R E V I E W S

THIS book has been extensively road tested by learners, PDIs, ADIs, former examiners and supervising examiners, and everyday drivers.

Here is a selection of reviews about how the book has helped:

Auto Express | Review – 02.02.17

“…This is aimed at all drivers, from when they start out at age 17 to 71 when they’re thinking about how safe they are to continue… Author Stratton has every driving qualification under the sun… the book is packed with his insight… “

• “…Helped me massively with my preparation for my Standards Check… the risks and consequences paragraphs bring home the dangers and allowed me to focus my lesson… really well put together… ”
  Sarah, ADI
  
• “…The book was really useful… It was easy to understand… Along with my practical lessons, this book helped me to improve my driving skills and track my progress… The real-life experiences cited in the book helped me to apply what I learnt… I highly recommend to all the newbies to go through this book while you practise with your Instructor… ”
  Vandana, Learner
• “…I think the information you have provided in your books is very important… It has helped me to organise my lesson plans – and it has helped my pupils to understand what they have to do in their lessons… I am also applying information in your Standards Check book – pupils are now analysing themselves, responsibility, risks etc… and it’s making them safer drivers… ”
  Vimal, ADI
• “…I really like the skill sets… it’s very well written… thorough and logical… I’ve already started focusing on which ‘skills’ rather than subjects with my client-centred learning lesson plans – obvious when you think about it but that alone has already been a real ‘light bulb’ moment for me… 😉 ”
  Laura, ADI
• “…I got one for my Dad as a birthday present… he didn’t quite know how to take it but he was seen smiling about the things that other drivers say and do… we asked him how many of the ’20 Things You Didn’t Know’ did he know and it turned out he only knew half of them… any driving issues we say look in the book!”
  Gareth, Newly Qualified Driver
• “…The review intrigued me and I ordered one… it has already far exceeded my expectations… I now turn up for lessons knowing what to expect, and what is expected of me… an easy read with clear, well-laid out chapters… Recommended!”
  Ollie, Learner
• “…I bought one to see what it was like and could immediately see it would fit into my style of coaching… pupils liked it so I now enclose my order for 10 more… ”
  Scott, ADI
• “…After reading the Auto Express review I bought the book and have already learned a lot… packed full of really useful information… easy to read and absorb… ”
  Dean, Learner
• “…I’ve had a look at your book now and found it very good… The many quotes – particularly those from new drivers – make it very interesting and I imagine very useful for learners… I think the hints and tips will reassure learners that others have had difficulties which they have managed to overcome… Its quite different (in a good way) to other learning to drive books which I guess was your intention… ”
  Adam, Road Safety Officer
• “…A real book for real people, not just something written by committee… ”
  Joe, ADI
• “…I’ve recommended this book to many people… I like the fact that so many others enjoy it… rather than just being selected by an algorithm where ‘other people have bought this’ it is genuine and heart-felt…”
  Chris, ADI
• “…The words paint pictures so you don’t miss diagrams… in fact, the words ‘picturise’ the situations and put you in the moment… I’ve already used information from the book in my lessons… excellent… ”
  Zaf, ADI
• “…I like the way that you have actual drivers quoting their experiences… Explaining what works for them and what doesn’t… Haven’t found anything at all that I don’t like!!! ”
  Steve, experienced driver
• “…With the ‘official’ books I feel I have to buy them out of a sense of duty… with this 1771 book I wanted to buy it and really learn from it… I’ve read your other books and like the style… easy to read and I know I’ll get a lot of new ideas… I like the idea of benefitting from the experiences of others… this book speaks my language… ”
  Graham, ADI
• “…Very, very helpful… seeing all the phrases and sayings in one place is really good… Useful information about the new test as well… ”
  Adrian, ADI
• “…I think this book is the bargain of the year… It’s less than the cost of a driving lesson… and it will probably save me three or more lessons… it’s like having an instructor there with you at all times… ”
  Sophie, Learner
• “…Just what I was looking for… a comprehensive manual with everything that you need… ”
  Ahmed, PDI
• “…It’s a book with personality and it really speaks to the reader… I like the fact it talks bout risk a lot, with the other standard books don’t… ”
  Ishtiaq, ADI
• “…Ideal for me as I’m going through the process of becoming an examiner and the chapters on qualifying and a day in the life really helped… also the information on the new test was ideal – I now have a clear understanding of what will happen… ”
  Barbara, would-be examiner
• “…It’s speeded up the learning process with my learners… I recommend they read the skill sets we’ll be working on next time… they then come to lessons much more prepared and often they’ve read more than just the skill set… it fires their imagination and has sparked a lot of interest… they like the ‘SBDs’, ‘4S’s’ and ‘A glance not a trance!’ and they’ll say them out loud on lessons, such as: “Where there’s a bus, there’s a fuss”… ”
  Nick, ADI
• “…When I first saw all the Skill Sets in the index it looked a bit daunting but then I read your intro and immediately I became more interested… I found the general chapters very amusing and well argued… I dipped into the Skill Set sections and was most impressed with the way you structured these… You use humour well and also recognise many drivers unhelpful attitudes and behaviour, and provide  many well-argued reasons and incentives to ‘take responsibility’ for their own and others’ safety… I was the head of road safety at a council for five years and I was particularly interested in how you dealt with contentious issues like cyclists who jump red lights… I like the way you used the weight of the vehicle and distance travelled in one second to hit home the need to reduce road traffic crashes… I also liked the chapter on distractions and the argument for not using hands-free phones… Well done!”
  William, experienced driver
• “…It’s like an encyclopaedia and I like the structure… it’s not random like some books I’ve seen… the cover is very appealing and unique… ”
  Sid, dual controls engineer/installer
  
