Driver Training

Land Rover Owner’s Club membership entitles you to attend hands on driver training courses that are held regularly throughout the year. These are available only to members and are worth many times the membership fee alone.

You will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure your future 4WDing is safe for your vehicle, yourself and the environment. Have fun and learn invaluable skills at the same time.

There is a small charge for the courses to cover the cost of printing material and towards the cost of hiring the Awaba training facility.
The cost to each participant is minimal.

The LROC driver training team consists of members who have had many years of 4WDing experience. All skill levels are catered for from the absolute beginner to the experienced 4WDer.

The aim of the training team is to offer 4WDing experience in a controlled environment so participants demonstrate a level of competency to the standards outlined in the Manual, to assist participants understand the capabilities of their vehicle, and prepare them for safe off road driving.

We use the LROC 4WD Instruction Manual as a guide and reference, and the attendees are given a copy once they have completed the course. The Instruction Manual has recently been upgraded, reflecting the ever changing driving techniques and different types of vehicles we have in the club.

We also encourage group discussion and give practical demonstrations at each training scenario. If the driver wishes, a trainer will sit in the passenger seat and talk the trainee through the scenario until they are comfortable.

To get an idea of what a training course would be like check out a trip report from an advanced driver training weekend.

The courses offered are -

Basic Training This course is mandatory for participation on any LROC trip.
The skills taught are -

• Vehicle knowledge. What are the stengths, weaknesses and safety aspects of your vehicle.
• Tread lightly. How to enjoy 4WDing and take care of the environment.
• Radios. Type selection and procedures.
• Convoy procedure. How not to get lost.
• Cross Axeling. What/why is cross axeling and how do we recover.
• Stall Recovery on a steep hill. What/why is happening and how do we safely recover and descend safely.
• Ascending/descending a steep rocky section.
• Water crossing. Vehicle and route preparation.
• Safety. This is always a primary focus of our course leaders.

Sand/Beach Training This course is sometimes combined with the other courses.
The skills taught are -

• Vehicle preparation. Correct tyre pressures etc.
• Sand driving tips and techniques.
• Ascending/descending a sand dune safely.
• Rules of the road while travelling on a beach.
• Recovery techniques for bogged vehicles.
• Vehicle care. What to do after beach driving.

Advanced Training (The basic training course is a pre-requisite)
This course focuses on advanced safe recovery and drivingng techniques. The skills taught are -

• Situation management. Taking control of a recovery situation while involving ideas and other people to assist.
• Creek/River recovery.
• Hill recovery without a winch.
• Steep hill descent using following vehicle to belay.
• Gully recovery when vehicle is wedged in the gully.
• Sandy creek bed recovery without a winch.
• Hill recovery when vehicle is stuck sideways.
• Tyre change on a steep hill.
• Rolled vehicle. Safe recovery techniques

The LROC training courses offer much more than can be mentioned here. If you have any questions or are interested in a course contact the LROC training officer.

The LROC teaches, encourages and promotes responsible driving practices both on and off road, with the utmost emphasis placed on safety and care of the environment through the 4WD Code of Ethics.