30 FLEETCAR | Summer 2010 Text & Photo: Gerry Murphy - gerrym@fl eet.ie

NEWS

83 year old Des Redmond set a new record at Mondello Park recently in becoming the oldest driver to complete its Motor

Racing School Course at the County Kildare circuit. From Manor Kilbrade, County Wicklow, Des, a lifelong car enthusiast having worked in the motor trade for most of his life, fulfi lled a dream thanks to a group of friends. Des proved that age is no barrier to adrenaline seeking as he drove a race-prepared Mazda 3 hatchback around the track.

He began the new dedicated Mazda 3 starter course in the classroom before gett ing into the passenger seat for four laps of the on-track tuition

from his instructor. He then swapped seats with the instructor and successfully completed ten

timed laps and emerged from the Mazda with a huge smile on his face. Th e oldest man ever to complete a Mondello Park Course was then presented with his Certifi cate of Completion cheered on by his friends who watched the milestone occasion.

“It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life and I really appreciated the chance to fulfi l my wish,” said Des.

Drivers of any age, wishing to emulate Des can fi nd out more about the range of courses at Mondello Park Motor Racing School on www.mondellopark.ie

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is making some further changes to the requirements for vehicles

presenting for HGV/PSV Driving Test in certain categories with eff ect from 28 March next. From Monday 28 March 2011 all vehicles presenting for a practical driving test in categories C, C1, EC, EC1 and D1 will be required to have a front passenger seatbelt and head restraint fi tt ed.

“Where such seatbelts and head restraints are not fi tt ed the driving test should not be conducted and the applicant should be given a non conducted test form indicating that their fee is forfeit,” said an RSA spokesperson.

Mondello’s oldest drifter!

Renault promotes the employment of disabled young people

Wish to become a Certifi ed Transport Manager?

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie DIRECTION/adi | SPRING 2011 35

As part of Renault Group’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunities, the French automaker has teamed up with

ARPEJEH, an association that helps disabled young people fi nd employment. Renault will be providing these young people with opportunities to fi nd out more about the automotive business and will increase the number of internships available. To re-enforce the many initiatives taken by Renault over the years for its disabled staff , many of its sites in France organised a forum to raise the awareness of all employees.

Th e aim was threefold: to promote a bett er understanding of what disablement in the workplace means, to dispel stereotypes and, more widely, to discuss all the measures taken by the company to make day-to-day life easier for disabled workers, from both

a professional and personal standpoint. Th ese include fi nancial aids, fl exible working hours and the ergonomic adaptation of workstations.

Renault is the only European manufacturer (through its subsidiary Renault Tech), to design, build and market vehicles for persons of reduced mobility.

Seatbelts & Head Restraints required on vehicles for HGV/PSV Driving Test

Newsletter for Approved Driving Instructors

Interested in pursuing a career in transport? Unlock your potential and gain a recognised qualifi cation by att ending a Certifi cate of

Professional Competence (CPC) Course in Transport Management. Th is Certifi cate, which is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, qualifi es the participant to become a Transport Manager, which provides the starting block to set up a road haulage or bus passenger business. Subjects covered in the course include: Managing a transport business; Employment and Health & Safety legislation; Contract law and

fi nancial management; Tachograph and hours of driving legislation; National and International documentation etc. Approved CPC courses are run at weekends by Tony Hynes at cpc.ie. Tony is starting his next CPC Courses on Saturday 5 March at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow; Saturday 12 March at the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Limerick; Saturday 19 March at the County Arms Hotel, Birr and Saturday 26 March at the Green Isle Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin. If you wish to obtain further information contact Tony at 066-7185556 or 086-2458379 or email tony@cpc.ie.

CAREER

36 DIRECTION/adi | SPRING 2011

T he transport industry has historically att racted and employed all manner of people, who over the years have come, gone - and oft en come back again.

Many of these are following in the footsteps of family members - but equally many just want to drive trucks. For those who have grown up within a transport background, it seems only natural for them to show an interest in gett ing behind the wheel. It oft en starts out as just lending a hand, and ends up as a lifetime's labour.

So, what att racts a person to take up a job where they are viewed by the general public at best, as an unnecessary inconvenience, and where the pay is far from what would be commanded in other industries for similar levels of responsibility? An industry where the only constant, is the fact that everything constantly changes. No pension, no sick leave, minimum paid holidays and litt le guarantee of job security. While not all driving jobs are as bleak as just described, nevertheless this still represents the working conditions of a large number of drivers.

