Driving Instructors teaching over 70's are needed for CB Films

CB Films are a London-based documentary production company, the result of a merger between Cicada and Bellwether films, with over 20 years of award-winning factual production experience behind us.

We are looking to speak to people who are in their 70s and above who are learning to drive, and also drivers in the same age group who have been advised to do a refresher course in order to maintain their license, or whom are undertaking extra training of their own choice.

Our project wants to explore how important it is for older drivers to be behind the wheel, the challenges they face and what it means for those who may be less mobile. Working closely with mobility charities, we’re very aware of how driving within this age group can be a lifeline and a route to independence.

If you are an instructor who works closely with people of the above description, we would love to hear from you (and them!).

We are at early developmental stages with interest from major broadcasters.

At this stage we are just looking to speak to people about their experiences on camera – this is not for broadcast and there would be no obligation to take part in any filming at a later date.

If you think you work with someone who would be interested in sharing their experience with us, please contact Rowan as soon as possible:

rowan@cbfilms.tv
02072664646

New Transport Agency Name Announced

New Announcement from Mark Magee

The new agency will be called the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which reflects its responsibilities for setting, testing and enforcing driver and vehicle standards in Great Britain.
There will be a gradual introduction of the new agency name ahead of the formal launch of the new agency in April 2014, with no change to the level or quality of services during the transition period.

You can read the full announcement here.

DSA and VOSA will be incorporated within the new agency and the new branding will reflect this until their services and trading funds are brought together over the next financial year.

We want to keep costs to a minimum, so the new branding will be phased in gradually. ADIs’ and PDIs’ badges do not need to be replaced. They must still be displayed in your windscreen as usual at all times while you are operating as a driving instructor.

Any other DSA documents will still be valid until further notice.

For the time being, the official title of ADIs is still ‘Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor’. The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on the changes that need to be made to legislation to reflect the new name. We’ll let you know when this will change.

You can still access all of DSA’s online services in the usual way from GOV.UK.

Mark

Mark Magee  |  Registrar & Director

Driving Standards Agency  |  Regulation, Standards and Development

Standards Check Professional Development Day, a sell-out success!

We had a fantastic Professional Development Day (PDD) at the stunning Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire on 18th November, as we delved deeper into the forthcoming Standards Check and helped delegates better prepare for delivering on the National Standards in their every day work. The Check itself then becomes more of a mere snapshot of your usual high performance, than a nail-biting cross examination of your competence.

Alastair Peoples, Mark Magee
being question by Mike Frisby, DIA

We also received the latest industry updates delivered by expert speakers from the DSA, Alastair Peoples, new CEO of DSA & VOSA and Mark Magee, ADI Registrar. Mr Peoples also set out his vision for the DSA and plans for future development. Visit our Youtube channel here to see more of these speeches and highlights from the day. Driving Instructors were also able to voice their concerns and questions on the latest Standards Check and find out more about the criteria for examiner assessments.

The day consisted of five top interactive workshops that guided driving instructors through the different criteria of the DSA Standards Check Form SC1, ensuring all delegates felt confident and prepared, especially with the ability to ask questions when needed.

We also trialled out a new 'In-car Coaching' workshop, thanks to Hitachi for providing the cars, which received great feedback as it enabled people to experience peer assessments, free pointers on their teaching approach and an insight into client centred learning. These sessions were led by renowned driver coaching experts, including Ian Edwards and Louise Walsh that run the DIA Certificate in Coaching.

Louise Walsh reviews how the in-car coaching worked on the day: "I thought that it was a success. I was skeptical if I'm honest but with the freedom to be a little bit individual depending on the needs of the group in the car was good. The feedback was encouraging and it made my day when one ADI whispered in my ear "best session of the day, thank you". I was surprised how little understanding many had and the lack of ability to make even a very basic session 'client centred'... Yet many thought they were!"

We also held a new workshop from Goodyear Tyres that greatly impressed our delegates, as they produced an interactive workshop demonstrating tyre performance during different weather conditions. This workshop, entitled ‘Winter Tyres; Dispelling the Myths,’ aimed to banish the misconceptions around Winter tyres and provide delegates with a deeper knowledge on what a Winter tyre is and why the UK weather makes them more necessary than you might think.

