Excelsior Fleet Diploma

Training venue

Heath House training and conference centre, Cheadle road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 7BU

Introduction and mission statement

Excelsior training aim to raise the standards of knowledge, driving and coaching ability within the driving instruction industry. The training team have years of specialised knowledge and qualifications which we aim to pass on to all our clients.

Why choose the Excelsior Fleet Diploma?

Put simply you will receive the best quality training from a highly motivated and qualified individual, with a real interest in your success. In conjunction with Travelsafe-uk ltd priority will be given on future contracts to graduates from the fleet Diploma to potential fleet contracts with Travelsafe-UK ltd. (See www.travelsafe-uk.com)

An introduction to the training team

Nigel Dawson DSA ADI
Nigel has many years experience within the industry, always specializing in quality training of other ADI’s including check test training and CPD. Nigel has the following qualifications:
Accredited by the DSA for both Ordit and Fleet diploma

Ba (Hons) Driver Education (Middlesex University)
DSA ORDIT grade 6
DSA Fleet Registered
DIAmond advanced Instructor
DIAmond advanced examiner
Cardington grade A
RoSPA Gold grade
Diploma in Driving Instruction
C&G 7307 Teaching Certificate
SAFED Trainer & registered Assessor

The training course

As part of the course you can also receive training for advanced tests such as

Diamond advanced test and Special test
DSA Cardington test
Rospa advanced test
Iam advanced test

In order to gain your orange badge and join the DSA fleet register you can either take three separate exams with the DSA, theory, driving and coaching, or take an accredited fleet training course for direct entry onto the fleet training register.

Upon completion of the course you will be eligible to apply to the DSA for direct entry to the DSA fleet register.

Excelsior’s course is different to all the other accredited courses available. The course is tailored to suit the individual’s needs. We get anyone from police class one instructors to newly qualified ADI’s. The one size fits all approach doesn’t apply here-just quality structured training to suit your ability.
Another major difference in Excelsior’s course is that you don’t have to already have passed an advanced driving test to begin the course. Training is provided for this, in fact training is provided for new driving skills for life, you will be trained to a high standard to qualify for the driving ability test. But this is where the similarity to other courses ends, as you will also receive training to pass the Rospa driving test to Gold standard and Diamond advanced tests also.
The training will be carried out by Nigel Dawson (Diamond advanced examiner). The course fee includes this training. It may also involve training from Phil Sunderland (Retired police class one trainer) to pass the course you must reach a high standard, this will involve a lot of homework and hard work and commitment from you, it isn’t just a turn up and pass course.
Our course is 4 days duration and can be all in one week or spread into separate elements on separate days.

Theory:
Questions are specifically related to fleet training. The questions are from the DSA theory test question bank... A good fleet trainer will possess a broad range of knowledge in order to deliver a quality training session.

Practical driving:

Again training and demonstrations are offered leading to a final driving test, including use of commentary driving. You can also aim to gain other qualifications in advanced driving such as the diamond advanced and Rospa Gold qualifications. Training for these is included in the course. You must show the ability to drive over a demanding route for 1 hour and a maximum of 4 driving faults are allowed. One reversing manouvre will be included.

Coaching Ability:
Training is offered to suit the individual, methods differ from normal instructing, were really looking at coaching here. The training leads to a final examination of coaching ability. You will need to seriously change how you do things here! There are five key areas here as follows:

Interactive practical vehicle checks involving the client
An occupational road risk presentation
Initial driver profile
Coaching ability skills
Final driver profile

We aim to enhance your existing skills and knowledge, whilst at the same time introducing and encouraging new skills along with an increased awareness of the Health & Safety issues affecting ADI’s & Fleet Driver Training.
Incorporated into the programme is a module relating to the development of presentations skills aimed at providing the skills necessary to prepare and design presentations using a variety of media. Some PC knowledge will required, basic use of PowerPoint for example.

