Mark Rhodes Driving Tuition

22/10/2026

🕣 THE CLOCKS GO BACK THIS WEEKEND — dark evenings are here!

Pedestrians, cyclists and children in dark coats suddenly become much harder to spot. Stay sharp:

✅ Switch headlights on BEFORE it gets properly dark — be seen as well as see.
✅ Slow down in built-up areas around dusk — 5mph less gives you a lot more reaction time.
✅ Double-check mirrors; brake lights and indicators are easy to miss against street lights.
✅ Keep your distance — tired, rush-hour traffic stops unpredictably.
✅ Demist fully before you move — a foggy screen hides people too.

See and be seen out there. 🌙

🚗 Mark Rhodes Driving Tuition — patient, friendly, local driving lessons.

📩 Message this page to book your first lesson or a block booking.
🌐 markrhodesdriving.co.uk
👍 Like & follow for a new driving tip every week.

12/10/2026

💧 WET ROADS = LONGER STOPS — it's simple physics, and it catches people out.

Your stopping distance is made of thinking time + braking time. In the wet, both stretch out:

✅ Double your following distance in the rain — use the 4-second rule, not 2.
✅ Check your tyres; worn tread can't shift water and you'll aquaplane.
✅ Brake earlier and more gently — smooth inputs keep grip.
✅ Watch for the first rain after a dry spell — oil makes the road extra slippy.
✅ If you aquaplane, ease off — don't slam the brakes.

Patience in the wet saves you skidding, sliding and shunting. 🌧️

🚗 Mark Rhodes Driving Tuition — patient, friendly, local driving lessons.

📩 Message this page to book your first lesson or block booking.
🌐 markrhodesdriving.co.uk
👍 Like & follow for a new driving tip every week.

08/10/2026

What a standout drive my Liv this morning in Exeter. Full praise by her examiner, who even came back to the car minutes later to offer even more praise on her drive.

Absolutely superb, passing with only 2 df first time and already planning the first few journeys.

06/10/2026

You legend, a huge well done Brad. An amazing result getting your driving licence first time with only 4 df.
We've had a great laugh in the car and even with you trying to jeopardize the build up to the test by nearly chopping your hand off 🤦🪓.
You've done amazingly well, trusted my process, taken on board my points and now are a freebird.
Looking forward to seeing you on the road, and nipping in for some chips 😉. Don't wind Em up too much about passing first time either.

26/09/2026

🌅 LOW AUTUMN SUN is dazzling drivers right now — here's how to cope:

✅ Slow down the moment glare hits — if you're blinded, so is everyone else.
✅ Keep a clean windscreen inside AND out. Greasy film makes glare ten times worse.
✅ Top up your screenwash and check wiper blades aren't smearing.
✅ Use the sun visor and drop back from the car in front so you've got more time to react.
✅ Wear sunglasses, but never the very dark ones at dusk — conditions change fast.

A spotless screen and a bit more space make all the difference. 😎

🚗 Mark Rhodes Driving Tuition — patient, friendly, local driving lessons.

📩 Message this page to book your first lesson or block booking.
🌐 markrhodesdriving.co.uk
👍 Like & follow for a new driving tip every week.

24/09/2026

🛞Tyre tread & pressure check
The 20p tyre-tread test and why pressure matters.

🛞 YOUR TYRES ARE YOUR ONLY CONTACT WITH THE ROAD — look after them!

This week's quick check takes two minutes and could save your life:

✅ The 20p test: pop a 20p coin in the tread groove. If you can see the outer band, your tread is low. You need at least 1.6mm.
✅ Check pressures when the tyres are cold — find the figure on the sticker inside the fuel flap or driver's door.
✅ Look for cuts, bulges or objects stuck in the rubber.
✅ Don't forget the spare if you have one!

Good tyres = shorter braking, better grip in the wet, and fewer scary moments. 👍

🚗 Mark Rhodes Driving Tuition — patient, friendly, local driving lessons.

📩 Message this page to book your first lesson or block booking.
🌐 markrhodesdriving.co.uk
👍 Like & follow for a new driving tip every week.

12/09/2026

Dare I say it it, but its starting to get darker, cooler and so its the perfect opportunity to do a few checks on your vehicle and prepare it ready for the coming conditions. Here is a handy guide to some of the areas worth checking.

The autumn season can present plenty of challenges out on the roads. These top tips from the RAC will help ensure your autumnal driving goes without a hitch.

12/09/2026

Those looking for good quality resources to help them reinforce their learning from lessons or even preread / watch the next lesson so you have some information beforehand, this website is a great free site offering everything you need to be able to complete before and after the test. Its also very good for using as a learning tool if you are learning with friends and family. Check out

The Learn-Online pages are listed under 'Early Skills', 'Road Skills' and 'Using your Skills', 'Driving Test' and 'After You Pass'.

27/08/2026

Mic drop moment for Louis. Absolutely flying through his driving test first time and only picking up 1 df.

The superb comments from the examiner, complementing Louis on his drive and how he drives with a much greater level of drive as seen in a more experienced driver.
It's been an absolute pleasure teaching Louis, loads of fun through lessons and great to see the result mirrored his commitment to his learning.

17/07/2026

100% agree, things aren't as easy as they seem.

Are We Asking Too Much of Driving Instructors… or Just Not Understanding the Job?

Everyone thinks they know what we do.
Sit there.
Give directions.
Get someone through a test.

Simple.
That version of the job does not exist anymore.

Every lesson is pressure.
Real roads.
Real risk.
Real consequences.

We are not just watching traffic.
We are predicting it.
Preventing it.
Intervening in seconds when it goes wrong.

And at the same time…
We are managing anxiety.
Panic.
Overthinking.
Confidence that disappears mid-roundabout.

We are adapting for neurodivergent learners.
Rebuilding people after collisions.
Supporting adults who have not driven in years.
Sitting beside someone whose hands are shaking before the engine even starts.

But here is the part no one talks about.
We are expected to do all of that…
calmly…
consistently…
professionally…

While the world outside the car gets worse.
🚘 Costs rising
⏰ Test delays stretching months
📱 Drivers distracted and impatient
🧠 Learners under more pressure than ever

And still…
People think we are “just instructors.”

No.
We are risk managers.
We are decision makers.
We are the barrier between a mistake and a collision.

And most of it goes unseen.
So next time you get frustrated behind a learner car, ask yourself this:

Would you want that responsibility?
Would you want to sit there, knowing one missed moment could change everything?

This is not just a job anymore.
It is responsibility at a level most people will never experience.

It deserves more respect than it gets.

Please tag and share do not copy and paste my posts 🫶🏾
Sheena Ahmed
Motorvation School of Motoring