We should all remember that as safe drivers we have a responsibility to show consideration for other road ]]> news/careless_drivers_beware/ 2008-09-16 Under the new careless driving laws, which came into effect from 18 August 2008, motorists who kill whilst avoidably distracted at the wheel will face prison. The new offences will allow courts to imprison drivers for up to five years who cause deaths by not paying due care to the road, or to other road users.

The type of ‘avoidable distractions’ covered by the new law include:

using a mobile phone (calling or texting)
drinking and eating
applying ]]> news/blakes_sponsers_girls_football_team_/ 2009-03-09 Blakes Driving School are now the new proud sponsers of Denbar Football Team. Denbar are part of the Morden girls league, who provide free football for girls between the ages of 11 and 16. MGL play weekly leauge and cup matches at the playing fields in Tudor Drive Morden.

Kevin from Blakes said "We decided to get involved with the Morden Girls league after seeing an article in the local Morden Post, reporting a massive increase in pitch fees this season. As a local business it ]]> news/robs_driving_test_success/ 2009-02-16 Congratulations to Robert.C from Mitcham Surrey, who recently passed his practical driving test with Blakes Driving School Surrey.

Rob came to Blakes with lots of road experience from driving his twist and go scooter, over the past 12 months. This gave him road sense and judgement skills that are needed to pass the driving test and drive safely.

The test was taken at the DSA driving test centre, Tudor drive, Morden, Surrey. It lasted for approximately 40 minutes in which time ]]> news/the_new_motorcycle_tests/ 2009-01-30 Whilst Blakes Driving School does not provide motorcycle training, we thought it might help to keep visitors to out site informed of changes to the motorbike test. From Monday 27th April 2009 all motorcycle tests will be divided into two parts. These will be:

• Part 1 – a specified off road manoeuvres test
• Part 2 – a road riding test

There will be 67 test centres throughout the country conducting part 1 tests and 104 conducting part ]]> news/snow_stops_driving_tests/ 2009-02-02 The heavy snow fall in the last 24 hours has had a massive impact on driving test appointments. The Driving Standards Agency report that no driving test have been conducted today due to the bad weather.

Whilst is is very disappointing if you were ready and looking forward to your driving test, the DSA make the decision to cancel tests only after regular checks of the test routes. This is to ensure everyone gets a fair test and not to put the candidate, examiner or other road ]]> news/eco_driving_tips/ 2009-02-10 ECO Friendly Driving - Ten tips to help protect our environment by using fuel efficiently when driving, we can all do a little to help.
 

By following the ten tips below we can also save fuel & save money:

1. Keep your car well serviced and check the oil level regularly
2. Check your tyre pressure every month
3. Remove unnecessary news/dexter_passes/ 2009-10-19 Dexter from Cheam passed his driving test this week with Blakes Driving School in Morden

   Dexter said " Just passed my practical driving test, my thanks to Dean and your lovely staff at Blakes"

   Congratulations Dexte hope you enjoy your new freedom! Keep checking your mirrors and drive safely. We thank you for learning to drive with Blakes Driving School.

   ]]> news/residents_try_to_ban_learners/ 2009-02-17 Residents on the Fir Estate in Wanstead near Ilford have had enough of learner drivers on their streets. They have campained against learner drivers using the roads where they live to practise driving techniques. 274 letters supporting the appeal were sent to Rebridge council requesting a ban for 'all motor vehicles except for access'.

   The council rejected calls for the signs to be installed at a cost of £20.000 as this would not provide a practical solution ]]> news/mum_calls_for_text_driving_ban/ 2009-02-18 The mother of Victoria Mcbryde aged 24 who was tragically killed when another driver smashed into her staionary car. Has called for a driving ban for those caught sending texts whilst driving. The current penalty for using a mobile phone and driving is £60 and 3 penalty points.

   The other vehcile was being driven by 21 year old Philippa Curtis and travelling at 70mph at the time of the collision. It was found that she had sent 20 texts and taken 2 phone calls before ]]> news/speed_limit_reduced_to_50mph/ 2009-03-09 The government are to reduce the national speed limit from 60mph to 50mph on most of roads in the UK.  This is likely to be implemented early next year and will be the most drastic change since 1978 when the national speed limit was then reduced from 70mph to 60mph. It has been estimated that the changes will affect over 60 percent of roads, but will not alter the speed limit on dual carriageways or motorways, where drivers will still be able to reach 70mph.

   
   Jim ]]> news/mayor_to_lower_congestion_charges/ 2009-03-16 London Mayor Boris Johnson is considering making changes to the rates of the congestion charge, depending on the time of day motorists enter the zone. One new scheme being investigated would abolish the current system and replace it with one similar to one which was introduced in Stockholm and would do away with the fixed daily cost. Instead motorists would pay more to enter during peak times and less that the current £8 at other times.

