Sitting in a classroom learning about driving is one thing, but you need to know how to put that knowledge into practice to be safe on the road. That is where driver training comes in.
Driver training is a hands-on process that typically includes driving lessons, group video instruction, coaching (training trainers within your organization), or ride-alongs by managers. All of these methods can help your employees to apply what they’ve learned.
Basics
The basics of driving training involve the skills that you need to safely operate a vehicle. These include knowing how to operate the car’s instruments, controls, and brakes; as well as learning the basic driving techniques, such as changing gears.
You must also know how to use your mirrors correctly and safely adjust the seat so that you can comfortably see where you are going. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can start adding in more advanced driving techniques, such as parallel parking.
There are many driving rules that you need to follow, and there are penalties for breaking them. These include minor penalties such as a traffic ticket or even time in jail, while major penalties can include losing your license and having to pay for the damage to your car.
When you’re first starting out with driving, it can feel intimidating, but the truth is that learning how to drive is easier than it looks. By taking things slowly and being patient, you can learn how to control your car safely.
A great way to start learning the basics is to work on a quiet street or parking lot. This can be a good place to introduce your student to the vehicle and its instruments, controls, and some basic driving techniques to get them started on their journey of becoming a driver.
Another key element of a driving training program is practicing signalling while you’re in the vehicle. This will help you to ensure that you’re communicating your intentions to other drivers when changing directions and entering or exiting intersections.
You must always use your mirrors when driving, so that you can see the road behind you and to be able to spot other vehicles before you reach them. This will allow you to avoid accidents and ensure that you’re safe on the road.
In addition, you must always wear a seat belt when you’re in the car, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will make it easy for you to stay safe on the road and in the event of an accident, it will prevent serious injury or death.
Advanced
Advanced driving training can be a great way to refresh your skills and hone your confidence on the road. Many courses are aimed at people who already have a full licence and offer the chance to learn about specific areas of driving – motorway and night driving, for example – as well as general skill development.
IAM RoadSmart, a UK-based charity that promotes road safety, offers a range of advanced driver courses. These can be a great help for anyone with a full licence, from young drivers to those in their late 70s who want to hone their skills.
They teach you to re-focus on little things that you may have lost sight of during your time on the road. These can include steering wheel grip, a correct seat adjustment and being aware of possible hazards around you.
The best part about these classes is that you get to practice these skills in real time. This means that you can see and understand what your instructor is saying, making them much more effective than online training or parking lot simulations.
It also allows you to get feedback from an expert about your own driving and how you could improve it. This is especially useful for people who are nervous or unsure about the way they drive and would like to refocus their skills.
Another great thing about these classes is that they allow you to practice your defensive driving skills. This can be a great help for those who are worried about the way they drive and would like to develop better defensive techniques.
Advanced driving skills can also help with safety in the workplace, especially for fleet drivers. This kind of training can show employees how to work with traffic rather than against it, which can help them reduce stress and increase their job satisfaction.
These courses can be a great way to keep employees safe on the job and keep their insurance premiums down. They also help to build employee confidence in their abilities and provide a sense of achievement.
There are many different advanced driving courses available to choose from, and it’s important to find one that suits you. You’ll want to make sure that it meets the requirements of your licence and is approved by the DVSA. It’s also worth looking into any discounts that you can receive if you take part in an advanced driving course.
Specialized
Specialized driving training is a technique that combines traditional driving instruction with specialized learning activities to prepare individuals for the skills needed to become safe and successful drivers. It is a great way to build confidence behind the wheel and reduce accidents, especially for those who have cognitive impairments or are under the age of 25.
During driving training, instructors use repetition, speed and power to create an environment that will allow students to learn the necessary techniques for handling a wide range of vehicles. They will also be instructed on how to tap into the depths of concentration and emotional control, so they can make hyper-focused micro-decisions at high speeds.
In addition to using the traditional instructional approach, specialized driving instructors can also use a coaching approach to help drivers with ADHD and other executive-functioning disorders learn to drive safely. The approach promotes new behavioral routines for drivers with these conditions, which is often more effective than the traditional instructional method.
For example, a driving instructor can coach students through a simulated accident to teach them how to react in a panicked situation. This can help to build their confidence and prevent them from becoming stressed or distracted.
Another specialized driving training technique is used by fire, police and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel to prepare them for their jobs on the road. The training can be done on a fleet car or in the vehicle that they drive for their job.
The instructor must ensure that the student has a valid driver’s license and insurance before teaching him or her to drive. The instructor must also take into consideration the student’s previous experience and education, as well as any limitations he or she may have.
Besides teaching basic CMV control, the driver-student must learn how to execute sharp left and right turns, center the vehicle, maneuver in restricted areas, and enter and exit an interstate or controlled access highway. He or she must also learn how to shift in a multi-speed dual range transmission.
This unit must also provide instruction on cargo hazard recognition, safety equipment, and the operation of fire extinguishers and rescue gear. It must also teach the importance of recognizing passengers with disabilities or special needs, as well as the proper use of wheelchair lifts and other accessibility equipment.
Safety
Drivers are constantly being exposed to danger, so it’s important that they stay safe on the road. Driving training can help drivers stay safer by teaching them how to avoid accidents and respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
It also helps to train drivers on the importance of maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and how to identify road hazards such as weather conditions, traffic, or intoxication. These tips can help reduce the likelihood of a collision and prevent injury or death.
Make sure to schedule safety trainings with your drivers regularly. This can be a great way to teach your drivers new safety skills or refresh older ones.
You can also choose to schedule safety training with your fleet’s drivers individually if you want to give each of them special attention. This can be a fun and inexpensive way to provide extra safety training to your drivers.
Another good idea is to offer a reward to your fleet’s most safe drivers. This can be as simple as a plaque or a parking spot, but can be a big win for your drivers and your business.
Encouraging your drivers to take breaks while they are en route can go a long way in preventing accidents that can be caused by fatigue. It can also help them stay focused on the job and keep them feeling refreshed.
Encourage drivers to use their turn signals when making a lane change or taking a corner. This can help other drivers see your intentions and avoid causing an accident.
If you have drivers who operate heavy trucks, it’s important to ensure that they are equipped with defensive driving skills for the specific challenges they face while operating their trucks. This includes the weight of their truck, the wide blind spots that can make it difficult for them to see the cars behind them, and the need to be able to react quickly to a changing situation.
The National Safety Council has several online driver safety courses that can help your workers stay safe on the road. These online classes can teach your workers about the various driving risks, how to recognize hazards, and how to avoid a crash.