Newslink June 2025

msagb.com

Newslink

The Voice of MSA GB

Issue 389 • June 2025

SPECIAL FEATURE:

Tackling

the L-test

backlog

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ADI shouldn’t pay the

price for cost of living

increases elsewhere

Colin Lilly

Editor,

Newslink

AN ARTICLE on the BBC recently covered the

topic of driving lesson prices. It highlighted

the issue of learner drivers who claim that

they were struggling to meet the cost of

their driving lessons.

Learning to drive is and should be priced at

a point that is achievable for the

overwhelming majority but not so cheap that

its value is undermined. Driving is not a given

right; it has to be earned, and available only

by those who show sufficient competence.

The price of a one-hour driving lesson has

generally been around 5% of national average

wage. Admittedly there have been times

when prices have stagnated but then risen to

the achieve the ‘status quo.’ We have

reached that point now after several years in

the doldrums pre-Covid. The latest DVSA

survey found that almost half (46%) of driver

trainers were charging £36 to £40 per hour

for tuition.

Young people, who form the bulk of our

clientele, are affected a little differently in that

their income is often below national average,

sometimes at the national minimum and

possibly low or zero hours. In their case a

single lesson can be up to 10% of their

income. But learning to drive is an investment

in a person’s future, and needs to be viewed

as such.

Driving lessons can be difficult for some

young people to afford but they have life

choices.

Learners quoted in the story referred to

the extra expense involved while waiting for a

driving test or having to travel to test centres

not local to them to even get a test in a

reasonable timeframe. While we sympathise

with their plight, that situation has not been

created by driver trainers; we cannot be

expected to adjust our prices to make

allowances for the failures of the DVSA to

provide testing on demand.

One quote I found ironic in the report was

from a person who complained that the

expense is difficult to bear alongside other

increases in the cost of living. Yet driver

trainers and their businesses are subject to

the same increases and it should be accepted

that the rise in the cost of living will affect

them accordingly – or they will be forced to

reduce their own living standards.

Driver training is a business, one which the

learner has a choice to use or not. In the end

the majority go to a driver trainer for some, if

not all, of their tuition. Any who feel that they

are ready to pass their test despite the lack

“A person complained that the

expense is difficult to bear

alongside other increases in the

cost of living. Yet driver trainers

are subject to the same increases

and it should be accepted that the

rise in the cost of living will affect

them accordingly...”

of support from their trainer often find that

any attempted shortcuts prove to be false

economy.

In the end a price has to be paid and

trainers should not be expected to cover the

extra expense of the current driving test

situation.

CONTACT THE EDITOR:

To comment on any of the articles in

Newslink, or to submit your own,

contact Colin Lilly, Editor, Newslink, at

editor@msagb.com

Book now for MSA GB training event: see pg 6

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

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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

The L-test waiting

times crisis

continues as

DVSA responds to

NASP questions

- From page 12

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 n JUNE 2025 03

Contents

26

33

08

Tackling the backlog

The L-test waiting times crisis shows no

sign of abating, and this issue of Newslink

includes the latest developments: NASP’s

questions to the DVSA, and its responses,

a new consultation on booking tests, the

views of ADIs and ideas for getting the

profession out of this mess – p 8, 12-19

The grand old lady hits 90

The L-test has hit 90: we take a look at the

way it has developed compared to the

landscape back in 1935 – page 10

Road safety news

More controversy over older drivers as a

coroner criticises the lax licensing system

in the UK, while in Norfolk a groundbreaking

programme is hoping to keep

everyone safe with an intervention

strategy for senior citizens – page 20

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

22

10

Giving feedback: Goals, medals

and missions

ADI trainer Steve Garrod offers his take on

the best way to deliver feedback to pupils

in a manner that is both encouraging and

constructive – page 24

20mph zones: a lifesaver that

needs encouraging, or a nuisance?

A new report has studied 20mph zones

across Britain – and its conclusions will

prove a boon to those who support the

often controversial schemes – page 28

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: colin@chambermediaservices.co.uk

t: 01942 537959 / 07871 444922

28

Views expressed in Newslink are not necessarily those

of the MSA GB or the publishers.

Area news

Details of two special events for the

autumn, reports on a fond farewell to a

retiring member, a great meeting with the

DVSA – and a personal account of living

with a stammer – from page 32

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE

MSA GB 90th CELEBRATION!

Full details - see page 6

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 ■ JUNE 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


SPECIAL EVENT

Join us as we celebrate 90 years of

MSA GB

MSA GB 90th Birthday & Training Event

July 25-26, 2025

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience as we celebrate MSA GB’s 90th anniversary.

This milestone event celebrates our legacy as the longest-established association for ADIs and PDIs,

with opportunities for professional growth, learning, and networking.

A weekend of insights, networking, and celebration

Whether you’re attending for the training, the networking,

or our birthday celebrations, this is an event not to be

missed.

FRIDAY, 25TH JULY marks the start of the weekend, with

check-in from 3 pm. Guests can enjoy full access to the

hotel’s facilities (see right) before gathering for a buffet

dinner around 7.30 pm, an ideal time to meet your fellow

instructors, speak with exhibitors, and ease into the

weekend.

SATURDAY, 26TH JULY, is dedicated to training and

development. From 10am to 3.30pm, the day will include

expert speakers, interactive workshops, and networking,

with lunch provided.

Speakers already confirmed include:

n Pauline Reeves (DVSA)

n Confident Drivers

n FBTC: Presentation topic - Making Tax Digital

n The Innovative Driving Education Academy

n The Honest Truth

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER –

90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

On Saturday night, we’ll come together for a special evening

event featuring dinner and entertainment to celebrate MSA GB’s

90th birthday. It’s a moment to reflect on the achievements of

the past, celebrate our community, and look ahead to the future

of driver education and road safety.

06 NEWSLINK n JUNE 2025


OUR VENUE

Village Hotel Coventry

Dolomite Ave, Coventry

Business Park, Coventry,

CV4 9GZ

Free use of swimming pool,

gym and other leisure

facilities

Superb bars and restaurant

Perfect base for exploring

Warwickshire for non-ADI

partners and friends

Booking options and prices

Whether you’re coming for just the Saturday or making a full

weekend of it, we’ve got options to suit everyone. Early bird pricing

runs until 30th June, so book now to secure your spot at the best rate.

Friday and/or

Saturday evening

Dinner B&B

EARLY BIRD

Single Occupancy - £85

Double Occupancy - £120

AFTER 30TH JUNE

Single Occupancy - £95

Double Occupancy

- £130

Whole weekend

package

including Dinner, B&B and delegate

ticket for the Saturday Training Day

EARLY BIRD

Single Occupancy

(includes ticket for the training day) - £200

Double Occupancy

(inc. two tickets for the training day) - £270

AFTER 30TH JUNE

Single Occupancy (includes ticket

for the training day) - £210

Double Occupancy (two tickets

for training day) - £280

Saturday only

day delegate

including morning coffee,

buffet lunch, and afternoon

tea on departure.

EARLY BIRD

- £35

AFTER 30TH JUNE

- £45

Want to come?

Click here

to claim your

place!

Book by June 30

to secure

Early Bird prices


News

New consultation as Government

looks to get tough on the bots

THE DVSA has launched a wide-ranging

consultation on the way L-tests are booked

as part of its latest attempt to crackdown on

the automated bots and booking apps which

many people believe are contributing to the

current shortage of available test slots to

book.

And ADIs have been warned that if no

simple way can be found to shut-off the

booking system from apps and bots, there is

a strong possibility the ability to swap test

slots between pupils will be axed for all users,

including ADIs.

Many instructors find this facility useful

when a pupil comes to test readiness before

another who has a test booked.

However, the fear is that this option is

creating a gateway into the system that is

increasingly being exploited by unscrupulous

operators who then book up countless test

slots, only to later sell them on at inflated

prices to learners who are desperate to

obtain a slot of their own.

The consultation will aim to build a new,

more robust system that will go some way to

tackling the increasing backlog to secure a

driving test, which now stands at over 22

weeks across the country (see panel above).

Lillian Greenwood, Minister for the Future

of Roads said the consultation was a key

element in its seven-point strategy to cut

test waiting times and highlighted how

important the Government believes this

issue to be: “Driving isn’t just about getting

from A to B — it’s a vital link to jobs, social

opportunities, and a stronger economy,

which helps to deliver our Plan for Change.

“This consultation is an important move

Three-quarters of DTCs at maximum wait

New data obtained by AA Driving School

shows average waiting times for a driving

test have reached a new high, with learners

typically facing waits of 21.3 weeks.

The number of driving test centres

showing the maximum wait of 24 weeks

has risen to an astonishing 79% of test

centres (as of April 7th 2025). In just two

towards giving learners more say over how

and where they can book, alongside setting

out options to better enable DVSA to block

bots from stealing slots, so learners can get

on the road without unnecessary delays.

“Working with the DVSA, we want to make

driving test booking fairer, protect all learners

from exploitation, and reduce lengthy waiting

times.”

Under the current rules, instructors are

able to book tests for their pupils with

assessments swapped between learner

drivers. However, the DVSA is looking to

remove these abilities and “stop the

mechanisms that make reselling possible”

It is estimated that around one-in-three of

every driving test is now secured via an

unofficial booking service.

Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive

explained: “We’ve been working tirelessly to

bring down the driving test waiting times. To

help tackle this, in December 2024 we

announced a new plan, on which we’re

making good progress.

“DVSA’s goal is to make booking a driving

test easier and fairer for everyone while

months the number of test centres with

24-week waits rose from 183 in February

2025 to 253 at the start of April 2025 – an

increase of 38%.

There has been a small increase in the

number of test centres with waits at or

below the DVSA’s target of 7 weeks, from 14

in February 2025 to 20 in April 2025.

preventing excessive charges for learner

drivers.”

The National Associations Strategic

Partnership (NASP), of which MSA GB is a

member, said: “The driver training industry

welcomes this consultation as a key step in

improving accessibility and usability of the

test booking system for legitimate users, but

equally, as an important step towards

preventing access by those seeking to exploit

learners through the illegitimate sale of test

slots at extortionate prices.

“We urge pupils, parents and trainers to

respond to the consultation and ensure they

are part of enabling better, more efficient and

fairer solutions for booking driving tests in

the future.”

MSA GB SAYS...

MSA GB urges its members to have their say

on this consultation, particularly on whether

or not you prize the ability to swap your

pupils’ driving tests.

Have your say NOW

Just click HERE to take part in this vital

consultation.

The consultation will close at 11.59pm

on July 23


News

Look who’s 90! Driving test

reaches major milestone

JUNE 1 marked the 90th birthday of the

compulsory L-test in Great Britain, which

was brought in on that date in 1935 after just

over a year of being a voluntary test.

MSA GB’s Peter Harvey MBE said that

while the milestone should be celebrated, it

was important the L-test did not find itself

being overtaken by new technology and ways

of working and thinking, to avoid it becoming

an obsolete relic. “Happy birthday to the

L-test! While it is still remembered by all who

take it as a nerve-wracking experience,

passing it has always been a rite of passage,

and many young people will look back with

real fondness on the day they passed.”

The L-test’s role in road safety cannot be

overstated; it single handedly brought in an

accepted standard for new drivers, and while

driving instructors had existed before the

test, most were linked to boosting car sales

rather than improving driving standards.

The test ushered in the new profession of

driving instructors, and the Motor Schools

Association, which also celebrates its 90th

birthday this year, was also established that

year (see page 6-7).

It is interesting to note that, despite there

being only a handful of cars on the road in

1935 compared to modern traffic volumes,

there were still over four-times more people

killed in traffic collisions than there are now.

“Driving standards have improved

immeasurably because of the test’s

introduction,” said Peter. “I’ve often

wondered how someone who passed in June

1935 would have fared on today’s roads!”

