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Description

Aim: To prepare for the driving theory and practical tests, to learn routine maintenance and responsibilities on the road. Taken from the BB Seniors Challenge Plus Pro Pack, Life Skills Project L-3

Resources

Taster 1
• Internet access
• Information from Driving Standards Agency

Taster 2
• Highway Code (latest edition) or access to an online version
• Internet access
• Flipchart / Whiteboard
• Pens

Taster 3
none

Christian faith
Bible

Project
Internet access

Instructions

Taster 1 - Finding out about driving

Aim: To find out what you need to do to be able to drive.

Instructions:
There is a process which everyone wishing to drive needs to go through in order to get their licence and be able to drive legally. There are also minimum ages, as to when you can start the process and when you can actually drive.

Go through the steps below to help everyone understand how the process* works:

Obtain a Provisional Driving Licence
This needs to be done prior to booking a Theory Test and before being able to drive any vehicle with ‘L’ plates. For learning to drive a car, this can be applied for up to 3 months before your 17th birthday, or anytime after that. To drive a moped a provisional licence can be obtained on or after your 16th birthday.

A Provisional licence MUST be held before learning to drive any vehicle. To apply for your provisional licence, you will need the Dl application form that is available from Post Offices, or use the online service at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring’DriverLicensing (check costs of applying for a licence).

• Learn the Highway Code
You will need to spend some time learning the Highway Code before you take your Theory test.

• Book and Take a Theory Test
You will need to book up and take a theory test (check costs and where your local testing centre is based).

• Learn to Drive
If you have obtained a provisional licence to drive a moped, then before you can actually start driving and after taking the Theory Test you will need to complete the CRY (Compulsory Basic Training) with a certified instructor (check costs and where your local testing centre is based).

You will need to learn to drive, and this should be done with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). In addition if you want to practise your driving with an accompanying driver, the accompanying driver must be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a full licence, in the relevant vehicle category, for at least three years. You will also need to know basic maintenance of a vehicle, as this forms part of the practical test.

Take the Test
When comfortable you will need to book and take your Practical Test (check costs and where your local testing centre is based).

• Apply for the Full Licence
Once you have completed all of the above you need to apply for your full licence (minimum age 17). Not applicable for mopeds.

As you may expect there are a lot of rules and procedures related to driving, but it is important to remember that they are there for the safety of all. In addition there are many laws to the road, some of which may be covered in your theory test.

Read through the following statements, and ask the group to consider whether they think they are true or false:

• Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol is illegal and extremely dangerous.
• You have been driving for an hour and are a little tired, so it’s ok as you drive to take a sip from a bottle of water.
• Driving after one pint of beer effects your driving.
• Whilst driving it’s ok to make a quick call home to let Mum know I’m going to be late for dinner.
• Setting your Sat Nay whilst driving is fine.

Discuss these with the group and see what different views there are. You might have other statements you would like to add as well.

Preparation:
• Purchase a current Highway Code book
• Check current costs of a provisional licence, taking a theory test, taking a practical test and completing the CRT mopeds course.
• Find out where the nearest approved centres are for: taking a theory test, taking a practical test and completing the CBT mopeds course.

Tips / Advice:
• It is important to learn safe driving practice from the beginning of your driving career because bad habits are hard to break.

Taster 2 - The Theory Test

Aim: To prepare for the driving Theory Test.

Instructions:
The Highway Code has lots of signs, road markings, signals, etc. that you need to be aware of before you are able to pass your Theory Test and then start to drive. The Theory Test is touch screen based, and contains questions with multiple choice answers as well as video clips to test hazard perception.

Using the online version of the Highway Code, create a PowerPoint Presentation with a range of signs, markings and signals. Go through it asking if anyone knows what each one is. This could be done as a little quiz or competition. This should clarify the general knowledge of individuals within the group, and indicate how long you will need to spend looking at the Highway Code.

There are then a number of ways in which to earn the highway code, including:

• The group could go out on a walk following a planned route in the local area. Provide them with a large scale map and pen to be able to mark on the road signs and markings which they see on route. Hopefully they will be able to identity what they mean, but for those which they are unsure of they should look them up in The Highway Code upon returning to your church. Be sure that the route covers a wide range of signs and markings, and that you have the answers.

• Use a Noughts & Crosses grid and assign each box on the grid (9 in all) a chapter or page number from the Highway Code Book (you could do this on a flipchart pad or white board). Then create 2 teams, one being noughts and one being crosses. In turn each team chooses a square and has to answer a question chosen by the person leading the activity from the chapter or page number; if correct they then get their respective mark. Play continues until there is a winning team or stalemate. Create your own additional rules about how you pass questions over to the other team, etc.

Now that you have carried out the above activities try completing the theory practice test online at www.theory-tests.co.uk. This could be completed at home if you do not have access to the internet at your meeting place.

