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Topic 1 – HERMES Project

The Hermes project main aim was to create a 3-5 day courses for driving instructors to develop their coaching skills. 

The project defines coaching as:

“Coaching is a learner-centred method that engages body, mind and emotions to develop inner and outer awareness and responsibility with an equal relationship between the learner and the coach”

Based on this definition the project focused on developing methods that:

  • Activate the learner and make them more aware of themselves, the car and the interaction between them and others in a traffic environment
  • Accept the learner as being responsible for themselves, their own learning and their behaviour in traffic. This helps them to maintain this sense of responsibility in complex situations
  • Allow the teacher/coach and the learner to form a partnership in which the coach, through observation, questioning and feedback encourages the learner to be themselves, identify goals, reflect on their experiences and develop strategies to meet their driving goals in the future

Rationale of coaching in a learner driver context:

The most important aspect of coaching is raising awareness and responsibility. These are vital components of safe driving where constant decision making is required. To make the right choices in traffic a learner driver requires:

  • Self awareness
  • Awareness of external factors such as the actions of other road users
  • A sense of responsibility and an understanding of the consequences of their behaviour to have the confidence to act accordingly
  • Self confidence

Click here if you want to learn more about this project, you don’t need to read the whole report as part of this course. It can make for interesting reading and may explain why certain changes have been made in our industry. 

Full HERMES Report
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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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