During winter school cancellations, it’s important to find something to do. Just sitting at home doesn’t get anything accomplished, and there are always adventures to have. Of course, you also want to be safe during those adventures, which is why it’s so important to be a good driver. If you’re thinking about getting your learners permit, provisional license, or Maryland driver license, winter school closings can be a good time to focus on those things.

Those times are also great for taking a driver education class if you’ve received a traffic ticket you need to take care of. The more you get done during winter school cancellations, the more prepared you’ll be when school resumes and you have more things you need to do each day.

The Myths of Winter Driving

While you’re learning about winter driving, be sure to consider some of the myths you’ve been taught about cars and cold weather. For example, you don’t need to let your vehicle warm up before you drive it. That won’t protect the engine, or make any real difference in how the car operates. While warming up the inside of the car might be nice, you’re really just wasting gasoline.

Another debunked myth is that you don’t want to use hot water to take that ice off your windshield. You can risk the glass cracking and even shattering. It’s tempting, especially when you’re in a hurry, but it’s better to scrape the ice off the windows, rather than pour water on them.

Surviving Winter Weather

Getting your permit or license can mean the opportunity to get winter driving experience. You want to do that safely, of course, so you’ll need to focus on how to drive in snow and other types of inclement weather. The State Highway Administration provides some great tips for snowy weather driving. These include:

• buckling up,
• taking extra time getting to your destination,
• increasing your following distance, and
• staying off the roads as much as possible.

If you don’t need to be out, you really should just stay home.

If you do have to drive in inclement weather, focus on the road. Don’t talk or text on your phone, and keep the radio volume low. Make sure the windows are clear, so you can see as well as possible. Have a winter driving kit with you and keep your car full of gasoline. If you get stranded or stuck, stay with your vehicle. Getting your permit or license is a big deal, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t mean you’ve learned all you need to know. There’s still a lot to learn once you pass the minimum requirements to get on the road.

Winter school cancellations are the perfect time to get your permit, provisional license, or driver license. Then you can get some practice driving in winter weather. You have to learn sometime, and it’s hard to simulate winter driving conditions during the summer months. While you want to go slowly and make sure you have someone to help you, the only way you’ll get good at winter driving is to practice.

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Spend Time Doing Research

Before you even walk into a car dealership in Maryland, make sure you spend time doing some research on the type of car you plan to buy. According to Moneycrashers.com, well-informed buyers are more likely to score a good deal. Spend some time researching the specific cars you’re interested in and check features and prices ranges online so you have a good idea of the going rate for the vehicle you want.

Compare Financing Options

While car dealerships offer financing, it’s important to compare your financing options before heading to the dealership. In many cases, a dealership’s interest rates will be higher than car loan rates from credit unions or banks. You may be able to get a good discount on a car loan rate at your current credit union or bank. It’s also possible to compare current interest rates online. If you get a car loan quote from a financial institution, make sure you get the quote in writing. Obtaining a car loan with lower interest rates can save you a huge amount of money when buying a new car.

Pay Attention to Your Trade-in Value

When you’re trying to figure out how to get the best deal on a new car, it’s easy to simply look at the new vehicle’s purchase price. However, Edmunds.com recommends that you also pay attention to your current vehicle’s trade-in value. You can lose thousands of dollars if you accept a bad trade-in deal. Before you head to the dealer, make sure you know your vehicle’s trade-in value. If the dealer won’t give you a good trade-in price, you can always sell your car privately.

Investigate Potential Incentives

Don’t forget to investigate potential incentives if you want to save money when purchasing a new car. Visit automakers’ websites to look for special offers, which may include sales incentives, such as cash rebates. However, if you have an incentive, CNN.com recommends that you don’t bring it up until you make the final deal. This way you can subtract the incentive from the final deal, helping you to save more money.

Compare Prices Between Dealers

To score a great deal on your new care, take the time to compare prices between multiple Maryland dealers. Many car shopping websites make it easy for you to get offers from nearby dealerships, according to Forbes.com. It may be worth your time to head to another city to purchase your vehicle if you find a lower offer. If you won’t want to leave your area, take the lowest offer with you to a local dealership and see if they’re willing to beat the deal.

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As a nation of pet lovers & with 45 percent of us in the United States owning some sort of animal. Inevitably at some point, your best friend will need to tag along for a trip to the vets or a long road trip. So take heed of the rules & keep your self-safe with our top tips.

In 2010, a peaceful Oxford town was woken up after a 16 year old flipped her instructor’s car upside-down on a residential street. Luckily no one was hurt, but the car was totaled due to her negligence.

1. Dogs should be secured into the car with a harness attached to the seat belt, they can also travel in the boot with the dog securely in place. make sure you remember to remove the parcel shelf

2. On a long journey don’t feed 2hrs before travel to avoid car sickness.

3. Smaller pets cats, rabbits, etc in pet carrier & secured with a seat belt

4. Always carry water in case your pet overheats in an emergency.

5. Use sunshades to cover the windows when it is hot or very sunny, NEVER leave your pet alone in a hot car. Keep your car well ventilated.

6. Make it comfortable, take a favourite toy as a distraction or a familiar blanket.

7. Don’t allow your pet to ride with their head outside the window, it may seem cute but can be potentiality dangerous.

8. Keep your vehicle cool & well ventilated. Ensure all cages & crates are secure

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