Latest news with #AndrewBarr
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one?
See The Sun's map of the top places below SCHOOL'S OUT The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best places to take your driving test have been revealed in a new analysis of DVSA data - and it's good news for drivers in Scotland. There are "remarkable" differences in first-time pass rates across the UK, according to the figures. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A town in Scotland has a staggeringly high pass rate Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 5 A beautiful lake district town is the best place in England to take your test Credit: Alamy 5 Forfar in Scotland is the second-best place in the UK to take your test Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow 5 It comes after The Sun previously revealed the hardest test centres to pass at. From three-point turns to checking blind spots, there is plenty for novice drivers to think about during their test. And with a long wait for a slot, knowing you have a good chance of success is crucial. The best location to take your driving test is Montrose, in Scotland, where a staggering 69.6% of drivers pass on the first attempt. The second-best test centre is Forfar, just down the road from Montrose. Although 69.5% of learners pass in Forfar, men have much more luck than women. While 75.5% of men pass, only 64.2% of women will receive their licence after their first attempt. Although the two best centres in the UK are in Scotland, English drivers shouldn't worry. There is only a tiny difference in the success rate between the best centre in England and Scotland. The beautiful lake district town of Kendal, in Cumbria, has a first-time pass rate of 69.1%. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries And here women are more likely to get the stamp of approval from their examiner - 71.4% pass first time compared to 66.8% of men. The best centre in Wales rounds out the top five with a 66.9% first time pass rate. Nervous test-takers face a much bigger challenge in other parts of the country. Test centres in cities in the Midlands and North West are the trickiest for first timers, according to the data provided by Traffic Chart. In Wolverhampton, over two-thirds of people will leave disappointed after the first attempt. This makes it the worst place in the country to take your driving test. And down the road in Featherstone, only 31.9% of first-time test takers pass. Martijn Hulshof, founder of Traffic Chart, said: "These figures show remarkable regional variations in driving test success rates. "Scottish test centres perform exceptionally well, possibly due to less congested roads and different driving conditions compared to major urban areas." When it comes to picking a place to take your test, Hulshof said: "Rural locations typically offer better odds of first-time success, but practical factors like travel distance should be weighed against the potential benefits.' He also explained that men generally outperformed women across the country when it comes to first-time pass rates. Hulshof said: "It suggests that factors such as anxiety and pressure may affect male and female drivers differently in testing environments." How to boost your chances of passing first time Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, the largest driving school in the UK, that trains nearly a quarter of all driving instructors in the country, has shared his top five tips to help boost your chances of passing for the first time: Master your manoeuvres Ensure you're confident with key manoeuvres like parallel parking, a forward bay park or a reverse bay park. These can make or break your test, so practice them until you're confident in doing these under pressure. Let your instructor know ahead of your test if there's anything you're concerned about and they can help you practice until needed. Plan your lessons with your instructor wisely Take lessons at different times of day, including busy periods. This helps you get comfortable with all driving conditions and traffic situations, giving you a true feel for real-world driving. Particularly if the only time you can secure a test is during a busy period – you'll be thanking yourself later. Your instructor will also help make sure you're test ready and point out anything that needs to be worked on. They're there to help your chances of passing for the first time! Focus on observation and awareness The driving test is as much about your ability to spot hazards as it is about your car control. Stay alert, check mirrors regularly, and always anticipate what's happening on the road. Your examiner will be looking out for this, so keep this in the back of your mind while taking the test. Know your theory Putting your theory knowledge into practice is more important during your test than ever. There are also resources students can use to ensure that they are fully prepared – at RED, we have apps to help our students prepare for their tests such as the Learn to Drive with RED app and RED's Complete Driving Theory app. Stay calm under pressure Don't let nerves get the best of you. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and if you make a mistake, don't let it get to you. Keep your focus on the next task and show the examiner you can recover quickly.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one?
