Categories of Driving Courses Available
Driving is a complex task requiring, visual, physical, perceptual and cognitive interaction.
Visual (see ahead, and to the sides for other road users and hazards)
Physical ( steer a car, accelerate and brake, operate secondary controls )
Perceptual ( judge distances and speeds, judge spaces, interpret junctions )
Cognitive ( to co-ordinate a series of visual, perceptual, physical and mental tasks at the same time to control the car within your environment )
To combine all these skills and produce a competent standard of driving, Confidence is imperative.
Confidence is a skill that cannot be taught. It has to be acquired. While some achieve confidence quickly and without effort, others require more practice, more time, different teaching strategies. Everyone learns at a different pace. Be patient. Never compare your own driving progress to others. Remember “Anxiety Impedes Performance”.
One of the first priorities is to develop a good rapport with your instructor. A good instructor should recognise the drivers abilities, be patient and discuss progress including skills that require attention, while being vigilant not to expect too much from their pupils. Short frequent lessons are more productive than long less frequent lessons.
Establish familiar, short, uncomplicated routes and build on them as you progress. Your objective is to drive safely within your environment and build on previous skills to achieve higher standards.
Driving safely, competently and confidently should be the focus of learning to drive or returning to drive. There is a common misperception that “passing the driving test” is the sole purpose.
Certainly aim for (and beyond) driving test standard. But driving is a “skill for life” and not just “passing the driving test.”
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Beginners Courses
Before beginning to drive you must apply for a learner permit (previously known as a provisional licence) and be over 17 years of age. You can apply for a learner permit (application form D.201) to the licensing authority ( motor tax office ) in the City / County in which you reside.
All applicants for a learner permit must pass a Driver Theory Test ( D T T ). www.dtts.ie.
Firstly, obtain a copy of The Official Driver Theory Test Book or The Official Driver Theory Test CD from your local bookstore or by phoning 1890 606 106. Having studied and learned the necessary bank of questions you then apply for a driver theory test ( phone 1890 606 106 ). On completion of same, a theory test certificate will be issued.
All applicants with a disability must complete a medical report form ( ref. D501). This medical report includes an eyesight report. This report requires completion by the applicant and their General Practitioner.
With your Driver Theory Test Certificate, completed medical report form D.501 and completed D.201 read the notes and satisfy the checklist on the learner permit application and your Learner Permit may be issued.
By visiting the website www.corkcoco.ie, click on Cork County Council home page. Click on Motor Tax, then Downloadable Forms and you may download the necessary information and /or application forms.
Once you possess a Learner Permit you may choose a driving school and begin driving lessons.
Alternatively you may have your own vehicle adapted and learn to drive in it.
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Driving Schools with Adapted Vehicles
Currently in Ireland there are seven driving schools with an adapted vehicle(s) to choose from:
1. Southern Mobility, Cork, phone 087 930 4335 or 021 439 8527 www.southernmobility.ie
2. Disabled Drivers Association Of Ireland, Mayo, phone 094 936 4054 www.ddai.ie
3. Smart Choice School Of Motoring, Cappagh, Co.Tipperary including Limerick,
phone Jorg 086 3821437 or 062 75357
4. Catherine Kinsella School Of Motoring, Enniscorthy, phone 087 6995603.
5. Bobby Dunphy School Of Motoring, New Ross, phone 087 265 2264. www.bobbydunphy.com
6. Comfort Driving School 365, Galway. Phone Dan 086 367 5710
Email us or visit www.comfortdriving365.com
7. The Irish Wheelchair Association, Kildare, phone 045 893 094 www.iwa.ie
In addition to the above driving school services the Driver Education Centre, Kilkenny, offer an adapted driving simulator training programme for people with disabilities.
Contact Brenda on 085 818 3 818.
www.drivereducationcentre.com
For anyone who may have their own vehicle adapted you can choose your own preferred instructor/driving school, however it is necessary that you choose a Road Safety Authority (RSA) Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and it is also highly recommended you choose an instructor that has training in teaching people with disabilities to drive. Contact Southern Mobility Assessment & Tuition Specialists or The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland for a list of qualified instructors who have received specialist training and certification.
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Learning to drive with a Brain Injury/ Learning Difficulty/ Mental Illness
A specialist supervised driving course may be necessary for anyone with a brain injury, learning difficulty or mental illness who is learning to drive for the first time. This tailored driving course pays particular attention to a person’s specific needs/skills, and ascertains their ability to acquire a competent driving standard.