• “…I asked how many books you’d written and you said ten… I think this is the best – I’d give it 10/10… ”
  Harpreet, ADI
• “…Looks great… I like the tactile Driving on the front cover… the paper quality feels really good… ”
  Helen, PDI 
• “…Something that resonated with me was the SOBO advice: Screen off, Brain on… I drove back home to Bournemouth and was in that mindset… I also like the idea of using pairings such as ‘fish and chips’ as a way of remembering to use mirrors in pairs… ”
  Marina, experienced driver
• “…I passed my driving test today with two minor faults [average is 7]… the book really helped, especially the chapters on the day of your test and about the examiners… it gives a unique and revealing insight into how examiners feel and how they do their job… interesting to read about what are the most common fails… overall, the book helped me to prepare and really kept me focused… having the extra knowledge gave me a psychological boost as well… ”
  Larisa, Newly Qualified Driver
  
• “…It’s very reassuring to hold the book – it’s tangible, authoritative yet friendly… I like the feel of the book, especially the embossed ‘Driving’, a nice touch – literally! I like running my fingers over it… there’s something solid and reassuring about a book that you don’t get online or with an app… there’s more of a sense and feeling of connection… ”
  Phoebe, Learner
• “…I think it’s the ideal book to read alongside your Core Comps and SC book… the ideal trio!”
  Stuart, ADI
• “…I like the way you’ve done all the heavy lifting, it’s made my job easier… I now say on lessons shall we just have a look at the book… we then check a topic and look at the hints and tips as well… pupils like those as they often resonate with them… they just get it… “
  Lee, ADI
• “…It’s like the QI of driving – 1,771 interesting facts… It’s transformed my lessons and I find I’m getting a lot more out of the lessons now… I read the book before the lessons and prep like a boss… this means that I’m then very ready to get the best out of the time on each lesson… ”
  Will, Learner
• “…Definitely helped me prepare for my Standards Check… and I got an A… I like the the way it emphasises the risk management… the book also gave me lots of ideas for my Standards Check… my pupils really like all the sayings – SBDs make them smile… ”
  Muhammad, ADI
• “…This book gives the best insight into what drivers today really think… warts and all! Very revealing… the book informs you.. it’s very accessible… I really enjoyed reading it… using it on lessons now… ”
  Jack, ADI
• “…Your book comes over more personal for young and old to help with driving in a positive way,  whereas the DVSA book is more in a format of being lectured at . The comments on other people’s driving experiences in the book is informative and  realistic… Must confess found the DVSA one hard work and boring to read!!”
  Helen, ADI 
• “…I like the 2 tone colours – black and grey makes it easier on the eye… I like the font – I know it sounds petty but I do… It flows well and goes into sufficient detail… “
  Iain, ADI 
• “…Definitely helped me to pass my Part 3… I used the book to create lesson plans for the PSTs and I liked the emphasis it gave to topics… the rules, tools and expectations are ideal… Thank you!”
  Russ, ADI
• “…I have found the book very useful as well as entertaining… I especially liked the quote from the driver who had an argument with an old man and his friends put it on YouTube… this made him view his actions in a different light… Your confession of taking your test three times cheered me up as I also took mine three times! I will certainly be recommending your book to other people – especially those who scare me to death when I am a passenger… ”