The UK driving test is still seen as one of

the global leaders in the field, and something

the country should be proud of, he added.

“It’s always interesting to meet road safety

professionals from overseas and listen to

their views of the British system; it is still held

in a very high regard. Every country handles

driver testing differently, but while there is

much to learn from other nations, I still think

the British system is fair, comprehensive and

unbiased. It could always be improved but it is

still something we should be proud of.”

It is a shame that the anniversary comes at

a time when the L-test is coming under some

of the greatest pressure since its inception,

amid growing discontent over spiralling

A driving

test pass

from 1935,

and below,

a Highway

Code from

1931.

waiting times and calls for widespread

reform.

AA Driving School decided to mark the

occasion by conducting some new research

into the test among the driving public, with

their response to the question ‘do you think

you would pass your driving test if asked to

perform it today’ a particular highlight.

The response? Only 32% of drivers are

very confident they would pass a retake of

their practical test today, and just 17% felt the

same about a retake of their theory test.

As you might expect, younger drivers were

more likely to feel very confident about

passing a re-take compared to those over 65

(40% vs 30%).

When asked why they thought they would

fail, in both the practical and theory tests, the

top five reasons were:

n Bad habits that have crept into my driving

(73%)

n Nerves (33%)

n Reversing manoeuvres (30%)

n Following a sat nav (25%)

n Mirrors / attitude to other road users /

Other (13%)

On the theory test, a whopping 88% said

they were fearful of any questions on the

Highway Code, with other areas of theory

(50%), rules of the road (46%), knowledge of

road signs (38%) and hazard perception

(32%) all key reasons for not wanting to be

tested again.

Emma Bush, managing director of AA

Driving School, said: “The driving test was

introduced to help stem the tide of rising road

deaths.

“Safety has remained at its core and over

time more features have been added to help

ensure new drivers are as prepared as

possible for life on the road.

“Learners today can take lessons with a

qualified instructor on the motorway and

must show they can follow directions from a

sat nav or road signs.

“It’s a robust test, so it’s no wonder so

many qualified drivers think they would

struggle with a re-test.

“With electric vehicles gaining popularity;

autonomous vehicle technology evolving and

an ever greater focus on road safety, the next

90 years will undoubtedly bring many more

changes to the test and process of learning to

drive.”

“The test ushered in the new

profession of driving

instructors, and shortly before

that the establishment of the

Motor Schools Association,

which also celebrates its 90th

birthday this year.”



In comparison: 1935 v 2025

1935 2025

Pass rate 63% 49%

Duration 30 minutes driving 40 minutes driving; 80 minute theory test

Requirements Hill start; emergency stop; Highway Eyesight check; general driving ability; reversing; 20-minute

Code knowledge; correct use of arm signals independent drive; Show Me, Tell Me questions; separate

theory test

Number of 250 1,627

examiners

Test centres None; all tests conducted from official Around 320 centres for practical test; separate theory test

premises such as Post Offices or train

centres

stations; examiners met candidates

Cost 7s 6d* Practical - £62* (weekdays); £75 (evenings, weekends

and Bank Holidays. Theory, £23

Annual road 7,343 1,607

deaths

According to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, 7s 6d in 1935 is equivalent to £25 today...


TACKLING THE BACKLOG

The ongoing crisis in L-test waiting times shows no sign of easing, and in this special report Newslink

looks at the latest responses to the issue. Here we publish a series of questions NASP put to the DVSA

in May, which the agency answered towards the end of the month. On subsequent pages we feature the

thoughts from respected commentators as the industry searches for a solution

NASP submits FAQs to DVSA

amid growing concerns from

ADIs across the country

AS PART of NASP’s ongoing efforts

to hold DVSA to account on the

pressing issues impacting the

driver training industry, a new set

of strategic FAQs were issued to DVSA by

NASP at the start of May, challenging the

agency on its current response to the

ongoing crisis in driving test availability and

booking system access.

We are happy to report that we received

responses on May 23, and we have published

the questions and answers here (below).

The questions were informed by feedback

from the membership bases of all three NASP

associations (MSA GB, DIA and ADINJC) and

were designed to push for clear answers,

more radical action, and genuine

accountability on the part of DVSA.

This initiative is part of a broader

NASP cranks up

the pressure as

waiting times

crisis continues

programme of work undertaken by NASP to

escalate concerns to government, seek

greater transparency, and influence the

direction of DVSA’s service recovery strategy.

Alongside direct correspondence with

DVSA’s Chief Executive, NASP has engaged

with ministers and key parliamentary figures,

provided evidence to the Transport Select

Committee, and continued to raise members’

concerns in high-level meetings.

The questions submitted reflect the

frustration, uncertainty and operational

pressures being felt by many in the

profession – and form part of an urgent call

for practical, measurable solutions.

While we acknowledge the agency’s

efforts to engage in an open and frank

discussion of the issues, and their

transparency in answering these specific

FAQs, NASP will continue to challenge the

agency on its management of the test

waiting times issue (and the knock-on

impacts this has on other areas of DVSA’s

provision), as well as continuing to highlight

the concerns and frustrations of trainers and

their pupils.

Under the spotlight: Questions to the DVSA

“What is actual

examiner recruitment

currently looking like

at this moment... ”

“What measures have

been taken to increase

retention of recruits so

they stay in the

process through to

deployment?”

Below are some of the questions put to the DVSA on

driving test waiting times and the booking system.

These FAQs are derived from questions we have

received from our members and our own questions/

views as NASP associations.

NASP QUESTION: With reference to the additional

measures announced by the Minister at the end of

April, why weren’t some of these latest measures

implemented earlier?

DVSA RESPONSE: We’ve made progress on

implementing our seven-point plan to reduce waiting

times. But we know that our customers are not

seeing the immediate effects of the measures. The

Secretary of State for Transport has asked us to take

further action to accelerate those measures, which

will see thousands of additional tests made available

every month.

What other radical measures (to tackle driving test

waiting times and issues with the booking system)

have you considered, and why have they not been

implemented?

For example, NASP has previously suggested the

consideration of:

a. No swaps (or restricting types of swap, only

allowing swaps within a certain timeframe)

b. Closing the booking system to only ADIs

c. Could you open the booking window completely? If

not, why not?



“Once all of the

additional

measures are in

place we expect

them to create up to

10,000 extra tests

a month. The

additional

measures include

doubling the

number of

examiner

trainers... and

reintroduction of

pay incentives...”

DVSA RESPONSE: We expect to launch

the consultation soon including options that

explore ways help to prevent the reselling of

tests and use of bots. We will let you know

when this has been launched. We will share

more with you on the options this includes

when we can. The booking window

extension pilot is on-going and has been

extended further in the last week. We

continue to review and assess results.

How many extra 1,000s of tests are these

latest measures expected to create?

DVSA RESPONSE: Once all of the

additional measures are in place we expect

them to create up to 10,000 extra tests a

month. The additional measures include:

i. Staff in other DVSA roles who are

qualified to examine will be asked to

volunteer to return to the frontline to

provide practical driving tests

ii. Doubling the number of permanent

trainers to skill up new driving examiners

quickly

iii. Accelerated consultation to investigate

the potential abuse of the driving test

booking system and prevent bots from

accessing tests

iv. Reintroduction of overtime pay

incentives for everyone delivering driving

tests

What is actual examiner recruitment

currently looking like at this moment?

DVSA RESPONSE: Since July 2024:

287 people have been onboarded and

have either completed the driving examiner

training course or started it.

Of those, 165 people have successfully

completed training and are now testing, 49

are in training and 73 failed the training

programme. 184 people have still to finish

going through the recruitment and training

process. Of these, 116 are booked on future

training courses and 68 are going through

pre-employment checks.

Attrition among existing examiners is

working out at 10 per month.

Our latest recruitment campaign closed

on 14 April and should be complete by

mid-June. Following this, we should be in a

position to offer employment and increase

the number of people going through the

driving examiner training process.

Where are the extra examiner trainers

being recruited from?

DVSA RESPONSE: The additional

examiner trainers have been recruited from

the existing driving examiner resource as

they will be able to get up-to-speed quicker

to start training future examiners.

MORE FROM THE NASP/

DVSA Q& A – TURN OVER

Government responds as driving test petition hits 10,000 signatures

A PETITION calling for urgent reform to the

driving test booking system passed the

10,000-signature milestone – prompting a

formal response from the Department for

Transport (DfT).

The DfT acknowledged the widespread

concern among both the ADI community

and wider general public, saying that as a

result, “DVSA is reviewing its booking

processes with the aim of improving this

service for all users.”

The DVSA confirmed it is cracking down

on the resale of tests and misuse of

booking accounts. Since new terms and

conditions were introduced in January

2025, the agency has issued 44 warnings,

suspended 120 accounts, and closed 270

business accounts for rule violations.



DVSA responds as NASP keeps up

the pressure over L-test waiting

Q & A with the DVSA:

Continued from page 13

ADIs continue to voice their

frustration over test

availability, when bots and

automatic booking sites are

offering numerous tests

priced at several times above

the required fee

What total testing capacity was delivered

with the last deployment of warrant card

holders? And how does that measure up to

what you expect this time?

DVSA RESPONSE: When all available

warrant card holders were previously

deployed back to testing between October

2023 and March 2024, this resulted in around

150,000 additional tests being made

available.

As part of the additional measures

announced at the Transport Select

Committee we’ve issued a call for volunteers

from those currently in other roles (but

qualified to examine) to carry out practical

driving tests.

Our pool of volunteers this time around will

be considerably smaller as many of our

warrant card holders are now delivering on

key aspects of the seven-point plan,

including recruitment and training and policy

initiatives. We cannot compare the previous

deployment figures with this measure.

What timeline do you have for recruitment

and deployment of examiner trainers, and

when is that expected to show an impact?

DVSA RESPONSE: We are planning to

commence training of the new examiner

trainers in June 2025. If successful, the

trainers would be available to train by the

Autumn. We would expect to see these

examiners delivering training later this year.

How will extra trainers speed up

recruitment itself?

DVSA RESPONSE: Increasing the number

of trainers will allow us to increase our

training capacity for driving examiners. This

will allow us to train more examiners, and

ultimately to offer more driving tests.

What moves have been made to increase

the attraction of the examiner role?

DVSA RESPONSE: We have been more

targeted in recruitment campaigns and

where we have advertised job vacancies,

including job fairs, open days, etc. Raising

awareness has been important in this.

We have also changed our recruitment

adverts to highlight the overall benefits

package.

What measures have been taken to

increase retention of recruits so they stay in

the process through to deployment?

DVSA RESPONSE: Feedback from

candidates who have not completed their

training was that doing the majority of their

training at a central location didn’t allow them

to feel part of the local team they would be

part of and didn’t give them a real feel for the

role.

We reviewed the split of centralised and

local training for future training and have

shortened the time at the central site so

candidates can spend more time being

trained at a local test centre to feel part of the

examiner team and get a better feel for the

role.

How many warrant cardholders do you

realistically expect to volunteer this time?

DVSA RESPONSE: While the expectation is

that numbers to volunteer full time will be

lower than before, we do expect warrant card

holders to volunteer time through the

implementation of the Additional Testing

Award incentive scheme.

What impact do you expect the overtime

offer to have realistically?

DVSA RESPONSE: The overtime incentive

along with the other additional measures are

expected to create up to 10,000 extra tests a

month.

What happens if you don’t get the

volunteers? Will you/can you press gang

people into the role?

DVSA RESPONSE: We would need to

monitor and review how many volunteers

come forward and would need to consult on

any further action with DfT and trade unions.

What impact are these extra measures (ie,

deploying more warrant card holders back to

Cat B testing) going to have on the Part 2 and

3?



