Newslink March 2024

msagb.com 

Newslink 

The Voice of MSA GB 

Issue 374 • March 2024 

Last chance to book 

for Conference 

see pg 14-15 

9 

Annual 

Report 

2022-23 

inside 

9 

12 

Testing the 

waiting time 

17 

weather 

24 

We work for all Driver Trainers. Want to join? SAVE £25 – see pg 45 for special offer

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com 

We dodged a bullet: now let’s 

hope for a long-term peace 

Welcome to your 

digital, interactive 


Colin Lilly 

Editor, 


As you will have read at the start of last 

month, the head-on collision between DVSA 

and the PCS Union has been averted and the 

proposed strikes, planned for between 

February 8 and 11, called off. 

In a joint statement, the PCS and DVSA 

stated that they had been able to reach 

agreement on a number of actions based on 

the eight demands leading to the dispute, and 

this was recorded in a Memorandum of 

Understanding. The union will now consult its 

members on the outcome. 

It is to be hoped that the DVSA was granted 

freedom to negotiate, that the almost annual 

strike action can be put to rest, and that the 

deal will lead to stability in driver testing. 

The Government has also announced an 

enquiry into a number of public bodies 

including DVSA, and this is reported elsewhere 

in this issue. 

One good thing that could come out of such 

an inquiry is the flexibility to offer other testing 

services or restore some of those removed in 

recent years. 

Older drivers targeted again 

Recently there was yet another petition 

published requiring all drivers over 65 to be 

retested. This was doomed to failure from the 

start as it includes drivers of pre-retirement 

age. In the end it attracted fewer than 500 

signatures during the six months allowed; 

perhaps the ‘demand’ for this type of ban is 

not as widespread as the media would lead us 

to believe. 

If one of these petitions should ever 

succeed the DVSA would be faced with an 

impossible demand for testing. Currently they 

are unable to accept any increase in demand 

for their services. The Governments over the 

next few years are unlikely to be in a position 

to legislate for any change in the law that 

would require testing, whether it be by age, 

driving offences, or routine. 

Annual Conference 

This is the last issue before the Annual 

Conference. I hope to see a number of you 

there. If you are attending and have any 

thoughts about Newslink or have ideas for 

future subjects, then please feel free to raise 

them with me. 

If you are not attending then please send an 

e-mail to editor@msagb.com. If you would 

like to contribute an item to Newslink and have 

doubts about your spelling or grammar, do not 

worry, we will correct this before publishing. 

“It is to be hoped that the DVSA 

was granted freedom to 

negotiate, that the almost 

annual strike action can now 

be put to rest, and that the 

deal will lead to stability 

in the driver testing sector...”. 

See a pale blue box in any article or 

on an advert? It it contains a web 

address or email, it’s interactive. Just 

click and it will take you to the 

appropriate web page or email so you 

can find more details easier. 

You’ll also find these panels across 

the magazine: just click for more 

information on any given subject. 

To get the 

full story, 

click here 

How to access this 

magazine 

You can read Newslink in three ways: 

Go online and read the interactive 

magazine on the Yumpu website; or, 

if you would like to read it when you 

don’t have a mobile signal or WiFi, 

you can download the magazine to 

your tablet, PC or phone to read at 

your leisure. Alternatively, a pdf can 

be found on the MSA GB website, at 

www.msagb.com 

Follow the link 

MSA GB sends 

you to access 

Newslink, 

and then just 

click Download 

(circled above) 

to save a copy 

on your device 

MSA GB Annual Conference 2024: 

Book NOW 

You’ve still got time to 

book for Conference! 

See pg 14-15 for all the 

details you need 

Nick Taylor, ADI Registrar, 

confirmed to speak 

COVER STORY 

Testing the weather 

on L-test shortages 

How is your area 

faring? See pg 

10-11, and 12-13 

NEWSLINK n MARCH 2024 03

Contents 

10 

23 

16 

18 

Good news 1: Strike action 

suspended 

Positive talks between the DVSA and the 

examiners’ union led to the postponement 

of proposed strikes – pg 6 

Good news 2: L-test waiting times 

showing signs of falling... 

DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder 

highlights success stories as DTCs report 

more test availability – pg 10 

21 

Bad news 1: They’re not falling 

everywhere... 

An MSA GB investigation has revealed that 

for all its hard work, the DVSA has barely 

moved the dial on L-test waiting times in 

huge swathes of the country – and the 

places causing most concern are the major 

cities of Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds 

and, most particularly, London. 

Full story on pg 12 

ADI Registrar 

confirms for 

Conference 

14 

A unique approach to curing 

anxiety and nerves 

Judy Hale gives us a guide to ‘Tapping’ and 

how the body’s meridian lines can ease 

anxiety and stress – pg 16 

Council’s bus lane advice 

causes quite a stir 

A row over Guildford Council’s bus lanes 

has taken an odd switch after the council 

offered residents incorrect advice – pg 20 



The Motor Schools Association 

of Great Britain Ltd 

Head Office: 

Peershaws, 

Berewyk Hall Court, 

White Colne, Colchester, 

Essex CO6 2QB 

T: 01787 221020 

E: info@msagb.com 

Newslink is published monthly on behalf of the MSA GB 

and distributed to members and selected recently 

qualified ADIs throughout Great Britain by: 

Chamber Media Services, 

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Cheshire SK7 3AG 

Editorial/Production: Rob Beswick 

e: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk 

t: 0161 426 7957 

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t: 01942 537959 / 07871 444922 

Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those 

of the MSA GB or the publishers. 

Although every effort is made 

to ensure the accuracy of 

material contained within 

this publication, neither MSA 

GB nor the publishers can 

accept any responsibility for 

the veracity of claims made 

by contributors in either 

advertising or editorial content. 

©2023 The Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain 

Ltd. Reproducing in whole 

or part is forbidden without 

express permission of the 

editor. 

04 NEWSLINK n MARCH 2024


MSA GB Board 

of Management 

National Chairman & 

Area 2 - East Coast Chair 

Mike Yeomans 

7 Oak Avenue, Elloughton, 

Brough HU15 1LA 

T: 07772 757529 

E: mike.yeomans@msagb.com 

AREA 1 

Vice Chairman 

Peter Harvey MBE 

T: 01505 814823 

E: peter.harveymbe@msagb.com 

Area 1 – Scotland & 

Northern Ireland 

Chair: Steven Porter 

18 Heron Place, Johnstone 

PA5 0RW 

T: 01505 345372 or 

07747 600672 

E: steven.porter@msagb.com 

Area 3 – London & South East 

Chair: Tom Kwok 

52B Sutton Road, Muswell Hill, 

London N10 1HE 

07956 269922 

E: tom.kwok@msagb.com 

How MSA GB 

is organised, in 

four AREAS 

AREA 4 

AREA 2 

AREA 3 

Area 4 – West Coast & Wales 

Chair: Arthur Mynott 

9 Hagleys Green, Crowcombe, 

Taunton TA4 4AH 

T: 01984 618858 

E: arthur.mynott@msagb.com 

Keep in touch 

If you have updated your address, telephone numbers or 

changed your email address recently, please let us know 

at head office by emailing us with your new details and 

membership number to info@msagb.com. 

If you can’t find your membership number, give us a ring 

on 01787 221020. 

Follow MSA GB on social media 

Just click on the icon to go 

through to the relevant site 


News 

Hope for L-tests as PCS examiners take 

another look as DVSA addresses concerns 

MSA GB was delighted to hear, early in 

February, that planned strike action by 

driving examiners was called off at the 11th 

hour. 

The strikes were to run from February 8-11, 

and would have seen huge numbers of 

L-tests cancelled. 

However, two days before the start of the 

industrial action the Public and Commercial 

Services Union (PCS) announced the 

suspension of strikes. 

DVSA made an offer to PCS that its 

organisers said addressed the eight main 

concerns raised by its members. These 

include examiners’ safety, terms and 

conditions and the standards of safety that 

driving tests require. 

PCS will now fully consult its members on 

the latest offer made by DVSA through a 

consultative ballot. 

DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder said: 

“DVSA colleagues do an outstanding job in 

helping to keep our roads safe and are 

working to bring waiting times down. 

“We are pleased the talks with PCS union 

have been successful, and the planned 

industrial action on 8-11 February will not go 

ahead. I am grateful to the DVSA and PCS 

negotiating teams for the productive 

discussions and their commitment to 

resolving the issues.” 

For its part the PCS said: “Following 

intensive talks with senior management at 

the DVSA we have suspended our planned 

strike action. 

“Following the negotiations, we are pleased 

to report that we have reached an improved 

proposal, presented as a full package, which 

meets the eight demands PCS members 

were balloted on. 

“These include members’ safety, terms 

and conditions and the standards of safety 

that driving tests require. 

“Our members believe in the quality of the 

public service that they provide, which helps 

keep those using our roads as safe as 

possible. It is important to us that the 

integrity of that driving test, the safety of 

that driving test and of the service that we 

provide to the public, is maintained. 

“To allow us to fully consult members on 

these proposals, we have suspended the 

planned strike action. Members will attend 

work on those dates. 

don’t 

at the moment 

“We will outline the details of a 

consultative ballot on the management’s 

proposals to our members, and let them 

decide. 

“We want to once again thank all members 

for their show of strength demonstrated 

throughout the dispute to date. This has 

allowed us to make the progress we have 

made in negotiations.” 

MSA GB commented: “News of the 

cancellation came as something of a surprise 

to us, as while we knew talks were ongoing, 

the mood music from the two camps 

beforehand did not suggest a compromise 

would be reached. It’s great that a solution 

has been found.” 

“What is particularly pleasing is that 

improvements in the L-test waiting times, 

which we have all been longing for, are just 

starting to arrive, and the planned strikes 

jeopardised this progress. In December 2023, 

152,474 practical car driving tests were 

carried out – the highest number of tests 

done in December since records began. This, 

combined with a reasonably mild winter and 

fewer than average test cancellations due to 

snow and ice, has left some DTCs in a position 

where they are able to offer L-tests within 

two-three months. That is encouraging. 

“It is now to be hoped that PCS members 

will accept the proposal on the table. As PCS 

negotiators called off their planned strikes it 

is to be assumed they are fairly content with 

the deal, so hopefully examiners will accept it. 

“A 12-month period without L-tests being 

lost to industrial action would go a long way 

to helping bring down waiting times.” 

L-test waiting: The national picture 

- see pages 10-11, and 12-13 



New telephone numbers for 20 driving test centres 

As announced in the February issue of 

Newslink, the DVSA is changing all the 

contact telephone numbers at its driving test 

centres. Around 70 changed for the start of 

last month, with 20 more switching in March. 

The old numbers will no longer be active so 

please update your contact details. 

DTC telephone numbers are given to 

candidates/ADIs so they can contact their 

local driving test centre if there is bad 

weather on the day of their test, to check it is 

still being run. 

Although the new numbers all start with a 

London area code, you will be connected 

directly to your local DTC, as usual. The 

numbers are not routed through DVSA’s 

contact centre. 

The new telephone numbers are: 

North West 

Preston - 020 8148 9677 

Speke - 020 4570 2490 

Workington - 020 4570 2601 

Chadderton - 020 8148 9678 

Crewe - 020 4570 2471 

Yorkshire 

Malton - 020 4570 2658 

Horsforth - 020 4558 9514 

Midlands 

Birmingham (Garretts Green) - 020 4570 2647 

Warwick - 020 4570 2459 

Redditch - 020 4570 2732 

London & South East 

Canterbury - 020 456 66108 

Folkestone - 020 4566 7063 

Loughton - 020 4570 2480 

Mitcham - 020 4566 6066 

Sevenoaks 020 4570 2622 

Eastbourne 020 4570 2560 

South West 

Trowbridge - 020 8158 0244 

Bristol (Avonmouth) - 020 4582 7713 

Wales 

Llantrisant - 020 4534 0309 

Merthyr Tydfil - 020 4570 2613 

Let your pupils know 

All candidates with a test booked at the 20 

DTCs listed have been told about the new 

number; if you have booked a test on behalf 

of your pupil, please let them know about the 

change in contact number. 

Why the changes? 

The DVSA is investing in VOiP technology 

because it allows calls to be made using a 

broadband Internet connection instead of a 

regular landline. It will also improve the quality 

of calls. 

This technology is coming to all DVSA 

driving test centres over the next few 

months. 

Click here for the full 

list of new numbers 


News 

Government announces 

review of DVSA 

New guide tackles 

driver fatigue 

A comprehensive guide has been published 

that considers the impact of tiredness and 

driver fatigue. 

Called Tiredness At The Wheel: An Essential 

Road Safety Guide For Understanding Driver 

Fatigue 

The guide looks at the impact of driving 

fatigue on crash statistics, considers ways to 

mitigate against it and how to spot when 

tiredness is impacting on a driver’s ability. 

If you want to read it, the guide can be 

accessed at 

https://www.hendycarstore.co.uk/ 

driver-fatigue-essential-road-safetyguide/ 

However, Newslink will offer a comprehensive 

review of its findings in an upcoming issue 

MSA GB payment 

hotline 

Dear MSA GB member 

and colleague, 

While being a driving 

instructor does offer 

incredible flexibility, we 

understand that it can 

leave you time poor for 

those everyday admin 

jobs. So, to help make things easier when 

paying for your membership or booking 

tickets for our calendar of events, we’ve 

set up a dedicated payment line: 

01787 221299. 

This also means that our membership 

team are more available for answering 

member queries and resolving any issues 

you may be experiencing. 

Our membership team can still be 

contacted on: 01787 221020. 

We look forward to taking your call. 

The Government has announced an 

independent review of the DVSA 

so that the organisation 

“remains well placed to 

provide excellent services to 

keep Britain moving safely 

and sustainably.” 

As ADIs will know only too 

well, the DVSA has 

responsibility for carrying out 

driving tests and assessing those 

who wish to become driving 

instructors, as well as reviewing the 

performance of ADIs through the Standards 

Check. 

But it also undertakes roadside checks to 

ensure vehicle compliance, and approves 

people and centres to carry out MOTs. 

The review is part of the wider Cabinet 

Office programme to review public bodies 

review. It will assess DVSA based on four 

criteria: efficiency, efficacy, accountability 

and governance. 

It will also review the rise of new vehicle 

technology and automated vehicles and look 

at the DVSA’s ability to evolve as the systems 

are rolled out on UK roads. 

Guy Opperman MP, Parliamentary 

Under-Secretary of State for Roads and 

Local Transport, said: “The DVSA plays a 

crucial role in making sure road users get 

around safely and with confidence, helping 

learners pass their driving tests and giving 

drivers peace of mind by ensuring MOTs are 

carried out to exceptional standards. 

“This review will help us understand how 

the DVSA can continue to improve, evolving 

alongside vehicle technology and keeping 

Britain moving safely and sustainably.” 

Nick Bitel, DVSA’s non-executive chair, 

said: “Our vision to 2030 sets out our aim to 

keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably. 

“Supported by our professional and 

dedicated colleagues, we’re taking a 

service-led, customer-focused approach to 

the way we work, modernising and 

transforming our services to make them 

even better and more efficient, helping meet 

the needs of our customers and make road 

transport safer, greener and healthier.” 

The review will assess how DVSA works 

with its wide range of stakeholders within 

and outside of Government to help keep 

Guy Opperman 

Britain’s roads safe. 

As end users, driver trainers 

and learners could reasonably 

expect to be included in any 

discussions around the 

DVSA’s performance. 

