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

 

  • Remember to always look in the direction that you're travelling, if reversing you need to be primarily looking through the rear window with regular all round observations
  • When moving off from the side of the road remember your final observational check needs to be the area of greatest risk.  When pulling off from the left side of the road this would be your right blind spot check and when pulling off from the right hand side of the road this would be your left blind spot check
  • Remember you need to check your mirrors every time you change speed or direction, this includes moving out to pass parked cars.  You should be checking your right mirror before moving out and your left mirror before moving back in.
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I'd recommend working on all of the above plus
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  • Roundabouts
  • Parallel park
  • The show me questions
  • The tell me questions (including under the bonnet)
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You can find a link to the show me tell me questions in the learner area.
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Any questions just shout.
Date: 28/10/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like cover a bit of everything as it's been a while since I've driven.  I'd like to assess where I am
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm really happy to get back to it
  • My judgement in meeting situations improved
What I'd like to improve?
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  • I'd like to work on more complicated meeting situations
  • I'd like to do some work on cross roads
  • When I'm completing a parallel park I'd like to focus on looking in the direction my car's travelling
  • Sometimes I forget to indicate

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on meeting situations and crossroads.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on the narrow roads around the test centre when practicing.  Think about who has priority and who should hold back.  Also consider cars that are following you, can you all fit in?

I'd also recommend working on your parallel park, remember to look behind you, through your back window as this is the direction your car is travelling in.

Date: 04/11/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to work on more complicated meeting situations.

I'd also like to focus on cross roads and roundabouts
What am I proud of?
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  • I'm much more confident on roundabouts
  • I'm now looking at all the entrances on the roundabouts as opposed to focusing on the one immediately to my right
  • I now really understand the theory of cross roads
What I'd like to improve?
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  • I'd like to do some more work on roundabouts as sometimes I see blockers to late.  I'd like to focus on looking further around roundabouts.

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to focus on roundabouts and my parallel parking

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on the roundabouts around the test centre as these are the more challenging roundabouts.  Try to practice where possible at busier times of the day.

Date: 25/11/2021
Lesson Goals

As it's been a few weeks since my last lesson I'd like to see where we are
What am I proud of?
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  • My general driving was really good and I stayed calm throughout
What I'd like to improve?
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  • When I completed bay parking in a different car park I struggled a little as I didn't have as much room to swing my car into a space
  • When parallel parking under pressure I need to remember not to rush and to carry out all round observations

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to carry out a mock test

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend using Bath Parade Car Park to practice your forward bay parking

Date: 02/12/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: 2 Serious (major) faults
 
When forward bay parking you parked over the front bay line

On the roundabout you pulled out in front of a car causing them to brake harshly

The following are your driver faults: 1 driver (minor) faults

When in traffic coming up Evesham Rd you braked very sharply surprising the car behind you

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your forward bay parking and roundabouts

Date: 09/12/2021
Lesson Goals

I'd like to focus on bay parking and roundabouts
What am I proud of?
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  • My bay parking went really well
What I'd like to improve?
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  • Sometimes I panic when I'm don't get the car correctly into the bay.  I need to remember that I'm allowed to adjust my positioning
  • Sometimes I forget to complete my observational checks before I move the car

Our plan for next lesson

In my next lesson I'd like to carry out a mock test

Date: 06/01/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: Serious (major) faults
 
When negotiating lanes on the McDonalds roundabout you failed to look where you were going which caused you to miss the red traffic light you needed to stop for

The following are your driver faults: driver (minor) faults

When leaving the roundabout you failed to signal left to let other drivers know you were exiting the roundabout

You were a little early when changing lanes on Tewksbury Road which didn't leave sufficient room between your car and the vehicle behind you.

We decided to abandon your mock test after your serious fault to work on lane choice and observations on the McDonald's roundabout.

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend spending some time navigating the McDonald's roundabout from all directions and understanding where the different lanes go and how the road signs and markings help you with this.

Date: 13/01/2021
Mock Test Results

The following are your serious faults: 1 Serious (major) faults
 
When leaving a roundabout you failed to use your left indicator to let the waiting traffic know you were exiting the roundabout.  This caused another car to unnecessarily wait for you.

The following are your driver faults: driver (minor) faults

You were a little hesitant on 2 occasions at junctions

On All Saints Rd you were a little far from the kerb which caused oncoming traffic to hold back

On one occasion your left indicator was late

You forgot to indicate right on one junction

In one meeting situation you needed to hold back sooner

You needed to leave more room to allow to carry out it's parking manoeuvre

What can I do before my next lesson to help my learning

I'd recommend focusing on your use of indicators in all circumstances where you need to use them.

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