Plod Class One Training
Discussion
OK so I know at least one of you has had the Class One Police driving training.
But what does it involve?
What key points are learnt?
Would I be able to work out that someone had had the training by observing their driving behaviour? If so, what would be a give away?
How does that standard/technique compare with commercially available 'advanced' training?
Thanks in advance for any clarification.
But what does it involve?
What key points are learnt?
Would I be able to work out that someone had had the training by observing their driving behaviour? If so, what would be a give away?
How does that standard/technique compare with commercially available 'advanced' training?
Thanks in advance for any clarification.
quote:
OK so I know at least one of you has had the Class One Police driving training.
But what does it involve?
What key points are learnt?
Would I be able to work out that someone had had the training by observing their driving behaviour? If so, what would be a give away?
How does that standard/technique compare with commercially available 'advanced' training?
Thanks in advance for any clarification.
What it involves depends on the police force that you are talking about. All involve advanced road craft, most advanced car control and some advanced manouvers.
You would easily be able to tell if someone had done the training assuming you know what to look for, there aren't really any dead give aways (10-2 etc) more a general theme. Road positioning, depth and breadth of observation etc.
Normal advanced driver training is nothing compared to this. (I'm not in the force so not biased). For the Met in particular the basic plod car course is about the same as standard advanced driver training.
If your keen on this type of course, there is an ex-police trainer running commercial courses called HPC (high Performance Course). The courses are being done by a journalist from evo and are covering various techniques one month at a time within evo.
It appears so far to be more about smooth control and observation than how to slide a car round a track.
It appears so far to be more about smooth control and observation than how to slide a car round a track.
I believe West Midlands have scrapped their police driver training scheme. So we can no longer look up to Plod as the paradigm of driving ability. But then, they're not interested in ability, just in making sure that everyone drives really slowly, doesn't use a phone, doesn't eat a choccy bar, doesn't this, doesn't that etc - then they wonder why people fall asleep at the wheel.
Does plod run any courses that get you a Plod Class One licence?!?!?! As in, you go to a Plod Driving centre and get taught by Serving Plods?!
It would be interesting to do and a real eye opener!!! Just a shame insurance companies don't recognise these types of licences and courses and gice discounts!!!
It would be interesting to do and a real eye opener!!! Just a shame insurance companies don't recognise these types of licences and courses and gice discounts!!!
You could do the I.A.M. training. That would get you up to a fairly high standard.
I believe that the I.A.M. have recently brought out an advanced advanced test (!!!!) that is probably the closest thing a civilian can get to Police Class 1. Not sure what they call it, but that's basically what it is.
As far as I'm aware, you can't get an actual Police Class 1 license unless you're a policeman.
I believe that the I.A.M. have recently brought out an advanced advanced test (!!!!) that is probably the closest thing a civilian can get to Police Class 1. Not sure what they call it, but that's basically what it is.
As far as I'm aware, you can't get an actual Police Class 1 license unless you're a policeman.
Police Advanced Driver courses normally last for 4 weeks and is the most tiring, mentally draining but fun (rewarding) course you can do in such a space of time.
The best way to try and learn the methods is to buy roadcraft and try to make sense of it. Everything is based around the system of car control, which at first feels awkward and obstructive. After a while though it begins to slot into place and when the speed is upped, which it is, it all makes sense, esp on public roads.
There's nothing to stop you obtaining the same training, but it would be expensive, to send one officer on a course costs in the region of £14,000. Also, in training, Police have an exemption to speed limits so come NSL you are expected to make as much progress as is safe to do. If you tried to do the same in a private instructors car you'd be putting your licence at risk.
Re-insurance companies, there used to be ones that offered class 1 drivers discounts, but this is no longer the case.
The best way to try and learn the methods is to buy roadcraft and try to make sense of it. Everything is based around the system of car control, which at first feels awkward and obstructive. After a while though it begins to slot into place and when the speed is upped, which it is, it all makes sense, esp on public roads.
There's nothing to stop you obtaining the same training, but it would be expensive, to send one officer on a course costs in the region of £14,000. Also, in training, Police have an exemption to speed limits so come NSL you are expected to make as much progress as is safe to do. If you tried to do the same in a private instructors car you'd be putting your licence at risk.
Re-insurance companies, there used to be ones that offered class 1 drivers discounts, but this is no longer the case.
I'd just like to echo JonRBs comments. The IAM is NOT expensive. I joined my local group and paid £28 for a years "Associate" membership - which comes with as much instruction as you can wangle off the "observers" or instructors in the group. I have had LOADS of instruction (it may help I have a car observers *want* to go in!) which has been excellent value.
The most expensive bit so far has been £45 which pays for the test. I expect my test date shortly and (fingers crossed) I hope to pass.
