Newslink April 2025

msagb.com

Newslink

The Voice of MSA GB

Issue 387 • April 2025

ADIs left counting

the cost of UK’s

pothole epidemic

Will government funding

bring end to the misery?

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ADIs left to count the

financial and personal

cost of potholes

Colin Lilly

Editor,

Newslink

IT IS important to everyone that they are

provided with a safe, healthy and stress-free

workplace.

In the case of driver trainers, we select our

vehicles on the basis that they are not only fit

for training purposes but economic ones too,

and they are dependable and strong enough

to withstand life’s knocks.

We also have to consider the vehicle’s

suitability not only as a classroom but as a

relaxation space and office.

We can control all those factors with the

choices we make, but the one factor we are

unable to control is the condition of the roads

on which we travel. The appalling state of our

roads currently was recently highlighted by

the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) when it

issued its Annual Local Authority Road

Maintenance survey, appropriately

abbreviated to AIA ALARM survey.

The value of the road network is estimated

to be £400 billion but less than 1% of this is

spent on their maintenance. The average

budget allocated by local authorities is £26

million, an average shortfall of £7.4 million.

It is estimated that the network requires a

one-off expenditure of £16.8 billion but this

would take 12 years to complete. In fact, 52%

of local roads are reported to have fewer than

15 years life left. On average, local authority

roads are fully maintained every 93 years.

Many of our roads were built to reflect the

vehicles and traffic density at the time. All

those parameters have changed, however. In

many cases the underlying structure and

foundations are on the verge of collapsing. At

one time a pothole on a motorway was big

news but now it is a regular sight.

All of this takes a toll on our vehicles and

our own personal welfare. The additional

costs of tyre and vehicle repairs have to be

reflected in lesson prices.

Road safety factors are rarely considered in

the pothole story, but some drivers find

themselves swerving to avoid potholes,

irrespective of the movement of other road

users around them. Often avoiding a pothole

will only direct the driver into another.

Bumpy roads do not lead to a relaxing

journey. Our bodies’ response to travelling

over bumps increases stress and fatigue.

Looking at the above figures it would

appear that without the unlikely event of

sufficient money being provided, the roads

will be in a constant state of inadequacy.

In the past government has provided

grants to local authorities with little apparent

“It is estimated that the network

requires a one-off expenditure of

£16.8 billion but this would take

12 years to complete. In fact, 52%

of local roads are reported to have

fewer than 15 years life left. On

average, local authority roads are

fully maintained every 93 years...”

improvement, but after a funding boost from

central government they now must confirm

how many potholes have been repaired as a

result of funding.

Road condition is not the only problem;

road markings are in a similar state of

deterioration. Bristol City Council has

admitted that some of the lines in its

jurisdiction are now at a point where they are

dangerous, such as Give Way markings. They

have created a fund of £200k but this will

only deal with the worst locations.

It is bad enough for drivers familiar with

local roads but what hope for a new driver?

Pothole funding boost: See page 14

Welcome to your

digital, interactive

Newslink

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

COVER STORY

Pothole woe

With approximately

£17 billion needed to

fix Britain’s roads, the

government has

pledged an extra £1.6

billion of funding. But

will it even touch the

sides of the problem?

Page 14

Follow the link

MSA GB sends

you to access

Newslink,

and then just

click Download

(circled above)

to save a copy

on your device

Newslink

The Voice of MSA GB

Issue 387 • April 2025

ADIs left counting

the cost of UK’s

pothole epidemic

Will government funding

bring end to the misery?

We work for a l Driver Trainers. Want to join? SAVE £30 – see pg 39 for special offer

msagb.com

NEWSLINK n APRIL 2025 03

Contents

22

10

PM taken to task as L-test

waiting times hit new high

Prime Minister Keir Starmer heard

first-hand how tough it is to find an L-test

during a phone-in, as the waiting times hit

a record 21 weeks – page 6

DVSA extends cancellation period

to end wasted tests

The first part of the DVSA’s seven-point

plan comes into fruition as the free L-test

cancellation period is stretched out to 10

days – page 8

Driving for all as MSA GB signs

new partnership

Training charity Driving Mobility is to team

up with MSA GB in a bid to help people with

disabilities to stay driving – page 10

Newslink

The Voice of MSA GB

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

20

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,

4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, Stockport,

Cheshire SK7 3AG

Editorial/Production: Rob Beswick

e: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk

t: 0161 426 7957

Advertising sales: Colin Regan

e: colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk

t: 01942 537959 / 07871 444922

32

All-lane running lanes linked to

deaths as cameras stop working

The AA has reiterated its call to end all-lane

running on motorways after new research

found safety systems that are meant to

prevent collisions aren’t working – page 12

Road safety updates

Potholes can now be fixed after new

funding deal agreed, concerns over car

owners ignoring safety recalls, and a call

for children to be placed front and centre in

all transport planning – pages 14-15

Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those

of the MSA GB or the publishers.

34

Ready to Pass? is having a positive

impact on learner drivers

Abigail Holland from the DVSA explains

how its Ready to Pass? campaign is

encouraging learners to think twice before

taking an L-test – page 16

Fleet training skills can rub off on

your learner drivers

They may seem like very different pupils,

but learning how to handle fleet training

can give your learner tuition an extra bit of

polish, says Steve Garrod – page 24

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.

©2025 The Motor Schools

Association of Great Britain

Ltd. Reproducing in whole

or part is forbidden without

express permission of the

editor.

04 NEWSLINK n APRIL 2025


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: 07989 852274

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

Radio phone-in challenges PM as

L-test waiting times hit new record

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer was

challenged by a caller on a Radio 5 Live

phone-in to solve the continuing crisis of

L-test waiting times, just as the AA claimed

they were now at a record high.

The PM was told by a mum from Swindon

that she could not book a driving test for her

son. She described joining a ‘virtual queue’ to

access the DVSA’s booking system, only to

find that there were no tests available by the

time she could access the website.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the

DVSA had launched its seven-point plan to

tackle waiting times at the behest of the

roads minister, Lillian Greenwood, and that he

hoped improvements would be seen soon.

But the fact remains that the waiting time

is increasing. It currently stands at 21.3

weeks, though the AA said it was 20 weeks

– and it is unlikely to reduce any time soon.

It is perhaps a bitter irony to the DVSA that

the average L-test wait has increased in the

three months since its seven-point plan was

launched.

One of the problems lies in that the

seven-point plan - while laudable – contains

a number of measure that require

consultation before implementation, and so

will not deliver any swift improvements. In

addition, plans to employ hundreds more

driving examiners will take a long time to

deliver results, such is the length of training

required.

The number of test centres with a

24-week waiting time has doubled, from 94

to 183, in the past year. Latest statistics

show the percentage of 17 to 20-year-olds in

England with a driving licence fell from 35% in

2019 to 29% in 2023.

A DVSA spokesperson said waiting times

remained high “due to an increase in demand

and low customer confidence in driving test

availability”.

“We continue to work on implementing our

seven-point plan to reduce waiting times and

encouraging learner drivers to only book

their driving test when their instructor

agrees they are ready.”

MSA GB’s Peter Harvey told Newslink that

the waiting times were distorting pupil

behaviour. “We hear too many stories from

members where new pupils have proudly

boasted they have a test booked when they

A smiling candidate on their L-test.

Photo DVSA.

Inset, Prime Minister Keir Starmer

meet for a first lesson,” he said. “Responsible

parents are asking ADIs to prepare pupils for a

test date that previously would have been

considered unthinkable.

“One member summed up this situation

best when he told me that on a new pupil’s

first lesson, their mum told him a test was

booked for 10 weeks’ time, and that if it took

30 lessons minimum to prepare a pupil for the

test ‘he can have three lessons a week

between now and then… we’ll pay for it’.

“It was pointed out that the ADI had other

pupils to consider, to which the reply was ‘do

some overtime then.’

“The ADI politely declined the offer, saying

that he would give the pupil an honest

assessment of how ready he was for an

L-test in six weeks, and asked the parents to

accompany them on that lesson.

“Hopefully, commonsense will prevail.”

The concern is that such short timescales

to learn to drive do not embed the driving

experiences new drivers need. There is no

way a pupil will be exposed to all the potential

hazards they will meet once they drive on

their own. Safe driving is directly linked to

experience.

The DVSA has implemented the first part

of its seven-point plan, increasing the notice

period required to cancel L-tests (see page

8), and is promoting its Ready to Pass

campaign (see page 16), but Peter said

stronger action was required now.

“We believe that only ADIs should be able

to book L-tests,” he said. “Only if an ADI is

prepared to state that their pupil is ready to

take their test, can the DVSA really know that

every candidate is ‘Ready to Pass’.”

DVSA staff to speak at North West meeting

Date: Monday, May 12

Venue: Preston Quaker Meeting Rooms, 189 St George’s Rd, Preston PR1 6NQ

Time: From 7pm

Cost: Members £10; Non-members £15

MSA GB’s Area 4 (West Coast) is hosting an ADI meeting on Monday, May 12 in Preston. The

guest speak will be David Mann, DVSA’s National ADI Delegated Enforcement Delivery

Manager. He will be accompanied by local driving examiners and will take part in a Q&A with

attendees. The cost to MSA GB members will be £10. Non-members can attend at a cost of

£15, though the £5 difference will be reimbursed if they join the MSA GB on the night.

To book and for payment details please contact Arthur Mynott at

arthur.mynott@msagb.com or call him on 07989 852274.


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News

Cancellation period increases as

DVSA looks to end wasted L-tests

plan

THE DVSA has activated one of the parts of

its ‘seven-point plan’ to Review reduce and driving improve the test rules

2 for booking driving tests

waiting times after it confirmed that the

short notice cancellation period for L-tests

efficiently.

without losing the test To do this, fee DVSA will would follow these be steps:

increased from three began clear on December working 18, 2024). days to

10 clear working days.

booking system.

improved rules - changing the law if necessary.

Monday to Saturday count as working

days but Sundays and public holidays do not.

being exploited.

The change will come in on Tuesday, April 8.

The increase required Introduce DVSA to tougher request terms a and

change in legislation, 3a process that was

started on March 17 when a Statutory

Instrument was laid before Parliament to

change the rules. JANUARY 2025.

While at the time of publishing Parliament

had not approved the change, it would be

drivers they are not teaching.

highly unlikely that it won’t, so it will come

into force from April 8.

learner driver later.

The DVSA is emailing If anyone everyone breaks the terms and who conditions, has DVSA a can:

n issue them with a warning notice

test booked in the coming n suspend their months account about the

n close their account.

change, but they are requesting that ADIs

talk to their pupils now to ensure they

understand. Failure 4to cancel the L-test

within 10 clear working days situations will result in the

L-test fee being lost.

This new rule only n physically applies or verbally to assault car their driving examiner

n fail to attend their driving test without telling DVSA

tests. Learner drivers will continue to need to

– and consider charging them a penalty.

give three full working days’ notice to change

will set out the full details of the potential options.

or cancel:

• theory tests

• motorcycle tests, lorry and bus driving

tests, driving instructor qualification tests

and other specialist vehicle driving tests

The DVSA said in its confirmation of the

change: “Lots of people who are not ready to

take their driving test leave it until the last

rely on, like being able to book driving tests

for your pupils when they are ready, have not

been working.

That’s why when I started this job in July, I

made it a priority for us to reduce driving test

waiting times. Getting a driving licence is a

passport to employment and opportunities

for so many young people. It’s a vital part of

our plan to increase living standards across

every part of the country.

On Wednesday, December 18, the DVSA

set out a plan to do just that. You can read the

details of its seven-point plan here.

I look forward to working with you all to

make your working life easier while you train

the next generation of drivers.

With your hard work, expertise, and

support, I know we will get the job done.

Yours faithfully,

Lilian Greenwood MP

Minister for the Future of Roads

...

it and train 450

g examiners

and train 450 driving examiners across

vertised on the Civil Service jobs

hases in:

024

d October 2024

ng to recruit and is now training

were successful during the first of these

paign. They will start doing driving tests

months.

NEWSLINK n JANUARY 2025

DVSA will review and improve the driving test booking system to make

sure that learner drivers can book their driving test easily and

n Launch a call for evidence about the current rules and processes (this

n Analyse the evidence and develop proposals to improve the rules and

n Run a consultation on the proposed improved rules. Introduce the

This work will take time to complete, and it will take some time for

learner drivers and driving instructors to see improvements. But it will

help to make the system fairer for learners and better protect them from

conditions for the service driving

instructors use to book and manage

car driving tests for their pupils

DVSA has introduced a set of tougher terms and conditions for the

service driving instructors use to book and manage driving tests for

their pupils. These new terms and conditions came into force on 6

They set out that only driving instructors or businesses who employ

driving instructors can use the service to book car driving tests.

