The Good Garage Scheme Aims Sky High

The Good Garage Scheme will be advertising this week on SKY TV, encouraging motorists to visit the website GoodGarageScheme.com to find a local garage they can trust.

Reminders about the benefits of the Good Garage Scheme and how easy it is to look at reviews from other motorists will appear alongside popular programmes like Game of Thrones, The Simpsons, SKY news and Haven.

Why not spread the cost of servicing with a Good Garage Scheme Service Plan just as you do with other household bills? 

Download the Good Garage Scheme's free app here.

It's like having a friend in the know!

Driving in Heavy Rain?

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) for this week's guest blog with welcome advice on driving in heavy rain.

Don't forget to charge your phone and download the Good Garage Scheme's Free app before you set off for a drive in bad weather.

Ensure your drive is as safe as possible with the following tips from the IAM.

• Before setting off, check for any weather alerts, traffic updates or planned road closures that may affect your journey. Only travel in extreme adverse weather conditions if it is really necessary.
• Check the lights and windscreen wiper blades are clean and working properly. Also check the tyre pressure and tread depth to ensure the best possible grip on wet surfaces.
• Plan your route in advance and try to avoid any roads that are prone to flooding, even if it extends your journey.
• Heavy rain often leads to damaged road surfaces and puddles can hide deep potholes. ­ Look for clues such as loose chunks of tarmac.
• In heavy rain, don¹t forget to switch on your dipped headlights so other motorists can see you easily. Reduce your speed when travelling in the rain to increase your stopping distance. This will also help you pass through large puddles and potholes smoothly without spraying other road users or risking aquaplaning.
• Torrential rain may interfere with the electrics of a vehicle causing a breakdown. Prepare for the worst by keeping your mobile phone charged and with the number of your breakdown service provider already saved on it.
• While you wait for help, keep your bonnet closed as soaking the engine will only make it worse.

Mark Lewis, the IAM's Director of Standards said, "Driving in heavy rain can be very hazardous, so please allow for the increased time and distance. Remember to lift your vision and always be mindful of vulnerable road users who need more time to react to a hazard. As long as you drive carefully and take extra care in the rain, your journey should be a smooth one."

With thanks to the IAM, the UK's largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling.  For more information about the IAM, visit their website.

Hiring a car abroad this summer?

Brits who are travelling abroad this summer are being warned to plan ahead if they are hoping to hire a car during their trip.

The DVLA’s plans to scrap the paper part of the UK driving licence means that from the 8th June 2015 UK holidaymakers will have to present a code, they have obtained online, to their car hire company in place of the paper counterpart.

Additional information, such as endorsements and penalty points, had previously been presented on the paper counterpart driving licence, however with this section due to be scrapped, the only way this information can be checked is via the DVLA’s online database.

What does this mean for holidaymakers?

If you want to hire a car abroad you will need to first log on to the DVLA website and enter your driving licence number. You will then be given a code which you can pass on to your hire company when you arrive.

Ideally you should do this at home before you leave, however as the code is only valid for 72 hours, you may need to generate the code during your holiday if you are not picking up a hire car from the airport.

Even if you are not collecting your hire car until a few days into your holiday, it is advisable to visit the DVLA site before you leave home so that you know exactly what information is required of you to get your code – this includes your driving licence number and National Insurance number.

Many people are unaware of the changes and even some hire car companies have admitted it is news to them, which is why we at the Good Garage Scheme we are doing our best to raise awareness so that these changes do not impact on your holiday. Contact your hire car company to ensure you have everything you need when you arrive.

You can view your licence information and generate your licence check code here.

Don't forget to download the Good Garage Scheme's free app for peace of mind before you head off to the airport. 

Don't Lose Your Grip on Salty Roads

As the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings of ice and snow for much of the country, roads are expected to be gritted to prevent snow from settling. The IAM’s chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is offering advice to motorists to cope better with driving on road surfaces that have been recently treated.

If weather conditions are severe in your area, you should take notice of police advice and simply not travel. However, in the exceptional circumstances where this is unavoidable, make sure you drive safely and with extra caution on icy roads.

Salt will often make the windscreen, headlights, number plate and rear parts of your car very dirty. Cars without headlamp washers, for example, will lose an estimated 40% of luminosity, and possibly all their focus in about 20 miles on a damp, gritted motorway. When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights with a clean cloth. Or keep a filled litre or two of water in the car boot to give your lights, windows and mirrors a quick wash over – a handy investment to top-up your windscreen washer reservoir when needed too.

When driving on a busy road, avoid overtaking a gritting lorry as the road ahead may not be treated yet. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it. Never overtake a snow plough in heavy snow conditions.
While roads may be gritted to give you better traction some areas may not be completely treated, leaving ice patches exposed. You should therefore drive at a steady pace – ensuring the safety of you and your passengers.

It’s important that you keep your car clean throughout the winter as the salt in grit can cause external damage such as corrosion to any exposed suspension parts. Ensure that you thoroughly wash the underside of your car when you can to stop salt from settling.

Don’t forget to wash/rinse alloy wheels too; the smallest scratch can quickly become a large rust patch.

Rodger said: “Preparation is the key to avoiding a dangerous situation whilst driving in snowy or icy conditions. Don’t rely on the performance of your car systems to get you out of trouble – allow time, make sure you have good visibility all round and carry the right equipment.”

Peter Rodger is the IAM’s chief examiner
The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
  

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this week's welcome advice and would also like to add that motorists can download the Free Good Garage Scheme App before setting off in case they do run into any trouble.