Our course includes the following elements:

Health & Safety with regard to the Approved Driving Instructor & Fleet Driver Training
Obtaining fleet work
Theory Presentation: Skills and Techniques
Theory Testing
Driving ability training for Rospa gold and DSA Cardington/Diamond advanced or special tests
Report writing
Vehicle safety checks
Fleet Driver coaching Ability

To be successful, you must demonstrate:

Through your driving, an ability to reach an advanced standard. Have a sound knowledge of Road Craft, Driving the essential skills, the Highway Code & all Motoring Legislation. Reach the required standard to instruct and assess Fleet Driver Training at an Advanced Level.
Courses are arranged to run either over a full week or one day a week spread over a four week period (depending upon demand).
After successful completion of the above course you will be eligible for direct entry onto the fleet register. You must apply within twelve months and a fee is payable to the DSA (This fee is not included in the course cost)
Courses are run from Uttoxeter in East Staffordshire, but can be conducted nationwide with three ADI’s or more for a small extra charge.
It will be very beneficial for you to bring a laptop for the course with Word and PowerPoint, wireless connectivity is a big advantage. Free connection is available.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE

To complete the course you will need to achieve the following: (In line with the DSA qualification procedure)
* indicates you must pass an exam to complete the course.

THEORY TEST *
Pass a theory test consisting of 100 questions in four bands.
The pass mark is 85% and you will need to achieve this rate in each band (for example you must score at least 20 out of 25 in EACH band.

PRESENTATION SKILLS
Using a variety of media you should be able to deliver a 15 minute presentation on occupational road risk

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT
An overview of the above act, will be given by your tutor so you can understand how this will affect the clients you may take out. On occasions a health and safety officer may also deliver a short presentation. An example of a risk assessment will also be offered.

Very obvious on a construction site, not so obvious as part of driving for work

DRIVING STANDARD TEST* (Maximum 3 attempts allowed)
You must be able to drive to a very high standard to teach to a very high standard. You need to be able to prove this over the course of sixty minutes. You will be allowed a maximum of four driving faults.
The route will encompass urban/rural/dual carriageway/motorway driving. A commentary drive will be expected lasting approx 10 minutes. One reversing manouvre will be required

INSTRUCTIONAL/COACHING ABILITY TEST* (Maximum 3 attempts allowed)
You must be able to prove over the course of one hour that you posses the ability to coach clients. Your examiners will role play a client, for example a company car driver on a fleet training course.
You need to complete satisfactorily the following elements:
Maintenance/ safety checks on the vehicle.
Presentation highlighting occupational road risk.
Assess your clients driving
Deliver an initial driver risk profile
Coach your client with the expected aim being reducing these risks.
Finally deliver a final driver profile.

THE COURSE TRAINING SYLLABUS

The course will run over four days as a minimum on a ratio of two clients to one tutor (depending on ability).
The following text gives a brief outline of the structure and timings of the course. All elements will be covered; however the course structure and timings may change to suit individual needs.
The first day is classroom based.

DAY ONE
8.45 am – Introductions/Housekeeping/ fire drills etc…
9.00 am - Aims and objectives for the whole course.
9.15– Presentation on the course structure as a whole and requirements to complete. Including the differing driving and coaching styles, IPSGA, MS PSL. Including the differing coaching techniques and the importance of identifying, analysing and correcting areas of risk in your clients driving.
10.30-Break /discussion
10.45- A structured Fleet driving course-
An introduction to ‘Fleet’ and the differing ways a course can run. Including assessment sheets and vehicle safety schedules (Report writing) Delegates should understand the necessity to ‘prioritize’ risks and produce a written report of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses
Introducing driver license checks, differing vehicle categories.
Introduction and example of presentation skills lasting approx 15 minutes. A variety of presentation media can be used, including PowerPoint and ohp, data projection units etc. You will be expected to prepare your own presentation for tomorrow later in the course as homework. We will cover various presentation skills, including the use of PowerPoint/flip charts/interactive whiteboards/role play. Various teaching techniques will be examined.
Clients should be able to undertake a short presentation. This presentation must concentrate on a driver based subject For example: A presentation highlighting the risks encountered in driving for work. A driving related topic must be used

12.45 - Lunch break.
1.30 – The health and safety at work act/The Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide act.
An introduction to the various legalities and obligations under the above acts.
2.30- Driving and coaching ability- An overview of the requirements.
3.15 Break
3.30 The theory test. The practical theory test, currently a paper based multiple choice exam based on the DSA fleet theory test.
5pm – 5.15 Conclusion day 1

DAY TWO
9 am – Driving assessments and driving demonstration by tutor.
Approx 10.45- Break. /discussion
11am- Driving ability training as required including commentary driving, driving unfamiliar company vehicles.
12-30 pm - Lunch
1.15 pm - Practical training re commences on driving ability including eco friendly driving techniques.
2.45 pm - break
3.00 pm – Introduction to coaching skills- Role play training