The new terms and conditions make it clear that driving instructors

and businesses must not book driving tests on behalf of learner

They also stop driving instructors and businesses from using a

learner driver’s details to book a driving test that they have no

intention of that particular learner driver using. This is sometimes

done to create a placeholder so the test can be swapped to another

Consult on new proposals to increase

the amount of time people have to

wait to book another test in certain

DVSA will run a consultation on new proposals to increase the amount of

time people have to wait to book another test if they either:

n make multiple serious or dangerous faults during their driving test

Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able

to book another test. The consultation, which will launch at a later date,


Increase the amount of notice you

need to give to change or cancel a

test without losing the fee, to 10

clear working days

It’s currently set at three clear working days. DVSA consulted on

proposals to increase this in 2022. This change will:

n encourage people to change or cancel their test sooner if they’re

not ready

n give more chance for appointments to be used by someone else.

DVSA is working to bring in this change from spring 2025. The exact

date has not yet been confirmed. DVSA will let learner drivers and

driving instructors know when the date is confirmed.

Learner drivers will still be able to apply for a refund in cases such as

illness or bereavement.

DVSA will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car

driving tests it cancels with fewer than three clear working days’

notice while it conducts a review of its out-of-pocket expenses

process.

moment to 24-week change limit or on cancel how far it. ahead car

driving tests can be booked

“That appointment then becomes available

DVSA will explore ways of changing how far ahead car driving tests

to other

can be booked.

learner

This is currently

drivers.

set at 24 weeks.

But as it’s so close to

Any changes DVSA makes will be made so it can better understand

how many people want to take a driving test at each test centre.

the test date, it can be hard for people who

are ready to pass to make all the necessary

Encourage learner drivers to be better

arrangements

7 prepared to for use their the driving appointment.

test through

“This can the lead ‘Ready to to appointments Pass?’ campaign going

DVSA will continue to run its ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which 95%

unused, of users which rate as useful, at to a encourage time learner when drivers L-tests to take the are in

right action to prepare for their driving test.

such demand Research from DVSA is shows something that about 23% of no-one learner drivers take wants to

their first attempt at the driving test within one month of starting

see happen.

driving lessons. The campaign aims to change this behaviour, and

focuses on helping learner drivers to:

“By asking drivers to give more

n understand what skills they need to have mastered

prepare for their test by giving tips on managing nerves

notice, n take it should a realistic mock give driving test other people more

n understand what will happen during their driving test.

chance

It also

to

encourages

use the

people who

appointment.

are not ready to pass to move

This

their

will help

test back.

Reducing waiting times

to reduce driving test waiting times.”

The actions being taken will help DVSA to provide 1.95 million car

driving tests between April 2024 and March 2025 and to reduce the

From

waiting

8

time

April

to seven

2025,

weeks by December

the new

2025

deadline will

Both of these targets have been confirmed in the DVSA business

show plan on for 2024 to confirmation 2025.

of the driving test

Turn over to see what MSA GB thinks of the proposals, plus

appointment.

Refunds

You will still be able to apply for a refund if

you have to change or cancel your test at

short notice if you have:

n an illness or injury that means you

cannot take your test

n suffered a bereavement

NEWSLINK n JANUARY 2025 11

5

6

Explore changing the current

the tougher T&Cs for booking tests > > >

n to take an exam at a school or college

n had your driving licence stolen

If DVSA cancels your driving test at short

notice

DVSA will continue to pay out-of-pocket

expenses for any car driving tests it cancels

with fewer than three full working days’

notice while it conducts a review of its

out-of-pocket expenses process.

Learner drivers urged to cancel tests if they

cannot attend

DVSA is urging learner drivers to cancel

their driving test if they cannot attend, rather

than just not turning up.

During 2024, about 60,000 appointments

were wasted because people did not turn up

for their test. That’s the same number of

tests that 45 full-time driving examiners can

do in a year. That is about 3 per cent of the

total number of tests conducted.

What’s next?

Later this year, DVSA will consult on

proposals reduce the number of wasted

tests. For those who fail to attend, this

includes:

n increasing the amount of time they have

to wait before they’re allowed to book

another test

n considering charging them a penalty fee

Learner drivers currently have to wait 10

working days before being able to book

another test.

The consultation will set out the full details

of the potential options.

Meet the examiner events return to London & South East

THE DVSA will be hosting more ‘Meet the

examiner’ events at driving test centres in

London and the South East over the coming

months. The sessions give learners the

opportunity to meet local driving examiners

and learn more about the driving test.

How these events will help your pupils

These sessions allow pupils to chat to

driving examiners, to take away some of the

fear from their L-test, as well as learn more

about the test itself and what the examiners

assess on the day. There will also be more

information about the ‘Ready to Pass?’

campaign and details on the main reasons

why people fail their driving test

When held previously the sessions have

been found to reduce test anxiety among

learners and make them feel more confident

on test day. They also give clarity to pupils

on what to expect during their driving test

When these events were held previously,

82% of participants said it helped them feel

more confident about their L-test.

The DVSA would like ADIs to encourage

their pupils to attend an event if one is held

at their local driving test centre.

To start with, this is a trial, with the first

events all taking place in London and the

South East.

Please encourage your pupils to attend

- especially if you think they’ll benefit from

visiting the test centre and talking to driving

examiners to help reduce their nerves and

increase their confidence for their upcoming

test.



Pass rate refuses to rise as number of

tests conducted falls sharply on 2023-24

NEW FIGURES from the DVSA have

highlighted the sharp drop-off in the number

of L-tests conducted in the first two months

of the year.

In January and February there were

304,187 L-tests, compared with 376,119 in

the same period of the previous year.

The huge fall can be blamed on the poor

winter weather in the aftermath of

Christmas – in comparison, 2024 was very

mild in the first two months – and the

withdrawal of key DVSA officials from the

examining duties. This change in their role had

been introduced as a temporary measure in

autumn 2023, but was discontinued in March

2024 to allow them to return to their normal

duties.

The figure for 2025 does compare favourably

with 2023, however, when 290,638 L-tests

were conducted.

The pass rate for tests still refuses to climb

above 50 per cent, with January and

February seeing pass rates of 48.9% and

48.8% respectively.

Theory pass woes continue...

This time the ‘crisis’ in theory testing isn’t

linked to the availability of test slots; indeed,

MSA GB has found that availability for a

theory test is very good in nearly every area.

The ‘crisis’ in theory testing is more

connected to the sharply declining pass rate.

In 2023-24 the pass rate was just 45.2%,

the second lowest on record.

To compare, theory test pass rates in

2007-08 were as high as 68%, but have fallen

steadily, by 1-2% a year, ever since. By

2012-13 the pass rate was 55.7%, by 2013-14

it was 54.7% and by 2014-15 it was 51%. This

trend continued throughout the last decade

and by 2018-19 it was 47.3%, with a historic

low of 44.2% in 2022-23.

It is only in the past three full years that the

theory test pass rate has fallen below that of

the practical test.

MSA GB said: “There is increasing evidence

that learners are viewing the theory test as

something they can ‘have a go at’, as the

price of failure does not feel that high.

“Perhaps the DVSA should consider ways

of introducing a ‘Ready to Pass’ campaign on

the theory test as well? Too many candidates

are clearly taking it ill-prepared.”

News

MSA GB signs new partnership with

charity to ensure ‘driving is for all’

MSA GB is thrilled to announce a new

partnership with Driving Mobility.

A UK-based charity, Driving Mobility helps

people with disabilities or medical conditions

maintain or regain their independence by

providing assessments, advice, and support

related to driving and mobility, including

vehicle adaptations and accessible transport

solutions.

Supported by the Department for

Transport, its assessors, including ADIs,

assess and advise drivers with disabilities

who self-refer or are referred from the DVLA,

Motability, NHS and the police.

At MSA GB, we believe that driving should

be accessible to everyone, and we are

committed to promoting inclusivity in driver

training. By partnering with Driving Mobility,

we aim to support instructors in developing

the knowledge and skills needed to teach

individuals with diverse needs, ensuring that

everyone has the opportunity to gain and

retain their independence through driving.

As part of this new partnership, MSA GB

members have been asked to take a hand in

shaping the future of specialist tuition for

disabled drivers, by completing ONE of the

quick surveys in the box right. >>>

Take the survey

CLICK HERE if YOU ARE NOT currently

offering specialist tuition. *

CLICK HERE if YOU ARE already offering

specialist tuition. *

*Driving Mobility’s definition of specialist tuition includes tuition for drivers living with any disability or health condition

including physical, specific educational/developmental needs or hearing loss.

Why is this

information

being gathered?

THE objective of Driving Mobility’s project is to

start addressing the national shortage of

specialist ADIs, including those with adapted

vehicles, available to support people with

disabilities and additional needs, which in turn

create challenges for drivers who need to

access specialist tuition.

Drivers may need specialist training and

support for a variety of reasons, ranging from

the use of adapted controls and strategies to

manage the challenges their specific needs

present, through to support to pass both the

theory and driving test.

It is hoped the data captured will help to

shape improvements and make an inclusive

driving tuition service more widely available.

What are the surveys aiming to find out?

The two surveys have the potential to drive

change for disabled drivers and increase

opportunities for ADIs across the UK. Each

survey asks questions to find out:

n How many ADIs currently deliver

specialist tuition

n What areas of expertise can they cover

n Which regions of the UK have a shortage

n What the barriers are to entering the

specialist field

n What Driving Mobility and the Motability

Foundation can do to help

What has been achieved so far?

Phase one of the research project began in

Autumn 2024 and has accomplished the

following milestones so far:

n Interviews with ADIs at Driving Mobility

centres across the UK

n Engagement with the Association of

Disability Driving Instructors

There have also been a number of

presentations and awareness-raising

activities held, including at national ADI events

and engagement via local driving schools,

instructor associations as well as with

independent instructors.

Thank you for your support and for helping

to shape the future of specialist tuition!



June campaign aims to get young

riders focusing on tyre safety

A NEW tyre safety campaign for young

motorcyclists will be rolled out in June after

TyreSafe joined forces with the National

Young Rider Forum (NYRF) to instil essential

tyre maintenance habits in young bike riders.

The campaign will coincide with the

National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC)

annual two-wheel operation to improve skills

and safety standards among young riders.

The NYRF is a collective of road safety

professionals from across the UK, bringing

expertise from local authority road safety

teams, Safer Roads Partnerships, the National

Motorcycle Council (NMC), the Motorcycle

Action Group (MAG), police forces, fire and

rescue services, and the DVSA.

The forum specifically focuses on young

riders aged 16 to 24 who operate powered

two-wheelers up to 125cc – one of the most

vulnerable groups on UK roads.

The TyreSafe and NYRF campaign will

deliver clear, engaging messaging tailored to

young riders, ensuring they understand the

role of tyres in keeping them safe.

At the heart of the campaign will be

TyreSafe’s ACT message, which highlights the

three key things to check on tyres:

Air pressure – Maintaining the correct tyre

pressure for grip, stability, and control.

Condition – Looking for cracks, embedded

objects, or other signs of damage.

Tread – Ensuring tyres have legal and safe

tread depth for effective braking and handling.

Stuart Lovatt, chair of TyreSafe, said: “This

partnership is a vital step in ensuring young

riders develop strong tyre safety habits from

the very beginning of their riding careers.

“Motorcycles offer independence and

freedom, but they also require an

understanding of basic maintenance to keep

riders safe. With the right tyre safety

knowledge, young riders can reduce their risk

and stay in control on the road.”

Heidi Duffy MBE, facilitator of the National

Young Rider Forum, said: “Young riders are

one of the most at-risk groups on UK roads,

and it’s crucial that we reach them with

safety messaging that resonates.

“By working with TyreSafe, we’re making

sure they have the essential knowledge to

check their tyres.”

Road safety fund in £10m boost

for Scotland 20mph zones

MORE than 120 road safety improvement

projects have received funding from the

Scottish Government through its Road

Safety Improvement Fund.

Projects include improvements to junctions

and carriageways, new cycleways and

pedestrian crossings and traffic calming

measures. There will also be a 50mph pilot

scheme on key motorcycle routes in the

Scottish Borders, in a bid to improve safety.

The £10m earmarked will also help roll-out

increased use of 20mph speed limits on the

local road network.

Cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona

Hyslop, said: “Road safety is a priority for the

Scottish Government and its partners and we

remain absolutely committed to working

together to reach our ambitious goal of

making Scotland’s roads the safest in the

world by 2030.

