West Midlands - Driver Training, Eco Driving, Risk Management, Trailer Training, Forklift Training - West Midlands
A Class Driver Training, West Midlands
Driver Training has many benefits that micro and small companies can take advantage of:-
* Lower fuel bills
* Less accidents and therefore, less insurance claims
* Possible reduced insurance premiums
* Your customers benefit because your vehicles aren’t off the road as often
* Which all adds up to increased PROFITS
* Happier workforce
* Protection against prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act if an accident does occur
* Protection against employing illegal drivers and therefore, invalidating your insurance
Improve your company image both internally and externally
* Reduce your carbon footprint
Driver Management
Fleet Managers of small companies are more likely to ignore legislation because:-
They think it is an expensive luxury that does not yield any benefit to the company
They feel they don’t have the time to adequately fulfil the requirements
They are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin
They have never had a problem with their drivers and don’t see the need
If done properly, driver training can benefit everyone in the company not just the company itself. Such benefits to the company can be:-
Approximately 10% saving on annual fuel bills
Reduction of carbon footprint
Increase in productivity
Increase in profits
Decrease in vehicle running costs
Increase in sale price of vehicles
Reduction in repair costs
Reduction in off-the-road time
Reduction in insurance claims
Reduction in employee time off
Reduction in insurance premiums
Happier workforce
There are corresponding benefits to the employee:-
Increase in skillset
Fuel saving benefit can be used by employee in own vehicle
Less stress
Greater job satisfaction
Possible rewards for taking onboard these skills and giving the company its benefits
We can take the onus from the Fleet Manager by having a well planned process in place.
New or existing employees have licence properly checked not only when they start but every 3 to 6 months (if required) to ensure that they are always legally obliged to drive their vehicles and to ensure that they meet your insurance company’s requirements
System automatically reminds Manager that checks are required
Risk assess each driver each year
Plan specific training when required
System can be paid for on a monthly basis per driver employed over a contract period of 2 or 3 years, therefore spreading the cost making it more financially viable.
Risk Assessment
Health and Safety says that companies with 5 or more employees have a legal obligation to assess the risk of their employees.
Any employee who drives whilst at work (using a company vehicle or their own) is at risk.
The Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 has made it easier to prosecute employers who do not show a duty of care towards their employees. Fines made under this Act could be in the region of 10% of the TURNOVER of the company prosecuted.
Any employee who drives whilst at work, whether it’s a company vehicle or their own, needs to be assessed. Traditional methods involve a day in a vehicle with a driver trainer. This is expensive – there is the cost of the day’s training which could be up to £350, the employee’s wages and loss of business due to the employee’s day off.
A more cost effective method exists:-
An online risk assessment tool.
Takes 20 minutes
Can be done in employee’s own time on any internet connected PC or laptop
Specifically assesses that employee’s driving risk – it is NOT a psychometric test which can be inaccurate
Quick result which can be discussed and further action planned
Drivers categorised as low, medium or high risk
Low risk drivers can do the test again in 12 months time (HSE requirements insist that process is done annually)
Medium risk drivers can do further training, again online to save costs
High risk drivers can undergo in-vehicle training. This can be specifically tailored to the driver’s inadequacies as the risk assessment highlights the problem areas. These could be, for example, attitude, speeding, observation or planning.
It is possible that a company following this routine could save up to 60% on its driver training costs.
Eco-Driving
Fuel is expensive.
Some drivers do not necessarily drive as economically as they could. Probably the last time they sat in a vehicle with a trained driver was their driving test, and that could have been 20 years ago!
Driving styles have changed to become more economically biased and, of course, people pick up bad habits.
A refresher course can yield a potential 10% saving in fuel use. Imagine how much that is over a year. The skills picked up can be used by the driver in their private mileage, therefore, they benefit personally as well.
Trailer Training
The Law
People passing their test on or after 1st January 1997 are now required to pass an additional test in order to gain entitlement Categories B+E, and all larger vehicles.
Category B: vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) and with up to 8 passenger seats
Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM).
OR
A trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.
By passing a Category B test, National Categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically.
Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM
Vehicles in Category B+E allow vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM.
In order to gain this entitlement new Category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for Category B+E.
There is no Category B+E theory test.
For driver licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.
How if effects you
Employers
It is your responsibility to ensure all your employees have the correct licence for what they drive. Be aware that an employee that has passed their test before 1st January 1997 hold the right to B+E but may have had no form of training and you may be liable for prosecution as part of the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, in the event of a fatal incident involving an employee driving on company business.
As a Driver
If you are caught driving without the B+E entitlement you could be awarded the following penalties:-
LC20 - Driving otherwise than in accordance with a Licence 3 – 6 Points
IN10 - Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risk 6 – 8 points
Up to £1000 fine
So you could lose your licence!
Training
The assessment
Before any training is conducted a 2 hour assessment will take place. This will involve checking your driving licence and eye sight. We will also carry out an assessment on your reversing, un-coupling, re- coupling & driving technique. Areas to be addressed and the amount of training required will be discussed.
The Training
Training will be conducted around the Shrewsbury area as this is the where the test is conducted. You will get to know the area and be trained to the highest possible standard.
Consists of:-
Eye sight test
Vehicle safety checks
Reversing manoeuvre
A controlled stop
A road drive lasting between 50mins - 1hour depending on traffic
Un-couple & re-couple
You will be marked as per your driving test i.e. up to 15 driving faults, but no serious or dangerous faults.
If all goes well you will be given your pass certificate for B+E and a new driving licence will be sent to you with your new entitlement on it.
Familiarisation Training
This will be conducted over one day when the candidate will be assessed, trained and a report generated.
