Driver Development Training and Assessment
MiDAS Car & MPV Training for your Drivers
What is MiDAS Car & MPV?
It’s an extension of the highly successful, nationally recognised, Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme. Organised by the Community Transport Association, it is a membership based scheme designed to enhance driving standards in small passenger carrying vehicles and cars. It is also intended to assist the operators of smaller vehicles in meeting their health and safety obligations.
Who is it aimed at?
MiDAS Car & MPV is applicable to any organisation operating or using vehicles with less than nine passenger seats. Member organisations range from small voluntary organisations with one vehicle, to local authorities operating large fleets.
How does it work?
MiDAS Car & MPV operates on a ‘cascade’ approach. CTA has appointed a number of Training Agents, who provide training for Driver Observers nominated from member organisations.
A Driver Observer delivers classroom based training to drivers, on driving skills and passenger safety issues.
Following the training, the Driver Observer conducts an ‘observed drive’where drivers get the opportunity to put the skills they have learnt into practise.
It is important to note that the Driver Observer does not deliver any on-road training.
What’s involved in becoming a Driver Observer?
Anyone wishing to become a Driver Observer must undertake a thorough driving assessment conducted by a Training Agent (Training Agents are all DSA Approved Driving Instructors). During this assessment, potential Driver Observers must demonstrate an ‘above average’ driving standard. On successful completion of their assessment, potential Driver Observers must attend a three day course for standard vehicles and a further day for wheelchair accessible vehicles. During this course potential Driver Observers will be required to pass a theory assessment, a presentation skills assessment and for those who will be training drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, an assessment of their practical skills.
What’s included in the Driver Observer’s Training Course?
The course gives information and practical experience on how to undertake observed drives in an objective and consistent manner and emphasises the point that Driver Observers must not deliver any on-road training. It looks at how to structure observed drives and how to provide ‘classroom based’ safety training and refresher training.
The safety training, undertaken before drivers undertake an observed drive, can be delivered on a group or individual basis (although drivers will benefit far more if they are trained as a group).
The training uses key learning points from a number of areas:
Defensive Driving
Legal Responsibilities of Drivers
Passenger Safety
Passenger Awareness
Child Passenger Safety
Manual Handling Awareness
Health and Safety Awareness
Emergency Procedures
Personal Safety for Drivers
Each Driver Observer is given a comprehensive observer’s manual that includes all the information from the course, along with audio visual material needed to run the safety training sessions. Driver Observer certificates are valid for 2 years after which refresher training is required.
What do drivers get out of this?
Drivers who successfully complete the training programme and an observed drive will receive a nationally recognised certificate valid for 4 years, as well as the option of purchasing the comprehensive‘ Car & MPV Driver’s Handbook’.
My drivers use their own cars, is the observed drive compulsory?
Organisations with volunteers who use their own cars may 'opt out' of the observed drive, although this is not recommended by MiDAS. Drivers who do not undertake the observed drive will have this recorded on their certificates.
However, observed drives must be undertaken where drivers are driving vehicles belonging to your organisation.
If we join, is there a membership fee?
No, organisations joining MiDAS Car & MPV will only be required to make the following commitment:
To train all new drivers to the MiDAS standard and conduct observed drives, where appropriate, from the date of joining
To train and conduct observed drives, where appropriate, on all existing drivers within 12 months from the date of joining (this may be extended in exceptional circumstances)
To allow drivers holding MiDAS Car & MPV certificates to drive on behalf of your organisation without the need for re-training. However, local insurance conditions will always have to be fulfilled and drivers that have previously been using their own cars may have to undertake an observed drive.
An application form for MiDAS Car & MPV membership and a list of Training Agents, are available from the CTA.
A membership application form can be downloaded here
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