“The Road Safety Improvement Fund and

the roll out of 20 mph speed limits are great

examples of that partnership working in

action, as they aim to support local

authorities save lives on the local road

network. It’s encouraging to see so many

councils bring forward projects that will make

a real difference to road safety in their areas.

“But one death on our roads is one death

too many, which is why I’ve earmarked £48m

for road safety in the draft budget for

2025/26.”

EU ditches plan to let

17-year-olds drive

large goods vehicles

THE EU has ditched a controversial plan

that would have made it mandatory to

allow 17-year-olds to train to drive a

lorry. The final deal merely makes this

optional for EU member states.

Ellen Townsend, policy director of the

European Transport Safety Council said:

“Allowing teenagers to drive lorries at 17

is and always was a terrible idea. Data

from several countries show that

younger drivers of heavy goods vehicles

are much more likely to crash. We urge

member states not to take up this

option.”

With this part of new roads legislation

sidelined, there are some positive

changes coming into effect, including a

probationary period of at least two years

for all new drivers in the EU.

However, a requirement that all

member states introduce a total alcohol

ban for novice drivers has been dropped.

While this has disappointed many in

the EU, it is worth noting that all member

nations now have an alcohol level of just

0.2-0.5mg/ml for either new drivers or

all drivers, while in the UK it is 0.8.

Another change will enable more

people to use an alcohol interlock instead

of receiving a driving ban for drinkdriving,

while the new curriculum for

learner drivers will include training on

new driver assistance technologies .

RED joins PACTS to

add its expertise to

road safety debates

TRANSPORT safety campaign group

PACTS has announced that Andy

MacNae MP will be its next president, and

future Chair of Council of Members

meetings, replacing his Labour MP

colleague Barry Shearman.

In addition, a well-known name to ADIs

has become a member of the group. RED

Driver Training joined Valerann, Centrica,

and Peter Barnett (Cyclox) in becoming

new members of PACTS, which stated

that their expertise and commitment to

transport safety will be invaluable in

shaping future discussions.


Road safety news

Time to scrap all-lane running says

AA after research reveals dangers

THE AA has called for hard shoulders to be

reinstated on all smart motorways after

official figures showed an increase in

fatalities linked to high-speed roads where

they are absent.

Crashes involving a stopped vehicle on an

all-lane running highway are now double

those on roads where the hard shoulder still

exists, with the M1 a particular concern.

The AA research also found that a third of

the radar detection systems used to identify

stranded cars on the inside lane were not

working properly. On the worst-affected

motorway, the M62, there was a complete

system failure for almost a month between

junctions 10 and 12 last year. The M6 had no

cover between junction 18 and 19 for six days,

and on the M5, cameras around J6 were not

working for three-and-a-half days.

AA president Edmund King said it was clear

all-lane running was putting lives at risk, and

safety systems meant to keep stranded

motorists safe were not up to the task.

He said: “This loss of safety technology,

which drivers have been asked to put their

trust in, meant they were placed in

unnecessary danger.”

A third of drivers say they feel less safe on

smart motorways compared to three years

ago, a point that King said confirmed his

belief that “so-called ‘smart motorways’

have failed and it’s time to side with the

majority of drivers who want hard shoulders

reinstated.”

IAM RoadSmart’s Nicholas Lyes said billions

of pounds have been spent on smart

motorways, but the network is not safer than

the one it has replaced.

“The research reveals that on all-lane

motorways without a hard shoulder, the rate

of fatal and serious collisions involving

Emergency refuge zones

such as this one on the M6

are meant to reassure

motorists, but many

remain unconvinced

stopped vehicles is almost double that of both

a conventional motorway and those with a

dynamic hard shoulder.”

“Given the public’s hostility towards all-lane

running smart motorways, they will be

relieved to know there are no plans to

construct any more.”

Tech boss ‘baffled’ by failure to wear seatbelts

A NEW AI-based camera system is

capturing more motorists not wearing their

seatbelts – a situation which the MD of the

company behind the system, Acusensus,

labelled as “baffling”.

The ‘Heads Up’ technology uses specially

equipped cameras to see into vehicles,

allowing it to identify people not wearing a

seatbelt or using a mobile phone.

In a trial conducted with Safer Roads

Greater Manchester, in just one location,

nearly 2,400 drivers were detected not

wearing a seatbelt in just 51 days – despite

not wearing a seatbelt being a factor in

around a quarter of all traffic fatalities.

Acusensus’s Geoff Collins said: “When I

first started delivering this solution to

monitor our roads, I really thought that

mobile phone use while driving would be the

thing we picked up on most.

“However, again and again we’re seeing

drivers needlessly putting themselves at

risk by not wearing a seatbelt, when it is

literally a life-saver.

“As I’ve said before, some people seem to

think that those who break seatbelt rules

and are seriously injured or killed in a

subsequent crash aren’t doing any harm,

other than to themselves.

“However, think of the emotional cost for

those having to deal with fatal and serious

crashes – from families, friends and

colleagues to other road users involved and

the emergency services.

“I’m baffled why people would put

themselves at risk, but they do, and we

need to use every tool we have to save

them from themselves?”

Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the ‘Fatal

Four’ reasons which lead to the vast

majority of KSI incidents on UK roads, along

with distraction, speed and drink/drugs.



Road safety news

Here’s the cash, now make the

potholes vanish says PM

THE Prime Minister has thrown down the

gauntlet to local authorities to fix potholes,

as £1.6 billion was delivered to councils to

fund much-needed repairs.

The cash is said to be enough to fix seven

million potholes a year, but councils must

publish annual progress reports and prove

public confidence in their work.

However, it is estimated that the cost of

filling every pothole in the UK would be nearly

£17 billion.

Sir Keir Starmer said: “The broken roads we

inherited are not only risking lives but also

cost working families, drivers and businesses

hundreds – if not thousands of pounds – in

avoidable vehicle repairs.

“Fixing the basic infrastructure this

country relies on is central to delivering

national renewal, improving living standards

and securing Britain’s future through our Plan

for Change.

“British people are bored of seeing their

politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with

no real plan to fix them. That ends with us.

We’ve done our part by handing councils the

cash and certainty they need – now it’s up to

them to get on with the job, put that money

to use and prove they’re delivering for their

communities.”

Councils will also need to spend more on

long-term preventative maintenance

programmes, including how to prevent roads

being washed away by forecast wetter

winters predicted in the coming years.

David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry

Alliance (AIA), said: “Over £20 billion has been

spent on carriageway maintenance in

England and Wales over the last decade.

However, due to the short-term allocation of

this funding, it has resulted in no quantifiable

uplift in the condition and resilience of the

network.

“In fact almost all (94%) local authority

highway teams reported that, in their opinion,

there has been no improvement to their local

network over the last year: a view no doubt

shared by the majority of road users.”

The Prime Minister’s call comes as

breakdown provider Start Rescue revealed

the number of pothole-related incidents it

had been called out to had increased by

44.7% in the five months from October 2024

to the end of February 2025.

“Drivers are having to deal with flat tyres,

damaged wheels and broken suspension, ,”

says Lee Puffett, managing director of Start

Rescue. “There needs to be action to resolve

this and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Children’s needs must play a key

role in transport decision making

TRANSPORT campaigner Sustrans has urged

all those involved in transport-related

decision making to put the needs of children

first in all transport-related decision making.

Its Children’s Walking and Cycling Index

looked at the behaviours, barriers and

attitudes affecting how children walk, wheel

and cycle in the UK, and remove barriers

where they exist.

Sustrans said a survey of children found

that 81% want more traffic-free paths and

quiet routes for walking and cycling, while 78%

want more cycle paths physically separated

from cars.

Sustrans said children’s needs should be

prioritised when councils are planning

transport improvements, including giving

people ‘a real choice’ about how they make

short self-powered journeys in their area.

1.36 billion trips are walked, wheeled or

scooted by children each year in the UK. While

most are to and from school, many others are

made to visit green space or for recreation.

Sustrans says this shows the need to consider

children’s travel beyond the journey to school.

Xavier Brice, chief executive of Sustrans,

said: “Children’s views on travel are too often

overlooked. Where they are considered, the

focus tends to be on the school journey.

“This leaves out the vital role that travel

plays in children’s day-to-day lives,

supporting the development of their

independence, socialisation skills and overall

mental health and wellbeing.

“With the rise in child obesity and mental

health issues, making walking, wheeling and

cycling the default for more journeys is vital.

However, national statistics suggest both

walking and cycling to school have fallen since

2002. We need to give young people a voice.”



Motorists ignoring vital recalls

MORE than 3.2 million cars and vans didn’t

have known faults rectified despite being

subject to an industry recall between 2018

and 2023.

The figure was discovered as part of an FOI

request by Auto Data Solutions (ADS), which

learned that 3,252,696 cars and light

commercial vehicles recalled between 2018

and 2023 were never checked by franchise

dealers.

The failure to have the faults rectified

means that millions of potentially unsafe cars

and vans are on the road.

Safety recalls are a common procedure.

Around 14 million vehicles were identified by

manufacturers as requiring dealer attention

between 2018 and 2023.

Manufacturers normally notify affected

customers by post, advising them to contact

their local franchise dealer. Some dealers

proactively contact customers, but many

wait until a vehicle is brought in for servicing

before carrying out the necessary check.

But this latter option only works well when

cars are serviced by main dealership garages

with links to manufacturers, and owners who

HOPES that car drivers will embrace electric

vehicles in the future have been given a

boost after a survey by the AA found that

more than half of drivers see the potential in

electric cars.

However, it warned that barriers still exist

to people making the switch, with worries

around price and range still concerning many.

The AA also warned that there was a

danger a whole swathe of motorists risked

being ‘left behind’ by the EV transition, with

little currently being done to stimulate

demand from drivers, reduce prices or

provide essential infrastructure, particularly

charging points.

22% of drivers totally reject EVs and say

they will never get one, and a further 20%

remain neutral or unlikely to get an EV.

At present around 7% of drivers own an EV

or have driven one in the past. But even they

admit that “improvements in the experience

are still needed.”

The AA said it was up to the government

and manufacturers to launch an EV

awareness campaign and offer affordability

incentives to boost electric car take-up.

use smaller private garages are likely to be

overlooked.

Consumers can also fail to receive recall

notifications because they have changed

address.

Missed safety recalls can also result in a

sudden unmanageable deluge of cars being

presented for checks or repairs, due to

possible changes to MOT failure rules.

Currently, a missed recall is recorded as an

‘advisory’ during MOT. However, the

government is looking at changing the rules

around MOTs so that a failure to have a fault

rectified is classed as a fail.

Drivers back EVs - but challenges remain for many

“More needs to be done to make EVs

accessible for everyone. Generally, drivers

are hesitant, but most are not hostile to the

change,” says AA CEO Jakob Pfaudler. “Our

research shows many people are confused by

the transition, which is not surprising as the

main catalyst for change, the ZEV Mandate,

only governs supply but does little to

encourage demand.”

The DVSA has revealed the number of

recalls in the past six years, and the number

of cars that were not identified as

responding.

2018 – 729,876 (4,117,940 recalls)

2019 – 422,729 (2,191,143 recalls)

2020 - 467,345 (2,130,692 recalls)

2021 – 498,381 (2,856,141 recalls)

2022 - 739,705 (2,211,061 recalls)

2023 - 394,660 (1,373,258 recalls)

Jon Sheard, Operations Director of ADS,

said: “Although three million outstanding

safety recalls is massive, the real figure is

almost certainly much higher. The fact that

almost a quarter of safety recalls are never

properly dealt with is the biggest wake-up

call yet for dealers to begin taking the

maintenance of customer databases more

seriously.”

CHECK YOU ARE OKAY

You can check if your vehicle has been

subject to a safety recall by going to the

DVSA website HERE.

Initiatives recommended by the AA include

reduced VAT on public chargers, boosting the

used EV market with battery health

passports and improving chargepoint

visibility and pricing on UK roads.

More work needs to be done to help

motorists who do not own a drive to charge

their vehicle at home, however; this is a major

stumbling block for many.


News

Learners who access ‘Ready to Pass?’

more likely to listen to ADIs’ advice

The DVSA latest blog focuses on its Ready to Pass?’ campaign. The campaign, which has been widely discussed in

previous issues of Newslink, helps to make learners better appreciate the standards required to pass the L-test, in a bid

to encourage those who are not yet ready to delay their tests. By doing so, the DVSA hopes to increase the pass rate

and avoid wasting L-test slots, thus relieving some of the current pressure on L-test waiting times. This article by the

DVSA’s Abigail Holland sets out why the agency launched the campaign and identifies early success stories.

