The RoSPA qualification in off-road driving can be undertaken at a wide variety of sites across the UK including:

• Cirencester Gloucestershire
• Honiton and Winkleigh Devon
• Stourport Midlands
• Duns South East Scotland
• Maidstone Kent
• Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire
• Andover Wiltshire
• Hodnet Shropshire

Though RoSPA have not yet decided to insist on the use of ADIs for off-road training, Beyond Driving will only provide RoSPA 4×4 trainers who are also DSA ADIs, ensuring legality and competency.

We are also able to provide the RoSPA 4×4 Instructor certification to ADIs who have the required background and experience and who meet the criteria required during the course.

For any information on the RoSPA off road driving courses, or instructor training, please contact us:

info@beyonddriving.co.uk

Training to be a 4×4 or Off Road Instructor is something that many recreational offroaders think will lead to their dream job, and many candidates on our off-road courses are interested in whether they could become instructors themselves.

We felt that we needed to write this page as we wanted to make sure that people really understood what the legalities and realities are surrounding 4×4 instruction.

There are a lot of 4×4 instructor courses out there which claim to qualify you as a 4×4 instructor. While these courses may give you experience in driving off-road and some help with how to show a novice what to do in certain situations, they will not allow you to do it as a job.

Professional off-road instructors have a sound basis in instructional techniques, excellent knowledge of the H&S legislation surrounding driving at work and full knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the whole range of 4×4 vehicles.

In order to train anyone in how to use a 4×4 (on road or off) you must first qualify as a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI). If you are not a DSA ADI then if you offer instruction in a category B vehicle (any 4×4 effectively) for money (or money’s worth) then strictly speaking, you are breaking the law (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/49/schedule/6 and http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/123.  Both BORDA and LANTRA run 4×4 Instructor qualification processes, though if you are not an ADI these may only be relevant if you intend to instruct on a voluntary basis. Charging for instruction, or using the qualifications as part of a job is not possible without being a DSA registered ADI. (see the recent correspondence we received from the DSA regarding the legality of 4×4 instruction.)

Though some training providers may argue there are legal grey areas, you may find yourself being prosecuted and in the event of an accident you would be fully liable and may not be insured. If things go really badly you could find yourself being sued for large quantities of money with no backup from the people who said they would insure you before they found out you were acting illegally.

Unfortunately, most of the training providers do not tell you this. Some of these companies will actually tell you that being an ADI is not a legal requirement – to put it simply, they’re being economic with the truth and all you have to do is ask yourself why? They’re trying to sell you a course – yes, even the household names who should (and actually do) know better. Currently, Lantra-Awards, NPTC and BORDA are all aware of the requirement for instructors to be ADIs, but despite some positive moves, none of them are insisting their instructors comply with the law. Some organisations quote various exemptions and even try to interpret the law to their own ends, however, none of them have been given any exemption from the legislation and we question why they feel that they are unable to meet the simple, but rigorous, criteria that registration requires of instructors.

If you want any clarification on this, just get in touch with the Driving Standards Agency – the government organisation who administer the register of Approved Driving Instructors. If you’re not on the register, you can’t charge for instruction.

Have a look at some more information on who LANTRA, BORDA and the DSA are.

If you are interested in becoming a 4×4 instructor, have a look at one of our blogs:

Training to be a 4×4 instructor – this article outlines all of the stages that our trainers went through in order to become off-road instructors – a long and expensive process.

The job itself is great, but there’s much more importance placed on Health & Safety and risk assessments than throwing 4x4s off cliffs. Professional operators need to know exactly what they should be doing with reference to all of the relevant legislation. Recreational off-roaders need to know all of the relevant techniques to ensure that they don’t kill themselves or anyone else!

Qualifications required:

• 5 years off-road driving experience
• Wide knowledge of transmissions, differentials and other fitted equipment on a variety of different vehicles
• Instructional techniques (for those not qualified as ADIs, a PTLLS certificate or similar is ideal)
• First Aid qualification
• H&S qualification (ideally level two, such as the IOSH Managing Safely qualification)
• Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor registration (unless working outside the UK, or as a volunteer trainer within the charity sector)

We can provide a 4×4 instructor course for in-house assessors or instructors where required, and we are more than happy to offer advice, guidance and assistance to anyone looking to become an instructor, or who requires staff or organisation members to become qualified as instructors under any of the national certification schemes.

