Carefully Formulated and Recognised Courses such as MiDAS or the DSA's D1

Accessible one-day course which will need the online training to be carried out first.

This module is for those driver who need to transport wheelchair users, and therefore need knowledge and experience of using passenger lifts and securing passengers that travel in their wheelchairs etc. Delegates will explore: group discussion after watching various videos made by some of the wheelchair and passenger restraint makers, safe use of ramps and passenger lifts, wheelchair and passenger restraint equipment – latest techniques,  good practice on passenger assistance, information on disability, carrying children and professional etiquette.

At the end of this session, candidates sit a further written exam paper, consisting of ten questions, of which eight must be answered correctly.

This module is compulsory for those wishing to carry wheelchair users in a minibus.

Various courses ranging from 50 to 120 minute in length

This specifically designed course for teaching staff reduces the time your staffs are away from the classroom.

The training and assessment will cover some aspects of the MiDAS course, however it will also include relevant sections from the RoSPA and Road Craft (advanced observation and driving techniques) training format.

This driver-training course uses parts from all of the above stated training methods, which are best suited to driving a passenger-carrying vehicle.

An eyesight and drivers licence check will also be carried out so you should ensure that your staffs attend with their driver’s licence and glasses if needed for driving.

Price on application - A discount may be applied when six or more staff are booked in for training.

Travel and overnight costs will also be applied if outside of Leicestershire

The standard 50 minute assessment

 Standard driving assessment during which the Instructor will ask similar questions as used on the DSA’s D1 minibus driving test (show me tell me) This is 50 minutes long and includes 2 reverse manoeuvres around corners into side roads, only directional guidance will be given, at the end of this assessment there's a debriefing.  The trainee will be given a certificate if they have shown a suitable standard of driving and acceptable level of knowledge. The standard of driving will be assessed in the same way a driver would be assessed when on their DSA, MiDAS or RoSPA assessment where, speeding, mounting the pavement, driving in an inconsiderate way, failing to assess developing hazards, jumping red light and or placing passengers in danger will be considered major faults and a certificate will not be issued. Further training will be needed, and a second assessment taken at additional cost.

Vehicle checks,  driver training and assessment

Approx. 60 minute assessment

Vehicle inspection before use, this covers the legal requirements regarding inspecting the vehicle and the importance of carrying out all formal paperwork (Check sheet with tick boxes). All of section 1 will also be included so you will need to set aside at least one hour per person.  A maximum of two people per session is the best format to follow as this saves time when carrying out the vehicle checks training and gives extra time to the driving part of the training.

        Vehicle checks, minibus law, driver  training and assessment

 Approx. 75 to 90 minute assessment

On road driver training plus covering some of the main legal requirements such as the use of bus lanes, motorway use, driving hours, maximum vehicle weights and speed limit differences etc. Sections 1 & 2 will also be covered, this course takes a little longer so set aside 90 minutes per person. A maximum of two per session is the best format as this saves time when carrying out the vehicle checks and discussing minibus law. An A5 handout covering the main points of minibus law will be issued along with the certificate upon successful completion of the training. This session lasts for approx. 75 to 90 minutes per person depending on drivers skill levels at the start of the training.

Vehicle checks, minibus law,  extra driver training and assessment  

Approx. 90 to 120 minute assessment

All of the above plus extra on road time in the vehicle which will also include training on advanced observation skills, echo and defensive driving as well as motorway use if one is in the vicinity of the training area. Set aside 2 hours per person. Again a maximum of two per session is the best format.

The training format

Driver training will consist of a 15 minute assessment of your staffs current driving standard, a debrief will be carried out where an explanation of the first assessment results will be discussed.

The next 20 minutes will be  practicing and enhancing the skill level assessed at the time of the debrief plus rectifying any identified driving faults.

The third and final driving session is an assessment of your staffs driving under observation, no assistance is given during this session, it will consist of a drive covering all parts previously discussed and at least one reverse around a corner.

A further de-brief will be carried out and formal documentation issued explaining the standard of driving reached and whether the staff member has displayed the minimum standard required or not.