  Julia, experienced driver
• “…A very well balanced book with a serious side which provides all the essential information… counterbalanced with a humour and warmth that is evident throughout the book… “
  Graham, ADI
• “…I decided I would make things happen rather than waiting for things to happen… I was proactive and read the relevant segments before lessons… made much more progress and I felt much more at the centre of the process… ”
  Samina, Learner
• “…I keep the book in the car to refer to at various stages in the lesson… if there’s a point that needs clarifying I’ll say: ‘Let’s see what the book says…’ and pupils like that as it’s backing me up and supporting me in what I say…  ”
  Dermot, ADI
• “…Reading the comments from other drivers was very informative and made me realise how other people think… some were in agreement with me while others seemed very left-field… shows how similar and different we are as drivers! ”
  Don, Parent
• “…The lack of diagrams didn’t bother me at all… I can look up anything I need on my phone… and when I’m in the car with my instructor he has a diagram book… besides, the words speak for themselves and I can then visualise what I’ll be doing… “
  Imogen, Learner
• “…I enjoyed the ‘Day of your test’ chapter and when I took my test and passed I felt so much more confident… knowing exactly what’s going to happen is reassuring… I really enjoyed the confessions of other drivers… it made it all very human and relatable… “
  Becky, Newly Qualified Driver
• “…There’s a phrase ‘know something about everything and everything about something’ and I think that sums up your book very well… you have an ear for a turn of phrase and bring it to life with some very polished writing… ”
  Patrick, ADI
• “…Plenty of food for thought and it definitely feeds the pupils’ imagination… so much information that I didn’t know – but I do now!”
  Tomasz, ADI
• “…Easy to consume the information… you learn without realising you’re learning, if that makes sense!”
  Ciaran, Learner
• “…I read it very carefully and the information is extremely comprehensive… an ideal source of reference not just for learners but anyone with a keen interest in driving… “
  Sean,  Former Examiner
• “…I wish I’d had this book when I was doing my Part 3… so much I didn’t know… this has really opened my eyes and made me realise I’ve got to improve… “
  Harpreet, ADI
• “…Although my instructor had told me what would happen on test it was very reassuring to see it in print… I read through the Driving Test chapter many times… going back to it and re-reading it gave me a lot of confidence… “
  Sam, Learner
• “…It’s already started to make my life easier… I ask pupils to read about particular skill sets before they attend for the next lesson… Makes a lot of difference when they have some knowledge… “
  Nural, ADI
• “…This book has nous, savvy and a great deal of common sense… there aren’t many books you can say that about… “
  Lewis, ADI
• “…Completely up to date and tells you everything you need to know… I liked the hints and tips from other drivers, it’s stuff you can relate to… Excellent!”
  Shaun, Learner
• “…Most text books are dry and heavy going but this is light and very easy to read… The best driving book I’ve ever read… ”
  Adam, PDI
• “…Overall, a good book for those teaching and learning to drive… if research wants to be done this is a great book… the book is suitable for ages 17+… Points throughout the book are well explained… ”
  Leon, Learner
• “…I don’t normally like reading but I really enjoyed this book and was 27 pages into it when I’d just picked it up to have a browse… Excellent… Makes reading enjoyable again… ”
  Brandon, Learner
  
