Driving school BSM is celebrating a high pass rate for its virtual reality (VR) based driving instructor training course.
BSM’s driving instructor trainees‘ Part 1 Theory pass rate was more than 35% higher than the DVSA national average. BSM trainees taking Part 2 and Part 3 exams levelled 15% higher than the national average.
BSM’s virtual reality (VR) instructor training course launched in 2020 and offers safe, socially-distant learning during the pandemic. The course blends in-car training with VR headset experience in a classroom environment.
Demand for driving lessons and qualified professional instructors has continued to soar following the easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK.
Mark Born, BSM’s instructor training manager, said: “We are so happy with our pass rates for trainees on the virtual reality course.
“Our ability to support trainees with online courses and VR when no in-car practice could take place has boosted what could have been a difficult period with under-prepared trainees turning up for tests.
“We hope this encourages more instructors to train with us and take advantage of our unique VR training that’s proven to be effective in producing highly skilled and capable instructors.”
Many trainees have passed all three qualifying tests the first time and others have been supported in their further attempts using the VR training and online support.
Kim Gibson, former BSM VR pupil who recently passed her Part 3 test said: “I signed up with BSM in August, passing my part two in September and attending a VR course in October.
“The staff were so supportive answering all my questions. During lockdown they ran daily online classrooms with really informative materials to help me when lessons were able to resume.
“Within a month of lockdown being eased, I passed my part 3 first time. My trainer pushed me to achieve the best I could, and I definitely recommend the VR course to anyone considering becoming an ADI.”
Earlier this year, BSM’s VR instructor training course won Product of the Year in the 2021 Intelligent Instructor awards.