Practical vehicle checks (Interactive with the client)
Delivering an occupational road risk presentation
Assessing a clients driving
Formulating a risk profile based on the assessment, prioritizing those risks and appropriate communication of the risk including strengths and weakness’s
Delivering appropriate coaching techniques to reduce the clients risk
Communicating a final risk profile

5pm conclusion

DAY THREE
9.00 am - Re commencement of practical coaching training.
10.30 am Break
10.45 Practical coaching training
12.45 Lunch
1.30 Re- commencement of practical coaching training, including report writing.
3. Pm break
3.15 -Re- commencement of practical coaching training.
5pm conclusion

DAY FOUR
8.30 am – Driving ability tests
10.30 am Break
10.45 Driving/Coaching ability tests
1.00 pm Lunch
1.30 Commencement of practical coaching ability test’s
3. Pm break -Re- commencement of tests
5pm conclusion and debrief/Presentation of certificates*
*In the event of not reaching the required standard, further re-takes can be taken at a later stage. There is no extra charge for this including any necessary extra training required.

Terms of business

We aim to run the Excelsior fleet Diploma in accordance with current standards applied to ORDIT.
1/ Business shall be conducted adhering to the ORDIT code of practice, a copy of which shall be supplied to all prospective trainees
2/ Training shall never exceed two clients to one tutor.
3/ Most of the training shall normally be carried out in a modern training car supplied by us. Unless agreed in advance with you after checking insurance/tax and roadworthiness of the vehicle concerned. However the driving ability test will normally be conducted in the client’s vehicle.
4/ Fees may be increased at our discretion, but clients will be notified in advance. Fees are normally reviewed every May.
5/ Any cancellations for training sessions need to be notified 24 hours in advance, otherwise a fee may become payable .
Complaints procedure
In the unlikely event of a complaint initially contact your trainer to try to resolve the matter, if it is not resolved to your satisfaction contact the training manager listing your complaint in writing at head office: Nigel Dawson, New Cottage, Stubwood Lane, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffs, ST14 5HU. Your complaint will be dealt with in accordance with the ordit code of practice
Refunds policy
11/ Refunds policy: In the event of any training disrupted on an hourly basis by your trainer, you would be refunded the amount of time remaining in the hour or offered training at a different time to suit you.
On any training paid for in advance, refunds are only payable if you can’t continue because of circumstances beyond your control. For example a valid medical reason. We can’t offer refunds just because you decide you’ve lost interest. Training venues and trainer’s time still have to be paid for.
For any other reason other than a medical reason a refund isn’t payable. Although in exceptional circumstances a refund may be payable, but at our discretion.
ORDIT

The ordit scheme was set up to set out a code of practice and to maintain standards of instruction. It is your guarantee of quality training, trainers are assessed every 2 years and the premises and paperwork inspected bi annually. (The same criteria applies to the accredited fleet diploma) If a training establishment isn’t on the ordit register then they probably can’t reach the standard or have actually been removed from the register. Always ask to see an ordit badge and premises certificate.

Code of practice

Our code of practice as set out by the ORDIT committee:

We will clearly inform all prospective trainees in writing of the services provided, with reference to the trainer’s qualification, costs of the course, venues where training is undertaken, duration of training, and content in relation to the ADI examination structure.

Inform prospective trainees of our terms of business and complaints procedure, and refunds policy.

Take all reasonable care, skill and diligence in providing training in all relevant aspects of traffic and driver education needed to pass the ADI qualifying examinations, taking into account individual training needs and client safety

Not disclose to a third party any information given by a trainee during training or training progress or driving and instructional ability except where under obligation by law or with the DSA as part of an ORDIT inspection or with a third party who is paying for the trainees training but subject to the trainees knowledge.

Ensure all vehicles used in training are maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition, are properly insured, taxed, and where necessary are certified roadworthy (i.e. mot’d). All training vehicles shall carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Apply an honest and moral and professional approach in all business practice and avoid improper language, suggestion or physical contact with trainees as well as maintaining proper standards of personal hygiene and dress.

Comply with all current legislation particularly in respect of business premises and practice, staff, vehicles and public liability.