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What is the examiner actually doing from the back seat on your Part 3? Diana sits down with Wayne Pinnington, who spent more than 20 years with DSA and DVSA as a car examiner, an ADI examiner, and then a test centre manager and LDTM, at one point running seven test centres and 22 staff between Wrexham and Buxton. He qualified as an ADI himself in 1999, and he is now back in the ADI world as a training consultant.

The first thing Wayne clears up will surprise a lot of PDIs. The chat you have with the examiner before the lesson carries no weight in the marking. It gives the examiner a picture of what the lesson should look like, and the more detail you give, the less they need to probe. After that, only the evidence in the car counts, and the whole lesson is assessed together back in the test centre. He is just as clear on another point: everyone starts a Part 3 on a pass, and every examiner wants to give one.

From there they get into how the marking really works. The examiner is looking at what the highest risk is, and whether you have seen it and are doing something about it. Deal with the high risk and you are heading for a pass. How far you go with the lower risk issues is often the difference between a B and an A. And when an examiner marks a competency as a 3, it means they could not give you a single piece of advice to improve it.

They also cover whether manoeuvres are allowed on a Part 3 (they are, if it is a real lesson and not a quick recap), why beginner lessons disappeared after Covid, how obvious a staged lesson looks from the back, and why PDIs are so often 10 to 15 seconds too late with their instruction. Diana shares what she has seen when pupils are used to having a trainer in the back, and Wayne gives his one piece of advice for the night before your test.

What we cover:

- Why the pre lesson chat with the examiner is not marked, and why it still matters

- How the examiner builds a holistic picture and decides the result

- Risk based marking, and what separates a Grade B from a Grade A

- What a score of 3 really means

- Manoeuvres, beginner lessons and what counts as a realistic Part 3 lesson

- Staged lessons, over instruction and being proactive

- How the Part 3 differs from a standards check

Key takeaways:

- Give the examiner plenty of detail before the lesson: hours with you, private practice, driving history. It saves them probing, but the marking only starts when the wheels turn.

- Find the highest risk your pupil is showing right now and work on that first. Everything else comes after.

- Being proactive means planning around the pupil's needs before you set off. It does not mean talking more.

- Get your pupils used to someone sitting in the back long before test day, so the examiner in the mirror is nothing new.

- When a pupil makes one mistake, ask why before you fix it. Do not reteach something they have done well for the last 20 minutes.

- The night before: teach the pupil next to you what they need, keep them safe, and keep it simple.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Wayne Pinnington Driver Training Consultancy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590239812561

- Email Wayne: waynepinningtonitc@gmail.com

- Wayne works across Merseyside and Cheshire and offers online consultations for everywhere else.

Want to train with Inspire? www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

Diana opens this one with a confession. When she was qualifying she had done the reading, sat through the Zooms, learned the theory, and genuinely expected to be the bee's knees the moment she started teaching. She wasn't. Not because the theory was wrong, but because she had never actually done the job. The knowing and the doing turned out to be two completely different things, and finding that out knocked her belief in herself sideways.

That gap is what this episode is about. Visualisation, positive thinking, backing yourself, they are all real skills and Diana is not dismissing any of them. But belief needs evidence, and the only thing that produces evidence is action. You can believe you will be the best instructor on the planet and it will stay a belief forever if you never change what you do in the car on Monday.

The clearest example is the one nearly every PDI recognises. Someone sits in the back and the lesson stops going like a normal lesson. You hear yourself say it afterwards: I wouldn't normally do that. And yet the exam you have to pass is somebody sitting in the back watching you teach. So the action is obvious and uncomfortable in equal measure. Get people in the back, regularly. Your trainer, another PDI, an ADI, the learner's mum. Two of those four are free. If that feels too big a step today, record yourself instead, dash cam or a phone in a holder facing backwards so you are not watching your own face.

Diana then works the same logic through levels of instruction and through digging deeper, and finishes by turning it back on learner drivers, because a pupil saying "I just need to be more confident at roundabouts" is making exactly the same mistake we are.

What we cover:

- Why belief without action is treading water, and why the brain needs evidence before it will believe anything

- The knowing and doing gap, and the tell Diana spots in PDIs who have the theory but not the reps

- Getting people in the back of the car, and the free ways to do it

- Recording yourself, dash cam versus phone, and which is less intrusive

- Bringing levels of instruction to conscious competence, with the "I can go after that blue car, can't I?" example

- Building a bank of questions when digging deeper is the skill that keeps letting you down

- Why "I just need more practice" is a sweeping statement that helps nobody, pupil or instructor

- Borrowing belief from the process when your own belief is low

Key takeaways:

- Isolate one skill. Not three. One, for the next fortnight.

- Book somebody into the back of a lesson this week, even if it is a family member.

- If that is too much today, record one lesson and watch it back.

- When you inadvertently step in, note it. Then ask afterwards whether it was actually needed.

- Replace "I need more confidence" with "what specifically would give me that confidence?", for yourself and for your pupils.

- Ask yourself Diana's closing question: what is the one action you are taking this week, and how will you know if it worked?