Caravan Training
Buying a caravan is not cheap and is a big investment. The last thing you would what to do is have an accident with it. Even the Caravan Club recommend some form of training. Our local caravan dealer Salop Leisure recommends their customers to us for training.
Our trainer is a very experienced caravaner himself and will be able to help old and new caravaners with all aspects of towing, reversing, loading and setting up of their caravan.
Minibus Training - MiDAS
What Is MiDAS?
MiDAS, the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, is a programme developed to enhance the driving and passenger awareness skills of the many thousands of individuals who drive minibuses in the course of their work or as volunteers. The scheme has resulted from a detailed study of minibus driving and a lengthy period of consultation with voluntary and statutory groups which operate minibuses.
With approximately 125,000 minibuses in Great Britain, it is estimated from that those travelling in a minibus are 2-3 times less likely to suffer death and injury than a car passengers.
Whilst minibuses are, therefore, a relatively safe form of passenger transport, all are agreed that the task of minibus driving requires skills over and above those required for driving a car. Drivers also have specific responsibilities to vulnerable passengers such as children and disabled people as well as a ‘DUTY OF CARE’ to take reasonable safety precautions when arranging and providing transport for all passengers.
MiDAS is designed to make appropriate assessments, training and accreditations available to minibus drivers from schools, colleges, universities, health authorities, local authorities and voluntary organisations at a local level.
Objectives of MiDAS
The objectives of MiDAS are that minibus drivers will:-
Be assessed to ensure their driving skills are of an acceptable standard
Be given help where necessary to improve their minibus driving skills
Be aware of the legal, practical and safety issues surrounding minibus driving
Be trained in the safe use of accessible minibuses where necessary
Receive a certificate which is accepted by other MiDAS members. A national version of MiDAS is operated by the Community Transport Association and certificates awarded through the national scheme can be used in Hampshire and vice-versa.
What A-Class Driver Training offer
Our instructors are trained to give the following courses:-
Driver Assessor / Trainers Course (DATs)
Passenger Assistant trainer (PATs) Course
Passenger Assistant Course
"Out in 3" (Fire Evacuation)
Minibus Training D1
If you have passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 you no longer get the entitlement on your driving licence to drive a minibus. A minibus is a small bus comprising of 9-16 passenger seats + 1 driver or over 3.5 tonnes.
If you have passed your test before the 1st January 1997 you have the entitlement on your licence to drive a minibus BUT might have the restriction NOT FOR HIRE OR REWARD so if you are driving a minibus as part of a job where you get paid you will have to take the test (employers please refer to Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007). If you are a volunteer and don’t get paid you are ok, but we would suggest you do the MiDAS course.
What You Need
Before any training take place you will need to have a medical and get the provisional entitlement put on your licence - we can help with this.
The Training
Module One - Theory
Module Two - Hazard Perception
Module Three - Practical Test
Module Four - Vehicle Safety Questions
Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Category C (Rigid) & C+E (Artic) Driver Training
Your Route to Training
Medical Examination - You must undergo a Medical Examination with a GP locally in order to apply for Provisional Licence entitlement. Form D4 must be completed by a doctor at the examination and be signed by you in his/her presence. Currently the fee for this is set nationally at £75.00, however we are able to arrange your medical with a GP in Shrewsbury, please ask for details.
Provisional Licence - You must complete forms D2 & D4 and forward them along with your driving licence to DVLA, Swansea. The fee for adding provisional Category C entitlement to your licence is now FREE.
(We can supply and complete these forms on your behalf if you wish, at no cost to you).
REMEMBER TO USE BLACK INK when completing the forms.
Theory Test - It is now a requirement to pass a Theory & Hazard Perception Test for any Category C vehicles. You are advised to obtain study material for this, book, CD ROM etc. particularly for the ‘Hazard Perception’ element. This can be purchased via the Internet from many sources such as Amazon. We are also able to loan you some study material on receipt for a deposit.
Drivers are tested on 100 questions and need to correctly answer 85 of the 100 to pass the multiple choice part of the test. The number of hazard perception clips is 19 and the pass mark is 67 out of 100.
The test is split into two parts. This allows candidates to take the multiple choice element separately from the hazard perception element; and in either order. This aims to avoid potential recruits being put off entering the industry due to the length of the test as a single event.
You can book your Theory Test ‘On line’ at the DSA Web Site (www.dsa.gov.uk)
The cost of the theory test is £50 (£35 for the multiple choice test and £15 for the hazard perception test). Tests can be booked separately.
CPC - The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a qualification aimed at raising the standard of drivers entering the industry. Driver CPC was implemented on 10th September 2008 for the bus and coach industry. The lorry industry will follow suit on 10th September 2009.
As of September 2009, drivers will be allowed to train and sit the LGV test at the age of 18 years (and NOT 21 as it is currently).
Assessment Drive/Lesson - If required, we will conduct an assessment drive. This is to determine how much tuition you will require and which of our courses will be most suitable for your needs. Our highly qualified instructors (all DSA registered) will be able to assess and advise you which course is most suitable once they have had the opportunity of seeing you drive.
We are able to offer 3, 5 & 7-day courses, plus extra tuition days should you need them. We will pre-arrange your test for the last day of the course (normally a Friday, subject to DSA Examiner availability).
Please note that the assessment drive can only take place once you have received your provisional driving licence.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate in contacting us either by telephone or e-mail. We are always pleased to be of help.
Some of the Services we Offer Include:
* West Midlands Driver Training
* West Midlands Eco Driving
* West Midlands Risk Management
* West Midlands Trailer Training
* West Midlands Fleet Driver Training
Please mention FastFinders.co.uk when calling this company.
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