4×4 OFF ROAD DRIVER TRAINING
An accredited Lantra Awards Training Provider, we provide 4×4 off-road driver training to the highest standards to suit people of all abilities and experience, and for all purposes.
The Lantra Awards Off Road Vehicle Operating (4×4) qualification is the go to standard for off road driving for work purposes in the UK. It is nationally recognised, recommended by the HSE, and a stipulation within many companies and industries.
Our Training
Our training experience and the terrain used is as wide-ranging as you might hope it to be, from the Royal Estate at Windsor through to the wadis and sands of the Middle East, and most types of ground in-between. With our senior instructor having full UK security clearance, we’re able to work in sensitive locations too.
We can also help if you need training in more extreme off-road driving. Our instructors trained Charlie Boorman and the production crew of The Long Way Down, the televised off-road adventure with Ewan MacGregor back in 2007, and have since prepared many other drivers for their own challenging overland expeditions around the world.
Who benefits from professional off road training?
- Anyone who uses a 4×4 vehicle off-road as part of their work duties, and must therefore comply with Health & Safety legislation as well as understand how to safely use their vehicle to best advantage.
- Recreational 4×4 drivers who want to increase their understanding, skill, safety and enjoyment of using their vehicle off-road; especially if considering an overland adventure, for example.
Off-road driving courses
Choose from 3 Off Road Driving Course Options...
All are delivered to the same exacting standard, and each is designed to meet your Duty of Care obligations.
Lantra Awards Off Road Vehicle Operating (4×4): Core Principles
- Duration: 1 day
- Capacity: 3 drivers (maximum)
2 drivers per course is recommended if they have little or no prior off-road experience.
Lantra courses are suitable for everyone who has cause to drive off-road as part of their work duties, or otherwise wants to become properly qualified in off-road driving.
These courses provide trainees with the necessary knowledge and techniques to drive off-road in a manner that looks after all those in the vehicle, any third parties in the vicinity, the vehicle itself and the terrain driven upon.
This course covers:
- Recognising and understanding the various types of 4×4 drivetrain; their capabilities and limitations
- Recognising and understanding the limitations of various tyre designs
- Preparation of vehicle for driving off-road
- Assessing the ground to be driven on, and route selection
- How, when and why to use transfer gearboxes (and what can go wrong if used incorrectly)
- How, when and why to use traction aids as fitted to trainees’ vehicles, i.e. differential locks and/or electronic traction control
- Weight distribution and weight transfer, and how these effect traction
- Correct use of gears, clutch, throttle, brakes & steering
- Avoiding transmission wind-up
- Avoiding damage to the vehicle, and minimising damage to the terrain
- Basic principles of off road driving
- Safe procedures (and what can otherwise go wrong)
- Decision making & assessment of hazards
- Tackling gentle to modest obstacles, such as open terrain, slopes, ruts and ridges
- Negotiating mud and grass fields, where traction may be compromised
- Re-joining the highway
This 1-day course is appropriate for those who only ever need to drive on gentle terrain, such as established tracks and fairly level fields. The assessment and qualification restricts drivers to such modest terrain only.
Assessment & Qualification
Lantra courses conclude with a thorough assessment of each trainee’s ability to safely judge off-road terrain and maintain full control of the vehicle in a variety of situations, to the appropriate course level. Successful completion results in a Lantra Awards certificate and Skills Card; with presentation of the Skills Card often being required by major companies before allowing contractors to drive on site.
Refresher training is recommended within 3 – 5 years.
Lantra Awards Off Road Vehicle Operating (4×4): Adverse Conditions
- Duration: 2 days
- Capacity: 3 drivers (maximum)
2 drivers per course is recommended if they have little or no prior off-road experience.
Lantra courses are suitable for everyone who has cause to drive off-road as part of their work duties, or otherwise wants to become properly qualified in off-road driving.
These courses provide trainees with the necessary knowledge and techniques to drive off-road in a manner that looks after all those in the vehicle, any third parties in the vicinity, the vehicle itself and the terrain driven upon.