By Abigail Holland

NEW research shows that learners who are

aware of the DVSA’s ‘Ready to Pass?’

campaign are more likely to agree that people

should only take their driving test when you,

their driving instructor, say they are ready.

As driving instructors, you know better

than anyone that a well-prepared learner is

more likely to pass their test. The ‘Ready to

Pass?’ campaign has been reinforcing the

need to listen to your expert advice since July

2022. We’re now seeing concrete evidence

that it’s making a real difference.

It’s one of the reasons why continuing and

expanding the campaign is part of our sevenpoint

plan to reduce driving test waiting

times.

In this article we’ll take a look at how we’re

evaluating the campaign, and some of the

main differences in attitudes and behaviours

of learner drivers who are aware of the

campaign, compared with those who are not.

The aim of the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign

The ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign is trying to

change attitudes towards the driving test,

and encourage learner drivers to follow ADIs’

expert guidance to be properly prepared.

We want to do this so more people pass

their test first time, which will help to reduce

driving test waiting times.

The campaign gives learner drivers

information about:

n the 27 skills they need to learn

n how to combine professional driving

lessons with private practice to gain more

on-road experience

n managing driving test nerves

n the benefits of taking mock tests

n how the driving test works

n the risks of using cancellation finders

Monitoring and evaluating

We’re constantly monitoring and

evaluating how the campaign is going. We

look at things like how many people visit the

campaign website and engage with our social

media content.

We also ask every learner driver after their

test how they prepared for it. This includes

lots of questions, including if they’d heard

about ‘Ready to Pass?’ and whether they’d

used it. It also asks questions about their

attitudes towards being prepared.

With thousands of survey responses every

week, we’ve built up a lot of data. We’ve

analysed this, and we can share how the

campaign is influencing attitudes and

behaviours.

All of the data in the rest of this blog post

covers the period of July 2024 to January

2025 for learners taking their first attempt at

the driving test. There were 70,201 survey

responses from this group.

Changing attitudes towards being prepared

85.6% of learners who are aware of the



preparing for their driving test. This compares

with 26.5% of learners who are not aware of

the campaign.

campaign agree people should only take their

driving test when their instructor agrees

they’re ready.

For learners unaware of the campaign, it’s

79.0% who agree.

The chart on the facing page shows the

percentage of learners who agreed with

different statements about test preparation.

Changing behaviour for the better

It’s not just attitudes that are being shifted.

Behaviours are changing as a result, too.

Structured learning

The data shows that campaign-aware

learners are:

n 1.8x more likely to use a driver’s record

to track their progress

n 1.9x more likely to have a supervising

driver that has read DVSA’s guidance on how

properly supervise private practice

n 1.4x more likely to have read The

Highway Code while preparing for their

driving test.

Mock tests

There is a significant difference in mock

test behaviour between campaign-aware

learners and those who are not aware. The

survey found that 80.1% of campaign-aware

learners took a mock test compared with

70.7% of those unaware of the campaign.

And 27.7% of campaign-aware learners

who took a mock test said the main reason

they took one was because of the ‘Ready to

Pass?’ campaign.

Managing driving test nerves

37% of campaign-aware learners say they

practised mindfulness techniques while

to

DVSA priorities for 2025

We have three main campaign priorities for

the remainder of 2025.

1. Make more learner drivers aware of the

campaign

Awareness of the campaign among

first-attempt test takers increased from

33.5% in July 2024 to 45.9% by January 2025.

We want to increase this much further so

that we can spread the changes in attitudes

and behaviours further.

To do this, we’ll be doing more to

communicate with learner drivers at the

theory test stage and earlier. We want to

encourage structured learning from day one

and set up the habits that will lead to both

test success and safer drivers.

2. Give more support to driving instructors

by making the campaign toolkit more useful

To give ADIs more support, we plan to:

n add new coaching resources to the

toolkit

n make sure newly-qualified instructors

are aware of the toolkit

n provide more DVSA-led webinars on

topics that will help you

n continue to encourage all instructors to

do continuing professional development

(CPD) activities

3. Provide resources to help with nerves and

anxiety

In recent surveys ADIs have told us that

you’re working with more learners with

anxiety. We’ll be working hard to provide

additional anxiety management tools and

confidence-building resources that you can

use with your pupils.

We’ll keep you up to date as new resources

become available.

How you can support the campaign

We’re very grateful to everyone who has

promoted the campaign with their pupils and

the wider public. We need your help to

continue doing this. The evidence is clear that

learners are more likely to follow your expert

guidance when they’re aware of the

campaign.

Visit www.gov.uk/ready-to-pass to

access our toolkit and resources to support

the campaign and help achieve our joint aim

of safer drivers.


News

Manning the stand

for MSA GB

MSA GB took a stand at the recent Driving

Instructor Convention 2025, which was held

in Milton Keynes on March 23.

MSA GB national chairman Mike Yeomans

and vice-national chairman Peter Harvey

manned the stand, ably assisted by Chamber

Media Service’s Colin Regan and his partner,

Louise Williams, who kindly took this picture.

During the day delegates heard

presentations from a number of speakers

drawn from across the driver training and

testing world, including Colin Stewart and

Craig Lambourn from the DVSA, Kev & Tracey

Field, Dr Ian Greenwood and various board

members of the ADI NJC. Topics covered

included an update on the DVSA’s sevenpoint

plan, overcoming anxiety in learners,

and effective observations.

A warm welcome to all the new members we

signed up to MSA GB at the event.

Vicky to bring experience

to new role with IMTD

THE Institute of Master Tutors of Driving

(IMTD) is pleased to announce the

appointment of Vicky Folland M.Inst.MTD

in its new post of communications and

engagement officer.

Vicky is a highly

experienced ADI with

nearly two decades in

the driver training

industry. Passionate

about road safety and

sustainable driving, she is

dedicated to promoting best practices and

innovation within the sector.

Her expertise extends beyond

traditional driver instruction, as a Fleet

Associate with RoSPA and an advocate

for professional development.

In her role at IMTD, Vicky is committed

to enhancing communication strategies

and strengthening industry engagement.

Graham Feest, president of the institute

said: “We are delighted that Vicky has

accepted this role which is designed to

further raise awareness of the IMTD and

its activities.

“She brings vast enthusiasm and

experience to the role, and understands

the need to project the institute and to

develop professional standards.”

Confident deal for workshop

MSA GB is delighted to announce another

great deal with our partners at Confident

Drivers. They are offering a 25% discount

for MSA GB members off its next

workshop, Bitesize for Success.

The workshop will be held online on

Wednesday, May 7, from 6.30pm-8pm.

The event usually costs £30, but is

reduced for members to £22.50.

This workshop is for you if:

n Your students are struggling and

feeling overwhelmed by juggling different

driving tasks

n Your students keep forgetting what

they have learnt between lessons

n You would like to know more about

why bitesizing can help

n You would like some ideas for different

ways to bitesize information.

It will look at reasons why you should

consider bitesizing information in lessons,

and the signs to look out for that your

student is juggling too many tasks which is

increasing their anxiety in lessons.

We will look at four ways you can

bitesize in lessons. The live session will be

recorded so you can catch up if you miss it

or replay for a recap later.

To book, just hit the link HERE



HMCA: Private healthcare is peace of mind

No matter how fit and healthy we are,

it is inevitable that at some point in

our lives we will fall ill and need

medical care.

And when illness does strike it is to the

NHS that most people will turn in seeking

a diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

But the NHS has for some years been

showing signs that it, too, is not in the

best of health. A growing and ageing

population is putting an ever-increasing

strain on staff and services. Reports of

underfunding, a shortage of medical staff,

noisy and overcrowded wards, cancelled

operations and long waiting times will be

familiar to everyone.

In England, long hospital waiting lists

illustrate the severe pressure that the

NHS is under, with a total waiting list of

7.53 million.*

Quick, private and convenient

Understandably, these lengthy delays are

causing additional stress for patients,

undermining their health and quality of

life even further. How many people do

you know whose physical health and

mental well-being has deteriorated from

the anxiety of having to wait months for a

hospital appointment?

All this can be avoided by taking out

private health insurance. Seeing a doctor

in private practice used to be only for the

wealthy, but not anymore as the cost of

private medical cover is becoming more

affordable.

A private medical plan delivers prompt

access to hospital consultants, thus

avoiding lengthy waiting lists. Patients

can choose from an extensive list of

hospitals throughout the UK; if they need

to be admitted, they will have their own

private room equipped with TV and

telephone, and visiting is arranged to suit

patient and family.

A quick, private and convenient service

that removes many of the anxieties

associated with NHS hospital stays.

Taking control of your healthcare

However, those interested in taking out

health insurance should not leave it too

late. As we get older our healthcare needs

increase. Therefore, as only some of the

best health insurance companies provide

cover for pre-existing conditions, the

best time to invest in getting private

treatment for illnesses you may suffer

tomorrow – is today.

By acting now you can ensure your future

healthcare will not be dictated by NHS

bureaucracy and, just as importantly, you

will be able to benefit from the widest

possible cover.

Private health insurance cannot

guarantee good health, but it can ensure

that when you are feeling unwell you will

quickly receive the best possible care,

when and where you want it. The peace

of mind that comes with that knowledge

cannot be underestimated and is often

the most important factor for people

deciding to take control of their

healthcare provision and “go private”.

Find out more

For further information and a no

obligation quotation contact HMCA by

telephone on 01423 799949 or visit the

exclusive HMCA section of the MSA GB

website, by clicking HERE.

© HMCA/S PLC (trading as Hospital

and Medical Care Association,

HMCA and HMCA Members) is

authorised and regulated by the

Financial Conduct Authority

(FRN:307587).

HMCA/s PLC is a company registered in

England, company number: 01362094, registered

office: Beech Hall, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire,

HG5 0EA.

*The Telegraph, 9th May 2024

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/09/nhs-waiting-lists-will-take-685-years-to-clear-current-rate/


News

New report claims scale of road

injuries ‘massively under-reported’

MOST national governments are failing to

significantly improve road safety due in part

to an incomplete picture of the number of

injuries on their roads and a lack of data on

where and when incidents occurred, a new

report from the European Transport Safety

Council (ETSC) has claimed.

Most official statistics on road injuries in

Europe are collated from police reports, but

police can misjudge injury severity and rarely

attend the vast majority of incidents

involving pedestrians and cyclists when no

motor vehicle was involved.

Although hospitals collect their own data

on patients injured on the roads, governments

often struggle to merge this information with

police statistics to form a comprehensive

picture of the scale of road injuries.

Hospitals do not routinely collect

information on where and when injuries

occur, which is essential to identifying high

risk sites that need upgrades to prevent

future incidents.

Police forces, on the other hand, often have

no clear knowledge of the severity of the

injuries.

According to official sources, approximately

1,291,000 people are reported injured

annually in the European Union, with 141,000

of these injuries being serious. However, this

figure likely underestimates the true extent

of the problem due to these problems in

collating data.

Collisions involving motor vehicles are

more likely to be reported by police, but those

involving pedestrians and cyclists where no

motor vehicle was involved, for instance,

often go unreported.

Comparisons in data

Collision data in Czechia highlights how

wide the discrepancy between reported

injury statistics and actual ones could be.

Information obtained from the police

database revealed that it contained only 43%

of the injuries recorded by the public health

insurance system.

A study in the Netherlands found that

there was a police record for about 65% of

those seriously injured in a collision where a

motor vehicle involved, but only about 12% of

those where no motor vehicle was involved.

Jenny Carson, project manager at the ETSC

“Every day, hundreds of people

are seriously injured on our

roads. Policymakers

underestimate both the scale of

the problem and the impact

that these injuries can have...”

said: “Every day, all over Europe, hundreds of

people are seriously injured on our roads.

Policymakers underestimate both the scale

of the problem and the impact that these

injuries can have.

“National governments need to work

harder to improve the flawed system of

relying extensively on police-reported data

which gives a misleading picture of the full

burden of road injuries on individuals,

societies and our economies.”

The EU has set a target to reduce serious

road traffic injuries by 50% between 2020

and 2030. While many governments have

put in place strategies to improve road safety,

progress in reducing serious injury is lagging

behind the reduction in road deaths.

Serious injuries in the EU decreased by 13%

Collisions that

involve only

cyclists and

pedestrians are

often unreported

by the police

between 2013 and 2023, while deaths fell by

16%. This discrepancy has been explained by

many road safety commentators as proof

that car collisions are still occurring in large

numbers but the healthcare system is

becoming better at saving lives.

While fewer people are dying, more are left

with life-changing injuries to overcome.

