UK Familiarisation Course

Drive & Survive’s UK Familiarisation Course comprises two elements:

Web-based or CD-based tutorial

This element aims to give those drivers who have had little or no on-road experience in the UK the basic information required to drive competently and safely.

Apart from key information about such things as road signs and markings, speed limits and licence requirements, the tutorial attempts to get across the principal cultural differences between the UK approach to driving and that often adopted elsewhere in the world.

There are also references to the misuse of mobile phones, drugs and alcohol whilst driving, hints and tips on the safest places to park and considerable attention is paid to the more UK-specific features such as traffic lights, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings.

Guidance is also given on dealing safely with joining, using and exiting motorways, the procedure for passing through tolls and what to look for when driving an unfamiliar, right hand drive vehicle for the first time.

The tutorial should take about an hour to complete and aims to provide those who possess valid driving licences from any developed country sufficient information to give them a useful head start in preparation for the second element of the course, the on-road practical training.

We would strongly recommend that, before this element of the course is tackled, the candidate obtains a copy of the Highway Code (available from all major bookshops) and ‘Driving – essential skills’ (ISBN 0115522247) available online from www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore, under the ‘Driving/DSA/Driving general’ section.

On-road practical training

Supervised by an experienced, ADI-qualified trainer, this element attempts to give practical experience of the topics covered in the tutorial. We feel we should point out however that we are not preparing the participant for the UK driving test. When offering this course we assume that the participants have a reasonably developed level of car control and at least a licence issued in their country of origin which is recognised as valid for use in the UK by the DVLA, or alternatively a valid international licence.

This one-day course will expose the candidates to all road types and will allow them to experience the majority of UK scenarios with the benefit of an expert alongside.  The trainer will periodically ask pertinent questions to gauge the level of information retained from the tutorial and to help re-enforce many of the messages contained within it.

Although some aspects of the course may touch on defensive driving techniques this will not be the prime focus of the day. The trainer is aiming to build the candidate’s confidence and understanding of the correct procedures to adopt in order to stay safe in all driving circumstances.

The training style is relaxed and non intimidating, and there is no formal test involved. The trainer will however file a Special Training Report if he believes that the level of understanding of the principles contained in the course is below expectations, which, as a result, might compromise the safety of the candidate or other road users.