THE best places to take your driving test have been revealed in a new analysis of DVSA data - and it's good news for drivers in Scotland. There are "remarkable" differences in first-time pass rates across the UK, according to the figures. Advertisement 5 A town in Scotland has a staggeringly high pass rate Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 5 A beautiful lake district town is the best place in England to take your test Credit: Alamy 5 Forfar in Scotland is the second-best place in the UK to take your test Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow 5 It comes after From three-point turns to checking blind spots, there is plenty for novice drivers to think about during their test. And with a long The best location to take your driving test is Montrose, in Scotland, where a staggering 69.6% of drivers pass on the first attempt. Advertisement Read more motors news The second-best test centre is Forfar, just down the road from Montrose. Although 69.5% of learners pass in Forfar, men have much more luck than women. While 75.5% of men pass, only 64.2% of women will receive their licence after their first attempt. Although the two best centres in the UK are in Scotland, English drivers shouldn't worry. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive There is only a tiny difference in the success rate between the best centre in The beautiful lake district town of Kendal, in Cumbria, has a first-time pass rate of 69.1%. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries And here women are more likely to get the stamp of approval from their examiner - 71.4% pass first time compared to 66.8% of men. The best centre in Advertisement Nervous test-takers face a much Test centres in cities in the In Wolverhampton, over two-thirds of people will leave disappointed after the first attempt. This makes it the worst place in the country to take your driving test. Advertisement And down the road in Featherstone, only 31.9% of first-time test takers pass. Martijn Hulshof, founder of "Scottish test centres perform exceptionally well, possibly due to less congested roads and different driving conditions compared to major urban areas." When it comes to picking a place to take your test, Hulshof said: "Rural locations typically offer better odds of first-time success, but practical factors like travel distance should be weighed against the potential benefits .' Advertisement He also explained that men generally outperformed women across the country when it comes to first-time pass rates. Hulshof said: "It suggests that factors such as anxiety and pressure may affect male and female drivers differently in testing environments." How to boost your chances of passing first time Seb Goldin, CEO of Master your manoeuvres Ensure you're confident with key manoeuvres like parallel parking, a forward bay park or a reverse bay park. These can make or break your test, so practice them until you're confident in doing these under pressure. Let your instructor know ahead of your test if there's anything you're concerned about and they can help you practice until needed. Plan your lessons with your instructor wisely Take lessons at different times of day, including busy periods. This helps you get comfortable with all driving conditions and traffic situations, giving you a true feel for real-world driving. Particularly if the only time you can secure a test is during a busy period – you'll be thanking yourself later. Your instructor will also help make sure you're test ready and point out anything that needs to be worked on. They're there to help your chances of passing for the first time! Focus on observation and awareness The driving test is as much about your ability to spot hazards as it is about your car control. Stay alert, check mirrors regularly, and always anticipate what's happening on the road. Your examiner will be looking out for this, so keep this in the back of your mind while taking the test. Know your theory Putting your theory knowledge into practice is more important during your test than ever. There are also resources students can use to ensure that they are fully prepared – at RED, we have apps to help our students prepare for their tests such as the Learn to Drive with RED app and RED's Complete Driving Theory app. Stay calm under pressure Don't let nerves get the best of you. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and if you make a mistake, don't let it get to you. Keep your focus on the next task and show the examiner you can recover quickly. 5 Learner drivers have a much higher chance of success in some parts of the UK Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Weather map turns red as Met Office warn Scotland set for 27C scorcher
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS are set for a scorcher today with temperatures hitting sizzling highs of 27C. Parts of the country could even be hotter than Rio de Janeiro. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Scots are set to bask in highs of 27C today and tomorrow Credit: Andrew Barr 5 With high pressure over the UK bringing continued settled conditions, temperatures will continue to increase this weekend Credit: Les Gallagher 5 Parts of Scotland could be hotter than Rio de Janeiro Credit: Alamy 5 The Met Office expects temperatures of 27C to hit at around 2pm in Pitlochry, Jedburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed Several weather maps have turned red as the mercury sits at around the mid-20s this afternoon. The Met Office expects temperatures of 27C to hit at around 2pm in Pitlochry, Jedburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Glasgow is expected to see highs of 25C by 3pm and Edinburgh will bask in 26C. Dundee will also see temperatures of around 26C, with Aberdeen a little bit cooler at 24C. With high pressure over the UK bringing continued settled conditions, temperatures will continue to increase this weekend. Saturday will also see scorching weather, with 27C as the highest temperature expected for a second day in a row. The mercury could reach as high as 34C in some areas down south. Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: "The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34C possible in eastern areas. "Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid. "While Saturday will be a dry and fine day for many, a few showers or thunderstorms will be possible across northern and western parts of the UK, with an increasing risk of some intense thunderstorms developing across portions of north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, which could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and possibly large hail. Map reveals where temps will hit glorious 33C this weekend – as revellers soak up the sun in parks, beaches & festivals "The nights will also be quite warm, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20C in some areas, making it hard to sleep. This is what we term a 'tropical night'. "Temperatures will ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29°C for a time." The warmest day of the year was recorded last Friday at Lossiemouth in Moray, where the mercury touched 25.7C. You have to go back to the 19th Century to find Scotland's hottest-ever June day. On 18 June 1893, a temperature of 32.2C was recorded at Ochtertyre, Perth and Kinross.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scotland to be hotter than Rio de Janeiro as temperatures to soar to 29C
