Driving Instructor Training
The quick and easy way to become a Driving Instructor. How, when, where?
Watch Out For Bogus Driving Instructors!
Posted on October 31st, 2009 by admin, under Driving Instructor.
There are certain driving instructors who can make money off driving instruction without investing in all the training and passing all the qualifying exams. Just like Mr. Ferris, of Newport, Gwent, who has been recently fined a £305 for giving illegal driving tuition to three learner drivers.
David Ferris, 50, was deceitful to three pupils that he was an Approved Driving Instructor as he charged them £17 per lesson. Ferris’ qualifications were doubted by Newport Driving Centre staff in November last year. As DSA’s Fraud and Integrity Team collected evidence, the bogus ADI received a warning to stop his illegal activity. Ferris said in response that he was helping his friends with driving training for free. Some time later, DSA received a complaint from one of Ferris’ “friends” and cracked down. The fraudster was arrested at his home on June 26, 2009. Mr. Ferris pleaded guilty for the offences and was fined a combined £305.
It goes without saying that taking lessons from illegal driving instructor may be dangerous and a waste of money. They never passed their qualifying exams and, thus, are unable to provide an adequate training to their pupils. In addition, bogus driving instructors are stealing customers from those who really deserve them.
Protecting yourself from the fraud is very easy. Be aware that any qualified driving instructor should display his coloured badge in the windscreen. Pink badge shows they are still under training and are entitled to provide driving tuition. Green badge indicates you are being trained by fully qualified person who is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. Make sure the person on the badge photo quite looks like your driving instructor!
Being an illegal driving instructor can bring about more severe penalties than just paying a £305 fine. One fraudster named Donald Johnson – who could have made a brilliant driving instructor – was sentenced to two years in jail for doing the same thing as David Ferris, but at greater scale and with more talent. In 2006, Mr. Johnson illegally taught 19 pupils, and 15 passed their tests first time! It is almost 80 percent with national average pass rate for pupils who take driving test first time being at only 46 percent.
If you have any suspicions toward your driving instructor, ask him to show you his badge or call DSA.
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Learner Driver Theory Test Revamped
Posted on October 26th, 2009 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Schools, Driving Test.
Learning to Drive programme launched by Driving Standard Agency (DSA) is coming into its new phase with the introduction of changes to learner driver theory test. The Learning to Drive was planned as a long-term programme to overhaul learner driver test practices and regulations with the aim to strengthen the way drivers are trained and tested at driving schools.
From late September this year, learner drivers taking their theory test will face case study questions. As of now only one new question has been added in each theory exam for drivers, motorcyclists and moped riders. Instead of just choosing correct answer out of multiple-choice list, learner drivers will find a case study of driving episode. Candidates will judge by context and answer the case study question in the common way by choosing the right answer from a multiple-choice list using mouse or touch screen. Case studies are not something learners never heard about before as they are being extensively used in education.
DSA announced about the introduction of one new question based on existing multiple-choice questions so learner drivers could adapt to the concept. DSA officials, however, say they plan to include more case studies into exams in future. The reason for revamping the approach to the theory test was that case study can really put candidates into the context and show how well they understand what they have learnt during their theory training.
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No Driving Instructors In the Back Seat On L-Tests
Posted on October 15th, 2009 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Test.
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) initiative to force an observer into the back seat of learner car during driving test has been reversed earlier in the week. That mandatory requirement was dropped, though candidates may still ask their driving instructor or a parent who learnt them to drive to be present in the car on their practical driving test.
DSA planned to revise driving test regulations last May when officials announced their intention to make it mandatory for the candidates to take an observer on-board during their practical test. The idea behind new rule was that an observer could be valuable during the learning process, which in turn would bring road safety benefits.
Driving Instructor Association (DIA) representatives and other stakeholders, however, saw it as the initiative could do exactly the opposite of what DSA officials were trying to achieve. The revamp of driving test regulations generated hot debates. There was even an E-petition from candidates to stop DSA from introducing the rule. The final round of debate was the meeting of DSA and DIA representatives late in September, just weeks before the rule was scheduled for introduction.
Finally, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis announced DSA put a hold on the revamp to avoid unnecessary regulation. But the choice whether to have observer sitting in during L-test still remains with candidates. In his statement, Adonis insists that having someone sitting in will enhance learning experience and, in turn, improve road safety.
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Understanding the role of an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
Posted on July 30th, 2008 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Tips.
Approved Driving Instructors are professionally qualified to give advice and have the correct knowledge regarding driving procedures and driving test requirements. They have received Driving Instructor training in order to teach driving skills to learner drivers and have received tuition relating to the driving test. When you become a Driving Instructor you will be trained to teach driving skills in a structured manner to suit differing abilities.

Formal tuition can only be given by a trainee Instructor, or a qualified Driving Standards Agency, Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI), who can also help structure the private practice.
Many learner drivers only have driving lessons for one or two hours per week and their driving experience is limited to driving at the same time of day and over the same roads. Accompanying a learner driver is a good way of helping your friends or relatives become safe drivers. It’s a team effort involving you, the learner driver and the Driving Instructor.
Working together is the best way of ensuring everyone’s aim of safe driving for life.
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How Surepass Instructor Training will improve road safety
Posted on July 9th, 2008 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Tips.
There are lots of reasons and excuses why an accident occurs. The end result is that the driver is usually responsible in some way. However if drivers have good concentration, observe and anticipate the actions of other road users then this will help them to stay alert and they will have more time to deal with hazards. By giving themselves “time” they will also be allowing for “other peoples errors”.

Surepass Driving Instructor Training Courses deal with the novice driver through to the more advanced. Our trainers are aware that chances are a novice driver will be involved in a road accident within their first year of passing the test, especially during the first six months. The courses are designed, not only to enable a provisional Instructor to qualify but also:
- Understand the legal requirements and responsibilities of supervising the learner driver
- Understand the role of the Driving Instructor
- Understand the role of the Driving Standards Agency and its examiners
- Know how to effectively encourage and support the “L” driver
- Gain experience in hazard awareness and perception to an advanced level
The above skills coupled with our bespoke Driver Training will undoubtedly contribute to the reduction in the 38,800 road user injuries each year which involve at least one driver with less than two years post-test experience.
Training to be a Surepass Driving Instructor is not just about the cheapest course, the job at the end, the earning potential, its also about learning to help young drivers (and old) understand the risks and responsibilities they are undertaking everytime they get behind the wheel of the car. Surepass Instructor Trainers are passionate about providing professional instruction in the most effective way to help reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. If its your concern too then let Surepass train you to become the type of Instructor the DSA require.