   Other options being looked at are ]]> news/testimonial_george_barker/ 2009-03-25 George Barker recently passed his driving test with Blakes Driving School.

   Goerge said "I have just recently passed my test the first attempt and I put this down in no small part to my instructor Philip Tang,his instruction was excellent so from myself many thanks to yourselves and especially Philip."
    

   Congratulations George we all hope you enjoy the freedom your new driving license brings. Thank you for passing on this testimonial and letting ]]> news/testimonial_rachel_mallinson/ 2009-03-25 Rachel Mallinson recently wrote this testimonial after passing her driving test with Driving Instructor Chris White from Blakes Driving School Sutton.

   Rachel said "I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I passed my driving test on Wednesday 18th March.

    

   My instructor Chris White has been encouraging and patient which has really helped build my confidence. I trusted his judgement when he told me I was ready for my test and he gave me the ]]> news/driving_test_fees_increase/ 2009-03-30 The Driving Standards Agency have announced following last years consultation, theory tests for learner drivers and motorcycle riders will increase £1 to £31 and practical driving tests will rise £5.50 to £62. These increased prices will apply to all tests booked on or after the 30th March 2009.

   There will also be an increase in the fees for those training to become a driving instructor and trying to join the ADI register. These will increase from the 24th ]]> news/emma_passes_first_time/ 2009-04-02 Emma Rodber has just passed her driving test first time after taking automatic driving lessons in Banstead with Blakes Driving School.

   Here is what Emma had to say about us!

   Hi all at Blakes

   I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you now that I passed my driving test (first time!) on Friday 27th March 2009. I would like to firstly say a ]]> news/like_learning_with_a_friend/ 2009-04-02 Jennifer was under pressure to pass her driving test within a set timescale, after taking driving lessons with Kate she was successful on her first attempt. Congratulations Jennifer and thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experiences.

   Jennifer said ‘Learning with Kate was like learning with a friend and a motivational speaker! Always positive and honest, just what I needed really. I was working to a deadline as to when I needed to ]]> news/steve_is_a_great_instructor/ 2009-06-03 Rou contacted the Blakes office recently to say thank you to ADI Steve for helping him to pass his driving test quickly.

   Rou said " I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Blakes and especially driving instructor Steve who is a great instructor. He quickly picked up weak points and rather than just telling me I was wrong provided solutions in a way that I would learn. He is patient, down to earth, and trained me well to drive on my own so thanks again to Steve!
   news/testing_times/ 2009-05-22 The Driving Standards Agency is going to make adjustments to the times candidates will be able to take driving tests. From the 17th May appointments for practical driving tests will be offered at the weekends, evenings and early mornings. Test times will vary at test centres and the changes will be based on individual demand.
    

   DSA Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew, said: "These changes will ensure that our examiners' time is focused on where it is needed most and that ]]> news/driving_lessons_richmond_george_is_back/ 2009-06-17 We are pleased to announce that George has returned to join the Blakes team, giving driving lessons in Richmond and surrounding areas of Kew, Morlake, Sheen, Petersham & Ham.

   George gives driving tuition in a silver ford fiesta and his friendly calm personality makes him a popular choice with pupils. If you would like to book Pass Plus, refresher lessons, ]]> news/jo_passes_with_a_bump/ 2009-07-01 Congratulations to Jo who passed her driving test first time last week and just in time for the arrival of her baby.

   Jo said “I've just passed my test first time round, and with days to go before the birth of my 2nd child, having only started when I was 4 months pregnant. My instructor Trish has been absolutely fantastic at getting me through before my "deadline". I'm not a natural driver and not the most confident of pupils, but her teaching ensured that I was ready ]]> news/driving_lessons_for_morden_girls_league/ 2009-11-13 Driving Lessons for Morden Girls League Second Season Sponsorship

   Blakes Driving School Morden is happy to support the Morden Girls Football League for a second season. The sponsorship of MGL team Denbar has been renewed and the girls are playing well, winning their last two games.

   A driving lesson gift voucher, Highway Code, theory and hazard perception test package was recently donated by Blakes to the league to help in their fundraising efforts. Morden Girls League offer ]]> news/jenni_is_the_coolest/ 2010-07-12  

   I passed my test on last Thursday with Jenni and I just want to say how she made it so easy for me. I thought I would be sweating and shaking etc, but I have never been more relaxed in my life about a test, it seemed like another lesson to me!

   The way Jenni taught me got me relaxed and she manages to put information in the lesson without me knowing it, I am so glad you put me on to her when I ]]>