Class 1 Driving Qualification
Discussion
Is it possible for a civilian to get the Police Class 1 driving certifcate?
I did an 8hr RideDrive course last year and the guy that did my course said that he had to take a 5 week course to qualify.
Can I do this course or should try and do a IAM test. I'd love to get a silver or gold qualification. (I was told I should be able to get bronze without too much difficulty)
I did an 8hr RideDrive course last year and the guy that did my course said that he had to take a 5 week course to qualify.
Can I do this course or should try and do a IAM test. I'd love to get a silver or gold qualification. (I was told I should be able to get bronze without too much difficulty)
Don't think so...
In our force, there's now just the 3 levels of driver: Basic (1-2 hour assessment) - can drive Police vehicles (low performance), but not respond at all or use blue lights/sirens. Standard (3 week course, similar to "civilian" AIM test) - as Basic, but can repsond with lights/sirens, and limited to no more than 20mph over speed limit when doing so. Advanced (passed standard course, plus 4 week advanced course) - Traffic, armed response etc etc. Can drive high performance cars, not always limited when repsonding if safe to exceed the 20+ rule.
These are only open to Police officers, as you must be emergency services to be exempt from speed limits (when appropriate). The courses are all very good, but hard work.
In our force, there's now just the 3 levels of driver: Basic (1-2 hour assessment) - can drive Police vehicles (low performance), but not respond at all or use blue lights/sirens. Standard (3 week course, similar to "civilian" AIM test) - as Basic, but can repsond with lights/sirens, and limited to no more than 20mph over speed limit when doing so. Advanced (passed standard course, plus 4 week advanced course) - Traffic, armed response etc etc. Can drive high performance cars, not always limited when repsonding if safe to exceed the 20+ rule.
These are only open to Police officers, as you must be emergency services to be exempt from speed limits (when appropriate). The courses are all very good, but hard work.
Firstly as already stated, you cannot do this unless you are in a Police vehicle for Police purposes as a lot of the driving is done at higher speeds than NSL allows.
Secondly, you would usually have to go through at least the standard 3 week course before you would be considered suitable to take on further advanced training.
When the standard course is completed, the instructor usually marks up the end of course report if he/she thinks the student should be capable of further training.
I do not know of any civilian that has undergone this course unless they are training to be civilian driving instructors within the Police service and have to train advanced standard courses.
I hope that helps.
Secondly, you would usually have to go through at least the standard 3 week course before you would be considered suitable to take on further advanced training.
When the standard course is completed, the instructor usually marks up the end of course report if he/she thinks the student should be capable of further training.
I do not know of any civilian that has undergone this course unless they are training to be civilian driving instructors within the Police service and have to train advanced standard courses.
I hope that helps.
8Pack said:
WMHV70/Gone, Can the candidate take these courses; "Back to Back" or do they have to have a period of experience between each?
It would be unusual in the extreme for the courses to be taken back to back. I can't think of anyone who has done it this way.
The first course is the standard course and is usually undertaken in the first two years (probation period). Most forces will not allow specialism in any department unless the candidate has exceptional ability or some specialist knowledge for at least a year from completion of probationary period. In most cases the time would be around 4 years experience so at the earliest opportunity an applicant for a post which required further driver training to advanced standard would be looking at 2 years and more driving at standard level. This would be before they were even considered for further training.
During that 2 years, the overall record in relation to both RTA's and other incidents of the driver would be assessed to give an indication of whether they were suitable not only in ability but in temperament too.
It is not just Roads Policing officers that have to go through advanced courses. In recent years quite a few different departments have realised the need and importance for better technique and that includes some CID type roles.
>> Edited by gone on Friday 30th April 03:26
Yes, Thanks Gone, as in all walks of life I suppose, step by step.
I can imagine, (knowing courses & don't we all!),it must be quite a different thing, "in practice" rather than, "on a course" and doing it for real with the added pressures of the job, that's what made me think that there SHOULD be some EXPERIENCE time in between each stage.
I have a few friends IN the force but have never asked them the question, (none in traffic though).
My job incidently involves driving (from place to place, approx 20m radius), sometimes under pressure from my employer and sometimes because it may involve public safety, (emergency call-out and so on) and may need to get there quickly to limit the affect on the public.
BUT! I don't have emergency status OR roof lights OR training as you perhaps have.
I HAVE been stopped in the wee hours though,in a marked vehicle AND speeding, but have been "let off" once the situation as been explained, but I MUST be on thin ice in the event of an accident!
This is what interested me in the origional post. Should the training, Etc, Etc, be extended to include people like me?
Personally, I would say, Yes! maybe that's what the origional poster had in mind?
I can imagine, (knowing courses & don't we all!),it must be quite a different thing, "in practice" rather than, "on a course" and doing it for real with the added pressures of the job, that's what made me think that there SHOULD be some EXPERIENCE time in between each stage.
I have a few friends IN the force but have never asked them the question, (none in traffic though).
My job incidently involves driving (from place to place, approx 20m radius), sometimes under pressure from my employer and sometimes because it may involve public safety, (emergency call-out and so on) and may need to get there quickly to limit the affect on the public.
BUT! I don't have emergency status OR roof lights OR training as you perhaps have.