The review will study the 

DVSA’s delivery of its key 

objectives to customers and 

stakeholders, including but not 

limited to preparations to take 

advantage of new technologies. 

It will also review the extent to which 

the DVSA is accountable to its customers. 

MSA GB comments: While this may sound 

dramatic, ordering a review into a 

government agency is reasonably standard 

practice. Indeed, the DfT has just signed off a 

similar review of the DVLA. 

However, this one will be taking place in a 

year during which Rishi Sunak will call a 

General Election so there is a good case to be 

made that, whatever the review’s 

recommendations, there is a good chance 

they will lie in the DfT’s in-tray until the result 

of the election is known. 

Timing suggests any reforms would 

struggle to be implemented before election 

purdah shuts down the work of Whitehall. In 

that case, a future Conservative 

administration could well implement its 

findings, but a future Labour Government 

may dismiss them out of hand as the work of 

the previous government. 

There are, however, a number of 

interesting outcomes that could derive from 

the review, including a call for a major spend 

on DVSA’s digital services, to shut out the 

booking bots once and for all. It is also 

possible that more dramatic reforms may be 

called for, including hiving off some of the 

DVSA’s services to the private sector. 

The theory test delivery has not been 

harmed by such a move; could the review 

suggest this policy be expanded? 

• The April issue of 

Newslink will carry a 

feature on the DVLA 

review 



Free course for training older drivers 

Road Safety GB is promoting a new course 

aimed at those who may offer their services 

to older, experienced drivers as they look to 

stay behind the wheel that little bit longer, 

but may need some advice and refresher 

training to help them. 

Called the Ageing Driver Course, it is aimed 

at ADIs and PDIs. There are 300 free places 

available (normal cost £75) and these are on 

offer on a first come, first serve basis. This is 

a great training programme for anyone who 

First MoTs stick 

to three years 

Ambitious plans by the Government to relax 

the rules around car maintenance and safety 

have been quietly dropped. 

As part of the ‘bonfire of the red tape’, the 

Government proposed pushing back the first 

MoT required by new cars to four years, and 

also looked at making the MoT a biennial test, 

rather than an annual one. 

However, there was strong criticism of 

both proposals, and the first MoT will now 

stay at three years, followed by an annual 

test thereafter, as at present. 

The Government says the confirmation is 

proof it “listens to drivers”. 

Road safety groups welcomed the news. 

Simon Williams of the RAC said the changes 

would have “seriously compromised road 

safety and ended up costing drivers more 

money rather than less as it was supposed to 

do, due to dangerous issues going undetected 

and getting progressively worse.” 

“This is why the idea was so widely 

unpopular with the motoring public in our 

research. It’s great news the madcap idea of 

changing the MoT has finally been consigned 

to the bin.” 

AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler said its polling 

showed drivers overwhelmingly supported 

the annual MOT for keeping their cars and 

other safe. 

“With 1 in 10 cars failing their first MoT, we 

fully support the government’s pragmatic 

decision to maintain the first MoT at three 

years.” 

wants to work with this age group or is 

currently working with this age group. 

This course is fully accredited and can be 

used by ADIs for their CPD. 

What’s on the course? 

The course will develop an ADI’s 

understanding of: 

n Common collisions experienced by older 

drivers 

n How the ageing process may impact on 

eyesight, hazard perceptions skills, and 

strength and flexibility 

n Promoting self-assessment skills 

n The role of diabetes 

n How to prepare for driving retirement 

n Professional boundaries. 

Full details can be found 

by clicking here 


News 

L-test waiting times: 

the DVSA view 

Last month, DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder published a blog in 

which she outlined ‘How driving test waiting times looked at the end of 

January 2024. We’ve reproduced it here so everyone can have access to 

the latest information, complete with charts to demonstrate the position 

Loveday Ryder writes... 

Towards the end of last year I spoke at a 

number of different ADI events to update you 

on the work we are doing to reduce the 

driving test waiting times. This includes 

asking more manager and admin colleagues 

with a driving test warrant card to do driving 

tests full time from October 2023. This will 

help us to reduce driving test waiting times. 

We’re now come to end of the fourth 

month of our six-month plan and I wanted to 

give you an update on the progress we have 

made so far. 

Looking at the data in detail 

Since October 2023, we have provided 

100,436 extra car driving tests towards our 

target of 150,000 extra tests by the end of 

March 2024. 

This was helped by the busiest December 

on record for driving tests, with 152,474 being 

carried out – a 24.2% increase compared to 

December 2022. 

Chart A shows how October, November 

and December 2022 and 2023 compared. 

To help us manage our teams at DVSA, we 

split Great Britain into 4 zones – A, B, C and D. 

Each of those zones is then made up of 

smaller areas. Map B (right) shows the zones 

and areas. 

All of the work we’ve been doing has 

helped bring the average waiting time for a 

driving test down from 20.6 weeks at their 

peak in August 2023, to 15.1 weeks at the end 

of January 2024. Chart C on the facing page 

shows the waiting time over the last few 

months by the different zones. 

So I hope that many of you are starting to 

see this reduction in waiting times at the 

driving test centres you use regularly. 

The number of test centres with waits of 

24 weeks has also fallen from 148 in October 

2023 to 67 in January 2024. 

But as the chart clearly shows, driving test 

waiting times are still longer in highly 

populated areas and in the south. 

Volunteers working away from home to help 

lower waiting times 

To bring times lower we continue to ask our 

examiners from areas with lower waiting 

times to travel and test in test centres with 

longer waiting times, such as London, and 

other highly populated areas of the country. 

They include Emily, Suzzanne and Alan. 

Emily, who is a driving examiner who 

usually tests from Hartlepool driving test 

centre and is one of the examiners who has 

volunteered to test at other sites. She said: 

“When the opportunity arose, I was more 

than happy to help contribute to DVSA’s aims 

in reducing driving test times. 

“Although it involves being away from 

home, it gives a variety of testing in different 

locations and also allows me to meet fellow 

colleagues from around the agency. I am 

happy that I can improve the service we offer 

to our customers and help to reduce our 

current waiting times. 

Chart A: comparing 

L-tests conducted in 

October-December 

2023 with 2022 

Map B: How 

DVSA divided 

up the nation 



Suzzanne is a driving examiner who 

usually tests from Pembroke Dock. She said: 

“I started detached duty in Southall 

yesterday, all the way from Pembroke Dock in 

West Wales. I had happily volunteered to 

assist in another test centre and only two 

days in, I’m really enjoying the experience. 

From meeting new colleagues, who have 

been so welcoming, learning other test 

routes and also knowing that I am making a 

difference towards the test waiting times and 

people’s lives. 

“I have volunteered to be at Southall for 

the whole month, with a trip home after two 

weeks. That wouldn’t be for everyone, but I 

enjoy new challenges and working away at 

different test centres provides me with that, 

making memories along the way.” 

Alan, who is a driving examiner who usually 

tests from Bridgend driving test centre, said: 

“I’m really looking forward to this exciting 

opportunity to work with my colleagues from 

a different zone and to support in reducing 

waiting times in their area.” 

As well as volunteers like Emily, Suzzanne 

and Alan working away from home, we also 

continue to focus our ongoing driving 

examiner recruitment in the areas where 

waiting times are highest. 

More tests are still available to book 

As John Selbey explained in his blog post 

about what driving test waiting times 

actually mean (see Newslink February), it’s 

not just the driving test waiting time that we 

monitor. 

We measure and track the percentage of 

all the appointments in the booking service 

within the next 24 weeks that are still 

available to book. As John explained in his 

blog post, at 24 April 2023, 5.9% of tests 

within the next 24 weeks were still available 

to book. 

Chart D shows how that percentage has 

grown since the start of September 2023 to 

the end of January 2024. Nationally, 21.0% of 

appointments were still available to book 

within the next 24 weeks as at 29 January 

2024. In zone A, it was even higher at 34.1%. 

This means that learner drivers are 

starting to see a wider choice of test 

appointments when they book their test. 

How our recovery work is affecting our other 

services 

Although this outstanding effort means 

we’re on target to meet our extra 150,000 

tests target, it’s not all completely positive 

news. 

We know that some of the services we 

provide have been affected, such as ADI Part 

2 (driving ability) and Part 3 (instructional 

ability) tests. It has taken longer than usual to 

get these tests as our enforcement 

examiners have been doing more car tests. 

We’re working to make more ADI Part 2 and 

3 tests available from April 2024. We’ll be in 

touch with people with an ADI test that is 

currently on hold to offer them a test date. In 

the meantime, I thank you for your patience if 

you’re affected by this. 

Making progress, but more to do 

We’ve made some good progress, but we 

still have long way to go. 

It’s challenging work, and we’ve been up 

against unforeseen circumstances, such as 

the continued increase in demand and 

changes to customers’ booking behaviour. 

There are also factors beyond our control, 

such as impact of bad weather, seen most 

recently with Storms Isha and Jocelyn. 

I know many of you will be keen to know 

Chart C: L-test 

average waiting 

times by zone 

Chart D: 

Percentage of 

tests available 

to book within 

next 24 weeks 

what measures we’ll be taking to reduce 

waiting times from April. We’ll update you on 

this as soon as we can. 

While we continue to work towards 

reducing the waiting time, we know that it’s 

not something we can achieve without your 

support, patience and understanding. 

We know that you continue to emphasise 

the importance of only taking the test when 

your pupils are ready, and many of you are 

using the Ready to Pass? campaign resources 

to help. 

I want to say a big thank you for helping to 

promote the campaign as its helping us to 

change learner drivers behaviour. 

I hope this article has helped to show you 

the progress that is being made to reduce 

driving test waiting times and the work that 

still needs to be done. I will continue to keep 

you up-to-date over the coming months. 

L-test availability: 

The MSA GB view. See page 12 


News 

Taking the weather of 

the L-test waiting times 

Brighter skies in Scotland and parts of the North; 

gloomy in Manchester, Leeds and the Midlands; 

but there are storms in London and the south 

As Loveday Ryder highlights in her article on 

page 10-11 of this issue of Newslink, there is 

more than a glimmer of hope in some areas 

that the lengthy waiting lists for driving tests 

are beginning to fall. 

We are seeing positive signs of 

improvement around the country as a result 

of the DVSA deploying an array of measures, 

from tasking warrant card holding staff with 

L-test duties, to adding new examiners to the 

payroll, recalling the recently retired and 

increasing test availability at weekends. 

But for the all the positivity Loveday 

exudes on pg 10-11, there remains the 

nagging question: why does MSA GB head 

office continue to receive so many calls from 

members desperate for news of test waiting 

times falling in their area? 

Waiting times are rather like the weather: if 

it’s raining where you are, it does your mood 

no good to hear it’s lovely and sunny 50 miles 

away. 

As regular readers will know, Newslink has 

kept up the pressure on the DVSA over the 

past year, examining its policies and regularly 

calling for more improvements. In short, while 

we have repeatedly acknowledged how hard 

we know the DVSA is working to solve this 

problem, we have long had a feeling that its 

current resources just aren’t proving enough. 



Issue 374 • March 2024 

Testing the 

waiting time 

weather 

9 

9 

12 

17 

21 

msagb.com 

Better weather... for some 

But we have to be fair: the stats do show 

improvements. Average waiting times are 

now 15 weeks. That’s higher than most ADIs 

and pupils would like but you know, if that 

could fall by, say, three to four more weeks, 

we think this problem would be regarded as 

beaten. While a wait of 8-9 weeks before you 

can book a test is ideal, telling your pupil they 

have to wait 11-12 weeks probably isn’t the 

end of the world. We can all live with that. 

But the fact is, while in Area 1 (Scotland and 

NE England/Yorkshire - see DVSA area map 

on 10-11) is celebrating with an average wait 

We work for all Driver Trainers. Want to join? SAVE £25 – see pg 43 for special offer 

for a test at only 9.9 weeks, in London and 

the South the situation is, to be honest, 

depressing. It appears that for all the intense 

effort put in by the DVSA, the dial on L-test 

waiting times has barely moved. It sits 

stubbornly at over 21 weeks, and in huge 

areas of the region – particularly the capital 

– there are no tests available at all in the 

maximum 24-week booking window. For all 

the examiner recruitment, the call backs, the 

changes, the reforms, nothing has worked. 

Is this true elsewhere? We decided to 

conduct an exercise across Great Britain, by 

looking to book a driving test at one of a 

series of DTCs in the country. We undertook 

this exercise on Sunday, February 25. At that 

point the 24-week booking window took you 

up to the first week of August. 

On the facing page you can see the results. 

Do they reflect your experience? 



Driving test centre Week commencing with No. of tests available Weeks to wait 

good test availability that week for a test 

In each case unless otherwise stated, the week given shows the first time a good selection of tests is available. Weeks 

following that week will have good availability, too, suggesting that pupils should be able to book a test at their convenience. 

Aberdeen South (Cove) 25th March 13 5 

Edinburgh (Currie) 25th February 12 1 

Edinburgh (Musselburgh) 25th February 25 1 

Glasgow (Baillieston) 13th May 28 12 

Glasgow (Shieldhall) 8th July 18 15 

Cardiff (Llanishen) 3rd June* 38 15 

*There were a few tests available scattered across March, but the availability was so sparse we chose to ignore them 

Leeds None* 24 (max) 

*There were two tests available in the next week but then none after that until the end of the 24-week booking period 

West Didsbury (Manchester) 1st July 46 14 

Sale (Manchester) 15th July 88 16 

Birmingham (Kingstanding) 22 July 100+ 17 

Birmingham (South Yardley) 22 July None 17 

Nottingham (Chilwell) 3rd June 15 15 

Nottingham (Colwick) 17th June 14 17 

Gosforth (Newcastle) 26th February 5 1 

Bristol (Avonmouth) 22nd July 24 17 

Bristol (Kingswood) None 24 (max) 

Southampton (Maybush) 15th July 4 20 

Norwich (Jupiter Road) 26th February 12 1/10 

Norwich (Peachman Way) 26th February 7 1/10 

* After these tests there were none until the first week in May 

Barnet (London) None 24 (max) 

Wood Green (London) None 24 (max) 

Belvedere (London) None 24 (max) 

West Wickham (London) None 24 (max) 

Having searched four London test centres chosen at random, we discovered no tests available. We decided, therefore, to 

look at every inner city London DTC. Not one had any availability in the 24-week booking window allowed. 

“In London and the South the situation 

is, to be honest, depressing. It appears 

that for all the intense effort put in by the 

DVSA, the dial on L-test waiting times 

has barely moved...” 


Members’ section 

MSA GB Annual Conference 2024 

It’s a case of all roads lead to Telford as we head to Shropshire 

for the MSA GB Annual Conference 2024. 

Last 

chance to 

book! 

To be held from March 22-23 at the stunning Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort 

in Shropshire, our Conference will be the ideal mix of information, debate, 

advice, education, networking and fun, as the MSA GB membership comes 

together to learn more about, and discuss, the big issues of the day. 

We have compiled a great line-up of keynote presenters, including Nick 

Taylor, DVSA ADI Registrar – the man who has overall control of the ADI 

community’s standards and behaviour. In addition we can guarantee an 

exciting and information packed day, full of advice, news and views from the 

driver training, testing and road safety communities. 

Telford Hotel, 

Spa & Golf 

Resort 

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BOOK. Just click on the link below. See the price list with 

day, day/night and full weekend packages available. 