When learning to drive, a vehicle with automatic transmission may provide a more suitable alternative, enabling the learning process to be easier and quicker.
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Driver Rehabilitation Courses/Cognitive Rehabilitation
These courses are for those wishing to return to or continue driving following an illness/disability and wish to learn a new technique of driving using adaptive driving equipment and /or automatic transmission. The cognitive rehabilitation courses are suitable for anyone who wishes to ascertain if he/she has the ability to overcome any evident cognitive difficulties, and achieve a confident, competent driving standard. Also anyone keen to return to driving and restore confidence following a road traffic accident can benefit enormously from driver a rehabilitation course.
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Older Driver Refresher Courses
The older driver refresher courses are designed for the older person who has not driven for a period of time and wishes to restore confidence, for those who wish to expand on their own driving routes, or wish to increase their driving skills to meet the demands of today’s modern infrastructure. These courses may also be recommended/requested to provide a driver with a driving plan that makes recommendations on suitable routes and a strategic plan tailored to specific needs. Many would argue that these courses should be obligatory for all drivers in this day of increasing traffic volumes, speeds, and changing network of roadways.
As part of the refresher course an assessment can be carried out to establish if any assistive technology, or automatic transmission might provide a driver with a more convenient, comfortable way of driving. A few examples include extra wide view mirrors, swivel seats, seat modifications, seat belt extensions to name but a few.
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Demonstration And Information Awareness Programme
The aim of this service is to increase knowledge and awareness to the whole area of the older driver, vehicle adaptations, driving and disability.
This programme is for individuals, support groups, associations, health professionals, vehicle adaptation companies, vehicle sales companies, or anyone who wish to increase their understanding / knowledge of vehicle adaptations, older drivers facts and information, passengers and drivers with disabilities awareness, assessment procedures etc.
We begin with a demonstration of an adapted vehicle, followed by a DVD presentation of drivers with disabilities being interviewed and driving hi-tech adapted vehicles. Next there is a questions and answers section, finishing with discussion pertaining to the groups interests. The total time allocated can be one and a half to two hours depending on numbers and groups requirements. On completion, test drives of the adapted vehicle are available.
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ADI's Advanced Driving Instructor Courses
In 2007 Southern Mobility Assessment & Tuition Specialists and the Disabled Drivers Association Of Ireland combined their professional, specialist expertise and knowledge to develop a course for driving instructors interested in providing driving tuition for older drivers and people with disabilities.
The intention in developing this course was to increase driving instruction services available to people with a disability and the older driver, throughout the whole country. Presently in Ireland services are limited, however it is increasing steadily.
This two-day intensive course includes disability awareness, knowledge of common disabilities and their affects on driving, driving assessments, specialist teaching techniques, an opportunity to view and test drive adapted vehicles, an opportunity to view a static simulator assessment unit, discussion with guest presenters who learned in and drive adapted vehicles, legal context and requirements, available supports, links to vehicle conversion companies, etc.
On completion the participant receives a certificate. Their details are maintained on a data base so as to receive referrals in the future, and they will receive further updates of information and follow on support.
Future plans will be to establish a nationwide group of instructors and link to health professionals, adaptation companies, and any other interested associations /groups and departments, incorporating conferences, seminars, workshops etc. and improve communication, knowledge, and awareness to the whole area of the older driver, driver/passenger with disabilities, driver assessments etc. thereby improving Awareness, Services and most importantly, Road Safety.
A little advice:
For any driver, beginner or experienced, it does not matter, everyone has their own style of driving. Some drive quickly, some pace their driving, some make decisions more quickly than others. So to avoid congestion ahead and maintain a steady flow we need the slower drivers and slower vehicles to prevent traffic grinding to a halt.
So remember when you are driving, certainly maintain progress, but DO NOT allow another drivers impatience affect your Decision Making Skills. You decide when it’s safe to move off at a junction, pass a cyclist safely, overtake, etc. and DO NOT allow your decision making skills to be influenced by another driver.
Set your pace, drive safely and strategically without delay, set a good example, and you may never know whose life up ahead or behind you may be saving.
So finally,
SLOW DOWN AND CONTRIBUTE TO SAVING LIVES &
MAKING OUR ROADS SAFER
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