New postman... Driver training ? Help

[Si9975]

Hi, I've got my driver training this week. Just wondering what it consists of as some people are saying it's just driving, and others are saying it's also on a computer. Thanks in advance for any answers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Both are done in Royal Mail.

The computer one is about risk awareness IIRC. The driving one is a 3 - 4 hours and is a risk assessment of you as a driver usually by the AA (its not a driving test).

You may get both on the same day, or separate days, and in some offices you get one but not the other.

[Si9975]

I think I just have the driving one, it says primary driving course. 3 and half hours. What does the driving assessment entail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I think I just have the driving one, it says primary driving course. 3 and half hours. What does the driving assessment entail

Driving.

As said before its a risk assessment of you as a driver to see if you are a competent and safe driver. So they will get you doing stuff you would do in a normal day. Reverse Parking, reverse round a corner, 3 Point turns (or changing the direction of travel using forward and reverse gears as its called now), negtioaing traffic/junctions, interaction with other drivers, obeying road signs, driver responsibilities etc.

[datasaint]

I ended up doing it in a Transit van having never driven one before, but after 15 minutes adjusting to the clutch I drove it without much issue, and certainly no sign of concern from the instructor doing numerous reverse manoeuvres, apart from the odd occasion of braking too late, did this for a mind-numbing 3 and a half hours at the end of which he walks back into the DO saying I didn't pass because I was going too fast/braking too late, which is fair enough but honestly what's the point, may as well have done 3 hours training before, then do an actual test rather than just driving round aimlessly for ages.

We ended up then going out in the smaller combi van for 45mins .. which our office pretty much exclusively uses and passed that.

[centenaryman]

if its anything like we had,,,,,they called it change over training,,,,a driving instructor goes out in a van with you and observes as you drive,,,,thats it,,,like a driving test,,,,its just to see if your competent on the road,,,,,ie,, spped limits,,,road signs and such.

[maximus12]

If it's the same as what I did they give you a rating at the end of, low, medium or high risk.

[OscarPanda]

I've been working for RM for 15 months (rural driving in a selection of vans!) and I have never been asked to take the driving assessment. I did mention a couple of times that I'd never been assessed but the manager didn't seem at all bothered!

[framusjsx]

been at RM 2 years and havnt had any sort of driving test... ah well

[Dandylion]

That sounds like my idea of hell lol! I really don't like driving much :/

[joeorange]

I wouldn't worry about it. I passed my 'assessment' with an AA instructor just about a month ago. It lasts between 2-3 hours and involves an independent drive, then the instructor takes over to give you a demonstration on how they would drive. The final part being that you drive back, complete a few basic maneuvers which mainly focus on reversing and parking. It'll probably be in a transit van as i assume it then gives Royal Mail the option for you to drive both, should it be required.