Both figures are way behind the target of a

50% reduction from 2020-2030.

ETSC action

The ETSC has suggested six actions that

could help reduce serious injuries.

n Ensuring leaders take responsibility for

road safety, guaranteeing funding and

developing partnerships.

n Managing speed to levels appropriate for

the road environment and the vulnerability of

road users.

n Designing and maintaining infrastructure

that reduces the risk of collisions.

n Promoting vehicle safety technologies

that prevent collisions and protect occupants.

n Encouraging responsible road use

through driver training and education.

n Ensuring timely and effective

emergency response to collisions.



Transport safety chief

says it’s time to celebrate

the good news around

lower speed limits

THE Executive Director of the European

Transport Safety Council, Antonio Avenoso,

has hailed a “good news story” as European

cities embrace slower speed limits.

With Wales setting 20mph as a default

speed limit, Scotland set to follow, and

London and other more cities across England

making greater use of 20mph zones, lower

urban speed limits have become a major

political issue in the UK in recent years.

And from Mr Avenoso’s comments, it’s

clear that the debate is dominating the

narrative in the EU too.

He told a recent meeting of the ETSC:

“Who would like to hear some good news? I

have some for you. 30 km/h speed limits

work.”

He added: “From where I’m sitting in

Brussels, to the beautiful city of Bologna, we

are seeing something else. They work best

at their simplest, when the limit applies

across a whole city, not just in streets here

and there.

“Of course there is room for exceptions,

major roads where other road users such as

pedestrians and cyclists are properly

protected. But the big change we are now

seeing is that the 30 km/h default limit is

most effective.”

He highlighted recent statistics to back up

his case, stating that since the 30k limit was

brought in in Bologna, road deaths have

dropped by half. He also cited the experience

of Wales, “where they have set the default

limit to 20 mph on urban roads across the

whole nation, deaths and serious injuries

have fallen by more than a third.”

His comments were backed up by the

European Commissioner for Climate who said

that “recent research on the impact of

city-wide 30 km/h speed limits in 40

European cities had revealed significant

benefits ... on average, these speed limits led

to a 23%, 37%, and 38% reduction in road

crashes, fatalities, and injuries respectively.”

Avenoso said that the benefits of lower

limits don’t end there, either: In Brussels,

noise pollution has been cut by half on some

roads that went from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

“We don’t talk enough about noise pollution.

It affects sleep, concentration and the ability

of our children to learn. And it’s very often

the poorest children who live on the busiest,

noisiest roads.”

“We talk a lot about the cost of living crisis

these days. In Wales, drivers are saving

money on their insurance. A British insurance

company recently said that those living in an

area with 20 mph limits would save around

£50 on their annual car insurance.”

He added: “When you set the speed to 30

“In Bologna the 30km/h limit

has cut road deaths in half... in

Wales, the 20mph limit has

reduced deaths and serious

injuries by more than a third ”

km/h, it’s like waving a magic wand over your

city. People walk and cycle more. The usage

of shared mobility schemes increases. Air

pollution can go down.”

He tackled the perceived downside of

lower limits head-on. “Is there a downside?

Some will try to tell you that 30 km/h speed

limits lead to increased traffic congestion and

slower urban journeys. That is a myth,

unsupported by evidence, according to a

research paper by George Yannis and Eva

Michelaraki of the National Technical

University of Athens. Their study found that

30 km/h limits allowed the road system to

accommodate cars more efficiently, resulting

in faster overall travel times. ”

He ended with a rallying call to politicians

across the continent: “Channel funding to 30

km/h projects. Let’s see more cities putting

30 km/h speed limits at the heart of their

sustainable mobility plans.

“30 km/h speed limits work. Let’s spread

the good news.”


Towards your CPD

From ad boards to phones: a

guide to driving distractions

Driver distraction is one of the ‘fatal four’ – a principal cause of serious road crashes, along with

speed, drink/drug use and failure to wear a seatbelt. But with more potential distractions being

given to drivers every year, is enough being done to educate motorists of the risks they are

taking as they take their eyes off the road? Tom Harrington explores the issues

DRIVING DISTRACTIONS are widely

recognised as significant

contributors to road accidents and

fatalities. However, not all

distractions are the same, and their effects

on driving performance can vary drastically.

Here I’ll examine the different types of

driving distractions, categorise them

according to their nature and impact, and

explore ways to minimize risks associated

with each type.

By understanding these distinctions, both

drivers and policymakers can make more

informed decisions that enhance road safety.

Level of distraction

How safe or unsafe any distraction is

depends on its intensity, the driving situation

(eg, driving on a twisting rural road) and the

type of distraction. Each one challenges a

different part of our mental state, so a phone

conversation will be a high mental and

auditory distraction but a lower visual and

manual effect.

Eating, texting, and dialling have a high

mental distraction effect, but will be for a

shorter time than a phone call.

TYPES OF DRIVING DISTRACTIONS

Visual distractions

Visual distractions are those that divert

the driver’s eyes away from the road.

Examples include looking at GPS screens,

reading billboards, or checking a mobile

device.

Impact on driving: Removing one’s gaze

from the road for even a few seconds

dramatically increases the risk of accidents.

Studies have shown that looking away for

just five seconds at highway speeds is

equivalent to driving the length of a football

field blind.

Prevention: Encouraging the use of hands-

free devices and adjusting GPS settings

before starting a journey can reduce visual

distractions. Additionally, regulating roadside

advertisements and billboards may also

minimise drivers’ visual distractions.

Manual distractions

Definition and examples: Manual

distractions involve taking one or both hands

off the steering wheel. This includes actions

like eating, adjusting the radio, or holding a

“Setting volume limits for

music and notifications can

help drivers maintain better

auditory focus...”

mobile device.

Impact on Driving: When a driver’s hands

are occupied, their control over the vehicle

decreases, limiting their ability to respond to

unexpected situations. This can be

particularly hazardous during complex

manoeuvres, such as lane changes or

navigating intersections.

Prevention: Encouraging drivers to prepare

in advance — by eating or adjusting controls

before driving — and promoting voiceactivated

or steering-wheel-mounted

controls can reduce the frequency of manual

distractions.

Cognitive Distractions

Definition and examples: Cognitive

distractions occur when a driver’s mind



wanders, such as during deep thought,

emotional distress, or intense conversations

with passengers.

Impact on driving: Though the driver may

appear attentive, cognitive distractions

reduce reaction times and situational

awareness. Cognitive distractions are harder

to detect and control because they are

internal and can occur even if the driver’s

eyes are on the road.

Prevention: Drivers can practise

techniques to maintain focus, such as

mindfulness exercises before driving.

Reducing stressful activities before driving

and promoting awareness around mental

distractions can also help.

Auditory distractions

Definition and examples: Auditory

distractions involve sounds that compete

with the driver’s attention. Examples include

loud music, phone calls, or sudden sounds

from within the vehicle.

Impact on driving: While auditory

distractions may seem minor, they can slow

reaction times and affect decision-making,

particularly in busy environments. Auditory

distractions may also make it harder to notice

important auditory cues, like sirens or

honking horns.

Prevention: Setting volume limits for music

and notifications can help drivers maintain

better auditory focus. Encouraging the use of

quiet, calming audio environments can also

reduce stress and auditory distraction levels.

Emotional distractions

Definition and examples: Emotional

distractions can arise from personal

problems, road rage, or witnessing stressful

events on the road.

They combine cognitive and physiological

reactions, affecting the driver’s overall focus.

Impact on driving: Emotional distractions

can lead to aggressive driving, overreactions,

and poor decision-making. Drivers

experiencing anger or stress may become

more impulsive or less tolerant of other

drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.

Prevention: Promoting emotional

regulation techniques for drivers, such as

breathing exercises and using time to cool

down before driving, can help. Campaigns

that encourage drivers to recognise when

they are too emotionally compromised to

drive safely could also be effective.

The interaction between distractions

One key consideration in understanding

driving distractions is that they often occur

simultaneously, with combinations posing

compounded risks.

For instance, using a mobile device

introduces visual, manual, and cognitive

distractions at once, which can be particularly

dangerous. Research has shown that

multitasking behind the wheel is highly

ineffective, as the brain’s ability to process

information diminishes when attention is

split.

Societal costs and the need for

comprehensive preventive strategies

Distracted driving has substantial societal

costs, both human and economic. In addition

to the tragic loss of life, distracted driving

incidents result in significant financial

expenses from medical care, legal fees, and

lost productivity.

Each year, avoidable accidents cost

thousands of millions of pounds. Recognising

this, governments impose strict policies,

fines and penalties for phone use, to curb

distraction-related incidents

Yet, while laws banning specific

distractions, like mobile phone usage, have

been effective to some extent, these

measures alone are insufficient.

Comprehensive public awareness campaigns

that illustrate the dangers of all types of

distractions can drive behavioural change

more effectively. Educational initiatives

aimed at new drivers, as well as

“Encouraging drivers to

prepare in advance — by

eating or adjusting controls

before driving — and

promoting voice-activated

controls can reduce the

frequency of manual

distractions...”

reinforcement of safe driving habits in

periodic driver education courses, have been

shown to have a lasting impact on reducing

risky behaviours.

Conclusion

Driving distractions are diverse and

complex, each presenting unique risks and

challenges that can significantly impair a

driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Visual distractions, such as glancing at a

phone or billboards, take the driver’s eyes off

the road, increasing the risk of missing crucial

environmental cues.

Manual distractions, such as texting or

adjusting controls, remove a driver’s hands

from the wheel, decreasing vehicle control.

Cognitive distractions, like daydreaming or

focusing on a stressful conversation, divert

mental attention from driving tasks, while

auditory distractions, such as loud music or

conversations, can interfere with the ability

to hear important sounds, such as sirens or

horns.

Emotional distractions, driven by feelings

of anger, stress, or excitement, can impair

decision-making and reaction time, making it

more challenging to maintain road safety.

Recognising that not all distractions are the

same allows drivers to take targeted steps to

mitigate the risks associated with each. For

instance, setting up navigation and

entertainment systems before starting a

journey can reduce manual distractions, while

using hands-free technology can help

minimise cognitive and auditory distractions.

Moreover, adopting policies that raise

awareness of the dangers of distracted

driving, combined with the development of

advanced safety features in vehicles, such as

lane-keeping assist and collision warnings,

plays a key role in reducing the impact of

distractions.

Through personal responsibility,

technological advancements, and robust

policy frameworks, society can work

together to create safer roads, benefiting

both individual drivers and the broader

community.


Towards your CPD

Fleet training can give your

instruction an extra polish

Can fleet training provide the

extra experiences ADIs need

to become complete driving

instructors? Steve Garrod

believes so...

AT a recent ADI workshop, I was

asked about the best way to gain

more experience in driving

instruction and what options are

open for instructors beyond teaching learner

drivers.

I can only speak from my experience, but

as I explained on the day, the one thing that

helped me was teaching qualified drivers,

often known as ‘Fleet Training’.

In fact, I began doing fleet work before the

Register of Fleet Trainers had opened.

I found fleet training gave me an

opportunity to deal with a range of drivers

with a range of faults in a very short space of

time. It also helped me to identify some

common errors in experienced drivers, which

subsequently meant I had something extra to

give to my learners in an attempt to set them

up for safe driving beyond their driving test.

It also meant that I began to treat my

learners in a more grown-up way and

encourage them to think for themselves, for

example, solving problems and identifying

areas for development in their driving.

Although it is not a mandatory

qualification, (the law states you MUST

display your green ADI badge when teaching

for money), the qualification does give you an

insight into the techniques required for

training qualified drivers. The fleet badge is,

however, an essential requirement for many

fleet training providers.

Attending a fleet training course will give

you an insight into how to prepare your new

clients.

Training qualified drivers is different to

training learners, insomuch as you often need

to change attitudes and behaviour towards

other road users, as opposed to developing

these essential elements of safer driving.

Fleet training should be straightforward; it

covers three key elements:

n the driver;

n the vehicle; and

n the journey they make together.

It is about making sure that those who

drive for work have the appropriate

knowledge, skills and attitude for driving

company vehicles.

It is a fact that if you drive for work you are

exposed to more road risk than if you don’t

and there are a number of contributory

factors, including:

n the time of day journeys are made

n the amount of hours spent behind the

wheel

n the type of journeys being made

n the type of goods being carried

n in-car distractions

n not being familiar with the controls or size

of vehicle (which often reveal themselves in

slow speed knocks)

Today, fleet training is far more targeted

than it was when I started. The preferred

method for most companies is to start with

an online risk assessment which will highlight

those drivers who pose the greatest risks. It

“Fleet training gave me the

chance to deal with a range of

drivers and their faults in a

very short space of time...”

is these drivers who are most likely to receive

additional training.

