Latest News | Search2Drive

Latest News

09 March 2010

Eco Drive Scheme hailed a success! After the trail of the scheme in conjunction with Hodgson Toyota all of the recipients found that they all made fuel saving. Some of the recipients found an increase of 10 miles to the gallon, which equates to nearly 20% improvment. To find out more and what was said by the instructors read all about it on the Eco Driving page.

12 January 2010
Eco Driving Scheme
Eco scheme is up and running! Hodgson Toyota in Gateshead has now supplied to the first 10 customers the outstanding Eco scheme. This concept is the first of its kind in the UK where the customer recieves a free Eco Driving Lesson which could save the customer up to £240 per year in motoring costs. Backed by Dave Anderson MP this scheme will dramaticall reduce CO2 within the UK and save money for thgose who choose to use it! Everyone wins!

20 October 2009

Toyota iQ - not suitable for the driving test
DSA has carried out a risk assessment on the Toyota iQ, and due to the lack of all round vision it has been decided, with immediate affect, that it is unsuitable for driving tests.

The vast majority of hatchbacks, saloons and estate cars are suitable for driving tests; but increasingly the designers of cars are producing models with sweeping lines. These vehicles have good forward vision but large blind spots to the rear, which present examiners with problems of observation.
Vehicles supplied by motor manufacturers have been through the type approval process, but this focuses on vehicles from the driver's point of view and, does not necessarily make the vehicle suitable for driving tests.
Vehicles for test must allow examiners all round vision so they can see approaching vehicles, particularly when the vehicle is at an angle to others during reversing manoeuvres and when emerging at a junction with the vehicle at an angle to the major road.

29th September 2009

Search2drive's SEO is getting us to the top 3 pages in all areas of the UK. See below, to see more google results click here
Compare Driving - page 1 - position 5
Compare driving instructors - page 1 - position 8
Compare driving schools - page 1 - position 5
Driving Instructors Northumberland - Page 1 - position 7
Driving Instructors Cornwall & Scilly - Page 1 - position 1&2
Driving Instructor East Riding - Page 1 - position 9
Online Highway code - Page 1 - position 6
There are lots more on page 1 and page 2

28th September
As of today the new thoery test is inplace with caseloads within the multiple choice go and see how they look on our driving theory test page

13 Aug 2009
We now have a page dedicated to the charities, groups and establishments that are trying to make our roads safer. search2drive will help these schemes in any way possible and hope you will support your local campaign or scheme too.

10 Aug 2009
The boss of BSM, Britain’s biggest driving school, has avoided a lengthy driving ban despite having 17 points on his licence.

According to the sun.co.uk, Abu-Haris Shafi was in court after his Volvo car was caught on camera breaking a 50mph speed limit.

In court Shafi refused to reveal who was in the drivers seat of the Volvo and was given 6 points on his licence to go with the 11 already there.
With 12 points usually meaning an automatic driving ban of at least 6 months, Shafi avoided this with a £750 fine.
This followed his solicitor’s success in persuading Bournemouth magistrates that a driving ban would risk his job and prevent him taking his Mum to the doctors.
BSM insiders said: “It is incredibly embarrassing teaching learners to obey rules if our driving force is a serial offender”.

6 Aug 2009
Search2drive now has over 5000 driving instructors listed just in the England area alone which is great but we do want more and please rate your instructor to help others find the right driving instructor for them.

13 July 2009
Mobility are now on search2drive to assist in all aspects of Mobility motoring!
Listen out for search2drive on Metro Radio as we try to help raise the industry standards in asking driving instructors to go that extra mile to help save lives on the roads.

7 July 2009
Brake is now on the site as we are trying to get across to driving instructors to help train safe drivers by signing up to Brake's Buddy Driving Instructor scheme.

