What is advanced driving?
Advanced Driving brings a new enjoyment to driving. It is about reaching a standard of driving that is above that of the average motorist, demonstrating car control skills, smoothness, observation, anticipation and planning that leave a greater margin of safety between yourself and other road users.
One of our favourite definitions is "being in the correct gear at the correct speed in the correct place, at all times" Sounds easy, but it takes practice and coaching to achieve.
And it is about having the ability to recognise and to implement opportunities to make progress safely.
Once you are enrolled on the course you will receive a copy of the "Advanced Driver Course Logbook" which is an invaluable source of information on the theory of Advanced driving. You'll learn to put this theory into practice through a number of observed drives with an experienced qualified volunteer, using your own car.
A knowledge of the Highway Code is essential and the ability to implement the rules of the road consistently well, under all road conditions, in all weathers and in all stages of light and dark.
See Highway Code Online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code
Sign up for the Advanced Driver Course
Tip of the Month
May 2026 - mini-roundabouts
Last month I discussed rule H2 which was introduced to the Highway Code in the 2022 rewrite.
This month I would like to look at mini-roundabouts, which are covered under rule 188 of the current (2022) edition of the Highway Code.
Mini-roundabouts are small, usually painted on to the surface of the road and designed to manage traffic flow.
The Code advises drivers to 'approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts.' My own experience is that in principle drivers tend to know that they should do this, however three things seem prone to go awry when negotiating mini-roundabouts;
- The issue of who has precedence. Because the space is so tight, a point acknowledged in the Code itself, 'Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal' it can result in a stand-off between drivers entering the mini-roundabout from different directions.
- The tendency of drivers to pass over the painted mini-roundabout itself, or part of it.
- The danger posed by drivers making a U-turn on the mini-roundabout.
- If they are already crossing, you must stop.
- If you believe that they might cross (perhaps without looking), then as a safe driver obviously you should stop.
- If they are waiting to cross and have looked your way, then you have to decide whether or not to stop. You should do so, but only if it is safe to do so, because there is no vehicle likely to collide with you from the rear (who is probably not aware of the pedestrian). In this circumstance, do not beckon the pedestrian to cross; it is their choice.
I will try to tailor my driving tips to meet each of these separate challenges.
In relation to the first issue, namely that of precedence, it is always in my view a sound strategy to approach mini-roundabouts where it is not immediately obvious that the hazard is completely clear of traffic and will remain so, at slow speed and carefully apply the usual rule of giving way to the right.
If there is a stand-off and vehicles come to a halt and do not take their precedence, then as advanced drivers we have the skills to use our sense of timing and take the initiative and make use of the mini-roundabout to ensure that the traffic flow is maintained.
When doing this we are taking on the responsibility for the situation and need to be mindful of this.
On the second issue, that of driving over all or part of the mini-roundabout, the Code is very clear 'All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so.' In other words you would be committing an offence if, whilst driving a car or small van sized vehicle, you do not use the wider path around the mini-roundabout. It is this 'cutting' of part or all of the hazard that can lead to accidents, as there is precious little space for error with compact mini-roundabouts, without drivers taking a path across them.
In practice some mini-roundabouts are so designed that to avoid running over part of them is difficult, even at a suitable low speed. As advanced drivers we need to be aware of this, particularly when we have local knowledge of the road in question and be extra cautious.
In relation to the final issue, that of U-turns, the Code advises 'Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.' It is not an offence to do so, however if you were to carry out this manoeuvre and as a result an accident were to occur, then there might be a case of driving without due care and attention to answer.
The Code rightly cautions us to be aware that others might do this and thereby cause confusion or an accident.
Training Officer, Chelmsford & South Essex Advanced Motorists
See Highway Code Online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code
April 2026 - Hierarchy of Road Users
The latest edition of the Highway Code was released by Driver Standards Agency in 2022 and included several changes that many drivers are not aware of. One of the most potentially controversial of which is the Hierarchy of Road Users. This section of the Code has three rules listed as H1 to H3.
I would like to focus on rule H2 which applies to all drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders, those operating horse-drawn vehicles and cyclists i.e. pretty much everyone.
The new feature in 2022 was that the rule now opens with the sentence; 'At a junction, you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.' During the consultation on the 2022 Code this caused some concerns based on the disruption to the flow of traffic, particularly in busy towns and cities, that they envisaged would be caused by cars stopping as they were making a left or right turn, to let pedestrians cross the road, especially as it refers to those 'waiting to cross' as well as those already in the road.
I imagine that the reason why this rule has not caused more difficulties than it seems to have is that most people either are not aware of the change to the Code, or do not apply it.
The rule is a 'should', rather than a 'must'. So there is no specific offence of not complying with this, although of course failing to accord the necessary priority to pedestrians could provide evidence in a case of driving without due care and attention, or indeed in any civil damages case.
My driving tips can be summarised as follows:
Remember this rule when turning left or right into a junction and there are pedestrians crossing or waiting to (or about to) cross.
See the Highway Code Look for Hierarchy of Road Users.
Training Officer, Chelmsford & South Essex Advanced Motorists