What this effectively means is that you

could be called upon to train in a classroom or

in a variety of road and traffic conditions. It

could also highlight the need for vehicle

familiarisation training, for example, someone

may only be used to driving a small

hatchback but are now required to drive a 3.5

tonne home delivery van and therefore need

time to get used to manoeuvring the larger

vehicle.

Likewise, a company may have a fleet of

high specification cars which a new employee

may not have driven before.

In some cases, employers insist on their

potential employees undergoing a driving

assessment as part of the job application

process if the position involves driving. In

such cases trainers are required to plan a

route and conduct a series of road risk

assessments.

Training is often specific and tailor-made to

suit the client. For example, you might have

to put together a reversing exercise for

someone who has had some low-speed

knocks, or help someone gain confidence

following a crash on a motorway or help

someone identify speed limits if they gained

penalty points. There is also a growing

demand for UK familiarisation courses for

drivers from overseas.

Recently I was asked to provide training for

a chap who had accumulated nine penalty

points for speeding in as many months. Six of

the points were near to where he lived as the

speed limit had been lowered from 50mph to

40mph and he hadn’t realised, which proves

the need to drive to what you can see and not

what you (think) you know.

Ironically, this limit has now been increased

back to 50mph so I often wonder if he’s

noticed!

Before you splash out on training it is

worth doing a bit of homework to find out a

little bit more about the industry. It’s not just

about driving cars either; you may need to

conduct training in vans, lorries or minibuses,

so you will need to check you have the

correct entitlement on your own driving

licence first.

Remember there were changes to the

licence rules following Covid and a category B

licence now allows new drivers to get behind

the wheel of heavier vehicles and tow larger

trailers, whereas before those who had

passed their test since 1999 needed to take a

B+E test. This change has allowed many new

drivers to tow trailers – but without taking

any training first.

Best take a look at the recent Official

Highway Code if you need a quick refresh

(cheap CPD!) There are plenty of websites

offering training to company drivers, so you

could ring them to pick their brains and see

what type of training they offer and if they

are looking for trainers.

Finding work can be a problem if you are

not used to cold calling, but you don’t have to

go for the big companies. Look nearer to



home and find a company that obviously has

company vehicles. Small businesses such as

estate agents, home delivery firms and

private hire companies can be a good place to

start.

A good fleet course will help you to

understand the health and safety

implications relating to driving at work, so

once again, it is important to know what

training you should receive before parting

with your cash. You do not need to know

these documents chapter and verse but

simply know where to find out such

information.

Note that the only route to the DVSA’s

Register of Fleet trainers is via a DVSA

accredited provider.

The DVSA accredits training providers to

conduct both training and assessment for all

three parts of the qualification process.

Accredited trainers must pass a bi-annual

inspection from the DVSA to continue their

accreditation. What this means is that these

providers are able to issue pass certificates to

successful candidates at the end of their

course.

This makes life easier because there is no

waiting for test dates and having to travel to

test centres; it also means all training can be

taken over four or five days.

There is range of courses to choose from,

and a list of accredited providers can be

“Accredited trainers are able to

issue pass certificates to

successful candidates at the

end of their course. This makes

life easier because there is no

waiting for test dates...”

obtained from the DVSA. Each course is

designed to give you the knowledge,

understanding and skills to confidently train

company car drivers; even the ones that

don’t want to be there!

The purpose of the on-road training is for

the client to get the most out of the day, and

that by the end of their session they can

identify and prioritise risk to their driving

environment. Courses are generally

integrated to combine theory, driving, an

in-car or classroom presentation and

coaching.

Courses should also cover risk assessment

and report writing. These are essential

elements to grasp because this is what fleet

training is all about. It is the trainer’s job to

help company drivers think about planning

their journey and driving in a responsible

manner long after their training has finished.

Unlike other forms of driver-training

clients are not being prepared for a driving

test, so they need to be sufficiently

motivated to continue driving safely. As one

former supervising examiner told one of my

Pass Plus pupils after a motorway lesson for

my check test, good driving is easier than

bad driving!

Expect to be trained on a two trainee to

one trainer (2:1) basis; you will learn a lot from

your trainer about how he/she deals with the

extra trainee in the back seat, because when

you train your company drivers you may also

be required to train on the same ratio.

It’s important to remember that once you

have passed the course you have a year to

apply for the fleet licence, so it is a good to

wait to apply and get plenty of practice in

during that period.

You must also appreciate that having the

licence does not grant you safe passage into

becoming a fleet trainer. You may have to

attend an induction day at the company you

are working with or give a presentation as

part of their recruitment process, so it’s

essential you get good quality training during

your course.

Fleet training is rewarding and the training

will help you develop new skills, which can be

included during all of your training sessions.

The DVSA now looks for evidence of client

centred learning in the standards check, so

you could find taking a fleet course is money

well spent.


Special feature

Who’s at fault when an AV

crashes... and why Paisley

sits at the heart of the issue

Who is to blame when the

driver of a car in a crash is a

machine, asks Tom Harrington...

and what’s a humble café in

Scotland got to do with it...?

THE rapid development of

autonomous vehicles (AVs) has

revolutionised the automotive

industry and raised fundamental

questions about liability and accountability.

As vehicles transition from humancontrolled

to machine-driven systems, the

traditional framework of liability, which

assumes the driver is the primary party at

fault, is being challenged.

This shift necessitates a reassessment of

legal principles that govern crashes involving

AVs. The complex interplay between

software, hardware, and decision-making

algorithms in these vehicles further

complicates the issue.

Here we’ll look at how products liability can

address incidents involving AVs, exploring the

implications for manufacturers, insurers, and

society at large.

It will also examine how legal systems

must evolve to keep pace with these

technological advancements, ensuring that

liability frameworks are adaptable and

effective in a future where human drivers are

no longer the primary actors on the road.

The shifting landscape of liability

In the conventional driving paradigm,

liability for a crash typically falls on the driver,

and is attributed to human errors such as

speeding, inattention, distraction or

intoxication. However, in a world where AVs

operate with minimal human intervention, the

focus shifts to the entities responsible for the

vehicle’s software, sensors, and overall

functionality. This transition has ushered in

discussions about products liability — a legal

doctrine holding manufacturers and sellers

accountable for defective products that

cause harm.

Key elements of products liability

Products liability is primarily governed by

three theories:

n Design defects: Flaws inherent in a

product’s design, making it unsafe under

foreseeable conditions.

n Manufacturing defects: Errors occurring

during the production process, leading to

deviations from the intended design.

n Failure to warn: Insufficient instructions

or warnings regarding potential risks.

In the context of AVs, these theories are

crucial. For instance, if an autonomous driving

system fails to recognise a pedestrian due to

a sensor malfunction, the manufacturer could

be liable under a design or manufacturing

defect claim. Therefore, should the

manufacturers of self-driving vehicles be

held responsible for accidents due to several

important legal and ethical considerations?

Cases - though not involving AVs – have

been fought on issues such as this for

decades. Two of the more famous are In

Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) and Grant v.

Australian Knitting Mills (1936); in both cases

it was held that producers are responsible for

damages brought on by faulty goods, even if

the customer does not immediately notice

the flaw.

The case of Hedley Byrne & Co. Ltd v Heller

& Partners Ltd [1964] further developed the

Donoghue v. Stevenson concept and is

significant for considering whether

manufacturers adequately conveyed the

limitations or hazards of their goods, even

though it was largely about negligent

misstatements.

The strongest argument regarding the

responsibility for autonomous vehicle (AV)

crashes centres on the issue of

accountability for the design, programming,

and operation of the vehicle. Specifically:

Liability rests with the manufacturer,

programmer, or operator: The core argument

is that the parties involved in the design,

manufacturing, and software programming of

autonomous vehicles should be held

accountable when an AV crashes. This is

because the decision-making process of the



“As vehicles transition from

human-controlled to machinedriven

systems, the traditional

framework of liability, which

assumes the driver is the

primary party at fault, is

being challenged... ”

vehicle is controlled by algorithms, which are

developed and implemented by the

manufacturer or programmer. If the AV’s

software malfunctions, makes an incorrect

decision or fails to act appropriately in each

situation, the responsibility should lie with

the creators or those who are directly

responsible for the vehicle’s design and

deployment.

This aligns with traditional product liability

principles, where manufacturers are held

responsible for defective products that cause

harm.

In the case of fully autonomous vehicles,

this argument posits that human oversight

becomes secondary, and manufacturers or

operators should be held to a higher standard

of responsibility for ensuring the safety of

their products.

Product liability and defects

Product liability laws often hold

manufacturers accountable for defects in

their products. If an antiviral application

malfunctions due to defects in its hardware,

software, or design, the manufacturer is liable

for any damages caused by malware.

Unlike traditional cars, where the driver has

some control, AVs are totally reliant on the

manufacturer’s technology and algorithms.

Since many crashes are caused by failures in

these systems and the driver is unable to halt

them, the manufacturer must be held

responsible for ensuring the vehicle operates

as intended.

The Donoghue v. Stevenson decision was a

major precedent in English law that had a

significant impact on the evolution of the

theory of negligence. This crucial 1932

decision, which sprang from what seemed to

be a small-scale occurrence in a Scottish café

involving a patron finding a decomposed snail

in her bottle of ginger beer, marked the

beginning of a profound shift in tort law,

especially in the development and expansion

of the duty of care idea. (see panel right).

Continued on page 28

Auto vehicles and the law:

The Paisley connection

DONOGHUE V STEVENSON [1932] AC 562

is a landmark court decision in Scots delict

law and English tort law by the House of

Lords.

While by itself appearing trivial, it laid the

foundation of the modern law of negligence

in common law jurisdictions in the UK and

worldwide, establishing general principles of

the duty of care.

The ruling made it clear that

manufacturers of goods had an obligation to

take all reasonable steps to ensure the

safety of consumers of its goods, even if

the consumer had not directly purchased

them and therefore establishing a ‘contract’

under existing law between the consumer

and supplier.

The case is still enthusiastically studied

by student lawyers to this day, and is known

as the ‘Paisley Snail’ or ‘Snail in the Bottle’

case. It involved a local lady, Mrs May

Donoghue, drinking a bottle of ginger beer

in the Wellmeadow Café in Paisley,

Renfrewshire, which was owned by a Francis

Minghella.

Unknown to her or anybody else, as the

bottle was opaque, a decomposed snail was

in the bottle. She drank half the bottle and

then, when pouring out the other half, the

snail fell out into her drink.

Shaken by the knowledge that a

decomposing snail had been in her drink,

though she had not drunk it, Mrs Donoghue

went into shock and became ill, and ended

up visiting a local hospital where she was

treated for gastroenteritis.

On leaving hospital she

sought legal advice from a

local lawyer who had

recently been involved in a

similar case involving drinks

manufacturer AG Barr –

manufacturers of Scottish

A plaque marks the spot

in Paisley where the cafe

stood, to mark its role in

one of the world’s most

important legal cases

classic Irn Bru – and subsequently sued the

ginger beer manufacturer, Mr Stevenson.

The local Scottish courts rejected her

claim but she was allowed to take it to

Scotland’s highest Court of Appeal, and

subsequently to the House of Lords. There

the judges found that the manufacturer

owed a duty of care to the claimant, which

was breached because it was reasonably

foreseeable that failure to ensure the

product’s safety would lead to harm to

consumers. There was also a sufficiently

proximate relationship between consumers

and product manufacturers.

The case swung on Lord Atkins’ ruling

that if you took lawyers out of the

argument and sat down “with the common

folk of England and Scotland”, they would

rapidly come to the decision that if you ate

or drank something that made you ill

because something was included in the item

that should not be there, the manufacturer

was responsible: “That is common sense,”

Atkins said.

The decision created a new type of

liability in law that did not depend upon any

previously recognised category of tortious

claims. It was an evolutionary step in the

common law for tort and delict, moving from

strict liability based upon direct physical

contact to a fault-based system that only

required injury. This evolution was taken

further in subsequent cases when it was

held that actions should not be jointly

pleaded in trespass and negligence, but in

negligence alone.


Special feature

How AVs can change the

face of motoring

Continued from page 27

Manufacturers have a responsibility to

customers to make sure their AVs are safe to

use in all situations. If an accident happens

because of an AV malfunction — for example,

an algorithmic error or an inability to respond

to environmental conditions — the

manufacturer has breached this duty of care.

The manufacturer is also responsible for

testing; if a failure might have been identified

and avoided with careful testing, the

manufacturer may be held liable for testingrelated

negligence.