Want to train with Inspire? www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

Emma Fonnaland posted a list called "controversial things I do as a driving instructor". It did over 300,000 views and the comments filled with instructors telling her she was wrong. Phil read it, found he disagreed with almost none of it, and got her on the podcast to work through the list one item at a time.

What comes out is not really a list of quirks. It is one idea applied ten different ways: do not steer your pupils around the hard thing, take them into it while you are still sat next to them. Snow. Motorways. The drive home after the test. A toddler yapping in the back seat. Emma's own line is the one worth keeping: you learn from experiences, not explanations.

Some of it will land straight away. Some of it will annoy you. Phil went in disagreeing about mock tests and came out having changed his mind on letting learners drive home after the test, which is worth the listen on its own.

What we cover:

- Why Emma has never taught a test route, and what she does instead at the junctions that genuinely catch people out

- The case against mock tests, and Phil's counter-argument for running them as a pressure rehearsal rather than a driving assessment

- Taking every learner on the motorway before they pass, and why this should not be controversial at all

- Ditching reference points completely, and what happens when a borrowed reference stops working in a different car

- Why a firm lesson plan can make you a worse instructor, and the difference between a plan and a direction

- Letting learners drive home after the test, and the reasoning that flips every objection on its head

- Not publishing a pass rate, and the type of enquiry that stops arriving once you stop

- Eye mirrors, lessons in the snow, and pupils bringing their kids along

Key takeaways:

- A plan is a direction, not a route. If you cannot abandon it at the first junction, it is doing your pupil a disservice. Worth hearing twice if you are working towards Part Three.

- Teach the principle, not the place. Knowing your local roundabout is useful. Being unable to drive an unfamiliar one is a fail waiting to happen.

- A reference point you handed them is yours, not theirs. If they build their own, make sure it can flex.

- Ask what your pass rate is actually recruiting. Publish it and you attract people who want you to get them through. Stop publishing it and you attract people who want to learn to drive.

- Pick one thing you currently avoid because it is hard, and put it into a lesson this week.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Emma Fonnaland, Wheelwise Driving School. Wheelwise Emma on TikTok and Instagram, Wheelwise Driving School on Facebook.

- Oli Taylor, on hazard management: be a spectator, not a participant.

Want to train with Inspire? www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

Faults are the evidence. Needs are the cause. If you only ever fix the thing you saw, you will be fixing it again next week.

This episode is about the gap between those two words, and why it decides more Part 3 and Standards Check results than almost anything else on the form. Competency 1 asks whether the trainer identified the pupil's learning goals and needs. Phil has never seen an instructor score a 1 there and still walk away with a pass, because when that one goes wrong everything after it is built on sand. You can deliver a genuinely good lesson on the wrong thing.

A pupil stalls. A pupil misses a blind spot. A pupil sits in second when they should be in third. Every one of those is a moment, and every one of them has something underneath it. The job is to keep asking "yeah, but why" until you find what that something is.

The difference matters more than it sounds. Fix the fault and you get a pupil who remembers not to do it, at least for the rest of the lesson. Fix the need and you get a pupil who understands, which lasts, and which fixes every other place that same gap was going to show up.

Phil works through two examples in detail. The gear change, where "change up at 20mph" quietly teaches a learner a rule instead of a reason, and where the honest question to any instructor is whether they actually do that themselves. And the blind spot, where "I just forgot" is never the end of the conversation. Ask a pupil whether they forget to look before crossing the road and the answer is no, because they have evidence that one is dangerous and no evidence yet that the other one is.

Which tells you the need. And it might not be the need you expected. Sometimes it is awareness of risk. Sometimes it is pure cognitive overload, a pupil with so much going on at their feet that there is no brain space left to look. Those two look identical from the passenger seat and they need completely different lessons.

One more thing worth saying out loud: you do not need the fault to happen in order to find the need. You can spot it in something a pupil says, or simply from knowing where they are in their journey. Waiting for the mistake is a choice, not a requirement.

What we cover

• What separates a fault from a need, and why the driving test trains all of us to see only the first one
• Standards Check and Part 3 competency 1, and why it quietly decides the rest of the sheet
• Why a pupil who remembers is fragile and a pupil who understands is not
• The gear change example: what "change at 20mph" actually teaches, and what it leaves out
• The blind spot example: why "I just forgot" is the start of the conversation, not the end
• Telling risk awareness apart from cognitive overload, and why the fix is different for each
• Finding a need before the fault ever happens

Key takeaways

• Treat the fault as evidence, not as the problem. Ask why. Then ask why again.
• "I forgot" is a symptom. Keep digging until you reach something you can actually teach.
• Fix the need and you fix every future instance of it, not just the one on that roundabout.
• If a pupil is overloaded, take work off them first and hand it back as their control improves.
• You can identify a need without waiting for the mistake.
• Do not literally say "yeah, but why" to a pupil. Fluff the question up a bit.

Mentioned in this episode

• The previous episode on not letting mistakes happen
• Standards Check and Part 3 competency 1: identifying the pupil's learning goals and needs

Want to train with Inspire? www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

This one came straight out of a question in our Skool community, and it's the argument that

splits every instructor Facebook group going: do you step in and be proactive, or do you let

the pupil make the mistake and learn from it?