• “…Very accessible and an ideal source of reference for all instructors and learners… it’s good to see all that collected knowledge in one book… “
  Geoff, Former Supervising Examiner
  
• “…Light, bright and just the right amount of humour… some of the tips were new to me and I’ve started using them in my lessons already… “
  Andy, ADI
• “…I liked the comments from other drivers…and also the iOS way of explaining things so you can just take it in easily and quickly… “
  Rebecca, Learner
• “… the nuances and finer details take it to the next level and above beyond other driving books… “
  Oliver, ADI
• “…I really like the book… it’s friendly and easy to read [a good length]… like the lighthearted bits eg: ‘Podestrian’, the 52 sayings and the quotes from drivers which really get the safety first message across… I like the fact you can just dip into it and find different things in different sections… It’s just the right size to keep in the car for reference – no signal or battery required… ”
  Cassie, Learner
• “…As a time-served ADI I realise now how much I didn’t know… this book has brought me right up to date… I liked the chapters about the new driving test and becoming a driving examiner, which was an eye-opener… ”
  Sunil, ADI
  
• “…Simply Brilliant…And Brilliantly Simple…There’s an art to making things appear straightforward and easy to understand and this book manages it effortlessly – time and again, chapter after chapter… It’s polished writing that is streets ahead of other similar reference books… “
  Charlotte, Learner
• “…It’s Ahead of the Curve… Most text books about driving produce more questions than answers… your book answers those questions that come to you as you read… or even before you’ve thought of the question!“
  Barbara, ADI
• “…It’s much more than a book about driving – it shines a light on the mindset of today’s drivers… it provides real world guidance for modern day problems… “
  Ben, Learner
  
• “…I like the book very much … It’s an easy read… The book is well-structured, and offers simple but thorough explanations… I like the language of the book and the way in which it’s written… the phrases are catchy and really help me with my driving… one saying I particularly like is: ‘Early vision, early decision’… the short, punchy sentences make reading the book very enjoyable… the quotes from other drivers resonate and really clicked with me, showing that others have a similar mindset and think along the same lines as me, which is reassuring… All in all, I have really enjoyed reading the book… “
  Larisa, Newly Qualified Driver
• “…I found the book to be a lot easier to understand than the other books used when learning to drive… I liked how you used real life language such as: ‘You don’t have eyes in the back of your head,’ and made it something I could imagine thinking when a new driver… Using examples from other drivers made it more real as well… Overall, I think it’s a useful tool to have… ”
  Harrie, Learner
• “…Although I’ve been around the industry for over forty years there were still things that were new to me… I learned about new sayings which have evolved over the years… ”
  Neil, Former Examiner
• “…I think your descriptions in the control segment are incredibly well explained! You make everything so simple and logical which I think would calm new learner drivers down from panicking and overthinking manoeuvres… I personally have found reading your descriptions have calmed my nerves before lessons as you manage to take the stress out of driving… I also like the inclusion of little phrases such as: ‘Think before you blink’ and: ‘Slow car, quick hands’… I also like how you’ve included the real life segment and are including current events on the road such as people not driving to the speed limit and drivers/cyclists jumping red lights.You’re making people aware of things which I don’t necessarily think they would have thought about as you often think as they have a license they’ll be perfect drivers… The essential thing that I really do like and appreciate is how laid back the writing style is… I don’t feel under any pressure, it’s like a friend giving you driving tips rather than a teacher who is ridiculously formal… The ‘official’ books panic me, and it’s like they’re speaking at you, almost as if they’re forcing you to learn something and can seem to make things appear difficult… but that’s not the case with your book… I like the wording which is light-hearted and humorous… easy to follow… the pressure is off… I do think it’s a good book and I definitely think people will like it!”
  Rachel, Learner
  
