Family Travel Centre Driver Confidence Course – A Customer Review
Family Travel Centre introduced a course that is designed to boost the confidence of the people who take part. Each course is tailored to the individual needs of the driver focussing on specific needs areas of concern or areas for improvement.
We think the course is fantastic and a “must do” course for those interested in improving their driving skills, but don’t take our word for it read what Carole has to say. Carole took part in one of our course and has kindly written a review of the course which has been included in full below, all in Carol’s own words:
“I WAS AFRAID – NO PETRIFIED!
We have been keen motorhomers for 12 years, had 6 different units and I have only driven one in an emergency – and I was petrified. But that is all in the past now – thanks to Jenny at Family Travel Centre, a new motorhome dealership in Bristol.
I took up their offer of a training course for ladies, who like me, do not have the confidence to drive a motorhome. I was welcomed on arrival by Matt (one of the company directors) with a cup of coffee and then introduced to Jenny, who it turned out was not only a driving instructor but also an HGV lorry driver.
We sat for a while discussing my fears concerning driving a motorhome. Then it was time to go. With nerves jangling we headed to the van.“What is that you have just turned on?” asked Jenny. “The reversing camera” I replied “So as I can use it as a rear view mirror”. To my horror she reached over and turned it off. “It is as you said “a reversing camera”. You have large wing mirrors, so you do not need it” she said.The nervousness cranked up another slot. I cannot drive just using those!
Off we went, Jenny asking me what country we were in as I drove down the middle of the road. What a start. As I approached my first set of traffic lights, changing down through the gears, Jenny explained that nowadays, you do not change gears, just use your brakes to slow down. “It is cheaper to replace brake pads than a clutch” she said. This also applies at roundabouts etc.
I was beginning to get used to using those mirrors, but I still had great concerns over the width of the van. I was still braking every time a car approached from the other direction, but Jenny told me that I was entitled to use the full width of my side of the road – up to the white central line and not to be concerned about what speed I was travelling or what vehicles were behind me. 30mph was the maximum speed in town and if I was happy at 25 then so be it.
Driving around Bristol on a busy afternoon was not my idea of fun, but I was getting used to it. Slowly but surely my nerves were going and I was getting more and more confident.
We then turned into a Garden Centre to practice reversing into a parking bay. I found that to reverse between the two white lines a daunting task without the use of the reversing camera, but Jenny put me at ease and guided me through the process. Another great learning part was getting to know the length of the van. I thought I was back to where I should be but on examination I was at least 4 or 5 feet short. Then there was the aspect of when to start turning the steering wheel. The van is much longer than a car and I was swinging all over the place but Jenny’s guidance was invaluable. She taught me that by using the wing mirrors and by lining up the rear wheels with the corner I was soon able to park perfectly. Who needs a camera? and my motorhome now sits nicely between the 2 white lines that marked out the parking bay.
It was now two hours since we started so it was back to The Family Travel Centre. I was now driving with great confidence and driving through gaps that I previously thought impossible.
Getting out of the van, there was a huge grin on my face – like the proverbial Cheshire Cat – my confidence in driving a motorhome now fully restored. I even refused to give my husband the keys as I wanted to drive home.This was money well spent. The experience and confidence gained was priceless.If I can do it ANYONE can.
I AM NO LONGER PETRIFIED.
You never know when you may HAVE to drive the van. So come on you ladies if you are lacking in confidence give it a go. I am sure you will not regret it.”
For more information on the Family Travel Centre Driver Confidence Course have a look at our website - http://www.familytravelcentre.co.uk/extras/driving-confidently
‘Get set for Summer’ at Family Travel Centre’s Open Day Summer celebrations in Bristol to mark Family Travel Centre’s first year in business, full of fun and activities for all the family on Saturday, 14th July.
The three all spent most of their spare time taking road trips in their mobile homes and decided a great business could be launched on the back of their love for the open road. One year later and the firm, which sells caravans and motorhomes, has a turnover of more than £1.5 million.