If I do I'll give back some of the free time I've had by doing some observing for the group - if I'm good enough to that, that is.
Haven't heard anything about this "Advanced Advanced" thing - I'll enquire.
Oh - I'm doing as much in the way of Track Driving instruction as I can too. Which DOES cost a fortune. The skills in pushing your car to the limit around a 15m wide track with no-one coming the other way and with all road hazards removed with run-off areas etc don't really translate to the road ... but are FUN!
Although I have learned not to lift-off mid-corner
The most expensive bit so far has been £45 which pays for the test. I expect my test date shortly and (fingers crossed) I hope to pass.
If I do I'll give back some of the free time I've had by doing some observing for the group - if I'm good enough to that, that is.
Haven't heard anything about this "Advanced Advanced" thing - I'll enquire.
Oh - I'm doing as much in the way of Track Driving instruction as I can too. Which DOES cost a fortune. The skills in pushing your car to the limit around a 15m wide track with no-one coming the other way and with all road hazards removed with run-off areas etc don't really translate to the road ... but are FUN!
Although I have learned not to lift-off mid-corner
If you want a short insight into Class 1 techniques you could do worse than try Ride Drive (www.ridedrive.co.uk). All their instructors are Police Class 1 drivers and you can do full (£220) or half day (£120) sessions, or one including airfield training (£299). 4 hours or so should give you a chance to ask lots of penetrating questions about driving techniques. Did a half day with them last week, and spent a fair amount of time (deliberately) exploring the "wrong" side of the road. Which was nice.
Alex.
Alex.
You may also want to check out the RoSPA Advanced Driver Training scheme. The RoSPA scheme is graded up to a Gold standard which is probably the highest level anywhere a civilian can attain for day-to-day driving on the public highway. See www.roada.org.uk for details of their advanced driver tests. Although fairly "dry" this is a reasonable web site with basic standards outlined, however I think it would still be worth while getting a copy of Roadcraft as someone else suggested.
Mike
Mike
quote:
Also, in training, Police have an exemption to speed limits so come NSL you are expected to make as much progress as is safe to do. If you tried to do the same in a private instructors car you'd be putting your licence at risk.
Bit hypocritical is it not? "Speed Kills", so why are Plod's not trained on a private circuit, away from the public...? seems unfair to allow exemption in this case.
quote:
quote:
Also, in training, Police have an exemption to speed limits so come NSL you are expected to make as much progress as is safe to do. If you tried to do the same in a private instructors car you'd be putting your licence at risk.
Bit hypocritical is it not? "Speed Kills", so why are Plod's not trained on a private circuit, away from the public...? seems unfair to allow exemption in this case.
Because we have to respond to the odd emergency, or worse, pursue stolen vehicles. If I were not trained to drive at that level in conditions where it will happen (public roads) we would be putting the public and ourselves in danger come the time when higher speeds are involved.
Its not so much vehicle control (though this is obviously important) than observation and learning to read the road so I can be in the right position to take advantage of any progress I can make. You simply can not learn this on a track.
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 28th March 02:14
quote:
Its not so much vehicle control (though this is obviously important) than observation and learning to read the road so I can be in the right position to take advantage of any progress I can make. You simply can not learn this on a track.
>> Edited by relaxitscool on Thursday 28th March 02:14
So ric, it's more about what's going on in the 'outside' world, rather than under the bonnet/in the cabin etc.
'Outrospective', as opposed to introspective?
Gulp. Well, here goes. IAM stands for the Institute of Average Motorists. There. I've said it. No, to be fair, most people would benefit from IAM training. It gives a good grounding and does drill in the basics of Roadcraft upon which all Police Driver Training is based. However, it does not compare, (and nor do any of the one or two day long commercially available courses for a few hundred notes) to the training that is required to attain Class 1 status.
Different Police forces do vary on how a Class 1 is obtained, however, broadly speaking it is thus:
1) Complete Standard Car Course. This varies from force to force, some may call it an "Area Car Course" or a "Response Course" or other variations. It will last between 3 and 5 weeks. Successful completion will give the driver either Class 3 or 4 status, depending on the course.
2) The Advanced Car Course. Reaching a certain level throughout the course, should lead to Class 1 status. It builds on everything in the standard course, just looks for more speed when appropriate, more finesse, better use of the road, observation and so on.
Different Police forces do vary on how a Class 1 is obtained, however, broadly speaking it is thus:
1) Complete Standard Car Course. This varies from force to force, some may call it an "Area Car Course" or a "Response Course" or other variations. It will last between 3 and 5 weeks. Successful completion will give the driver either Class 3 or 4 status, depending on the course.
2) The Advanced Car Course. Reaching a certain level throughout the course, should lead to Class 1 status. It builds on everything in the standard course, just looks for more speed when appropriate, more finesse, better use of the road, observation and so on.
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