Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria
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How to Join the Pajero Club

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

9th Feb

12th Feb

Werribee

March 2012
Ladies Only

23rd March

25th March

Werribee

May 2012

11th May

12th May

Werribee

July 2012
Ladies Only

20th July

22nd July

Werribee

Aug 2012

17th Aug

18th Aug

Werribee

Nov 2012

16th Nov

18th Nov

Werribee

 

PROFICIENY PLUS - DRIVING COURSE

 

Month

Practical

Venue

April 2012

15th April

Cobaw

June 2012

17th June

Cobaw

Sept 2012

9th Sept

Cobaw

 

PROFICIENY PLUS - NAVIGATION COURSE

 

Month

Theory

Venue

Feb 2012

20th Feb

GWBC

May 2012

14th May

GWBC

Aug 2012

6th Aug

GWBC

 

PROFICIENY PLUS - TRIP PLANNING COURSE

 

Month

Theory

Venue

Mar 2012

8th Mar

GWBC

May 2012

28th May

GWBC

Aug 2012

27th Aug

GWBC

 

ADVANCED

 

Month

Theory

Practical

Venue

Apr 2012

23rd Apr

28 & 29th Apr

Cobaw

Oct 2012

9th Oct

20 & 21st Oct

Cobaw

 

CHAINSAW – RTO Accredited

 

Month

Theory

Practical

Venue

May 2012

14th May

20th May

TBA

Sept 2012

10th Sept

23rd 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.