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND will wake to the dawn of a Brazilliant weekend heatwave tomorrow morning – with temperatures hotter than Rio de Janeiro. Aviemore in the Highlands has been tipped to hit 29C (84F) which would make it the hottest day of the year by a country mile. 3 Scotland could be hotter than Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow Credit: Getty 3 Temperatures across Scotland could hit 30C over the next 48 hours Credit: Les Gallagher 3 People across the country have been basking in the balmy conditions Credit: Andrew Barr It will be standing room only in 28C (82F) Glasgow beer gardens this afternoon as the working week ends hotter than Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, just 27C on the Copacabana. With the scorching weather lasting into Saturday, Midsummer's Day, ASDA say they expect to sell over 7million litres of beer, the equivalent of 12.3million pints or enough to fill just under three Olympic-sized swimming pools. The supermarket say they will sell twice as many garden paddling pools, reduced to just £12 for the summer. Alex Deakin of the Met Office said: "The vast majority of people will be having a dry and sunny day, and a hot one at that. 'Temperatures are likely to get up to 30C (86F) and perhaps 31C or 32C (up to 90F). 'It will be a hotter day for Scotland and Northern Ireland and noticeably so. 'Friday evening is going to be very warm indeed, a difficult night for sleeping.' The warmest day of the year was recorded last Friday at Lossiemouth in Moray, where the mercury touched 25.7C (77F). You have to go back to the 19th Century to find Scotland's hottest-ever June day. On 18 June 1893, a temperature of 32.2C (89F) was recorded at Ochtertyre, Perth and Kinross. Brits set to bask in 29C sizzler today as Met Office says 'heatwave likely' this weekend with temps soaring Things look very promising today for the second day of the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, near Edinburgh. Today, long queues formed on the M8 and M9 as visitors tried to reach the annual event. On Saturday, the Sex Pistols will kick off the Summer Sessions festival at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, with ScotRail laying on extra trains for fans. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: 'The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34C possible in eastern areas. "Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid. 'While Saturday will be a dry and fine day for many, a few showers or thunderstorms will be possible across northern and western parts of the UK, with an increasing risk of some intense thunderstorms developing across portions of north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, which could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and possibly large hail.' The Scottish Environment Protection Agency say above-average rainfall is still required for water scarcity levels to recover in the east of the country, where some parts have seen below-average rainfall for over a year. Recent downpours have allowed some river catchments to recover from 'moderate scarcity' to 'alert' on SEPA's warning graph.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New secret shop planned for major Scots city – and Oasis fans will love it
The date of the opening has been revealed WONDER-MALL New secret shop planned for major Scots city – and Oasis fans will love it A NEW secret store is set to open up in a Scottish city this summer ahead of the highly-anticipated Oasis reunion gigs. The Mancunian rockers are set to play three nights at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on August 8, 9 and 12 for the sell-out megagigs. Advertisement 3 Oasis fans can get their hands on exclusive merchandise ahead of the band's Scottish gigs Credit: PA 3 The rockers are set to play three huge shows at Murrayfield in August Credit: Andrew Barr And ahead of the huge shows, Oasis will launch pop-up fan stores across the UK and Ireland. Revellers can get their hands on exclusive merchandise and vinyl, as early as this week, with less than a month until the first shows. There will huge range of Oasis Live '25 clothing and accessories on offer, including limited items and special brand collaborations. The Edinburgh pop-up store will open on August 4. Advertisement Exact location and details will be revealed nearer the time. Stores will also feature in Manchester on June 20, Cardiff on June 26, London and Birmingham on July 8, and Dublin on August 4. It comes just days after a leaked report showed council chiefs branded fans of the 'fat', 'lairy' and 'drunk'. We told how snooty Edinburgh council officials also said punters at August's shows will be mainly 'middle-aged men' who 'take up more room'. Advertisement And secret planning briefings warn: 'Concerned about the safety of the Fringe and its performers. Many performers are considering not attending for that weekend. 'There is concern about crowds . . . as they are already rowdy . . . and the tone of the band.' Inside Noel & Liam Gallagher's first Oasis show in 16 years at surprise venue where they enraged neighbour Edinburgh Fringe bosses also blamed Oasis's sell-out Murrayfield megagigs for a massive slump in ticket sales. Between the three Oasis gigs and another AC/DC show on August 21, 290,000 revellers are expected to descend upon the capital - clashing directly with the Fringe, which runs throughout most of August. Advertisement Festival promoters and venue operators fear that punters could be put off from attending the Fringe due to the unprecedented demand from music fans. Bookings for the international comedy festival, which runs throughout August, are reportedly down by 35 per cent for some shows.
