West Midlands driver improvement scheme
Driver Improvement is a national scheme with local centres operating in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The scheme
- is a positive alternative to prosecution
- lasts one-and-a-half days
- has course fees that are to be paid in advance
Within the West Midlands, the course is co-ordinated by local authority road safety officers under an agreement with West Midlands Police.
Overview
The West Midlands Driver Improvement Course lasts one-and-a-half days:
Day 1 Morning - indoor session based around group discussions and problem solving.
Afternoon - on the road in your trainer's car.
Day 2 Morning - on the road in your trainer's car.
About the scheme
What Is the point of the scheme and why should I take up this offer?
Driver Improvement Courses are not run as a punishment. If you attend court, you may get a fine and points on your licence. However, this will not give you an opportunity to take extra, relevant training.
Driver Improvement is a positive alternative which could help you reduce your chances of being involved in a road collision in the future. It frees up police time and court time, and will help reduce future levels of injury on the roads. The scheme is run in the interests of road safety.
Who will run the course?
In this area the police have asked the local authorities to provide and deliver the course. It is not run with police staff and it is not run for profit. The fee we charge covers the cost of each course.
The trainers we have selected are experienced and qualified driving instructors. They have received additional training in working with qualified drivers, such as yourself.
Preparing for the course
Do I need to practice my driving, or revise the highway code, before I attend the course?
It is up to you what thought you give your driving before the course.
You could take some time now to identify for yourself specific areas of your driving that you feel need attention. You will then be able to make best use of your time with your trainer.
We will send you a copy of the Highway Code in advance of the course. This will help you to find out about the latest traffic regulations and safe driving advice.
Do I need to bring my own car?
No, you will be using your trainer’s car for the drive, which will have dual controls. There is no need to bring your car at all, and you may prefer to arrive by public transport.
We are able to provide automatic cars on request if that is what you usually drive. You may be able to use your own car if it has special adaptations which cannot be transferred to the trainer’s car.
What happens if I drive a motorcycle?
You have the option to take the course in a car, if you also hold a driving licence for a car. If you want us to provide a motorcycle for the course we can so, but we will pass the hire costs on to you. If you take the course on your own motorcycle there is no extra cost.
What time do I need to arrive?
You will need to make sure you arrive in good time for the start of your course on both days. Check–in time for the first day of the course is usually between 9.00 and 9.15am, and for the second day between 8.45 and 9.00am.
If you arrive after the course is fully underway you will not be admitted. If you then ask us to book you on a future course, we will first need to check if one is running within your deadline, which is given to us by the police. You will then have to pay an additional charge. This will be at least 50 percent of the course fee.
What happens when I check in for the course?
On arrival, we will ask to see your driving licence. You must prove that you have a valid licence to be able to take part in the course.
We will also ask you to read a number plate at a distance of 67 feet (20.5 metres). This is the minimum standard of eyesight required by law for you to drive. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to do this you must bring them with you. If you suspect that your eyesight does not reach this standard you should visit your optician before you come on the course. After these formalities, we will offer you refreshments and show you into a lounge, where you can relax or chat with the other clients before the course starts.
Do I have to talk about my accident during the course?
No, you don’t have to. We are interested in how you drive in the future, not the past. You will not be put into a position of having to talk about your accident / incident unless you choose to.
You may want to talk about this voluntarily, as the information could help your trainers to help you. This is your course and a chance to receive additional training relevant to your needs.
Who will be on the course with me?
Most people attending Driver Improvement Courses have been referred to us by the police. However, courses are also open for voluntary attendance. A typical course will have between 10 and 16 clients and will include drivers of every age and background.
What is the indoor session like?
We aim to provided a program of activity which encourages safer driving and is both interesting and informative. On the morning of the first day you will take parting discussions and group exercises. These will explore how crashes are caused, and will also focus on how to recognise and avoid hazards.
Responses to exercises are usually made verbally as a group. Noone will have to produce individual written work. The trainers will try to create a relaxed and nonjudgemental environment.
What happens on the road?
The afternoon of the first day, and the second morning, will be spent mainly on the road with one of our trainers. You will probably share the car with one or two clients. During this time you will put into practice what you have learned in the classroom session, the on-road training is delivered in a relaxed and friendly way.
Is there a test?
There are no tests during either the indoor or on road sessions. The emphasis is on improving your performance not on reaching a set standard. Your trainer does not have a set route to follow when out on the road. He or she will take you on roads most suitable to help diagnose any problems with your driving and then give you practice in improving.
You should set as your own goal the improvement of your driving from day one to day two. Your trainer will help you with this by giving you a written report to show how your driving has improved over the last few days and where it still needs attention. To complete the course as an alternative to prosecution you must:
- attend (on time) all parts of the course.
- actively co-operate and contribute to the course.
Course administration
Where are courses held and on which days?
If you decide to opt for a Driver Improvement Course you should state your preferred centre on the form sent to you by the police.
West Midlands courses last one and-a-half days. Day one is usually from 9am - 5pm and day two is from 8.45am - 1pm . Generally the centres organise courses on the days of the week shown in the chart below, but they do sometimes change. Some centres may not run courses throughout the year and you may be offered the nearest alternative.
Birmingham Thursday (full day) & Friday (half day)
Coventry Tuesday (full day) & Wednesday (half day)
Dudley Monday (full day) & Tuesday (half day)
Sandwell Wednesday (full day) & Thursday (half day)
Walsall Friday (full day) & Saturday (half day)
Wolverhampton Tuesday (full day) & Wednesday (half day)
If you live outside the West Midlands , we will (on request) try to place you on a course nearer to your home. Please note that although Driver Improvement is a national scheme, the information relates only to the course provided in this area. Courses in other areas will not be organised in exactly the same way and the fees may vary.
What will be the date of my course ?
If you opt for Driver Improvement, we will write to you with details of the time, place and date for your course. The date we offer will be within a deadline provided to us by the police. Within this time limit, we will try to avoid offering you a course on a day when it will not be convenient for you to attend ( e.g. because of a holiday or hospital appointment) . However, you will need to take the initiative now by listing carefully on the response form any dates when you would prefer not to attend a course during the next three months. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your preferences for days of the week, dates or centre.
How do I confirm the offer when I receive it?
To confirm your place you will need to fill out the booking forms which we will send to you and then return them to the us.
All fees must be paid in full before the start of the course. Methods of payment and final payment deadlines vary from centre to centre. A note of these arrangements and conditions will accompany the booking form.