Phil's answer is that it's a false choice. Both are right. Both work. The whole thing hangs on

when you use each one, and why — and on the fact that "learning from mistakes" and "learning

from experience" are not the same thing, even though we use them as if they are.

It's also the first of the new shorter format: 10–15 minute episodes, one topic, no waffle.

What we cover:

- Why proactive coaching and experiential learning aren't opposites, and what actually decides

which one you reach for

- The trainer-in-the-back test: would you rather flounder for half an hour, or be redirected

and shown what good feels like?

- The same roundabout approach played two ways — coached proactively, and left to go wrong

- How to get the thinking without the spoon-feeding, using the conversation before the event

- The three places where letting them experiment is absolutely the right call

- The pupil stuck in third at the lights — safe to let them stall, but is it the right thing to do?

Key takeaways:

- A positive experience they can reflect on beats a failure they have to recover from. Most

pupils learn more from "that went well, why?" than from "that went badly, why?"

- Stop calling it a mistake. In a car park it's an experiment. The goal isn't finishing the bay,

the goal is learning how the car behaves — say that out loud to your pupil.

- Do your thinking work before the event, not after it. Ask what might make them slow down on

the approach, then let them meet it. Now it's something they worked out, not something you told

them, and it sticks.

- Deliberately explore the extremes in a safe space. Gas harder than you should — what happens?

Barely any — what happens? Clutch up fast, then as slow as you can. Let them find the middle.

- "It's safe" is not the same as "it's the right thing to do." If they're about to pull away in

third with nothing behind you, you can let it happen — but ask whether the negative feeling

earns its place.

- The bit most instructors skip: if you do rescue them, still analyse it. Same conversation, same

reasons, same depth as if they'd stalled in traffic. Rescuing and then moving on as though

nothing happened is where the learning gets lost.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Our Skool community — where this week's question came from

- 100+ hours of training content at www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

Want to train with Inspire? www.inspireinstructortraining.co.uk

Rachael Butler — Sales & Marketing Director, Intelligent Instructor

1. 10 years at Intelligent Instructor (joined ~6 months after launch)
2. Curates and organises content for Intelligent Instructor Plus
3. Runs 24 online events per year (12 masterclasses + 12 member webinars)
4. Heavily involved in national events: sponsorship/exhibitors and event delivery

1. What Rachael’s role actually involves (and why she calls herself a “facilitator of excellence”)
2. Intelligent Instructor Plus: what it includes, why it’s built around ongoing CPD, and how members use it
3. Burnout, boundaries, and the reality of high workload (plus what’s helped Rachael personally)
4. Why CPD improves more than performance: confidence, mindset, and long-term professional development
5. The real shift happening in the industry: increased competition and why differentiation matters more than ever
6. Standing out without overwhelm: defining your “why you”, not trying to copy the loudest accounts
7. Diversifying: fleet, young driver, offender rehab, PDI training, and other routes to build resilience
8. Events breakdown:
9. National Conference & Expo (September): large-scale, multiple zones/stages, huge expo hall
10. The Convention: smaller, more intimate, single-stage immersion, mindset + business development
11. How to get maximum value from events: curiosity, stretching beyond your comfort zone, and implementing one practical change
12. Your “advice handover” segment: leaving guidance for the next guest

1. Don’t do all the CPD. Do the CPD that fits you — consistently.
2. Differentiation isn’t about being flashy — it’s about being clear. Who you help, how you teach, and what you stand for.
3. A full diary isn’t always success — you need time for reflection, business admin, finances, CPD, and rest.
4. Events work best when you attend sessions you wouldn’t normally choose and then apply one change immediately.
5. Small changes compound — “one thing at a time” adds up fast over a year.

1. The candid chat about burnout, boundaries, and learning to respond less “immediately”
2. The industry reality check: rising numbers coming into the sector means standing out matters more than ever
3. The Convention vs Expo reflection: why being “exposed to everything” can be more valuable than choosing only familiar sessions
4. The advice baton at the end:
5. “Do one thing this year that pushes you outside your comfort zone.”

1. Intelligent Instructor Plus membership (online platform with hundreds of resources + monthly webinar)
2. National Conference & Expo (September)
3. The Convention (smaller, immersive event + awards dinner)
4. Diversifying ideas: fleet, young driver, rehabilitation/speed awareness, training routes
5. Tools and habits: time blocking, “two-minute try”, and managing workload boundaries

1. Intelligent Instructor website: intelligentinstructor.co.uk
2. Email: rachael@intelligentinstructor.co.uk

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with an instructor friend who’s trying to grow their business without burning out — and tell me your biggest takeaway.

]Episode summary:

In this episode, Diana Todd is joined by Kat Tomkinson (Driving Instructor Kat) to discuss PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and how it can show up in driving lessons when autonomy feels threatened. Kat shares practical ways to reduce demand, build trust, and keep learning non-judgemental — including using hypothetical scenarios and adapting communication. The conversation also covers Kat’s standards check: what the pressure felt like, how she reframed it positively, and how she prepared for success.