Commenting on the day, Goodyear brand manager Michelle Fisher said: " We gained some valuable insights from working with driving instructors during these workshops. They provided us with great feedback and many suggestions as to how we can improve education around the need for Winter tyres with a broader audience. The commitment from driving instructors to continuously learn and educate themselves in order to educate others really stood out . We look forward to working with delegates in the future on our shared aim to improve education for drivers and road safety in the UK."

Specsavers eye tests

Champagne Prize from
Face for Business

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank sponsors Specsavers and Face for Business for producing engaging exhibition stands at our event. Heaps of ADI's took part in Specsavers eye test and had an 100% pass rate, which shocked and delighted Suzanne Randall who took the tests. Face for Business provided free trials for their telephone service and a bottle of champagne!

If you missed out; Plans will be announced soon so keep and eye out and to guarantee yourself a place add yourself to our reserve list by emailing lyndanazer@driving.org. We will offer early bird tickets at £69.00 to Members and £79.00 to Non-members before they go on sale.

November's Member of the Month

Ricky receiving £25 Voucher

It was lovely seeing Ricky Cox again as he popped in to receive his £25 voucher for being our November Member of the Month.

Why he was nominated

Ricky got in touch with the DIA due to a number of issues he was experiencing with his franchise and spoke with Olivia Baldock who dealt with his case. After offering him advice and support about what he could do next, he left his franchise and wrote to Watchdog and the Trading Standards.

Ricky learnt the hard way that you need to double check T & C's before signing up with a franchise but he recently joined the AA and is now really happy. So we're delighted with his result and that he shared his story with an article for our Driving Instructor Magazine. When we caught up with Ricky to tell him the good news we found out that he used to be a hypnotist!... read his full interview here

Ricky told us that "I can use this opportunity to say thank you for the help and support provided from the DIA team for sharing this story". Ricky was delighted to receive a £25 gift voucher from the DIA and will spend it on a DIAmond Advanced Test. Congratulations and look out for who's next for December's Member of the month.

Do you know a fellow DIA member that deserves some recognition? Then please send nominations to feedback@driving.org and your reasons why.

Ricky also featured in our Driving Instructor Magazine issue 11

Latest Announcement on ADI Standards Check on Standard Operating Procedure

We are pleased to announce that the new Standard Operating Procedure for the Standards Check due in April 2014, is now available to download from GOV.UK.

This documentation should provide you with further information as to how the Standards Check will operate in practice and is the new procedure that DSA examiners are currently being trained in to deliver the new assessment. To ensure you understand it fully, download  the SC1 form and the reflective log from the links embedded in the main document.

The new document will replace the current ADI 1 Standard Operating Procedure and is an essential read for all ADIs to help prepare you to meet the new standards and the criteria for the Standards Check itself. 

A copy of the DSA National Driver and Rider Training Standards, the standards on which you will be assessed, should also be read in conjunction with this documentation and these can be obtained through the GOV.UK website also.

Free Roadshows this Week in Maidstone, Portsmouth and Exeter

Are you a Driving Instructor down south? We have some fantastic roadshows this week as we are in Maidstone on the 11th, Portsmouth 14th and Exeter on the 19th of November.

This Autumns topic is all about managing money and providing top tips and techniques to help manage the financial aspects of a driver training business.

This will also provide the opportunity for instructors to get involved in relevant debates, discussions and network with likeminded fellow professionals.

So if you need to sort out your taxes and want to learn some handy tips on how to save on your tax return then this short and snappy presentation from our highly qualified accountant is a must. This will also give you the chance to meet the super friendly and dashing Mike Frisby, DIAmond Chief Examiner from the DIA, so grab your free place now by going to driving.org or calling 020 8686 8010

Places still available at Exeter, 14 November!

We also have a great roadshow offer for our Tax Service:
Receive a full year off your membership if you take up our Tax Service before the 30 November


Service includes:
- A fixed fee to complete your tax return
- A free tax review
- Year round phone and email helpdesk

Don't leave it too late to complete your Tax Return and do it with our expert advice to ensure an efficient and economical service.

November Newsletter

Click here to view our latest November Newsletter. It's packed full of industry news, great promotions and new features such as 'Member of the Month'.