As lessons restart in January, I’ve made a few updates to how pupils are supported both in and out of the car. Learning to drive shouldn’t feel rushed, confusing, or like you’re expected to memorise things on your own. These updates are about making the early stages clearer, calmer, and more confidence-building, right from the…
As roads get darker and wetter, small changes make a big difference.
Learn how to stay safe with winter driving tips from Blackwood School of Motoring — from visibility and speed control to keeping calm when conditions turn cold.
Driving isn’t just about reacting – it’s about setting yourself up so you don’t need a miracle reaction.
When a hazard appears, you don’t stop instantly. First you notice it, then you react, and only then do the brakes start working. Those few seconds – and the space left in front of you – decide whether you stop in time or still make an impact.
From time to time, I meet learners who’ve already had a dozen hours of lessons elsewhere. They can drive the car — but they don’t always know why they’re doing what they’re doing.Their steering might be awkward, observations weak, or manoeuvres shaky. Not because they can’t learn, but because no one has explained the reasoning….
At 20 mph, a hazard 10 metres ahead might mean a gentle stop. At 30 mph, the same hazard can mean an impact like falling from a three-storey building. Using Highway Code stopping distances, here’s what happens at different speeds and distances — and why the space in front of you matters more than most drivers realise.
In just five seconds at 30 mph you’ll cross Dollar Academy’s rugby pitch. At 70 mph it’s the Wallace Monument, twice over. See how far you really travel in five seconds — and how that compares to stopping distances.
Stirling learner drivers: master Craigs Roundabout with this step-by-step illustrated guide. Lane choice, signs, and safe driving tips included.
This weekend I swapped four wheels for two and headed to Stirling Rugby Club for the British Vespa Days 2025 rally, hosted by the Vespa Club of Britain. It was fantastic to see so many scooters from across the country, catch up with friends old and new, and enjoy a weekend away from lessons. The…
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) skills will soon be included in the UK driving theory test.