If you have been looking into ADAS awareness training and want straight answers before you commit, this post covers the questions we get asked most often. Everything here is based on the IMI Level 1 Award in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Awareness delivered by Our Virtual Academy.
We have kept it plain and practical. No waffle. Just the information you need to make the right decision for your workshop.
What is ADAS awareness training?
ADAS awareness training gives you and your team a solid understanding of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems — what they are, how they work, and what happens to them when a vehicle is repaired or serviced. It is not calibration training. It is the foundation that every workshop needs before anyone starts talking about calibration equipment or advanced qualifications.
The IMI Level 1 Award in ADAS Awareness delivered by Our Virtual Academy covers the legal and financial risks of getting ADAS wrong, how sensors and components are affected by common repairs, how ADAS interacts with vehicle steering and braking systems, and how to advise customers correctly when ADAS calibration is required.
Who should take ADAS awareness training?
Everyone in your workshop. That is not an exaggeration. ADAS awareness is relevant to:
- Service advisers and receptionists
- Workshop technicians
- Estimators
- Bodyshop and glazing professionals
- Managers and garage owners
- Anyone working around ADAS-equipped vehicles on a daily basis
A technician who understands ADAS will flag a calibration requirement before a vehicle leaves the ramp. A service adviser who understands it will ask the right questions at the point of booking. A manager who understands it will build the right processes around it. Awareness runs through every role in the business.
What ADAS systems does the course cover?
The course covers all of the main ADAS systems found in modern vehicles, including adaptive cruise control, advanced emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assistance, tyre pressure monitoring, surround view systems, night vision, reverse detection, driver drowsiness and attention warning, emergency lane keeping, and more.
It also covers the sensors that power these systems — radar, lidar, automotive cameras and ultrasonic sensors — and the types of repairs that can affect their calibration and performance.
Which repairs can affect ADAS systems?
A wide range of routine workshop jobs can affect ADAS performance, including:
- Four-wheel alignment
- Suspension repairs
- Windscreen replacements
- Front bumper repairs or resprays
- Tyre replacements
- Any work affecting the position or angle of sensors and cameras
This is why awareness training matters to the whole team. It is not just the technician carrying out the job who needs to understand the implications. It is everyone involved in booking, estimating, repairing and handing back the vehicle.
What are the business risks of ignoring ADAS?
Failing to identify ADAS systems and address calibration requirements after a repair can potentially invalidate a customer’s insurance, create legal exposure for your business, and put drivers and other road users at risk. The Insurance Industry Requirements for safe repairs are clear on this, and workshops that cannot demonstrate awareness of ADAS obligations are increasingly exposed as the technology becomes more widespread.
What certification options are available?
Our Virtual Academy offers three certification options, all based on the same online training content:
- OVA Certificate in ADAS Awareness — £99 + VAT
- IMI Professional Development Certificate in ADAS Awareness — £149 + VAT
- IMI Level 1 Award in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Awareness — £199 + VAT
The IMI Level 1 Award is a nationally recognised qualification from the Institute of the Motor Industry. The Professional Development Certificate and OVA Certificate are ideal for team members who need solid, documented awareness without requiring the full IMI qualification.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered entirely online and is self-paced. Your team can work through it at a time that suits them without taking time away from the workshop floor. There are no fixed start dates and no travel involved.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course is self-paced so completion time will vary depending on the learner. It is designed to be accessible for all levels of experience, including those with no prior knowledge of ADAS systems, so it does not require a technical background to get real value from it.
Why choose Our Virtual Academy for ADAS awareness training?
Our Virtual Academy is an IMI-approved training provider. We build our courses around genuine knowledge transfer, not just getting people through an assessment to gain a certificate. We understand how demanding workshop environments are, and we design our training to reflect that — practical, relevant, and built around real-world implications rather than theory for its own sake.
Ready to get your team qualified? View the IMI Level 1 ADAS Awareness course at Our Virtual Academy and choose the certification option that suits your team and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMI Level 1 Award in ADAS Awareness?
The IMI Level 1 Award in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Awareness is a nationally recognised qualification from the Institute of the Motor Industry. It is delivered online by Our Virtual Academy and covers how ADAS systems work, which repairs affect them, the legal and financial risks of missed calibrations, and how to advise customers correctly. It is suitable for the whole workshop team, not just technicians.
How much does ADAS awareness training cost?
Our Virtual Academy offers three certification options. The OVA Certificate in ADAS Awareness is £99 plus VAT. The IMI Professional Development Certificate in ADAS Awareness is £149 plus VAT. The IMI Level 1 Award in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Awareness is £199 plus VAT. All three options are based on the same online training content.
Is ADAS awareness training only for technicians?
No. ADAS awareness training is relevant to every role in the workshop including service advisers, receptionists, estimators, bodyshop professionals, managers and garage owners. Anyone working around modern vehicles on a daily basis will benefit from this qualification.
Can ADAS awareness training be completed online?
Yes. The IMI Level 1 ADAS Awareness course from Our Virtual Academy is delivered entirely online and is self-paced. There are no fixed start dates and no travel required. Your team can complete it without disrupting the workshop floor.
What is the difference between ADAS awareness training and ADAS calibration training?
ADAS awareness training covers what ADAS systems are, how they work, which repairs affect them and what the business implications are. Calibration training is a more advanced, practical qualification for technicians who will physically carry out recalibration work using specialist equipment. Awareness is the essential starting point before any calibration training or equipment investment.
Which ADAS systems are covered in the course?
The course covers all major ADAS systems including adaptive cruise control, advanced emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assistance, tyre pressure monitoring, surround view, night vision, reverse detection and more. It also covers the radar, lidar, camera and ultrasonic sensor technologies that underpin these systems.
What are the risks to a workshop that ignores ADAS?
Workshops that do not understand ADAS risk missing calibration requirements after routine repairs. This can potentially invalidate a customer’s insurance, expose the business to legal action and put drivers at risk. As ADAS becomes standard fitment on virtually all new vehicles, the frequency of these situations will only increase.
Why is IMI accreditation important for ADAS training?
IMI accreditation means the qualification is nationally recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry, the professional body for people working in the automotive sector. An IMI certificated qualification carries weight with customers, insurers and the wider industry in a way that an unaccredited course does not.
Is the ADAS awareness course suitable for someone with no prior ADAS knowledge?
Yes. The IMI Level 1 ADAS Awareness course is designed to be accessible for all experience levels. No prior knowledge of ADAS systems is required. It is suitable for apprentices, experienced technicians, front of house staff and managers alike.
How do I enrol on the IMI Level 1 ADAS Awareness course?
You can find full course details and enrol directly on the IMI Level 1 ADAS Awareness course page at Our Virtual Academy. Alternatively call 020 3286 2228 or email info@ourvirtualacademy.com if you have any questions before enrolling.