This course covers all the content of the 1 day course (detailed above), plus:
- Optimising ground clearance and route selection; and understanding vehicle design limitations caused by approach, departure and ramp break-over angles
- Safe operation on rough terrain and steep slopes
- Crossing deep ruts, ridges, ditches and articulations
- Negotiating water, sand, deep mud, ice and snow
- Climbing and descending hills
- Failed hill climb recovery techniques (following lack of power, or lack of traction)
- Traversing side slopes
- Negotiating significant mud, including maintaining and regaining traction
- Self-recovery techniques
- Assisted recovery techniques (theory)
This 2-day course equips drivers for the full range of off road hazards and terrain that can be safely negotiated in an unmodified 4×4 vehicle, making it ideal for anyone that may need to venture off road away from established, firm tracks; or even using established dirt tracks in wet and slippery conditions.
Assessment & Qualification
Lantra courses conclude with a thorough assessment of each trainee’s ability to safely judge off-road terrain and maintain full control of the vehicle in a variety of situations, to the appropriate course level. Successful completion results in a Lantra Awards certificate and Skills Card; with presentation of the Skills Card often being required by major companies before allowing contractors to drive on site.
Refresher training is recommended within 3 – 5 years.
Without wishing to over-complicate matters, Lantra also offer the option of an Experienced Operators’ Course. This can provide a short cut to unrestricted Lantra 4×4 driver qualification in a 1-day course format. It does however assume a solid level of knowledge, technique and application on arrival, as there is only enough time to update and polish skills before going into the assessment phase.
ALL ROAD TRAINING 4×4 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
- Duration: Typically 1 day
- Capacity: Typically 2 drivers
This is a fully customisable option to the Lantra Awards courses above; delivered to the same high standards by the same Lantra qualified trainers, but tailored to your precise requirements without needing to follow a set syllabus.
The driving principles are the same as for our Lantra Awards courses, to equip participants with the skills to remain safe whilst also avoiding damage to vehicles or the ground driven on.
Following an initial theory session to introduce the basics of safe off-road driving, emphasis is on practical skills and typically covers:
- Recognising and understanding the various types of 4×4 drivetrain; their capabilities and limitations
- Recognising and understanding the limitations of various tyre designs
- Preparation of vehicle for driving off-road
- Assessing the ground to be driven on
- How, when and why to use transfer gearboxes (and what can go wrong if used incorrectly)
- How, when and why to use traction aids as fitted to trainees’ vehicles, i.e. differential locks and/or electronic traction control
- Weight distribution and weight transfer, and how these effect traction
- Correct use of gears, clutch, throttle, brakes & steering
- Avoiding transmission wind-up
- Avoiding damage to the vehicle, and minimising damage to the terrain
- Principles of off road driving
- Safe procedures (and what can otherwise go wrong)
- Decision making & assessment of hazards
- Negotiating mud and grass fields, where traction may be compromised
- Optimising ground clearance and route selection; and understanding vehicle design limitations caused by approach, departure and ramp break-over angles
- Safe operation on rough terrain and steep slopes
- Crossing deep ruts, ridges, ditches and articulations
- Climbing and descending hills
- Failed hill climb recovery techniques (following lack of power, or lack of traction)
- Traversing side slopes
- Negotiating water
- Self-recovery techniques
- Assisted recovery techniques (theory)
- Re-joining the highway
These courses provide drivers with much the same skills and competence as the 2-day Lantra course, in a compressed format for optimal value.
Courses culminate in a practical assessment of each driver, supported by a written appraisal. Successful participants receive a certificate of competence, valid for 3 years, plus detailed Course Notes to support the training.
Training Locations
We run all 4×4 training course options throughout the UK and abroad, either recommending a venue with terrain that is most relevant to your needs or using your own project site(s) as appropriate. For truly varied off road terrain, from gentle through to extreme, we favour the renowned Millbrook Proving Ground, near Bedford, with 100 acres of properly engineered and cultivated off road facilities.
In addition, we have established training locations in Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire.
Vehicles
We have a Toyota Hilux training vehicle available for you to use if desired or required, or of course you may use your own suitable 4×4. With various types of 4 wheel drive systems utilised on modern 4x4s (selectable, permanent and auto-engaging) and with each type requiring specific considerations in safe operation, using your own vehicle if you have one is often ideal for utmost benefit from your 4×4’s technology and traction aids; plus understanding your specific vehicle’s capabilities and limitations.
Prices
Course prices vary depending on the training venue used, so please get in touch to discuss your requirements.