• “…I’ve enjoyed reading it so far and I’m finding it useful as it gives you all the information you need without over complicating things and is an easy read whereas some driving books feel like you are reading and not taking all the information in, I think the way the book is laid out helps me personally retain the information,many thanks… ”
  Gavin, Learner
• “…It invites you to read it… Very user-friendly… A great size – just right to keep in your bag… ”
  Justin, ADI
• “…I’m not a great reader but this got me hooked… A book for people who don’t like books… ”
  Megan, Learner
• “…I picked it up to browse and got drawn in… there were many things that I thought: ‘I didn’t know that’… very helpful and will be invaluable when I’m teaching my daughter… the sayings really help as well… “
  Stuart, Parent
  
  “…I liked the sayings in the Driversaurus… Also the ‘In one sentence’ explanations really help to absorb it in one… As questions were forming in my mind I found that they were answered in the next sentence or paragraph… ”
  Hannah, Learner 
• “…Excellent… I particularly like the Driving Tips from learner and qualified drivers… I also like the layout and the balance of humour and interest…”
  Kevin, ADI
• “…Fantastic! Best book I’ve ever read… Thank you for a super book that helps me very much… I love the learner and qualified drivers’ tips and you can learn a lot from them… I find all the chapters very helpful… ”
  Shoshana, Learner
• “…Good knowledge! I learned a lot of things which I never knew before… ”
  Mattie, Learner 
• “…I like the different range of drivers’ views… And also the way in which you can just dip into it… Or pick a section and just read the information… ”
  Steve, ADI
• “…Easy to read… It just draws you in…. I’m not a reader usually but this all makes sense and I enjoyed reading it…
  Sophie, Learner
• “…I like the STAR approach to situations to deal with any event… I feel in control and just want to own the test now… ”
  Pamela, Learner
• “…So many tips and great ideas… ”
  Paige, Learner
• “…Probably the most comprehensive driving book I have ever read… Carefully and thoughtfully written with great care taken to ensure that you learn but making it easy to read and absorb… Absolutely superb and an invaluable source of reference… ”
  Josh, ADI
• “…Tells you all the things that other books won’t… Even as an ADI of 24 years standing I thought I knew most things but this book just takes it to another level and I learned something new from each chapter… “
  Steve, ADI
• “…If you only buy one book about driving, buy this one… It is packed with information you won’t find anywhere else and explains it with a sophisticated simplicity that makes it not only easy to read – but to enjoy reading it, which is a rarity in the world of text books… “
  Callum, ADI
  