30 June 2009
Well firstly can we thank Autogas for supplying text and information on the Fuel for thought page and watch for info supplied by Shell too.
We also would like to thank Premier Vehicle Care for the advice supplied to our Accident page. Why dont you take a look?
Finally our stats are increasing dramatically too and week on week so watch for us appearing on more 1st page searches.

10 June 2009
search2drive is now supplying a free online highway code supplied by the dsa. Thanks to the DSA for allowing this and its yet another thing search2drive has got for you guys to use for free.

18 May 2009
Ok guy's today is the start of the new scrap your car incentive where you can get up to £2000 off the price of a new car by scrapping your old one, now dont have any bright ideas and going out and buying a banger then trying to get the £2000, you need to have owned it for at least a year!
Other requirements include the purchased car has to be 'new'. Pre-registered cars are not eligible. Nearly-new models are also not included. The car must be delivered within 3 months of order. It is a voluntary scheme - but when car makers sign up, it must be offered on EVERY new car.

18 April 2009

Position 1 | driving instructors Derbyshire | 235,000 competitors |
Position 1 + 3 | driving instructors Durham | 336,00 competitors |
Position 1 + 8 | driving instructors Dorset | 225,000 competitors |
Position 1 + 9| driving instructors Bedfordshire | 177,000 competitors | Position 1 + 8 | search for driving instructors | 8,830,000 competitors |
Position 1 + 10 | search for driving schools | 203,000,000 competitors
Position 2 | driving instructors Northumberland | 159,000 competitors | Position 2 | driving instructors Herefordshire | 122,000 competitors |
Position 2 | driving instructors Wiltshire | 211,000 competitors |
Position 2 | compare driving instructors | 2,120,000 competitors |
Position 2 + 4 | driving instructors Suffolk | 247,000 competitors |
Position 2 + 5 | driving instructors Cambridgeshire | 185,000 competitors |
Position 2 + 10 | driving instructors Rutland | 124,000 competitors |
Position 3 + 6 |driving instructors Warwickshire | 184,000 competitors|
Position 4 |driving instructors Nottinghamshire | 200,000 competitors | Position 4 | driving instructors Isle of Wight | 477,000 competitors |
Position 4 | driving instructors Berkshire | 361,000 competitors |
Position 5 | driving instructors Lancashire | 303,000 competitors |
Position 5 | driving instructors Shropshire | 183,000 competitors |
Position 5 | driving instructors Devon | 296,000 competitors |
Position 5 + 10 | driving instructors Cumbria | 198,000 competitors |
Position 6 | driving instructors Scotland | 1,020,000 competitors |
Position 7 + 8 |driving instructors Staffordshire | 217,000 competitors
Position 8 + 10 | driving instructors Oxfordshire | 222,000 competitors
Position 9 | compare driving schools | 29,300,000 competitors |
Position 10 | driving instructors Norfolk | 355,000 competitors |

Other requirements include the purchased car has to be 'new'. Pre-registered cars are not eligible. Nearly-new models are also not included. The car must be delivered within 3 months of order. It is a voluntary scheme - but when car makers sign up, it must be offered on EVERY new car.

18 April 2009

We have over 500 other first page listings just like those above... basically for almost every single town/county in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland you have 1st page listings.

An Approved Driving Instructor was removed from the Register following his conviction for an Indecent Assault on a female learner driver in 2003.

4 February, 2009

Search 2 drive is entering the North East digital awards, please vote for us and see S2D's blog http://digitalawards.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/69/

5 January, 2009 - Car Competition Winner

Win A Car Competition

The competition was focused on our home area of the North East of England and was featured in 4 regional newspapers - The Journal, The Evening Gazette, The Sunday Sun, and the Metro.

Over 1,000 people entered the competition hoping to win the prize - a brand new Ford Fiesta Style and the lucky winner was Mr Kevin Shotton of South Shields who had an extra special Christmas gift in 2008!!

We know how important it is to have a reliable car when you start out driving and so this was the perfect prize for us to give away to new drivers and one which everyone will be interested to win.

