Advanced Driver Training Courses














  • Have you just bought that dream car and want to enjoy it more?
  • Do you want to take an advanced driving test?
  • Do you want to save money on your car running costs?
  • Do you lack confidence in certain aspects of your driving?
  • Are you returning to driving after not driving for a long time?
  • Have you just arrived in the UK and want to become familiar with UK traffic laws and driving in the UK?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions then help is at hand

I can do advanced driver training for anyone wishing to improve their driving skills. Having taken and passed advanced driving tests myself, I am able
to use the knowledge to prepare you for the test. Some advanced driver training companies use instructors who have not taken these tests.

Tests that we can prepare you for are:
  • RoSPA
  • IAM
  • Diamond (Based on the ADI part 2 driving instructor's driving test)
  • Cardington Special Driving Test (Only available to Approved Driving Instructors)

Driving courses for car, minibus and van drivers
Advanced driving course
On this course, your driving will be assessed and developed to a higher standard following the "Roadcraft" system of car control and using the same
advanced driving techniques that the Police use. The purpose of this course, is to raise your general road awareness and planning skills and car
control to a higher level and prepare you for an advanced driving test.

UK familiarisation courses
If you are new to the UK, the rules and road procedures may be different than in your home country, therefore I do a UK familiarisation course where
you will be shown how to drive safely on the UK roads where quite a bit of emphasis will be placed on roundabouts, junctions, traffic light sequences
and motorway driving as these are areas that can differ from country to country.

This course is ideal for those who have just moved to the UK, employ overseas staff in a company or if you employ an au pair.

Minibus and light van familiarisation courses
I can carry out vehicle familiarisation courses on these vehicles. Due to the size and weight difference between cars, minibuses and vans, many
drivers get caught out.  The biggest mistake a lot of people make is that they consider minibuses and vans to be large cars. The main problems
drivers can encounter are the differences in handling and braking characteristics.

Motorway driving
Due to the high volumes of faster flowing traffic,  coupled with there being three or more lanes, motorway driving can be a stressful place to drive.
Whether you are an experienced driver who lacks confidence on faster roads or a new driver on this course you will learn the following:
  • Joining a motorway
  • Travelling at a safe speed
  • Observations
  • Use of mirrors and signals
  • Keeping safe spaces to the front, rear and sides
  • Correct lane discipline
  • Safe overtaking
  • Leaving a motorway
  • Breakdown and emergency procedures

Refresher training
If you have passed your test but not driven for a long time then on this course I will build your confidence and update you knowledge on new driving
legislations. This course is also suitable for those who generally lack confidence in their driving and maybe want a second opinion.

All courses will be:
  • Fully structured and be-spoked to suit your needs

At the end of the course you will receive a written driving report which will highlight areas to consider for continued improvements and a certificate.

Training location:
The training will be carried out either in York or Leeds at a mutually convenient location

Training vehicle:
The training is usually carried out in the client's vehicles as this is what the driver is familiar with. The vehicle must be suitable, roadworthy, taxed,
have an MOT if applicable and be fully insured. If you don't have a vehicle then I can provide one.

Eye sight, licence checks and other information:
All drivers must hold a valid current licence for the vehicle they will be driving and must be able to read a vehicle registration plate from a distance of
67 feet (20.5m) If glasses are required then they must be worn throughout the training. If drivers are on medication then this will be noted and the
driver should check with their pharmacist as to whether it is safe to drive whilst taking the medication.

What is advanced driving?
Advanced driving is about improving your road awareness and planning skills so that you are travelling at the correct speed and in the right gear for
the speed limit and situation. Also you need to have plenty of space in order to deal with the unexpected and always be positioned to see and be
seen by other road users. In order to do this, the following skills will be developed:
  • Concentration
  • Observation
  • Awareness
  • Anticipation
  • Planning

System of car control
By using the Police "Roadcraft" system of car control, you will soon develop a systematic driving style that will allow you more time for planning as
you will not feel so rushed. Also, you will learn how to use the gears in a more effective way meaning that you are not constantly having to change
gear.
    The system of car control used is:
    Information- Position- Speed- Gear- Acceleration

Speed awareness
With more authorities placing more speed cameras it is very easy to get points on your driving licence due to innocently drifting over the limit. You will
drive on a variety of roads with different limits and learn how to recognise speed limits, and with increased observations and linking hazards, you will
learn where speed limits are prone to changes and how to keep your speed in order.