“Both DVSA and DfT

understand the lack of

available tests and the impact

that this is having on the

driver training industry”

DVSA RESPONSE: We are currently

assessing the potential impact of qualified

examiners from other parts of DVSA

volunteering to contribute to the driver

testing recovery work. Part 2 and 3 tests

form part of the statutory service so we will

continue to deliver these tests. We will share

an update on this as soon as we can.

If you are depleting Part 2 and 3s testing

resource, could some weekend and evening

capacity be opened up for ADI testing?

DVSA RESPONSE: To help increase the

number of part 2 and 3 tests we have already

been conducting ADI tests on the weekends

as part of overtime.

When do you foresee Standards Checks

restarting and what measures are being

taken to tackle instructor performance in the

meantime?

DVSA RESPONSE: We continue to carry

out a limited number of Standards Checks on

those who pose the highest risk to road

safety.

If we receive reports of poor standards, we

will investigate any available data and take

appropriate action.

What are the latest measures to tackle the

bots and third-party sales?

DVSA RESPONSE: In January 2023, the

DVSA changed the terms and conditions for

using the booking service to help prevent

anyone from selling tests at profit. Between 9

January 2023 and 5 January 2025, the DVSA

issued 350 warnings, 792 suspensions, and

closed 813 business accounts for misuse of

its booking service. On 6 January 2025, DVSA

introduced new terms and conditions for use

of the service driving instructors and trainers

use to book and manage practical driving

tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA

has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions,

and closed 270 business accounts

What progress is there on the Driver

Services Platform?

DVSA RESPONSE: The project is in the

approvals process; we are awaiting approval

to spend from HM Treasury. Subject to that

approval we aim to have our delivery and

assurance suppliers on board later in the year.

What has been the real impact of the

Seven-Point Plan to date?

a. The ten-day cancellation period?

DVSA RESPONSE: This change was

introduced on 8 April 2025, and it is too early

to know the impact of this. We will monitor

and review the data going forward and share

information on the impact of this when we

are able to.

b. Ready to Pass (actual real metrics of

impact on pupil behaviour)?

DVSA RESPONSE: To learn more about the

effectiveness of the campaign read the latest

blog post on GOV.UK: Ready to Pass? –

Despatch for driver and rider trainers

c. Speeding up consultation – what does that

mean in real terms, and when do you expect

to be able to act on what the consultation

tells you?

DVSA RESPONSE: We have made a

commitment to launch the consultation in

May and will deliver as soon as we can,

subject to parliamentary processes.

d. What has been the impact of strengthening

the T&Cs? (any action been taken against

trainers on this)

DVSA RESPONSE: On 6 January 2025, DVSA

introduced new terms and conditions for use of

the service driving instructors and trainers use

to book and manage practical driving tests for

their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued

44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270

business accounts.

Is there a plan to increase test fees, for

both theory and practical tests?

DVSA RESPONSE: At the Transport Select

Committee evidence session on 23 April

2025, the Secretary of State for Transport

stated that “We have not taken any firm

decisions either way on the issue you raise.”

Do DVSA see the continuing issue of test

supply as a crisis, in terms of their service

delivery and the impact it has had on pupils

and trainers?

DVSA RESPONSE: Both DVSA and DfT

understand the lack of available tests and the

impact that this is having on the driver

training industry, ADIs, their businesses and

learner drivers. Reducing driving test waiting

times continues to be a priority for the

government. The government is taking

decisive action to address the situation.

Do DVSA fully understand the impact of

this continuing issue on trainers?

DVSA RESPONSE: See answer above.

DVSA chief

salutes ADIs’

patience amid

L-test issue

DVSA additionally wrote to NASP

with the following letter:

Thank you for your email of 6 May about

the driver testing industry’s concern

about driving test waiting times.

I want to express my gratitude for

your time and comments during the May

1 meeting. I concur that the session was

fruitful and gave us a chance to outline

current progress and plans to resolve the

situation in relation to our recovery goals

and how they impact testing. We also

updated you on other matters, such as

our intentions to improve our booking

system.

Please find attached our responses to

the questions you have asked; I hope you

find them helpful.

I would like to assure you that we

respect the professionalism of the driver

trainer industry and the patience you

have shown throughout the difficult

challenges we have had to face with

regards to driving examiner retention,

booking system issues and test

availability.

I recognise and value the contribution

ADIs make to road safety, and it is

important to me that we continue to

work together.

Yours sincerely

Loveday Ryder

Chief Executive



‘No-one’s listening... and it’s

hitting my business hard’

NASP asked ADIs what their views were on the current

test waiting times. Here are some of their responses...

ADI Viewpoints

Below is a selection of comments NASP

associations have received from their

respective members in the last few months.

These viewpoints are representative of the

sentiments of many trainers at this time.

We have shared these comments with

DVSA to ensure they are fully appraised of

the feelings of trainers towards the test

supply issue (and towards the agency itself)

at this time.

Further comments and insights on the

subject of DVSA’s efforts to tackle test

delivery issues are included in the DIA Survey

results which you can find here.

I’m getting tired of this...

“I’m getting a bit tired of the lack of a

strategy from the DVSA, as they either seem

not to understand or simply just don’t care.”

“I have been lobbying my local MPs and

they have been very helpful with letters of

“As I write this I don’t know

honestly why I bother as an

ADI... I feel totally

undervalued by the DVSA.”

correspondence to the transport ministers.

They have had various responses back,

unfortunately it is the same old rhetoric from

the DVSA, which I have seen for the past five

or six years, blaming others, ie, the public and

driving instructors, and telling us how they

are running recruitment campaigns for

examiners, same old stuff. I’m now getting

fed up with the propaganda I see on the BBC

and from the DVSA, painting a picture of

being proactive, when the opposite is clearly

true.”

Pressure the government

“How do we put pressure on the

government to get this massive backlog and

inability of the DVSA to resolve this problem?

I have heard nothing yet from the DVSA that

will resolve this. The latest promise of 10,000

tests a month by next year, is not going to

make any difference.

“Plus the interview on the BBC of Steve

Gooding from the RAC foundation saying the

DVSA are doing their very best, why

interview an ex-transport civil servant for an

unbiased opinion?”

10-day cancellation not helping

“The change to 10-day cancellation/swaps

which has been bought in is actually

detrimental to instructors. Our pupils are

booking tests as soon as they can which

means often they are not ready for that test

when it comes up. Being able to swap with

other pupils/instructors is a lifeline which we

definitely don’t want to lose. However, now

we have to plan much further ahead to do

these swaps and in reality it is more than 10

days before the test date.

“I have a test on 16 May which had a

cancellation deadline of 2 May. So 14 days!

And that isn’t the only one. Test date of 14

May - last cancellation date was 30 April. Two

weeks before a test we might still be thinking

‘are they ready? Do they need a bit longer or

perhaps one more mock test’. It would be

really helpful if instructors only could still

swap at least seven days before the actual

test date giving us more flexibility.

“I am not sure that this measure is actually

going to reduce the number of no shows/late

cancellations anyway in all honesty.”

Hitting my business

“As we are all aware of the problems

around driving test availability I feel totally

“We repeatedly hear hollow

promises and absolutely

useless action from the

DVSA...actions taken will

not even scratch the surface...”



deflated concerning my ability to continue my

business which I have built up over many

years. I’ve personally been trying to book a

test for over four weeks at 6am on a Monday

without success - due to the DVSA’s website

issues.”

Hollow promises

“We repeatedly hear hollow promises and

absolutely useless action from the DVSA to

even attempt to address the problems.

Actions such as extending the period

students need to cancel or retake their tests

will not even scratch the surface of the

problems.”

“As I write this I don’t know honestly why I

bother as an ADI I feel totally undervalued by

the DVSA.

“I’ve lost count of the numerous requests

for feedback with nobody listening at the

other end. Isn’t it time to call the government

department unfit for use?”

Poor communications

“DVSA communications throughout this

period of uncertainty have been woeful. Do

they even care about the ADI as a paying

customer of their services? The majority of

what they send out isn’t answers to the

questions and concerns we have, it’s just a

‘look at me, I’m doing something’ email about

other initiatives which they think makes

them look like they’re working hard at

something – whether that something is

actually what’s needed and necessary right

now.”

Stress is building

“DVSA shows no regard for just how

stressful it is for trainers at this time. Frankly

when I’ve seen their leadership team talking

about the issues at industry events, they can

be quite dismissive and patronising. They are

addressing a room of people who deal with

the consequences of their lack of delivery

every day, about how hard they’re all working

at DVSA and how hard it is for them too… with

their certainty of a fixed monthly salary,

government pensions and the many other

advantages of a being a civil servant, versus

the instability we face as self-employed

trainers, exacerbated by the instability of test

supply.”

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?

How is the L-test waiting times crisis

affecting your business? Let MSA GB

know, by emailing the editor of Newslink

via editor@msagb.com

What else is NASP doing?

In addition to the questions to DVSA, NASP has been active in a number of other areas:

NASP has continued to escalate trainer concerns to DVSA and other key stakeholders.

Its activities have included:

n Current NASP Chair Carly Brookfield giving evidence at special Transport Select

Committee hearing focused on test waiting times in December 2024 (a recording of

which is available on the House of Commons website, accessible HERE)

n Undertaking and publishing surveys of trainer views

n Regular meetings with DVSA senior management where we raise member queries

and discuss potential remedies to the issues, as well as interrogating progress on

DVSA activities and plans to tackle test waiting times

n Writing to DVSA’s Chief Executive and Ministers to reflect our concerns, as reported

and published in the May issue of Newslink

n Escalating our ongoing (and increasing) concerns over the prolonged nature of the

test supply and booking system issues to the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi

Alexander, Under Secretary and Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood and members of the

Transport Select Committee. This resulted in an additional meeting with DVSA’s senior

management team at the end of May, in which these FAQs and wider concerns were

discussed.

n Pleased be reassured that these are matters which NASP takes extremely seriously

and we are actively attempting to tackle with key stakeholders.

What MSA GB members are saying...

“L-tests are now so hard to come by that it

is making my life hell... the DVSA is doing

little more than shuffling the deckchairs on

the Titanic.

“I read in Newslink three years ago that

the confident claims of Loveday Ryder and

the crew were unlikely to come good, given

the pressure the system was under, and

that appears to have been correct. How is it

that MSA GB seems to know more about

this than the people running the tests?”

Adrian Meadows, Birmingham

“I had an examiner complain to me last

week that my candidate ‘wasn’t up to the

usual level...’

“I responded by telling him the truth, that

I thought the candidate would most likely

fail but as getting the test slot had cost

them many hours sleep on a Monday

morning, and they were unlikely to get

another test before they head off to uni in

September, I didn’t have the heart to order

them to postpone it. I let her have a go; in

the end, seven minors and one major isn’t

bad, though was about the standard I

expected. But what could I have done? ”

Name supplied, South London

“DVSA is caught on the hook and cannot

wriggle off. Too many candidates, not

enough slots. Economics tells us that in

such a situation, to ease shortages you

have to either reduce demand or increase

supply.

“It is impossible for the DVSA to create

enough test slots in the short-term to

satisfy demand as they’re aren’t enough

examiners, and unless all teenagers decide

to not take their test in the next few years,

the demand will not reduce either.

“So we are left with increasing supply by

another means. The only option is to bring

in the private sector; tell anyone with an

interest in driving/motoring, including ADIs,

that they can register as certified

examiners, give them a quick test of skills

and let them set themselves up as

freelance test examiners, advertising slots

as they become available. Charging to be in

line with current test fees.

“ADIs, PCV trainers, HGV trainers, the

police, the army, all have experienced

trainers on hand who could be trusted to

test learners and award licences. Free up

the system. It is the only way forward.”

