THE Fleet Driver Training Association has taken a major step forward with the establishment of minimum qualifications for instructors. From the start of next year, all defensive driver trainers must be Approved Driving Instructors as a minimum.

This was always going to be one of the most difficult and controversial elements of the FDTA's code of practice, and while all the council members recognise ADI falls well short of what is required of a fleet trainer, it does provide an excellent, Department of Transport approved foundation for a fleet trainer qualification.

An FDTA sub-committee, consisting of James Pritchard, of James Pritchard Associates, Bob Smalley, managing director of RoSPA Driver Services, and James Sutherland, managing director of Peak Performance Management, will now draw up guidelines on the additional qualities required of a trainer, for discussion at the next FDTA meeting. When these are substantiated, the association will look for official approval from the DoT.

The 12 point Code of Practice has been further tightened, with stricter rules on the quality of information given to customers, the provision of a recognised complaints procedure, and a full time manned administration.