In-house 4×4 Instructor Course/Assessor Training:

• Lantra-Awards 4×4 Professional Off-Road Driving course – we deliver this over 2 days to candidate instructors and use both permanent 4wd vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender, as well as the more common selectable 2-4wd pick-up trucks.
• Basic training skills, such as EDIP, levels of instruction or similar method of training candidates in new skill aquisition (1 day) – can be omitted for clients only requiring assessor training, to avoid the ADI registration requirement
• Assessment, fault finding, analysis and remedial action (1 day)
• Session planning, site risk assessment and criteria based training assessment (1 day)

Potential candidates for our 4×4 Instructor courses will be expected to have extensive experience in off-road vehicles and environments, and an excellent all-round knowledge of transmissions, differentials, diff-locks and vehicle equipment. We would also anticipate candidates having excellent communication skills and training or supervising experience, preferably with formal training in instruction/assessment.

At Beyond Driving, we have helped many off-road experienced ADIs to become Lantra-Awards instructors, and trained instructors for national and international organisations and companies.

If you still want to be a 4×4 instructor, or are already an ADI and want to bring your off-road experience into your career, we would love to hear from you:

info@beyonddriving.co.uk

As ever, we know the DSA are happy to reply to emails, though there is usually some delay, so we emailed Rosemary Thew:

You have previously (several years ago) confirmed that there is no exemption from the requirements of the RTA and RSA for paid instructors in category B vehicles, whether training post test or off-road.

Recent phone calls to the DSA by colleagues (and finally yesterday by myself) have received contradictory advice. Similar to my colleagues, I was initially informed by an examiner from Technical Standards that it was not a legal requirement to be an ADI. Once I requested the exemption from the legislation in writing, this advice was then downgraded to ‘it doesn’t come under the DSA Regulations’ with the reasoning that it was post-test training and was undertaken on private land. He admitted that it may be illegal and asked me to contact yourself for clarification.

Could you please let me know whether there is any exemption to the requirement to be on the register of Approved Driving Instructors when being paid to train in a category B 4×4 vehicle with full licence holders on private land?

I appreciate that the DSA do not make the law and that as you have limited experience in this area you may not wish to pursue prosecutions, but I would appreciate the opinion of the DSA as to whether you think the law applies here.

If there has been a change to the legislation, an exemption or derogation for 4×4 trainers (or for any vocational driver training post-test) I would appreciate details.

If there has been no change and your previous advice that all paid driver trainers of category B vehicles should be on the register, regardless of whether the candidates have licences or the training is undertaken off-road, could you please ensure that your staff understand this and avoid giving out potentially incorrect advice.

I provide a lot of guidance for trainers and businesses, so would appreciate being able to quote the DSA in this matter both in meetings and correspondence as well as publicly on my websites. I have no wish to mis-represent either yourselves or the facts, but if you are unhappy to provide a public statement please let me know.

Subsequently, we received this response from Carole Hodgson of Corporate Correspondence, which confirms that their stance has not changed:

Thank you for your email of 19 March about off road driving tuition.

I am sorry we have given you conflicting information.

There has been no change to the legislation. The Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 123) – renders it a criminal offence to provide driving instruction for money or monies worth unless the driving instructor is registered or licensed to give instruction in accordance with Section 123(1).

Section 123 applies to all paid tuition, regardless of whether the person receiving instruction possesses a full licence or not. Section 123 applies to instruction on public and private roads and also to off road tuition.

This confirms our feelings that all 4×4 training, both on-road or off-road, and whether involving category B licence holders or not, should only be undertaken by DSA ADIs.

The offence is not limited to the person by whom instruction is given (the instructor) but also “if that person is employed by another to give that instruction, that other, as well as that person, is guilty of an offence.” (RTA 1988 Section 123 4b)

We would like to re-iterate that we are happy to correspond with and help any organisation, training provider, training body or instructors who wish to ensure that their training is both legal and compliant with road safety legislation and health and safety legislation.

