Are You and Your Car Ready for Travel. With the summer holidays soon upon us, many will be travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination. Whether it be a staycation or a longer . trip abroad. It is important to know that your car is up to the job!
Did you know that the MOT for a car has changed recently. There are now even more things that they will check (and maybe fail) on your car. As well as updates to the highway code, learning to drive and the costs associated with motoring.
Kwik Fit have put together a really handy e-book giving you all of the latest updates. Which I am going to share with you today.
Changes to the MOT
MOT – There are now five categories Pass, Advisory, Minor, Major and Dangerous. Before when you had your MOT and it failed you could drive it away and have it repaired. But now if your MOT shows any under the dangerous category. You will not be allowed to drive the car until it is repaired.
New items that are now tested on the MOT include under inflated tyres. Contaminated brake fluid, leaks that may pose a risk to the environment, brake pads and discs, and problems with brake warning lights. Cars that were first used from 1st March 2018 will also have their daytime running lights checked. When you get your MOT certificate you will also notice the look and layout has changed.
Changes To The Driving Test
The MOT is not the only thing that has changed with driving, learners will now have slightly different rules. When I learnt to drive we were not allowed on motorways (which isn’t a problem in Norfolk!). As soon as i’d passed my test I did an extra course to drive on motorways as I knew many of my journeys involved the M25. Now learner drivers ARE allowed on a motorway with their driving instructor. So long as the car has dual controls, which I think is much more sensible especially the amount of motorways we encounter as drivers.
As part of the test now, you may be asked to follow sat nav instructions that have been inputted by the examiner. But that doesn’t happen on all tests, so 1 in 5 will still need to follow traffic signals, so it’s worth making sure you are proficient at both skills. The independent part of the driving test has increased from 10 minutes to 20 minutes. I can’t say I envy them on that part, it already seemed like a lifetime! There is also talk of graduated driving licences, but these are yet to be implemented.
Changes To Highway Code concerning Cyclists
Be careful when passing cyclists, a change to the highway code regarding passing cyclists on the road is coming into force this year. The rule will stipulate that there must be at least 1.5 metres between the driver and the cyclist. If you are not, you could find yourself with a £100 fine, so keep a safe distance!
Change To 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
Regardless of whether you stay with average vehicle support, the unforeseen can occur now and then. That is the reason it’s in every case great to have 24-hour roadside assistance accessible. Check with your insurance provider to confirm whether they offer emergency breakdown assistance before you travel!
If you are travelling with children, and its going to be a long journey, you may want to consider thinking of some travel games to keep you all amused, and stop the dreaded “Are We Nearly There Yet?”, if thats not enough how about 5 games travelling with children.
Looking for some tips for travelling with children, then you might want to read Top 10 Tips For Travelling with Kids. All of these posts will provide endless hints and tips to help make those car journeys less stressful, so you are able to enjoy the holiday, right from the start.
After reading this, Are You and Your Car Ready For Travel ?
this is a collaborative post
I am always so cautious of cyclists, probably too much! I get lots of impatient drivers behind me.
Interesting to highlight the MOT changes, I’m not due to February so a bit of time yet. Will definitely be checking out kwik fits e book before then x
Couldn’t go on the motorway when I was a learner either, but nothing lost at the time as I was from Cornwall and my nearest motorway was 2.5 hours away hehe. Some great tips here
That’s interesting about sat nav. I think that will catch people out. Sometimes it takes me a few instructions to get used to a new sat nav.
Great post, it’s so important to be aware of car safety, especially when taking long journeys. My husband is great at checking all this stuff before we go anywhere! The satnav thing is interesting, I think i would be ok with that as I totally rely on my satnav 🙂
I can’t drive and it’s probably my biggest regret not learning. I need to though as soon as we can afford it.
Oh no, sat nav in the driving test – that’s no fun! Probably a good idea about learners having a go on the motorway though. Thanks for the update – very handy. Xx
It is always so important to keep the car in top condition. No worse feeling than breaking down in the middle of a long journey and having to wait for assistance.
I can’t think of anything worse than breaking down on a long journey with kids in the car. That is why it is so important to always check it over before you go.
This is a very important topic. It is important that our car is at a good condition before we travel for safety purpose.
My husband is always in charge of checking if our car is ready for a long trip. I really should learn as I would have no idea how to change a tyre if needed.
I didn’t know the MOT rules were changing at all! I worry about my car breaking down when I’m with my toddler. I would have no idea what to do!
I had no idea they’d change the MOT rules! It’s such a great idea that learners are allowed on motorways now. It’s such an important part of driving.
I had no idea they use a Sat Nav as part of the test now! I took my driving test 21 years ago! Makes me feel old!
It was never easy to travel especially if your with the kids. It is important to check your car before leaving to avoid unexpected breakdown.
I had no idea about the new sat nav rules, my eldest is currently taking his driving lessons so I need to make sure he knows about this! Fingers crossed he passes first time like his mama