Welcome to the Client's Driving Notes and Downloads pages. This part of the DorWey web site is for learning purposes and is separate from the business area of the site. 

I hope that you will find the information and tips on these pages useful and that they help speed you on your way to passing your driving test.

NB These pages are being added to all the time. To make sure that you are looking at the most recent pages please press F5 on your keyboard or the refresh button at the top of your Internet browser as you visit each page.

Introduction

A driving lesson normally falls into two parts. At the beginning of the lesson the new subject is briefed whilst the car is stationary and then the new skills are practised with the client driving the car. The ratio of theory time to practice time is mostly governed by two factors:

1. There is a limit to the amount of new information a student can absorb during a theory session.

2. There is also a cost/time limit where the client may begin to wonder if they are getting their monies worth if too much time is spent with the car stationary.

 Because of these factors the usual format is to give the main points of the subject whilst stationary and then add further information as the client drives the car. This further information is added as and when situations arise and is given on the move or whilst briefly stopped. This isn’t ideal as it can be difficult for the client to take in these new instructions when coping with other driving tasks - and stopping / starting interrupts the rhythm and pace of the lesson. As the course progresses it can also be difficult for the instructor to remember exactly what added information has and has not been passed on, and onto which client.

The idea behind these pages is that the client can read about a lesson subject before the lesson takes place. Having this prior knowledge will allow the client to pick up on the lessons more easily and therefore more quickly. After the lesson the client can also use these notes to consolidate what they have learnt during the lesson. This additional learning can take place in the comfort of their home and away from distractions.

  Lessons

  The first two lessons involve quite a lot of car and driving theory. If the new client can look at and study these pages, they will be able to come to the lesson well prepared. This should mean that we can move through this period in a shorter time and spend more time driving.

To view a lesson - click on a title below:
Your First Two DorWey Driving Lessons	Turning Left & Right	Vehicle Safety Checks
Meeting Traffic	Manoeuvres	Junctions in Dorchester

Emerging

Driving problems and solutions

During driving lessons I notice problem areas that crop up on a regular basis. The idea of this section is to highlight these areas and give the appropriate solutions.

The driver should bear in mind that many problems become difficult to deal with because drivers don't see them soon enough. Anticipating, looking ahead and assessing will allow the driver to start dealing with the problem in a relaxed and controlled way several steps ahead of the event, rather than having it 'in the face'  and demanding an instant and panicky solution.

Dealing with buses	Following Other Traffic

  The car and how to operate it

During your driving lessons you will be learning how to operate a sophisticated machine - the car. It is possible to learn how to operate machinery on a basic 'Look, just push that pedal - pull that lever' level of instruction but if the driver doesn't understand a little about why they are doing it, the learning process can take quite while longer. 

Knowing how and why we do things also helps to take the mystery and apprehension away. If you take a look at the pages listed below you will find that a car works in a fairly simple way and not by some form of the black arts.

The Engine: A simple explanation of how it works.	The Clutch: How it  works and how to use it.	The Gears: How they work and how to use them.
The Car: How to start it and prepare it to move off.	Pull - Push Steering: Animated picture and explanation

Documents

Post-Lesson Papers

The following papers are in PDF format and should open automatically on your computer. Download them and print them using - Landscape, A4 and Duplex Printing commands - on your printer's software so that a foldable pamphlet is printed. For Crossroads, Controlled Crossings and Pedestrian Crossings, use A5 paper.

Pre-Test Documents

Both These files are in PDF format and should open automatically on your computer. The Pre-Test pamphlet is in booklet form. When printing choose - Landscape, A4 and Duplex Printing commands - so that you print both sides of the paper. Once printed, fold to form pamphlet.