We have endeavoured to keep our prices as low as possible while providing a high-quality 

weekend, and the Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort has more than enough to keep nondelegate 

partners happy, with a superb swimming pool and spa, golf and other attractions 

on site, as well as having the beautiful Severn Valley and iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site 

of Ironbridge Gorge on its doorstep. Even better, we have arranged a special MSA GB 

Conference discount on all spa treatments and golf fees! 

BOOK HERE: https://msagb.com/msa-gb-national-conference/ 

Conference day delegate 

Conference delegate ticket for Saturday 

£49 

Ticket price includes coffee on arrival, 

morning coffee, lunch and tea in the 

afternoon as well as all paperwork and 

CPD acknowledgement 

Full Conference packages 

Two nights’ accommodation and breakfast, Friday & Saturday 

evening meals, Saturday lunch, Conference delegate ticket 

Single booking: 

£275 

Couple sharing (with non-delegate ticket): 

* Non delegates receive lunch 

on the Saturday 

£385 

Conference 

debates, 

workshops 

and trade 

stands 

One-day Conference packages 

One night’s accommodation and breakfast, Friday OR Saturday 

evening meals, Saturday lunch; Conference delegate ticket 

Single booking: 

£165 

Couple sharing (with non-delegate ticket): 

£235 

* Non delegates receive lunch 

on the Saturday 

Thinking of bringing the family? 

There are other options available during 

Saturday should you wish to make this a family 

weekend and bring the children. 

You can find full details at: https://msagb.com/ 

msa-gb-national-conference/ 



Conference speakers 

The conference will comprise of a number of speakers and workshops, 

with speakers drawn to create the most comprehensive and diverse 

programme possible. 

Just some of the confirmed speakers and topics we will cover are : 

SPEAKERS TO INCLUDE (pictured right, from top) 

n Nick Taylor, ADI Registrar 

n G Sabina – Roberts 

n Dr Julia Malkin MBE 

n Graham Feest 

PLUS representatives from MSA GB, with a 

comprehensive update on the latest news 

from across the driver training and testing sector 

Topics to include 

Teaching with 

and for 

disabilities 

The Registrar on 

ADI standards and 

enforcement 

MSA GB 

update and 

future plans 

DVSA changes: 

how they will affect 

driver trainers 

LGBTQ+ business 

awareness - 

Gender diversity 

Safer roads, vehicles, 

and road users: 

using a safe systems 

approach 

FORMAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, 

that the 89th Annual General 

Meeting of the Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain Limited 

(MSA GB) will be held at the Telford 

Hotel & Golf Resort on Saturday, 

23rd March 2024, at 12.45. 

BOOK NOW: 

Go to https://msagb.com/ 

msa-gb-national-conference/ 

to secure your place 


Towards your CPD: Beating stress and anxiety 

Beating L-test worries with 

power of positive thinking 

Every ADI has had a pupil who drives like a dream every lesson but, on the day of 

the L-test itself, collapses in the face of anxiety and stress and ends up failing. 

Judy Hale suggests getting them to try ‘Tapping’ – a pyschological exercise linked 

to ancient Chinese medicine and the body’s meridian lines to install positive 

thoughts and blow away the negative ones 

The power of positive thinking is the ability 

to focus on the bright side of situations and 

expect good outcomes. Positive thinking 

can help you cope with stress, improve 

your self-esteem, enhance your physical 

and mental health, and achieve your goals. 

Tapping allows you the confront your 

negative thoughts and change them into 

positive ones. By recognising your 

weakness, you can then change it into a 

strength. 

Stating what it is you fear/dislike, can be 

turned into a positive statement simply 

because you have spoken aloud your worst 

fear; for any given subject the fear is then a 

positive feeling. 

Interrupting this statement with a simple 

tune, immediately engages the creative side 

of your brain which looks for positive results. 

So, in the first instance you need to know a 

little bit about your meridian lines which run 

through your body. These are pathways/ 

channels from your body to your brain. These 

meridian lines were first mapped in the 

human body thousands of years ago by a 

Chinese physician and are still very much a 

part of our lives today. 

Tapping is a stress relief technique and is a 

bit like acupressure and psychology which 

aims to restore balance to the body’s energy 

and reduce negative emotions. Tapping has 

been known to manage stress, reduce 

anxiety and create positive thoughts for 

many years. 

n The integration of three positive 

statements during tapping reinforces the 

goal-setting process. 

n These statements encompass the 

acknowledgment of aspirations, acceptance 

of potential challenges, and belief in one’s 

capability to achieve. 

n Simultaneously, singing a few lines of a 

song or nursery rhyme introduces an 

element of creativity, bridging the gap 

between the left and right hemispheres of 

the brain. 

n This harmonisation of the creative and 

positive aspects enhances the search for 

positive solutions and fosters a more 

optimistic outlook. 

Counting to ten during tapping further 

engages the positive side of the brain, 

reinforcing the endeavour to replace 

negativity with positivity. The envisioned 

experiences during tapping represent a 

proactive approach to shaping future 

outcomes. 

To maximise the benefits, the tapping 

process should be repeated at least three 

times, allowing for breaks and resumption 

whenever anxiety surfaces. Over time, the 

negative thoughts are replaced by positive 

ones, contributing to improved stress levels, 

heightened self-esteem, and a clearer path 

toward personal goals. 

Persistence is key to the effectiveness of 

tapping. There is no fixed time limit for this 

practice as the words evolve gradually, 

instilling a habit of positive thinking. The 

method stands as a testament to the 

transformative power of the mind, offering a 

tangible pathway to enhanced well-being and 

personal growth. In the journey towards 

positive thinking, perseverance becomes a 

beacon, guiding individuals to discover the 

worthiness of their efforts and the fulfilment 

of their desired outcomes. 

“The meridian lines are your 

personal search engine to help 

you achieve a positive emotion 

when you are feeling anxious, 

uncertain, or overwhelmed...” 

Address your concerns 

Through tapping you can communicate 

with your brain and effectively address your 

concerns of any fears, anxieties and 

aspirations that may overwhelm you. 

Meridian lines communicate with both your 

mind and your emotions to help you achieve a 

positive outcome. So, the best way to 

describe them is liking them to a search 

engine in your computer. 

So, if you know how to talk to your 

meridian lines, and explain your fears, 

anxieties, wishes, etc, you can get a positive 

experience that will help you achieve. The 

meridian lines are your personal search 

engine to help you achieve a positive emotion 

when you are feeling anxious, uncertain, or 

overwhelmed, etc. 

The main meridian lines that I use are on 

the side of my hand below the little finger and 

before the wrist. The other one I like is on my 

cheekbone. 

So, by tapping your meridian line you 

automatically engage with your brain. 

Everyone has a creative side and a positive 

side to their brain, and it is important that you 

use both sides to achieve a positive outcome. 

To start creating your positive thoughts 

you need three positive statements, so each 

of the following statements are positive 

eg: 

n I want to achieve my goal 

n I know I will do something stupid, and I 

will fail 

n If I do not do something stupid, I will pass 

While tapping you are 

n positively acknowledging what you 

hope to achieve 

n positively acknowledging that you may 

not achieve 

n positively acknowledging that you can 

achieve. 



“Positive thinking, which is a powerful 

cognitive tool, goes beyond mere optimism, it 

is an intentional focus on all aspects of life, 

fostering resilience and shaping favourable 

outcomes. Tapping helps you to manage 

stress, increase your self-esteem 

and helps you to achieve your goal(s)...” 

Positive thinking, which is a powerful 

cognitive tool, goes beyond mere optimism, it 

is an intentional focus on all aspects of life, 

fostering resilience and shaping favourable 

outcomes. Tapping helps you to manage 

stress, increase your self-esteem and helps 

you to achieve your goal(s). 

By tapping you can confront your fears and 

turn negative thoughts into positive 

affirmations. By acknowledging and 

vocalising your fears, you are in fact turning 

your weaknesses into strengths. The fact 

that you can speak your worst fears out loud 

starts to change your perspective, the fear, 

once spoken becomes a positive 

acknowledgment, interrupted with a simple 

tune activates the creative side of the brain 

stimulating a search for a positive outcome. 

So, you are now constantly tapping on 

your meridian line(s) 

Saying your three positive statements, 

followed by singing a few lines of a song/ 

nursery rhyme, engages your creative side. 

You have now engaged your search engine 

into your brain joining the right side of your 

brain to your left side, so bringing together 

both the creative and positive emotions 

which will in turn help you to find a positive 

way forward. 

n The three positive statements are how 

you feel 

n Singing a couple of lines of a verse 

engages your creative side of the brain. 

n Counting to 10 engages your positive 

side, and so your goal is to gradually replace 

negative thoughts with positive ones. 

n By tapping you are envisioning 

experiences that have not yet occurred. 

n You need to repeat the process at least 

three times before taking a break, and then 

repeat every time you are feeling anxious, 

ideally a few times each day. 

There is no time limit to this as the original 

words will change and eventually you will be 

having positive thoughts to help you achieve 

your goal and gradually, you will replace 

negative thoughts with positive ones. This 

method really does help to improve your 

stress levels, your self-esteem, helps you to 

vocalise your fears or dislikes and allows you 

to find a way forward to more positive 

thinking, etc. Do not give up on yourself, the 

end results are so very worthwhile. 

So this is how I use tapping. It’s fun and it 

does work. 

n The first part, verbalising the positive 

statements, are fact based. ‘I’m worried, I 

don’t need to be worried, I can cope with this’. 

n Get your pupil to say three positive 

statements as shown below. 

n Client to tap continuously until the three 

sessions have been completed and repeated, 

(usually get them to repeat three times). 

So get them to say: 

– I know I will fail my test – positive 

statement 

– If I stay focused, I will gain my licence … 

positive statement 

– I know I can stay focused and pass my 

test … positive statement 

Counting to 10 engages the left side of 

your brain which is logic related 

This engages the analytical, logical side of 

the brain to allow sequential processing. 

Singing a couple of lines from a song links 

the left and right side of the brain and creates 

a feeling of wellbeing. 

Repetition is key. It is a bit like using a 

search engine in your computer; you do not 

always get the correct answer first time but 

by repeating what you are looking for, you 

will eventually find the correct answer. 


Towards your CPD 

It’s all about... 

Do you have the Goldilocks 

touch when it comes to putting 

questions to your pupils - not 

too hard, not too easy? 

Steve Garrod doesn’t think 

every ADI gets the balance right 

In recent months we have been looking how 

to engage your learners during their lessons 

while covering the learning outcomes of the 

DVSA’s new Driving Standards. 

One of the weakest areas I regularly see 

during instructor training and development is 

how to pitch questions at the correct level. 

Too often instructors work too hard and do 

not allow time for thought-provoking 

questions, which could be the difference 

between an A and B grade, or fail and a B. 

It is important to know how to structure 

questions and know when to ask them, so 

this month we will look at how to develop 

your questions to ensure your learner is 

suitably challenged. 

Questions can be used a teaching and 

assessment method. Thought should be 

given to their structure and what you want to 

achieve by asking that specific question. 

Simply asking questions with no real thought 

is not sufficient. 

The legendary BBC golf commentator, 

Peter Alliss once said, “It’s better to hit 20 

balls and think about where you are hitting 

them than it is to hit 100 balls and not.” Pupils 

should be encouraged to analyse problems 

and take responsibility for their learning; 

there is even a heading for this on the DVSA’s 

Standards Check form. 

We can get caught out if we are not careful 

Hard 

Evaluation (judge, critically appraise) 

judging strengths and weaknesses 

advantages disadvantages 

arguments for and against 

Synthesis (create, design, invent) 

problem solving 

give constructive suggestions for improvement 

in a given situation 

design a poster or presentation 

Analysis (consider the parts individually) 

complete a case study 

give cause and effects 

compare 

give reasons 

prioritise 

Application (doing after being shown how) 

apply 

use 

calculate (stopping distances, for example) 

Comprehension 

explain 

interpret 

reorganise 

Knowledge 

state 

recall 

define 

describe 

Easy 

by assuming our learners know more than 

they actually do, so the questions we ask 

need to ensure that they promote thinking 

and reasoning. The skills required by effective 

learners in any subject were identified in 1956 

by Benjamin Bloom and is more commonly 

known as Bloom’s Taxonomy. He classified 

learning into three domains: cognitive 

(knowledge); affective (emotion, attitude) 

and psychomotor (practical), three areas all 

ADIs will remember from their part one 

theory examinations. Within each domain 

skills or abilities are graded into different 

levels of difficulty. 

The diagram above shows the grades for 

the cognitive domain. 



The legendary BBC golf commentator, Peter Alliss once said, 

“It’s better to hit 20 balls and think about where you are 

hitting them than it is to hit 100 balls and not.” Pupils 

should be encouraged to analyse problems and take 

responsibility for their learning; there is even a heading for 

this on the DVSA’s Standards Check form. 

A mixture of all these tasks is required at all 

levels of the learning to drive syllabus. This 

keeps the questioning lively and natural. We 

do not want rapid fire questions or deep 

meaningful questions that require a great 

deal of thought if they disrupt someone’s 

concentration. 

Trainers need to gauge appropriate times 

for questions by being aware of the prevailing 

road and traffic conditions. Lower end 

questions are ideal while on the move, but 

the higher scale questions may be better 

suited to feedback sessions while stationary. 

The tasks lower down the scale are 

important for weaker learners to succeed 

and to build confidence, for example, “What is 

the speed limit on this road?” As the lessons 

continue we work our way up the scale and 

introduce more thought provoking questions, 

such as, 

“What is the speed limit?” 

“Why do you think it is a 30mph speed 

limit?” 

“How long will it take you to stop at this 

speed?” 

“What are the main causes of crashes in 

built up areas?” 

“What could you do to reduce the risk of an 

accident?” 

All of the above questions are designed to 

get the pupil to think and to give you an 

insight to their reasoning. If you have read the 

Goals for Driver Education (GDE) you will see 

that they haven’t really discovered anything 

new. The lower down the list a question 

appears the less thinking or understanding is 

needed to answer the question correctly, 

whereas questions further up the scale 

require deeper and more meaningful thinking. 

These answers often need justification or 

reasoning. These types of questions transfer 

the learning of important thinking skills, 

insomuch as it they are finding solutions to 

problems. Above all they are more interesting, 

even to weaker learners. 

From the scale you will also see that some 

of the activities are better suited to 

classroom or home study, for example, 

designing a poster or presentation, whereas 

the majority can be asked while out on 

the road. 

In the early stages of learning we 

can use questions based on 

knowledge and comprehension 

to reinforce their 

understanding of the types 

of questions used in the 

theory test. But as our 

learners develop their basic skills we can 

introduce the questions that require 

application and analysis. 

One of the many reasons pupils are 

unsuccessful on driving tests is because they 

are unable to prioritise risks. To help 

overcome this we can use a road suitable for 

‘meeting traffic’ and ask such questions as 

“Who has priority?” If he/she answers “We 

do” we could ask “Where would we wait if 

the other driver doesn’t give us priority?” In 

other words a plan B. 

Whether the answer to the first question 

is correct or not, we have to make sure that 

our learners can identify potential risks. 

Linking these questions to the hazard 

perception will help your pupil transfer what 

they have learnt at home out on to the road. 

When training new instructors, qualified 

drivers or learners nearing test standard, it is 

important to use questions that require 

analysis, synthesis and evaluation. 

Understanding the cause and effect of 

driving faults is essential and that we don’t 

try to cure an effect if the cause is greater. 

