MiDAS INDUCTION TRAINING FOR DRIVERS Standard Minibuses

1. MiDASINDUCTION TRAINING FOR DRIVERSStandard Minibuses

2. OBJECTIVES OF MiDAS The objectives of MiDAS are that you will: • Be assessed to ensure that your driving skills are of an acceptable standard • Be given help where necessary to improve your driving skills • Be aware of the legal, practical and safety issues surrounding minibus driving • Be trained in the use of accessible minibuses where necessary • Receive a certificate which is accepted by other MiDAS members

3. THE MiDAS STRATEGY

4. HOW MiDAS WORKS FOR DRIVERS Key steps to becoming a MiDAS driver: • Pre-assessment procedures • An assessment of your driving ability • Option of some driving skills training • Training in the skills and information you need to drive a minibus • Theory assessment

5. HOW MiDAS WORKS FOR DRIVERS PRE-ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES DRIVING ASSESSMENT SESSION DRIVING SKILLS TRAINING PASS FAIL STANDARD TRAINING ADDITIONAL TRAINING ACCESSIBLE DRIVER’S CERTIFICATE STANDARD DRIVER’S CERTIFICATE

6. WHAT MiDAS OFFERS DRIVERS • You and your passengers know that your driving competence has been assessed to a common standard • You will have received up to date training in the skills and information needed to drive a minibus • You will be able to drive the minibuses of other MiDAS members without having your driving skills re-assessed

7. MiDAS DRIVERS’ CERTIFICATES AND REFRESHER TRAINING • A certificate is issued after successfully completing a driver assessment, training and a theory assessment • There are two types of certificate: standard and accessible - the type you get depends on the training you receive • All certificates are valid for four years • After four years Refresher Training is required • This will involve a re-assessment of your driving ability and a theory assessment

8. ENDORSEMENT OF MiDAS MiDAS is endorsed by many organisations including: • RoSPA • National Union of Teachers • Help the Aged • Driving Standards Agency • Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers • British Red Cross • The National Trust

9. PROGRESS OF MiDAS (1) • MiDAS has been developed by Hampshire County Council, who run the scheme in Hampshire • MiDAS is run by the Community Transport Association throughout the rest of the UK • Certificates are interchangeable between the two schemes

10. PROGRESS OF MiDAS (2) The ongoing success of MiDAS depends on: • Drivers • Driver Assessor/Trainers • MiDAS member organisations all continuing to adopt a sense of responsibility for their actions

11. PASSENGER ASSISTANT TRAINING SCHEME Delivered in a flexible “modular” format: • Module A: The Role of the Passenger Assistant • Module B: Assisting Passengers with Disabilities • Module C1: Children and Young People with Special Needs • Module C2: Adults Who Need Care and Supervision • Module D: Emergency Aid • Module E: Manual Handling • Module F: Safely Managing Challenging Behaviour PATS is also relevant to drivers with a caring role

12. DEFENSIVE DRIVING (1) … is safe driving … is driving with responsibility, care, consideration and courtesy … is about never relying on other road users to do the correct thing.

13. DEFENSIVE DRIVING (2) Defensive driving involves: • An awareness of what is happening around you • Planning driving actions to take account of what you can see and what you cannot see • Anticipating the actions of others • Staying in control at all times

14. DEFENSIVE DRIVING (3) DEFENSIVE DRIVING (3) As a defensive driver you must: • Look • Assess what you see • Decide what to do before you… • Act

15. COMPARE CAR AND MINIBUS DIMENSIONS From the driver’s perspective: the extra width is to the nearside the extra length is to the rear

16. COMPARE CAR AND MINIBUS OVERHANGS Minibuses generally have longer overhangs, especially at the rear

17. THE SAFETY GAP You should ensure that: • You maintain a safety gap around the minibus at all times • In slow moving traffic you do not get too close to the vehicle ahead of you • In faster moving traffic you use the ‘two second rule’

18. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS – ABS (1) • From May 2002 new minibuses must have ABS • Older minibuses may already have ABS You need to know: • If a minibus has ABS • How to use ABS With ABS you still need a safety gap

19. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS – ABS (2) • Activates automatically when driver brakes very heavily • Prevents wheels locking so allows you to maintain control and steer • No need for ‘cadence’ braking • No need to ‘pump’ the brakes • ABS does not necessarily shorten stopping distances – it can make them longer. So… • … always keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front

20. MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOTS MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOTS You should ensure that: • Mirrors are clean and correctly positioned before starting off • Mirrors are used frequently and especially before moving off, signalling, speeding up, slowing down or changing course • You know where the blind spots are • You try to keep out of other drivers’ blind spots • You use side mirrors to ensure adequate vision

21. MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOTS BLIND SPOTS

22. REVERSING REVERSING • Slow speed reverse collisions are common • Avoid reversing where possible • Ask: Can your manoeuvre be made safely? • Ask a colleague for help where possible • Carry out the manoeuvre slowly • You must use side mirrors and over-the-shoulder observation • Be aware of blind spots • Use a rear window lens if fitted • Take particular care if children are nearby • Practice helps!

