MiDAS Transformation - frequently asked questions

These FAQs have been put together with the aim of addressing questions you as a driver, trainer or organisation may have about the upcoming MiDAS transformation. Changes to the standard training will be launched in April 2025 with changes to other training coming later. We will be adding to these FAQs as and when further details have been finalised.

1. How will the transformed MiDAS standard training be delivered?
   The transformed MiDAS Driver Standard Training will be delivered in three parts:
   (1) Learner-led online training through a Learning Management System (LMS)
   (2) One-to-one enhanced practical session addressing specific learner needs (delivered by Driver Assessor)
   (3) One-to-one Driving assessment (Delivered by Driver Assessor)
   
   
2. Why are you moving the classroom learning to online?
   There has been a call for a long time for MiDAS to be modernised. Completing the theory part of the course online will allow greater flexibility of access, an improved learner experience, and improvement of quality controls. Face to face will still be a crucial part of the course through the enhanced practical session and assessment which will ensure that learning can be tailored, and the expertise of Driver Assessors (DAs) utilised. The new online system will also ease the administrative burden of MiDAS by making the registration and certification processes more straightforward.
   
   
3. What is the plan for new DA training and refresher training?
   Work has been completed on developing the new DA standard training in line with the changed driver training. This will also be launched in April 2025.
   
   
4. How much will Hampshire County Council be charging for the MiDAS online training?
   We’re considering a price point of around £40.This price will include continued access to the MiDAS system with access to all the training material, which includes supporting information and MiDAS-related news and updates, as well as your electronic MiDAS certificate when the course has been successfully completed. This charge will be used to continue to operate and develop MiDAS (as existing income does) and to pay for the on-going hosting of the LMS.
   
   
5. What is a one-to-one enhanced practical?
   The one-to-one enhanced practical session is designed to address specific learner needs, allowing the DA to work through examples regarding the sorts of passenger profile the minibus driver may be working with (school pupils, disabled people etc) and any concerns the learner may have flagged via the online theory element. This is an opportunity for DAs to use their skills to elaborate on the theory learning through demonstrations, walk-throughs and role-play scenarios tailored to the driver-passenger profiles and geographical area of driving.
   
   
6. Will the driving assessment change?
   We are not changing how the driving assessment is completed, from the feedback we have received it works well and does what it needs to do regarding observing and feeding back on the competency of a driver. What will change is that the DA will upload the results from the driving assessment online.
   
   
7. How will the delivery model change when the standard minibus driver training goes online?
   Learners will complete the theory training and assessment online. Once that has been completed the learner will be able to undertake their enhanced practical and driving assessment with the DA, once completed the DA will update the learner’s profile if they have passed or failed and at that stage if passed the learner will be able to download their certificate as long as they have completed the electronic course evaluation form.
   
   
8. How many resits can a learner undertake?
   The maximum number of attempts for a theory assessment will be three and the same for the driving assessment.
   
   
9. Will there be any change to accessible training, PATs, Car & MPV and 5 Steps to Safety?
   Working with our partner, Community Transport Association, and in consultation with the sector, we plan to transform the other products under the MiDAS umbrella. Work has already started on transforming the accessible training and the Passenger Assistant training and we hope to have the finished content ready to launch in 2025.
   
   
10. Can I still deliver Standard MiDAS and Accessible MiDAS at the same time?
    Yes. For the time being, Accessible MiDAS will continue to work in the same way as it does currently with a classroom-based theory session followed by a practical session.
    
    
11. Will I still need to buy the MiDAS training materials and certificates?
    There will no longer be hard-copy materials to purchase for MiDAS Standard minibus training. All the training material for the course and supplementary material will be available once registered and the MiDAS standard course is paid for. Once the course has been successfully completed the certificate can be accessed providing the course evaluation form has been completed. For the time being, MiDAS Accessible certificates will still need to purchased and issued by DAs.
    
    
12. Will there be a time limit from completing e-learning to driving assessment?
    Yes, drivers will need to complete the driving assessment within 90 days of successfully completing the online theory assessment.
    
