Who are Diamond
Diamond training and testing focuses primarily on improving your safety and competency but was also the first advanced driving test in the UK to also encourage motorists to develop their eco-efficiency.
Diamond is widely acknowledged as the most professional of the advanced driver and rider assessments as we are the only Government accredited advanced driver and rider training brand in the UK using only fully qualified and regulated trainers, assessors and examiners to deliver our programmes. All our trainers and examiners are widely experienced in developing drivers and riders across the spectrum,with particular focus on your individual development needs, are professionally qualified and are all regulated by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency. With more professional driver and rider trainers and examiners available across the UK than any other advanced training body we can match a trainer or assessor to you wherever you are.
Test overview
The Diamond advanced test is ideal for professional development particularly for trainee instructors. PDIs looking to take a ‘mock test’ instead of one to their 3 limited attempts during their training means they can gauge how they are doing without going through the DVSA testing system first. Along side their official training PDIs may also like some additional training from a Diamond advanced instructor who may be available outside of the normal hours of business when colleges and driving schools cannot assist with this extra training.
An advanced test and some additional post-test training with a Diamond trainer can help anyone with an interest in driving. Any member of the general public is welcome to take extra training or a Diamond test, possibly for work, safety reasons or confidence. You may like to refresh your skills if you have been in an accident, returning to work after an illness or a long gap in driving.
You could be a young person who has just passed their driving test or a parent looking to improve and update their own skills before teaching a son or daughter to drive. Alternatively, you may be a mature driver who has been referred by their GP or family to book some post test training or a Diamond assessment. If you decide to take the advanced test this will cover motorway and dual carriageway driving, which will help you gain confidence on these types of roads, whilst refreshing your skills and knowledge.
Fleet companies can reduce their long term fuel costs, insurance and accident loses/no claims if their drivers are better trained or work towards doing an advanced or elite test as weaknesses are highlighted and can be fed back to companies by our professional Diamond trainers.
What are the benefits
Obvious benefits are safer and better driving skills. Diamond trainers focus on defensive and eco driving techniques, which in the long term means less accidents and loss of no claims benefits etc. Companies and fleet drivers can expect to save money through a reduction in claims, accidents and drivers are more able to cope under pressure, which in turn creates a healthier working environment with less time taken off work for sickness and stress.
Having a Diamond advanced test certificate may give you substantial discounts on your insurance. Be sure to mention your advanced test pass to your insurance company to see if they can quote you an appropriate discount. Your Diamond certification is valid for 3 years.
Additional information
When you book your Diamond test, you will receive email confirmation of your booking. Your details will then be passed on to an examiner local to you, who will contact you within 2 working days to arrange a mutually convenient meeting place. The Diamond advanced test lasts 60 minutes and covers a variety of roads and where possible motorways, rural roads and an emergency stop exercise. You will be expected to do at least 2 manoeuvres involving reversing and demonstrate eco-safe driving.
A pass will be awarded if you achieve no serious or dangerous faults and you do not exceed 6 driver faults.
Certification
At the end of the test you will be awarded a certificate.