What we cover:

1. Kat’s journey into instructing after the COVID period and what she enjoys most about the job
2. Why many pupils / Instructors experience “resistance” that may actually be a nervous system response
3. PDA explained as autonomy threat → fight/flight/freeze/fall response
4. How seemingly neutral questions (“What could be improved?”) can sometimes trigger defensiveness
5. Practical lesson tools: visual aids, whiteboard scenarios, “future-focused” coaching
6. When offering choice helps — and when choice can feel like pressure
7. How to build rapport and trust so learners feel safe enough to self-reflect
8. Standards check experience: nerves, mindset, communication, and preparation
9. Preparing for the 40-minute “snapshot” when your normal lessons are much longer

Key takeaways:

1. Reduce perceived judgement; keep language neutral and future-focused
2. When someone is triggered, “backing off” can be the most productive move
3. Trust and rapport can be the difference between resistance and reflection
4. Standards checks are easier to handle when you keep CPD ongoing and reframe it as a positive check of your service

Guest links / contact:

1. Kat Tomkinson — Driving Instructor Kat (Facebook & Instagram)
2. Website/contact: drivinginstructorkat.blogspot.com

In this first episode of the new look Inspire Instructor Training Podcast, host Diana Todd chats with Sarah Baldock, founder of SB Driving School in Maidstone, Kent. Together they explore what it means to be a driving instructor in today’s world — balancing life, learning, and the love of helping others succeed.

Sarah shares her journey from redundancy to independence, how she uses dashcam footage to reflect on her teaching, and the unexpected lessons learned from her students. The pair also discuss social media — both the opportunities it creates and the challenges it brings — and how instructors can show up authentically online without feeling the pressure to “keep up with the Joneses.”

Key Topics:

- Using lesson recordings for self-reflection and CPD

- Creating a safe, accountable space for pupils to give feedback

- Managing negativity and staying kind on social media

- Building your confidence as a mentor and ordinary instructor

- The importance of compassion and community in the industry

Best Quotes:

“You don’t have to write a book, you don’t have to go to expos — just reflect on yourself and do the best you can. That’s enough.” – Sarah Baldock

“Being ordinary isn’t a small thing. It’s being real, relatable, and making a difference — one learner, one PDI, one mentee at a time.” – *Diana Todd*

“I watched my lessons back because I wanted to know what made me feel like that — why did that lesson go so well?” – *Sarah*

“Creating an environment where your pupils can hold you accountable is no small feat.” – *Diana*

“We need more compassion in this industry — more walking in each other’s shoes.” – *Diana*

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode, Phil sits down with driving instructor and course creator Kate Monk, the founder of My Learner Driver – an online course designed to help parents of learner drivers become active participants in creating safer, more prepared drivers.

Kate shares her emotional ‘why’ behind the course, following the devastating loss of four young people in her local area. She highlights the untapped potential of parents to model safer driving habits, support structured private practice, and open up life-saving conversations at home.

👤 About Kate Monk:

• ADI based in West Devon
• 10+ years of experience in driver training
• Mum of two, passionate about road safety
• Creator of My Learner Driver, aiming to empower parents

🎯 Key Topics Discussed:

• Why instructors and parents must work together to create safer drivers
• The alarming reality of youth road fatalities – and why "something must change"
• How My Learner Driver helps parents:
• Refresh and upgrade their own driving attitudes
• Learn how to guide private practice safely and effectively
• Build awareness of risks and road behavior before a young person starts driving
• The idea of a "Family Graduated Driving Licence" – a personalised, voluntary contract between parent and teen
• Encouraging parents to develop commentary driving skills and model road scanning techniques
• Long-term plans to expand into school-age resources, creating early awareness
• Challenges Kate faced creating the course – from tech hurdles to battling camera nerves
• The course as a collaborative tool for instructors, not a replacement

🛠️ Instructor Takeaways:

• My Learner Driver can enhance your learners’ private practice experiences
• Support parents to become safer drivers themselves, improving outcomes for pupils
• Use the course to bridge the communication gap between home and lesson
• Consider involving parents in lessons early (including reverse roles!)

🧭 Learn More & Access the Course:

🌐 www.mylearnerdriver.co.uk

💸 Early bird price: £14.75 (75% off while course builds)

🧠 Instructor guide version also coming soon!

• Episode Theme:
• Stepping into the learner’s role to sharpen your instructor skills, and practical tactics for easing driving-related anxiety.
• Why Play Learner?
• Gain fresh perspective on your own training style
• Spot best (and worst) teaching habits to adopt or ditch
• Try something outside your comfort zone—gym theory, workshops, etc.
• On-the-Move vs Pullover Corrections:
• If safe and the student can process, correct as you go
• If they’re distracted or the situation is complex, pull over for focused feedback
• Proactive Support Level:
• Give clear options (“I’ll prompt you for the next three starts…”) instead of “Jump in if I’m wrong”
• Use scales or student-chosen checkpoints to quantify confidence
• Managing Driving Anxiety (3 Pillars):

1. Physical Tension (arms/shoulders) → “Lower your suitcases” relaxation drill
2. Racing Heart → “Smell flowers / blow bubbles” breathing
3. Frozen Feeling → ABC technique (Acknowledge–Build evidence–Calm strategies)

• Quick Wins:
• Reframe “anxiety” as “uncomfortable” for more control
• Use scaling (1 = Zen guru…10 = straightjacket) to track progress
• Offer word banks or flash-cards to help students label feelings
• Takeaway:
• Continual CPD gives you a toolbox of techniques—mix and match them to meet each learner’s needs.

