Driver Training
Unit
The Club holds regular driver awareness courses, at Proficiency, Proficiency
Plus and Advanced standards. The course leaders are experienced and fully
qualified four-wheel drivers with FWDV (formerly VAFWDC) accreditation. The
moderate fee for these courses includes a copy of the Pajero Four-Wheel Drive
Club information material, and upon successful completion, a FWDV certificate
presented at the monthly Club meeting.
Booking a Course
For Driver
Training Schedule Please Refer to Club Magazine or e-mail Driver Training Officer
Alberto Pamintuan on:- DriverTraining@pajeroclub.com.au
A Message from the
co-ordinator of the Driver Training Unit
One of the
most important aspects of four-wheel driving is the difference between driving
on bitumen and the special skills required to use your vehicle in true off road
conditions.
For members
who are new to the Pajero 4WD Club, the Driver Training Unit (DTU) aims to
increase driver awareness in all aspects of four-wheel driving. This ranges
from care of the environment, vehicle knowledge, four-wheel driving techniques,
basic recovery techniques and safety in the bush.
The DTU runs
three sets of courses –
Proficiency: Incorporates the Basics of Four Wheel Driving.
Our Driver Instructors are accredited by FWD Victoria to deliver this course to
our Club Members and Guests. This course includes 3.5 hours of Theory, held
during a weeknight and a full day of Practical Driving on the following Saturday
or Sunday. The Practical Day is held at the Melbourne 4x4 Proving Ground. This
course gives members a basic understanding of four-wheel driving and their
vehicle, and will enable them to participate in most club trips appearing in
the Club magazine.
Proficiency Plus: is a series of course units for
our Club Members only after they have completed the Proficiency Course.
·
Proficiency
Plus - Driving Course: is a full day of practical driving in true off-road
conditions. This is for Club Members that are looking to further their driving
experience with help from our experienced Driving Instructors. We focus on reading
the tracks before driving them, left foot breaking and other driver techniques.
·
Proficiency
Plus - Navigation Course: is a basic course on navigation skills. By
understanding the basics on map reading, plotting points and routes then
students will gain skills and knowledge that they can apply when navigating in
offroad situations.
·
Proficiency
Plus - Trip Planning Course: will provide awareness on planning trips and conducting
trips. This course is presented by Experienced Trip Leaders and provides
practical advice and tips for our Club Members.
Advanced: includes a 3 hour Theory Night and a full weekend of
Practical enhancement of skills for our Club Members. This course concentrates
on areas such as reading and negotiating difficult terrain, advanced recovery
techniques, practical navigation exercise, tyre changing basics and chainsaw
safety. Prior to participating in the Advanced Course it is recommended that Club
members have a minimum of one year’s four-wheel driving experience after first
completing the Proficiency Course. They must also complete the Proficiency Plus
Driving Course and Navigation Course Units. This is a guide only, as previous
four-wheel driving experience is also taken into consideration.
To ensure that
we deliver the courses to their full benefit we highly recommend one student
driver per vehicle.
If you have
any questions regarding any of the courses please contact the driver training co-ordinator.
A report
on a DTU Proficiency Course from one of the participants.
The
Course Schedule below was updated on 12/09/2008:
PROFICIENCY
|
Month
|
Theory
|
Practical
|
|
Date
|
Venue
|
Date
|
Venue
|
|
December 2008
|
3rd Dec
|
Nth Balwyn RSL Hall
|
6th Dec
|
Werribee
|
PROFICIENY PLUS DRIVING COURSE
|
Month
|
Practical
|
Venue
|
|
September 2008
|
21st Sept
|
Mt. Disappointment
|
|
November 2008
|
23rd Nov
|
Mt. Disappointment
|
PROFICIENY PLUS NAVIGATION COURSE
|
Month
|
Theory
|
Venue
|
|
Sept 2008
|
9th Sept
|
RSL Hall Centre Way Nth Balwyn
|
PROFICIENY PLUS TRIP PLANNING COURSE
|
Month
|
Theory
|
Venue
|
|
Oct 2008
|
7th Oct
|
RSL Hall Centre Way Nth Balwyn
|
ADVANCED
|
Month
|
Theory
|
Practical
|
|
Date
|
Venue
|
Date
|
Venue
|
|
October 2008
|
10th Oct
|
Nth Balwyn RSL Hall
|
18th, 19th
Oct
|
Tallarook
|