All our APCSAD courses are suspended until 2023.

Please sign up to our waiting list so that when our courses restart, you'll be the first to be know about our new courses.

Join the waitlist

Course description

What is the APCSAD course?

This course will equip the learner with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to drive a range of patient care ambulance vehicles safely and commensurate with patient comfort and vehicle empathy.

On this course you will learn:

  • How to undertake pre-shift checks 
  • Driving defensively 
  • Using a vehicle’s braking, steering, transmission and safety systems 
  • Speed control 
  • Driving on dual carriageways and motorways 
  • How to safely negotiate bends 
  • Reversing 
  • Overtaking 
  • Using navigation aids 
  • Driving in adverse and dark conditions.

How long does the APCSAD course take?

The course takes 4 days (60 hours). This includes 33 Guided Learning hours (self-taught study).

Am I eligible for the APCSAD course?

In order to take this course you must:

  • Be aged 18 years or older
  • Have a valid UK driving licence
  • Have a minimum of 1 year of driving experience

How much does the APCSAD course cost?

The APCSAD course costs £800 + VAT. This includes all course tuition, materials, practice sessions and examination costs. You'll receive full support throughout your course. 

  All courses currently suspended until 2023

All our APCSAD courses are currently suspended until 2023. Throughout COVID-19 pandemic, our Driving Qualifications team are delivering unprecedented support to the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts.

Please sign up to our waiting list so that when our courses restart, you'll be the first to be know about our new courses.

 

Your details will be used to contact you about our ambulance driving qualifications. To find out more about how St John Ambulance uses your data, please read the Privacy Policy on www.sja.org.uk/privacy or email data-protection@sja.org.uk.

Course Summary

Level: Level 3 Award

Courses available:

  • Full course (4 days)

Full course details:
Credits: 6, TQT: 60, GL: 33

Prices: £800 + VAT

Locations: Milton Keynes, Guildford and Stockport

Enhanced Learning Credits:

We can accept Enhanced Learning Credits for this course.

Accreditation:

Future Quals Approved Centre Icon

See FutureQuals Factsheet 


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Assessment and certification

Assessment 

The course is split into 2 parts: there are 27 taught course hours and 33 additional, self-taught Guided Learning hours, which the delegate must complete outside of the classroom. The total Qualification Time is 60 hours. 

All our trainers are highly skilled specialist instructors, able to adapt their teaching style to meet each learner’s needs. We offer individual, end-to-end support to each learner; this might include extra help with portfolio work, getting the most out of the self-taught Guided Learning Hours, or assistance with arranging placements to practice your newly acquired skills.  

This qualification is internally assessed and internally quality assured by St John Ambulance staff and externally quality assured by FutureQuals External Quality Advisors. 

Certification 

Successful delegates will receive a certificate from FutureQuals valid for 5 years. After this, you will need to take a requalifying assessment. 

St John Ambulance male ambulance driver stands next to a open ambulance door