Defensive Driving Lessons

Concentrating while driving and anticipating potential hazards help contribute to safe driving. Being aware of your surroundings, reacting quickly and appropriately to potential dangers, and respecting the rules of the road are important to avoiding collisions. If distracted while operating a vehicle, drivers may not be paying attention to the task of driving. This can result in a collision that puts drivers, their vehicles and other road users in danger. Completing driver education that includes practical lessons in defensive driving is an important step to improving driving skills and promoting safety on the road.

Defensive Driving

The aim of defensive driving is to avoid accidents regardless of the driving conditions. By teaching drivers how to be prepared and expect the unexpected, defensive driving training provides drivers with the skills needed to reduce the risk of collisions and anticipate potential hazards. Defensive driving training teaches drivers to recognise dangers early, including recognising potentially hazardous road conditions and mistakes by other drivers. It provides drivers with the skills needed to be aware of other road users and potential dangers around their vehicles at all times, whether driving on a motorway or a congested urban road.

Many drivers complete defensive driving lessons to advance their driving skills. While many defensive driving courses are available as stand-alone schemes, defensive driving lessons may also be integrated into general or basic education courses for new drivers. In some cases, employers may encourage or require their employees to complete defensive driving training. These courses may also be part of formal on-the-job training for some commercial drivers.

Defensive Driving Concepts

Defensive driving lessons teach drivers to react appropriately in any situation they are faced with. It promotes behaviours that can help avoid injury, property damage and loss of life. One of the basic concepts of defensive driving is controlling the vehicle's speed, including following posted speed limits and adjusting speed depending on the road conditions, the time of day and weather conditions. Training in defensive driving typically promotes proper driving in inclement weather and how to counter potential dangers of driving at night, including recognising driver fatigue and reacting appropriately.

Additional concepts of defensive driving include being aware of a vehicle's surroundings at all times. This can be achieved by continuously and actively scanning the road, as well as checking blind spots and mirrors regularly. Defensive driving promotes respectful driving and teaches drivers about sharing the road with other road users. It encourages drivers to focus solely on the task of driving and teaches drivers to be aware of other road users at all times, including being mindful of pedestrians and cyclists.

Defensive Driving Courses

Defensive driving training courses are considered advanced driver education. They are typically shorter in duration when compared with basic driver training for new drivers. Generally, courses include both theory and practical components.

Theory modules include information on potential problems that may arise while driving and tips on how to respond accordingly in a way the results in a safe outcome. Instructors may include examples of accidents to help participants learn how to avoid similar situations. Theory components may be held following practical driving lessons, which provides instructors with an opportunity to identify issues with a participant's driving habits and areas for improvement.

The practical component in a defencive driver course features in-vehicle training, which may be completed on a track or on the road. Courses may be used when learning advanced techniques in a controlled environment, such as how to brake and swerve safely in different road conditions. Driving lessons with a qualified instructor allows drivers to learn about proper eyesight checks and how to maintain safe distances through hands-on experience. Participants learn how to assess situations and practice responses to potential hazards, including anticipating dangerous driving by other road users. Driving lessons are also an opportunity for instructors to identify areas where drivers need improvement in real-time.

Types of Defensive Driving Courses

In addition to general defensive driving courses, training can be catered to specific types of vehicles and occupations. A general course will suit the needs of most drivers, although additional training may be recommended for commercial drivers. Driver education and training schools may offer defensive driving courses for a wide range of vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, large goods vehicles, and minibuses. Courses may also be offered for driving in specific road or weather conditions, such as high speeds or winter weather.

Cost and Duration of Training

The cost of defensive driving lessons typically depends on the duration of the course. Most defensive driving courses are often offered as a half-day or all-day session. The cost of the lessons will also depend on individual instructors and driving schools, as well as whether specialised training in defensive driving is being sought.