23. REVERSING A VEHICLE USING A GUIDE • The driver is responsible for the vehicle even when being guided • Guiding a driver requires appropriate training and safety measures such as high visibility clothing • Guides should stand in a safe place, keep pedestrians clear of the reversing area and give clear signals to the driver • If a passenger assistant is acting as a guide, vulnerable passengers must not be left unsupervised • If a driver loses sight of the guide s/he should stop the vehicle

24. SIGNALS, SPEED AND PASSENGER CONSIDERATION You should ensure that: • You avoid giving confusing signals • You don’t make assumptions about another driver’s signals • You travel at the correct speed for the road, traffic and weather conditions • You show passenger consideration – avoid harsh cornering, stopping or braking, etc. • You are aware of the capabilities of your minibus • You do not commit yourself to a manoeuvre you cannot complete safely

25. VITAL STATISTICS ABOUT SPEED (1) • 70% of drivers regularly exceed the 30 mph limit • An average of 10 people are killed every day on UK roads • Your chances of being killed in a road traffic accident are 1 in 200 • You are twice as likely to kill someone if you hit them at 35 mph than if you hit them at 30 mph • A child hit by a motor vehicle travelling at 40 mph has only a 5% chance of surviving the accident

26. VITAL STATISTICS ABOUT SPEED (2) VITAL STATISTICS ABOUT SPEED (2) • 66% of accidents resulting in injury or death occur on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less • The overall stopping distance of a car travelling at 30mph is 23 metres (about 6 car lengths) • Minibuses may take even further to stop • One person less every day would die and injury accidents would fall by 5% if the average speed fell by just 1 mph

27. YOUR EYESIGHT • Naturally deteriorates with age especially after you reach your mid-forties • Drivers have to read a number plate during their driving test at 67 feet (20.5 metres), or 66 feet (20 metres) for new style plates • A recent survey suggests 16% of drivers could not meet the minimum legal eyesight standard for driving • An eye examination by an optician offers a comprehensive check • Eye examinations are now very cheap • MiDAS recommends an eyesight test at least every two years

28. GENERAL POINTS ABOUT MINIBUSES GENERAL POINTS ABOUT MINIBUSES • Minibuses are vehicles with 9 – 16 passenger seats • A minibus is a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) unless a totally free service is provided • Section 19 and 22 Permit minibuses can operate on a not-for-profit basis without complying with the full PSV regulations (e.g. requiring a PCV licence) • Drivers have a duty of care to their passengers

29. DRIVER LICENSING: RECAP OF 1997 CHANGES DRIVER LICENSING: RECAP OF 1997 CHANGES • Drivers passing their car driving test do not automatically receive an entitlement to drive a minibus • Derogation introduced, which enables drivers passing their car driving test from 1st January 1997 to continue to drive a minibus under certain conditions • Arrangements for taking a minibus abroad have changed

30. DRIVER LICENSING: 1988 CHANGES DRIVER LICENSING: 1998 CHANGES • Drivers with a medically restricted licence or reaching the age of 70 will not automatically retain entitlement to drive a minibus when their licence is renewed • Drivers under the age of 70 with a medical condition can continue to drive a minibus if: • they meet higher medical standards or • they meet the terms of the UK derogation • Drivers over the age of 70 can continue to drive a minibus if: • they meet higher medical standards

31. PHOTOCARD DRIVING LICENCES PHOTOCARD DRIVING LICENCES • Have replaced paper driving licences • Take the form of a credit card size licence with a picture of the driver • Only valid for a maximum of 10 years • PCV or LGV drivers may need to renew their licence more frequently • DVLA will issue a reminder that your licence is about to expire • Has a counterpart which shows information about any endorsements

32. DRIVER’S HOURS (1) DRIVER’S HOURS • Domestic driver rules do not apply to volunteer drivers or to those individuals whose primary function is not driving (DfT view) • Community rules apply if you take a minibus abroad • If rules do not apply you should use a common sense approach: • Rest periods of 15 minutes or more after every two hours driving • Use a second driver on longer journeys where possible • Do not drive for any significant length of time after a day’s work or during your normal hours of sleep • Do not drive if you are feeling tired, unwell or on medication which may affect your driving

33. DRIVER’S HOURS (DOMESTIC RULES) DRIVER’S HOURS: DOMESTIC RULES • See the Minibus Driver’s Handbook for details of the following domestic rules • If you do not drive for more that 4 hours a day in any one week, you are free from the rules • You must not drive for more than 10 hours in a day or work for more than 16 hours • After driving for 5.5 hours, you must take a break for 30 minutes • Or you may take the 30 minute break after 8.5 hours providing that you take breaks totalling 45 minutes during this time • You must have a rest period of 10 hours between days but this can be reduced to 8.5 hours on 3 days per week

34. SEAT BELTS SEAT BELTS • Seat belts must be worn, where fitted: • in the front seats of all vehicles (children may only use the front seats if belts are fitted) • in the rear seats of vehicles with a capacity for 8 or fewer passengers • in the rear seats of minibuses with an unladen weight of no more than 2540kg • You are responsible for ensuring that all children under 14 wear seat belts if these are available and appropriate • Good practice = wear belts

35. SEAT BELTS: 1997 CHANGES SEAT BELTS: 1997 CHANGES • Apply to journeys where 3 or more children are carried • Require children to be provided with a forward-facing seat and a seat belt (minimum requirement is a lap belt) • Drivers will need to ensure that their vehicles meet these new regulations when carrying groups of children • No changes have been made to existing wearing requirements

36. SEAT BELTS: 1997 CHANGES SEAT BELTS: 2001 CHANGES For new minibuses built from October 2001 onwards: • Seat belts must be fitted to rearward-facing as well as forward-facing seats • When carrying 3 or more children, they can use the rearward-facing seats as well as the forward-facing seats

37. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR WEARING SEAT BELTS

38. SPEED LIMITS • Speed limits are different from those for cars • Comply with signs setting lower limits than these • There are additional restrictions when towing trailers

39. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES: GENERAL POINTS (1) LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES: GENERAL POINTS (1) • All gangways must be clear of obstructions at all times • There should be a clear gangway for every passenger to at least two exits • All doors must be unlocked when there are passengers inside the minibus • Alcohol and drugs can impair your driving ability – remember the effects of alcohol from the day before and check the effects of any medication you are taking • Only use bus lanes if you are certain that the local Traffic Orders allow their use by minibuses • There are specific requirements when taking a minibus abroad

40. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES: GENERAL POINTS (2) LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES: GENERAL POINTS (2) • The Highway Code should be observed at all times • Do not overload a minibus beyond its Gross Vehicle Weight • Side lights should be left on when parking on-street at night, although this may not be strictly enforced where there is adequate street lighting • You should park at least 10 metres from any junction • The passenger capacity should not be exceeded and no standing passengers allowed • The police or a DfT examiner have the right to conduct a roadside inspection of your minibus for defects

41. PASSENGER SAFETY GENERAL SAFETY POINTS • Do not drive a particular type of minibus until you have received vehicle familiarisation • Equipment or luggage carried inside a minibus should be securely stowed and must not block the gangways • Know where the first aid kit is and report any items used • Know where the fire extinguishers are and how they operate • If you use a roof rack on a minibus, know the manufacturer’s recommendations on the maximum load • Do not use a trailer without first receiving some training on its use

42. CONDITION OF A MINIBUS CONDITION OF A MINIBUS • As a driver you are legally responsible for the condition of the minibus that you are driving • This includes tyres, steering, brakes, lights, the fire extinguisher and the first aid kit • This responsibility cannot be passed on to the organisation owning the minibus • You should know the arrangements for reporting defects

43. For new external damage to the bodywork All doors are unlocked Tyre condition and pressures Oil, water, brake fluid, washer fluid and fuel levels Lights and indicators are working and clean Windscreen wipers and washers are in working order Mirrors are intact and correctly positioned Windows and mirrors are clean Horn is in working order Seat belts are working where fitted Fire extinguisher is intact First aid kit is complete Any necessary paperwork is completed STARTING OFF PROCEDURE (1) At the start of your journey you should check:

44. Passenger lift or ramp is securely stowed There are sufficient wheelchair and passenger restraints for your journey Seats are removed to accommodate wheelchair users, if required Other seats are fixed and secure STARTING OFF PROCEDURE (2) For accessible minibuses:

45. COMPLETION PROCEDURE For any new external damage to the bodywork The minibus is parked safely and legally with the handbrake firmly applied All switches are off The minibus is left in a clean and tidy condition Any paperwork is complete Any use of first aid kit or fire extinguisher is reported … and for accessible minibuses: Any seats which may have been removed are securely refitted The passenger lift or ramp is correctly stowed At the end of each trip you should check:

46. PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (1) CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY (1) • Seat belts and restraints should be appropriate for the size and age of the child • You are responsible for ensuring all children under 14 are wearing seat belts if these are available and appropriate • The back row and very front seats are the danger zones for front and rear end collisions • Policy on supervision / passenger assistants • Policy on behaviour and passengers’ details

47. PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (1) CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY (2) When children are boarding or alighting from a minibus you should ensure that: • You use a safe stopping place, on the nearside of the road, away from traffic • The minibus is completely stopped • Boarding and alighting is supervised • Your passengers are comfortably seated and wearing seat belts (where applicable) before you drive away • Any passengers who have just alighted are well clear of the minibus before you drive away

48. PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (1) PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (1) • Plan your route • Carry: • Maps • Torch • Personal alarm • Check the minibus before setting off • When driving alone: • Lock all the doors • Don’t pick up hitch-hikers • Loose change and a phone card • Breakdown services information • A mobile phone if one is available

49. PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (2) PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (2) • Park in a well-lit place • Lock doors when leaving the minibus (including when re-fuelling) • Have your keys ready when you return to a parked minibus • Be cautious if involved in an accident • If followed or harassed, go to a police station or public place (eg a 24 hour petrol station which will have CCTV)

50. PERSONAL SAFETY FOR DRIVERS (3) BREAKDOWN, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES • Assess each situation • Take account of individual circumstances • Follow the safest course of action You should: