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 Four Wheel Drive Victoria (FWDV - formerly VAFWDC) accreditation and Australian Competency Standard 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 Peter van Riel 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 off-road 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.

Other Courses:

· Chainsaw Operation & Maintenance – RTC 2304A

· First Aid

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 for 2012 is :

PROFICIENCY

Month	Theory	Practical	Venue
Feb 2012	9^th Feb	12^th Feb	Werribee
March 2012 Ladies Only	23^rd March	25^th March	Werribee
May 2012	11^th May	12^th May	Werribee
July 2012 Ladies Only	20^th July	22^nd July	Werribee
Aug 2012	17^th Aug	18^th Aug	Werribee
Nov 2012	16^th Nov	18^th Nov	Werribee

PROFICIENY PLUS - DRIVING COURSE

Month	Practical	Venue
April 2012	15^th April	Cobaw
June 2012	17^th June	Cobaw
Sept 2012	9^th Sept	Cobaw

PROFICIENY PLUS - NAVIGATION COURSE

Month	Theory	Venue
Feb 2012	20^th Feb	GWBC
May 2012	14^th May	GWBC
Aug 2012	6^th Aug	GWBC

PROFICIENY PLUS - TRIP PLANNING COURSE

Month	Theory	Venue
Mar 2012	8^th Mar	GWBC
May 2012	28^th May	GWBC
Aug 2012	27^th Aug	GWBC

ADVANCED

Month	Theory	Practical	Venue
Apr 2012	23^rd Apr	28 & 29^th Apr	Cobaw
Oct 2012	9^th Oct	20 & 21^st Oct	Cobaw

CHAINSAW – RTO Accredited

Month	Theory	Practical	Venue
May 2012	14^th May	20^th May	TBA
Sept 2012	10^th Sept	23^rd Sept	TBA

Other courses as advised – see magazine and eTrips

Venue for Theory Nights : Now held at the Glen Waverley Bowls Club – Club Meeting venue.