ANGLIA SCHOOL OF MOTORING was formed in 1986.

Our reason for choosing the “ANGLIA” name was because in the early 1970’s we were the proud owners of a Ford Anglia car. We bought the shell and re-built the car to our specifications. After three months of hard labour the car was ready to go on the road but unfortunately a week later it was stolen and it was never found again.

We did not have a photo of our pride and joy, but often talked about our Anglia car to anybody who was willing to listen. I think a lot of people in Birmingham, West Bromwich and Sandwell know the story about our stolen car.

We are just as proud of our Driving School today as we were of our Ford Anglia car back then.

It’s a great feeling when you pass your driving test. You automatically get the freedom to go anywhere at anytime and not have to wait round in the wind and rain for buses and trains. You feel like jumping up and down and shouting out to everyone that you have just passed your test! I did just that. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my family and friends so I told everyone I met on the way home as your instructor didn’t pick you up or drop you off in those days! There I was walking home all excited telling everybody loudly, “I’ve just passed my driving test”! “That’s nice dear”, replied an old man who was attending to his front garden.

It really does not matter if you fail. You can always take the test again. I passed on my second attempt 42 years ago when driving tests were a lot easier with a lot less traffic on the roads.

Do not be tempted to look at your gears, what the examiner is doing or the display in a new shop window. Focus on the road ahead of you and the hazards around you. Listen carefully to the examiners instructions. If you didn’t understand or hear him/her ask him/her to repeat the instruction. They do not bite and are not there to catch you out.

Concentrate on the job of driving. Do not look at what the examiner is doing. He may only be marking down a minor mistake. You are allowed 15 minor mistakes and no serious or dangerous ones.

If you stall the car do not panic. Carry out the safety precautions before starting the engine again (hand-brake up and gear lever into neutral), re-start the engine, take effective observation and move on. Stalling the car does not mean you have failed as long as you follow the safety procedures.

If you think you’ve made a mistake please do not panic. It may not be a fail. Try and correct the mistake, calmly and positively. Do not think about that mistake, move on and focus on what you have to do next. Examiners are not looking for perfection. They are looking for a comfortable and safe drive.

If you’ve had plenty of driving practice with a qualified and experienced driving instructor and are truly ready to take the test you should already be feeling reasonably confident. All you have to do is show off your skills to the examiner. It is helpful to talk silently to yourself throughout the test about any hazards ahead of you and how you are going to deal with them. This will help you to focus and keep your mind on your driving.

You will naturally feel nervous. Everybody is usually nervous before an exam or an important occasion. Whilst you’re in the waiting room (you should arrive 10 minutes early), take a few deep breaths through your nose and slowly release it through your mouth. This is a good exercise to calm you down. Do not go to your test feeling hungry. Make sure to eat a good meal a couple of hours before the test. Have something sweet like a chocolate bar as it is a medically proven fact that high sugar content food will boost your concentration levels.

It’s advisable to have an hours’ driving lesson on the day of the test. This will help you to settle down and give you time to go over any minor things you may be unsure about with your instructor.