For example, many drivers approach hazards 

too quickly and try to steer their way out of 

trouble. The cause is the speed, but the effect 

could be rushed or late steering to avoid a 

stationary vehicle or to prevent entering a 

new road on the wrong side. 

We’ve all had learners who find 

themselves increasing in confidence and 

allowing their speed to increase as a result. 

Unfortunately this happens once they have 

passed their test, and sadly, not all of them 

learn by their mistakes. 

The same can be said of qualified drivers. In 

the first chapter of Roadcraft there is a 

statement suggesting that drivers who fail to 

recognise their mistakes continue making 

the same mistakes, resulting in them having 

the same types of incidents. 

If we can ask questions such as, “What are 

the consequences of approaching hazards 

too quickly?” or “Why is this road a 30mph 

zone?”, we could see a deeper level of 

thinking taking place because there is more 

than one answer, and the answers will give 

us an insight into the way they are thinking. 

Fleet trainers will be well acquainted with 

the questions at the top of the scale. These 

require creative thinking and evaluating. For 

example, a fleet client says “It’s impossible to 

do 30mph in my car as everyone drives so 

close to my bumper, therefore it’s 

dangerous.” 

Rather than the trainer replying, “Well 

that’s the law, mate” we could ask the driver 

to find a solution (eg, using cruise control) to 

the problem or explain what are the 

advantages and disadvantages of breaking 

the speed limit. 

The obvious disadvantage being that they 

could eventually lose their licence, and 

therefore potentially out of a job. 

It’s not for the trainer to say this, but by 

carefully listening to the answers given and 

probing a little deeper, it encourages our 

clients, regardless of whether the hold a full 

licence or not, to give a reasoned answer and 

to overcome their barriers to learning. 


News 

Council’s bus lane advice sounds 

like it’s wide of the mark 

John Lomas 

MSA GB 

West Coast 

& Wales 

The sore topic of motorists being collared 

by the local authority for using bus lanes is 

causing a fuss in the genteel surroundings 

of Guildford. 

The local online newspaper, the Guildford 

Dragon, has being covering this in some 

detail in recent days, amid claims by local 

residents that the council is using bus lane 

enforcement cameras to replenish 

dwindling council reserves. 

It’s a claim we’ve heard many times over 

the years, with some cameras bringing in 

eye-watering levels of revenue. I know the 

publisher of Newslink has his own tale of 

woe about a bus lane camera in Stockport 

which raised over £1million in fines. 

If you are interested in the Guildford 

story, more can be found at https:// 

tinyurl.com/bus-lanes and members in 

MSA GB Area 3 London and the South East 

could offer their thoughts, perhaps. 

But what struck me was a point made in 

a stout defence of bus lane enforcement by 

an officer from Surrey County Council. 

The section in italics is a direct lift from 

the Guildford Dragon website. The part in. 

bold italics is highlighted by me. 

From: An SCC spokesperson (SCC = 

Surrey County Council) 

In response to: Is SCC Using Minor Bus 

Lane Infringements to Raise Income? 

“The bus lane in Onslow Street, Guildford 

operates 24/7 so should not be used by 

unauthorised vehicles (ie, those that are not 

a bus, minibus, or licenced Hackney Carriage 

taxi) at any time. 

“In 2023 a bus lane enforcement camera 

began operating in Onslow Street, issuing 

warning letters and Penalty Charge Notices 

(PCNs) to unauthorised vehicles driving in 

the bus lane. Prior to this, in 2022, bus lane 

enforcement camera signs were put up. The 

PCNs (fines) are intended to be a deterrent 

against driving in the bus lane and not a 

means of raising income. 

“Driving in the bus lane includes having at 

least two wheels over the solid white line 

denoting the edge of the lane. However, it is 

permitted to turn across the lane to access 

side roads or private property/driveways, 

and to drive in the bus lane in the event of an 

‘emergency’ eg, to avoid a broken down car 

or move out of the way of an emergency 

vehicle. 

“Representations and appeals can be 

made against any PCNs that are issued for 

driving in the bus lane and these will be 

considered by the council or Traffic Penalty 

Tribunal on a case-by-case basis to ensure 

fair and consistent enforcement of the 

The Guildford Dragon, which has been 

covering the story 

restrictions in place.” 

Interesting: I’m not sure this advice in bold 

is correct, unless Surrey has its own bye laws 

covering it. Certainly I am under the 

impression that examiners would fail a 

candidate on test who followed the above 

‘advice’. If you are travelling on a road with a 

bus lane in operation and you are aware of 

emergency vehicles using ‘blues and twos’ 

coming up behind you, I used to tell my pupils 

to let them use the bus lane as they are 

allowed but you are not. It’s advice in the 

same vein as do not go through red lights to 

clear a path for an emergency vehicle. 

In the case of the broken down vehicle, I 

would endeavour to overtake it on the 

opposite side if physically possible. 

Maybe I have been wrong all these years 

but I know Newslink has carried many an 

article about bus lanes and their misuse by 

both, drivers and authorities. 

I am reminded of an incident when traffic 

wardens booked an accident involved scooter 

and rider (ambulance in attendance) on the 

bus lane/bus stop just outside the MSA’s old 

office on Wellington Road North. 

Whether they are useful or not, bus lanes 

always seem to attract controversy! 

Wellington Road 

North, outside the 

old MSA GB offices, 

where a traffic 

warden once 

over-stepped the 

mark ... 



What have you spotted on the motorway? 

Colin Lilly 

Editor 

MSA GB Newslink 

Forget the Beast of Bodmin; drivers could 

soon have another creature to distract them 

on West Country roads. 

The National Highways is currently trialling 

a robot dog to carry out surveys on its road 

network. The dog – nicknamed Spot – was 

developed by Boston Dynamics for use in 

geophysical surveys. The four-legged robot 

is equipped with cameras and a Leica lidar 

tracker. Alongside National Highways, BAM 

Ritchies and AECOM are also participating. 

Initial trials were caried out at the National 

Highways Development Centre at Moretonin-the-Marsh, 

Gloucestershire, with the first 

live trials alongside the M5 in Somerset. 

The robot will be used to gather 

information from locations that are difficult to 

reach. These include steep banks, culverts, 

and under bridges. It is able to give a safe 

cost-effective option where it would be risky 

for human assessors or require costly safety 

equipment or disruptive traffic management. 

The regulations call for regular physical 

inspections. It is hoped that using Spot will 

reduce the need for employees conducting 

close physical inspections. 

The site for the live trial was St. Georges, 

just north of Junction 21 (Weston-super- 

Mare). At this point, the M5 is elevated to be 

above the main railway line to the south west. 

The resulting embankments are steep and 

lightly wooded. Recently a team working on 

renewing part of the railway bridge noticed 

some defects in the ground surface. The 

robot was used to take a thorough look at the 

area. 

There is one aspect the trial did not reveal, 

which is the possible distraction to drivers. 

The robot was trialled on an embankment 

below the motorway surface level and 

therefore out of drivers’ eyelines. It does 

make you wonder what affect Spot could 

have on some drivers. Perhaps after trials at 

or above road level the safety aspects may 

need to be reviewed. 


Towards your CPD 

CPD: it’s not a wish-list item any more, 

it is a must-have for professionals 

Neil Wightman 

MSA GB 

AREA 2 NORTH EAST 

In the February issue of Newslink, I wrote 

about why I thought the day was coming 

when Continuing Professional Development 

(CPD) would be mandatory for ADIs, so that 

as instructors we are accountable. I want to 

look further into the benefits of CPD. 

The first benefit from CPD is that it ensures 

your capabilities keep pace with the 

standards of others in the same field. This is a 

very important aspect of how things change 

rapidly within the driver training industry, 

mainly one-sided. 

CPD is a process that involves acquiring 

and developing new skills, knowledge and 

competencies to ensure that professionals 

stay up-to-date with the latest standards 

and developments in their field. While CPD is 

primarily a personal responsibility, it is 

important for professionals to engage with it 

to maintain and enhance their capabilities. 

CPD helps professionals keep pace with 

the standards of others in the same field by 

providing opportunities for learning and 

growth. By participating in CPD activities 

such as attending workshops, conferences, 

training programmes, or pursuing further 

education, professionals can acquire new 

knowledge, learn about emerging trends and 

best practices, and develop new skills. 

Engaging in CPD activities also allows 

professionals to stay current with 

advancements in their field and ensures that 

their capabilities remain relevant and 

competitive. 

This is particularly important in fast-paced 

industries or those undergoing rapid 

changes, such as technology, healthcare, or 

finance. By continuously updating their skills 

and knowledge, professionals can adapt to 

evolving standards, technologies, and 

practices, and maintain their professional 

standing within their industry. 

Moreover, CPD also promotes professional 

networking and collaborations. By attending 

conferences or workshops, professionals 

have the opportunity to connect with peers, 

experts, and thought leaders in their field. 

These interactions allow for the exchange of 

ideas, sharing of experiences, and learning 

from others’ expertise, further enhancing 

professional capabilities and staying aligned 

with industry standards. 

In summary, CPD is a vital process that 

ensures professionals stay updated with the 

latest standards and developments in their 

field. By engaging in continuous learning and 

development, professionals can enhance 

their capabilities, remain competitive, and 

meet or exceed the standards of others in 

their industry. 

By recording your CPD you can then 

demonstrate your commitment to the 

profession and to your own development. 

This is only my view to the first benefit. 

“The first benefit is CPD 

ensures your capabilities 

keep pace with the 

standards of others in the 

same field” 


MSA GB ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23 

MSA GB Annual Report 2022-23 

Mike 

Yeomans 

National Chairman 

MSA GB 

Dear member 

I am delighted to present to you the 

association’s Annual Report for the 

year 2022-23. Long-standing 

members will recall that previously, 

this report had been a standalone 

publication.However, once again we 

thought it easier and more efficient 

to use the digital format and include 

it in this issue of Newslink. 

On these pages you’ll find all the 

information you need about the 

association’s year, as well as details 

of how we are looking to reorganise 

the association to ensure it is a 

better fit for the times we live in. 

If you have any questions about 

this report, please contact either 

myself or your area representatives 

(see panel on page 5). 

The MSA GB Board 

The MSA GB Board of Management 

is made up of the elected 

representatives from each of the 

areas and nations of Great Britain. 

At a meeting held prior to the 

national AGM, the Board elects a 

National Chairman and Deputy 

Chairman. The Board met several 

times during the year under review, 

once on a face-to-face basis, 

however mainly online for 

convenience and to help reduce our 

carbon footprint. 

Board of Management (directors) 

n Chairman: Mike Yeomans 

n Vice Chairman: Peter Harvey 

n Steven Porter (Scotland) 

n Arthur Mynott (West Coast 

& Wales) 

n Mike Yeomans (East Coast) 

n Tom Kwok (London & 

the South East) 

Board members were paid an 

attendance allowance of £100 for 

each half-day during which they 

were engaged on MSA GB national 

business. 

Administration 

The Board appoints staff to 

administer the association. CJAM 

Associates continues to manage its 

day-to-day running from its head 

office in Colchester. 

The association has continued to 

use several external organisations to 

assist with various tasks including 

legal advice, publishing, IT, printing 

and accountancy. 

Finance 

The Board would like to thank the 

accounting team at CJAM Associates 

Ltd for their help and assistance in 

producing this year’s accounts. They 

are printed on pages 31-33 and will 

be published as usual on 

www.msagb.com 

Membership League 

The MSA GB Recruitment league 

table is based on net percentage 

membership growth/retention over 

the year and awards the Ron 

Feltham Memorial Cup to the best 

performing area. 

Congratulations to MSA GB East 

Coast who head the table for the 

year under review (see table, next 

page). 

MSA GB Scotland won the John 

William Parker Memorial Cup as 

runners-up in the membership 

growth retention table. 

This year the Ian Scoular Shield for 

recruiting the most new members 

in the area was shared by MSA GB 

East Coast and Scotland. 

Subscriptions 

The association continues to provide 

information, representation, services 

and support to members at a 

subscriptionwithin the financial 

reach of all ADIs. 

MSA GB membership 

subscriptions have not risen since 

August 2017. The standard fee for 

cheque, debit or credit card payers 

remains at £70. 

There is still a discount for those 

members opting to pay by direct 

debit and we are encouraging more 

to sign up to the direct debit system. 

The Board is considering an 

increase in subscription rates this 

financial year and will keep 

members informed. 

Publications 

The Board has once again decided 

to keep our flagship membership 

magazine, Newslink, in a digital 

format, to ensure a regular flow of 

information to members. 

The board made the decision to 

continue the excellent services of 

Chamber Media Services (CMS) to be 

our official publishers of Newslink 

Continued on page 24 



Recruitment Tables 

Recruitment/Retention 

Winner, the Ronald Feltham Memorial Cup 

East Coast 

Runner Up, the John William Parker Memorial Cup 

Scotland 

We continued to publish our excellent 

monthly membership magazine, 

Newslink, in a digital format 

New members recruited 

Winner, the Ian Scoular Memorial Trophy 

East Coast and Scotland (joint) 

Continued from page 23 

and other publications in a digital 

format this financial year. 

Copies of Newslink are hosted on 

the Yumpu digital media website 

from where members can read the 

latest news and features in an easily 

accessible format, or download a 

copy. A copy is also made available 

on the MSA GB website. 

The Board would like to place on 

record its sincere thanks to our 

publishing team for all their hard 

work. A special thanks, too, to all our 

advertisers who have continued to 

maintain their support for our 

publications, and to all our 

contributors and editors from the 

areas and nations of the MSA GB 

who work so hard to make Newslink 

such a great read. 

Digital media 

The Board has continued to review 

the MSA GB brand to ensure it is 

fully integrated into the digital 

marketplace. 

The Board remains keen to 

maintain access to MSA GB 

information and services across a 

wide variety of platforms. 

Our website – www.msagb.com 

– has continued to be popular with 

members. The site is regularly 

updated, and the Board of 

Management has had it totally 

renewed and updated during this 

financial year. 

The MSA GB App has proved to be 

very successful for all instructors and 

is available to download at either 

Google Play or App Store, to ensure 

that the correct current information 

is with our members as soon as its 

possible. 

Some parts of the App are 

available only to MSA GB Members, 

however, non-members have the 

opportunity to join via the App if 

they so wish. 

To download the app, search on 

either the Google Play or the App 

Store. 

Social media 

The association continues to be 

active across a variety of social media 

platforms and we continue to 

expand our ‘likes’, ‘followers’ and 

‘friends’ year on year. 

Email 

With our continued expansion in the 

digital marketplace, it is even more 

important we have your up-to-date 

contact information. The Board 

requests members to help 

themselves by ensuring they keep 

MSA GB informed by letting us know 

if you change your email address or 

your telephone number. 

Contact us at info@msagb.com or 

01787 221020. 

Emails and our App continue to be 

a popular way through which 

information is passed on to 

members and other driver trainers. 

Organisations 

The MSA GB has continued to be 

members of the Parliamentary 

Advisory Committee on Transport 

Safety (PACTS) and the Royal Society 

for the Prevention of Accidents 

(RoSPA). 

MSA GB representatives have 

attended various, meetings and 

seminars in digital format, spoke at 

numerous events to promote the 

MSA GB and kept instructors 

informed at local events wherever 

possible, through what has proved 

to be extremely difficult times for 

everyone in the driver training 

profession. 