We provide a comprehensive range of 4×4 and off-road training courses from a site just south of Inverness, covering the whole of the Highlands.

With Lantra-Awards 4×4 Trainers who are on the DSA register of ADIs, we are able to provide comprehensive training across the region for drivers who have to operate their vehicles in severe conditions. We can provide our 4×4 Adverse Weather (Snow, Ice and Floods) training courses from your workplace.

We can also provide ATV, quad bike and Argocat training courses.

Choose a suitable 4×4 training course:

or for more information, contact us:
Email: info@beyonddriving.co.uk

The off-road training sites we use in Suffolk and Essex cover a variety of terrain from grass fields through mud, forest and a large disused sand excavation, with excellent scope for training in the full range of techniques. Catering and accommodation can be provided.

We are able to provide comprehensive training courses at these professional venues:

• Lantra Professional Off Road Driving
• Lantra 4×4 – Experienced Operator
• Lantra ATV Training
• Lantra Quad Bike Training
• Lantra Winch Training
• Lantra Off-Road Trailer Handling

For more details on any of our off-road training courses, please contact us:

01803 393 420

info@beyonddriving.co.uk

Winter Driving Guidance for Company 4×4 Operators

Ensure you know your vehicle, and check it daily:

Knowing how the 4×4 system works on your vehicle is essential. Being able to ensure the best traction in winter conditions can make the difference between a safe journey and a failed journey.

• Always have access to the vehicle manual – we can’t all remember everything about our vehicle, but being able to find details like tyre pressures, jump lead connection points, and the technicalities of the 4×4 system is a must.
• Make sure that your vehicle has been prepped for winter – winter tyres should be fitted, anti-freeze levels should be checked in coolant, and unreliable batteries should be replaced in anticipation for the conditions.

Checking the vehicle over on a daily basis must be done, to ensure that your vehicle won’t let you down.

• Check tyre pressures – low pressures can lead to blow-outs, high pressure can lead to loss of grip
• Check tyre tread depth – in extreme conditions, less than 3mm of tread can dramatically reduce your grip whilst steering and braking
• De-ice all windows, and demist them to give you the best chance of seeing problems in bad visibility
• Remove snow from roof and bonnet – this is a legal requirement, and it’s no fun being behind a 4×4 throwing lumps of hard snow onto our windscreen
• Check warning lights on ignition – many modern 4x4s require the computer systems to function safely – without these, handling can be dangerously compromised. This also helps you to find out whether an unfamiliar vehicle has ABS or Traction Control, helping you to take control of how you drive the vehicle in different conditions
• Check fuel levels – many drivers have been caught out while stuck in snow – ensure you always have at least half a tank of fuel available to you
• Check lighting systems – head and tail lights, brakes, indicators and hazards, reversing and fog lights
• Wipers and screenwash – wipers that work smoothly always help, and de-icing them from the windscreen prior to use will keep them in good condition. In really bad weather, top up screenwash with neat concentrate (as per the manufacturers’ instructions) in order to keep the system from freezing solid.

The vehicle is the responsibility of the driver, and understanding the vehicle, its capabilities, limitations, and condition is essential for safe driving in extreme conditions.

If any faults are found, report them immediately. If there is any doubt about legality or safety – do not drive it.

Advice, information and training are always available if required – if you feel that you don’t fully understand the vehicle you are using, or don’t feel confident in your skills in any situation – ask – don’t put yourself in a situation that makes you feel nervous.

Check your emergency kit:

Even with a vehicle in excellent condition, winter driving is hard on both vehicles and their drivers, and sometimes, events can overtake you unexpectedly. If you always keep a stocked emergency kit, you’ll be able to contact help, and will be safe and more comfortable while waiting for it to arrive.