Preparation
• Purchase a current Highway Code book or use the Online version at www.direct.gov.uK/en/travelAndTransport/Highwaycode/ (although the Department for Transport states in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, only the Department for Transport’s current printed version of the Code should be relied upon”).
• Make sure you have internet access available if required.
• You need to register to use www.theory-tests.co.uk, and there are a limited number of tests available FREE. For access to a larger range of tests there is a subscription fee.

Tips / Advice:
• Make sure that you use the current Highway Code.
• Look on the internet for online resources to help you prepare for your theory test.

Taster 3 - Hazard Perception

Aim: To test your hazard perception and awareness in preparation for a Theory Test.

Instructions:
Hazard perception is part of the Theory Test. You will be presented with a series of video clips which feature every day road scenes and in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard. You must spot this hazard as quickly as possible. This is a very important part of the test as you do not have a chance to review your answers; as on the road, you only have one chance to respond!

To prepare for this part of the test you could use one of the online hazard perception tests available at www.theoiy-tests.co.uk. Alternatively you could go out into the street and spend some time observing the traffic passing you and the hazards that occur. Log these incidents and keep a note of who spotted the hazard first. Ideally this would be carried out on an A road, perhaps near a junction so that you get a good opportunity to see a range of vehicles and driving behaviours. Once you go back to your meeting place you could discuss the hazards that have been recorded, what actually happened and what could have happened e.g. if the car had not stopped when the child ran across the road.

You could also choose a film or TV programme which has some appropriate clips for the group to watch and discuss. Films or programmes involving Police car chases would be ideal and provide a lot of discussion points.

Preparation:
• Make sure you have internet access available if required.
• You need to register to use www.theory-tests.co.uk, and there are a limited number of tests available FREE. For access to a larger range of tests there is a subscription fee.
• If planning to watch a clip from a film/programme, get together some examples before the meeting night.

Safety Issues / Risk Assessment:
Ensure the safety of all when going out onto the street to observe traffic.

Christian Faith - The Journey of a Thousand Miles Starts with a Single Step.

Aim: To consider or reflect being on a ‘straight road’ with Jesus.

Instructions:
Mark an arrow route on the floor for a blindfolded group to walk through. Ask for a volunteer to act as a guide. Blindfold the group and direct them through the course. Record the time it takes to complete the task, and give time penalties if the group steps over the markings.

The following is a Chinese saying The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.’

Life is so much like a journey, and we use this analog’ in lots of our expressions:

• Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?
• His life has no direction at the moment.
• I don’t know which way to turn!
• You just have to forget about it and move on.
• I set out to do the right thing.
• When I left school I found myself at a crossroads.

Think about:
• What do the following statements say to you?
• Are they helpful?

Read Proverbs 4:10-13, 25-27.

Think about:
• What do the above passages say to you?
• How do you think they apply to you flow?

Pray
Pray for the right road for you to travel on and seek God’s help when there are temptations to swerve, turn left or right off the straight road’ to Him.

Tips / Advice
• If this is done outside plain flour can be used to mark the route.
• Split into two teams to complete the task and do it as a timed competition

Project - The Practical Test

Aim: To prepare and take your Practical Driving Test

Project Description:
You will first need to have taken and successfully passed your Theory Test.

In this project you must prepare and pass your driving test, following the correct procedure and become a good and safe driver.

The Practical Driving Test is a big step and you will need to spend time with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) before taking it. Learning to drive with an ADI is important to ensure you learn proper techniques and do not fall into bad habits. There are lots of local ADI’s as well as Driving Schools like BSM, AA and RAC, look online to find the best one for you. There are a number of sites which will help you to find a local ADI including www.findadrivinginstructor.com and www.driving-schools-directory.co.uk.

Remember that you should book your test at least 4-6 weeks before you want to take it, as this is usually the minimum waiting time. Make sure your instructor is also confident that you are ready. You don’t want to waste your money taking it too soon.

As part of the practical test you will be asked some questions about the maintenance of the vehicle and you will be expected to know the key parts of the vehicle and engine, If possible arrange a visit to a garage or for a motor mechanic to come down to your meeting place and go over the basics of car maintenance.

In some areas there are off-road driving centres where young people aged 16+ can experience driving a car without a licence or having passed a test. Using these centres can be expensive, but they are the only way for those under 17 to experience driving a vehicle or start learning a bit earlier. You should check the centres have approved instructors, insurance and risk assessments in place.

Tips / Advice:
- You will need to be able to allocate sufficient time and money to fulfil this project

Safety Issues / Risk Assessment:
Ensure you follow the correct process and abide by the rules set out by the Driving & Vehicle Licensing Agency and the Driving Standards Agency.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:
Skills: Motor Cars

For full details see the BB Challenge Plus Pro Pack L3

Tags

• challenge Plus
• driving
• seniors

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