INTRODUCTION

Our aim and mission is to provide you with a professional and competent service in order to fully satisfy your test requirements. We have more than 12 years of experience providing driver training programs, of which during this period of time nearly 400 driving trainings have been conducted.

THE Applus+ SOLUTION

About the driving courses

The courses provided by Applus IDIADA offer you a unique opportunity to improve your driving ability with passenger cars in order to perform tests with a good level of control, safety and knowledge of how to develop in the proving ground.

It should be noted that while this course is mainly practical with numerous driving sessions on specific tracks, the theory around driving techniques will also be explained for the understanding of vehicles’ reactions and control.

Finally, as well as improving driving abilities, this course aims to enable the trainees to gain a better feel of the vehicle and therefore develop their sensitivity.

Vehicles used for training

A complete fleet of cars guarantees the prefect development for the training course at the Proving Ground. Different types of cars are available for the activities to fulfill the demands of every practice:

  • Slalom on dynamic platform
  • Braking avoidance on low adherence surface
  • Lane change on dynamic platform
  • High speed track driving
  • Dry handling driving
  • Wet handling driving

Test tracks

Our proving ground at Applus+ IDIADA is one of the most comprehensive independent proving grounds in the world. The courses offer a unique opportunity to drive an learn the particularities of most of the test tracks in order to increase the safety and the confidence during your tests on the proving ground:

  • General road
  • High-speed circuit
  • External noisetrack
  • Fatigue A & Comfort Surface A
  • Dynamic platform A
  • Dry handling circuit
  • Test hills
  • Braking Surfaces and Comfort B & Sim City
  • Dynamic platform B
  • Off-road track
  • Wet circle
  • Wet handling
  • ADAS & CAV Track
  • Comfort B

Further information:

SAE J3300 - Driving Skills Certification Program

This Skills Certification Program is intended to establish a procedure to certify the fundamental driving skill levels of test drivers. These certification levels may also be used by test facilities or other organizations to validate driver driving skills before entering the tracks or before driving testing vehicles on projects. Applus+ IDIADA is a certified official center with its own certifier and examiner for candidates, as well as to certify examiners, other sites, and vehicles.

Driver instructors

Eight highly qualified driver instructors guarantee the perfect organization and development of the activities. During the training course, the drivers will always be supported by the driving instructors, who will advise on how to improve driving skills and also answer any queries that the driver may have.

Driving assessment

According to customer requirements and/or course taken, participants have to pass the relevant driving exam in order to obtain the level. Please note that participation in the course does not guarantee that the participant will obtain the level being taught.

Specific course programs

At Applus+ IDIADA we value the needs of our clients. While we offer a structured program, which ensures a secure environment, we have the flexibility to offer personalized courses.

Driving Courses

LEVEL D (Basic)

The first program of the Driving Training Plan. This course is focused raising awareness on how to drive the vehicles safely and allows the participant to become familiar with some of the tracks. It is aimed at drivers with limited testing experience.

  • Course duration: 8 hours (1 day)
  • Number of vehicles: 4 vehicles
  • Number of participants: Maximum 8 (estimated 2 persons per vehicle)
  • Number of instructors: 2 provided by IDIADA
  • Test tracks used: Dynamic Platform, High Speed Circuit and Straight line braking surfaces
  • Day 1: Driving position (theory, technical skills, driving attitude and aptitude), Slalom at moderate speed, Emergency braking without and with ABS, Driving on the High Speed Track (Banked bends and traffic management), Driving on low adherence surfaces (Oversteering control), and Evaluation exercises for Level D.

LEVEL C (Basic)

For testing companies who need a validated driver license to test vehicles or enter the Proving Grounds of members, mostly German companies like main OEMs, TIER1s and PGs. It's an assessment to check the driving abilities of the driver. Provides driving skills to be able to perform basic tests with driving awareness and car control, also to become familiar with Applus+ IDIADA's main tracks.

  • Course duration: 1 day
  • Number of vehicles: 3-4
  • Number of participants: Maximum 6-8 (estimated 2 persons per vehicle)
  • Number of instructors: 2 provided by IDIADA
  • Test tracks used: Dry Handling, Skid Pad and Dynamic Platform

Contents: Theory about technical skills, trajectory tracing, driving attitude and aptitude. Practice on driving position, slalom, emergency braking avoidance in high MU, trajectory tracing in dry handling track, cornering understeer and oversteer control, lane change. Evaluation exercises for Level C.

LEVEL C2 Basic+

Provides basic driving skills to be able to perform more efficient tests and to become familiar with Applus+ IDIADA's main tracks. We would strongly recommend also undertaking the C2 which provides more comprehensive training and advances further the participants' driving skills. Please note contents of C level validated driver license are included in that level.

  • Course duration: 2 days
  • Number of vehicles: 3-4
  • Number of participants: Maximum 6-8 (estimated 2 persons per vehicle)
  • Number of instructors: 2 provided by IDIADA
  • Test tracks used: Dynamic Platform, Straight Line Braking Surfaces, Dry Handling and High Speed Circuit

Contents:

  • Day 1: Theory about technical skills, trajectory tracing. Practice on driving position, slalom, emergency braking avoidance in high MU, trajectory tracing in Dry Handling with understeer control
  • Day 2 (Level C2): Practice on braking in low mu and asymmetric surface, driving up to 200 km/h on High Speed Track, gymkhana with lane change and understeer and oversteer control. Evaluation exercises for Level C2.

LEVEL B (Advanced)

Focused on controlling vehicles perfectly on dry and wet surfaces using limit maneuvers. Furthers driving skills on driving on race track close to the limit, teaching the participant how to maintain consistency, safety and control of the car every moment

  • Course duration: 16 hours (2 day)
  • Number of vehicles: 4 vehicles
  • Number of participants: Maximum 4 (estimated 2 persons per vehicle)
  • Number of instructors: 2 provided by IDIADA
  • Test tracks used: Race track, Wet Handling, Dynamic Platform, High Speed Circuit
  • Day 1: Improve the advanced level of driving, Regressive braking, Curve to curve trajectory tracing, Trajectory tracing, Time trial Race track
  • Day 2: Trajectory tracing on Wet handling track, Time trial in Wet handling track, Gymkhana (specially designed circuit in a secure environment), and Evaluation exercises for Level B

Confidentiality

The fact that different manufacturers test at our facilities means that Applus IDIADA carries out an exhaustive supervision of confidentiality, and we kindly ask for your collaboration in helping us maintain it. It is forbidden to enter or use within the complex any image recording system, such as cameras, video cameras, mobile phones with camera, etc. unless you have written permission from Applus IDIADA.

  • If you need to bring a camera or image recording device into the complex please inform your contact person, who will make the necessary administrative steps with the Security department

 

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