We will be running this promotion again in different areas of the UK so please keep checking the Competition page on the website for details of when we will be giving away a car in your area!!

11 September, 2008 - DSA launches new green driving test

From this week, learner drivers taking their tests will be assessed not only on their ability to handle a car and drive in a safe manner, but also on their `eco-driving` skills. As well as the emergency stop and the three-point turn, would-be motorists will be scrutinised on their capacity to handle a car in a way that limits fuel consumption and reduces the environmental impact of the vehicle.

DSA Launches new green driving test Although those taking the test will not be passed or failed on these issues, they will be monitored and the given advice on ways to increase fuel efficiency, such as smoothly accelerating and braking, changing gear at low revs, checking tyre pressure, and removing unnecessary baggage before journeys.

Trevor Wedge, Chief Driving Examiner at the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), said: "Eco safe driving is a recognised and proven style of driving that contributes to road safety whilst at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions."

Estimates relating to the effectiveness of eco-driving in reducing fuel consumption vary, partly because vehicles themselves vary. However, according to the Department for Transport (DfT), drivers can save anything up to 17% on fuel consumption while effectively cutting their CO2 emissions by the same amount. The DSA claim 8-15%, while the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has perhaps a more realistic outlook of 8-10%.

While there are clearly savings to be made, critics are calling for more radical measures to reduce transport related emissions. Professor Stephen Glaister, a respected transport economist at Imperial College London, said that research shows that it is higher fuel prices which will ultimately change driving habits. Glaister said: "Broadly speaking, if people find ways to reduce the cost of fuel they'll take advantage by travelling more miles."

Robert McKinnon of the Energy Saving Trust has a more optimistic view of current developments. He commented: "Eco-driving has win-win results. Driving this way could save you up to £120 a year in petrol or diesel as well as cutting down the amount of carbon dioxide your vehicle emits. In today's changing climate we need to think about saving energy in everything we do and eco-driving is something that every motorist can do without needing to buy gadgets or modifying their car."

The `eco-safe` driving scheme follows on from similar programmes in the Netherlands and Sweden. The `New Driving` scheme in Holland is available to all drivers, and is part of the government's commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tonnes by 2010.

For more tips on reducing your fuel consumption and becoming an `eco-driver`, visit the Energy Saving Trust or the DfT’s Act On CO2 website.

Ref: What Green Car www.whatgreencar.com

25 August, 2008 - Goverment Help

Search 2 drive would like to thank Dave Anderson for his support to assist us in gaining support from the goverment see letter. Watch this space and see what happens.

05 August, 2008 - Strike may disrupt driving tests

Almost 2,000 officials at the Nottingham-based Driving Standards Agency (DSA) are opposing restructuring and changes in working practices.

Candidates are being urged to turn up for their tests as planned, as the DSA said not all will be affected.

The union is unhappy about plans to axe 80 jobs and close sites in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London. Service worries General secretary Mark Serwotka said services were bound to suffer. "As well as losing jobs, examiners who deliver a front-line service - and the government claim they're trying to improve front-line services - will now be expected to do more bureaucratic work, finance and HR work, instead of concentrating on driving tests. "And that will mean, ultimately, the service will get worse." A previous strike in July led to 42% of scheduled tests being cancelled, while a subsequent work-to-rule has also disrupted tests.

The DSA has denied jobs were earmarked to go because of the closure of customer service centres.

If tests are cancelled through the dispute they are rebooked automatically and compensation can be claimed, the DSA said.

DSA said its plans are aimed at making the best use of public money and improving road safety.

This is the second stoppage in recent months and the Public and Commercial Services Union has warned the industrial action will continue.

The union is unhappy about plans to axe 80 jobs and close sites in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London.

25 July, 2008 - Collingwood Insurance

Collingwood have acknowledged that Search2drive.com is one of the leading websites giving impartial information to potential learner drivers by implementing a link from their website to ours.

