Getting a driver's license in European countries has always been tougher than in the United States. In most countries you can't even start to drive until you turn 18 and even then you have to actually demonstrate driving skills that go well beyond parallel parking and making a left turn. Now, aspiring drivers in England will have to demonstrate another new skill: eco-driving. Apparently, drivers whose style uses a bit too much petrol won't actually be denied a license but the review after the test will include an assessment and tips for how to drive more efficiently. With manual transmissions still being the dominant style in Europe, drivers are being told not to downshift during deceleration and use the brakes instead. Government officials hope that young drivers can save up to a month's worth of fuel annually (about 8.3 percent) by following the tips. The new efficient driving standards will be implemented across the board in the EU.

[Source: The Telegraph]

Photo by edkohler. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Two months ago, EcoTrekker released a list of 100 ways to green up your driving style. If you missed that list, or just wanted to see someone outdo EcoTrekker by four items, check out this new list on Ecomodder. Of course, most of the items on these kinds of lists are pretty much repeats, with a few new tips thrown in to keep us on our toes. My favorites from the Ecomodder list are:

• Drive like you ride a bike
• Don't let other drivers lead you astray from your driving style
• Key off, then Park
• Parking tactics: pick the periphery
• Make fuel economy a game/challenge
• Combining errands: do the longest leg first

Go ahead and poke around to see which ones you like and, more importantly, which tips you can add to your bag of tricks when you're behind the wheel. If you can't find at least 10 that will help you save fuel, well, then you must already be a hypermiler.

[Source: Ecomodder / Darin @ metrompg]