Do you need a dual control car to be a driving instructor?

30/05/2023

Driving is an essential part of modern life. We are a nation of travellers and commuters and not having to rely on public transport or favours from friends and family who drive can be incredibly freeing. As an ADI, you get to give the gift of independence by teaching learners the skills they need to pass their driving test. To do this to the best of your ability, you need to meet certain standards that ensure you run your business legally and effectively. Something worth considering is if you need a dual control car for your lessons. Below, we will look at whether they are a legal requirement, how they can aid your teaching process and how to install and maintain them.

Let’s talk legal

When it comes to whether dual control is a legal requirement, we hit a bit of a grey area. In terms of standard lessons, you can legally teach someone to drive without them. However, when the law changed to allow learners to drive on the motorway before their test, this is only with a qualified instructor and dual control fittings. Driving on the motorway can be a daunting experience for someone who has newly passed, so experiencing this with the safety of an ADI will appeal to many learners. For you, this is money left on the table if you cannot help them. Outside of legal technicalities, dual control can give you peace of mind when you take on new learners and inexperienced drivers.

Putting you in control

So, we know dual controls are a sensible investment for your lessons, but how will they actually help? Dual control means that you can stop the car at any time from the passenger side, helping to avoid accidents, collisions or dangerous driving if a learner has misjudged the situation.

Grade Six Supplies provide the FAST universal heavy-duty cable control systems that can be fitted to a large range of vehicles and can be used for both manual and automatic transmission. Whilst reusable FAST dual control fittings are available worldwide, Grade Six Supplies is currently the only company that supply them in the UK. Made in the Netherlands, they have European TUV certification and are of the highest quality.

How they work

In the UK it is common practice to get dual control systems specifically designed and fitted to your car. This can be incredibly costly and, when you inevitably change car, the system cannot be transferred over. FAST control systems are revolutionary as they can be adapted to almost any car. This means when you change your car, you can take the dual controls with you and have them refitted. The flexibility and small diameter of the cables can fit even in the most compact of cars. They can also be used in vehicles that have been adapted for teaching disabled drivers, which opens up another revenue stream for your business.

Every FAST dual control system comes with a lifetime warranty on the main control unit which covers against defects and failure. Whilst most other systems can also be used for a long time, having to get a new system every time you change car is wasting money. It is much more environmentally friendly to be able to refit the system.

The pulley system connects to the driver side and there are options for static pedal control. This means the pedals on the passenger side will not move when they are used on the driver side, to make the journey more comfortable for you. The clutch and brake cables are tested to a breaking strain of over 850kg. You can adjust the pedal height as well. An added perk is that you can easily lift the pedals from their support brackets for when you are using your car outside of lessons. There are no tricky locking pins or nuts to loosen, making it easier to take your car from work to personal use.

How to fit them

Grade Six Supplies stock the control system, any fixings or replacements you might need as well as kits that contain everything you need for installation. For automatic vehicles there are FAST brake kits with just one pedal, for manual vehicles, there are FAST clutch and brake kits with both pedals, and for even more control there are FAST clutch, brake and accelerator kits. Most driving instructors avoid an accelerator pedal on their dual controls as they need to be removed for practical tests. However, with this system, the accelerator pedal can be easily removed when required. An accelerator will allow you to demonstrate difficult techniques to learners from the passenger side.

Unless you are proficient in mechanics, use an experienced or mechanic or Mobility accredited fitter for installation. Grade Six Supplies can advise on any variations and adjustments for your vehicle that may be required. When you order, it is best to mention your car's make and model so that you get any relevant information for installation.

Maintenance requirements

Due to their superior quality, FAST dual controls require the most basic maintenance. There is a lifetime warranty on the main control unit, but this does exclude wear and tear to the pedal rubbers, cables and pulleys so these may need replacing from time to time. It is also advisable to replace the inner steel cables either annually or at 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. When taking the system from one car to another, the cables will also need replacing.

Use during lessons

When you are on a lesson, it might be tempting to intervene on every silly mistake a client makes. However, it is important to be mindful of helping your learner to progress and sharpen their decision making. A key part of any learning is failure, so for minor mistakes that do not pose a dangerous risk, it is best to let a learner go through the experience with verbal guidance from you.

If a learner is about to put themselves and you, their passenger, in danger, this is the perfect time to use your dual control brakes to prevent an accident. Once out of that situation, you can talk over the incident and recommence the lesson.

You can also use dual controls to help demonstrate clutch control for difficult manoeuvres. If a student is struggling with something like a hill start, you could help them by controlling the clutch while they get used to the acceleration needed before letting them try.

The benefits of having dual controls as an ADI massively outweigh any arguments against them. While they are not always a legal requirement, they can expand the services you are able to offer and ultimately take any worry out of handing your car over to a new learner.