EFA 

During the year under review, MSA 

GB has continued its membership of 

the European Driving Schools 

Association (EFA). Representatives 

from MSA GB attended delegate 

meetings on a virtual platform. 

National Associations 

Strategic Partnership (NASP) 

The major driver trainer 

representative bodies have 

24 

NEWSLINK n MARCH 2024


continued to collaborate through 

NASP to work on behalf of the 

profession and tackle the many 

complex issues affecting the driver 

training industry during the 

pandemic. 

MSA GB takes its turn on a 

rotational basis to chair NASP and 

has worked closely with the DVSA, 

DfT and other Government bodies 

over the past year, ensuring 

members received up-to-date 

information on the current situation 

regarding issues within driver 

training and testing, particularly the 

lengthy L-test waiting times and 

industrial action. 

It is pleasing to note that the DVSA 

has introduced a number of new 

measures in a bid to reduce the 

L-test waiting times across the 

majority of the country. 

Annual Conference 

Unfortunately, the MSA GB’s 

National Annual Conference and 

Training Day 2023 had to be 

cancelled due to a lack of bookings. 

In its place the MSA GB board held a 

very successful online conference, at 

which we were joined by Peter 

Hearn, the DVSA’s Operations 

Director North, along with 

representatives from Tri-Coaching, 

Confident Drivers and HMSA. All 

gave excellent, informative 

presentations that were enjoyed by 

a large digital audience. 

Members’ Insurance 

MSA GB still holds Public Liability 

Insurance in the sum of £10,000,000 

and Professional Indemnity 

insurance in the sum of £5,000,000 

for the MSA GB and for MSA GB 

members engaged in any driver 

training that they are qualified to 

deliver. 

The current policy is provided by 

Hiscox and expires on 29th June 

2024; MSA GB will renew this policy 

on the due date or purchase a new 

policy with similar cover. 

Leading the MSA GB 

Presidents of the Council of The 

Motor Schools Association 

1935-1939 J Woodhouse-Oakley 

1939-1946 Activities suspended 

1946-1955 Col H Atherton 

1955-1957 C Tetlock 

Chairman of the Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain 

1957-1958 H Sands 

• The Public Liability Insurance 

protects members where a third 

party makes a claim, caused by the 

negligence of a member, for 

personal injury or damage to 

property, not belonging to the 

member, when outside the car. 

• The Professional Indemnity 

Insurance covers MSA GB members 

in case of action taken against them 

by a third party for professional error, 

negligence, or omission in the 

professional advice they give to the 

public. 

Call MSA GB on 01787 221020 or 

see www.msagb.com 

Advice 

During the year under review there 

has been a increased demand from 

members for help and to receive 

advice on a wide variety of matters, 

not least how to handle the 

extremely long waiting times for 

driving tests across the country. 

In Memoriam 

As ever, this Annual Report 

acknowledges a number of 

members and friends who have died 

in the year under review. 

Chairmen of the Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain Ltd 

1958-1960 S A Pearce 

1960-1963 A M Clare 

1963-1967 F Spencer-Tucker 

1967-1973 Capt G E Melville 

1973-1975 K Leigh 

1975-1978 R Matthews 

1978-1980 B E Rogers 

1980-1982 C Westaby 

1982-1989 Mrs E L Blair 

1989-1995 R T Feltham 

1995-2023 P J Harvey MBE 

2023- M Yeomans 

Our deepest sympathies go out to 

their families, colleagues and friends. 

The Future 

The MSA GB Board of Management 

is committed to providing members 

with the best possible information, 

representation, services, and support 

to help members prosper personally, 

professionally and commercially. 

They have introduced many 

exclusive discounted services for 

members and will continue to add 

to those available at www.msagb. 

com 

The MSA GB Board of 

Management will do all it can to 

continue to help and offer advice to 

members during the years ahead. 

On behalf of the MSA GB Board of 

Management, Mike Yeomans, 

Board Chairman 



Trophies, awards and 

honorary members 

Every year MSA GB awards a number of trophies to its areas, nations and members. Over the years, the 

areas these awards covered have changed, but we have decided to continue recording those past 

achievements as a mark of respect for those members who worked so tirelessly for the association in 

years gone by. 

Regional recruitment trophies 

Regional recruitment trophies are awarded to the area/nation with the best net percentage membership growth/ 

retention over the year in review. From 1984 the winning area/nation received the North West Salver; this was replaced 

in 2011 with the Ron Feltham Memorial Cup. 

North West Salver 

1984 North West 



1987 West Midlands 


1989 Eastern 

1990 East Midlands 

1991 Western 

1992 Greater London 

1993 Scotland 

1994 North East 

1995 Scotland 

1996 Eastern 

1997 Western 

1998 South Wales 

1999 South East 








2007 Scotland 

2008 Scotland 

2009 Western 


Trophy retired 

Ron Feltham Memorial Cup 


2012 Scotland 

2013 Scotland 


2015 Eastern 



2018 Scotland 


2020 Scotland 


2022 Scotland 

2023 East Coast (Area 2) 

Ian Scoular Memorial Shield 

Introduced in 2016, this is awarded to 

the area or nation with the most new 

members recruited over the past year 

2016 Scotland 


2018 Scotland 

2019 Scotland and South East (joint) 

2020 Scotland 



2023 East Coast and Scotland 

& Northern Ireland (joint) 

Runners-Up Cup 

The Runners-Up trophy is awarded to the area that comes second in membership, based on the criteria as 

outlined on facing page. Introduced in 1994, it was originally known simply as the Runners Up Cup. This trophy was 

retired in 2005, to be replaced the following year by the John William Parker Memorial Cup. 

Runners’-Up Cup 


1995 Western 


1997 Eastern 

1998 Western 

1999 Western 

2000 Western 




2004 Eastern 

2005 Scotland 


John William Parker 

Memorial Cup 




2009 Eastern 



2012 Eastern 

2013 Western 



2016 Scotland 


2018 Western 





2023 Scotland & Northern Ireland 

26 



MSA GB Member of the Year 

1983 Richard Woolnough Eastern 

1984 Matt Blair Scotland 

1985 Pip Pilcher South East 

1986 John Palmer Greater London 

1987 Jon Gross West Midlands 

1988 Fiona Hutchinson Scotland 

1989 David Dunlop Kidd North West 

1990 Doug Ollerenshawe Greater London 

1991 Terry Charnock North West 

1992 Jim Fegan Scotland 

1993 Brenda Ross Greater London 

1994 Roy Norman Eastern 

1995 Paddy Irving North East 

1996 Linda Harrington South Wales 

1997 Tricia Owen West Midlands 

1998 Neil & Christine Peek Eastern 

1999 Terry Cummins South East 

2000 Peggy Hutchings Western 

2001 Clive & Muriel Snook Western 

2002 Roy Appleby North East 

2003 John Gough Eastern 

2004 Ron Feltham Greater London 

2005 Allan Edwards South East 

2006 Lew Lambert Eastern 

2007 Denise Simpson North East 

2008 Tom Kwok Greater London 

2009 Doug Andrews Eastern 

2010 Ian Scoular Scotland 

2011 Alex Brownlee Greater London 

2012 Mike Longbottom North West 

2013 Cos Antoniou Greater London 

2014 Bob Butterworth North East 

2015 Dave Pepperdine East Midlands 

2016 Arthur Mynott Western 

2017 Ralph Walton West Midlands 

2018 Cheryl Andrews Greater London 

2019 Terry Pearce West Midlands 

2020 Janet Stewart Greater London 

2021 Bryan Phillips Scotland 

2022 Neil Palmer South East 

Editor of the year 

Our Editor of the Year award is presented to the regional/national editor 

whose contributions to MSA GB publications deserved special recognition. 

Harry Sands Memorial Trophy 

1985 John Lepine North West 

1986 Bob Matthews Scotland 

1987 Phil Whitehead Eastern 

1988 Denis Phillips South East 

1989 Norman Gregg Greater London 

1990 Mike Collins West Midlands 

1991 Eric Verity Greater London 

1992 Peter Pritchett Western 

1993 Stewart Izat Scotland 

1994 John Lomas North West 

1995 Denis Griffin West Midlands 

1996 Jill Callaghan Eastern 

1997 Jill Callaghan Eastern 



2000 Lionel Jordan Greater London 



Denis Phillips Memorial Trophy 

2002 David Pepperdine East Midlands 

2003 Colin Lilly Western 

2004 Rod Came South East 

2005 Mark Harford Scotland 



2008 Mike Bassett South East 

2009 Tony Phillips Greater London 

2010 Tony Phillips Greater London 

2011 Phillip Jones & Mike Yeomans North East 


Jon Gross Memorial Trophy 

2012 Colin Lilly Western 





2017 David Pepperdine East Midlands 



2020 Karen MacLeod Scotland 

2021 Guy Annan Western 

2022 Brian Thomson Scotland 

Honorary Members of MSA GB 

1985 Pat Murphy MBE 

1985 Connie Murphy 

1992 Pip Pilcher 

1992 David Dunlop Kidd 

1992 Bob Matthews 

1994 Gerry Regan 

1994 Bob Williams 

1995 Betty Blair 

1998 Hywel Kirkhouse 

1998 Ron Feltham 

2002 James Fegan 

2006 David Rogers 

2008 John Myers 

2008 Terry Charnock 

2009 Carol Lepine 

2014 John Lomas 

2017 Roy Appleby 

2018 Karl Satloka 

2019 Rod Came 

2019 John Lepine MBE 

2020 Colin Lilly 

2020 Rod Tipple 

2020 Robert Baker 

2020 Steven Sentence 

2022 Constantine Antonio 



MSA GB Area representatives 

MSA GB is run by its Board of Management, which is made up of the elected representatives 

from each of the areas of Great Britain 

Area 1 – Scotland & Northern Ireland 

Steven Porter 

18 Heron Place, Johnstone PA5 0RW 

T: 01505 345372 or 07747 600672 


Area 2 – East Coast 

Mike Yeomans 

7 Oak Avenue, Elloughton, Brough HU15 1LA 

T: 07772 757529 


Area 3 – London & South East 

Tom Kwok 

52B Sutton Road, Muswell Hill, London N10 1HE 

07956 269922 


Area 4 – West Coast & Wales 

Arthur Mynott 

9 Hagleys Green Crowcombe, Taunton TA 4 2AH 

T: 01984 618858 


Area 1 – Scotland & Northern Ireland Committee 

Chairman: Steven Porter 


T: 07747 600 672 

Dept Chair, Editor & Glasgow Branch: 

Bryan Phillips 

E: bryan.phillips@hotmail.co.uk 

T: 07989 339 646 

Vice Chair:Alex Buist 

E: alexbuistabuistjuslearn@aol.com. 

T: 07966 366410 

Committee: 

Peter Harvey 

E: peter.harveymbe@msagb.com 

T: 01787 221020 

Aberdeen Driving Schools Group: 

Derek Young 

E: derekyoungcreel@aol.com 

T: 07732 379396 

Treasurer & Angus Driving Instructors Group: 

Brian Thomson 

E: brianthomson1306@gmail.com 

T: 07775 727603 

Secretary & Lanark & District Instructors Group: 

Judy Hale 

E: Judy@wundawheels.co.uk 

T: 07834 539692 

Inverurie Driving Instructors Group: 

Alan Gray 

E: alan@agdrivingacademy.co.uk 

T: 07814 059597 

Area 2 – East Coast Committee 

Chairman: Mike Yeomans 


T: 07772 757529 

Deputy Chairman/ Area Treasurer: Paul Harmes 

E: admin@paulharmesdrivingschool.co.uk 

T: 07743 232864 

Vice Chair: Karl Satloka 

E: karl48@btinternet.com 

T: 07885 325115 

Secretary: Yasmin Ajib 

E: yasmin0786@hotmail.co.uk 

T: 07879 041247 

Editor and editorial co-ordinator: Andrew Burgess 

E: fleetcardrivertrainer@gmail.com 

T: 07754 542993 

Social Media Contact: Neil Wightman 

E: neilwightman1@sky.com 

T: 07812 364761 

28 



Area 3 London and 

South East Committee 

Chairman & Treasurer: 

Tom Kwok 


T: 07956 269922 

How MSA GB 

is organised, in 

four AREAS 

Deputy Chairman: 

Alex Brownlee 

E: eyedriveschool@gmail.com 

T: 07836 763603 

AREA 1 

Secretary: 

Ari Ahmed Kawani 

E: ariahamed@live.co.uk 

T: 07774 545333 

Editor: 

Janet Stewart 

E: janetslittlecar@btinternet.com 

07900 881756 

AREA 2 

Committee: 

Terry Cummins 

E: terence.cummins@ 

btinternet.com 

T: 07719 697881 

AREA 4 

Cheryl Andrews 

E: cheryland85@hotmail.com 

T: 07884 073565 

Ruth Kingsley 

E: ruthk4ds@gmail.com 

T: 07941 982005 

Pankaj Desai 

E: pkdesai36@gmail.com 

T: 07958975127 

Area 4 West Coast and Wales Committee 

Chairman: Arthur Mynott 


T: 07989 852274 

Deputy Chairman: Chris Truesdale 

E: arc.angel@live.co.uk 

T: 07803 580885 

Vice Chairman North: 

Graham Clayton 

E: Graham.clayton4@virginmedia.com 

T: 07710 541462 

AREA 3 

Treasurers: 

NorthGeoff Capes 

E: geoff.at@btopenworld.com 

T: 07976 965372 

SouthNick Tapp 

E: niktapp@hotmail.co.uk 

T: 07900 900678 

Editor: John Lomas 

E: johnstardriving@hotmail.com 

T: 07796 091767 

Vice Chairman South: Colin Lilly 

E: cglilly@btinternet.com 

T: 07768 367056 

Secretary: Kris Ford 

E: kristhebizz@aol.com 

T: 07977 778259 

Committee: Mike Buggins 

E: mikebuggins@gmail.com 

T: 07763 553045 

Pat Rowell 

T: 07850 484227 



Useful numbers 

MSA GB 

Enquiries: 01787 221020 

Payments Line: 01787 221299 

DVLA 

Driver enquiries 0300 790 6801 

Vehicle enquiries 0300 790 6802 

Road Safety Organisations 

IAM RoadSmart 0300 303 1134 

RoSPA 0121 248 2000 

PACTS 020 7222 7732 

MSA GB Recommended Insurers 

Breakdown, Health Cover, etc. 

HMCA 01423 799949 

MSA GB Recommended Accountants 

FBTC 0344 9842 515 

MSA GB Breakdown Insurance partner 

Telematicus Services 

https://msasmartgreendrivers.loroinsurance.com/ 

CONTACTING THE DVSA 

Customer booking service 

Theory & Practical Tests: 0300 200 1122 

When you call DVSA’s customer service centre, make sure 

you use the fast-track service. It’s easy to use and it’ll save 

you time! 

FOR ADI USE ONLY: Call 0300 200 1122 

When the voicemail activates, dial 25. You will be 

answered and asked for your ADI reference number. 

If it is not an ADI calling the operator won’t accept the 

call. Please note, you should not give this information to 

pupils or members of the public. 

If you wish to email and your question is ADI/PDI 

related, you should email PADI@dvsa.gov.uk 

or if a general enquiry, contact: 

customer.services@dvsa.gov.uk 

If you would like to receive a copy of your driving test fault 

analysis date, it is now available online using the link here: 

https://tinyurl.com/yvw4mtml 

if you have a theory test enquiry email: 

theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk 

Thank you, from the Chairman 

I am proud to be associated with the 

Motor Schools Association of GB, in 

the role of Chairman of the board of 

management. 

