FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has revised and updated its driver training output with the introduction of its new ‘Safe Driving’ course. The new offering is fully redesigned and consolidates the scheme’s previous Safe Urban Driving (SUD) and Van Smart courses.
Safe Driving is delivered through the FORS Professional training portfolio and is available to drivers of all vehicle classes, from vans through to 44-tonne GCW articulated vehicles. A full redesign means participants will receive the very latest tuition on defensive driving to instil a safety mindset which benefits drivers, vulnerable road users and the wider public.
Course highlights include drivers’ regulatory responsibilities and the importance of safe driving practices on motorways, rural and urban roads. Importantly, Safe Driving takes a deep dive into key areas that may negatively impact individuals behind the wheel such as driver fitness, health, distraction and impairment. Safe Driving also includes a practical on-cycle session and a theory module. Both 3.5-hour modules contribute towards Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), plus mandatory Work-Related Road Risk training as required at FORS Silver.
FORS Concession Director Geraint Davies said, “Both our previous SUD and Van Smart training courses delivered significant benefits for drivers, albeit for different vehicle classes. Our new Safe Driving course brings all the various course elements together into one redesigned package, which will provide benefits for everyone. Our FORS Professional training portfolio remains the most comprehensive training resource for drivers and managers currently available in the transport sector.”
FORS Safe Driving is available now to all FORS Professional licensed training providers. To allow time for Driver CPC approvals, a transition period exists where the previous Safe Urban Driving course may still be available. Previous courses Safe Urban Driving and Van Smart remain acceptable demonstrations of meeting FORS Silver training requirement ‘S5 Work-related road risk (WRRR)’ if they are valid within the five-year validity period. Safe Urban Driving was launched in 2012 and has since delivered training for over 130,000 drivers.