I HAVE been stopped in the wee hours though,in a marked vehicle AND speeding, but have been "let off" once the situation as been explained, but I MUST be on thin ice in the event of an accident!
This is what interested me in the origional post. Should the training, Etc, Etc, be extended to include people like me?
Personally, I would say, Yes! maybe that's what the origional poster had in mind?
pmanson said:
Can I do this course or should try and do a IAM test. I'd love to get a silver or gold qualification. (I was told I should be able to get bronze without too much difficulty)
As MC/Gone has pointed out you cannot do a Police Driving Course. You CAN however economically do an IAM test - this is about £90...and includes as much training as you need to pass (done by volunteers), a test (with a Class 1 Police Driver) and membership of the IAM for a year (groanworthy magazine!)
. The IAM do not grade their passes.
The Rospa Advanced Drivers Association costs about the same, is the same course, and is nigh on the same test but they DO grade it. I have an IAM pass and on Tuesday will see what grade I can get with Rospa. I'll let you know.
The IAM do a second test however (The "Special Assessment") at which one recieves a percetange. Apparently the highest percentage awarded is something like 70 so far. Its very, very tough. I think I will try it next year and see how I do...
All of these tests however are merely confirmation that you can (road) drive a bit...matters of (reasonably well-informed) opinion. Its the preparing for them that is fun...
I should point out, you do not HAVE to be a Police Officer to do a Police advanced driving course. There are a whole host of other law enforcement/intelligence agencies who can do these courses. To throw a couple of unusual ones into the hat, the NHS Investigation Service - who need to drive on surveillance for the purposes of catching organised gangs who are systematically ripping off the NHS of millions of OUR £££. And the DSS Investigation Teams.
I should point out, that agencies like this do NOT have a legal exemption from the law in rlation to speeding etc... However, it is clearly necessary to speed, go through red lights etc... Senior bods in the organisations will usually ask the CPS to consider whether the public interest test is met in proceeding with a prosecution, given the nature of the work, together the with the fact that the drivers are trained to the highest levels.
I should point out, that agencies like this do NOT have a legal exemption from the law in rlation to speeding etc... However, it is clearly necessary to speed, go through red lights etc... Senior bods in the organisations will usually ask the CPS to consider whether the public interest test is met in proceeding with a prosecution, given the nature of the work, together the with the fact that the drivers are trained to the highest levels.
As Don has said RoSPA and IAM are the readily available and good quality, well worth it alternatives.
The closest you are going to get to Class 1, and I appreciate that it does have a slightly different angle is the HPC.
Its not cheap but its superb by all accounts. I hope to do it next year.
The closest you are going to get to Class 1, and I appreciate that it does have a slightly different angle is the HPC.
Its not cheap but its superb by all accounts. I hope to do it next year.
zumbruk said:
Firstly as already stated, you cannot do this unless you are in a Police vehicle
Incorrect. The law makes no reference to Police vehicles, markings, sirens or blue lights. It merely says that speed limits do not apply to vehicles being used on Police business.
As oppose to a vehicle which is not being used for police purposes.
I don't think I have ever heard of an advanced course done in a vehicle which was not owned by a Police authority. Even outside agencies have to use those which are supplied by the course provider.
I suppose you could always ask to use your own but I have a feeling I know the answer to that. Therefore it will be in a Police vehicle
Actually, the exemption for exceeding the limit is 'vehicles used for Police purposes' and not 'business' as you suggest!
Tell Me about it! I live in the REAL world. To be fair to my employer, it is NOT just the pressure from them, (for 'tis a BiG company.)
The situation does from time to time involve public safety - and therefore the pressure is there to; GET IT DONE! not to mention the potential damage to my employers (and the nations) systems in my field.
This is what attracted my attention in the origional post! i.e. the VERY real need on occassions to get there very quicky! against the fact that I have NO immunity in law should there be an accident.
As recently posted I have just spent the last 3days at work with little sleep, not quite in the above category but still URGENT for the site concerned.
Don't care though now, I'm off for the rest of the Bank Hol. (I think!)
The situation does from time to time involve public safety - and therefore the pressure is there to; GET IT DONE! not to mention the potential damage to my employers (and the nations) systems in my field.
This is what attracted my attention in the origional post! i.e. the VERY real need on occassions to get there very quicky! against the fact that I have NO immunity in law should there be an accident.
As recently posted I have just spent the last 3days at work with little sleep, not quite in the above category but still URGENT for the site concerned.
Don't care though now, I'm off for the rest of the Bank Hol. (I think!)
8Pack said:
This is what attracted my attention in the origional post! i.e. the VERY real need on occassions to get there very quicky! against the fact that I have NO immunity in law should there be an accident.
Don't be under any illusions about Police Officers having immunity if they crash. If a Police officer has a collision in the course of their duty regardless of whether they were responding to 'an incident' or not, they are suspended from driving Police vehicles until the investigation is completed and more often than not these days, are summonsed if they are found to be blameworthy. This happens especially if someone else is involved or injured.
8pack said:
Don't care though now, I'm off for the rest of the Bank Hol. (I think!)
Have a good one. I will be from tomorrow too.
Cheers!
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