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In-Car Module

Smiling Driving instructor and woman student in examination car. Learner driver student driving car with the instructor. Driving test. Young smiling woman driving car feeling inexperienced, looking nervous at the road traffic for information to make appropriate decisions. Senior Man is an instructor, controlling and checking while holding a clipboard.

When working as a fleet trainer it is essential that you are able to carry out all of the points below with competence and confidence. Your fleet customers will expect a professional service from you that encompasses all of these points about any of their company drivers that you assess and train.

This module consists of:

  • Eyesight Checks
  • Licence Checks
  • Vehicle Checks
  • Presentation Skills
  • Report Writing
  • In-car Coaching
  • In-car Assessment

Eyesight Checking

Eyesight checking is part and parcel of being an Approved Driving Instructor and so this should not present any challenges. The same eyesight rules apply for fleet customers as they do for any other licence holder, including provisional licence holders. All drivers must be able to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 20m
  • 20.5m (New style number plates)

You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. More information about driving eyesight rules can be found at:

Eyesight Rules

At this link, there is further information about:

  • Standards of vision for driving
  • Lorry and bus drivers
  • Driving with one eye
  • A-Z of medical conditions link - this is useful for looking up information about medical conditions and whether the driver needs to inform the DVLA

Licence Checking

Licence checking is another aspect of an ADI’s role that isn’t any different working in the fleet world. As the trainer, you will still need to carry out checks on drivers before taking them on road. This can be done in a couple of ways – you could check the licence details using the GOV.UK website, with the last 8 digits of the driver number and their check code. They will need to provide you with this code so you can use the link below to check:

Licence Checking Code

Fleet managers will have their own system for checking licences. Each organisation may check and record different information and so you will need to discuss this with them as some organisations may be able to provide you with certain information.

When checking licences, it is always useful to have a copy of the DVLA information leaflet INS57P with you so you can double check any restriction codes on the back of the photocard and what they mean. You can download a free copy at the link below, or pick up some leaflets at participating Post Offices.

INS57P Information Leaflet

Vehicle Checks

Vehicle checks need to be carried out prior to any on-road assessment or training. Each organisation will have their own policies and procedures for checking their vehicles and it will be your responsibility to check company vehicles before use.

Company drivers may have a ‘pool’ of vehicles to drive, or they may be allocated one particular vehicle that they use. In some cases, they may use their own vehicle for work purposes – this is called ‘grey fleet’.

A useful mnemonic to use when checking a vehicle is safe and legal is:

Fuel (The correct type and do you have enough?)

Lights (Are all lights working outside and inside the vehicle?)

Oil (Is there enough oil? When was it last checked? Is there a record?)

Water (Check coolant and screen wash levels)

Damage (Is there any dents or damage, including windscreen damage?)

Electrics (Are there any warning lights on that shouldn’t be?)

Rubber (Are the tyres legal, safe and to the correct pressure?)

Yourself (Are you fit to drive? Do you feel well?)

Presentation Skills

Presentation skills are important working as a fleet trainer as you will often be required to give presentations to drivers prior to on road training. The size of the groups can vary and you may be doing this on just a 1-2-1 basis, or there may be more people you could present to.

It is important that you use either a tablet or a laptop and keep the battery topped up as sometimes you may be required to deliver your presentation in-car, and you don’t want the battery going flat in the middle!

Even though you may be giving a presentation using PowerPoint for example, to keep the people you are presenting to included and engaged, you will need to make parts of the presentation interactive by asking questions and getting feedback to help tailor the training you are giving to the driver’s specific needs.

Report Writing

Once assessment of training has been completed, you will need to write a report which usually goes back to the driver’s line manager, also the driver usually received a copy as well.

The information in this report will reflect the driver’s progress and include any information about further training that is recommended, vehicle details and often a grade. There are many ways of grading a driver’s performance. It can be done using a 1-5 scale and even a simple red, amber and green traffic light system.

When writing reports, remain objective and choose verbs carefully. For example, ‘the driver ‘mounted’ the kerb when parking’, or ‘the driver ‘struck the kerb’.

In-car Coaching

This will be done over a period of three days. When assessing and training full licence holders, adopting more of a coaching approach can have lots of benefits. You may be training people that have been driving for years and are very experienced. Everyone has something to learn and improve upon and so initially, you will need to assess them for about 10-15 minutes. This allows them to settle down more into their natural drive and gives you a chance to do an initial assessment.

From here, you will usually ask them to pull over where safe, legal and convenient and discuss the drive so far. Ask them how they felt it went and is there anything they would like to discuss in terms of their driving, or questions they want to ask. You will tactfully need to highlight any areas for development and discuss these with the driver. Prioritising the main area or areas for development first is essential, especially areas where there could be any safety critical incidents.

At times, you may offer a demonstration drive to set an example for a particular area of training and development. Ensure that you are fully insured on the driver’s vehicle before you do this. Your own motor insurance policy may not cover you for this and so do speak with the company first, prior to any training, so you understand if and how you can be insured on their vehicles.

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Terms and Conditions

This course includes our COVID-19 Guarantee. If the course has to be cancelled due to COVID-19 we’ll transfer your place or issue a refund where necessary. 

If you cancel within seven days of booking we will refund the cost of the course. However, we cannot issue any refunds if you want to cancel anytime after this. We may need to cancel or postpone courses occasionally due to reasons beyond our control. The course date will go ahead even if there is just one attendee. If you plan to book overnight accommodation as part of this course, do ensure you book a refundable option in case the course date had to be changed, postponed or cancelled. The DIA is not responsible for any costs you may incur.

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Terms and Conditions

By purchasing this product you agree that you have read and understood the requirements of the test that you are applying for.

Refund policy: Once a booking has been confirmed with a trainer directly for either a one-to-one standards check or mock test session you will need to give seven days notice to cancel, otherwise the fee will be lost and a new booking and payment will be required.

NOTE: For all training sessions and mock tests you and your trainer must wear a suitable face covering. Your trainer cannot provide one for you, trainers are only responsible for their own face covering and PPE protection. If a suitable face covering is not in place, your session will be cancelled and the fee will be lost. If you have a medical exception to wearing a face covering, this must be provided as proof of exemption to your Diamond trainer. You must demonstrate that your car has been cleaned, using anti-viral wipes to clean passenger handles inside and outside, the dashboard and any other touch points for the trainer. If your vehicle is not fit for purpose your session will be cancelled and the fee will be lost.

Candidates should not attend a training session or mock test if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they identify core symptoms associated with COVID-19 (such as a persistent cough or fever). We ask candidates to notify the DIA of any possible exposure to, or diagnosis of, coronavirus as soon as possible. If you are unable to take a test due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or possible symptoms, your session will be postponed without losing your fee and you will not be permitted to rearrange your standards check session or mock test within the next 14 days following the cancellation.

Once you have paid for your standards check session and/or mock test,  your details will be forwarded to your nominated Diamond trainer local to you, who will be in touch with you within 48 hours (Monday-Friday) with a view to booking you in at a mutually convenient location, date and time. Some flexibility will be required in terms of location, taking into account trainer availability at regional level and where restrictions with COVID-19 may be taking place. Your Diamond trainer will make arrangements to meet via text, email or telephone. We do not have specific meeting locations and your Diamond trainer will discuss any other queries with you once your booking has been made online.

You will need to use your own vehicle for the standards check session and mock test, which is suitable for training and allows for your Diamond trainer to role play a suitable candidate, with the relevant insurance in place to allow for this. All Diamond trainers are qualified ADIs with a Diamond examiner qualification in place. You will need to show relevant insurance cover to your Diamond trainer, either before or on the day of your agreed booking date and time. The vehicle you supply must be both roadworthy and legal for the purposes of the standards check session and mock test and your session will be cancelled if you do not present a suitable car with the relevant insurance. If you are more than 15 minutes late to your standards check or mock test session you will lose your booking and the fee will need to be paid again.

You will be asked to read a number plate at the required distance, full details can be found at www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules. Your standards check or mock test session will be cancelled if you cannot reach these requirements. You will need a current and valid driving licence which will be checked by your trainer should you need to drive as part of your standards check or mock test.

Online classes

To attend the Zoom sessions you will need a PC, laptop or tablet that can run Zoom and must also have a camera and microphone so you are able to participate fully in the sessions. You are responsible for ensuring you can access and navigate zoom and that you have a strong enough internet connection. If you cannot join the session due to technical difficulties, we cannot guarantee that you will be moved to another session. Session dates are subject to change.

During this course you will be placed into small ‘live’ discussion groups and will need to converse. Please be aware of how to mute and unmute your microphone for the general discussions that will also be taking place.

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