Pre 17 - Off Road Driving Courses

The mission statement of the Driving Standards Agency (D.S.A.) - an executive agency of the “Department of Transport”, Local Government and the Regions, set up to promote road safety through the advancement of driving standards - is Safe Driving for Life. Safe driving is all about developing the right attitude and approach, combined with a sound knowledge of defensive driving techniques. It means not only driving with courtesy and consideration for everyone else, but being prepared to make allowances for the mistakes of others.

Countywide Driving School, which incorporates the Countywide Driving Instructor Training Centre, fully endorses this view and is offering students in schools and colleges a 10-hour off road course enabling them to not only have a sound introduction to this important life skill but also an early opportunity to develop the appropriate attitude and approach to driving.

This course has proved exceptionally popular with parents and young people in previous years and those students who have participated have established an exceptionally high 1st time pass rate when taking their driving test.

With the introduction of the new driving test which is harder, longer and involves a learner in completing far more complicated manoeuvres, an early introduction to driving, without the pressure of other road users, will ensure that young people have time to develop the necessary skills and understanding required to ensure they become safe and competent drivers in the future.

The 10 hour course involves theory sessions plus practical experience - using tennis courts, hard play areas or even fields in the summer term. The course will run over 5 x 2 hour sessions, each session having theory and practical elements and there will be three students in each study group. We believe that our hourly rate represents excellent value as we guarantee that an appreciative number of “on- road” hours at a considerable higher cost will be saved.

It is also our normal practice to contribute to your college/school fund or charity or to students - who may have found academic work more difficult - by way of Prize Assembly awards.

As many cars as necessary can be made available, therefore several study groups can be catered for each session. This will obviously cut down on waiting time and will allow more students to experience the course during the lighter evenings.

The course consists of :-

The Insurance used by Countywide Instructors, which is issued through the Driving Instructors Insurance Services, is extended to cover such courses. As the D.I.I.S. will confirm Endorsement 1 is specifically included to cater for pre-17 driving courses on “private property” where the public still have access e.g. school grounds.

Courses can be undertaken as an after school activity or during curriculum time if it fits in with value added elements of the college/school curriculum. Students who remain with Countywide for their on road driving lessons will also benefit from a loyalty bonus.

Countywide Driving School is the most experienced Driving Instructor Training Centre in Sussex and all associated Instructors have been trained in house. As a driving school and driving instructor training centre it boasts one of the highest pass rates in the country.

Any post 17 year old student who undertakes lessons with Countywide will also benefit from the same loyalty bonus if the college takes part in these Pre 17 courses. Obviously these older students will be picked up from and returned to the destination of their choice by local Countywide Instructors.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss the course and its potential further. We will be more than happy to meet and talk with you or with the appropriate member of your Senior Management Team and subsequently speak to a year 11 or year 12 assembly.

We have been associated with the following schools: