FORS Driver Training
December 2025.
On 22nd December, all Twenty Twelve Civils drivers (HGV and LV) undertook FORS ‘Safe Driver’ training, a compulsory training unit undertaken every five years and required to retain FORS accreditation.
The Unit previously known as ‘Safe Urban Driving’ is split into two parts, involving both practical and classroom tuition.
On the day drivers were split into two equal groups with one group issued with bicycles and under ‘close supervision’ heading out onto the road, while the second group received classroom tuition.
After three hours of on the road tuition, concerning the law, road sharing and anticipating the actions of other road users, the cyclists returned and the two groups swapped.
Major changes to the Highway Code were instituted in January 2022 introducing for the first time a ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’, with Pedestrians at the top and Heavy Goods Vehicles (as used in our operations) at the bottom.
The Hierarchy of road users is based on ‘vulnerability’ i.e. that in the event of an incident who would likely sustain greater injury or damage. Those at the top of the hierarchy (Pedestrians) now have priority, right of way in road sharing and we are all pedestrians at some time.
The purpose of the ‘bicycle’ element of the training, is to re-acquaint drivers with a cyclists perspective of road sharing, something forgotten if not also cyclists.
The full hierarchy is:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars and Light vans
- Heavy goods vehicles
However, the law requires ‘all’ road users to act responsibly or share liability.
‘Safe Driver’ training was provided by Driver Hire.