This is like other sectors where businesses

are held accountable for damages brought on

by defective products, such as medicines or

aviation. Additionally, before AVs may be

lawfully driven on public roads, their

producers must adhere to safety and

regulatory requirements.

The manufacturer may be held accountable

for the collision and any damage that results

if it is shown that they did not adhere to these

requirements.

“The advent of AVs heralds a

new era in transportation,

but it also poses significant

challenges for the legal system.

Products liability offers a

framework for addressing

these challenges...”

Furthermore, consumers may not

completely comprehend how the vehicle

functions because to the lack of openness

surrounding the technology behind AVs.

Therefore, AV manufacturers must be held

accountable for incidents involving their cars.

Their failure to guarantee the dependability

and safety of their products should not

release them from responsibility.

Legal systems are vital in advancing both

consumer protection and technical growth

because they hold manufactures to high

levels of responsibility. Robust legal and

regulatory control will be essential to

managing the benefits and challenges posed

by self-driving cars as they become more

windespread.

Making vehicle insurance mandatory for

self-driving vehicles (AVs) and requiring

manufacturers to pay for it is one way to

assign blame for such accidents. This

strategy would encourage automakers to put

safety first in their car designs and guarantee

victims receive compensation.

Examples of AV crashes

Recent incidents involving AVs have

highlighted the complexities of assigning

blame. In 2018 an AV operated by Uber struck

and killed a pedestrian in Arizona.

Investigations revealed that the vehicle’s

software failed to identify the pedestrian as a

hazard in time to avoid the collision. This

raised questions about the adequacy of the

system’s design and testing protocols.

In addition, collisions involving Tesla’s

Autopilot system sparked debates over

The world’s most popular

mainstream brand of AVs,

the Tesla S



whether its design sufficiently accounts for

human oversight and whether marketing

claims had created unrealistic consumer

expectations. These cases underscore the

need for a clear legal framework to address

such scenarios.

Challenges in applying products

liability to AVs

Complexity of autonomous systems

Modern AVs rely on a combination of

hardware (eg, LiDAR, cameras) and software

(eg, machine learning algorithms).

Determining whether a crash resulted from a

hardware malfunction, software bug, or

interaction between components can be

highly technical, requiring expert analysis.

Shared responsibility

Autonomous vehicles often incorporate

components from multiple suppliers. For

instance, a car manufacturer might source

sensors from one company and software

from another. When a crash occurs,

identifying the responsible party can be

challenging, potentially leading to disputes

among manufacturers, suppliers, and

insurers.

Standard of care

Traditional products liability relies on the

concept of ‘reasonable care’. In the AV

context, courts must grapple with defining

what constitutes reasonable behaviour for a

machine. Should AVs be held to the standard

of an average human driver or to a higher

standard given their advanced technology?

Policy considerations and legal reforms

The role of regulation

Governments and regulatory bodies play a

crucial role in shaping liability frameworks for

AVs. The United Nations Economic

Commission for Europe’s R155 and R156

regulations, focusing on cybersecurity and

software updates, provide a foundation for

ensuring safety and accountability. However,

additional measures may be needed to

address liability in the event of system

failures.

Mandatory insurance for AVs

One proposed solution is the adoption of a

mandatory insurance scheme for AVs,

wherein manufacturers bear the cost of

insuring their vehicles. This approach

simplifies the process for victims by ensuring

compensation without the need for lengthy

legal battles. Additionally, it incentivises

manufacturers to prioritise safety in their

designs.

Precedent-setting cases

As courts begin to hear cases involving AV

accidents, the outcomes will shape the legal

landscape. Key decisions will likely clarify the

application of products liability to AVs and

establish benchmarks for future claims.

Implications for stakeholders

Manufacturers

For manufacturers, the rise of products

liability in the AV context necessitates robust

testing and quality control. Companies must

also consider the implications of over-the-air

updates, as these could introduce unforeseen

issues post-sale.

Consumers

Consumers benefit from enhanced safety

but may face higher vehicle costs due to

increased liability risks for manufacturers.

Clear communication about the capabilities

and limitations of AV systems is essential to

managing user expectations.

Insurers

The shift from driver liability to manufacturer

liability transforms the insurance industry.

Insurers must develop new models to assess

and price risk, potentially focusing on product

liability coverage for manufacturers.

Conclusion

The advent of autonomous vehicles

heralds a new era in transportation, but it also

poses significant challenges for the legal

system. Products liability offers a framework

for addressing these challenges, emphasising

accountability and consumer protection.

However, the complexities of autonomous

vehicle technology require a nuanced

approach to legal doctrine.

Questions of fault, causation, and

foreseeability must be re-examined to

account for the interplay between human

users and machine algorithms.

Moreover, the legal system must anticipate

how advancements, such as AI and machine

learning, will affect the attribution of liability,

especially in cases involving unpredictable

software behaviour. Policymakers and legal

scholars must collaborate to ensure that

regulatory frameworks keep pace with

innovation.

Clear and adaptable laws will not only

protect consumers but also foster public

trust in this transformative technology. By

striking a balance between innovation and

responsibility, society can pave the way for

safer roads and a more equitable system of

liability while encouraging ethical

technological progress.

Honest John finds

Lexus is top brand

again for reliability

AN authoritative poll of car owners by

the Honest John team has confirmed yet

again that Lexus is the UK’s most reliable

car brand.

The Japanese luxury cars were named

as the best car brand for reliability in the

2025 Honest John Satisfaction Index,

with a reader rating of 97.01%.

Each year HonestJohn.co.uk asks its

readers to rate their car across a variety

of important areas including efficiency,

reliability, practicality and safety, as well

as performance and comfort. The result

is the Honest John Satisfaction Index.

Second place went to Tesla, with a

score of 95.29%, while Toyota - owners

of Lexus – were third with a rating of

94.65%.

The top five was rounded off by Honda

and Skoda.

Lexus’s NX model was also the most

reliable car overall, ahead of the Skoda

Karoq and Toyota Corolla.

At the other end of the index were Alfa

Romeo (76.67%), Jeep (82.31%) and

Vauxhall (84.53%), whose Corsa was

named the UK’s least reliable car.

One big surprise was that Mercedes

was voted as the fifth worst brand for

reliability on 86.03% - a huge

disappointment given its price premium.

As far as satisfaction was concerned,

Tesla took the honours – though

whether this popularity will hold, given

the antics of its owner, Elon Musk, is up

for debate.

Lexus was second for satisfaction,

with Porsche third. Again, Honda and

Skoda rounded off the top five.

Meanwhile, it was Alfa Romeo that

picked up the wooden spoon with its

72.12% rating as the least satisfying

brand to own overall, beating its

stablemate Fiat. Vauxhall was third

bottom, MG fourth.

The Honest John Satisfaction Index

also looked at breakdown cover

providers, where the surprise was to see

GEM Motoring Assist come out on top.

NFU Mutual was named the best car

insurance company for the sixth year

running.


Area News

Complex modern dashboards are a

licence for confusion and distraction

Arthur Mynott

West Coast

& Wales

SINCE returning to teaching learners to drive

I have had two pupils take their test, the

second one asking me to sit in the back

during his.

During the drive the pupil was asked to pull

over as normal and on his third stop he didn’t

fully release the handbrake when pulling off.

After a few seconds the warning beep started

and got gradually faster as we went along.

The pupil couldn’t work out why it was

beeping and after a short time the examiner

again asked him to pull over in a safe place.

This time he fully released the handbrake

when he moved off and, of course the

warnings stop, and we could hear him talking

to himself as to why the beeping had

occurred in the first place.

At the end of the test the examiner told

him that he had passed and had only incurred

two driving faults. The handbrake was one

and stopping opposite a junction was the

other (this was the one when the handbrake

was beeping!). We both explained why it was

beeping and had a laugh about it, without

that fault it would have been a ‘clean sheet’.

It’s interesting also to note that, after a

break of almost three years, driving tests are

still being cancelled as this one should have

been nine days earlier but was called off as I

turned up at his house for the lesson before

his test!

As an aside, the other test I mentioned

earlier also passed first time, so that’s a good

start so far.

The first test got me thinking about the

warning lights on the dash of modern

vehicles nowadays and how many different

ones there are. My teaching car is a 10-yearold

Ford Fiesta and my personal car is an

eight-year-old Volvo, so neither have some

of the newer sensors that are available on

the latest vehicles.

On one occasion quite recently, I was

entering a roundabout in the Volvo late one

evening and had timed my entrance to

perfection as a Land Rover had just gone

round and all of a sudden my car started

braking as it thought I was too close to it. The

screen lit up with the warning ‘Emergency

Braking’ and I never even knew it was on the

car!

I did see a picture a while ago (picture 1)

which shows many warning symbols that are

on modern cars, some of which even I didn’t

know, such as ‘dirty air filter’ and ‘suspension

damper’ to name a couple.

Picture 2 in the facing page shows an

alternative, slightly amusing explanations of

the more common symbols!!

“After a break of almost three

years, driving tests are still

being cancelled as this one

should have been nine days

earlier but was called off as I

turned up at his house for his

lesson before his test!”

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

MONDAY, MAY 12

A meeting has been arranged for ADIs and

PDIs in the north west of England with

David Mann, DVSA Delegated Enforcement

Delivery Manager. David will hopefully be

joined by some of the local examiners.

It is being held on Monday, May 12 at

7pm in Preston at the Preston Quaker

Meeting Rooms. Please contact me (see

facing page) for more information.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3

West Coast & Wales Area

Training Day and Conference.

Some early notice that the area training

day and conference will be held on Monday,

November 3, at the Holiday Inn,

Birmingham M6 Junction 7, Chapel Lane,

Birmingham B43 7BG.

Speakers from the DVSA and others

related to our industry will be invited.

This will be an all-day event with a buffet

lunch included. More details closer to the

date.



On the subject of dashboards...

IN OUR December 2024 issue, Newslink ran a

feature on how road safety experts were

becoming increasingly concerned about the

role driver distraction was playing in an

increasing number of car crashes.

While that topic has been a concern for

some time, this article was a little different, in

that it didn’t deal with the usual suspects of

mobile phone and tablet use by drivers;

rather, it asked whether ‘legitimate’

distractions in the more advanced modern

cockpits were proving just too much of a

draw on the driver’s attention.

In the article we cited the Peugeot e-5008

which had a 21” screen. That would have

been a big TV in the 1980s!

A report on the car said: “The e-5008

i-Cockpit has the ‘Panoramic’ i-Cockpit and

features a floating, curved 21” HD panoramic

screen. This combines a head-up display with

the central touchscreen.

“Slightly curved towards the driver, the

screen looks fantastic...”

But was it necessary for Peugeot to add

such a large screen to the car, and does it

inevitably drag the driver’s attention away

from the road?

We mention this again because another

new car has caught our eye, this time a new

Another way of looking

at dashboard icons ...

Arthur Mynott writes ...

If you have ever wondered what some of the

dashboard icons mean, here’s an alternative

look at those wonderful flashing symbols...

model on the UK’s roads, the SEALION 7.

Built by Chinese manufacturer BYD –

which has just overtaken Tesla as the world’s

biggest seller of EVs – it features the

monstrous touchscreen as displayed above.

It’s a 15.6” screen that can rotate between

portrait and landscape orientation, and from

it the driver controls most of the car’s

functions. It also allows the driver to respond

The SEALION 7 with its impressive

15.6” screen. A distraction too far?

to visual cues to activate items, such as

pressing on the windows or doors, instead of

searching through a list of functions. It is

teamed with a 10.5” instrument display.

The size of the screen is breathtaking and

does beg the question, is that too large to

NOT distract the driver, particularly a novice

one? Have the manufacturers inadvertently

made distracted driving normal - and legal?

Contact:

Arthur Mynott,

MSA GB West Coast & Wales Chairman

arthur.mynott@yahoo.com

Tel 07989 852274


Area News

Thoughts from an old man...

John Lomas

West Coast

& Wales

Bus Lanes

YOU MAY have read that in last month’s

(March) Newslink, on page 9 there was an

article talking about pupils and other

drivers being caught using bus lanes

illegally, with poor signage being blamed

for the transgression.

In Blackburn we had a morning rushhour

bus lane which posed the opposite

problem for pupils taking tests which

spanned 10 o’clock (am of course). First

they had to spot the bus lane signs, then

they had to check the time, fortunately

most cars have a clock and back then not

many people had a minicomputer on their

wrist (see Arthur Mynott’s article on page

38 of the same issue). If it was past 10am

then they were expected to drive in the bus

lane, but nobody else did, which is always

disconcerting.

