When you thought about drivers Ed you generally think it’s just the process up have to finish to be able to get a drivers licence. A step that isn’t necessarily fun and just more learning someone makes you do. For others it is a punishment because they have had a blemish on their driving record and they have been sent back to school. Bout did you know there is another type of drivers education which is a privilege and people look forward to doing? Porsche, the German sports car has been offering drivers Ed to its drivers for the last 35 years.

Drivers all must master the basics before they are permitted to do more advanced training. It is a structured approach like any good training course.

Basic training or ‘warm-ups’ as they are named cover familiar items to every driver the idea of where seats should be, how to handle traffic, how to do safe emergency braking. For many the goal is simply to understand their powerful car and to be able to drive it safely for others it is a stepping stone to more intense driving.

A precision course works on the same basic principles as a warm-up course but has the added attraction of a second day working on a racing circuit practicing accurate steering, cornering and skilful braking. While it sounds like fun the focus is on improving driving skills rather than high speed driving.

Education on off road conditions is also offered to get the best of off-road vehicles. Learning about terrain and optimal gearing. When thinking about drivers Ed we think about a school classroom or sterile room, with Porsche the classroom might be the gulf state of Dubai with enough sand dunes to satisfy anyone.

Then there are winter conditions. Porsche doesn’t just teach how to drive safely on ice. No they take it to the extreme and have a specialist base in Finland where people can really master the hazards of snow and ice. If you go beyond the basics course you can try ice racing, slalom courses and downhill speed driving.

And one area that isn’t ignored in the education process is discussing ecological factors. Information is taught about how to drive economically with no unnecessary braking and acceleration and how to minimise fuel consumption.

The instructors are trained professionals. They may not be driving school instructors but what they are is the person who built the car or the person that designed it. They are intimately familiar with its ins and outs. This education program is completely international with venues in America, Brazil, Europe, Japan…

Drivers Ed is something that we need to learn to become safe and capable drivers. It may be learnt as a young driver starting out who wants to get their licence, but it doesn’t spot there. Often ‘bad’ drivers are sent back for a refresher about drivers Ed and they benefit from understanding and updates. Performance car makers have also recognised this and offer it to their drivers so they get the best out of their vehicles and are safe, happy, drivers on our roads.

Tags: Auto

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