We dig into the DVSA Consolation on changes to the test booking system.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules?utm_source=dvsa&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=improving-driving-test-booking-rules&utm_content=adi

In this Book Club edition of the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast, Phil is joined by Terry Cook (The Instructor Podcast), Andy Sinker, and Kev Lynes to explore Start With Why by Simon Sinek. But this isn’t just a book review — it’s a deep, personal dive into why we teach, why we care, and how purpose shapes every lesson we give.

The conversation touches on:

• How your “why” evolves over time
• Why purpose-driven instructors build better drivers
• Personal stories of learners whose lives changed because their instructor had a mission
• What your pupils might say your why is (and why that matters)

If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just want to reconnect with your passion — this one’s for you.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
• Your why can develop over time, through both challenge and reflection.
• Aligning your work with your values makes tough decisions easier — and more meaningful.
• Your learners feel your why — and that builds trust, loyalty, and deeper impact.

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Phil is joined by returning guest and mentor Sam Harper (filling in for Diana) for an open and honest conversation about the personal and professional journey of being a driving instructor.

Together, they explore:

The importance of shifting from “doing” to “learning” in lessons.

How to dig deeper into both successful and unsuccessful moments to help PDIs and pupils grow.

The power of mindset, confidence, and human connection in driving development.

How neurodiversity, fear responses, and backgrounds affect the way learners experience lessons.

Why empathy, patience, and presence are game-changers in instruction.

Reflections on how their teaching style has evolved over the years, and advice they’d give their past selves.

A live Q\&A moment from Chris around supporting decision-making skills in anxious learners.

Plus, they touch on the value of business education, being your authentic self, and the famous 'Let Them' Theory by Mel Robbins.

🔍 Key Topics Discussed:

🧠 Learning vs. Doing: Why instructors should focus more on what’s being learned rather than just what’s being done.

🪜 Stepping Stones & Goal Setting: Helping pupils visually and mentally map out their learning progress.

🗣 Coaching vs. Instructing: The struggle of shifting from giving solutions to creating space for pupils to find their own.

🧩 Neurodiversity Awareness: How understanding ADHD, autism, and dyslexia has reshaped their approach.

🤝 Trust & Belief: Why self-belief and internal confidence matter more than external praise.

🧠 Fear Responses & Lived Experience: How learners' behavior can often be misunderstood, and why empathy is crucial.

🧾 Business & Boundaries: The importance of learning business skills early and setting healthy personal boundaries.

📚 Books Mentioned:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

🎓 Upcoming Workshop Mentioned:

Client-Centred Learning Workshop — Walsall

🗓 Sunday, 20th July | 🕘 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

💷 £120

✅ Coaching, rapport building, GDE matrix, road safety, experiential learning — and much more!

🎤 Interactive, practical, and engaging — no roleplay, just real talk.

📣 Join Us:

✨ Become a Member of Inspire Instructor Training

🤝 Join Support — where Sam is one of our valued mentors

📚 Access 100+ hours of CPD and business development resources

💬 Weekly check-ins, real support, and constant growth

🎧 Listen, Learn, Reflect

Thank you for tuning in to the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast — where the learning never stops.

🌐 Visit www.inspireinstructortraining.com

In our first ever live podcast (streamed on Facebook for members), we dive into practical strategies for driving instructors to take control of what they can—and thrive despite DVSA test‑booking challenges. Plus, Diana shares two “Digs Deeper” coaching moments, and we explore clever learner‑driven terminology for blockers, hazards, and reflection over perfection.

0:00 – Welcome & Live Format

- Introduction to the live‑recorded video cast for members

- How to watch future live recordings on Facebook (membership required)

3:15 – Workshop Announcement

- Date & Time: Sunday 20 July, 9:30 – ~16:30

- Location: Walsall

- Cost: £120 per person, group discounts available

- Focus: client‑centred learning, CPD for driving instructors

7:00 – Phil’s thoughts: “Control the Controllables”

1. The DVSA Waiting‑List Problem

- Five‑plus‑month waits, scarcity of cancellations

- Common reaction: moaning on Facebook—unhelpful

2. Taking Action for Change

- Write to your MP and the DVSA (mobilise your pupils to write, too)

- Drip‑feeding pressure at scale can move ministers

3. Working the System Today

- Hire a test‑finder or virtual assistant and charge a small management fee

- Pre‑book tests early (e.g. on theory‑pass day), then adjust as needed

- Build in “re‑assessment” checkpoints two months out

4. Maximizing Learner Hours

- Encourage private practice between lessons

- Consider mini‑intensives if finances/time allow

5. Pricing & Service Models

- Offer “test‑management” as a premium add‑on

25:00 – Diana’s “Digs Deeper” Coaching Moments

1. Reframing “Blockers” → “Gap‑Makers”**

- Instead of calling oncoming vehicles “blockers,” ask learners what they’d name them

- Shift from negative framing (“blockers”) to positive (“gap‑makers”)

2. Perfection vs. Reflection

- Encourage “reflection, not perfection” as a mantra for analysis

3. Mini‑Roundabout Design Exercise

- Role‑play as the “traffic‑flow engineer” to explore pros/cons of signals vs. roundabouts

- Pitch solutions to “road‑safety teams” and “road‑users” to deepen conceptual grasp

- Follow up with real‑world practice, then debrief on muscle‑memory vs. theory

38:30 – Learner‑Driven Terminology

- **Hazard Traffic‑Light Game:**

- **Green hazards:** unlikely to affect your path

- **Amber hazards:** may require slowing or manoeuvring

- **Red hazards:** will definitely require action (stop, change lane)

- Origin: inspired by Hazard Perception Test colour cues

42:00 – Handling Second‑Guessing on Test Day

- Is doubt a sign they really “owned” the learning?

- Build true understanding, not rote responses

- Use controlled “wrong‑way” practice (with safety caveats) to reinforce correct choices

- Wean off instructor “micro‑affirmations” (mhm/mhmm) so learners trust their own judgment

- 🎙 Join our Facebook membership to watch live Q&As

- 🏫 Book your CPD workshop on 20 July (group discounts available)

- ⭐ If you found this episode helpful, please rate & review on your podcast app

Add learning don't steal it.

In this episode, we break down key teaching strategies for driving instructors, including:

✅ The Concept of "Driving Independently"

• How it differs from test-focused "independent driving"
• Why letting pupils drive without constant instructor input builds confidence
• Practical exercises to implement this approach in lessons

✅ Instructor Self-Analysis for Better Teaching

• Breaking down subconscious decision-making into teachable steps
• Balancing structured lesson plans with pupil needs
• Helping struggling pupils through observation & reflection

🎧 Plus, we cover upcoming training events!

🗓 March 12th Zoom: 8 Pitfalls to Avoid for Part 3 & Standards Checks

🗓 March 26th Zoom: Learning from the Positives in a Full Fixed Society

🗓 March 27th Masterclass: How to Teach Skills Within Topics

🗓 March 22nd-23rd Conference: Gala dinner, speakers, and networking

🚀 Next Steps for Instructors:

✅ Try "driving independently" exercises with your pupils

✅ Reflect on your own driving decisions to improve teaching

✅ Sign up for the upcoming Zooms and conference

💬 What do you think? Have you tried these strategies in your lessons? Let us know in the comments!

#DrivingInstructor #InstructorPodcast #DrivingIndependently #InspireTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment

Podcast Show Notes – Episode 45: Inspire Instructor Training

In this episode of the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast, we dive into key topics that help driving instructors improve their teaching strategies and stay informed about industry developments.  

Phil's Thoughts

- Don’t let the pursuit of perfection hinder progress!  

- Learn how to focus on *practice over analysis* when teaching bay parking.  

- One key improvement per attempt = more effective learning.  

- This approach also applies to roundabouts and other driving scenarios.  

Drive Mobility & Instructor Survey

- Jacky from Drive Mobility joins us to discuss a crucial survey on disability driver training.  

- There’s a high demand for instructors specialising in mobility needs and older drivers.  

- Why do some instructors choose not to work in this sector? Let’s explore the barriers.  

- Two surveys are available: one for ADIs involved in disability tuition and one for those who are not. 

- You can find the survey here,

Click here if YOU ARE NOT currently offering specialist tuition

Click here if YOU ARE already offering specialist tuition

Diana Digs Deeper  

- A different approach to instruction—understanding why decisions are made.  

- Analysing roundabouts: how shape, incline, and traffic levels affect decision-making.  

- The balance between deep analysis and repetition-based practice.  

Upcoming Events  

📅 Mark your calendars! 

- Feb 19 – Zoom: Asking Relevant Questions  

- Mar 12 – Zoom: Avoiding Pitfalls for Part 3/Standards Check  

- Mar 20 – *We’re Only Human* Workshop  

- Mar 22-23 – Meet us at the *Intelligent Instructor Conference*!  

- Mar 26 – Zoom: Learning from the Positives  

- Mar 27 – Masterclass: Teaching Skills Within Topics  

- Apr 24 – Masterclass: Helping Pupils Who Struggle to Articulate Answers  

🎧 Tune in now and take your instructing skills to the next level!  

On this episode we discuss our new national driving school, aimed at supporting driving instructors across the country.

Book Club: Learning to Drive and Lasagne by Alex Jones  

📚 Key Takeaways

✅ Uses lasagne-making as an analogy for learning to drive 🍝🚗  

✅ Covers both car control skills and higher-level cognitive aspects  

✅ Engaging approach tailored to learners' interests & experiences  

✅ Valuable resource for earners, PDIs & experienced ADIs

🔍 Topics Discussed 

🛠 Book Concept & Structure:

- Inspired by Alex’s PDI training experiences and a conversation with Chris Bensted  

- Focuses on layering skills like a lasagne!  

- Covers GDE matrix concepts and psychological aspects of driving  

🎯 Who Can Benefit?  