Terry McCall, Edinburgh



Seven quickfire wins that

could reduce waiting times

With everyone desperate to find

a solution to the L-test waiting

times, Tom Harrington offers his

own quick-fire solutions

ACROSS Ireland and the UK, learner drivers

are facing up to six-month delays for a

practical driving test. This bottleneck not

only stalls personal freedom and

employment opportunities, but it also

inflates learner insurance premiums and

creates frustration among driving instructors

and students alike. It is time for a smart,

multi-faceted solution.

The problem

The root causes are no secret: a surge in

demand post-pandemic, examiner

shortages, and limited testing hours. But the

consequences run deeper than

inconvenience. Long delays can lead to skill

regression, undermine motivation, and

increase the number of underprepared or

overly anxious candidates turning up on test

day.

Seven strategic solutions

Recruit and retain more testers

Governments should temporarily recruit

retired or part-time examiners and offer

overtime incentives to current staff.

Driving instructors with adequate

experience could also be fast-tracked into

tester roles.

Extend testing hours

Introducing early morning, evening, and

weekend slots would spread demand more

evenly and help clear the backlog.

Pop-up testing centres

In regions with high waiting times,

temporary test locations could be set up in

schools, community centres, or even large

car parks.

Smarter booking priorities

A triage-style system could prioritise

long-wait candidates or those with genuine

needs (eg, job offers, college access). A small

non-refundable deposit could help reduce

no-shows.

Embrace partial simulation

While the driving test must remain

practical, parts of it — such as manoeuvre

judgement — might be safely and efficiently

assessed through simulation before the test

itself.

Upgrade booking systems

Digital waitlists and automated

cancellation notifications would allow quicker

reallocation of test slots, reducing wasted

capacity.

Promote readiness, not just availability

Driving instructors should be encouraged

to present only fully prepared learners, while

also conducting rigorous mock tests. This

would reduce retest demand and improve

pass rates.

Conclusion

Reducing driving test waiting times will not

happen overnight, but with a mix of targeted

recruitment, smarter scheduling, and modest

use of tech, progress is achievable.

Empowering learners and restoring

confidence in the system should be a shared

priority—and one that benefits all road users.

Anything more?

Could you add your own ideas to Tom’s quick

list? What would you do to reduce L-test

waiting times, if you were DVSA chief

executive? Or do you think it is an impossible

task and we have to cope with the system as

it is, and hope the waiting times eventually

get back to normal?

Let MSA GB know, via editor@msagb.com



Take a leaf from the VOSA book...

Rod Came says that solving the L-test fiasco is in DVSA’s hands: it just needs to relax the reins a little

and get back to what it does best – supervising, and not organising. He explains more here

NEWSLINK Editor Colin Lilly, who I have

known for many years, touched on the thorny

issue of driving test waiting times in the 1970s

as part of his pg 3 column in the May issue.

I qualified as an ADI in early 1981 and put in

over four decades as an ADI until I decided not

to renew my registration at the end of 2024.

As a result of that lengthy career I feel that I

might be qualified to offer an opinion on the

current driving test waiting time debacle.

In the early 1980s waiting times at my local

Tunbridge Wells DTC were about nine months.

Tests were booked through the Traffic

Commissioners Office in Eastbourne, a fairly

simple process that worked well. There was

also the personal touch with the booking

clerks, and a telephone call could work

wonders to change a test date when needed.

That highlights that extended waiting times

are nothing new; it was happening 44 years

ago, and history is only repeating itself.

Time passed and (the then) DSA made

progress, for which no doubt they would claim

the credit, not entirely justified, but

nevertheless the waiting times fell over much

of the country in the following years.

Strange things occurred, such as the

cancellation time to rebook a test fell, and the

time lapse between a failure and taking

another test also fell. It even got to the point

where DSA was asking their examiners to take

early retirement because there was a serious

risk that there would not be enough

candidates to keep all the examiners occupied.

DSA certainly did not want DEs being paid to

sit in their office and read the newspaper.

There was a memorable programme on

television called Driving School which followed

the progress of Maureen, a learner driver. She

had lessons and practised with her husband,

finally taking a driving test, and it was allowed

to be filmed. She quite rightly failed with a

serious fault when she turned right at traffic

lights across the path of an approaching

vehicle.

At that time test dates were so plentiful that

she was able to take another test at the same

test centre in the afternoon of the very same

day - and she passed.

Of course, this indicated to the population at

large just what a farce a driving test is, a fact

known by all ADIs. That is why no sensible ADI

would put a bet on their pupil passing. The

A mechanic performs an

MOT. If private bodies can

be entrusted to perform

such safety-critical tasks,

why cant they examine

driving standards, too?

result of this was that the time between a test

failure and another test was extended.

Sounds familiar, does it? These days the

restriction of not being able to take a second

test for a fortnight seems like a pipedream, the

highlighted waiting times at almost all test

centres being stratospheric.

Why is this? The simple answer is that

there are not enough examiners, and many are

not in the centres of high demand. The Ts & Cs

of examiner employment are not attracting

enough people with the required abilities, and

not retaining sufficient numbers to increase

the total number required.

All DVSA employees are paid according to

their grading in the hierarchy, and for

examiners that undoubtedly exacerbates the

problem with regard to the occupational risks

they are required to take.

What is the solution? Disappointingly the

response from the ADI trade bodies appears

only to criticise without putting forward viable

solutions. The suggestion in the May

Newslink, that ADIs should be allowed to

self-certify their pupils, is a non-starter for

some of the reasons the writer put forward.

But the biggest of them is that the DVSA does

not think ADIs are trustworthy enough to

carry out testing in a fair and honest manner.

There is a precedent. Theory and hazard

perception testing is carried out by a

commercial provider under DVSA supervision,

and it works well. Hundreds of thousands of

such tests are carried out each year, the cost

per test is minimal and the waiting time for a

test date is acceptable. Surely this should be

an indication of the way DVSA should go?

Imagine having a driving test provision

situation where a test date would be available

in two weeks’ time, all the time.

ADIs would be able to put their clients in for

a test when they were at the peak of their

training, the pass rate would increase, the

waiting time for a test or retest would be

sensible, the pressure would be off and

everybody would be happy.

This could be quite possible. Providers

would not be hidebound paying salaries by

grading, they would have to pay the rate that

“MoT testing is a great parallel

... private sector examiners

overseen by DVSA ... the die is

cast, it just needs expanding.”

attracted people to become and remain

examiners, in order to fulfil their contractual

requirements with DVSA.

The providers would be overseen by DVSA

to maintain standards in the same way that

examiners are checked at present. The whole

purpose of DVSA would be changed from a

provider to a supervisor, something with

which the organisation would successfully be

able to cope.

The theory testing system is one example

where that happens, another is MoT testing of

vehicles at local garages. That is a great parallel

of what I would allow, with private sector

examiners overseen by DVSA, just as the old

VOSA arm of DVSA does with car reliability.

The die is cast, the idea just needs expanding.

DVSA has proved far more capable of

supervising the maintenance of standards

than in providing testing services. It just needs

a change of mindset from a system that

originated in the 1930s to one suitable for the

demands that we see today.

I know government agencies are akin to the

immovable object faced with an unstoppable

force, but for once let’s try it. It is called

progress.


News

Family call for tighter curbs on

older drivers after tragedy

THE family of a woman killed in a

supermarket car park have added their

voices to calls for tougher rules on older

motorists who may no longer be fit to drive.

Rosemary Macandrew was killed after

being hit by a car driven by Noel Maguire, 89,

at Waitrose in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in

July 2024.

An inquest heard that Mr Maguire - who

died in March - had admitted being confused

when he hit the accelerator pedal instead of

the brake.

Assistant coroner Beth Brown said she

would write to the transport secretary raising

concerns about the self-certification system

for older drivers as she was “concerned that

further deaths may arise in circumstances

similar to these”.

Ms Macandrew’s family said they did not

want anyone else to suffer a similar loss.

The inquest heard Mr Maguire appeared to

become flustered when he was told he had hit

another car while parking at the

supermarket.

He ended up reversing out of the spot at

speed, having hit the accelerator in his

automatic car instead of the brakes.

His car collided with a number of others

before hitting Ms Macandrew, who suffered

fatal chest injuries after being trapped under

its wheels.

When interviewed by police, Mr Maguire

had admitted being “confused” at the time,

but the court heard he was still allowed to

drive, having renewed his licence every three

years as required.

Under current legislation, drivers aged over

70 must self-certify to confirm they are safe

to drive, but do not require eye tests or

medical examinations to back up their claims.

No concerns had been raised by his GP

surgery even after various health issues, and

he had not been formally told to stop driving.

Rosemary’s family called for more scrutiny

to be put in place to make sure older drivers

are properly assessed to show they are still

fit to be behind the wheel.

“First and foremost, I think there should be

better communication between the

healthcare side [and] the DVLA,” they said.

“We’ve heard from a lot of people recently

saying they are in in the same boat, where

they’re wanting to take the keys off a family

member, they’ve even reported a family

member to the DVLA, sharing their concerns.

“This tragedy could have been prevented.”

The family also raised concerns over older

drivers switching from manual cars to

automatic vehicles as they lose power and

mobility, which they believe contributed to

Mrs Macandrew’s death.

“In this respect, if the gentleman was

driving a manual car he would’ve just stalled

it, and that would’ve been the end of it - noone

would’ve got hurt,” they said.

The Department for Transport said it would

consider the coroner’s report.

“All drivers are required to ensure they are

medically fit to drive, and all car drivers over

70 must renew their licence every three

years,” a spokesman said.

“The government is committed to

improving road safety and we continue to

explore ways to achieve this.”

Additional measures beyond selfcertification

are needed, Rosemary’s

granddaughter, Ms Cattermole, said.

“Just say this was me and I was the elderly

gentleman, and I hadn’t been to the doctors in

years because I didn’t think I needed to go,”

she said.

“Then I wouldn’t even know that I had

something that was potentially detrimental

to how I was driving, and the DVLA wouldn’t

know about that at that point.

“I suppose as you get older your car is your

independence, to get around and stuff, so it

does make it more difficult, so there should

be some better checks in place.

“In reality, who wants to give up their

driving licence?”

As reported in May’s Newslink, a coroner in

Lancashire described the UK’s selfcertification

system as the “laxest in Europe”

after he investigated the deaths of four

people killed by drivers with failing eyesight.

Norfolk steps up to help keep older drivers safe

NORFOLK County Council’s road safety team

has launched a new campaign to support

older people in reviewing their driving and

get the support they need, when they need

it.

The campaign, launched in collaboration

with Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Service (NFRS) and East of England

Ambulance Service, encourages older drivers

to take extra steps to ensure they can drive

safely for longer.

This includes to look out for subtle health

changes and to talk honestly with trusted

friends, family or a professional.

Data shows 25% of Norfolk’s population

are over 65 years – with the county also

having a higher healthy life expectancy than

the national average. However, 81% of people

who responded to Norfolk County Council’s

Older Driver Survey in 2024 reported not

knowing where to get support to drive safely

for longer.

The campaign, called ‘Drive Safe’, includes

a series of videos produced by NFRS, a digital

toolkit with practical tips, new driver

workshops and additional places on Norfolk

County Council’s GOLD course.

Data shows 2,000 people have already

accessed the new resources since they

launched in April 2025, and 70 people have

registered to attend a driver workshop.

A GOLD course is designed to refresh

driving skills, build confidence, and support

older drivers. The one-hour on-road driving

session is conducted by an ADI who tailors

the session to the driver’s needs.

Cllr Fran Whymark, cabinet member for

public health, said: “For many, driving is a part

of daily life, and the idea that we might need

support, or some advice, to drive safely is

difficult to swallow. But it’s natural that as we

get older our reactions slow down, our

eyesight isn’t as good, or other things can

happen that affect our driving skills.

“I’m looking forward to doing the GOLD

course, getting some advice about driving

safely, and having peace of mind that my

driving doesn’t put myself or others at risk.”