This association has given me 

guidance through my many years as 

an ADI. To have been selected as the 

National Chairman last year was a 

privilege. 

My thanks go to my vice chairman 

Peter Harvey MBE, for his constant 

guidance and assistance during my 

first year as Chairman, supported by 

an awesome team of Area Chairs and 

their committees. 

This association has the best interests 

of all its members at heart; we 

pride ourselves in the fact that we 

are all ADIs working for instructors. 

All our committees, chairmen, and 

associated groups are volunteers. 

We welcome instructor groups to 

join us as associates throughout the 

year, to help share in our successes 

and to help build better futures for all 

working ADIs throughout the UK and 

those working abroad. 

It is a pleasure to represent the 

profession wherever we visit and with 

whom we negotiate on our members’ 

behalf. 

Mike Yeomans 

MSA GB 

National Chairman 

30 



Financial report 

The Motor Schools 

Association of 

Great Britain Ltd 

Report to the directors on the 

preparation of the unaudited 

statutory accounts of The Motor 

Schools Association of Great 

Britain Ltd for the year ended 

30 November 2023. 

In order to assist you to fulfil your 

duties under the Companies Act 

2006, we have prepared for your 

approval the accounts of The Motor 

Schools Association of Great Britain 

Ltd for the year ended 30 November 

2023 which comprise of the Income 

and Expenditure Account, the 

Balance Sheet and the related notes 

from the company’s accounting 

records and from information and 

explanations you have given us. 

As a practising member firm of the 

Association of Chartered Certified 

Accountants, we are subject to its 

ethical and other professional 

requirements which are detailed at 

http://rulebook.accaglobal.com/ 

This report is made solely to the 

Board of Directors of The Motor 

Schools Association of Great Britain 

Ltd, as a body, in accordance with 

the terms of our engagement letter 

dated 30 November 2023. 

Our work has been undertaken 

solely to prepare for your approval 

the accounts of The Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain Ltd and 

state those matters that we have 

agreed to state to the Board of 

Directors of The Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain Ltd, as a 

body, in this report, in accordance 

with the requirements of the 

Association of Chartered Certified 

Accountants as detailed at 

http://www.accaglobal.com/ 

factsheet163. 

To the fullest extent permitted by 

law, we do not accept or assume 

responsibility to anyone other than 

The Motor Schools Association of 

Great Britain Ltd and its Board of 

Directors as a body for our work or 

for this report. 

It is your duty to ensure that The 

Motor Schools Association of Great 

Britain Ltd has kept adequate 

accounting records and to prepare 

statutory accounts that give a true 

and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 

financial position and surplus of The 


Britain Ltd. You consider that The 


Britain Ltd is exempt from the 

statutory audit requirement for the 

year. 

We have not been instructed to 

carry out an audit or a review of the 

accounts of The Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain Ltd. For 

this reason, we have not verified the 

accuracy or completeness of the 

accounting records or information 

and explanations you have given to 

us and we do not, therefore, express 

any opinion on the statutory 

accounts. 

CJM Associates Ltd 

Members’ funds 

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under 

section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act. 

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with 

respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies 

subject to the small companies regime. The income and expenditure account has not been delivered to the Registrar 

of Companies. 

Mike Yeomans, Director 



Financial report 

Income and Expenditure Account 

for the year ended 30 November 2023 

YE 30 November 2023 YE 30 November 2022 

£ £ £ £ 

Income 

Membership subscriptions income 98,440 99,404 

Membership subscriptions joining fees 1,665 930 

Conference income (7) 2,404 

Regional meetings income (252) 1,335 

Member supplies income - - 

EFA Income - - 

99,846 104,073 

Cost of sales 

Member Supplies 412 - 

Conference expenditure 5,877 3,457 

Sales/Member Commissions 1,293 1,694 

Gross surplus 

(7,582) (5,151) 

92,264 98,923 

Administrative expenses 

Wages and salaries - - 

Association management 30,000 35,586 

Staff training - - 

Staff pension costs - - 

Rent - - 

Rates - - 

Equipment hire - - 

Board, committee and regional expenses 14,628 10,640 

Power, light and heat - - 

Property repairs and maintenance - - 

Insurance 21,829 22,461 

Website costs - 65 

Computers and software costs 1,987 1,926 

Travelling expenses 2,180 7,298 

Postage, courier and delivery charges 593 845 

Professional subscriptions 1,929 3,769 

Legal and professional fees 1,059 35 

Accountancy 3,013 3,330 

Bank charges 2,377 2,841 

Credit card charges 1,100 803 

Printing and stationery - - 

Telecommunications 565 698 

Advertising (38) 500 

Sundry expenses 208 15 

Donations - 50 

Depreciation 2,031 581 

Loss on sale of tangible assets - - 

(83,461) (91,442) 

Operating deficit 8,803 7,481 

32 



YE 30 November 2023 YE 30 November 2022 

£ £ £ £ 

Investment revenues 

Bank interest received 110 1 

110 1 

Other gains and losses 

Amounts written off fixed 

asset investments - - 

Gains on sale of fixed 

asset investments - - 

Change in fair value of financial assets 

measured at fair value through 

profit or loss - (1,895) 

- (1,895) 

Surplus/(Deficit) before taxation 8,912 5,586 

Taxation - - 

Surplus/(Deficit) for the period 8,912 5,586 

BALANCE SHEET 

Fixed assets 

Investments (633) 32,230 

Office Equipment 3,703 5,734 

3,070 37,964 

Current assets 

Trade debtors 981 1,117 

Prepayments 10,148 10,755 

NatWest business account 60,998 49,643 

NatWest deposit account 32,976 30 

PayPal Account 421 1,101 

105,524 62,645 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Trade creditors (14,592) (15,499) 

Other creditors (2,905) (2,925) 

Accruals (3,000) (3,000) 

Corporation tax - - 

(20,497) (21,424) 

Net current (liabilities)/assets 85,027 41,221 

Total assets less current liabilities 88,098 79,185 

Reserves 

Income and expenditure 

account b/fwd 79,185 73,599 

Result for the period 8,912 5,586 

88,098 79,185 



MSA GB 

membership 

offer 

MSA GB has arranged a new 

membership special offer – a 

new breakdown insurance 

partnership with trusted 

partners Telematicus Services 

Limited (t/a Smart Green 

Drivers). 

Don’t be left in the lurch if 

your car breaks down 

MSA GB has arranged a great new 

membership offer – comprehensive but 

cost-effective breakdown insurance cover 

from Telematicus Services Limited. 

There are two simple and cost-effective 

levels of cover for you to choose from. 

Telematicus Services Limited (t/a Smart 

Green Drivers) provides breakdown cover for 

cars, vans and motorcycles at pocketpleasing 

prices. However, just because it 

costs less than you think, doesn’t mean they 

cut any corners and still offer quality, reliable 

and trustworthy breakdown cover for all. 

Full UK cover 

Telematicus Services Limited’s highquality, 

low-cost breakdown solution covers 

the whole of the UK, and is specifically 

designed for the motorist who wishes to be 

covered in every eventuality. 

What’s included 

n No excesses or call out charges. 

n For vehicles up to 9 years old 

n Home Start. 

n Cover for punctures and flat tyres. 

n Cover anywhere throughout the UK 

n Includes hire car, overnight accommodation 

and onward travel options. 

n Unlimited callouts during the year of policy. 

n Over 3,000 recovery agents nationally. 

Telematicus Services Limited policies cover 

the vehicle, not the individual, meaning 

whoever is driving the vehicle at the time of a 

breakdown is eligible to call for assistance. 

Cover on holiday, too 

For ultimate cover, Telematicus Services 

Limited’s Full UK & EU policy has it all. 

Providing the same great benefits and 

coverage as that of its full UK Cover, but with 

the added surety of European travel, it makes 

for a complete policy. 

What’s included (in addition to the above) 

n Cover in any EU member state country 

plus Switzerland and Norway. 

n Includes extended hire car, overnight 

accommodation and onward travel options. 

n Unlimited callouts during the term of the 

policy 

Again, the full UK & EU policies cover the 

vehicle, not the individual, meaning whoever 

is driving the vehicle at the time of a 

breakdown is eligible to call for assistance. 

MSA GB vice-chairman Peter Harvey 

commented: “We like to think that MSA GB is 

the association that never sleeps, as we 

continually work to enhance our membership 

package, so you always feel supported and 

prepared for the wins and challenges that the 

life of a driving instructor brings. 

“We think this breakdown cover from 

Telematicus Services Limited t/a Smart 

Green Drivers will give you peace of mind 

without the cost usually associated with 

cover of this kind, and at a special discount 

price for members.” 

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE? 

A full set of frequently asked questions can 

be found at their website, accessed by 

clicking the panel below. 

Click here 

for details 

To access your breakdown offer please follow 

this link. 

Click here 

for details 



Get 10p off every litre of fuel 

with special MSA GB deal 

The cost-of-living crisis is putting many 

ADIs under considerable financial pressure, 

and nowhere is it felt more than through 

the rising cost of fuel. 

So to help alleviate some of the burden 

on our members, we’re thrilled to 

announce a brand-new partnership with 

FUEL CARD SERVICES. 

A fuel card from MSA GB partner, Fuel 

Card Services can provide huge benefits to 

businesses that use vehicles on a daily 

basis: 

n Cutting fuel costs - save up to 10p per 

litre and get a consistent price. 

n Increased security - fuel cards are a 

safer alternative to carrying cash and 

eliminate fraud. 

n Streamline admin - HMRC compliant 

invoices, no receipts, one neat invoice and 

a dedicated account manager. 

n Tighter control of business expenses 

- view transactions and reports online 24/7. 

n Increased flexibility for refuelling 

across a huge network. 

n Fleet convenience - a quick and 

convenient way for fleets to refuel. 

There are a range of fuel cards available 

on the market and for your business to 

truly benefit from investing in fuel cards, 

you need to choose the right one for your 

businesses’ requirements. 

FUEL CARD SERVICES offers a large 

choice of networks from leading brands, 

such as BP, Shell, Esso and UK Fuels, so 

you can decide which networks you wish 

to include on your business account. 

Fuel Card Services and MSA GB are 

helping to deliver cost savings to 

members throughout the country. 

For more details and to obtain a fuel 

card through MSA GB, go to our website at 

https://msagb.com/members/ 

member-discounts/ 

MEMBER OFFER 

What are the latest UK fuel prices? 

The prices right are the latest available unleaded petrol and diesel averages 

across supermarket, motorway and independent forecourts in the UK, according 

to data compiled by the RAC. Prices correct at the end of January. Continuing 

instability in the Middle East, affecting both fuel output and transport through the 

Red Sea, risks causing price rises in the coming weeks. 

UNLEADED 

DIESEL 

UK average 144p 152p 

Motorway 157p 176p 

Supermarkets 142p 152p 

MEMBER OFFER 

AlcoSense: Every ADI should have one handy 

MSA GB has teamed up with leading supplier of personal 

breathalyser kits AlcoSense to bring our members a 

very special offer. 

The AlcoSense kits give an instant and accurate 

snapshot of whether you – or your pupil – has alcohol in 

your/their system, and are particularly useful ‘the 

morning after.’ 

Peter Harvey, MSA GB national vice chairman, 

commented: “These are a quality product. They arrive 

well packaged, with the required batteries, five 

mouthpieces and full instructions. They are very easy to 

use, with a simple menu, and can be adjusted to suit the 

country you are in depending on the legal limit there. 

Once set up, the breathalyser gives a very clear reading 

in traffic light colours, making it easy to follow. 

“Green, as you would expect, tells you you are okay to 

drive. Amber advises you that alcohol is present but you 

are below the limit you entered at set up – though it is so 

important to check what the limit is in the country you 

use it. Red is pretty self-explanatory – Don’t drive. 

“The set is very compact, about the same size as a 

mobile phone but a little deeper. It is ideal for eliminating 

any concerns you may have the morning after – or for 

your pupils.” 

The Excel model costs around £100 and can be viewed: 

https://alcosense.co.uk/alcosense.html. 

But we’ve negotiated a special discount on the entire 

AlcoSense range (except single-use disposables) of 10 

per cent for members IF BOUGHT THROUGH THE MSA 

GB WEBSITE – from the entry-level Lite 2 (£44.99) to 

the top-of-the-range Ultra (£249.00), with other 

options available. Go to 

https://msagb.com/members/member-discounts/ 

to secure your member discount. 



New membership service: Find My Local 

MSA GB Instructor directory launched 

Cut through the competition 

by advertising your skills on 

MSA GB’s own ADI directory 

With the DVSA (https://tinyurl.com/ 

4b3t9a9e) reporting a 24 per cent increase in 

the number of new driving instructor 

registrations in 2022/2023, compared to 

2020/2021, our industry is set to become 

even more competitive as driving instructors 

do battle to gain the attention of those 

wanting to learn to drive. 

To help MSA GB members cut through the 

industry noise and raise their profile, we’re 

delighted to announce the launch of our 

online ‘Find My Local MSA GB Instructor’ 

directory, which will be proudly displayed on 

the MSA GB home page and on the MSA GB 

App. 

Once live, this new directory will be easily 

accessible by the public, who can use our 

simple search engine to source a driving 

instructor in their local area, who suits their 

learning needs. 

For MSA GB members it couldn’t be simpler 

to input your details and make sure you stand 

out from the crowd. We’ve included several 

opportunities for you to highlight any special 

skills or teaching experience that you may 

have, for example teaching pupils with 

disabilities or those who are particularly 

anxious drivers. 

To upload your profile onto the MSA GB 

directory, all you need to do is: 

n Log into the Member Area 

n Look to the left of the page and scroll 

down until you see three blue arrow tabs. 

n Click on the tab - ‘Add Directory listing’ 

n You will then be taken to the following 

page: 

n Input your details and upload your photo 

(adding your photo is optional) 

n Once you’ve inputted all your details, 

check that all your information is correct 

n Tick the box if you agree to share your 

details on the website. Please note if you do 

not tick the box your details will not appear 

on the on the Find My Local MSA GB 

Instructor directory. 

n Click submit – and your done! 

This is just one of the many fantastic 

benefits that MSA GB members get to enjoy 

with their membership, which also includes: 

n PI & PL Insurance cover totalling £10 

million. 

n Legal & Technical Advice 

n Member Representation 

n Access to a wealth of exclusive 

information and downloadable resources 

n Member Discounts 

n Our monthly digital industry magazine 

- Newslink 

n Comprehensive driving school cover. 

We hope registering is a straightforward 

process, but if you need any assistance, or 

have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact 

our membership team on info@msagb.com 

or 01787 221 020 


ADI groups and associations 

MSA GB is proud of its long-standing links with many local ADI 

groups around the country. Many are small, dedicated to driver 

training in one city, town or even focused on a sole DTC, but all 

work tirelessly to improve the work of being an ADI. This can 

be in representing ADIs’ interests and views to your DVSA area 

manager, offering an ADI’s voice to local authorities and town 

planners, or by simply providing a network within which ADIs can 

find help and advice from their fellow instructors. After all, for 


many ADIs working as sole traders, being a driving instructor can 

be a lonely task: local ADI groups help stop it feeling quite so much 

that it’s ‘you against the world.’ 