- Learner drivers 

- Nervous beginners who want a structured approach  

- PDIs & ADIs looking for fresh, relatable teaching methods  

📘 Bonus Resource: Show Me Tell Me Book  

- Companion book for practical vehicle checks 🚦  

- Makes "Show Me Tell Me" questions more engaging & memorable  

🛒 Want to Read It?  

📖 Available on Amazon – Search "Learning to Drive and Lasagna" 

https://amzn.eu/d/go1rJZs

📌 Formats: Paperback & Kindle 

🎙️ Inspire Instructor Training Podcast – Episode: “Be Kind to Yourself & Embrace Learning Opportunities”

In this thought-provoking episode, Phil and Diana share insights on self-kindness as a driving instructor and how to turn everyday lessons into meaningful learning moments.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

• Celebrating the Industry: The hosts encourage listeners to vote for them and their companies Inspire and Cowley’s, for industry awards, and they reflect on the wealth of resources available to driving instructors.
• The Importance of Self-Kindness: Diana highlights the need for instructors to be kind to themselves, especially when dealing with difficult students or situations that push them beyond their expertise.
• Dealing with Challenging Pupils: The hosts discuss managing students with ingrained bad habits, addressing parental involvement, and the value of communication, collaboration, and sometimes referral to specialists.
• Teaching Nuggets: In the “Phil Digs Deeper” segment, Phil shares a powerful example of using a brief moment during a lesson to emphasise road safety. Diana adds a perspective on timing and the balance of deep discussions in lessons.

📚 This episode is full of relatable stories, practical strategies, and reminders to approach teaching with patience, kindness, and adaptability. Tune in to learn how to nurture your own growth while helping your students succeed!

💌 Don’t forget to vote for Inspire and Cowley’s in the industry awards—help us celebrate excellence in driving instruction!

https://www.intelligentinstructor.co.uk/awards-voting/

https://www.goroadie.com/awards

In this episode, Phil and Diana dive into what it really means to be an experienced driving instructor — and why it's notjust about the years you've been teaching. They explore the qualities that make a great instructor mentor, tips for achieving an A grade on your standards check, and the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) for driving instructors who want to make a lasting impact.

Key topics include:

🚗 Experience vs. Time — Why length of service doesn't always equal quality

💡 Qualities of a Mentor — The mindset and skills every trainer needs

🛑 Standards Check Tips — How to create a supportive learning environment and go beyond surface-level teaching

📚 CPD Insights — Practical ways to improve your teaching and make lessons more impactful

Phil also shares his vision of creating a community of instructors who are passionate about road safety and committed to learning. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow and support the next generation of safe, responsible drivers.

Tune in now to start leveling up your teaching game!

In this episode, Phil and Diana discuss:

🎯 Coaching in Driver’s Education

• Why coaching empowers students to learn from within.
• The "acorn to oak tree" analogy: Students have the potential to grow with the right guidance.
• Balancing technical information with self-discovery and experience.

🚘 The Rise of Automatic Cars

• Statistics show a sharp increase in learners choosing automatics.
• Predictions: Will over 50% of drivers test in automatics within 10-15 years?
• Why younger generations embrace automatics while older attitudes lag behind.
• Is learning in an automatic faster and more cost-effective?

📚 Teaching Moments & Avoiding Distractions

• Stories from the road:
• Bill’s student distracted by pizza cravings 🍕.
• Phil’s student captivated by geese 🦢.
• A breakdown of a missed coaching opportunity where an instructor could have "dug deeper" to help a student analyze and improve.

🔑 Key Takeaway: Small comments and distractions can hold big learning opportunities. Listen to your students and use every moment to guide them toward success.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!

In this episode of the Inspire Instructor Training podcast, we delve into actionable strategies for driving instructors to enhance their teaching skills, develop professionally, and keep lessons engaging. With a mix of practical advice, humor, and in-depth exploration, this episode is a must-listen for instructors at all levels.

Key Topics Covered:

Small, Consistent Improvements

- Learn about "compound learning," where daily 1% improvements lead to big gains over time.

- Practical examples include better question timing, arriving early, or keeping the car spotless.

Tips for Incremental Growth

- Use tools like CPD trackers to monitor progress.

- Build a "question bank" for better lesson engagement, focusing on manageable goals.

Hilarious Lesson Anecdotes

- The hosts share stories of accidental innuendos that will have you laughing out loud.

Advice for Aspiring PDIs

- Don’t settle for subpar training—be proactive in demanding support and tailoring your development.

- Suggestions include feedback-driven sessions and a buddy system for peer support.

Modern Resources for PDIs

- Explore a treasure trove of resources, from podcasts to Facebook groups, and how to use them wisely.

Diana Digs Deeper”: Better Questioning at Junctions

- Improve learner understanding with in-depth questions like “What factors are you taking into account?”

- Learn how to adapt questioning to real-time situations and bridge knowledge gaps effectively.

Menopause 

In this episode of the Inspire Instructor Training podcast, we explore the challenges and realities of menopause and its impact on driving instructors. With insightful contributions from instructor Sarah, we discuss how this stage of life can affect professional performance and personal well-being, and share strategies to manage symptoms while fostering a supportive workplace.  