Suffolk Council is on the hunt for

ADIs to lead diversionary courses

SUFFOLK County Council is looking for ADIs

with fleet qualification to deliver Court

Diversionary courses on its behalf. Trainers

will be working on a self-employed ‘as

required’ basis.

They are looking for fleet qualified ADIs

with a minimum of two years’ experience

working with qualified drivers, an adult

teaching qualification (eg, PTTLS level 3), and

an understanding of behavioural change

techniques.

You would be given free training to deliver

the training courses, which are offered to

drivers as an alternative to prosecution for

motoring offences such as speeding and due

care and attention. The courses are held both

in a classroom setting and on road.

Courses are delivered to a national

standard and managed by UKROEd. Suffolk

County Council is licensed as the provider for

Suffolk and would be looking for trainers to

deliver courses both online and in person at

venues across the county.

If you would be interested in delivering

courses, please send a copy of your C.V. to

michelle.rayner-gray@suffolkhighways.org

New ways to pay when

you break the law

Apple Pay and Google Pay can now be used to

pay a DVSA roadside fine after the agency

changed the company to one that allows it to

take payments for roadside fines.

This system is used to pay for things like:

n fixed penalties for vehicle defects and

other offences such as breaking the rules

around drivers’ hours

n immobilisation fees

n court deposits.

The change means the payment screen for

standard card payments will look slightly

different. You will not have to change the way

you use the payment system and many

people will not notice a difference.

It also means you can choose to use Apple

Pay and Google Pay. Many people will find

this quicker and easier than a standard card

payment, especially when using a mobile

phone.

Or, you could not need any of this info by

not breaking the rules in the first place!


OPINION

Newslink welcomes feedback on all articles published on its pages. This issue we received two comments on articles

carried in the May issue. The first, by Graham Campbell, addresses comments by our regular contributor Tom Harrington,

on the emergency stop, while below, David Wilkinson discusses John Lomas’s question on bus lane markings

Just stop there: that braking tip

hasn’t been needed since 2000

Graham Campbell

I DO hope this missive finds the ADI

community well; while I still can, I now spend

about 5½ months of my 90+90 days’

gracious allowance out of the country post-

Brexit [!], in the sun and warmth of the EU.

Not “retired” completely from having some

input into instructor-training, though, as PDIs

come my way [after receiving their 40+20

hours’ basic training elsewhere - I’m not

that dedicated, or available nowadays!] for

appraisal and advice. It’s great that folk are

still extremely appreciative of my training,

not least as it confirms that - at 76 - I’m not

an ‘old fart’ ... yet!

The PDIs love to be seen teaching a ‘live’

pupil in order to elicit my feedback, while ADIs

tend to opt for a ‘chat and a coffee’... usually

after failing two Standards Checks! They

don’t want to be observed by someone who

knows what they’re doing ... including their

ADI examiner, of course!

‘Twas ever thus, as I remember Steve

Waller - my own trainer - saying.

But now to business!

When full-time ADI training I often heard

- and still hear, when appraising ADIs and

PDIs prior to Standards Checks/Part3 SCs -

an amount of sincerely delivered though

questionable ‘old style’ training.

As well as the old ‘3rd gear at 30’, there’s

‘2nd gear for roundabouts’, ‘willy-nilly 2nd

gear on the approach to a left turn, ‘major to

minor’..’ [taken before any Looking and

Assessing], and ‘don’t click the handbrake

when you ‘apply’ it...’ among many others.

So too with advice over emergency

braking on modern cars with ABS, as covered

by your article in May’s Newslink (Page 27)

I bought a 1.7 top-of-the-range Ford Puma

as my training car back in 2000, and - as ever

when buying a new car (or renting one on

holiday) - I made sure to read the User

Manual before driving, not least the advice

regarding emergency braking procedure and

putting on the handbrake

For cars with ABS, pressing the clutch

down “at the last moment, to prevent

stalling”, as suggested in your article,

probably hasn’t necessarily been appropriate

The article in

May’s Newslink

advice since at least my 2000 Puma, and yet

this is still passed on through the generations

without the teaching knowledge being

updated.

Akin to finding [older] drivers assiduously

driving at spot-on 60mph on dual

carriageway roads which display a National

Speed Limit sign!

Ford kindly produced some ABS+Em.Stop

procedural advice back then, and the result of

an online search just this evening found it is

still around, if you are interested.

As I typed in my note, quite a few years

ago, I reckon our “duty of care” as ADIs

should include making sure we stress to our

new drivers that the owner’s manual should

always be read before driving a ‘new-to-us’

car, however ‘nerdy’ that may seem!

Bus lane terminology need tightening

David Wilkinson, Birmingham

JOHN LOMAS writes about a centre bus lane in

Swindon (Newslink, May, p35) and opines that

the two solid white lines edging the bus lane

have the same status as one another. I agree

with John that they do.

John suggests that these lines mean “do not

cross/enter”. I think a more precise meaning is

simply “edge of bus lane”. A prohibited vehicle

certainly can legally cross or enter the solid

white line marking a bus lane, examples being to

enter or leave adjoining premises, or to load

during any permitted loading times of a 24-hour

bus lane.

Similarly poor wording is sometimes used to

describe the meaning of a double white line

system (with nearer line solid).

The Highway Code uses the words “cross” and

“straddle”, when the more accurate and shorter

meaning is “keep left”.


Our Courses

Have you considered varying your

working week? Or working with

more experienced drivers in a

professional setting?

As one of the leading providers of driver training

in the public and private sectors we have some

very exciting opportunities.

Working with TTC offers:

• Competitive day rates (£155-£250 per day)

and mileage allowances

• Ability to impact drivers covering thousands of miles

every year

• CPD opportunities in new fields such as

Electric Vehicle training and ability to work

across our Group (Online, Police, Fleet, CPC)

• No travel between lessons

• Free CPD sessions: Enhance knowledge and skills in areas

such as vehicle technology and coaching techniques

• Variety of work: Opportunities to work with qualified

drivers across a range of vehicles

• Specialist Training Roles: Access to a wide range of course

types with training provided

• Consistent flow of work to support income

• Online and Classroom Sessions: Potential to deliver

both theory formats

• Freelance Flexibility: A great opportunity for ADIs to top

up their earnings.

Police and Court referred (SCD)

A voluntary behavioural change course, in vehicle for people

who have been involved in a collision, aimed to increase

awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences

of risky and inconsiderate driving.

Fleet Training

Trainers working with qualified drivers using the client’s

own vehicle.

NDORS Support

Involving practical sessions with drivers following an incident.

Fleet and Driver Risk Management

for Businesses

We provide services to improve driver safety, compliance

with the law and support Corporate Social Responsibility for

companies with commercial vehicles, PCVs, fleet vehicles and

grey fleet drivers.

We are always looking to work with passionate

ADI/Fleet trainers throughout the UK, but

currently have high demand in:

Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire, Avon & Somerset,

Cornwall & the South Coast.

Interested?

For more information click here

– we would love to hear from you!

Email: academy@ttc-uk.com

www.thettcgroup.com/group/ttc-trainer-academy

Towards your CPD

Giving feedback:

Goals, medals and missions*

GIVING feedback is a way of boosting

a learner’s confidence and

motivation while reassuring them

that they are making progress

towards their goal. However, learners need

more information than just praise or

encouragement if we to achieve the right

results. They need to know:

n What they are aiming for – (Goals)

(tasks, assessment criteria, how to identify

good practice)

n Where they are now in relation to these

goals (what they have achieved) - (Medals)

n How to close the gap between where

they are now, and their goals - (Missions)

At any stage of a lesson, learners need to

know how they are doing, what they are

doing well and what they need to improve.

Even the most able learners should be set a

mission, to help maintain motivation.

Learners also need to know why they are

doing well and why faults are being made, so

that you can work on a positive solution. I

remember reading an article by John Hattie

called ‘Feedback in Schools’ which said, ‘The

quality of the feedback may have more

impact on student achievement than any

other factor’.

Good feedback improves performance,

while bad feedback can demoralise.

When giving feedback you should:

n Focus on the task, rather than the

learner, in other words, criticise the actions

and not the person.

n Respond correctly to your pupils’

questions, and at the correct time (essential

for a moving classroom!)

n Improve motivation by giving praise

when a pupil responds correctly to your

questions and/or performs a task well.

(Medal)

n Make use of opportunities that naturally

arise during a lesson to increase interest or

improve knowledge and skill (eg, another

road user’s actions. This is also assessed in

the Standards Check)

n Recognise uncertainty and insecurity in

the pupil. Be aware of body language, eye

contact, tone of voice, pupil’s comments that

may indicate discomfort or uncertainty.

n Be tactful when correcting any

misunderstandings. If your learner doesn’t

seem to understand your feedback, you will

“At any stage of a lesson,

learners need to know how they

are doing, what they are doing

well and what they need to

improve. Even the most able

should be set a mission, to help

maintain motivation...”

need to consider another approach.

n Make time available within the lesson to

give praise for improved performance. (An

area often overlooked by PDIs during a Part 3

test of instructional ability).

n Break the feedback into manageable

chunks, and prioritise the areas for

improvement, rather than try to fix

everything on one go.

It is important to avoid destructive

feedback; this means giving inadequate or

unclear answers to your pupils’ questions or

demoralising by over-criticism of incorrect

responses or actions.

For example, your pupil steers too wide

when turning left because he braked too late

on approach to the junction, it is better to say

“How could you have made that easier?” or



“Destructive feedback can be

indicative of an instructor

expecting too high a standard

for the level of instruction

given. This does not mean that

instructors shouldn’t have high

expectations of their learners,

they should, but learners

should have the skills required

to help them develop...”

“Brake earlier to allow yourself more time to

steer’ rather than, “You should have braked

earlier” or “You braked too late”. Most

learners will know what has gone wrong but

may not understand why it has gone wrong.

Many learners focus on trying to correct the

effect of the fault rather than the cause,

which leads to erratic and rushed steering

when this type of fault occurs.

Destructive feedback can be indicative of

an instructor expecting too high a standard

for the level of instruction given. This does

not mean that instructors shouldn’t have

high expectations of their learners, they

should, but learners should have the skills

required to help them develop them to the

next level and to apply them to new

situations.

When giving positive praise, it is better to

say why something has been done well

rather than say “That was good.” For

example, your pupil deals with a meeting

situation well, try saying “Well done, you

slowed down in good time and allowed that

driver plenty room to come through.”

Feedback should be a two-way process,

allowing time for discussion to clarify points,

which means you do have to listen to what is

being said, and clarify any areas of confusion.

This may mean having to pull up to ensure

that what is being discussed is of value and

effective.

If it is on the move a reassuring tone, a

well-timed question or a ‘mental marker’**

will help you both to remember a key point for

discussion once you have pulled over, eg

“Which way is that driver signalling?”.

Once you have time to discuss this point in

more detail you could ask your learner, “Why

do you think I asked you about that driver in

the High Street?”

We often think of feedback as being

something we say. It can, however, be our

body language, facial gestures, such as

smiling, raising eyebrows, a nod of the head,

Lesson goals

Goals are set, explained, and used by the

student.

The teacher provides:

Assessment criteria that are:

- derived from summative assessment

criteria (so all important skills are developed

- quite detailed

- clearly explained

Exemplars: examples of good practice,

eg, worked examples, model answers, etc.

hand gestures, sighing or tone of voice.

Anything you do or say while teaching can be

interpreted as feedback. Often how you say

something is more effective than what is

being said and non-verbal communication

can be just as reassuring as saying ‘well done’

or ‘well judged’.

There are a few things to remember to

make sure your feedback remains effective:

n Feedback is for the benefit of the

learner, not the instructor! Therefore, think

about the impact it will have on the receiver.

