The RSGB Academy is offering places on the Ageing Driver Course at no charge to driving instructors.

Instead, The Road Safety Trust will be funding the project for any ADIs wanting to gains valuable training.

Age is no barrier

The Ageing Driver Course is ideal for any Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) currently working with older drivers, or who wants to get involved in this area of work.

As the population ages, and older drivers remain driving for longer, many could do with refresher courses. In fact, many local authorities recommended older drivers brush up on their skills under the professional eye of a local ADI.

Despite the squeeze on funding resources in local government, many still fund or partly subsidise the one-off assessments. It can provide another area of teaching for driving instructors, and broaden their customer base too.

It is also a valuable way of improving road safety and keeping older members of local communities independent and safe.

The greater community

This course is for any driver trainer who wishes to learn more about how to support an older driver and who has limited experience in this area.

Thanks to the funding, the Academy is able to offer 300 ADIs the opportunity to take the course free-of-charge. They hope to achieve this  by running and evaluating an anticipated 20 courses in the next year.

The next running takes place on 28 November (part 1) and 4 December (part 2); with another course confirmed for 15 January (part 1) and 22 January (part 2). More dates will be confirmed in due course.

Help at hand

DVSA recognises the status of the, and it is also recommended by the Older Driver Task Force.

It develops an ADI’s understanding of:

  • Common collisions experienced by older drivers
  • How the ageing process may impact on:
    • Eyesight
    • Hazard perceptions skills
    • Strength and flexibility
  • The need to promote self-assessment skills
  • The role of diabetes
  • How to prepare for driving retirement
  • Professional boundaries

The five-hour course is delivered online, in two sessions.

Booking is available via the RSGB Academy website on a first-come-first served basis.

Cash support

Road Safety GB will also facilitate access to ADIs for local authorities and national older driver scheme providers by implementing a web-based ‘Learning Hub’. This will provide contact details of certified ADIs who have attended the training course, split by region.

James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB, said: “It’s fantastic to have been awarded the grant because this allows Road Safety GB to offer places on the Ageing Driver Course at no charge to driving instructors.

“We encourage ADIs and those involved with older driver schemes to get involved and take up the free places. We also welcome group bookings from RSGB regions or ADI networks.”

Established in 2013, the RSGB Academy is the professional development arm of Road Safety GB. The Academy helps road safety practitioners enhance their skills in order to deliver effective, evidence-led road safety interventions.

Book on t course here.