Midas & Car MPV Training

Anyone wishing to become a Driver Observer must undertake a thorough driving assessment conducted by a Training Agent (Training Agents should be DVSA Approved Driving Instructors). During this assessment, potential Driver Observers must be capable of demonstrating an ‘above average’ driving standard. On successful completion of their assessment, potential Driver Observers must attend a three day course for standard vehicles and a further day for wheelchair accessible vehicles. During this course potential Driver Observers will be required to pass a theory assessment, a presentation skills assessment and for those who will be training drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles, an assessment of their practical skills.

 

The course provides information and practical experience on how to undertake observed drives in an objective and consistent manner and emphasises the point that Driver Observers must not deliver any on-road training. It looks at how to structure observed drives and how to provide ‘classroom based’ safety training and refresher training.

 

The safety training, undertaken before drivers undertake an observed drive, can be delivered on a group or individual basis (although drivers will benefit far more if they are trained as a group). The training uses key
learning points from a number of areas:

• Defensive Driving
• Emergency Procedures
• Passenger Awareness
• Legal Responsibilities of Drivers
• Passenger Safety
• Health and Safety Awareness
• Personal Safety for Drivers
• Child Passenger Safety
• Manual Handling Awareness
   

Each Driver Observer who attends is given a comprehensive observer’s manual that includes all the information from the course, along with audio visual material needed to run the safety training sessions. Driver Observer certificates are valid for 2 years after which refresher training is required.

 

Drivers who successfully complete the training programme and an observed drive will receive a nationally recognised certificate valid for 4 years, as well as the option of purchasing the comprehensive‘ Car & MPV Driver’s Handbook’.

 

Organisations with volunteers who use their own cars may 'opt out' of the observed drive. However, UK Global Road Safety Ltd strongly recommend that all drivers responsible for driving others in vehicles should undertake an appropriate training course for the type of vehicle being driven. Drivers who do not undertake the observed drive will have this recorded on their certificates.

However, observed drives must be undertaken where drivers are driving vehicles belonging to your organisation.

 

No, organisations joining MiDAS Car & MPV will only be required to make the following commitment:

• To train all new drivers to the MiDAS standard and conduct observed drives, where appropriate, from the date of joining 
• To train and conduct observed drives, where appropriate, on all existing drivers within 12 months from the date of joining (this may be extended in exceptional circumstances)
• To allow drivers holding MiDAS Car & MPV certificates to drive on behalf of your organisation without the need for re-training. However, insurance policies and conditions will always have to be fulfilled and drivers that have previously been using their own cars may have to undertake an observed drive.