BACK TO SCHOOL - Driving Instructor - TRAIN IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE CAR TO BOOST YOUR STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE - Driving Instructors Association
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Driving
Instructor
THE VOICE OF THE PROFESSIONAL
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
BACK TO SCHOOL
TRAIN IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE CAR TO
BOOST YOUR STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE
ISSUE NINE 2019
p01_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 11:52 am
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p02_03_Instructor_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 11:55 am
Driving
Instructor
Welcome
The official monthly magazine of the
Driving Instructors Association
Driving Instructor is published monthly by DIA (Int.) Ltd
Copyright © DIA (Int.) Ltd 2019
Printed by Warners Midlands plc
The views contained may not be the views of the publishers.
It’s September which means it’s the start of the new school year. Publication of an advertisement does not imply approval for the goods or services
offered. Reproduction by any means, electronically or otherwise, in whole or part,
Even a decade or two after taking my A-Levels, I still have that of any material appearing in this magazine is forbidden without the express prior
permission of the publishers.
back to school feeling. September feels like a great time for a
fresh start with the changing of the seasons. It’s the perfect
opportunity to learn something new, or examine your future Editorial and design
goals to see what else you’d like to achieve. Kathy Manson | Editor
editor@driving.org
Though most of us left the classroom years ago, Carly Brookfield
Adam Trimby | Design
suggests we return, this time as teacher. Her feature on page adamtrimby@driving.org
20 explains the positives of training your students in both the
classroom and the car. Not only will it help your pupils learn, she
Advertising and marketing
says, it can be a great way to supplement your income.
Matt Russell | Head of marketing, publishing and digital
Lowering the speed limit to 20mph in busy urban areas is mattrussell@driving.org
designed to keep everyone safe. Many councils have installed Sara Jardine | Advertising manager
20mph zones, but have they made a difference to casualty rates? sarajardine@driving.org
RoSPA discusses the issue on page 25. Megan Cooper | Marketing co-ordinator
megancooper@driving.org
Elsewhere, Anthony Fuller takes us through the process of a
pupil’s very first driving lesson with his handy step-by-step guide.
Nick Heath has spotted many bumper stickers apologising for DIA Membership and training team
driving at the speed limit because a black box is fitted. He looks at Olivia Baldock-Ward | Head of membership and training
oliviabaldockward@driving.org
what this says about attitudes to road safety. See pages 28-34 to find
out more. Tom Foster | Training co-ordinator
tomfoster@driving.org
Don’t forget our DIA
Vicky Wilson | Membership services manager
Conference is fast approaching. vickywilson@driving.org
This year we’re hosting three, Rebecca Walker | Membership and e-commerce executive
in Bristol, Nottingham and rebeccawalker@driving.org
the DVSA training centre at
Cardington. We want it to be Diamond membership and training team
as easy as possible for you all to Karen Bransgrove | Diamond chief examiner
attend. See page 37 for all the karenbransgrove@driving.org
details of the November events Chloe Denny | Diamond co-ordinator
chloedenny@driving.org
and information about the CPD
workshops on offer.
Kathy Manson Carly Brookfield | Chief executive
carlybrookfield@driving.org
Editor
Dean Mayer | Chair
deanmayer@driving.org
DIA GROUP
DRIVING INSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION
020 8686 8010 | help@driving.org | driving.org
DIA SPONSORS 11 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley RH10 6AD
facebook.com/drivinginstructorsassociation
twitter.com/the_DIA
youtube.com/user/drivinginstruction
Driving Instructor
03
p02_03_Instructor_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 11:55 am
INSTRUCTOR
CONTENTS
ADI GUEST
06 NEWS 16 COMMENT
SLOWLY IMPROVING
App to record driving tests, only 2% of illegal Jim Milton reveals an anecdote that he
25 SAFETY
RoSPA looks at the thinking behind lowering
instructor complaints result in conviction, test shares when trying to persuade riders of the speed limit to 20mph and whether previous
centre closures and more. the merits of post-test training. schemes have proved effective.
BUSINESS KING’S FIRST
15 HELPDESK 18 COMMENT 28 IMPRESSIONS
Keith Halstead tells us that an investigation Edmund King OBE gives us the results of a Anthony Fuller, ADI, fleet trainer and
into your tax affairs by HMRC can be onerous, recent AA survey and wonders how many of us Diamond examiner, explains what you need to
and takes us through the process. really know what goes on under the bonnet. cover in a learner’s initial driving lesson.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE BOX
16 REPORT 20
BACK TO THE
CLASSROOM 33 CLEVER
Carly Brookfield believes a problem shared Carly Brookfield talks about how getting Nick Heath discusses black boxes and what
is a problem halved so urges our members to out of the car for lessons can supplement and they can show about attitudes towards safe
pick up the phone if they have any issues. improve the training experience for pupils. driving.
20
37 #@!
+?
#@!+?
YOU CA
DO IT N
!
04 Driving Instructor
p04_05_Instructor_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 11:57 am
MONTH FINAL
37 LEARN AND
DEVELOP 48 IN NEWS 70 WORD
Olivia Baldock-Ward gives us the lowdown M1 safety week success, Halifax home to Reading practical test centre is due for
on what to expect at this year’s three DIA Britain’s worst drivers, problems with popular closure next year and local instructors are
conferences in November. cars and more. concerned.
TRAIN THE DIAMOND
41 BRAIN 51 COMMENT
Follow us
Kev and Tracey Field from Confident Drivers Chloe Denny gives us her top tips for
look at coaching questions to help conquer driving safely in the changeable autumn facebook.com/
motorway lesson nerves. weather.
drivinginstructorsassociation
WHAT IS A
52 SMART MOTORWAY?
FOLLOWING
42 THE CROWD
twitter.com/the_DIA
youtube.com/user/
James Whalen discusses how some traffic Auto Express tells us that less than half of
violations can be explained by the psychology drivers are aware of where to pull over safely drivinginstruction
of group behaviour. when driving on a smart motorway.