Will it have the effect you want?

n Try to give feedback as soon after an

activity as possible to prevent the positive

points being forgotten. The longer you leave

it the greater the chance of only being able to

recall the negative points.

n Most people respond to something

encouraging; therefore it makes sense to

start with something positive. This suggests

that you have observed the whole

performance and not just look for faults.

n When giving negative feedback try to

link it to something positive and encourage

your learner to analyse his or her own faults

and find an alternative way of doing things,

eg, “Your speed on approach to the junction

was good, however, I noticed that you

changed gear as you were turning left. How

did that effect your steering?”

“All feedback should be

constructive, even positive

feedback. If you say ‘Well done’

say what was well done, and

why it was well done, or better

still, ask your learner why you

thought it was well done.”

To clarify goals, students can:

n Self-assess against the criteria

n Have work assessed by peers or

teacher against the criteria

n Examine models of good practice,

worked solutions, and weaker work, eg,

marking these against the criteria or

comparing them with their own work.

Taken from Goals, Medals and Missions,’

Geoff Petty, Teaching Today.

Note: it is widely accepted that ‘however’

sounds better than ‘but’, it really is personal

choice as they mean the same thing!

n Don’t overdo the praise and avoid using

superlatives, it sounds a bit sickly! eg

“Fantastic gear change, excellent mirror

check!” sound over the top.

n Keep feedback in the ‘here and now’ and

don’t bring up old faults, eg, “I noticed that

you are having problems with...” and not,

“Why do you keep doing that?”.

n All feedback should be constructive,

even positive feedback. If you say “Well

done” say what was well done, and why it

was well done, or better still, ask your learner

why you thought it was well done.

n Finish all feedback on a high, if you have

encouraged your learner to analyse his or her

own mistake then give praise for working it

out. Even the worst of drivers can feel

motivated if you have guided them to find a

solution!

n Encourage reflection. “How do think you

dealt with the roundabouts today?” “How

could you make that easier for yourself next

time?” give the pupil the opportunity to have

an input in their learning journey

n Avoid stereotyping learners, eg “Short

people always struggle with reversing”

You may already be using some or all of the

above but take time to focus on the quality of

your feedback over the coming month and

make a few notes of how you feel you did well

and what might need improving and then

think about how you might implement those

changes. This is CPD!

* ‘Goals, Medals and Missions,’ Geoff Petty,

Teaching Today.

**A mental marker is similar to ‘flagging a

question’ it helps recall a situation once there

is time to discuss it more detail.


Special feature

Before the Provisional: Young Driver

brings real skills to real classrooms

Many ADIs will know about Young Driver, the

innovative organisation that gets young

people behind the wheel of a car in a

controlled environment a boost to their road

safety education.

In addition to its 70 venues around the UK, it

is also increasingly working with schools

where education leaders share its passion

for early driver education. One of its most

recent school events saw it team up with

Parkwood Academy in Sheffield, part of the

E-ACT Trust. Young Driver provided this

report on the day’s proceedings...

WE set up on-site at Parkwood Academy

with two dual-controlled cars, using a safe

and spacious area within the school grounds

to deliver a full day of hands-on driving

experiences.

The sessions were nothing short of

brilliant. Our professional instructors guided

the students through a series of real-world

driving tasks — including moving off, steering,

clutch control, changing gear, and basic

manoeuvres — giving them a true sense of

what it’s like to be behind the wheel.

But it wasn’t just about driving. The day

also focused on introducing students to key

road safety principles, including hazard

awareness, understanding stopping

distances, and the importance of staying

focused and calm as a driver. We emphasised

the responsibility that comes with driving

and how early education can make a lasting

difference to safety outcomes later on.

For many students, it was their first ever

experience of driving a car, and the smiles,

excitement, and sense of achievement were

clear to see. Giving young people this kind of

exposure before they begin formal lessons

builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and

encourages them to take a more thoughtful,

responsible approach to learning to drive.

A big thank you to Joel Hinchliffe,

headteacher at Parkwood Academy, who

invited us in to deliver these experiences. It’s

fair to say Mr Hincliffe was impressed! He

said: “Sadly, I’m not the Young Driver — but

our amazing Year 11 students were! What an

experience. What a day. What a final treat

before their exams begin!”

Instructor Louise was one of the team who

taught the students, and she shared her

Publicity photo provided

by Young Driver

thoughts: “It was such a positive experience

seeing how much the students enjoyed

learning to drive. They were focused,

engaged, and genuinely excited. Days like this

are why I love doing what I do!”

This school initiative is part of our wider

mission: to help young people learn to drive

before they learn to pass. By introducing the

skills and mindset of a safe driver early, we’re

building habits that last — and potentially

saving lives.

What Is Young Driver?

Young Driver is the UK’s largest provider of

driving experiences for 9–17-year-olds, has

been in operation for 15 years and delivered

over 1.5 million lessons at over 70 venues

across the UK. Using dual-controlled vehicles

on private, purpose-built courses, we give

young people a head start behind the wheel

“It was such a positive

experience, seeing how much

the students enjoyed learning

to drive. They were focused,

engaged, and genuinely excited.”

in a safe and structured environment. But it’s

not just a great experience for the

youngsters — it’s also a brilliant platform for

ADIs and PDIs looking to grow, gain

experience, and enjoy teaching in a whole

new way.

What happens at a Young Driver event?

Young Driver events are run on weekends

across more than 70 UK venues. These are

not “gimmicky” driving days — they are

proper driving lessons, carefully tailored to

suit the age and experience of the pupil.

Each event typically includes:

n A full team briefing to start the day

n 30- or 60-minute one-to-one lessons

in dual-controlled cars

n A variety of driving tasks including

moving off, steering, gear changes, junctions,

parking, and even reversing.

n Sessions on awareness, hazard

perception, and responsible driving

n Full admin support and on-site event

teams — so instructors can focus solely on

teaching.

The venues are large, mapped-out road

systems with clear markings, signs, and

layouts, designed to give a realistic but



controlled experience.

Why instructors love working with

Young Driver

We regularly hear glowing feedback from

our instructors. Here’s what some of them

say: “It’s a really enjoyable environment. The

kids are enthusiastic, the parents are

supportive, and you feel like you’re part of

something that actually makes a difference.”

– Sarah, ADI

“As a PDI, it helped me build confidence in

real teaching situations. You get loads of

experience with different personalities and

ages — it’s great prep for the qualifying tests.”

– James, PDI

“It’s honestly the most fun I’ve had

teaching. There’s no pressure, no stress —

just real driving with keen young minds who

are eager to learn.”

– Rob, ADI

Some benefits of working with Young Driver

1. Reliable, flexible weekend work

Perfect for instructors looking to top up

their income, or PDIs needing consistent

hands-on experience while also earning.

2. Grow your confidence and adaptability

Working with under-17s develops your

communication skills and helps you become

an even better instructor.

3. Low-stress, high-satisfaction teaching

No test deadlines, no traffic, no angry

parents — just structured lessons in a

positive environment.

4. Make a real difference

By introducing safe driving habits early,

you’re helping reduce accidents and shaping

more responsible future drivers.

5. Be part of a supportive team

We take care of the logistics so you can

focus on the teaching — and the community

of instructors is welcoming, professional, and

passionate.

It’s more than a job — It’s a movement

Young Driver isn’t just about giving kids a

go behind the wheel. It’s about changing

attitudes to road safety, building skills and

confidence, and creating better-prepared

drivers for the future. If you’re an ADI or PDI

who wants to do more with your time and

skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Click here for more

on Young Driver

Public backs introduction of

alcolocks for drink-drivers

AN RAC survey has found widespread

public support for the fitting of alcolocks to

the cars of drink-drivers.

53% thought the plan would cut

reoffending, though just under a quarter

(23%) didn’t think the introduction of the

breathalyser devices – which prevent a

vehicle being started if there is any alcohol

in the offender’s breath – would reduce law

breaking.

A Freedom of Information request to the

DVLA by the Press Association found that

a significant number of drink-drivers

caught are reoffenders; more than 27,000

individuals were convicted of multiple

drink-driving offences in the 11 years

leading up to July 2024.

Government data also shows there were

a total of 47,284 ‘driving a motor vehicle

under the influence of drink or drugs’

convictions in all courts in the year ending

2023. In 2022, 300 people were killed in

drink-drive collisions, according to the

most recently available statistics.

Consequently, three-quarters (76%) of

drivers in the survey say they would like to

see more being done to reduce the number

of people that drive while over the limit.

There are various options for the use of

‘alcolocks’ – or alcohol-interlocks as they

are properly known. For instance, courts

could mandate them for reoffenders only,

or anyone convicted of drink-driving. In

other countries the fitting is generally paid

for by the offender, although in cases of

financial hardship the state can step in to

cover the cost.

More than half (56%) of drivers

supportive of alcohol-interlocks were in

favour of all offenders having the devices

fitted to prevent them driving under the

influence again.

Comparatively, just 39% thought they

should only be used with drivers who had

been caught on at least one previous

occasion.

Alcolocks are used in a number if

countries, including Finland, Belgium, New

Zealand, Australia, Canada and some parts

of the United States. Usually drink-drivers

receive a ban but are then allowed to drive

again as long as they have an alcoholinterlock

fitted to their vehicle for a set

period, most commonly a year.

Two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed by

the RAC said they would be supportive of a

similar approach in the UK, 15% were

against the idea and a fifth (19%) were

undecided.

In New Zealand, the alcohol-interlock is

removed after 12 months as long as the

offender had no instances of alcohol in

their recorded breath tests during the last

six months. Those that test positive have

to keep the device until they have six

months of tests with zero alcohol.

Offenders are then issued with a zeroalcohol

driving licence for three years.

The conditions of this licence mean that

if the holder drives with any alcohol in their

systems whatsoever, they can be charged

with drink-driving.

Concerns about offenders getting sober

people to cheat alcohol-interlocks are

countered by the fact the devices demand

further random tests while driving.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said:

“Many of the drink-drivers caught are

reoffenders, which implies something

different needs to be done to change this

dangerous behaviour.

“Drivers have told us they believe that

alcohol-interlocks could be a good way of

reducing drink-drive collisions and the

resulting deaths and injuries, which are

currently far too high.

“We are aware that their use may be

seen as a soft option by some, but

experience from other countries suggests

the opposite. Simply banning habitual

drink-drivers doesn’t seem to be the

answer even though they face a prison

sentence, as all too often they just get

behind the wheel again anyway. ”


20mph zones: Lifesavers, or unnecessary?

New research highlights

20mph zones’ impact on

reducing traffic collisions

THE GROWTH in 20mph zones has

become a huge debating point, with

supporters hailing their road safety

and pollution benefits while critics

claim they impede progress and cause

congestion. Which is right? A new research

paper by the Parliamentary Office of Science

and Technology (POST) has looked into their

impact and offers a comprehensive overview

of how 20mph speed interventions are

affecting road safety, public health, and

health equity across the UK.

At its heart the review finds strong

evidence that 20mph zones — particularly

those supported by physical measures—

consistently reduce traffic collisions and

casualties. One of the areas it highlights is

Wales, where introducing a default national

speed limit of 20mph on restricted roads led

to a reduction of 24 per cent in casualties on

30mph roads.

It also finds that by contrast, 20mph limits

based on signage alone are less reliable

without enforcement or supporting design

changes. This matches findings from PACTS

Lower Urban Speed Limits in Europe

(LUSTRE) research published in 2023.

Beyond injury reduction, the POST report

highlights broader public health benefits.

These include:

n increases in the number of people

making journey by walking and cycling,

especially when combined with wider public

realm improvements;

n Lower vehicle speeds, particularly in

20mph zones, improved public perception,

especially where benefits are effectively

communicated; and had the potential to

reduce health inequalities, although more

robust, equity-focused evaluations are

needed.

