National Driver Improvement Scheme

What is the National Driver Improvement Scheme?

The Driver Training Unit delivers this scheme on behalf of West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Police forces. This scheme may be offered instead of a prosecution to a driver who may have expected to be prosecuted under Section 3 (generally referred to as 'Due Care and Attention' of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The scheme is one and a half days in length and aims to improve skills, knowledge and behaviour through the delivery of both theoretical and practical in-car elements. Full details of the content of the scheme can be found at www.driver-improvement.co.uk.

How much does a National Driver Improvement course cost?

The scheme costs £183.00 for one and a half days. The fee is payable prior to attending and may be paid in instalments by arrangement with the Driver Training Unit.

Can I refer myself for a National Driver Improvement course?

Some clients are referred to the scheme by a participating police force. However, if you think you could benefit from improving your driver awareness and accident avoidance skills then we may be able help you. Please complete the form for driver awareness course.

Our clients have said:

"The course was very informative, and both theory and practical were dealt with extreme professionalism. Worth the money paid."

"The course has been informative and has had the desired impact."

"I was nervous about attending the course and wondered how they would get through to me, but everyone was so helpful and put us at ease and helped me more than I thought possible."

Enhanced Pass Plus Scheme

What is the Enhanced Pass Plus Scheme?

This course is available to those who have recently passed their driving test and it aims to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash. In the first six months of driving one in five drivers are likely to be involved in a collision of some type. The driver also benefits as many insurance companies offer substantial discounts on insurance premiums. Further details can be found at www.passplus.org.uk.

What does the Enhanced Pass Plus Scheme entail?

The Enhanced Pass Plus scheme incorporates the six core modules of the Driving Standards Agency's scheme: town, country, dual carriageway, motorway, night and all weather driving, but enhances them. The driver training unit received an award from the Driving Standards Agency for this scheme.

The enhanced aspect is delivered through the addition of a 2 hour New Driver Discussion Group. This offers new drivers the opportunity to discuss driving issues with other newly qualified drivers in a relaxed atmosphere and increases their knowledge of how key issues such as alcohol, fatigue, drugs and personality, particularly affect new drivers. We also provide training for driving instructors, to help them deliver the in-car training more effectively.

Do I qualify for the Enhanced Pass Plus scheme?

The main qualifying conditions are:

• Your driving instructor (ADI) has registered with the Driver Training Unit to deliver the 'Enhanced Pass Plus' scheme
• You must have passed your driving test in the last 10 months
• You must live in the Kirklees area
• You must attend the New Driver Discussion Group. (These are generally held on a Saturday morning or a Thursday evening at Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield.)

How much does the Enhanced Pass Plus scheme cost?

The Enhanced Pass Plus scheme is subsidised by Kirklees Council. The maximum cost charged by participating instructors is £138 of which £73.50 is paid by the Driver Training Unit. The remainder is paid by the pupil directly to the instructor when attending for the lesson. To help spread the cost, these payments can be spread over three instalments with an initial payment of £30, followed by a payment of £20 and a final payment of £19.

I am an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) - What can this scheme offer me?

The Driver Training Unit provides a one day FREE training course which will enable ADIs to deliver the scheme more effectively. The course includes explaining the theory around how newly qualified drivers extend their experience post test, what the risks are for those drivers and why their chances of being killed or seriously injured on the roads particularly shortly after passing their driving test. Also how the 6 modules that are delivered by the ADI are linked to the new driver discussion group.

Our clients have said:

"I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion group and found it very interesting."

"The course helped me feel more confident on the road, and motorway driving was especially useful."

"It was a good presentation and everyone contributed to the discussion."

Speed Awareness Scheme

What is a Speed Awareness Scheme?

Kirklees Council is piloting the Speed Awareness course with West Yorkshire Police, which aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by drivers' inappropriate use of speed. Drivers can only be referred to the scheme by a Police Officer using a handheld detection device. Drivers will only be offered the scheme, in lieu of a prosecution, if detected speeding in a 30mph or 40mph zone within a narrow speed band above the posted speed limit. All detection sites have been selected due to their accident history or by speed related concerns expressed by local residents.

How much does a Speed Awareness course cost?

The course costs £98.50 for one day. It covers a wide range of issues associated with speed and challenges drivers beliefs around speed and the impact that it has on others in the community. It incorporates both theory and practical in-car sessions.

Our clients have said:

"Should be compulsory after the test."

"Very aware of the dangers, an eye opener!"

"I think it would be beneficial to all drivers and should be compulsory to attend this course - built into part of the driving test procedure."