Th e job of a driver demands a certain type of individual, who must be prepared to follow all the rules - yet work on their own initiative. Refl ect all that is good about their employer - while ensuring all the skeletons remain fi rmly locked in their respective cupboards. A driver must never be late, but have limitless patience to suff er delays when it all goes wrong. Rarely be commended for doing a good job, but willingly accept having all their mistakes roundly sanctioned.

Th e job of a driver demands a level of knowledge and skills that cross a wide range. When people

in transport declare that such a person “is a good driver” what they in fact are referring to is the person’s ability to do the job. Th e ability to move the truck from A to B and back again is taken as a given, and in real terms is only a small percentage of the occupation. Th is argument is supported by the fact that if two similar drivers are available to transport a load, one maybe preferred because that individual is just a litt le more professional, though both are equally capable of the driving vehicle being used.

For some who enter the industry as a driver it may be the only skill they have to sell and they just want a job. Driving is oft en preferred to other occupations that may be on off er, as there is a certain amount of freedom, which appeals to many.

Over the last twenty years or so there have been many changes, which have aff ected access to the industry for new entrants. A number of these changes are presenting new entrants with formidable barriers to fi nding employment.

Becoming a driver is now a lot more expensive than it was in previous times. Currently it costs €297.00 to arrive at the stage of submitting an application, not to mention any driving lessons which have to be taken. In addition to hiring a vehicle for the test,

the digital tachograph card, and ongoing CPC requirements - it is by no means cheap. If viewed as an investment and a person is successful in gaining employment the return on investment is realised reasonably quickly. Not many jobs require such an investment before you even begin to apply for work. In fact, the process is now more in line with forming a small company or business.

Unfortunately, these costs are only going to increase, possibly to a level where it becomes unreasonable to embark on such a career path. Prior to the now infamous Celtic Tiger years, there was a shortage of drivers in Ireland. It could possibly be the case in the future that this shortage

So you want to be an HGV Driver?

Text: Paul White – paul@fl eet.ie DIRECTION/adi | SPRING 2011 37

CAREER

may be repeated. Mass immigration resolved the driver problem from the mid-nineties on. However, as the economies of the Eastern European States achieve parity with the older members, some drivers will migrate back to their home countries, where conditions are steadily improving. As the indigenous population of drivers becomes older, and others currently being forced to seek employment outside the industry or outside the country, this could create a vacuum.

Th is possible vacuum will not be helped if a consultation document proposed by the RSA comes into force. Th e proposals will require drivers to be a minimum age of twenty-one before applying for a Class ‘C’ licence and twenty-four for a Class 'D’. Th is realistically means that a prospective driver will begin to seek employment with a ‘Full Licence’ aged at best 22 and 25 respectively. At this stage of their working life, not everyone may be prepared to invest the previously mentioned sums to enter the industry.

‘DIRECTION/ADI’ surveyed a number of drivers and asked how they felt about their job and the transport industry as a career. Some were new to the industry while others have spent the majority of their working life behind the wheel. It was decided to exclude any drivers whose parents owned vehicles, and concentrate on drivers who chose the industry of their own volition. Th e average age of the sample was 39.6 years, and the drivers worked in a variety of transport disciplines, from tipper and national distribution, through to international work. Th ough a small sample, it is very representative of the transport industry in Ireland. At a time where you must brace yourself

before turning on the radio in the morning, the fi ndings could be described as surprisingly positive, if not uplift ing.

As none of the respondents had access to commercial vehicles from the cradle, they had all worked in other occupations before becoming drivers. Some of these occupations ranged from warehousing, tilling, computer programming, factory work, the construction industry and secondary school teaching to name but a few.

When asked what att racted them to the industry, all answered that it was always their intention to drive trucks and viewed their previous occupations as stepping-stones to achieving their main aim. All believed they made the right choice and enjoyed their work even though they felt conditions could be improved - especially with regard to salaries. Th at being said when asked, “if they believed transport was a good industry to work in,” again all responded positively, stating that they they would encourage a close friend or family member to get behind the wheel.