I never found out what the examiners

required from the candidates if the clock

ticked around to 10am while they were

avoiding the bus lane; were they expected

to drive alongside the bus lane then dive in

as 10am came round, or were they allowed

to stick to their course?

Quite often the following scenario would

take place. 10am came round and so the

pupil was in the bus lane but nobody else is.

They are all outside them, exceeding the

speed of the pupil, even if he/she is at the

limit, and then the examiner would tell the

pupil to take the second turning right.

It is a tricky junction. While the second

turning was traffic light controlled, the first

junction is quite close to it and most of the

A remarkable US study of three cars – Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester – saw

its pedestrian automatic emergency braking systems fail to spot dummies walked in front of

them on a dimly lit road, when they were wearing hi-vis kit

other traffic is now looking to dive into the

left-hand lane to go straight ahead.

However, they were reluctant to let the

‘L’ driver out into the other lane. The poor

test candidate would get stuck, and the

situation probably caused quite a few fails

over the years.

The ironic thing was that there was only

one or two buses along that bus lane after

about 08:30am. It’s major use was for

school buses/coaches before 08:30.

Pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists or

horse riders and reflective clothing

For many years it has been advised that

road users such as those listed above

should wear reflective clothing in order to

make them more easily visible to drivers at

night, particularly in areas which are

unilluminated.

However, there is now something of a

conundrum being presented to those

users. Many cars and larger road vehicles

are being fitted with collision avoidance/

prevention systems; it may also be called

an auto-brake. It has now been reported

that reflective material clothing, including

reflective strips on clothing, can actually

confuse these safety systems to such an

extent that they don’t activate. While the

driver should still be doing the braking, this

safety system is effectively being made

redundant by people who are actually

trying to take steps to keep themselves

safe.

So the conundrum is ‘To wear reflective

gear or not?’. Are you more likely to be in

danger from a vehicle without these safety

systems so wear reflective gear, or are you

at higher risk from these so-called ‘safer’

vehicles?

The best answer might well change as

more and more such vehicles come on the

market, but it also raises more questions

around autonomous vehicles as the move

from Level 1/2, where we are now, to Level

5 (Full Autonomy where the driver takes a

back seat to the tech).

The trials of autonomous vehicles have

already seen crashes on public roads on

the other side of the pond, which is where

most of the development work has been

done. Which is why the study which has

come up with this warning is also from the

USA.

If you are interested in reading further on

this, see this LINK HERE:

For more on the levels of autonomous

driving, click HERE



New website boost for

Aberdeen ADI group

DEREK YOUNG

Secretary, Aberdeen & District

Driving Schools Association

THE Aberdeen and District Driving Schools

Association (ADDSA) has launched its new

website, at www.addsa.co.uk.

During last year’s meetings our members

suggested a new website would help

promote our association.

After several discussions we decided to go

ahead and with the help of a web designer

and lots of conversations between the

committee, we have a new-look website (see

below for graphic of home page).

We hope the new website will attract

driving instructors who are independent and

looking to join an association along with

anybody thinking of becoming an instructor

DVSA enforcement manager to

speak at ADDSA April meeting

THE Aberdeen and District Driving Schools

Association is hosting a meeting with the

DVSA on Thursday, April 10, starting at 2pm.

The venue is Aberdeenshire Cricket Club,

Morningside Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7FB.

The principal guest will be DVSA

enforcement manager William Davidson

who will be answering any questions on

standard check tests and the new L-test

who is looking for training, as several

members offer this type of service.

The website includes a members-only

section where we have added in several links

providing invaluable information such as the

ADI triggers, the National Standards, a GDE

Matrix, how to conduct mock tests, details of

how to book driving tests, contact details for

insurance companies and local car garages

who have offered discounts on any repairs.

Already our website has worked as two

Instructors have now joined.

Also on the front page of our website is a

Facebook link to help pupils ‘Find a Driving

Instructor’ in Aberdeen which has generated

lots of pupils for our members.

It was a challenge developing the website

but hopefully it will benefit the association in

the long term.

The new website is

helping promote the

association to a

wider audience, and

is already proving a

significant asset

pass rate analysis report.

Soup and sandwiches will be served at

1.15pm for those who arrive early. There is

no cost involved.

All ADIs and PDIs are welcome to attend;

it is not just for ADDSA members.

If you wish to attend please advise Derek

Young via email, at

derekyoungcreel@aol.com

All welcome

to Preston

meeting with

the DVSA

Date: Monday, May 12

Venue: Preston Quaker Meeting Rooms,

189 St George’s Road, Preston PR1 6NQ

Time: From 7pm

Cost: Members £10; Non-members £15

MSA GB’s Area 4 (West Coast) is pleased

to announce an ADI meeting on Monday,

May 12 at 7pm, in conjunction with the

DVSA.

Our guest speak will be David Mann,

DVSA’s National ADI Delegated

Enforcement Delivery Manager. David

has agreed to do a presentation and to

answer any questions instructors may

have.

David is also inviting some local driving

examiners along.

MSA GB organised two of these

meetings last year around the area and

both were extremely well received by all

who attended and lots of questions were

asked, especially covering local issues

which were addressed.

The venue is: Preston Quaker Meeting

Rooms, 189 St. George’s Road Preston

PR1 6NQ.

The cost to MSA GB members will be

£10. Non-members will be made very

welcome at a cost of £15, though the £5

difference in the admission fee will be

reimbursed if you join the MSA GB on the

night.

To book and for payment details please

contact Arthur Mynott at

arthur.mynott@msagb.com or

call him on 07989 852274.


Area News

Visit to bike show reveals John’s

ready to storm through 2025

Steven

Porter

MSA GB Scotland

AS YOU guys that read my stories know, I’ve

become a bit of a motorbike enthusiast in

recent years, and on Sunday, March 9 my

friend Greg and I decided to take a trip up to

the Scottish Motorcycle Show at The Royal

Highland Centre, Edinburgh.

This was my first-ever visit to the show;

previously when it’s been on I’ve had a couple

of senior moments and booked in for other

events on the same day.

We left home around 9am, stopped for a

Micky Ds just before the centre, as the

vendors at shows tend to charge exorbitant

prices for food and drink (£7 for chips, would

you believe!) Anyway, filled up with a sausage

and egg McMuffin and a hot chocolate, we

were raring to go.

Greg’s lovely daughter had given us a pass

for the parking to save us more money, and

the good news didn’t end there. As we were

getting out of the car and walking to the

entrance a lovely young fella runs up and asks

whether would we like a couple of free

passes to get in? Obviously we had to think

this one through for a few seconds before

saying ‘of course we will, young man, thank

Steven Porter

with motorcycle

racer John McPhee

you!’ What a start to the day.

It was an fascinating show. As you will see

from the photos on this spread there were

many different kinds of bikes, from the

modern day to examples dating back to the

1920s and possibly even earlier. There were

some beautiful bits of machinery with a few

winners in among them all. The display list

read like a who’s who of the motorbike world:

A classic

Norton

Harley, Norton, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Royal

Enfield, as well as names I have never heard

of, such as MVs, Morinis, Humbers, P&Ms and

a BSA Bantam 175. Superb stuff.

The main reason for visiting was a chance

to meet our John McPhee. Regular readers

will know I’ve followed his career avidly over

the past few years, even timing an overseas

holiday to watch him race abroad. He has

moved into British Superbikes after two

rather wasted years in World Superbikes

where he raced for two teams with great

intentions but their own distinct set of

problems: one did not have enough money to

see the season through; and the other did

not having enough staff the owner could

sack in one season.

John has joined the MasterMac Honda

10k is the goal as I look to turn 54 a fitter man

STEVEN PORTER

ON another note, I’ve hit 53 and decided

now is the time to get my fitness levels up.

I know, 53, why would you bother!

In recent years my health hasn’t been the

greatest and I feel I need to do something to

try to minimise all the irritating infections

I’ve been getting.

So after a bottle of wine at the tail end of

last year I stupidly said to my fittest son (big

mistake) that I would like to run a 10k with

him next year – that’s as in this year.

I’m off and running. In the last 10 days I

have run four 5ks, two with him and the

other two with my youngest, and to be fair

he has helped me get round the route we

chose.

I’ve already seen progress and knocked

off something like six minutes on my time

between the first attempt and the last one.

Will I get to the 10k this year? I don’t

know, but that is my goal and as we know,

setting goals is how we achieve what we set

out to do.

One thing is for certain though, even in

such a short period of time I feel so much

better physically and mentally knowing I can

do it and knowing I can get fitter and quicker

in the coming weeks and months.

Moral of the story, age is but a number.

Don’t go thinking I’m too old to do ‘xyz’,

anything is possible and your health is the

most important thing.

Stay safe folks and I’ll keep you in the loop

on how I do with the 10k dream.



team, and the good news is that they look like

a solid crew. They have been going as long as

he has been living (his words by the way) –

an established team and you can see for

yourself, a beautiful bike to go with it.

John has been away training in Spain on a

similar bike to the one he will be racing on. He

needs to get the feel of the bigger 1,000cc

bike.

After speaking to him he is looking forward

to getting back to racing and in among the

fight for the podium. It’s going to be another

learning year for John with the bigger bike but

at least he will feel confident the bike will be

more reliable than the ones he’s had the last

couple of years.

First race is at Oulton Park in Cheshire at

the beginning of May. I’m going down to

watch – though perhaps stupidly agreed to

do it camping style with the youngest and

her indoors. Please give us a dry weekend!

Top, John

McPhee’s

MasterMac

Honda

Above, top

left, an AER, a

British-built

bike from

Liverpool

Left, an AA

patrol bike

Above, a modern Harley, and right, a

Royal Enfield.

Below, a Triumph dirt bike and a 1925

Scott (right)


Membership offers

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 partnership with MOTIA,

which is the new name for Fuel Card

Services.

A Motia fuel card 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.

MOTIA, the new name for Fuel Card

Services, offers a large choice 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.

Motia and MSA GB are helping to deliver

cost savings to members throughout the

country.

For more details and to obtain

a Motia fuel card through MSA GB,

go to our website by CLICKING HERE

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 MARCH.

Outlook: The current uncertainty in global markets caused by US President Donald

Trump’s pledge to install tariffs and restrict access to the US is creating ripples in

the oil sector, with wholesale prices edging up in recent days.

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

UNLEADED

DIESEL

UK average 137p 143p

Motorway 159p 167p

Supermarkets 133p 138p

More membership deals

- see pg 38-39

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.

Find the special members discount section of our

website by CLICKING HERE

36

NEWSLINK n APRIL 2025

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

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 Roman Park Hall, Sir Henry Lee

Crescent, HP18 0YT. 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 directory,

contact Peter Harvey on peter.harveymbe@msagb.com

NEWSLINK n APRIL 2025

37

Benefits and 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.

Tyresafe and MSA GB: A crucial

partnership for tyre education

TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety charity, partners with the MSA GB, the

longest established trade association for driver trainers in GB, to promote tyre

safety education across the nation. This collaboration is a significant step towards

ensuring that the next generation of drivers understands the critical importance of

tyre maintenance. By leveraging the strengths and resources of both organisations,

TyreSafe and MSA GB are committed to making UK roads safer for all.

See msagb.com for more details.

Ford updates special

members’ offer

To get the full

story of the

discounts

available,

click HERE

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 a Motia

Fuel Card. Motia, the new name for Fuel Card

Services, offers a large choice from leading

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

you can decide which networks to include on

your business account.

n Save up to 10p per litre

n Increased security - fuel cards are safer

than 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.

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 can offer

up to a 40% discount off the

underwriter’s standard rates.

This is a comprehensive plan which provides

cash benefits for surgery and other charges.



PUPIL INSURANCE

Join the Collingwood

Instructor Programme and

refer your pupils for learner

insurance.

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.

TRAINING COURSES

Gates & Gibson is offering

all members a 10% discount

on two of it most popular workshops, How to

Manage Your Students and British Sign

Language for ADIs and PDIs, and access to a

30-minute Business Discovery Call FREE OF

CHARGE. The content of all three is tailored

precisely to ADIs’ needs.

MSA GB OFFER:: 10% discount to MSA GB

members. Add code: MSA10 at checkout on

the Gates and Gibson website,

https://www.gatesandgibson.com

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, to

manage VAT and income tax.

Plus their package for businesses managing

projects, stock, VAT, and income tax.

The packages are contract-free with no

cancellation fee. Contact our MSA GB

representative at Quickbooks - Ollie Nobes,

on: 07723 507 026 or email: Ollie_Nobes@

intuit.com quoting: **MSAGB**

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 £30

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.


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Newslink April 2025

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