    
13. How will I as the DA know that the person sat in the vehicle with me is the one that has done the e-learning, it needs to be more than trust?
    There will be consent checks completed online asking for confirmation that the individual completing the training online is the person that is registered to do the course. When someone presents for their practical training, they will have to present their licence for checking as well. If there are any concerns regarding impersonation these should be flagged to MiDAS for investigation.
    
    
14. How long will the online course take?
    The online course is made up of 9 individual modules plus a theory assessment, lasting from 4 minutes to 20 minutes to complete and the learner can choose to undertake as many modules in one go as they wish. The total length of time to complete all modules is 90 minutes. The online training is being designed with a series of measures, including interactive activities and knowledge checks to prevent individuals simply clicking through the course.
    
    
15. Will the question papers be at the end of the course, or will it ask questions as you proceed through the content?
    There will be some questions throughout the online learning to help with the learner’s understanding, and at the end there will be a final assessment that must be passed to enable the individual to be able to undertake the practical assessment.
    
    
16. What about people with disabilities, sight loss, or additional learning needs?
    We are committed to ensuring that the online training is as accessible and supportive as possible. We are working with our expert training designers to ensure that the online learning is easy to navigate, uses clear and concise language and supports those with additional learning needs.
    
    
17. What about volunteers who are not computer literate?
    We want to ensure that this training does not become a barrier to volunteering but to help volunteers feel empowered with the knowledge and skills to be able to drive a minibus safely, legally, and comfortably. Volunteer organisations should work to support volunteers through this online training with Hampshire County Council supporting this where required.
    
    
18. Will we (trainers/organisations) still use our own database to record all learners, as well as the LMS?
    It will be about finding a way that works best for you, the LMS which you will have access to will keep records of the learners who are going through the learning process and those who have completed the process but if you identify that you need to continue to use your current database as that meets your individual needs there are no issues with that. However, please make those learners aware of this, along with ensuring you comply with GDPR.
    
    
19. Will we still be required to do licence checks or will that all be done by the learner directly with Hampshire County Council?
    Yes, a physical licence check must still be completed by the DA / training organisation ahead of the individual driving the minibus.
    
    
20. Will there be an automatic reminder system for refreshers, or will we still chase this up from our records?
    Yes, this is part of the build, and we think this will be a much-welcomed addition to all those who undertake, administer and train MiDAS.
    
    
21. How long will it take to retrain me on the new system and what support will I get?
    There will be training in February 2025 to take all DAs and individuals involved in the administration, delivery and management of MiDAS through the new model to demonstrate how it works. This training will not take too long to complete. We will also be hosting a drop-in session for people to attend to ask any outstanding questions they may have.
    
    
22. Will there be a charge for this online support training?
    No there will be no charge for this online support training.
    
    
23. Is this for new drivers or refreshers or both?
    In April 2025 the new MiDAS course for standard drivers will launch. From this point all new drivers and those requiring standard refresher training will complete the new online theory course and undertake an enhanced practical session with their DAs. All existing DAs will have received their training on this prior to the launch. Over the coming months, it is expected that bespoke driver refresher training will be created which will be used for refresher training beyond that.
    
    
24. The school pays for their DA’s training and subsequent refresher training so that their minibus drivers can be trained to an excellent MiDAS standard without incurring any additional costs to an already stretched budget. The school cannot justify the costs of their DA’s training if they still have to pay another organisation to do the MiDAS theory element.
    All future fees will be considered before launch. However, current Hampshire County Council charges for DA training remain considerably lower than in other areas of the country.
    
    
25. The school also offers MiDAS training to other organisations which generates income to help maintain their minibus. They now have concerns that their charges to attend one of their MiDAS courses will have to be drastically reduced, which is income they can ill afford to lose if they are only offering the practical element.
    We acknowledge that this is a source of income for many organisations and are enhancing the practical so that proportionally higher charges for this element can be made (for example, the practical assessment will last longer than the current one). It is important to stress that removing income from not-for-profit and statutory organisations is not an ambition of either Hampshire County Council nor its partner, Community Transport Association.