In every issue of Newslink will be publishing a list of local ADI 

groups and associations. We will only publish those groups who let 

us know they are happy to be included in our list, so if you would 

like to see your details here, please contact Peter Harvey at 

peter.harveymbe@msagb.com 

Aberdeen and District Driving Schools 

Association 

Secretary: Derek Young 

T: 07732 379396 

E: derekyoungcreel@aol.com 

Meets quarterly February (AGM), May, 

August and November. 

Cost £35 per annum 

Angus Driving Instructors Association 

Secretary: Frances Matthew 

T: 07703 664522 

E; francesmatthew@hotmail.co.uk 

This group holds six meeting per year 

(usually one week after the Scottish 

committee meeting) 

Cost £20 per year. 

Aylesbury Vale Driving Instructors 

Association 

Chairman: Sue Pusey 

T: 07780 606868 

E: AVDIA@btinternet.com 

Meetings are first Wednesday of every 

month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 

Camborne Avenue, Aylesbury, HP21 7UE. 

7.30pm start. 

Guest speaker every other month, 

refreshments provided. 

Annual fee £30. First meeting free as try 

before you buy. 

Birmingham Approved Driving Instructors 

Contact: Dave Allen 

T: 07939 627493 

E: Daveallen1999@googlemail.com 

Cornwall Association of Approved Driving 

Instructors (CAADI) 

Secretary: Rachael Lloyd-Phillips 

E: rachael@oneandallsom.co.uk 

This group meets via Zoom on the 3rd 

Monday every other month at 7.30pm. 

City of Dunfermline and District ADIs 

Secretary: Gail Pilch 

T: 07817 661450 

E: dunfermlineadisecretary@outlook.com 

Meetings are bi-monthly, at 

Dunfermline Northern Bowling Club, Dewar 

Street, 

Dunfermline KY12 8AD 

Glasgow & District Driving Instructors 

Association 

Contact: Bryan Phillips 

T: 07989 339 646 

E: bryan.phillips@hotmail.co.uk 

Meet on the last Sunday of the month, 

once every quarter, at 

The Fort Theatre, Kenmuir Ave, 

Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, G64 2DW. 

Joining fee: £15 per year 

Hinckley & District Driver Trainers 

Association (HDDTA) 

Chairman: Barrie Pates 

T: 07914 408 739 

E: haddta@yahoo.com 

Hull and East Riding Driving Instructors 

(HERDI) 

Contact: Andrew 

T: 07754542993 

E: herdi.rsa@gmail.com 

Lanark Driving Instructors 

Secretary: Sandra Smillie 

T: 07975 147150 

Meet quarterly from March which is our 

AGM 

South Warwickshire Association 

of ADIs (SWAADI) 

Contact: Andy Thomas 

T: 01926 717230 / 07900 673634 

E: artommo@hotmail.com 

We meet at 8.30pm every third Monday of 

the month except August and December 

(no meetings) at The Windmill Inn, 

Tachbrook Rd, Leamington Spa CV31 3DD, 

Rolls and snacks are available for a small 

charge and membership is £25 a year and 

includes a monthly newsletter and addition 

to a WhatsApp group for local issues/ 

traffic updates, etc. 

Swindon Driving Instructors Association 

(Swindon DIA) 

Contact: Sandra Jill Richens 

T: 07795 006015 

E: SJRichens@btinternet.com 

Taunton Association Driving Instructors 

See Facebook page – search ‘Taunton ADI 

& PDI Forum’ 

Wirral Association of Professional Driving 

Instructors (APDI) 

Chairman: Brian Murray 

T: 07810 094332 

Secretary: Richard Gillmore 

T: 07790 193138 

E: wirral-apdi@hotmail.co.uk 

W: wirralinstructors.co.uk 

Meet monthly on the first Thursday of the 

month (except January and August) 

at Heswall FC, Brimstage Road, Heswall, 

Wirral CH60 1XG 

Further information and to join, please visit 

the website. 

Why join a local association? 

Local news, local input – a local voice... 

If you want to see your local ADI group listed in this index, 

contact Peter Harvey on peter.harveymbe@msagb.com 


Area News 

Love your motors? 

Leonardo da Vinci may 

have been their dad 

Janet 

Stewart 

London & the 

South East 

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci had ideas 

about helicopters. That is the big thing that 

everyone knows about him, in addition to 

his quality frescos and paintings. 

But cars? Yes, indeed, he had a few light 

bulb moments for cars, as well as musical 

instruments, a mechanical knight, 

hydraulic pumps, reversible crank 

mechanisms, finned mortar shells and a 

steam cannon. 

Leo’s car is not a car as we know it but 

more a sort of self-propelling cart. The 

machine was powered by two symmetrical 

springs and had a balance wheel to ensure 

a smooth motion. There was something 

similar to a differential to accommodate 

comfortable cornering and the cart could 

be made to follow a programmed path. 

There is a replica in the Clos Lucé near 

Château d’Amboise. Of course, it works! 

Now, it just so happens that I had a 

friend whose sister was married to the 

owner of the Filching Manor Motor 

museum in Sussex, and a very special car 

was brought to Amersham (just up the 

road from me) for an event. 

The car was an 1896 German model 

made by Benz and I wonder if I might have 

been more comfortable on da Vinci’s 

self-propelling cart, of approximately 400 

years earlier. 

I was privileged to ride through town in it. 

I say “privileged” but I could not wait for it 

to be over – it was just about the most 

uncomfortable thing I have ever sat in/on. 

NO suspension, solid tyres, and part of 

Amersham High Street is cobbled! 

It was only another 12 years until the 

next big thing – the Model T Ford - which 

you could have in any colour as long as it 

was black. By the 1930s motoring had 

become quite popular and the world 

became familiar with the internal 

combustion engine. And there it stayed for 

quite a long time; milk floats were the only 

things on the road that were electric, and 

maybe that should have struck people as 

odd or made them wonder why the rest of 

the road traffic wasn’t electric. 

In 1974 we saw the arrival of the Aston 

Martin Lagonda – very smart indeed! By 

this time the motor car was definitely a 

fashion accessory. Who could forget the 

excitement about the Ford Capri and the 

Jensen Interceptor? And now we have cars 

such as the Lexus with more bells and 

whistles than you can shake a stick at. 

There were experiments with LPG which 

seem to have come to nothing and, of 

course, the big questions now are about 

electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. 

I won’t bang on about it but I look 

forward to getting into my first self-driving 

pod (which I hope will also fly) if I live long 

enough. And, yes, I did choose Lagonda 

and Lexus because I like the alliteration. 

Contact: Janet Stewart, 

MSA GB London & the South 

janetslittlecar@btinternet. 

com 

Tel 07989 852274. 

Janet Stewart is an Executive 

Member of the Institute of 

Master Tutors of Driving 

Leonardo’s self-propelling cart. More comfortable, 

possibly, than the Mercedes-Benz (the yellow AM 11) 

on display. Below, a more sophisticated vehicle, the 

Aston Martin Lagonda. 



Experienced professional to 

lead safeguarding course 

Paul Harmes 

MSA GB Area 2 Deputy Chairman 

MSA GB Area 2 (East Coast) is hosting a 

safeguarding training event on April 4. 

To be run online, it will start at 10am and 

run until 3pm, with a break in the middle at a 

suitable time for lunch. 

The discounted cost to MSA members is 

£45 and to non-members £70. 

All participants will receive a safeguarding 

certificate for completing Level 1 and a work 

booklet. The course counts as CPD, too. 

Safeguarding is how we can protect 

children, young people and vulnerable adults 

from abuse or neglect by the actions, or lack 

of actions, of another person. In order to 

safeguard and protect persons from abuse or 

neglect, we need to learn how to identify 

vulnerable individuals and take necessary 

steps to stop abuse and neglect. 

This qualification is suitable for all persons 

and will provide an understanding of 

safeguarding which can be used in a 

workplace, activity group or any instance 

where a person comes into contact with 

children or adults at risk. 

The qualification provides learners with the 

knowledge to identify a safeguarding 

concern, record a disclosure and report to the 

appropriate person. 

TO ENROL 

Click here to enrol 

on the course 

When you enrol we will need your full name 

and email address to send you the joining link, 

which will be sent nearer the event. 

About our course leader 

The course will be lead by Neil Wightma. 

Neil is a driving mentor who is dedicated to 

helping individuals achieve their full potential. 

As an ORDIT (Official Register of Driving 

Instructor Training) registered instructor 

trainer, Neil is recognised for his expertise 

and qualifications in training driving 

instructors. 

Furthermore, Neil is a safeguarding 

instructor, which indicates his commitment 

to ensuring the safety and well-being of his 

students. 

Safeguarding instructors play a crucial role 

in educating driving instructors about child 

protection, vulnerable adult safeguarding, and 

other related topics. 

Neil takes pride in his work and is 

passionate about assisting others in reaching 

their highest potential. 

Hope to see you there. 

ADI training to teach pupils with Special Needs 

6 Hour Courses, Online One-To-One Training for Driving Instructors 

From communication problems to behavioural difficulties, these courses are designed to help you as 

a driving instructor. Learn to support all your pupils, in your car, all the way to test! 

Courses available: 

n Introduction to Neurodiversity in Your Car 

n Introduction to the Autistic Spectrum 

n Introduction to ADHD 

n Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia 

and Irlen’s Syndrome 

n Anxiety and Confidence Building 

in Lessons 

n Anxiety and the Driving Test 

n Communication and Special Needs 

n Setting and Achieving Goals with 

Neurodiverse People 

n Sensory Sensitivity and Related Issues 

n Neurodiversity and the Driving Test 

n Improving Low Self-Esteem 

n Challenging Situations and Special Needs 

Learn all about a subject in SIX hours! No matter where you are, you can learn 

online, with live one-to-one training delivered by Julia Malkin through Messenger 

or WhatsApp, with hours to suit you. 

£200 for 6 hours of live, one-to-one training in your chosen subject – a small 

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Delivered by Dr Julia S. A. Malkin, MBE 

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Contact Julia for further details and to book via 07761 064 694 or julia.mbe2011@gmail.com 


Area News 

ADIs, 1950s/60s style – and not 

a headerboard in sight 

John Lomas 

MSA GB 

West Coast 

& Wales 

1 

Old School? (Photo 1) 

I found this photo on Facebook and a 

poster suggested it might be Swindon – on 

Victoria Road to be precise. The pointed L 

Plates appear to pre-date 1970 (ADI 

Compulsory Registration) – in fact the 

registrations suggest late ‘50s/ early ‘60s 

but I don’t know how frequently instructors 

changed their cars back then. 

I have confirmed the RAC Reg suggestion 

(see photo 2). This was a scheme run by the 

Royal Automoblie Club to approve some 

driving instructors and I believe it was in 

operation at a similar date to the Motor 

Schools Association of Great Britain’s own 

registration scheme, which I covered during 

the series I wrote to coincide with the MSA 

GB’s and the Driving Test Diamond 

Anniversary Year. 

Odd Sign (photo 3) 

I seem to be collecting these odd signs. 

This month’s contribution, again from 

Facebook, is/was in Dorset. I haven’t found it 

on Streetview but it is surely somewhere 

near the Red marker on the Google Map’s 

view (photo 4). The reason why it was 

brought to the attention of the poster were 

the mileages quoted: who ever needed a 

mileage chart in half miles? 

The person posting it wondered why it was 

so pedantic. Other than, possibly, the 

Ringwood distance, it would surely do no 

harm to have whole mile distances? 

By the way, that’s not a decimal point 

before Winchester’s distance; it is actually 

the result of a stone or air rifle pellet impact 

(and it did remind me of the story in 

Newslink’s August issue on the shot-up 

roadsigns of Crete). 

M6 Visibility v Speed 

In February’s issue, Janet Stewart 

mentioned driving back from Scotland on a 

beautiful moonlit night, sticking to 70mph but 

asking herself, on an empty road, why? 

2 

3 

I did that once in the Lune Valley, just 

south of Tebay services. It was a beautiful 

clear night, nice moon, at least seven or eight 

street lights visible, but barely 100ft visibility 

at ground level because of low-lying fog. 

Fog or mist can form in dips around rivers 

– which is what had happened in this case. 

You won’t be surprised to learn that other 

cars were just belting past me. 

It’s not the first time I’ve seen those 

conditions. I have even been overtaken in fog 

by ‘Battenbergs’. Even on clear nights watch 

out for mist/fog near rivers. 

Drivers’ eyesight 

Again from February’s issue, the story 

about a campaign in Scotland to get older 

drivers to have regular eyesight checks 

caught my attention. When I was teaching I 

4 

usually found that spectacle wearers were 

much more aware of deterioration in their 

sight than non-glasses users; I include 

contact wearers in this as well. 

I assume that the devolved transport 



6 

5 

powers held by the Scottish Government do 

not include changing the regs around 

eyesight – though as the article basically was 

saying ‘check your sight’, perhaps it’s not a 

case of needing new regulations, just proper 

application of existing ones. 

As an aside, the DVLA sent me an eyesight 

reminder in my latest car tax notification. 

Visible through the window after removal of 

the letter was the advice panel shown in 

Photo 5. Nice touch, that. 

Another envelope recently received had 

the message “Is your address correct? If not, 

please notify us” 

Only problem, of course, is that if it hadn’t 

been correct, I wouldn’t have received it in the 

first place. 

Driving offences while NOT driving 

I am sure you are aware that it is possible to 

be arrested for being in or close to your car 

while ‘under the Influence’ if you are in 

possession of the keys. It would then be your 

responsibility to PROVE you had no intention 

of actually driving. Many people have, over 

the years, fallen foul of this aspect 

of the law. 

But it got me wondering about 

underage or unlicensed family members 

being asked to get stuff from a car which is 

parked on the road outside your house or 

nearby. 

What would their defence look like if a local 

PC happened to be passing at just that time, 

spotted the clearly underage youngster with 

car keys entering a car? Would he/she 

suspect them of being about to drive? Would 

they have to prove, as in the case of the 

drink-(non)driver, that they had no intention 

of driving? 

Has anyone had experience of just such a 

scenario? 

Would the ADI Registrar consider that 

sending such a person to fetch something 

from the car constitutes an offence worthy of 

consideration with reference to your ADI 

status? 

Sat Nav followers, regardless! 

We have all heard about people who follow 

the SatNav regardless of the obvious signals 

not to do so, such as No Entry signs, Weight 

and/or Height warning signs, etc, even to the 

extent of getting physically jammed at 

narrow spots or low bridges. 

I do hope that those very same people 

don’t purchase a Toyota bZ4X, as being 

advertised at the moment. 

The advert clearly implies that it can be 

driven along a river and then down a vertical 

waterfall! 

A screen grab of the waterfall can be found 

at photo 6 above. 

CONTACT 

John St C Lomas, West Coast 

& Wales MSA GB 

Tel 07796 091767 

johnstardriving@hotmail.com 

bristoljackaroo@gmail.com 

Regulator launches investigation as National Highways misses targets 

An investigation has been launched into 

National Highways because its 

“performance has dipped in a number of 

areas”, a regulator has announced. 

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it is 

conducting the inquiry because potential 

risks it identified in a report in July 2023 

have “materialised”, relating to issues such 

as the delivery of major schemes and 

management of assets. 

National Highways runs motorways and 

major A roads in England. 

Targets relating to issues such as delays, 

efficiency, roadworks, user satisfaction and 

safety are all unlikely to be met. 

