ARDS Instructor grades
Licence grades are determined by qualifications, training and experience, all of which must be clearly demonstrated and are subject to audit by ARDS and the MSA.
Grade S Licence
To qualify a candidate must:
• meet all the criteria for an ‘A’ grade licence and in addition
• have the appropriate experience to oversee all aspects of the schools operation on an event day
• be a recognised signatory, registered at the MSA, for competition licence application forms
Each ARDS member school is able to sponsor up to three S grade licences per school venue for whom the school may at its discretion pay all or part of the fee on behalf of the instructor. Additional S grade licences can be issued to qualifying instructors upon payment of the full current fee.
Grade A Licence
To qualify a candidate must demonstrate to their ARDS sponsor school that they have undertaken regular instructing work to a standard that justifies an upgrade from Grade B. Their upgrade application must be made through a member school and will be subject to audit and approval by ARDS. The minimum criteria are that the Instructor must:
• have been licensed at Grade C or above to instruct under the ARDS scheme for a minimum of three years
• have held a Grade B licence for a minimum of two years before applying for upgrading
• currently hold, have held, or be qualified to hold an International C Race Licence
• have attained an ARDS recognised First Aid qualification
• have full knowledge and be capable of running the MSA Novice Driver Training Course (NDTC)
• be fully conversant with MSA licensing procedures
• have briefing and presentational skills and be able to carry out briefings to groups of drivers
• have organisational skills to be able to manage and control a group of customers and instructors
• to be able to instruct on circuit at all levels from novice experience to advanced race instruction
If instructing on track days:
• be fully conversant with current regulations governing the operation of track days
• be able to present the appropriate safety briefing
• be able to instruct on circuit for all levels of track day driver
• be listed on the Register of Approved Track Day Instructors
Note: This is the minimum grade of instructing licence for anyone taking the classroom session of the Novice Driver Training Course.
Grade B Licence
To qualify a candidate must demonstrate to their ARDS sponsor school that they have undertaken regular instructing work to a standard that justifies an upgrade from Grade C. Their upgrade application must be made through a member School and will be subject to audit and approval by ARDS. The minimum criteria are that the Instructor must:
• fulfil all the qualifications for and been licensed at Grade C to instruct under the ARDS scheme for a minimum of one full year
• have a full working knowledge of the MSA Novice Driver Training Course and MSA licensing procedures and able to answer correctly all questions on current written papers
• be capable of instructing in car at novice experience and intermediate level without direct supervision
• have attained an ARDS recognised First Aid qualification
• currently hold, have held or be qualified to hold a Race International C licence with at least 15 race signatures
If instructing on track days:
• be fully conversant with current regulations governing the operation of track days
• be able to instruct on circuit at novice experience and intermediate level of track day driver
• be listed on the Register of Approved Track Day Instructors
Note: This is the minimum grade of instructing licence for anyone assessing Novice Driver Training Course candidates on circuit or instructing on a Track Day.
Grade C Licence
To qualify a candidate must:
• currently hold, have held or be qualified to hold a Race National A licence or above AND have at least ten race signatures from at least two different race tracks
• be able to demonstrate the ability to instruct
• have completed at least one year as a grade C and logged six signatures from an approved S Grade Instructor for the satisfactory completion of circuit instruction days worked at an ARDS Member School within 12 months of being issued a probationary Grade C licence.
• have attained an ARDS recognised First Aid qualification
• be fully conversant with the MSA Novice Driver Training Scheme and MSA licensing procedures and be able to answer correctly all questions on the current written papers
• be able to instruct on track for novice experiences with day to day supervision
Note: This is the minimum grade of instructing licence for anyone providing high-speed tuition on a race circuit.
Grade C Licence (Probationary)
The first grade C licence issued to an instructor will always be probationary.
To qualify a candidate must:
• currently hold, have held or be qualified to hold a Race National A licence or above AND have at least ten race signatures from at least two different race tracks
• have attended an approved introductory training course for instructors at an ARDS Member School and passed the initial assessment
• be able to demonstrate the ability to instruct
• have attained an ARDS recognised First Aid qualification
• be fully conversant with the MSA Novice Driver Training Scheme and MSA licensing procedures and be able to answer correctly all questions on the current written papers
• be able to instruct on track for novice experiences with day to day supervision
• demonstrate that they have all the skills and training required for a Grade D licence
Grade D licence
To qualify a candidate must:
• have an ARDS recognised First Aid qualification
• be able to strap drivers into cars in the correct, safe manner
• be able to instruct drivers on the correct selection and wearing of helmets
• be able to demonstrate vehicle controls to drivers
• be capable of enforcing Pit Lane discipline and safety procedures and controlling spectators
• be completely knowledgeable about the flags used for signaling and capable of instructing pupils in this area
Note:
• The Grade D licence is for trackside use only and does not imply any competence nor confer any right to instruct in car or advise on driving technique
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