We have developed a new range of trailer towing courses that are designed to enhance your drivers’ professional knowledge and understanding of what is involved in towing trailers and to ensure that they are always operating safely whilst out on the road.
Whether your driver has never towed a trailer before; is experienced in towing trailers but has been involved in an incident, or needs refresher training; or you have a lead driver that you want to up-skill to professionally assess other drivers who tow trailers; there is a course for you.
Trailer Towing – New Driver Training
This course is designed for new drivers or professional drivers that have little or no experience in towing trailers. This course will provide them with the skills, knowledge and confidence required to tow on a commercial basis.
This course is delivered on 1:1 or 2:1 basis (dependent on experience) and includes:
Theory Session (approx. 2 hours)
Learning to tow a trailer takes more than just practical experience; drivers need to understand the risk they face and the legal implications if they get it wrong. This two hour theory session covers subjects including route planning, speed limits, load security, manual handling and bridge strikes.
Practical Session (approx. 5 hours)
Conducted in the company’s own vehicle, the practical session covers coupling & uncoupling, banksman signals, reversing and driver training (moving off, stopping, road positioning and snaking).
At the end of the course, the delegate has a 30 minute confirmation of knowledge assessment.
Trailer Towing – Refresher Training
This course is designed for professional drivers that are experienced in towing trailers but may have been involved in an incident; require refresher training; or require an annual assessment to be able to continue towing on behalf of their company.
This course is delivered over a single day, on 2:1 or 3:1 basis (dependent on experience) and includes:
Theory Session (approx. 3 hours)
This three hour theory session covers subjects including DVSA 5 Point Check, route planning, speed limits, load security, manual handling, bridge strikes and the different types of trailers that may fall under PUWER. We also cover the legal framework and key insights into how drivers need to protect their vehicle, loads to reduce losses, damage and the risk of their vehicle being used in incidents or acts of terrorism.
Practical Session (approx. 5 hours)
Conducted in the company’s own vehicle, the practical session covers coupling & uncoupling, banksman signals, reversing and a full assessment drive (observation, communication, moving off, stopping, road positioning and snaking).
At the end of the course, the delegate has a 30 minute confirmation of knowledge assessment.
Trailer Towing – Assessor Training
This course is designed for professional drivers that are experienced in towing trailers but would like to develop their skills to assess other drivers who tow on a commercial basis.
Delegates are trained against the criteria of the previous DVSA practical towing test to ensure they would have met the standards required to pass the test.
This course is delivered over three days, on 2:1 basis and includes:
Day One
Theory session – covering highway code, report writing (assessments, vehicle checks, feedback reports), legal framework etc.
Practical Session – covering eye-sight checks, pre-drive checks, assessment drive (to establish current ability), demonstration drive, test report and assessment writing.
Day Two
Practical Session – setting up reversing exercises, reversing practice, observation and recording of findings, how to provide advice & guidance and understanding terminologies. The delegates will also undertake four assessments throughout the day, writing reports and completing assessment forms.
Day Three
Theory session – review and advise on delegates reports and assessment forms.
Practical Session – reversing practice, four further assessments drives (including commentary) and delegate debriefs.
This course is a based on a PASS or FAIL.