Slough man helps launch radical new learner driver course

1 September 2008

Slough-based driving expert Craig McCall will be one of the first driving instructors in the UK to deliver what is believed will become a blueprint for the learner driver course of the future.

Craig will be one of the very first franchisees for the revolutionary DriveTech Advantage system of learning to drive, which uses some of the best qualified instructors in the UK to deliver a course which goes way beyond that possible through conventional hourly paid driving lessons.

“I’m very excited to be one of the pilot group of instructors being asked to train new drivers this way” says Craig. “We’re not only going to achieve a better than average pass rate but we’re also going to make a huge difference to young drivers’ behaviour after they’ve got their licence. The way things are now, far too many of them are getting killed and injured. We’re going to give them a vital edge that will help them be a cut above the average driver.”

Up to now Craig has been one of DriveTech’s consultant trainers, coaching experienced business drivers in advanced driving techniques to help make them safer, whilst also looking after the needs of his own learner driver customers. One of the unique aspects of DriveTech Advantage is the adoption of advanced driver training techniques from the outset. “We’re going to try to give them a crystal ball,” says Craig. “If we can get them to think like an experienced driver, and anticipate danger before it appears, we can make a dramatic difference to their chances of being involved in a crash later on.”

DriveTech Advantage is totally different from the conventional learner driving course, in that it

• uses the most qualified, advanced driving instructors
• provides interactive group workshop sessions to bridge the experience gap
• involves post qualification training on motorways, night driving and dealing with bad weather
• involves parents or guardians formally, to aid the learning process
• provides a graduation multi activity driving event to celebrate success
• attracts a genuinely discounted insurance offer on completion
• is also a City & Guilds qualification in driving, recognised by employers

Those interested in learning with DriveTech Advantage in Slough and the surrounding area should email advantage@drivetech.co.uk or call 0800 840 5105. Additional information about the product can be found on DriveTech’s new website by clicking on the Advantage icon at www.drivetech.co.uk

DriveTech is happy to receive enquiries from prospective learner drivers outside these areas too, as recruitment of DriveTech Advantage trainers is ongoing and the growth of regional coverage is expected to be rapid.

Further information about all the DriveTech brands please refer to www.drivetech.co.uk

For further information, members of the media should contact
Steve Johnson on direct line +44 (0)1789 414700, mobile +44 (0)7894 621134 or on steve.johnson@drivetech.co.uk

Editor's Notes

DriveTech (UK) plc is one of the UK’s leading providers of road risk management, driver assessment and education. We work both with organisations whose employees ‘drive for work’ and with members of the public, who are offered education as an alternative to prosecution by the police.

DriveTech’s vision is ‘working together to eliminate road death and serious injuries’ by providing the most effective and innovative solutions, using education and technology, to minimise risk for all road users.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s (ITM) ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the ‘European Driver Safety Specialist’ award in 2005. In September 2007, it was named the ITM’s ‘UK Driver Training Solutions Specialist’ for making ‘the most significant impact upon the Driver Training and Safety sector over the past decade’

In 2007, DriveTech (UK) won the South England and South Wales regional award of the Bank of Scotland Corporate ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ of up to £5m, interest-free funding and was runner-up in the national Grand Finale. In addition, the company was named runner-up in the 2007 Thames Valley ‘Business of the Year’ award.