Most new learners underestimate the importance of maintenance while taking driving lessons. Many drivers still think that once it passes inspection from the authorities, it’s good to go. However, reality is far different from misconceptions. In a city like London, constant upkeep is an integral part of taking driving lessons. Even after initial clearance from the Ministry of Transport (MOT), you still need to maintain your car to keep your training up to date. Skipping maintenance, servicing, or check-ups while taking driving lessons in London can be a safety risk.
Difference between MOT and Servicing
Understanding MOT
London has one of the toughest traffic regulations in the world. Consequently, these regulations not only involve rigorously testing drivers but also the quality of their cars. Thus, MOT testing forms a huge part of taking driving lessons in London. MOT tests are an annual car maintenance check that evaluates whether your vehicle is ready to hit the road. The Ministry of Transport conducts this test to ensure safety on the streets or roads. The testing involves checking:
- Exhaust and Emissions: for ensuring compliance with environmental laws
- Seat belts: for guaranteeing your safety inside your car
- Steering: for checking the car’s navigation
- Windshield: for proper visibility
- Horn: for ensuring the vehicle’s ability to its present
- Body and structure: which includes breaks, accelerators, clutch, seat, and suspension
Understanding Servicing
Car servicing is another aspect of car upkeep, different from the annual MOT testing. It is a holistic check-up for a car. Car servicing not only ensures the driver’s safety but also the car’s health. Unlike the MOT testing, it is not an annual maintenance. Moreover, it is not a legal requirement, and you can check your car any time you want. A typical car servicing includes checking:
- Tyres
- Spark plugs
- Engine
- Mechanical and safety systems
- Oil and air filters
Why Maintenance Matters During Driving Lessons in London
Safety First For Drivers and Pedestrians
Maintenance and servicing keep the drivers and pedestrians safe. Maintenance and servicing ensure that your car is functioning properly. Car servicing inspects essential parts such as brakes, clutches, and the accelerator, evaluating their condition. These parts are important to control speed, and their malfunction could jeopardise the driver’s and pedestrians’ safety. Additionally, maintenance checks inspect the seats and the attached belts, as well as windshields and lights. These parts also play a major role in ensuring road safety. Hence, maintenance matters if you care for your safety and others.
Integral part of Driving Lessons in London
Maintenance is an integral part of taking driving lessons in London. London authorities conduct maintenance checks to ensure your car is fit to be out on the streets. Moreover, driving instructors encourage new learners to take their car to servicing. A healthy car condition is amicable for learning to drive. Hence, one of the major signs of the best driving instructors in London is their focus on maintenance. Furthermore, maintenance impacts driving tests as a part of “show me, tell me” questions to determine whether the driver knows how to perform basic safety checks.
Legal Responsibility of the Driver
Apart from passing driving tests, maintenance is the driver’s legal responsibility. London authorities, such as MOT, conduct annual inspections to ensure the car is safe for the streets. Furthermore, drivers must conduct regular servicing and fix underlying issues with their cars. Faulty vehicles can easily result in accidents and fatal injuries. Hence, the transportation authorities focus on car maintenance.
Preventing Breakdowns and Delays
Imagine a situation where you are taking driving lessons in London and then your car breaks down in the middle of traffic. This can be a stressful and awkward situation, considering how hectic and complicated London traffic is. Maintenance prevents sudden breakdowns as it exposes the underlying issues. Hence, regular car maintenance makes your driving lessons seamless. Breakdowns can waste valuable lesson time on repairs which can be avoided through check-ups. Moreover, regular maintenance increases the longevity of your car and its parts.
Financially Beneficial in the Long Run
The best driving instructors in London will tell you how regular maintenance will save you money. Check-ups and maintenance expose underlying issues with your car at an early stage. Hence, it helps to make repairs cheaper and boost your vehicle’s longevity. Furthermore, the more you maintain, the less likely you are to need repairs. Thus, it is financially profitable to get your car serviced.
Common Mistakes New Drivers Make Regarding Maintenance
Ignoring Dashboard Warnings
Ignoring dashboard warnings is the common mistake new learners make during driving lessons in London. It is common for drivers to dismiss dashboard indicators as technical glitches if the car is operating smoothly. However, problems can lie deep and show symptoms till it’s too late.
How to avoid: Always follow the red vs yellow rule. A consistent yellow light indicates that your car’s engine needs immediate attention. However, it’s not as severe, and you can book an appointment later from the comfort of your home. A persistent amber light means that your engine might be damaged, and you should pull over. A red light signifies that your engine is critical due to overheating or low oil levels.
Neglecting Tyres
Tyres are one of the most expensive components of the car and the most overlooked part. Many technicians have revealed wear and tear in most cars, called cupping, due to years of neglect. Damaged tyres can lead to navigation problems, hampering safety for pedestrians and drivers.
How to avoid: Check your tyre pressure once a month at a petrol pump. Crucially, pump your tyres according to the specifications suited for your car. To maintain consistency, change your tyre along with an oil change.
Ignoring Unusual Noises
New drivers often ignore unusual noises emanating from the car. However, those weird clicks and grinds can be early indications of a severe problem. The gravest mistake the drivers make is waiting till the problem becomes apparent or unbearable.
How to avoid: Identify the sounds carefully. A low squeal could indicate a problem with conveyor belts and brakes. Meanwhile, the clicking sounds could mean a malfunction of axles and gears. Constant grinding indicates severe damage to the engine’s moving parts. The grinds are generated by metal-to-metal friction.
Neglecting Battery Health
Ignoring battery health can be detrimental and dangerous. While batteries are perishable, neglecting their health can lead to severe problems. You might be stuck with no way to jumpstart your car.
How to avoid: Be vigilant about warning signs such as dimming headlights or sluggish engine sounds. During driving lessons, consult your instructor about these signs. Their experience could help you identify the issue.
Conclusion
Driving lessons in London are not only about perfect manoeuvres or great navigation. It is also about maintaining your car, so your learning experience can be seamless. Moreover, maintenance can keep your ride and you safe while driving. It will also save you money in the long run by increasing your vehicle’s longevity. However, maintenance remains a blind spot among new drivers, and thus, they need the best driving instructors in London to make them realise its importance. Tuga Driving School can provide such instructors for their driving students. At Tuga Driving, driving instructors are DVSA-approved with decades of experience. Additionally, they customise their lesson according to the pupils’ needs and temperament. On the other hand, Tuga Driving offers flexible lesson times and local instructors to make their learning experience fulfilling. Book our driving classes today from our official website.
