Driver training courses

About the 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 utilised 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 you 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:

Arbeitskreis Fahrtraining validation (AKF): Our Level C training is validated through Arbeitskreis Fahrtraining, a German driver training working group, Applus IDIADA is an active member of. Consequently, the qualification acquired at Applus IDIADA’s Driver trainings at proving ground can also be utilized to work for most of the German OEM’s, TIER1’s and enter to their proving grounds and others European proving grounds, also as well as the ones managed by Applus IDIADA.

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 AKF) / C2: Provides basic driving skills to be able to perform more efficient tests and to become familiar with Applus IDIADA’s main tracks. Please note that while it is possible acquire the AKF certification with the Level C course, we would strongly recommend to also undertake the C2 which provides a more comprehensive training and advances further the participants driving skills.

• Course duration: 8 hours (1 day, Level C) and 8 hours (1 day, Level C2)
• 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: Dry Handling (level C), Slid Pad (level C), Dynamic Platform (level C/C2), High Speed Circuit (level C2), Straight line breaking surfaces (level C2)
• Day 1 (Level C): Driving position (theory, technical skills, driving attitude and aptitude), Slalom, Emergency braking avoidance in high MU, Trajectory tracing in dry handling track, Cornering understeer and oversteer control, Lane change, and Evaluation exercises for Level C
• Day 2 (Level C2): Braking in low mu and asymmetric surface, Driving at 200 km/h on the High Speed Track, Gymkhana (specially designed circuit in a secure environment), and Evaluation exercises for Level C2

LEVEL C1 (Intermediate): Aimed at participants who want to initiate subjective evaluation of a vehicle. As some of the tests are executed at limit grip situation, the course is focused on developing driving confidence and capability to control the car

• Course duration: 16 hours (2 day)
• Number of vehicles: 4 vehicles
• Number of participants: Maximum 6 (estimated 2 persons per vehicle)
• Number of instructors: 2 provided by IDIADA
• Test tracks used: Platform Low mu Surface, Wet Handling, High Speed Circuit, Dynamic Platform
• Day 1: Driving position (theory, technical skills, driving attitude and aptitude), Car control in low mu surface, Understeer and oversteer control, Load transfer control, and Gymkhana in low mu surface
• Day 2: Trajectory tracing in Wet handling track, Driving at 230 km/h on the High Speed Track, Gymkhana (specially designed circuit in a secure environment), and Evaluation exercises for Level C1

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
• If you detect any anomaly please contact the Security Department on telephone +34 977166017