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 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.

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 06/11/2009:

 

PROFICIENCY

Month	Theory		Practical
	Date	Venue	Date	Venue
February 2010	26th Feb	Nth Balwyn	28th Feb	Werribee
May 2010	13th May	Nth Balwyn	16th May	Werribee
August 2010	20th Aug	Nth Balwyn	22nd Aug	Tallarook
November 2010	19th Nov	Nth Balwyn	21st Nov	Werribee

 

PROFICIENCY PLUS DRIVING COURSE

Month	Practical	Venue
April 2010	17th April	Cobaw
June 2010	6th June	Cobaw
July 2010	25th July	Cobaw
September 2010	11th Sept	Cobaw

 

PROFICIENCY PLUS NAVIGATION COURSE

Month	Course Date	Venue
February 2010	23rd Feb	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn
April 2010	13th Apr	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn
August 2010	10th Aug	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn

 

PROFICIENCY PLUS TRIP PLANNING COURSE

Month	Course Date	Venue
March 2010	2nd Mar	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn
April 2010	20th Apr	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn
August 2010	17th Aug	FWD Vic Nth Balwyn

 

ADVANCED

Month	Theory		Practical
	Date	Venue	Date	Venue
October 2010	7th Oct	Nth Balwyn RSL Hall	16th & 17th Oct	Tallarook