You are the most important part of the equation, having the following available at all times is essential:

• Good warm clothing and boots – will help with comfort while stranded, and will give you the chance to walk a short distance where necessary to get a phone signal, or pinpoint your location, but remember that searchers will spot a vehicle before they spot an individual in bad weather
• Food, drink and medication – always have emergency rations available, as well as any medication you require, as help can often take a while to reach you in extreme conditions
• Mobile phone, fully charged – this is likely to be your first lifeline in many situations. Letting people know where you are, and what your situation is will help. Keep emergency numbers available at all times
• Sunglasses – this may seem odd, but low sun in winter, and driving through snowy landscapes can cause real problems. Sunglasses can make a big difference to your ability to drive safely in these situations
• First Aid kit – all vehicles should be provided with these. Make yourself familiar with their contents and how to use them.
• Blanket/Emergency survival bag – these will make the difference between a comfortable long wait, and severe discomfort or possible problems from prolonged exposure

In the event of becoming stranded, or stuck in bad conditions, you should have the following available to help you:

• Warning triangle – place this a reasonable distance from your vehicle, to warn drivers approaching you that you are stranded, and may be an obstruction. Place these on the approach to corners to give drivers as much chance to drop their speed as possible
• Hi-visibility jacket or clothing – Orange stands out much better against snow than yellow. If working around the vehicle this will help other road users spot you early enough to take action to avoid you, and may help you to be spotted from above if stranded.
• Jump leads – having these will give you a better chance of re-starting a vehicle with electrical problems (which are more prevalent in extreme cold). However, be very aware of the dangers. Modern vehicles must be jump started safely, to avoid damaging batteries and engine management units, or causing fires – check the manual for how to do this safely
• Shovel – often the simplest tool for recovering a stuck vehicle, but be careful of working under the vehicle, and ensure that it cannot move as you dig yourself out.
• Torch – with short days, night will be upon you before you know it if you’re stuck. Being able to see the problem is essential. Also, a torch can be invaluable for signalling to other road users or rescuers

Be prepared, and be equipped for any situation you can reasonably expect to happen.

Check the conditions and your route, and stay in contact:

Knowing what to anticipate will give you every chance to avoid problems. Routes cannot always be changed, but drivers and vehicles with better capabilities for the worst routes can be chosen. Having the information to hand about weather forecasts will allow you to plan for your own safety. Often, you will have to adjust your route due to weather and traffic conditions, but if you’ve not let anyone know about these changes, if you are stranded, it may well significantly delay the arrival of help.

Plan your route:

• Check weather and traffic conditions in your area regularly – this will give you invaluable information that can be used for safe and efficient planning
• Have maps and check your GPS – modern satellite positioning systems can provide us with invaluable information, but if they fail, then maps are essential. Know where you are, and be able to direct help to your position accurately.

Stay in contact:

• File a journey plan where possible, and make sure that if your plans change, you alert colleagues to the changes and your reasons behind the change.
• Use the lone working system where necessary. These systems are simple to use, but do require the operator to work with them. Obviously many areas can be out of mobile phone signal, but lone working in extreme conditions can have high risks, and ensuring that you are safe is essential for both the company and for your safety. Discuss contact times and durations between contact with your line manager is required, and should be based on both the likely risk and sensible pragmatism, but if in doubt – err on the side of caution.

Driving in ice and snow:

Driving in winter conditions is extremely dangerous, and should only be undertaken by drivers who have had the relevant training and information. It relies on individuals understanding how their vehicles will react in different grip conditions, and upon them recognising changes between conditions. These tips are not intended to replace suitable training and experience, but as a memory refresher prior to the first signs of winter setting in.

Remember that 4×4 systems have their limitations. Larger and heavier vehicles are less stable than small, low and light vehicles. Use their capabilities cautiously, but understand the inherent dangers:

• Engage 4 wheel drive as soon as you anticipate grip being lost. If your vehicle can be switched from 2 to 4 wheel drive, find out how to do this while driving, and engage 4wd prior to problems to ensure the best control in slippery conditions.
• Be aware of ice and black ice – if temperatures are reading below zero, you may encounter ice. At extremely low temperatures (below -10C), grit loses some of its effectiveness
• 4 wheel drive does not improve braking. If your ABS (anti-lock braking system) is activating, then grip is being lost – reduce your speed and brake well in advance of hazards and bends
• Dis-engage 4 wheel drive when good grip is regained. Well gritted and clear roads, without ice, will give good grip (ABS will engage much later when braking). In these situations, dis-engaging the 4 wheel drive system, or unlocking the central differential lock (if this is a driver option – many modern crossover 4x4s will do this for you – know how your vehicle works), will reduce the danger of damaging the transmission system. If you don’t understand how your 4×4 system works – ask, read the vehicle manual, and request training
• Always ensure that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. If there’s a chance that there could be a hazard around a corner, or on the approach to a junction, ensure that you can stop if you need to. Remember that on narrow roads, where it is difficult or impossible for vehicles to pass, both you, and the oncoming vehicle, will need to stop in half the distance you can see to be clear
• Only change speed in a straight line. Braking in a straight line, will give you much more control of the vehicle. However, many drivers forget that in snow and ice conditions, acceleration can lead to loss of grip (wheelspin) – in these situations, having the vehicle in a straight line will allow you to ease off the throttle to reduce wheelspin, and will minimise the likelihood of losing steering and positional control of the vehicle.
• Reduce speed prior to hazards, junctions and bends. Braking on bends, or while steering is a sure way of ending up in a spin, or in a drift, which could put you in danger from coming off the road, or put you in the path of other vehicles.
• Leave acceleration until past hazards, junctions and bends. Speeding up while steering can lead to spins (especially in rear wheel drive vehicles, like pick-ups and other part-time 4x4s), or drifting wide (especially in front wheel drive vehicles, but also in vehicles operating in 4 wheel drive mode).
• Give other drivers space. Many other drivers on the road will have less experience, less capable vehicles, and less training in how to deal with bad weather conditions. Allowing yourself more space will give you more time to react if they lose control of their vehicle. Ice and snow can lead to braking distances 10 times longer than normal.
• Be aware of condition changes, for example:
  • Under and on top of bridges
  • On exposed hillsides
  • In shaded valleys
  • As weather worsens
  • Temperature drops, especially as evening approaches

Remember that you are responsible for your own safety, but that you have access to information, equipment, training and above all, help, at all times.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) cover the use of 4×4 vehicles in the workplace. This means that companies must ensure that their drivers receive ‘adequate information, instruction and training’ in their use.

Some operators are assumed to be trained by their employers as they have a driving licence, though this does not cover the specific risks associated with 4x4s, such as a high centre of gravity, equipment fitted to 4x4s such as selectable drive systems, differential locks and settings for different terrain. If operators are unaware of this equipment, the vehicle set-up can become a danger to operators and to third parties.

Many companies, in good faith, send their operators on what they assume to be a comprehensive 4×4 training course, often certificated, such as our own Lantra-Awards certificated 4×4 Off-Road Driving course. These courses are run at approved off-road sites, and give drivers an excellent level of knowledge of how to use the vehicles, and much of the fitted equipment in an off-road environment. Trainers will often recommend practices and equipment which is ideal when working in very rough environments during these courses, but many disregard the increased risks such techniques and equipment may pose when vehicles go back on the road. As most vehicles spend the majority of their time on the road, this means that off-road courses are not trained in the ‘correct use of the equipment, the risks that may arise from its use and the precautions to take.’. Often, adaptations for off-road use recommended on these courses by well meaning instructors with limited knowledge of H&S and road safety, especially aggressive tyre choices, can drastically increase the risk of an incident on-road

The main risk to Health, Safety and Wellbeing is not off-road. The HSE database holds no record of a RIDDOR reportable 4×4 incident off-road. Off-road incidents do happen, but they usually just involve vehicle damage. When people are injured, it is invariably in the motorsport or recreational off-road arena. The main workplace risk to drivers of 4x4s, occupants and third parties is when 4x4s are used on-road.

4x4s are heavy, extending braking distances and reducing cornering ability. They have a high centre of gravity, increasing rollover risk. Commercially used 4x4s are often pick-up trucks, which in normal road use are two wheel drive, usually rear-wheel drive, and often have little or no weight above the drive wheels, which means that when accelerating, they lose grip and over-steer. The statistics are clear about the dangers posed to other vehicles and pedestrians, with the occupants of the smaller vehicle being up to 16 times more likely to die when in collision with a 4×4. What many people don’t realise is that there is strong evidence to suggest that 4x4s are involved with more single vehicle accidents than other vehicles, and though UK statistics are yet to be properly analysed (STATS19 records station wagon SUVs such as the Land Rover Discovery with cars, and pick-ups with vans), evidence suggests that occupants of 4x4s could be at higher risk of injury and fatality than drivers of standard cars.