Importantly, it emphasises that successful

interventions should be multi-component—

combining infrastructure changes,

communication, and enforcement. This aligns

with the Safe System principle which

recognises that safety is achieved with a

collective effort.

This publication, which PACTS Vice Chair

Teresa Ciano and Deputy Executive Director

Margaret Winchcomb contributed to, is

timely and critical evidence for local

authorities, planners, and public health

professionals seeking to implement effective

20mph strategies.

Find out more about its findings below.

Setting the limit: how 20mph makes a difference

IN ENGLAND, the default speed limit on

street-lit roads is 30 mph. These are known

as ‘restricted roads’. This was established in

1934, and some researchers have

questioned its basis in empirical evidence

and suitability for the volume and

advancements in modern-day traffic.

Local traffic authorities can set lower

speed limits to account for local needs and

conditions, and that has driven the

introduction of 20 mph limits to improve road

safety, including through reducing road

traffic collisions. Introducing 20 mph limits

may also have wider benefits to physical and

mental health, including encouraging active

travel (such as walking and cycling),

improving air quality and reducing noise

pollution.

Researchers have proposed that decisions

around speed limits should consider:

n the needs of all road users including

pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists

n road characteristics, such as the quality

of roads and pavements, and adjacent

buildings (such as housing and amenities)

To introduce a new speed limit, local

authorities use speed limit orders, which

require public consultation.

They can use these in order to impose two

kinds of 20 mph interventions:

n 20 mph zones with traffic calming

measures, including at least one physical

calming measure which physically restricts

vehicle speeds, such as road humps and

chicanes (a narrowing in the road).

n 20 mph limits with traffic calming signs,

but without physical calming measures. They

can be referred to as ‘signs only speed limits’.

In 2020, the UN General Assembly passed

a resolution44 endorsing the Stockholm

Declaration, which mandates setting a

maximum speed limit of 30 km/h (18mph) in

areas where vehicles and vulnerable road

users frequently mix. This policy is

operational in most European cities.

The UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention

of Accidents (RoSPA) 2023 guide for local

authorities proposed that:



COSTS OF COLLISIONS

The DfT estimates the value of preventing road collisions, based on: medical and

ambulance costs; insurance, administrative costs and damage to property; lost

productive capacity for somebody due to an injury; human costs, which include pain and

distress felt by collision victims and/or their relatives, and the loss of enjoyment of life .

In 2023, the average value of preventing a collision on built-up roads with speed limits

of 40 mph less was £2.6 million for fatal collisions (where at least one person is killed);

£300,800 for serious collisions (where at least one person is seriously injured but no

person is killed); and £29,500 for slight collisions (where at least one person is slightly

injured, but no person is killed or seriously injured).

n 20 mph speed limits are most

appropriate for urban areas and built-up

residential streets, where pedestrian and

cyclist movements are high, such as around

schools, shops, markets and playgrounds.

n 20 mph limits are most appropriate

where average speeds are already below

24mph, and the road layout indicates that a

20 mph speed or below is the most

appropriate.

Local authorities should consider history

of collisions, vulnerable road users and

impact on residents (such as noise and air

quality). Local communities and services

(including emergency services) should be

consulted during a scheme’s development.

Effectiveness of 20mph zones will depend

on driver awareness and compliance, which

will likely require information campaigns and

driver consultation to help promote changes

in behaviour.

Why bother? Casualties and fatalities on 30

mph roads in England

In 2023: 47,951 people had a slight injury;

12,026 were seriously injured; and 402

people were killed on 30mph roads.

Evidence related to 20mph interventions and

road casualties

A 2019 meta-analysis estimated that each

increase of 1 kilometre per hour in a road

collision increases the odds of a pedestrian

fatality by 11%. The researchers predicted a

5% risk of pedestrian fatality at impact

speeds of 30 kilometres per hour (18 mph),

compared with a 29% risk at 50 kilometres

per hour (31 mph).

20mph zones in action

Portsmouth was the first local authority to

introduce large scale 20mph limits, in 2007,

covering 94% of roads that previously had

30mph limits.

After two years collisions and casualties

reduced 21% and 22% per year respectively.

In London, an evaluation of cycling

casualties between 2012 and 13 found that

20mph limits were associated with 21%

lower injury odds than 30mph zones.

In Bristol, an evaluation of data between

2008 and 2016 showed that reducing the

speed limit to 20mph was associated with a

63% reduction in fatalities city-wide

Edinburgh: A city-wide 20mph speed limit

introduced between 2016 and 18 found that

casualty rates reduced by 39%. When a

three-year study was performed, this

reduction increased by a further 10%.

In Europe, a review of 30kmh zones found

they reduced fatalities by 37% and injuries by

38%.

Where physical measures are involved, an

analysis of 20 mph zones implemented in

London between 2002 and 2007 indicated a

24% reduction in people killed or seriously

injured compared with 30 mph zones.

20mph: does it boost active travel?

There is limited research that directly

investigates the relationship between

20mph interventions and active travel.

One study in Bristol measured changes in

objective active travel following the

introduction of a 20 mph pilot. It showed

increases in people walking (10% to 36%) and

cycling (4% to 37%) across all days of the

“A city-wide 20mph speed

limit introduced between 2016

and 18 found that casualty

rates reduced by 39%. When a

three-year study was

performed, this reduction

increased by a further 10%.”

week and weather conditions, with the

greatest differences on weekend days and in

dry weather.

A study following the introduction of

30kmh speed limits in Bilbao in Spain found

that cycling trips increased almost sixfold

(from 320,000 to 1,791,000), and that

citizens reported lower stress levels.

Active travel delivers real health benefits,

and financial ones too. Health benefits

include maintaining a healthy weight and

preventing obesity, lower blood pressure and

reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Self-report surveys have found consistent

increases in the number of people that say

they use active travel following the

introduction of a 20 mph speed limit or zone.

However, surveys can be subject to biases

such as recall bias or desirability bias.

Perceptions of safety

Motor vehicles can deter people from

active travel, because they feel like they are a

risk to their safety.

Continued on page 30


20mph zones: Lifesavers, or unnecessary?

20mph zones work... but they

need buy-in from the community

Continued from page 29

Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index

reported that 54% of respondents said that

wider adoption of 20 mph speed limits would

help them walk and wheel more and 52%

would cycle more.

Increasing the numbers of pedestrians and

cyclists can contribute to the phenomenon of

‘safety in numbers’, where the presence of

many cyclists makes it safer for individuals

who cycle on the road.

Air quality

Studies on the effects of 20mph zones and

air quality have mixed findings. However, the

following was found

n Some pollutants, such as PM2.5 and

PM10 and hydrocarbons (such as benzene)

are released in higher concentrations below

20 kilometres per hour (12mph). In

residential areas, traffic flow (rather than

speed limits) often determines speeds and

journey times. Congestion can increase

pollution. Some studies have found that 20

mph zones can reduce congestion, which

may reduce pollution.

n Vehicles on 20 mph roads spend less

time in the acceleration and de-acceleration

phase, which produces fewer particulate

emissions.

n Vehicles emit more carbon monoxide,

The impact of

major road safety

changes on KSI

statistics

NOx, and PM when decelerating and

accelerating at speed humps. This could

affect comparisons between 20 mph limits

and zones, as zones feature traffic calming

measures including speed humps.

One study in London found that emissions

were higher for speed humps than speed

cushions.

n Emission profiles can also change when

people switch their mode of transport and

travel actively.

A 2024 systematic review across 40 cities

in Europe found that implementing 30

kilometre per hour speed limits reduced

emissions by 18%.

A 2023 modelling study proposed that

many air quality studies do not account for

the ‘stop-start’ nature of urban driving.

Based on London, modelling data indicated

“Increasing the numbers of

pedestrians and cyclists can

contribute to the phenomenon

of ‘safety in numbers’, where the

presence of many cyclists

makes it safer for individuals

who cycle on the road.”



that CO 2

emissions were 36% to 39% higher

for petrol vehicles travelling at 30 mph than

at 20 mph, and NOx emissions were 79%

higher for diesel vehicles travelling at 30mph

than at 20 mph.

The National Institute for Health and Care

Excellence (NICE) provides evidence-based

guidelines and recommendations to improve

health outcomes and reduce road casualties.

NICE encourages the use of 20 mph speed

limits to reduce pollution, but acknowledges

that the current evidence for 20 mph

interventions reducing air pollution is weak.

This guidance was last updated in 2017.

Noise

One modelling study predicted that

city-wide speed limits of 30 kilometres per

hour would reduce traffic noise by up to three

decibels. A 2024 systematic review across

40 cities in Europe found that implementing

30 kilometre per hour speed limits reduced

noise levels by 2.5 decibels during the day.

Driver compliance

Drivers are more likely to comply with 20

mph speed limits in places where average

speeds are already low (below 24 mph).

However, the greatest changes in speeds are

present on roads where traffic is much faster.

A 2024 report investigated vehicle speeds

three months after Wales introduced its the

20 mph speed limit, using satellite navigation

data on nearly 500km of roads.The report

estimated the percentage of journey length

travelled by drivers at or above a set speed,

and showed that:

n average speeds were 2.4 mph lower than

before 20 mph limit was introduced

n 52.9% of miles driven were above the 20

mph speed limit

n 17.9% of miles driven were above the

GoSafe Wales enforcement threshold of

26mph

n 5.4% of miles driven were at speeds

above the threshold for a court summons (35

mph).

Changes to the physical environment.

Transport for London (TfL) has published

guidance on designing roads for lower

speeds, emphasising there is no ‘one size fits

all’ approach.

City-wide or country-wide 20 mph limits

Researchers propose that a fragmented

network of 20 mph speed limits could lead to

confusion and to drivers ignoring the limit if

they know it is only there for a short length.

Gradual introduction might also be more

expensive in the long term.

Publicity and educational campaigns

However, social scientists have highlighted

that educational campaigns can have limited

impact without effective public engagement.

Police and community enforcement

Some authorities fund additional police

enforcement or partner with volunteer

community speed watchers.

In some circumstances, drivers can attend

speed awareness courses as an alternative to

other sanctions.

Vehicle-activated signs and speed

indicator devices. These measure vehicle

speeds and display a message to influence

driver compliance.

Click here to read

the report in full

Big rise in motorbike

deaths as overall

fatalities edge up

NEW Government data has revealed a

small rise in road fatalities, with 1,633 road

fatalities in 2024, up 1% on 2023.

But there was a rise in casualties of all

severities, to 128,375, down 3% on the

previous year.

The killed or seriously injured (KSI)

casualties were little change compared

with 2023, at 29,537.

The biggest rise in deaths was among

motorcyclists. There were 343 fatalities in

2024 – a 9% year-on-year rise.

Also up were pedestrian casualties: up

2%, to 413.

But there was a welcome fall in pedal

cycle fatalities, to 85 (down 2%) and a

similar fall in the number of car occupants

killed, down to 710.

The RAC says the figures are “more

evidence of the need for a renewed focus

on saving lives on the roads”.

Rod Dennis, RAC road safety

spokesperson, said: “While overall road

casualty numbers appear to have reduced

slightly year-on-year, alarmingly fatalities

have crept up – led by an increase in fatal

collisions involving motorcyclists.

“It’s also worrying to see pedestrian

fatalities at their highest number since

before the pandemic, and that men are still

three times more likely to be killed on the

roads than women.

“This data is yet more evidence of the

need for a renewed focus on saving lives

on the roads, so we look forward to the

publication of the Government’s road

safety strategy.”

Planning rules scrapped

for EV chargepoints

More drivers will find it simpler and easier

to add EV chargepoints to their homes

after the government announced it would

scrap the need for planning permission.

