DCPC - Transport for London - Safe Urban Driving

To make drivers aware of issues affecting the safety of vulnerable road users and to give drivers the opportunity to experience using the road as a vulnerable user.

To minimise the risk in the interaction between HGV drivers and cyclists by enabling the drivers to consider how cyclists do/should ride.

• To encourage HGV drivers to empathise with cyclists
• To make drivers aware of the risks of the road
• Understanding assertive cycling/how cyclists do/should ride
• Drivers outline actions to minimise risk

The Safe Urban Driving course compromises of a practical and a theory module. The 7 hour course contributes towards the legal training requirement of 35 hours that each professional driver must take in order to retain their professional driving licence. The Practical training includes getting out and riding on the bikes provided.

The Training consists of:

A Practical Module (3.5 hours)

• Introducing active travel, driver fitness and health
• Recognising best driving practice around cyclists
• Giving drivers a cyclist's perspective of riding on busy roads and an understanding of the issues faced by vulnerable road users
• Practical on road experience at areas of potential driver/cyclist conflict including junctions, traffic lights and ASLs

A Theory Module (3.5 hours)

• Urban driving, changing streetscape and route planning
• Vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
• Sharing the road, observation devices and cycle training
• Collision avoidance and defensive driving
• Hazard recognition and perception
• Driver responsibility and attitude

Note: Training can be delivered for up to 20 drivers, trained in groups of ten. While one group takes the practical session in the morning, the other is trained in the theory module in the afternoon, then the groups swap over. Drivers attending the course will need to be able to ride a bike independently. If a driver is unable to ride a bike, we can refer them for a cycling lesson before the course. The only cost to you is the £8.75 fee to upload driver details to the DSA.

Safe Urban Driving courses are fully funded by TfL for FORS accredited companies (subject to availability and excluding DSA uploads fees). Attending a Safe Urban Driving course is a requirement for standards such as the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) and Work Related Road Risk (WRRR). Safe Urban Driving can also contribute a full day towards the 35 hours Driver CPC that professional drivers need. To meet compliance requirements, drivers must attend this course once every five years.