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First Gear pre-driver training

The First Gear pre-driver training day gives trainees their first experience behind the wheel of a car, in a safe, controlled environment with fully qualified driving instructors.


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First Gear also offers trainees valuable information to help them prepare for their theory, hazard perception and practical driving tests as well as getting them to consider how they will continue driving safely once they have passed their test.

The pre-driver training days are available for young people aged 16, either living in or in education in Derbyshire.

The day is split into 4 sessions, 2 of these will be practical driving sessions and 2 of these will be classroom sessions

The practical driving sessions are tailored to each young person, the instructors recognise that some young people may have driven off road before and some young people may have never driven before

We ask the instructors to cover the following elements with the young people but if these have been previously learnt or are picked up very quickly they will also try some manoeuvres with them as well:

  • moving off safely and correctly
  • steering an accurate course
  • changing up and down gears
  • braking safely and coming to a stop

The young people will drive a slightly different course during each practical session, the course starts off as a very simple oval in the morning and then changes to a ‘figure of 8’ in the afternoon to enable the young people to practice stopping or giving way for other vehicles as well as building on the elements they learnt in the morning session.

The instructors will also go through some basic under bonnet checks with the young people.

The classroom sessions, run by road safety officers, have been created to offer the young people key information to allow them to get off to a strong start with their driving lessons and preparations for their theory and hazard perception tests.

We also discuss how young people can gain more experience to make them safer drivers and discuss aspects of life that could affect their driving and how these can be avoided.

The young people are given a workbook, which is theirs to keep, where they will answer questions such as ‘Why do you want to learn to drive?’ and ‘How do you feel about back box technology?’ the workbook also offers further information on the topics covered and useful website links for both participants and parents / guardians. The main topics covered are:

  • the importance of choosing the right driving instructor
  • the Highway Code and general information regarding the theory, hazard perception and practical tests
  • the cost of getting a licence and running a car
  • motorway driving
  • pass plus and black box telematics
  • the New Driver Act
  • the legalities of car modifications
  • knowing your vehicle and vehicle maintenance
  • mindful driving and the effects of fatigue, over confidence and peer pressure

Length of course

The day runs from 9am to 3.30pm with arrival from 8.45am.

Cost

The course costs £85.99.

Participants receive two, 1 hour practical off-road driving sessions with a fully qualified driving instructor in a dual controlled car, and a classroom theory session.

Participants will take away a copy of the Highway Code which they can use to start preparing for their theory test and a student booklet with information relating to the classroom topics and useful websites to look at.

Refreshments and a buffet lunch are also provided.

Date and location

  • Saturday 27 April 2024 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
  • Sunday 12 May 2024 at the Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
  • Sunday 9 June 2024 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
  • Sunday 28 July 2024 at the Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
  • Saturday 3 August 2024 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
  • Sunday 15 September 2024 at the Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
  • Saturday 12 October 2024 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG

Requirements

Participants should wear comfortable clothing, no high heels, flip flops or sliders.

If participants wear glasses or sometimes need glasses they will need to bring them on the day. The instructors will do an eyesight check before any driving commences to check participants are able to read a number plate from 20m away.

If you'd like more information or would like advice on whether this course is suitable for your young person, please email: first.gear@derbyshire.gov.uk> or tel: 01629 538060.