How well-trained are we as drivers?

Many jobs in today’s world of work require us to regularly update or renew qualifications or certifications to demonstrate our competency and stay employed. But when it comes to driving — privately and for work — few of us are required to address our competency behind the wheel on an ongoing basis.  

As we strive to reduce the number of collisions and road deaths on our roads, is it time to start looking at how well-trained we are as drivers? Many of us will only be tested once – when we initially start driving – and over the years, bad habits can creep into our driving practice, as well as a certain level of complacency.  

Let’s consider what it takes to get a driver’s licence, and then what could be introduced to keep us on top of our driving game.

Getting a driver’s licence

According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, being licensed to drive works as a three-stage process:  

1. Learner’s licence

To get a learner’s licence, you need to: 

• Be at least aged 16 
• Pass a road rules exam and an eye test 
• Pay the fee 

2. Restricted licence

To get a restricted licence, you need to:  

• Be at least aged 16 years and six months 
• Have held a learner’s licence for a minimum of six months 
• Pass a driving test 
• Pay the fee 

3. Full licence
You can apply for a full licence in Aotearoa New Zealand if you have:  

• Completed an approved advanced driver training course, and are aged 17 and six months  
• Not completed and approved advanced driver course but are at least aged 18 

Advanced driving courses – going to the next level

So, is it worth looking at an advanced and/or defensive driving course sometime across your driving career?  

You’d be hard-pressed to find a road safety expert, police officer or trauma surgeon who wouldn’t encourage you to do a defensive/advanced driving course, even if you’ve been behind the wheel for decades. 

Subsidising advanced driver training courses as part of your employee recognition or staff benefits scheme can be a simple way to promote safe driving within your organisation, skill up drivers who haven’t been properly tested for years and contribute to safer roads. Furthermore, your employees can learn driving techniques that improve fuel economy, reduce wear and tear on your business vehicles, manage fatigue and better use the latest safety technology. 

Ongoing driver training methods

Traditionally, professional development for drivers has meant vehicle downtime and lost revenue with staff off the road while undergoing training. But, with significant advances in technology, the delivery and quality of training have become considerably swifter, smarter and more engaging for the participants. 

Modern driver training involves the use of interactive digital technology like virtual reality devices and simulators to measure decision-making and reaction times, hazard detection and driving in difficult conditions (without having to put the driver in actual danger). Video technology has been incorporated into many refresher training programs so participants can assess and refine their techniques. A vast number of training programs can also be incorporated into your workplace, instead of requiring staff to travel to an off-site venue.  

Bottom line: We can never stop learning

There’s a host of jobs that mandate ongoing accreditation or testing of some kind. In teaching and nursing, for example, there’s a requirement for employees to complete a minimum number of professional development hours across the course of every year.  

And yet, despite the ever-present risk of serious injury or death due to unsafe driving, there are no formal requirements for professional drivers to regularly prove their competency. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need it.  

HR professionals and operations managers can take a lead in promoting safer driving, reducing road accidents and deaths, and promoting a safety-first culture in their workplace by encouraging staff to regularly refresh their skills behind the wheel, or incorporating advanced driving courses into their employee benefits scheme.  

Better to be proactive than reactive. 

Talk to SG Fleet today about safer driving for your business. 

Driving Insights