Author: Dave Foster

It must be 14 years ago now when, as a full time driving instructor trainer, I began to realise how people were struggling with their driving instructor training. Back then I worked for The Instructor College full-time and saw between 4 and 8 trainees every single day. So many were struggling with the part three test yet to me, it seemed very easy. The teaching materials provided by the College were vague to say the least – a series of drawings put together in a book for each of the pre-set-tests (PSTs). Many of you will remember that back then, Read More …

It must be over ten years since I penned an article of almost the same title. This article is the updated version of that one. When I say updated, most of it is still true today and the mysteries of passing these tests are nothing more than following the simple rules. The rules are laid out by the DVSA in their Standards for driving instructors, but this can all look very daunting to the new instructor. Let me begin. Part 3, and when I say part 3, take it to mean the standard test too, is NOT about impressing the Read More …

Well, 2020 is almost over and what a year it’s been. Who would have thought this time last year that in order to go into a bank, you’d have to wear a mask, that our hands will have seen more alcohol than we drink in pubs or that when we used to tell the kids “you’ll never accomplish anything” how wrong could we have been? But all jokes aside, it’s been a difficult year for most. Some of you have had a real struggle I know and it’s wrong that some people have benefited from this lockdown situation and done Read More …

Where do you go to when you want advice? Facebook, reference books or rely on knowledge? I ask because I am absolutely amazed at the number of wrong, mis-advised and some downright dangerous comments and advice I often see. OMG, I can almost see the hairs going up on peoples necks and the shackles coming out!! Let me state my defence your honour. As driver trainers, we teach driving and as such we teach not only the practical elements but should teach the theoretical elements as well. Even if we don’t actually teach the theory, we should be at least Read More …

Disclaimer 1: I use the term ‘crap’ purely as a copy of the words used to describe pupils on social media. Its not written to cause offence or be offensive but is necessary for the point of the article Prompted by comments (as ever) from social media, I wanted to address the issue where driving instructors talk about ‘crap’ pupils. Now, I believe that when they refer to them in this way, they mean pupils who do not learn as well, as quickly or any other adjective that does not fit their ‘norm’. But what is a norm? Certainly, in Read More …

Many driving school franchises have been set up by people who, well quite frankly have never been driving instructors. Whilst the business side of being a driving instructor might seem universal, some don’t appreciate the uniqueness of the market. Pupils who don’t want driving lessons but must have them to get what they do want, freedom to drive. Many franchises are set up with the sole interests of the franchiser believing they offer what franchisees, driving instructors, want. This is one of the reasons recently my own school moved away from the franchising model in favour of ‘Associates‘ and ‘Partners‘. Read More …