Driver Assessor Training

In order to deliver MiDAS, your organisation must:

• Be passionate about passenger safety
• Be committed to maintaining and supporting the MiDAS Standard – Safe, Legal, Comfortable
• Have a Driver Assessor (more on how to become a Driver Assessor below)
   

There’s some more practical responsibilities too – You must:

• Have policies and procedures in place to ensure that anyone undertaking a MiDAS course with your organisation is treated equally and is not discriminated against. This includes being able to provide reasonable additional support or assistance to candidates where required
• Ensure that any records you keep are in line with your privacy policy
• Ensure that suitable training venues, vehicles and equipment are used
• Ensure that there are effective processes in place to quality assure the courses being delivered by your Driver Assessor(s)
• Ensure that appropriate insurance is in place such as employer’s liability cover and professional indemnity cover

One of the key requirements of becoming a MiDAS Provider is to have a Driver Assessor (DA). Becoming a DA involves an intensive course delivered over 2 days, with an additional day for candidates who would also like to deliver the MiDAS Accessible module for Drivers. Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

General requirements

• Passionate about passenger safety and supportive of the MiDAS approach to minibus safety
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Understanding of minibus legislation, health and safety legislation and the Highway Code

Driving experience

• Current MiDAS Standard certificate (desirable)
• Current driving licence and recent minibus or large vehicle driving experience

Assessment and demonstration skills

• Ability to assess competence against given criteria
• Ability to provide accurate feedback
• Ability to recognise unsafe or incorrect practice
• Ability to demonstrate good practice

Disability Awareness (for those wishing to deliver the Accessible MiDAS course)

• Current MiDAS Accessible certificate
• Knowledge of minibus passenger safety issues for disabled people
• Recent and regular experience of assisting people with disabilities (including wheelchair users) to travel by accessible vehicle

Over the course, candidates will cover the following topics

Day 1    

• MiDAS Structure
• Individual Practical Session for MiDAS Drivers
• Licence Checks
• MiDAS Driving Assessment
• MiDAS Pass/Fail Criteria (Measuring “Safe, Legal & Comfortable”)Common Minibus Driving Faults

Day 2    

• Driving Fault Identification & Analysis
• Constructive Driving Feedback
• On-Road Session:
  Driving Assessment
  Appraisal of Assessment Skills

Day 3 (Optional)

• Passenger awareness and assistance
• Using passenger lifts and ramps
• Assisting passengers who travel in their wheelchairs
• MiDAS Accessible Assessments

In order to pass, candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

• Demonstrate effective feedback techniques
• Demonstrate accurate assessment scoring
• Pass a multiple choice theory assessment with a mark of at least 80%
• Demonstrate the ability to accurately assess a driver using wheelchair tie down and occupant restraint systems.

If successful, a Driver Assessor certificate will be issued which lasts for 2 years. This can be renewed through a 1 day refresher course.

Driver Assessor Refresher Training

The current refresher course is a one-day, in person course designed to enhance the skills and abilities to deliver the MiDAS framework to drivers. The current Refresher course covers:

The enhanced MiDAS framework – ensuring DAs are comfortable with the new way of delivering MiDAS, including a review of the online learning modules and revised administrative procedures.

The Individual Practical Session – ensuring DAs are able to maximise the benefits of the new practical element for drivers.
“Safe, Legal & Comfortable” Driving – how to measure and implement the MiDAS minibus driving standard.

Common minibus driving faults– how to best identify and resolve common faults effectively and in a positive and constructive manner.