At Beyond Driving, we are committed to improving the safety, efficiency, and competence of drivers across the UK. This week, our team has been working in South Wales, conducting driving assessments for National Grid as part of our Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course. This course is ideally suited to corporate drivers across all vehicle types, providing them with the tools to develop a safer, more systematic, and cost-effective driving style. Whether driving cars, vans, 4x4s, or larger vehicles such as LGVs (Large Goods Vehicles) or PCVs (Passenger Carrying Vehicles), our programme is designed to assess and enhance driving skills, while also offering advanced training in defensive and eco-driving techniques.
Our assessments not only help companies meet their legal obligations regarding driver safety, but they also contribute to reducing road risks, lowering costs, and improving overall fleet performance. In this article, we will explore the scope of the Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course, highlight its benefits, and explain how it can be tailored to the specific needs of your business.
Why are driving assessments essential for businesses?
Businesses have a duty of care to ensure that employees who drive as part of their role are safe and competent behind the wheel. This responsibility covers assessing, training, and supervising drivers to reduce the risks associated with driving for work purposes. Driving accidents are one of the leading causes of work-related injuries, and many of these incidents can be prevented through appropriate driver training and assessment.
Our Driving Risk Assessments are designed to identify potential hazards and skill gaps in your team of drivers, regardless of the vehicles they operate. By assessing drivers in their work environment and tailoring the programme to your business’s specific requirements, we can ensure that your drivers are not only compliant with legal standards but also driving in a way that minimises risk and maximises safety.
Tailored Assessments for All Vehicle Types
At Beyond Driving, we offer driver assessments and advanced/defensive driving training for all categories of vehicles, including:
- Company cars
- Vans
- 4x4s
- LGVs (Large Goods Vehicles)
- PCVs (Passenger Carrying Vehicles)
- D1 (Minibuses)
- B+E combinations (Cars with trailers)
Our specialist instructors work across the UK, providing tailored assessments that address the specific challenges faced by drivers in each vehicle category. For instance, we offer advanced training for 4×4 drivers who may need to navigate off-road terrain, and eco-driving techniques for company car drivers looking to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Each assessment is designed with the unique needs of your business in mind. Whether you operate a large fleet of vans or a mix of vehicles, our team of experienced instructors can create a bespoke programme that supports your drivers in achieving safer and more efficient driving habits.
Advanced Driving Assessment and Development: Course Structure
Our Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course is designed to be flexible and comprehensive, ensuring that drivers receive a thorough evaluation while learning how to improve their skills. What’s covered in our assessments?
- Individual employee questioning: We begin by gathering important information about each driver’s experience, driving habits, and any concerns they may have. This helps us to tailor our feedback and recommendations to each individual.
- On-site assessments: Our instructors conduct the assessment at your workplace, allowing us to observe drivers in their actual work environment. This ensures that the assessment is relevant and practical, focusing on the specific types of driving tasks your employees face on a daily basis.
- Workplace assessment tailored to your business: We assess the driving requirements unique to your business, whether it involves urban driving, motorway driving, or challenging off-road environments. By understanding your company’s needs, we can provide targeted recommendations that are practical and easy to implement.
- Comprehensive in-vehicle driver risk assessment: The core of our course is the in-vehicle assessment, where our instructors observe your employees’ driving habits, assess their risk factors, and identify areas for improvement. This personalised approach helps to enhance safety and efficiency on the road.
- Extensive written assessment and recommendations: After the in-vehicle assessment, we provide a detailed written report outlining each driver’s performance. This includes clear, actionable recommendations for reducing risks and improving driving techniques, which can be shared with both the driver and the company.
- Tips on reducing costs: Our assessments are not just about safety; they also offer practical advice on how to reduce costs through better driving techniques. This includes eco-driving strategies that can help lower fuel consumption, reduce wear and tear on vehicles, and ultimately save your business money.
Why companies should invest in driver risk assessments?
Conducting driver risk assessments is not just about compliance with health and safety regulations—it is also about protecting your employees, reducing operational risks, and saving costs. Below are key reasons why companies should invest in our Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course:
- Improving Safety: One of the most important benefits of our driver assessments is improved safety. By identifying and addressing risky driving behaviours, businesses can reduce the likelihood of accidents, protecting both their employees and other road users.
- Legal Compliance: Employers have a legal obligation to assess and manage occupational road risks. Our course helps ensure that your business meets the required standards, avoiding potential legal issues and fines.
- Reducing Costs: Safe, efficient driving habits can help reduce the overall running costs of a fleet. This includes lower fuel consumption, reduced vehicle maintenance costs, and fewer accidents, which translates to lower insurance premiums.
- Boosting Employee Confidence: Investing in driver training shows employees that their safety is a priority. Our assessments provide drivers with valuable feedback, helping them to feel more confident and secure in their driving abilities.
- Customised for Your Business: We understand that every business has different needs, which is why our assessments are fully customised. Whether your team drives on motorways, in urban areas, or on challenging terrain, we provide training that is relevant to their everyday driving tasks.
Who should attend?
Our Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course is suitable for any driver who operates a vehicle as part of their job. We recommend that businesses carry out Driver Risk Assessments in the following situations:
- As part of the interview process: For employers looking to hire drivers, our assessment can be part of the recruitment process, evaluating up to six drivers per day per assessor.
- For new employees: When onboarding new staff who will drive as part of their job, we offer a combination of assessment and basic training for up to two drivers per day per assessor.
- When drivers’ vehicles change: If an employee switches to a different type of vehicle, our assessment and basic training can help ensure a smooth transition, with up to four drivers assessed per day per assessor.
- Ongoing risk management: Regular assessments can be conducted periodically to help manage occupational road risk and provide drivers with top-up training to refresh their skills. We recommend assessing up to four drivers per day per assessor for these sessions.
Conclusion: Invest in Safer Driving for Your Team
At Beyond Driving, we understand the importance of managing risk, improving safety, and reducing costs for businesses that rely on drivers. Our Advanced Driving Assessment and Development Course offers a comprehensive solution for companies looking to enhance their drivers’ skills and ensure compliance with legal obligations. With assessments tailored to your business and training provided by our expert instructors, we offer a programme that delivers measurable improvements in both safety and efficiency.
For more information on our assessments, visit our Driver Risk Assessments page or contact us to discuss how we can support your business.
