Course Details

Safe and Responsible fDriver Training

The focus of this course is to familiarise yourself with the off-road capabilities of your vehicle and provide you with an introduction to 4x4 driving techniques.

The prerequisite for the course is a valid South African drivers license and your own 4x4 vehicle.

The course is made up of two parts: a theoretical online element and a one-day practical session. You will complete online exercises to assess your knowledge of the theory covered in the provided online handbook. The online handbook and exercises will be made available to you one week before the practical session.

NOTE: It is mandatory that you complete these exercises and submit your results to us at least one day before the practical session.

During the practical session, you will be continuously assessed by an accredited assessor to determine your competence in selecting the correct vehicle configurations for practical off-road scenarios.

Course Contents

Module 1 - background information (theory online)

You will be able to identify what is off-roading, current South African Legislation associated with off-roading, trail grading system used in South Africa and explain how it relates to the technical difficulty of an off-road trail, short-term insurance implications when driving off-road, medical aid implications when driving off-road and correct driving licenses when using a 4WD vehicle or when towing with a 4WD vehicle.

Module 2 - know your vehicle (theory online and practical)

You will be able to identify the range of features, vehicle options and capabilities of your 4WD vehicle, the difference(s) between a 4WD and an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle, the differences between the different weight specifications of a vehicle (e.g. tara, gross vehicle weight [GVW], etc., gross combined weight and length of a vehicle with a trailer/caravan and the implications thereof), the effect of packing weights and packing strategy (heavy and light items) on the roll-over angles of the vehicle, importance of securing all loose items in and on the vehicle, limitations of a 4WD vehicle in terms of angles, width, height, weight, ground clearance and wading (fording) depth, procedure to select high range and low range and preparations for river/water crossings with the implications thereof.

Module 3 - vehicle preparation for off-roading (practical)

You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the preparation of a vehicle for off-road conditions.

Module 4 - communication during off-road driving (practical)

You will be able to demonstrate hand signals used when driving off-road and verbal communication of directions when driving off-road.

Module 5 - tyres (theory online and practical)

You will be able to identify correct tyre pressures considering the road/trail/terrain for the tyres fitted and the vehicle's load and the road, trail or terrain to be driven on.

You will be able to demonstrate the use of a tyre pressure gauge and the use of an air compressor.

Module 6 - driving obstacles (practical)

You will be able to demonstrate the correct seating position as well as the position of the hands on the steering wheel when driving off-road, correct lines when negotiating cross-axle obstacles, correct driving of ascents and descents and correct driving of side slopes.