What You’ll Learn:

- The difference between menopause and perimenopause—and why it’s so misunderstood.  

- Recognizing the diverse symptoms of perimenopause, from brain fog to fatigue.  

- How perimenopause uniquely impacts driving instructors.  

- Sarah’s story: Managing brain fog, anxiety, and fatigue while staying safe on the job.  

- The value of open communication with students and colleagues.  

- Tips for lifestyle adjustments, like reducing hours and prioritizing self-care.  

- Why normalizing menopause discussions is crucial in the workplace.  

- How support groups and shared experiences can make a difference.  

Key Takeaway:  

By increasing awareness, fostering open communication, and creating supportive environments, female driving instructors can manage perimenopause more effectively and continue to thrive in their careers.  

🎧 Don’t miss this empowering conversation!  

Kate and Jane's Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Agfb8uKQ9/?mibextid=K35XfP

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EmTpgpqjM/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

#DrivingPodcast #Perimenopause #InstructorTraining  

On this episode we enjoy a great story from Kat Tompkinson and both Phil and Diana share there wisdom.

We have Phil's thoughts and Diana Digs Deeper along with a great question and story from Iwan.

I'm joined for our first round table episode on 'Running Your Business" by Chris Benstead, Vickie Ambrose, Terry Cook and Dan Hill.

We discuss all things business and leave you all with some great tips.

On this episode Phil gets a bit ranty about undertaking, we share our recent fails and Terry Cook shares two great stories with us.

In this episode, you find out what me and Diana regret spending money on, why Chris Bensted shouldn't wave at everyone and why you should always ask the question.

I'm joined by The Instructor Podcast's Terry Cook to discuss our latest book Supercommunicators.

I'm joined by Kev and Tracy Field from Confident Drivers, to discuss how we can best support our learners with anxiety.

https://www.confidentdrivers.co.uk/

I'm joined by Dr Julia Malkin MBE to discuss how to support neurodiverse learners.

You can get in touch with Dr Julia here,

Email julia.mbe2011@gmail.com

Phone number 07761 064694

https://www.facebook.com/juliapm.co.uk

I'm joined by Bob Morton to discuss how to deliver a first lesson and how to implement coaching from day 1.

You can find Bob at https://clientcentredlearning.co.uk/

Also, you can find the poem Bob mentioned here

https://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2007/02/13/kierkegaard-on-the-art-of-helping-others-to-understand/

I'm joined by Rob Cooling to discuss how he delivers his dual carriageway and motorway lessons.

In today's episode, we discuss how to deliver a road safety message to our learners. Terry has a great set of resources on his website that you should check out.

https://www.theinstructorpodcast.com/vision-zero

I'm joined by Terry Cook to discuss our latest book, Coaching Skills - A Practical Guide by Christian Van Nieuwerburgh

On this episode, we talk about als things coaching, how to coach, why we should coach and how it will benefit your lessons. I'm joined by the amazing Stewart Lochrie from Bright Coaching, you can find their details at,

www.brightcoaching.net

I'm joined by Chris Bensted of Theory Test Explained and we talk about all things theory and how you can help your pupils.

You can find Chris at https://www.theorytestexplained.co.uk/

Link to game Chris mentions

https://amzn.to/3RQtBfZ

In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Emma Cottington to delve into the art of teaching reversing. We explore various techniques, highlighting the ones we find most effective and those we prefer to avoid. Tune in to discover practical tips and innovative ideas to elevate your reversing lessons.

You can find all things Emma at linktr.ee/emmacottington1

Today's episode is all about games. How to implement them, the benefits and different types. I'm joined by the other half of Inspire Instructor Training Diana Todd.

If you've enjoyed today's episode we have a game course within our membership package. head over to www.inspireinstructortraining.com for more details.

I'm joined by the ADI and PDI Doctor Lee Spary and we discuss how we teach roundabouts.

On this episode with Tom Stenson we discuss Managing Customers and 'At the end of the session – was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?'

Did the trainer maintain an appropriate non-discriminatory manner throughout the session? With San Harper

On this episode, we talk to Becky Seaton about her journey and we discuss 'Were the pupil’s queries followed up and answered?'

On today's episode I chat to Fiona Taylor about 'Was the pupil given appropriate and timely feedback during session?'

We also discuss scaling and the teaching aids Fiona supplies.

You can find these at www. fionadrive.com

On today's episode, I talked to the amazing Emma Cottington about mental health and our competence this week was all about technical information.

Graham shares his journey with us from how he struggled with alcohol to being diagnosed with Autism as an adult.

On today's episode we discuss reference points and should driving instructors use them. We dig into our next competency, 'Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes?'.

I'm joined by Kevin Sellwood from the ExeL Podcast, who shares his knowledge with us.

On today’s episode of Inspire Instructor Training Podcast with Kev Field we discuss test ready, and our competency is ‘Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning?’

You can Kev at 

www.confidentdrivers.co.uk

On today’s episode of Inspire Instructor Training Podcast with Andrew Love we discuss road safety, and our competency is ‘Was the teaching style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability?’

You can Andrew at

www.lidiaondemand.co.uk