Collingwood are the first and foremost insurance company for learner drivers, please use our link on the home page to access their details. Collingwood will provide you with an insurance policy which enables you to drive almost any car, you can drive your parents, grandparents, friends or relatives car without any risk to their insurance. Just take out a policy for each vehicle when you need it.

24 June, 2008 - An L Of An Idea

By Gareth Deighan gareth.deighan@ncjmedia.co.uk

His brainwave led to a meeting with the PM.

Recruitment consultant Lee Callender, who is starting a website to rate driving instructors, discussed his plans with Gordon Brown.

Lee, 32, of Blaydon, said he discovered many people had to take a leap of faith when they hired an instructor - not really knowing if the person they were getting was good, bad or indifferent.

And Blaydon MP Dave Anderson liked the idea so much, he nominated him to be part of a reception at 10 Downing Street for entrepreneurs which took place yesterday evening.

Mr Callender, who runs recruitment firm, Call4Recruitment, said: "It was exciting and nerve-wracking to meet Gordon Brown to be honest and it all happened so quickly."

The Search2Drive.com website is a driving school comparison site that provides information guidance and feedback from other learners.

Mr Callendar said: "Some 35% of those who fail their driving test change their instructor for the subsequent attempt.

"We're giving learners a chance to select a driving instructor based on publishing pass rates, instructor grading, gender, race and religion, as well as the usual criteria of price and location.

"Learning to drive is a crucial life skill, and with the average person needing 50 lessons to pass a test, at an average cost of £1,000, it is important to choose the best tutor for your needs."

The invitation to meet Mr Brown came after interest by Mr Anderson as well as the Driving Standards Agency and West Lothian police.

The Driving Standards Agency is providing Serach2Drive with mock theory tests and hazard perception questions which will also be published on the site to help learners prepare for their test.

Dave Anderson said: "I am delighted that Lee's hard work and initiative is being recognised."
"The business he has developed within my constituency gives his customers easy access to the best services in the marketplace, and I wish him well for the future."

Ref: Chronicle Live - www.chroniclelive.co.uk

25 December, 2007 - WestDrive Event

S2D would like to thank Westdrive for the outstanding event that took place at the end of October. The event makes potential children that will be looking to learn to drive very shortly aware of potential hazzards and experiences that may effect them in the day to day driving experience. With the DSA, West Lothian Police, firebrigade and many other organisations attending we believe that this is one of the most proactive events to cut down on the mass amount of young driver's now involved in crashes.

Welcome

News Pic "Welcome to the launch of our new website. We hope you find the website informative and useful and will continue to use the site as it grows. We aim to be the definite one stop website for all driving in the UK. Exciting times ahead at Search2Drive."

Lee Callender - Managing Director

15 July, 2007 - Smoking Guidelines from July

As of 1st July 2007, smoking in enclosed public places, work places and the vehicles will be banned in England, bans already operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The DSA’s offices and test centres have been smoke free since 31 December 2006. The ban will mean that similar restrictions are required for the instructors vehicles and offices.

New law states that premises and vehicles will be required to display no smoking sinage.

Many businesses will have already received information and stickers from the Smoke Free England campaign team outlining the requirements. Further details including copies of the signs that can be downloaded are available at DSA

Driving Age Review

MPs are currently in discussions about the possibility of moving the legal limit to drive from 17 years of age to 18 to stop young people from"killing themselves and others" MPs said.

The commons transport committee are also thinking of spreading lessons over 1 year before being allowed to take the driving test and a complete alcohol ban for new driver.

Novice drivers should be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 late at night, the report adds.

The government said it would not rule out adopting the proposals.

Government figures show that one-third of road deaths involve a car driven by a person aged between 17 and 25, although this group accounts for just one in eight licence-holders.

In 1992, there were 12.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 motorists aged 17 to 20. By 2005, the figure had risen to 19.2.