So when driving on the road is the most dangerous thing that most people do, there have to be adequate measures taken to reduce this risk. Off-road driver training alone is not the solution, and in our opinion does not fulfil the requirements of PUWER.

Train your drivers in the environment they will be working. If they spend any time on the road, they should be trained on the road.

Ensure your training provider includes on-road training during courses, and that the 4×4 trainers employed are properly qualified. Beyond Driving only use Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructors who are also Lantra-Awards 4×4 trainers.

4×4 Familiarisation – PUWER Compliance

For more details on 4×4 training, contact us:

info@beyonddriving.co.uk

If you require professional 4×4 training in Berwickshire or the Scottish Borders, please contact us. We provide LANTRA and RoSPA Off-Road Training for 4×4 drivers and certification courses for ATV and Quad Bike Riders.

Training can be provided at your venue for much of the training we offer, including the on-road 4×4 and familiarisation courses, ATV and quad bike training. For both RoSPA and Lantra 4×4 training we have a site in Berwickshire where we can run the full professional off-road driving certification.

We can provide fully Health and Safety compliant courses for your 4×4 drivers and ATV operators either at your workplace or at one of our LANTRA or RoSPA approved sites.

Choose a suitable 4×4 training course:

or for more information, contact us:
Email: info@beyonddriving.co.uk

We are one of very few 4×4 training providers who only use fully qualfied DSA instructors (to ensure our legality and professionalism) working to LANTRA or RoSPA standards (to ensure that your drivers are trained in current Health and Safety practices).

We have excellent off-road training venues in Gloucestershire, and depending on the courses we can often train your drivers and riders in your workplace.

We provide comprehensive LANTRA 4×4, ATV and Quad Bike Training across the county, and can now offer RoSPA 4×4 and ATV certification courses. Our instructors are based in the region and for many courses can travel to you in order to run the training, keeping your travel and accommodation costs down, as well as training your candidates on the terrain and machines they will be working on during their job.

As always with our training – all of the driving courses we offer are run by fully qualified DSA Approved Driving Instructors and accredited by LANTRA (for the off-road courses) or Beyond Driving (for the on-road defensive driving and vehicle handling courses).

• LANTRA Professional Off-Road 4×4 Driving
• On-Road 4×4 Defensive Driving and Handling courses
• LANTRA & DSA Trailer Handling
• LANTRA Winching Health & Safety and Recovery for 4×4 operators
• LANTRA ATV, Quad bike and Argo Cat training

Where requested, we can also provide RoSPA 4×4 and ATV Training and certification, including familiarisation courses.

We provide training to a wide range of customers across the UK, if there is any information you need, or if you would like us to design a training proposal for you, please contact us:

info@beyonddriving.co.uk

Choose a suitable 4×4 training course:

or for more information about 4×4, quad bike and ATV training in Gloucestershire, contact us:
Email: info@beyonddriving.co.uk

If you require professional 4×4 training in Kent, please contact us. We provide LANTRA and RoSPA Off-Road Training for 4×4 drivers and certification courses for ATV and Quad Bike Riders.

For Lantra ATV training we can provide this in the workplace if required, as this is often simpler and more effective both for the client and candidates. We also have a venue near Maidstone for the RoSPA 4×4 courses we provide.

We can provide fully Health and Safety compliant courses for your 4×4 drivers and ATV operators either at your workplace or at one of our LANTRA or RoSPA approved sites.

Choose a suitable 4×4 training course:

or for more information, contact us:
Email: info@beyonddriving.co.uk

We are one of very few 4×4 training providers who only use fully qualfied DSA instructors (to ensure our legality and professionalism) working to LANTRA or RoSPA standards (to ensure that your drivers are trained in current Health and Safety practices).