Defensive Driving Course Level 1 - Melbourne, Airport West

Fitness and Experience

• The Level 1 course is suited to drivers of regular passenger vehicles (including four wheel drives and light commercial vehicles)
• All participants must present their current driver's licence ('P' plate or above) in order to participate
• Learner drivers are acceptable provided they have a Licenced Driver with them at all times
• No particular level of fitness or experience is required

What to Bring/Wear

• Your current driver’s licence
• Your vehicle with a full tank of fuel, optimal tyre pressures, water and oil levels
• Wear comfortable casual clothing according to the weather
• Wear footwear that has a thin sole eg. joggers
• Bulky shoes, high heels or climbing boots are not optimal driving shoes
• It is a good idea to bring along a hat, sunscreen and the Aerogard if it is hot, or an umbrella if it’s raining
• Lunch & drinks
• Do not bring family or friends as spectators are not permitted

What is Supplied

• Professional tuition from experienced instructors
• Course equipment
• Certificates for course graduates
• Tea and coffee

More Information

Suitable to all drivers 18 to 80 years (P plate drivers a speciality) and suitable to most vehicles including four wheel drives and light commercial vehicles. Presented in a relaxed, friendly, and supportive environment by qualified, experienced instructors, with a balanced mixture of theory and practical driving exercises. We guarantee that regardless of your driving experience you’ll be amazed at what you’ll learn, and what a great time you’ll have learning it with us.

The aim of these exercises is to educate drivers in: 

• Basic vehicle dynamics 
• The correct systems of car control : seating, vision, and steering 
• Correct braking techniques for both ABS and non-ABS vehicles 
• Skid causation, basic skid control, and skid prevention 
• Raising the drivers level of awareness in relation to speed, reaction times and stopping distances 
• Learn how your vehicle reacts in emergency situations

The classroom component of this course covers basic road safety concepts and the key principals of defensive driving including: 

• Understanding of how a drivers attitudes, motivations, and risk taking behaviour can affect that drivers safety and the safety of other road users
• The Twelve Golden Rules of Defensive Driving and how they can be applied every time a vehicle is driven.
• The importance of correctly inflated tyres and the condition and type of tyres
• Road laws and the introduction of any new laws 
• Road Rage: what it is, why it happens, and how to avoid it 
• Personal security whilst driving

Fleet Safety and Defensive Driving Program key learning objectives:

• Through practical driving exercises, become more ‘speed aware’, particularly in how the degree of vehicle control difficulty increases exponentially in relation to increases in vehicle speeds. 
• Develop an understanding of basic vehicle dynamics, in emergency situations 
• Learn to predict potential hazards, identify risky situations and minimise danger 
• Understand the importance of keeping your vision high and maintaining sensible safety margins around your vehicle at all times 
• Develop a positive and proactive attitude towards defensive driving

Additional dates available at Melbourne's Sandown Raceway - click here for more details.