Most driving instructors focus on teaching novices to learn to drive, but what about those who already have their licences? Is there anything that an experienced driver can gain from a few extra lessons, especially if they drive for a living?
Nobody who has passed their test likes to be told that their driving skills could be improved (try it and see. You’ll get an immediate ‘hackles up’ reaction from the vast majority of drivers!) But the truth is that those first few lessons often only equip you to pass your test – the rest of your skill as a driver is gained through experience. However, most of us will quickly fall into at least one or two bad habits (some worse than others): habits that, if they’re allowed to continue, could result in a road traffic incident at some stage in your driving career.
For fleet drivers, the problem is exacerbated as not only are they risking their own lives and those of others on the road, but they also have the reputation of their company to think about. So some instructors are suggesting a rethink in the way that managers maintain the driving standards of their fleet – by offering additional training to fleet drivers to ensure they are safe and professional on the road.
How’s my driving? Call…
So do you have to be qualified to teach advanced driving techniques to fleet drivers? Well, the answer is that for four-wheeled vehicles, yes you do. ADI instructors need to join the voluntary register, and to qualify you have to pass three qualifying tests to get your full ADI status. If you are training specific categories of vehicles (excluding motorcycles) such as HGVs, you will need to take further training in that class of vehicle before you can teach (both for learners and more advanced training). Once you have completed all your qualifications you can join the register where your details will be given to managers looking for qualified instructors to carry out fleet driver training. You can also advertise yourself as a DVSA-registered fleet driver trainer. That registration lasts for four years before you will need to renew.
If you are interested in fleet driver training as an extra ‘string to your bow’, you may also need to talk to your broker regarding your driving school insurance, as specialising in certain categories (such as HGVs in particular) could have a significant effect on the cost of your premiums.