Space management
You will learn the importance of maintaining safe stopping distances and how to judge the two second gap and the importance of always being
positioned so that you can stop within your range of vision and having escape routes.

Eco Driving
With fuel prices going up weekly, in order to save money and the planet, we need to look more closely at our driving and what we do. By making
some changes to our driving style, we can make some considerable savings to our wallet.

Some other areas where your driving will be developed are:
  • Cornering and the importance of a good road position where safety is the main priority.
  • How to corner safely and the use of limit points
  • Looking at road surfaces
  • How to cross view effectively
  • Linking hazards and looking for clues
  • Safe driving on motorways or multi-lane roads
  • Safe town driving
  • Safe driving on country roads

Some of the main benefits to you from any of the courses will be:
  • Lower insurance costs
  • Improved awareness and planning skills
  • A reduced risk of being involved in a road traffic collision
  • Better fuel consumption
  • Reduced wear and tear on your car
  • A smoother more planned drive for both you and your passengers
  • More confidence
  • Updated knowledge about new traffic laws

Advanced driving tests available to the public
IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)
The IAM test is based on the Police "Roadcraft" system of car control and lasts for approximately 90 minutes. The examiner will be either serving or
retired police officers who hold the Police Advanced Driving Certificate which is the highest standard that can be achieved. For a police officer to
pass that they will have gone on a four week training course and will have to at the end have taken a very tough driving test themselves.

The route will be approximately 35 miles and will take place on a variety of different road and traffic conditions and where possible there will be a
section of motorway driving included. Throughout the test the candidate should make safe progress within the posted speed limit and demonstrate
a good sound knowledge of "Roadcraft" throughout the test. Also the candidate will have to perform a reverse into a side road and execute a hill start
on an uphill gradient. Candidates will not fail for any minor faults but anything of a serious nature will result in a fail.

On passing the IAM test, the candidate will become members and will receive a certificate and other benefits such as cheaper car insurance with
participating car insurance companies and can take advantage of other special offers.

RoSPA Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents
Like the IAM test, the RoSPA test is based on the Police "Roadcraft" system of car control and lasts for approximately 90 minutes. The examiner will
be either serving or retired police officers who hold the Police Advanced Driving Certificate which is the highest standard that can be achieved.

The route will be approximately 35 miles and will take place on a variety of different road and traffic conditions and where possible there will be a
section of motorway driving included. Throughout the test the candidate should make safe progress within the posted speed limit and demonstrate
a good sound knowledge of "Roadcraft" throughout the test. Also the candidate will have to perform a reverse exercise. Candidates will not fail for
any minor faults but anything of a serious nature will result in a fail. On passing the candidate will be graded either Bronze, silver or gold. To pass on
a gold the drive will have to be extremely polished.  

On passing the RoSPA test, the candidate will become members and will receive a certificate and other benefits such as a magazine, cheaper car
insurance with participating car insurance companies and can take advantage of other special offers. As long as the driver remains a member of
RoSPA , unlike Diamond or the IAM, members will get free re tests the time scales between tests depends on grade.
  • Bronze Retest after 1 year
  • Silver Retest after 2 years
  • Gold Retest after 3 years

DIA Diamond driving test
The diamond driving test is administered by the DIA (Driving Instructor's Association). The test is approximately an hour long and is conducted by an
ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) and is based on the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) driving tests and are marked in the same way. The candidate
is only allowed to have a maximum of 6 driving faults ( 7 driving faults or 1 serious or dangerous fault will result in fail) The test will take place on a
variety of different road and traffic conditions and where possible there will be a section of motorway driving included. This would indeed be a good
test to take if you are thinking about becoming a driving instructor.
Rob Sefton  Teach-2-Drive Driver and Instructor Training  Throughout Yorkshire  01904 700 106