• “…This book makes me look forward to my driving lessons and makes me more confident because I know about the skill sets and what I should be doing… “
  Emily, Learner
• “…You are obviously passionate about driving and have a knack for writing in a way that is enjoyable… Something dry like driving (dryving!) has been brought alive by your ability to bring words to life… This is a digital HD book while the others are stuck in the analogue era… “
  Darren, ADI
• “…Wow! Just wow! I was blown away by the way this is written, and how much information and advice is contained in it… It’s like having a very knowledgeable friend offering gems of wisdom in such a way that you feel inspired and encouraged… Do you know what, I think this is far away the best book I’ve read about driving – and I’ve read all of the others… Awesome!”
  Kim, ADI
• “…Who knew driving could be so interesting, entertaining and informative? I wasn’t looking forward to learning to drive as I’m a mature learner… but having read the initial skill sets I was fired up and just wanted to try it out… Plus I like being able to turn up for lessons and know things that my instructor didn’t… She tried to bluff it and said: “Oh, yes, I knew that,” but her facial expression didn’t say that… Made me smile inside… ”
  Jackie, Learner
• “…I like the cover very much… I totally get the 1771 reasoning and the Yin and Yang symbolism… the link between the instructor/pupil, and age/experience… very well thought out and the attention to detail is fantastic… “
  Holly, Learner
• “…As an experienced driver I thought I knew most things…Reading thes book made me realise how far things have come since I took my test in the 80s… Informative and interesting…Made me smile as well reading about what grinds your gears… “
  Rory, Experienced Driver
• “…I wanted to try out something I’d read in the book and I said to my instructor can we do a turn-in-the-road, I’d like to focus on the lock swap, I think I can do that better… And he was like, ‘Lock Swap?’, ‘How do you know about that?’ It made me feel more knowledgeable and in control of my own lesson rather than just being told random stuff… “
  Sophia, Learner
• “…Because I’d studied the relevant skill set before my lesson I felt much more involved in the lesson itself… rather than just sitting there passively I was able to contribute much more… it felt more balanced and more equal, and I started at a much higher level of knowledge, if that makes sense… “
  Jack, Learner
• “…I learned something, it made me smile and I enjoyed reading it… which must be a first for a reference book… I liked the fact that I was smiling as I was reading… “
  Olivia, Learner
• “…Usually you approach text books with that ‘Do-I-Have-To’ mindset, but I really look forward to reading this and planning my next lesson and, dare I say it, having the edge over my instructor…A learner win… “
  Jack, Learner
• “…Your knowledge and passion for the topic is very evident in this well thought out book.. there’s something for the purists and also for someone just looking to be informed and entertained… a very difficult act to pull off but you’ve managed it with style in this book… “
  Michael,  Former Supervising Examiner
• “…I’m interested in numerology [the vibration and energy of numbers] and Angel Numbers… 1771 is an auspicious number and signifies great things and tells me that I’m heading in the right direction… the number relates to 7… 1+7 +7+1 = 16, 1 + 6 = 7, again a magical number… Shortly after reading the book I was at the supermarket and the the cost of my few items was £17.71… I now see the numbers around at different times and in different settings… This book is inspiring… “
  Carla, Learner
• “…A very enjoyable read and pitched at a level and in a style that will appeal to a young driver and a mature driver alike… The front cover is appealing for a curious purchaser to look again. I like the back cover content which is so important and congratulations to the author again for being able to add 51/51! Indeed, I like the eyesight check car plate SC51ACE… The Skill Set chapters are comprehensive together with the ever so important risk management,  and the quotes from drivers add richness to the subject… The 52 Sayings, Driversauras and What Grinds Your Gears work well and add a light hearted touch to the book… I like the Did You Know which will also appeal to ADIs and mature drivers I’m sure… No astute ADI should be without this book to help with discussing risk, consequences and management with their pupils and for the SC…“
  Michael, ADI
• “…It’s almost embarrassing to realise how much you’ve forgotten over the years… I wonder how many of us would pass the test these days… there’s so much we take for granted when driving – it’s just something we do everyday day as if we’re on auto pilot… The strength of the book is in the comments from other drivers, it puts it across in the way that normal everyday people can relate to… and those sayings stay with you… Excellent!”
  Steve, Experienced Driver
• “…Very useful… Reading about other learners’ experiences was helpful… and the structure of the book made it very easy to read… “
  Ryan, Learner
• “…I love how it goes through everything in logical steps…the driving tips really help you to put things into real-world scenarios… The Did You Know explanations and origins was interesting and give you useful advice for when you start driving… “
  Alex, Learner
• “…There’s a huge amount of work gone into this book – and it shows… I like how you put it across in a way that is accessible on all levels, whether you’re a learner or someone who’s been driving for years… I’m sure us ADIs will benefit as well from years of experience in teaching and training… and the fact that you’re a 51/51 A Grade instructor gives the book added authority… “
  Jonathan, ADI
• ‘…Outstanding… every driver should read this… ”
  Said, ADI