Lilian Greenwood, future of roads

minister, said drivers and businesses will

no longer need to submit a planning

application to install public or private EV

sockets, making it easier, quicker and

cheaper to install a private chargepoint.

This will unlock savings of up to £1,100 a

year compared to running a petrol or

diesel car, it adds.


Area News

Hastings hears latest on L-test

trial and subtle change to Part 2

MSA GB Area 3 London and South East held

an instructor meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at

St Peter and St Paul’s Church Hall, Hastings.

The meeting was dedicated to our muchloved

former South East chairman Terry

Cummins, who passed away recently.

MSA GB Area 3 Chairman Tom Kwok

opened the meeting by saying how much

Terry would be missed by both the

association and the local ADI community. He

was a wonderful instructor, a great ADI

trainer and a good friend to the entire ADI

community. It was noted that many of those

in attendance on the night were Terry’s

former PDIs, and that his influence stretched

far across the ADI community and beyond.

Terry was also a loyal member of MSA GB

and worked tirelessly to help the association

and its members.

Tom closed his tribute by asking all present

to join him in a minute’s silence for Terry.

Tom thanked all for attending; we had 35

ADIs with us, which was a really healthy

turn-out, and allowed for some great chats in

between the presentations.

The first presentation was by DVSA local

test centre manager Lawrence Brand and

Tom, on trialling changes to the driving test.

As Lawrence explained, the aim of this trial

was to increase the amount of driving on

tests at higher speeds and on rural roads, two

areas where the crash statistics show novice

drivers are particularly vulnerable.

The trial would last for three months and

be held at 20 driving test centres round the

country, with updated routes used. To

accommodate the extra driving time the

number of enforced stops to perform

manoeuvres would be reduced from four to

three. There would also be fewer emergency

stops performed; currently the stop was

performed on one-in-three tests but on

these new trial tests the candidate would be

asked to perform it on only one test in seven.

The examiner would also be able to

increase independent driving on the Sat Nav

from 20 minutes to the full duration of the

test.

It was an interesting topic to consider, with

plenty of debate among the audience on its

merits. It was agreed that ensuring the

Colin Goodsell makes a

point during his

presentation.

L-test was in keeping with modern driving

was essential.

The second presentation was by Colin

Goodsell, who is a DVSA ADI examiner. During

the Part 2 test examiners are encouraging

PDIs to deploy technology in the car (ie,

cruise control) and skipping gears while

changing up or down.

On Part 3s, the word ‘Why’ was discussed,

and how you can use it in a lesson.

There were a number of PDIs in attendance,

and as you might expect they used the Q&A

time to ask Colin about their future Part 3

Tom Kwok presents a

certificate to Maranda to

mark her work for MSA GB

as a new member recruiter

test, the current state of Part 3 test

availability, and what to expect on the day.

It was a great evening, with lots of

information exchanged, a great chance to talk

informally to DVSA officials and to create

networks within the ADI community.

Special thanks to Lawrence and Colin for

giving up their evening to join us and be so

open, and to Maranda, Fiona and Jo for helping

out in the meeting.

Terry Cummins would have enjoyed the

evening, and we remember him again.

RIP, Terry.



It’s goodbye tension, hello pension!

AFTER OVER 40 years of teaching Glasgow’s

finest to drive, John Cassells has finally

decided the time has come to hang up the

keys and remove the L plates from his

much-loved Vauxhall Mokka, replacing them

with his pipe, slippers, armchair and daytime

TV!

John has been a member of the Glasgow &

District Driving Instructors Association

(GDDIA) from its very beginning, and we

could not let him retire without saying Bon

Voyage! (though really it was just an excuse

for a night out).

We set the date for Friday, 16th May at our

usual haunt, Swaran Indian Cuisine for a night

of fun, laughter, and a good old curry!

27 members of the instructor community

came along to see John off, alongside John’s

long-suffering wife Jackie.

The starters had been served and

devoured, the mains had been ordered so

what better time to present John with some

retirement gifts and cards with a few kind

words from Alex Buist. John then exchanged

a few words of thanks and passed on some

really good advice that’s got him through the

past 40 years working as an ADI.

John, the association will not be the same

without you. Bryan will miss your phone calls

complaining about “that examiner”. You are

one in a million and you will always be

welcome to pop along to the association

meetings and nights out.

Jackie will really benefit from the respite!

John prepares for

retirement... and

below, with

long-suffering

wife Jackie


Area News

From childhood stammerer to public

speaking, it’s been quite a journey

Most ADIs will have, at some point in their careers, come across

a pupil who suffers from a stammer. It is a condition that affects

self-confidence and can be emotionally damaging without the

right support. Arthur Mynott offers a thought-provoking personal

account of his own challenges in overcoming a stammer as a child.

Arthur Mynott

West Coast

& Wales

I STAMMERED badly when I was at school in

the late 1960s and early 1970s and it really

affected my self confidence, among other

things.

Lots of children used to make fun of me

apart from a few close friends, so much so

that I didn’t partake in a lot of activities that

involved speaking. I became very shy,

because I was ashamed of my stammer.

I did have two separate sessions with a

speech therapist, both of which were over

about five weeks while at junior school, and

these did help a bit. My most vivid memory is

of reading a book in front of the other pupils

which happened soon after one of these

sessions, and I won a prize for being the most

improved reader. The prize was a children’s

book called Chunky which I still have to this

day. The whole experience improved my self

esteem no end.

In secondary school my nickname was ‘Fifi’

because on words that I used to struggle with

I used to go ‘f f f’ before I could say the actual

word. One thing I could do, though, was swear

perfectly without stammering at all!

Happily, things do get better over time and

in the last 20 or so years I have chaired many

meetings, spoken at various events and even

given presentations at conferences, etc. I still

get anxious if I’m in an audience of people I

don’t know and want to ask a question, but I

have learnt to control myself and take my

time.

I have also spoken at my daughter’s

wedding as Father of the Bride and as Best

Man at my eldest son’s wedding. On these

occasions I generally practise my speech on

my dog walk in the middle of a field where no

one can hear me. If I find a word that is going

to give me trouble I then alter the word or

sentence so I know I won’t then struggle with

it.

The main reason for telling you my story is

to say that things can improve over the years

and never be afraid or embarrassed of your

stammer. Most people are kinder and more

patient than we think and are very

understanding.

• Information and support on stammering can

be found at the British Stammering

Association.

Find out more by clicking HERE:

An old man’s thoughts and reactions

John Lomas

West Coast

& Wales

THE article in last month’s Newslink, on

Emergency Stops (pp 26 & 27), was a

good explanation about why we need to

be able to do an Emergency Stop even

though we drive in a manner which aims

to avoid the necessity.

A good example of why this skill is one

we always need in our back pocket

comes from my time when when I was

instructing on Lancashire County

Council’s Skid Pan in Blackburn, and it

involves the way ABS works.

ABS works by comparing wheel

rotations so if two wheels lock up but

the other two don’t, the system knows

that the vehicle is still moving so starts

to release the brakes on the stationary

wheels. This is why you get the juddering

of On/Off/On/Off, etc.

But if you just happen to be on a very

slippery surface, black ice would be a

good example, and all four wheels lock at

the same time, then the ABS will think

you have stopped and will not activate

normally.

At that spoint you will get the

sensation of sitting in a sledge – sliding

gracefully (or not!) forward, and will

actually need to start using the non-ABS

technique of pulse braking to bring

yourself to a stop.

Metric motorway location signs

These were mentioned in the article by

Steve Garrod last month about

motorway driving tuition. I have recently

been involved in a discussion about

motorway signage on a Facebook page

for people considering becoming PDIs/

ADIs.

I was amazed by the number of so

called qualified ADIs who outright denied

that there was any metric signage on

the UK’s motorways. They were there on

that page advising potential Instructors,

so one would hope that they are

successfully re-educated and retested

before being permitted to even think

about joining any ADIs doing L-tests,

which was the subject of another article

last month.


Area Events


Scotland is in for a CPD boost as

training seminar details revealed

IT IS that time again, when MSA GB Scotland

starts to think about your CPD, and what

better way to do this than attend the

Scottish Training Seminar this autumn.

The event will be held on Sunday, 2nd

November at our traditional venue,

Castlecary Hotel, Castlecary Road,

Castlecary, Glasgow, G68 0HD.

Though more details will be added as we

get closer to the event, we already have an

action-packed schedule with a few

confirmed guest speakers.

Gemma Collier will be discussing health

related matters

Mick Knowles, ORDIT trainer and cofounder

of Knowledgeable Instructor Training

will be delivering a talk

Pauline Reeves from the DVSA will be in

attendance

Peter Harvey MBE will keep us up to speed

with changes within the industry plus more.

Cost

Early bird cost until 30th September 2025

is only £45; and £55 thereafter.

Included is a two-course hot lunch with

regular tea/coffee breaks, plus all relevant

papers and a CPD certificate.

Make a weekend of it

Fancy making a weekend of it? We have

negotiated great room rates for those who

want to stay: £95 for single occupancy and

£130 for double occupancy, which also

includes breakfast!

To book your room please phone

Castlecary Hotel on 01324 840 233 and

quote booking reference “MSA Scotland/

Northern Ireland” to secure your special room

discount.

You Click can here secure for your place now by

clicking details HERE. and to book

PVG scheme continues

to cause concern

MSA GB has received a number of

member enquiries about the requirement

for all instructors to register on the

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG)

scheme.

Details on the PVG scheme were

publishing in May’s Newslink, but there

remains a huge amount of confusion

around the scheme.

Disclosure Scotland has now sent

MSA GB the following confirmation:

“There is a requirement to get a PVG

for any regulated role, which would

include driving instruction. As suggested,

this would be for both workforces. It

would be either through an employer or

any of the smaller schools who can

register.

“On the other hand, If an instructor ADI

or trainee licence holder is totally

self-employed then it would be through

the Confirmation of Scheme

membership with both workforces.”

Confirmation of PVG scheme

membership (Join) – Self Employed.

This is for self-employed people

joining the PVG scheme, or selfemployed

PVG members who want to

work with a new vulnerable group. It

costs £59.

You can use the links already sent to

you in the DVSA email, or it may be easier

to use this link below:

The STS in 2024

PVG scheme: click HERE for details.

Area 4 plans exciting speaker line-up for conference

THIS NOVEMBER, join fellow driving

instructors for a day packed with insights,

inspiration, and updates that matter to your

career.

The MSA GB West Coast & Wales Area

Training Day and Conference is back, and it’s

happening on:

Monday 3rd November

at the

Holiday Inn, Birmingham (M6, Jun 7)

Doors open at 9.00 am, and what follows is

a day you won’t want to miss.

Here’s who you’ll be hearing from on the

day:

n Alan Gott, FBTC Accountancy Services

– Making Tax Digital: what it means for you,

and how to stay prepared

n Mike Newman and John Galloway, Speed

Of Sight – an extraordinary story of

resilience, inclusion, and empowerment

n Colin Stewart and John Sheridan, DVSA

– key updates and insights from the agency

shaping the industry’s future

n Mike Yeomans, National Chairman, MSA

GB – a look at the Association’s strategic

direction and member support

This is your opportunity to reconnect with

fellow instructors, ask real questions, share

experiences, and take away practical

knowledge you can apply immediately.

A two-course buffet lunch and

refreshments are included, giving you even

more time to network and build valuable

connections.

Book your place before 1st September for

early-bird pricing, £45 for MSA GB members

and £50 for non-members. After that, tickets

are £55.

Contact Arthur Mynott with any queries,

via arthur.mynott@yahoo.com

or 07989 852274

Click here for

details and to book


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. All prices are down, and the outlook is for further sharp falls

after Donald Trump’s decision to reduce his recently imposed tariffs on imports to

the US.

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 133p 139p

Motorway 159p 163p

Supermarkets 129p 135p

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 JUNE 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 JUNE 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 June 2025

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