ARD Academy 4×4 Training

During this practical one-to-one course, you’ll learn how to prepare and operate an ATV safely across varied terrain. Training covers pre-use checks, rider positioning, low-speed control, steering, braking and choosing an appropriate route.

The day is tailored to your experience and focuses on developing smooth, considered technique, good observation and the judgement needed to use an ATV responsibly and confidently.

This practical one-to-one course develops the skills needed to prepare, couple and tow a trailer safely and confidently. Training covers essential vehicle and trailer checks, correct coupling procedures, weight distribution, road positioning and the principles of stable towing.

You’ll also practise controlled manoeuvring and reversing in a supportive environment, with guidance tailored to your experience and the type of towing you expect to undertake.

Under one-to-one instruction, you’ll learn how to assess terrain, select appropriate vehicle settings and tackle typical off-road obstacles safely and confidently.

Training takes place in one of our vehicles — an Ineos Grenadier or Toyota Hilux — allowing you to concentrate on developing good driving technique under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Working individually with an ARD Academy instructor gives you considerably more driving time and allows the training to progress at your own pace.

You’ll develop a better understanding of vehicle control, observation, terrain assessment, appropriate use of vehicle systems and the techniques required to negotiate varied off-road conditions safely.

Whether you’re relatively new to 4×4 driving or already have some experience, the session can be tailored to concentrate on the areas where you will benefit most.

With a full day dedicated to one-to-one instruction, there is time to progress beyond the fundamentals and work with increasingly challenging terrain and driving situations.

Particular emphasis is placed on terrain assessment, vehicle positioning, traction management, controlled progress and making the right decision before committing the vehicle.

Training is tailored to your existing experience and objectives. The objective isn’t simply to tackle more difficult obstacles — it’s to develop a more capable, considered and self-reliant off-road driver.

Delivered using RoSPA-based driving principles and with workplace responsibilities in mind, the course develops the practical skills, judgement and risk awareness required to operate 4×4 vehicles safely in off-road and challenging environments.

Training can cover vehicle familiarisation, pre-use considerations, terrain assessment, vehicle control, safe operating techniques and the management of common off-road hazards.

The course supports employers in meeting their responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) by providing structured, appropriate training for employees required to operate 4×4 vehicles.

Vehicle recovery can introduce significant forces and risks, making good planning, correct equipment selection and safe working practices essential.

This course develops an understanding of recovery principles before putting those principles into practice through realistic recovery scenarios.

You’ll learn how to assess a recovery situation, identify suitable recovery points, understand equipment and its limitations, plan a safe recovery and carry out controlled winching operations.

The emphasis throughout is on avoiding unnecessary risk and understanding why a particular recovery technique should — or should not — be used.

The course combines recovery theory, equipment awareness, risk assessment and practical exercises to develop a systematic approach to safe vehicle recovery.

Participants learn how to assess recovery situations, understand the forces involved, select appropriate equipment, establish safe working areas and carry out controlled recovery operations while minimising risk to people, vehicles and equipment.

Training is delivered using RoSPA-based principles and supports workplace requirements under PUWER.

Training can also be tailored to reflect the vehicles, recovery equipment and operational situations encountered within your organisation.

Working one-to-one with a female ARD Academy instructor, you’ll get to know your vehicle and understand how its controls, driving systems and four-wheel-drive capabilities work in real situations.

The course progresses at your pace and can cover everything from basic vehicle familiarisation through to practical off-road driving, terrain assessment and negotiating common obstacles safely and confidently.

There’s no pressure to prove anything and no expectation of previous off-road experience — just professional, individual instruction designed to help you understand what your vehicle can do and how to use those capabilities effectively.