The regulator is also concerned about the 

delivery of projects in the second road 

investment strategy (RIS2), which runs from 

2020 to 2025 and includes schemes such as 

the A303 Stonehenge tunnel and the Lower 

Thames Crossing which have been delayed. 

ORR director of planning and performance 

Feras Alshaker said: “National Highways has 

generally delivered well for road users, but in 

recent months we have become concerned 

that its performance has dipped in a number 

of areas and issues are recurring. 

“We are opening an investigation now to 

help ORR and National Highways achieve a 

common understanding of what is causing 

the current dip in performance. 

Steve Gooding of the RAC Foundation, 

said: “Drivers up and down the country will 

have experienced roadworks on the major 

routes run by National Highways, and in one 

sense that’s a good sign: we can all see 

money is being spent on this vital network 

which the country relies on. 

“However, as motorists get caught up in 

the disruption they will want reassurance 

that the works are being carried out as 

quickly and cost-effectively as possible. 

“The promise of great journeys tomorrow 

should not come at an unacceptable cost for 

drivers today.” 


Area News 

Get your macks out, it doesn’t 

look like it will ever stop raining 

Arthur Mynott 

MSA GB 

West Coast & Wales 

This month I thought I would talk about 

something different to driver instruction, but 

in a way it does affect our industry to a 

certain extent, and that is the weather. 

I’m sat here writing this in the second half 

of February looking at the rain pouring down 

outside. It’s been raining for most days here 

in the West Country since the beginning of 

last October and I’m starting to wonder when 

it will begin to dry up. 

My local golf course has been shut for a lot 

of that time and I’m seriously thinking I’m 

beginning to suffer from withdrawal 

symptoms! I suppose in a way that we are 

paying for the long hot dry spell we had last 

summer. 

There has been quite a few roads closed 

around here at various times because of 

flooding and one road in particular, the A361, 

has been closed by way of floodgates a few 

times already this winter. These were 

installed after severe flooding in 2014. I 

remember this well and you probably all saw 

the videos on the news programmes, 

especially the ones showing the then Prince 

Charles visiting the village of Muchelney in a 

boat! 

By Easter Monday that year the floods had 

receded and Marie and I went for a drive to 

see how things were improving. We first went 

through Langport (there is a clue in the name 

because it used to be a port before the land 

was drained!) to Muchelney along the same 

road that Prince Charles floated down in a 

boat and that was fine and the village hadn’t 

flooded at all, it was just the roads in and out 

of it that had flooded. 

We then travelled to Bridgwater through 

the village of Moorland (again the clue is in 

the name, ‘Moor’land) and almost the entire 

village was affected. There were carpets 

hanging out of the windows drying, ruined 

furniture and electrical goods stacked up in 

the gardens, and some occupants were living 

Photo Somerset Gazette 

in caravans on their driveways. It was a very 

sorry sight and we really felt for them. 

There were a lot of questions asked as to 

why it was so bad that year as it never used 

to flood like that, even when there was a lot 

of rain in other years. The main reason was 

that the regular dredging of the rhynes (a 

local name for drainage channels) had not 

been carried out on a regular basis since the 

Environment Agency took over the 

responsibility in 1990. Prior to that it was 

overseen by local agencies who saw that the 

rhynes were dredged when necessary, this 

also included dredging the rivers flowing 

through the area in to which the water was 

pumped by several pumping stations. 

Before becoming a driving instructor I 

worked as a herdsman on a farm which 

backed on to one of the moors. The cows 

used to graze the fields in the moor in the 

summer months but were moved back 

The sodden 

village of 

Muchelney 

back in 2014. 

Increased 

periods of 

heavy rain 

have made 

flooding a 

more common 

occurence in 

some parts of 

the country, 

to devastating 

effect 

nearer the farm before winter. If a 

lot of rain was forecast the 

aforementioned pumps were 

turned on to lower the water level 

in anticipation so the area did not 

flood. It just goes to show the 

advantage of things being 

controlled on a local level rather 

than in some head office over a 

hundred miles away! 

I hope you liked this article, and 

it makes a change from reading 

about test waiting times, 

Standards Checks, the DVSA, etc, and the 

weather does affect our work to a certain 

extent. 

On another note, please let me know of 

any meetings you would be interested in 

attending in your area or any speakers you 

would like, this could be face to face meetings 

or video ones. We are here for you and your 

input is valuable to us 

Looking forward to seeing many of you 

later this month in Telford and hope that the 

sun will shine when playing golf the day 

before (Friday, 22nd March) with The Driving 

Instructors Golf Association at the Wrekin 

Golf Club. 

Contact: 

Arthur Mynott, 

MSA GB West Coast & Wales Chairman 

arthur.mynott@yahoo.com 

Tel 07989 852274. 



Plenty of lessons to be learned 

at South East meeting 

Bob Page 

MSA GB London 

& South East 

Bob Page 

The latest meeting for MSA GB members and 

ADIs in the South East – again organised by 

Terry Cummins – took place at St Peter and 

Paul’s Church in Hastings. 

The first speaker was a well-known figure 

to MSA GB, Alan Hiscox from the British 

Horse Society. He highlighted figures on 

horse and rider deaths, which are still far too 

high, and emphasised the need for more 

awareness on how we share our roads safely. 

He also highlighted the need for wider 

publicity to get these messages out to the 

public, which is something the whole road 

safety industry could benefit from. 

It was mentioned that not all riders follow 

guidelines and BHS is committed to educating 

all road users. If you haven’t seen it before, 

check out the BHS website at https://www. 

bhs.org.uk 

Next up was Jo Chapman from drink/drive 

awareness organisation Aspire. This is a 

family business operating nationwide to 

educate those who have broken the rules. 

Successful attendees can receive up to a 25 

per cent reduction on their driving ban, but 

this is not automatic. The course covers all 

aspects of alcohol use and we all heard some 

enlightening facts we can pass on to our 

pupils. One drink is not one unit! 

For more information contact 

jo@aspirecourses.co.uk. 

Laurence Brand of Hastings DTC had 

information about our new test site as the 

current one is pretty much condemned. We 

are moving to the Hastings Centre on the 4th 

March and although details are not confirmed 

he is expecting six bays and some signage. 

No doubt some co-operation from 

instructors will be needed, and I will post 

again when we have all the details. 

Alan Hiscox from the British Horse Society 

Some welcome refreshments were taken, 

thanks to the committee, before London & 

the South East Chair Tom Kwok took to the 

floor to speak on lesson planning. I could go 

over some of the details but instead I will 

simply say I would thoroughly recommend 

attending one of Tom’s presentations. They 

are always lively and enlightening with lots of 

Q&A as well as thought-provoking on 

subjects we all thought we knew all about. 

Thanks to those who attended and 

hopefully see you at the next one. 

All action from Tom Kwok 

Jo Chapman 


Members’ discounts 

Members’ discounts and benefits 

MSA GB has organised a number of exclusive discounts and offers for members. More details can be found on our website at www.msagb.com 

and click on the Member Discounts logo. To access these benefits, simply log in and click on the Member discount logo, then click the link at the 

bottom of the page to allow you to obtain your special discounts. 

Please note, non-members will be required to join the association first. Terms and conditions apply 

Access to a replacement dual 

control car after a crash 

EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR MSA GB MEMBERS 

MSA GB has partnered with AI Insurance Solutions Limited to provide members with a 

replacement dual controlled car when things don’t quite go to plan. 

If you lose your dual-controlled tuition car in a crash, MSA GB’s new partnership with AI 

Insurance Solutions Ltd will have you back on the road and teaching in no time. 

Our exclusive agreement with AI Solutions Ltd will supply a replacement vehicle to you 

should the need arise – at no cost. Contact The AI Insurance Solutions Emergency (AIIS) 

assistance line on 01945 425211 for more details, or see pg 26. 

Ford updates special 

members’ offer 

Ford has partnered with MSA GB to offer exclusive 

discounts on all car and commercial Ford vehicles. 

Take a look at the Ford website www.ford.co.uk 

for vehicle and specification information. See the 

Members’ Benefits page on the MSA GB website 

and follow the Ford link for more details.. 

Please note these discounts are only available to 

MSA GB members and their immediate family if they 

are members who pay annually. 

ACCOUNTANCY 

MSA GB’s Recommended 

Accountancy Service, FBTC 

offers a specialist service for 

ADIs. It has been established 

over 20 years ago and covers the 

whole of the UK. The team takes pride in 

providing unlimited advice and support to ensure 

the completion of your tax return is hassle free, 

giving you peace of mind. 

MSA GB OFFER:: FBTC will prepare you for 

Making Tax Digital and will be providing HMRC 

compliant software to all clients very soon. 

Join now to receive three months free. 

ADVANCE DRIVING 

AND RIDING 

As the UK’s largest road safety 

charity, IAM RoadSmart is 

proud to partner with the 

Motor Schools Association 

GB. Working together to promote and 

enhance motorists skills on our roads. 

MSA GB OFFER:: Get 10% off Advanced courses; 

visit www.iamroadsmart.com/course and 

use the code MSA10 at the checkout or call 

0300 303 1134 to book. 

BREATHALYSER KITS 

Protect yourself and your pupils with a 

personal breathalyser. We’ve teamed up with 

AlcoSense, the award-winning range of 

personal breathalysers, to offer an exclusive 

discount to all MSA GB members. A personal 

breathalyser takes the guesswork out of 

whether there’s residual alcohol in your 

system (or that of your learner driver pupil) 

the morning after the night before. 

MSA GB OFFER:: 10% off any AlcoSense product 

(excluding single-use disposables) – from the 

entry-level Lite 2 (£44.99) to the top-ofthe-range 

Ultra (£249.00). 

CAR AIR FRESHENERS / CANDLES 

Mandles’ handmade scented collections use 

quality ingredients to ensure superior scent 

throw from all its candles and 

diffusers. Check our our website 

for further details. 

MSA GB OFFER:: Special discount 

of 20% on all car air fresheners 

and refills. 

CARD PAYMENTS 

MSA GB and SumUp believe 

in supporting motor vehicle 

trainers of all shapes and sizes. 

Together we are on a mission to 

ease the operational workload of 

our members by providing them with the ability 

to take card payments on-the-go or in their 

respective training centres. SumUp readers 

are durable and user-friendly. Their paperless 

onboarding is quick and efficient. Moreover, 

their offer comes with no monthly subscription, 

no contractual agreement, no support fees, 

no hidden fees – just the one-off cost for the 

reader coupled with lowest on the market 

transaction fee. 

DISABILITY AIDS 

Driving shouldn’t just be a 

privilege for people without 

disabilities; it should be 

accessible for all and there’s never been an easier 

time to make this the case! MSA GB members 

can take advantage of BAS’s Driving Instructor 

Packages which include a range of adaptations at 

a discounted price, suitable for teaching disabled 

learner drivers. 

MSA GB OFFER:: Special Driving Instructor 

Packages for MSA GB members. 

FUEL CARDS 

Save up to 10p per litre of fuel with Fuel Card 

Services. Fuel Card Services offers a large 

choice of networks from leading brands, such 

as BP, Shell, Esso and UK Fuels so you can 

decide which networks you wish to include on 

your business account. 

MSA GB OFFER:: An MSA GB fuel card will save 

you up to 10p per litre. 

HEALTH / FINANCE COVER 

The Motor Schools Association of Great 

Britain has agreed with HMCA to 

offer discounted rates for medical 

plans, dental plan, hospital cash 

plans, personal accident plan, 

travel plan, income protection 

and vehicle breakdown products. 

MSA GB OFFER:: HMCA only offer 

medical plans to membership groups 

and can offer up to a 40% discount off the 

underwriter’s standard rates. This is a 

comprehensive plan which provides generous 

cash benefits for surgery and other charges. 

To get the full story of the 

discounts available, see 

www.msagb.com 



PUPIL INSURANCE 

Join the Collingwood 

Instructor Programme and 

refer your pupils for learner 

insurance. 

MSA GB OFFER:: MSA GB OFFER:: £50 for 

your first referral and £20 for all additional 

referrals. 

PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING 

Confident Drivers has the only 

website created especially for 

drivers offering eight different 

psychological techniques 

commonly used to reduce stress and nerves. 

MSA GB OFFER:: One month free on a monthly 

subscription plan using coupon code. 

PUPIL SOURCING 

Go Roadie provides students 

when they need them, with all 

the details you need before you 

accept. Control your own pricing, 

discounts and set your availability 

to suit you. Full diary? No cost! 

MSA GB OFFER:: Introductory offer of 50% off 

the first three students they accept. 

QUICKBOOKS 

50% Discount on two 

packages for MSA GB 

members 

Quickbooks is offering an online 

50% discount for MSA GB members on two of 

their premium accounting packages. 

Essentials Package For small businesses 

working with suppliers. Manage VAT and 

Income Tax with up to three users. 

Plus For businesses managing projects, 

stock, VAT, and Income Tax. Up to five users. 

The packages are contract-free throughout 

with no cancellation fee. This exclusive 

member offer can only be secured by 

contacting our MSA GB representative at 

Quickbooks - Ollie Nobes, on: 07723 507 026 

or email: Ollie_Nobes@intuit.com quoting: 

**MSAGB** 

To get the full story of the 

discounts available, see 

www.msagb.com 

Membership offer 

Welcome, new ADIs 

We’ve a special introductory offer for you! 

Congratulations on passing your 

Part 3 and becoming an ADI. 

There’s an exciting career 

open to you from today, 

one that’s alive with 

possibilities as you build 

your skills, your client base 

and your income. 

But for all the excitement, 

it can also be challenging; 

who can you turn to if you’re 

struggling to get over key driver 

training issues to a pupil? Where can 

you go to soak up advice from more 

experienced ADIs? Who will help you if you 

are caught up in a dispute with the DVSA? If 

the worst happens, who can you turn to for 

help, advice and to fight your corner? 

The answer is the Motor Schools 

Association of Great Britain – MSA GB for 

short. 

We are the most senior association 

representing driving instructors in Great 

Britain. Establised in 1935 when the first 

driving test was introduced, MSA GB has 

been working tirelessly ever since on 

behalf of ordinary rank and file ADIs. 

We represent your interests and your 

views in the corridors of power, holding 

regular meetings with senior officials 

from the DVSA and the Department for 

Transport to make sure the ADIs’ voice is 

heard. 

SPECIAL OFFER 

Join MSA GB today! 

SPECIAL OFFER: Join for just £60 with your 

PI & PL insurance included immediately! 

No joining fee - saving you £25 

Call 01787 221020 quoting discount code 

Newslink, or join online at www.msagb.com 

We’d like you to 

join us 

We’re there to support you 

every step of the way. 

Our office-based staff are 

there, five days a week, 

from 9am-5pm, ready to 

answer your call and help 

you in any way. 

In addition our network of 

experienced office holders and 

regional officers can offer advice over 

the phone or by email. 

But membership of the MSA GB doesn’t 

just mean we’re there for you if you’re 

in trouble. We also offer a nationwide 

network of regular meetings, seminars and 

training events, an Annual Conference, and 

a chance to participate in MSA GB affairs 

through our democratic structure 

In addition, you’ll get a free link to our 

membership magazine Newslink every 

month, with all the latest news, views, 

comment and advice you’ll need to become 

a successful driving instructor. 

You’ll also automatically receive 

professional indemnity insurance worth up 

to £5m and £10m public liability insurance 

free of charge. 

This is essential legal protection covering 

you against legal claims ariving from your 

tuition.

Newslink March 2024

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