Next intake date

January 6, 2025
Our aim is to prepare new drivers for putting a car on the highway. Our objectives are that students will be able to demonstrate.

Pre Driver Training

Aims & Objectives

Our aim is to:

  • develop the skills required to make driving a motor vehicle a safer and more enjoyable experience.

Our objectives are to:

  • teach groups of 17 – 24 year olds basic car maintenance, the Highway Code, hazard awareness and driving skills.
  • achieve 85% attendance rates.
  • show improved behaviour at school.
  • show improvement in key skills.
  • pass the Driver Theory Test.

Please see photographs of our students in action by clicking here

Beneficiaries

  • “Great staff who take an interest in me”
  • “Helpful and I love working on the vehicles”
  • “never knew I could do it”
  • “Great fun and really learned a lot”

 

Referrers

  • “well managed, well organised and get plenty of good feedback from Wheels and our students”
  • “Easy to access and plenty of options”
  • “Don’t have to commit lots of money all at once”
  • “Made a fantastic difference to the self-confidence of our students which has helped them engage with what we’re offering back at school”
  • “An excellent resource which has good policies and practices and offers a safe environment for our students”
  • “always looking to help us”
  • “Experts at working with our students”

 

Partners

  • “A wonderful environment in which to enable their students to develop skills for work and skills for life”
  • “Somewhere that provides the care and attention needed by these students”
  • “a brilliant place to learn safely about work, friendship and helping others”
  • ‘ gives great value for money’

Details

  • Transport of learners to The Wheels Project is not provided.
  • The practice driving session is held on private land in a dual controlled vehicle and under supervision from a Wheels supervisor who has held a full driving licence for at least 10 years.
  • A learner's participation in this activity is at the discretion of the Wheels' Supervisors - any learner whose behaviour is considered to be too risky on the grounds of safety, or who has missed any sessions, will not qualify to take part.

An integrated learning facility combining basic mechanical theory with the repair and maintenance of a car and driving practice in the Project’s dual controlled car.  Plus input covering the legal requirements for vehicle use on the highway, Highway Code and hazard awareness.

  • Basic workshop tooling and equipment.
  • The Project’s dual controlled car.
  • DSA Theory Test and Hazard Awareness Training DVDs.

Overalls, gloves and safety boots – all provided by The Wheels Project.

1 x 2 1/2 hour session a week over 2 terms (12 weeks).

TERM 1 / WEEK 1 / SESSION 1

  • Introduction to staff and course content
  • Initial assessment
  • Health and safety
  • Tool recognition

WEEK 2 / SESSION 2

  • Legal requirements to drive vehicles
  • Road signs 1
  • Change a road wheel using vehicle jack
  • Theory test 1
  • Driving skills in the Project’s car park using dual controlled car

WEEK 3 /  SESSION 3

  • Road signs 2
  • Change spark plugs
  • Theory test 2
  • Hazard awareness and perception

WEEK 4 / SESSION 4

  • Road signs 3
  • Change engine oil and oil filter
  • Driving and other road users
  • Driving skills in the Project’s car park using dual controlled car

WEEK 5 / SESSION 5

  • Lighting and tyres check
  • Theory test 3
  • Keeping a vehicle in a roadworthy condition

WEEK 6 / SESSION 6

  • Driving skills in the Project’s car park using dual controlled car
  • Evaluate course and own driving

TERM 2 / WEEK 1 / SESSION 7

  • Recap previous sessions
  • Front brakes
  • Road signs 4

WEEK 2 / SESSION 8

  • Theory test 4
  • Driving skills in the Project’s car park using dual controlled car

WEEK 3 / SESSION 9

  • Road signs 5
  • Bodywork inspection
  • Buying a second hand car
  • Theory test 5

WEEK 4 / SESSION 10

  • Change a battery
  • On-line theory test practice
  • Driving skills in the Project’s car park using dual controlled car

WEEK 5 / SESSION 11

  • Hazard awareness
  • On-line theory test practice
  • Evaluate course and own driving

WEEK 6 / SESSION 12

  • Karting at TeamSport, Avonmouth Bristol

Transport of students is not provided by The Wheels Project.

Driver Theory Test

  • Groups will be pre-formed by the referring organisation.
  • Group size is restricted to a maximum of 8 students.
  • Wheels does not have more than 1 group of students at its centre at any one time.
  • New students can start up to and including week 2 but no later.
  • A Risk Assessment on students must be completed by Key Workers before the start of the course – those with a  history of violent behaviour are excluded from Wheels’ programmes. Failure to submit a formal assessment will lead to delay and forfeit of sessions.

Students’ behaviour should be causing concern to group leaders and exhibit at least three of the following factors:

  • aged 17 – 24
  • anti-social behaviour
  • poor educational record
  • truanting
  • exclusion from school
  • criminal record
  • must hold a valid provisional driving licence

Groups attend The Wheels Project without the presence of others to reduce distractions and aid concentration.

Intakes for groups occur at the start of each academic term.

Have a look at our intake dates.

The Wheels Project Ltd, 31-32 Bonville Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5QH

Tel:  0117 971 1711

Contact:  David Glossop, General Manager

Email:  david@wheelsproject.org.uk

  • 2 Workshop Supervisors from The Wheels Project
  • 1 Guest Speaker (subject to availability)
  • Group Leader (2 for Karting sessions)

Files & links

Apply for this course today

Or speak to us if you'd like more information