Introduction to the ‘Car and light van driving syllabus (category B)’
This syllabus sets out an approach to training drivers in the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be a safe and responsible driver of a category B vehicle.
The syllabus is based on the ‘National standard for driving cars and light vans (category B)’, an evidence-based statement of the competences needed for safe and responsible driving throughout your driving career.
The syllabus is intended to describe good practice for driver training. In a world of client-centred learning, however, there will be many different, valid ways to deliver the learning outcomes. We hope our approach will provide a bridge between the thinking we are developing at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the work being carried out by the wide range of organisations involved in driver training and road safety in general.
In line with its philosophy of safe driving for life, DVSA recognises that the syllabus will evolve and develop over time. We are open to engagement and dialogue with our key stakeholders to make sure that all our standards and syllabuses remain up to date.
This syllabus aims to provide a structured approach to gaining the skills, knowledge and understanding to be a safe and responsible road-user in this class of vehicle. Drivers who fully engage with the programme of study and training that this syllabus supports will be able to demonstrate:
- their knowledge and understanding of the theory of safe driving
- their ability to apply their theoretical knowledge and understanding while driving
- their ability to reflect on their own driving performance and to recognise the need to take remedial action if needed
This syllabus is for:
- the learner (provisional or full licence holders)
- the trainer
All references in this syllabus to ‘trainer’ include approved driving instructors (ADIs) and any competent, qualified person supporting the learner. Anybody wishing to conduct training in any element of this Syllabus must make sure that they meet all legal requirements.
The Syllabus is divided into four units:
- Unit 1: Prepare a vehicle and its occupants for a journey
- Unit 2: Guide and control a vehicle
- Unit 3: Drive a vehicle in accordance with The Highway Code
- Unit 4: Drive safely and efficiently
However, the underpinning research indicates that the process of learning to drive safely and responsibly needs to be approached in a joined-up way if it is to be successful. Therefore it is important that drivers and trainers do not see these units as ‘boxes’ that can be ‘ticked-off’ one-byone and in isolation. The route taken through the material by each learner may differ. It is important that learners and trainers all understand that a driver can only be said to be competent when they understand how the content of the units fits together.
In developing the ‘National standard for driving cars and light vans (category B)’, DVSA has made the assumption that further improvements in road-safety will follow if newly qualified drivers can:
- develop a greater awareness of the risks associated with driving
- learn to actively reflect on their own driving performance and take steps to improve where they see areas that require further development
To support these objectives, DVSA believes that the learning-to-drive process should be ‘client-centred’. This means that there should be an emphasis on transferring ownership of the learning process to the client at the earliest possible stage.
Each unit is presented in the following way:
- Unit aim gives an indication of the areas to be covered and why this is important in the lifelong learning-to-drive process
- Learning outcomes provides a brief overview of what the learning outcome will be as a result of studying the unit
- What you need to be able to do to demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes
- What you need to know and understand to enable you to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes
The syllabus is based on the ‘National standard for driver and rider training’.
Detailed information can also be obtained from the following publications: