Ridgeway Training has been supporting operators for over 25 years through its industry recognised delivery of the International Transport Manager CPC courses, Driver CPC training, Safe Urban Driving (SUD) training, FORS Professional and auditing services.
The training provider introduced its new ‘walk-round checks and defect training’ course to the luxury coach hire service provider, The Ready Group, last week.
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness states drivers are legally responsible for the condition of their vehicle when in use on the road and must report any defects, or symptoms of defects, that could prevent the safe operation of a vehicle.
A study carried out by the office of the Traffic Commissioner found that around 85% of roadworthiness infringements would have been avoided if walk-round checks were performed before the journey.
Ridgeway’s new half-day course ensures that drivers fully understand their responsibilities when undertaking regular checks and the importance of correctly identifying defects.
Danny Betts, Head of Safety, Standards and Compliance at The Ready Group says: “As per our ongoing training for all our drivers, it’s extremely important that our staff are fully up to date with the latest rules and regulations to ensure they and our customers are safe while travelling on our vehicles. And one of the most important checks to ensure the safety of everyone is the walk-round check completed by the driver prior to taking our vehicles out on the road. “This course completed by Ridgeway Training gives our drivers the refresher training they require to ensure they check that our vehicles are safe and compliant before going on the road.”
Its course covers the following subjects:
- Driver and Operator responsibilities
- Effective maintenance regimes
- Daily walk-round checks and reporting defects
- The requirements for record-keeping
- Police and DVSA roadside stops
- Outcomes – infringements and penalties
Drivers and operators might be issued an ‘unlimited fine and a prison sentence’ if a PSV is used in a dangerous condition.
Benefits of taking the course:
- Reduce the likelihood of roadside prohibitions or prosecution
- An understanding of where to go to find the right additional guidance on prohibitions and enforcement sanctions
- Compliance with DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
- Improves vehicle safety through thorough checks
- Reduce vehicle downtime by detecting defects early
- Reduces the risk of escalating maintenance costs, the risk of prohibitions at the roadside and adds positive OCRS grading protection.
Ridgeway’s expert tuition and comprehensive course handouts supports drivers and supervisors in gaining the knowledge and skills to identify defects and risks to their operation before they become a problem.
For more information or to book this training please call 01293 535850 or drop Ridgeway Training an email at info@ridgewaytraining.co.uk
