FOI Reference: 678/2009
Request:
I wanted to enquire about the driving permits offered by your Force
to Police Officers. The questions I have are:
1) What levels of driving permits are offered?
2) What do each of the driving permits allow the holder to do?
3) What training is required for each of the driving permits and
how are the candidates assessed? How long in length are the courses
for each of the respective driving permits?,
4) Are any of the driving permits offered by your Force, offered in
a modular basis, (i.e. are they offered in modules of 1 week at a
time until the course is complete etc),
5) Which of the permits are available to Special Constables?
6) If any modular courses are offered, are the available to Special
Constables?,
7) How many Special Constables in your Force have driving permits
which allow them to respond (i.e. use blue lights, sirens and
allowed the holder to utilise the relevant exemptions afforded to
them in law with respect of speeding, going through red lights
etc),
I would appreciate any information that is available, in particular
the information that relates to Special Constables.
Response 1:
1. I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested. The levels of
driving permits are as follows:
Basic driving permit
Standard response permit
Advanced permit
Pursuit Management Course permit
Response 2:
2. I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested as outlined
below:
A basic driving permit allows an individual to drive a police owned or hired vehicle as per
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) standards
A Standard response driving permit allows a Police officer to drive a police vehicle to the
required National Competencies of a police standard response driver.
An Advanced driving permit allows a Police officer to drive a police vehicle to the required
National Competencies of a police advanced driver.
On the successful completion of an advanced driving course an officer will be required to
successfully complete an initial pursuit management course.
Response 3:
3. I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested as outlined
below:
To obtain a Basic permit requires a 1 hour assessment followed by appropriate training if
required.
To obtain a standard response permit requires the successful completion of a 3 week
standard response driving course.
To obtain an Advanced permit requires the successful completion of a 4 week advanced
driving course.
On the successful completion of an advanced driving course an officer will be required to
successfully complete a 1 week initial pursuit management course.
Response 4:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police as no permits are
offered on a modular basis
Response 5:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested. The only permits
available to special constables are Basic Permits.
Response 6:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police as no modular courses
are offered
Response 7:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police as
no special
constables have driving permits which allow them to respond (i.e. use blue lights, sirens or
allow the holder to utilise the relevant exemptions afforded to them in law with respect of
speeding, going through red lights etc),
It should be noted that Dyfed-Powys Police in line with the Driving Standards Agency
standards has adopted and adheres to the Police Driver Training Manual based on the
National Police Driving Standards which was launched in June 2009.
In accordance with the Act and under section 16 I am able to provide the following link which
may be of assistance:
http://www.acpos.police.uk/Documents/Policies/RP_NPDSC%20Police%20Driving%20Manu
al%202009.pdf
