IAM? Thoughts on or alternative options ?

[Glasgowrob]

Looking at dragging all our drivers at work kicking and screaming through some driver training funded by us(drivers in question are all self employed taxi drivers) we've been looking at various options and so far a paid IAM membership seems to be the best option that we can find. only issue is both our local groups seem mainly bike focused from looking at their web presence, are their any alternatives that i may have missed and does anyone have any thoughts on membership of the IAM?

[vonhosen]

If you want a professional fleet rather than voluntary solution



https://www.rospa.com/safety-training/on-road/

http://www.smithsystem.co.uk/training-solutions/on...

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/fleet-driver-t...

https://www.businesscar.co.uk/companies/iam-fleet

[johnao]

Glasgowrob said:

Looking at dragging all our drivers at work kicking and screaming through some driver training funded by us(drivers in question are all self employed taxi drivers) we've been looking at various options and so far a paid IAM membership seems to be the best option that we can find. only issue is both our local groups seem mainly bike focused from looking at their web presence, are their any alternatives that i may have missed and does anyone have any thoughts on membership of the IAM?

Neither IAMRoadsmart observers nor RoSPA tutors, who are all volunteers, will take kindly to having to tutor candidates who are sent... "dragging, kicking and screaming".

In my experience, just about every candidate who has had their course bought for them by an employer, a parent, a spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, and whose heart really isn't in the course, invariably gives up and abandons the course after a couple of drives. Often after just one drive.

It's easy to tell if a candidate isn't interested and doesn't really want to be there and they will usually get short shrift from the observer or tutor and told not to bother wasting their time or that of the observer.

What you need is IAM professional fleet training.

[watchnut]

Hi Glassgowrob,

I would try to find a "fleet trained ADi " like me and get him to take your drivers out.

It's a shame I am not near you (New Forest) as I have done loads of "improver" "eco" driving sessions with Taxi drivers and other "Fleet" drivers, many of whom really didn't want to be there.

However when doing an "ECO" driving lesson with one Taxi driver I remember, after the lesson we worked out he could save a massive £2.5k a year on his fuel consumption...... the guy was in tears..... he couldn't believe that with a little forward planning/observation, that he could actually drive faster, use less fuel, and take less time from a to b. He was rather pleased as he said he would be able to take a holiday.

I am sure you will be able to find a decent fleet registered driving instructor up there who could help you out

[Glasgowrob]

certainly food for thought, but ideally what we want is something ongoing and long term for our drivers that actually want to develop,

theres going to be an ongoing financial incentive for our drivers to partake. basically our drivers pay a commission rather than a fixed radio fee every week. and an extra couple of grand a year in your pocket should hopefully be a good motivator.

will certainly look at fleet trainer options though for initial training, but ideally we want to foster continious training and development and heaven forbid a bit of professional pride


cheers for the ideas though guys

[vonhosen]

It'll depend how many you have to train & budget available for it.
Look where big boys (companies) go & why. They'll have on going programs with people equipped to give them what they want & they go with them & stay with them because they see results on the balance sheets & elsewhere.

[watchnut]

Any decent ADI would bite your arm off, shame I am not near you.

He would set up a training plan, for long term. the reduced costs for your business could be huge with less accidents, wear and tear, fuel used, drivers happier because they are better than the other cab drivers, an owner who cares! It also will help the business as customers like drivers who don't scare them, they turn into repeat business, all this you know. those smaller ADI's with a "Fleet" badge are out there, you don't need to "Go Large" they just cost more

good luck

[vonhosen]

watchnut said:

Any decent ADI would bite your arm off, shame I am not near you.

He would set up a training plan, for long term. the reduced costs for your business could be huge with less accidents, wear and tear, fuel used, drivers happier because they are better than the other cab drivers, an owner who cares! It also will help the business as customers like drivers who don't scare them, they turn into repeat business, all this you know. those smaller ADI's with a "Fleet" badge are out there, you don't need to "Go Large" they just cost more

good luck

Why I asked how many is a pertinent question though. A single operator, for instance, may take too long to get through all the workforce or have the flexibility to fit in with the client's needs depending on the number to be trained.

Shop around & ask questions OP, don't just fixate on price. amongst ADIs (fleet or otherwise) experience & quality will vary greatly. Sometimes, like anything else, you pay cheap you can end up paying twice. Speak to your insurers too & see if they have any suggestions as their premiums may be more favourable following training with certain providers given a favourable history with training previously delivered to other clients.

You are making an investment & you'd expect a return. Do some research & look for a proven history in order to aid the potential to maximise that return.

[Len Woodman]

I am a fleet trainer here in Sydney, Australia.

Out of interest what qualifications are required to be a fleet trainer, including light and heavy vehicles, in the UK?

It's 30 years since I was an ADI in the UK - I don't recall any 'fleet' requirements then.

Len

[vonhosen]

Len Woodman said:

I am a fleet trainer here in Sydney, Australia.

Out of interest what qualifications are required to be a fleet trainer, including light and heavy vehicles, in the UK?

It's 30 years since I was an ADI in the UK - I don't recall any 'fleet' requirements then.

Len

As far as the DVSA are concerned.

The car register is mandatory.

The Fleet, LGV & PCV are voluntary.

So anyone who wants to instruct people in a car needs to be a PDI/ADI but for larger vehicles you just need to satisfy the 'supervising' criteria as far as the law is concerned. Customers may however be more discerning.

[Len Woodman]

vonhosen said:

As far as the DVSA are concerned.

The car register is mandatory.

The Fleet, LGV & PCV are voluntary.

So anyone who wants to instruct people in a car needs to be a PDI/ADI but for larger vehicles you just need to satisfy the 'supervising' criteria as far as the law is concerned. Customers may however be more discerning.

For once something driver related seems more difficult here. I had to complete an ADI type program for both cars and heavy vehicles. You can do just heavies but then you can't teach car drivers. There are no PDI allowances and for each category you have to complete a higher certificate level course.

I would really like to have something like IAM/RoADA tests that I could send my drivers on as a reward for good driving - to get an external certificate for their ability.