The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Get More From Your Driving
Produced with the support of
the Department for Transport
June 2018
DRIVING
Most of us took professional lessons when learning to drive, but few of us have taken any training since
passing the Driving Test. We all develop our own driving style and habits over time, cars are changing rapidly
as technology develops and driving conditions are becoming more difficult. Taking a little refresher training
will help us make our driving safer, less stressful and more enjoyable.
When driving, do you ever:
Have to brake sharply?
Drive too close to the vehicle in front?
Regret something you’ve just done (e.g. accelerated
through an amber light)?
Creep above the speed limit?
Feel anxious, tense or intimidated?
These are signs that you could improve your driving to become a safer and more confident driver and save
money by using less fuel and reducing vehicle wear and tear. We all develop our own driving style and habits
over time, and often do not realise that we could improve our driving. However, we would all benefit from an
objective assessment of our driving and a little refresher training to help us make our driving safer, more
environmentally-friendly, less stressful and more enjoyable. There are many types of refresher driver training,
ranging from quick and easy training or assessments to longer courses leading to full advanced driving tests.
Many bodies (voluntary groups, professional instructors, organisations like RoSPA and local authorities)
provide refresher training and many employers arrange driver development training for their staff.
Telematics
Many motor insurers offer policies that use telematics (usually a small ‘black
box’ fitted in the vehicle or an app on a smartphone) that show you what’s good
and bad about your driving. If you drive well, you get a higher score, and
possibly a discount on your premiums. If you drive poorly (for example,
speeding, or harsh acceleration and braking), you get a lower score and your
premiums may increase. It is important to view the feedback about your driving
regularly because driving improves more when the feedback is viewed.
Why Take Refresher Training?
To Enjoy Your Driving
You and your passengers will enjoy driving more and feel much less stressed because your drive will be so
much smoother and safer.
To Improve Your Confidence
You’ll feel much more confident, in your own driving and in your ability to deal with the behaviour of other
drivers.
To Reduce Your Crash Risk
It will help you to avoid making mistakes and mis-judgements that lead
to crashes, and help you cope with the mistakes of other road users.
To Reduce Your Fuel Bills
You’ll spend less money on fuel, and cause less harm to the
environment, because your driving will be smoother, with less harsh
acceleration and braking and better use of gears.
To Reduce Wear and Tear on Your Vehicle
Your car (possibly the second most expensive item you own) will last longer and may have a higher resale
value.
To Lower Your Insurance Premiums
You may be able receive insurance discounts, and at the very least, it will help you keep your no claims bonus
intact.
To Improve Career Prospects
Many jobs involve driving, and having extra driver training qualifications can improve your CV and help to
distinguish you from other applicants.
To Meet People
By joining a driving group, you can meet other like-minded people.
To Help Get A job
A driver training qualification can be useful when job hunting.
To Show You Are A Good Driver
Some people take advanced driver training to prove that they are a driver of the highest standard.
Would I Benefit from Refresher Driver Training?
Y N
Have I had a collision or near miss in the last 3 years?
Do I have any penalty points on your licence?
Have I been stopped by the Police in the last 3 years?
Have I read the Highway Code in the last 5 years?
Have I had any driver training in the last 3 years?
Have I changed my car (for example, to an automatic)?
Is my driving changing (eg, because I have a new job)?
Do my passengers make comments about my driving?
Do I blame other drivers when there is a conflict?
Do I often feel anxious or stressed when driving?
Do I try to intimidate other drivers to get out of my way?
Do I break the speed limit?
Do I sometimes fail to notice pedestrians or cyclists until the last moment?
Do I feel competitive when driving?
Am I more anxious in heavy traffic, bad weather or at night?
Do I find driving more stressful than I used to do?
Do I argue with other drivers?
Do I fail to check mirrors before pulling out or changing lanes?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, consider taking some refresher driver
training.
Where Can I Find More Information?
RoSPA Road Safety Roadsafe
RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders GEM Motoring Assist
RoSPA Fleet Safety Highways England
Think Road Safety IAM RoadSmart
The Highway Code London Road Safety Council
Department for Transport Safe Driving for Life
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) PACTS, Parliamentary Advisory Council for
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Transport Safety
Road Safety GB Transport for London Road Safety
Road Safety Scotland Driving Instructors Association (DIA)
Road Safety Wales The Motor Schools Association of Great
AIRSO Britain Ltd (MSA)
Brake Diamond Advanced Motorists
Details of local driving schools can be found at https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-
lessons#before-you-start), or through local directories or word of mouth. Look for one who offers
refresher courses and who has signed up to the DVSA's voluntary continuing professional development
(CPD) scheme and the ADI code of practice.