Th ey all had the fullest intention of staying in the business for the rest of their working life, either as drivers or fulfi lling some other role within transport. When asked, “if given the chance again, would they choose the same career path?” Not one hesitated in answering yes; all would be happy to follow the same road and believed they made the right choices. It is encouraging that those surveyed all possessed an ambition to be drivers, and were determined to fulfi l that ambition, regardless of the obstacles.

Th e survey highlights some points that are oft en overlooked. One is that within the industry in Ireland there is a loyal, skilled and highly adaptable workforce, which is prepared to work in sometimes diffi cult circumstances, and not just for the money or because they need a job. Instead, they work because they enjoy what they do and are proud of their occupation and what they accomplish on a daily basis. One of the respondents said that in doing the job right “gave him a great sense of achievement and self respect he never got from his other jobs”. So why would anyone NOT want to be a driver?

Pre-Test Expenses

Driver Th eory Test €70.00Learner Permit (not including photos) €15.00CPC Th eory Test €70.00Technical Test €32.00Driving Test Application €110.00

Total €297.00

Additional Expenses:Driving Lessons• Hire of Test Vehicle• On-going CPC Requirements• Driving Licence• Digital Tachograph Card•

Optional:(ADR Certifi cation for Dangerous Goods)(Safe Pass Certifi cate For Construction)

INTERVIEW

38 DIRECTION/adi | SPRING 2011

JS. How, why and when was your organisation formed?

CB. Irish Driving Instructors Association – IDIA, a national organisation was initially formed in 1991 as the Approved Driving Instructor Register – ADIR to establish registration for Instructors in Ireland. It co-operated with the Motor Schools Association of Ireland to form the Driving Instructor Register of Ireland (DIR). In 1996 the fi rst voluntary examinations commenced. To avoid being confused with the DIR, the ADIR decided to change the name, to Irish Driving Instructors Association - IDIA.

JS. With your ongoing liaison with Government Departments and the RSA are you pleased with the progress made in recent times re reducing waiting lists and the establishment of Th e Driving Instructor Register?

CB. RSA registration of instructors ensures that all instructors are examined and high standards maintained. Th e shorter waiting time for a test is benefi cial to road safety as learners can prepare in a structured way and if necessary can repeat the test sooner. JS. Are you satisfi ed with the quality of service provided by your members and where further can improvements be made?

CB We are happy with the quality of service especially now that the high standards and qualifi cations are recognised by RSA registration. We believe the learning process never ceases and improvements can always be made. IDIA Seminars, newslett ers and website keep our members informed of trends and developments. A number of members - Advanced Driver Trainers - provide safety training for Fleet drivers. Th ey constantly up skill to keep pace with the latest developments. Th ey now also provide ECO driver training for Fleets leading to reduced emissions and costs. JS. What services do you provide to your members and what is the membership fee?

CB. IDIA communicates with the RSA, Gardai, Insurance companies and other relevant bodies on issues relating to learner drivers and road safety and where a diffi culty arises, we represent instructor’s cases, in confi dence. IDIA provides advice and information for members by email and phone. Membership includes discounts on Insurance, web design, training equipment, materials and other services. Membership fee is €60 per annum. JS. Being Dublin based, how oft en do you meet and how do you communicate to your members?

CB. Th e Committ ee meets monthly. We hold two Seminars and an AGM every year, one being held outside Dublin. We also have a number of Regional meetings each year.

JS. In your role as European Driving Schools Association EFA 2nd Vice President, what is involved?

CB. As 2nd Vice President in the European Driving Schools Association – EFA - I have a signifi cant role in EFAs dealings with the European Union and participate in European Projects relating to Driver Education. I att end CIECA – International Driving Testing Organisation – meetings. Th is allows me to keep our members updated on EU developments in all areas of Driver Education and Testing. EFA membership allows the IDIA to interact with other European Countries in the interest of road safety. JS. Th e changes to the driving licence structure – how do they eff ect your organization and members going forward?

CB. Th e Association welcomes the changes in the Driving Licence structure. However we feel the slow implementation and non-retrospection will delay the benefi ts to road safety. When fully implemented the changes will allow learner drivers to benefi t from the Driving Instructors expertise and will help reduce the carnage on Irish roads.

Website: www.idia.iee-mail: info@idia.ie

One-to-OneCathy Bacon,

Chairperson,

Irish Driving Instructors

Association,

with Jarlath Sweeney -

editor@fl eet.ie

Approved Driving Instructor(ADI) Training Courses

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