County driving school
Driving emergency vehicles requires even
more skill, knowledge and training than normal, and developing
these additional essential skills forms the core of our aims and
objectives. We firmly believe that we should provide proper driver
training within the organisation and encourage other counties
to follow our lead.
Our objectives
The St John Ambulance Somerset driving school was established
during the late eighties.The aim of the school is to provide driver
training and assessment within the county and raise driving
standards to an appropriate level for all members and
employees likely to drive St John Ambulance vehicles. It is also to
ensure each driver is re-assessed in order to maintain the high
standard required.
The county is currently
drafting a health and safety Work-Related Road Risk Policy
Statement. All divisions and private ambulance services are
completing their risk assessments as the first stage of producing
this document. The driver training policy / programme will form
part of the Road Risk Policy Statement.
School structure
- County Staff Officer (CoSO) Driving School *
- Deputy (position currently vacant)
- Driving Advisers #
* Professional Driver Trainer/Assessor
# Current members of The Institute of Advanced Motorists
Course content
The basic course for Somerset members/employees consists of:
- Two-day theory (classroom) with each student provided with a
copy of the driving course policy and programme notes pack
- Written examination papers 1) Highway Code/Law 2) Roadcraft· At
least eight practical on-road training sessions of one and
half hours
- Final drive (assessment) for authorisation and
classification.
All authorised drivers have to be re-assessed every three years.
Find out more about other training
available to you.
From early 2008 - St John Ambulance South West
Region Driving Schools were formed including the counties of
Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.