28
42 47 driving
Driving Instructor 05
p04_05_Instructor_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 11:57 am
The largest driver trainer news resource adinews.co.uk
App to record driving tests
DVSA is developing an app to Examiners will conduct the test from examiners. It has also held small
electronically record driving tests. in exactly the same way as with the trial sessions with potential candidates.
The new app prepopulates candidate current paper form but will record it To begin with, the app will only be
and test information automatically from electronically on the app. used on car driving tests. DVSA will
the booking and allows an overview of Capturing test results electronically deliver a small number of tests, taking on
the previous test to be easily completed. will remove the need for almost two board any feedback from the examiners
It provides examiners with million test forms to be scanned each and candidates, before increasing its use.
immediate access to their testing year and speed up notification of the Over time, the app will be rolled out
schedule and highlights any specific result to DVLA, cutting the time taken to all other test categories, including ADI
needs the candidate might have. This for successful candidates to receive their tests.
will better prepare the examiner before full driving licence. DVSA will be providing more details
meeting the candidate, to know how to DVSA says the prototype version of at our conferences in November. Visit
help them. the app has received positive feedback page 37 for more information.
06 Driving Instructor
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 11:59 am
Only 2% of illegal
instructor complaints
resulted in conviction
Just 2% of complaints made about illegal driving instructors
have resulted in a conviction over the last five years.
The data, obtained by Hippo Leasing via a freedom of
information request to DVSA, reveals 961 complaints about
unqualified instructors taking payment for lessons since 2014,
with only 18 convictions.
The data reveals not a single prosecution was made for
illegal driving instructors in the 2014/15 financial year, despite
DVSA receiving 125 complaints from members of the public.
DVSA says that multiple complaints may have been about
the same instructor, and there is no indication whether the
complaints this data relates to were valid. fraud and bring offenders to justice. Obtaining co-operation
Since the 2018/19 financial year, DVSA decided to make and witness statements is a vital part of the evidence required
prosecutions for these offences itself, rather than rely on police to prevent illegal driving instructors from operating. Therefore
and the Crown Prosecution Service. DVSA encourages individuals to come forward and work with
DVSA said: “We have stringent measures in place to detect our investigators.”
Demand for Blue Badge Change of
spaces grows address for DVSA
There is an estimated 30 Blue Badge holders for every council-owned
expense claims
disabled parking space.
Currently over two million people own a Blue Badge in Great Britain. The address to which candidates send their
However, with the scheme now being extended to people with hidden out-of-pocket expense applications has
disabilities, Blue Badge spaces are going to be in even higher demand. changed.
Despite this, 74% of councils don’t have any current plans to create
more parking spaces, research from confused.com has found. The new address is:
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at confused.com, said: “Clearly DVSA
more parking for Blue Badge holders is needed – 30 drivers to one space PO Box 349
is quite a challenge. It’s no wonder some of these drivers have had to park Newcastle-upon-Tyne
elsewhere. And the number of people competing for spaces is only going NE12 2GN
to grow as more people can apply for a Blue Badge now.
“Drivers who misuse these spaces are making the problem even worse. Any applications sent to the old address will
They should be more respectful and leave them free for those who need not be processed.
them.” The address for applications for a cancelled
Confused.com also conducted a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, which theory test is not changing.
found that 48% of people believe that allowing drivers with hidden Your candidates are able to apply for a
disabilities to claim a Blue Badge is a positive move. refund of out-of-pocket expenses if their
However, 30% think that councils should be creating more spaces to theory test or driving test is cancelled at short
compensate, while 25% of respondents who currently have a Blue Badge, notice.
or drive someone who has, are worried that they won’t be able to find a ‘Short notice’ means less than three clear
disabled space because of the increase in the number of people eligible working days’ notice. Working days do not
for the scheme. include Sundays and public holidays.
Driving Instructor 07
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 11:59 am
Increase in drink drive
deaths
The Department for Transport’s latest statistics show that
there has been an estimated increase in the number of people
killed in crashes where one driver was over the drink drive limit.
The DfT reached a final central estimate of 250, up from
230 in 2016, an increase of 9% and the highest level since 2009.
However the number of total crashes involving a drink
driver is estimated to have fallen by 6% to 5,700, down from
6,070 in 2016.
The new figures come after road safety charity Brake
revealed that more than 5,000 drivers have been caught drink
driving on two or more occasions in the past four years. The
figures from DVLA, obtained via a freedom of information
request, showed that in the past four years, there have been
5,181 repeat drink-drive offenders, including 4,879 who were
caught twice, 275 drivers who were caught three times and one
driver who was caught six times in the same period.
Drivers who are caught driving, or attempting to drive, while
Stop drivers using
above the legal limit or unfit through drink, face an unlimited
fine, between three and 11 points on their licence, a driving ban
of at least one year, and six months in prison.
Joshua Harris from Brake said: “Driving over the alcohol
limit can have devastating consequences, and it is troubling to hands-free mobiles,
say MPs
see such levels of repeat offending. What is worse is that many
of these drivers shouldn’t have been on the roads to offend
again, if the full extent of the law had been used.
“Technology also has a role to play in tackling the menace
of drink driving. The use of alcohol interlocks must seriously A ban on drivers using hands-free mobile phones should be
be considered to prevent convicted drink-drive offenders from considered, a report published by the Commons Transport Select
getting behind the wheel over the limit.” Committee has said.
Current laws only ban the use of devices being held by drivers.
This gives the “misleading impression” that hands-free use is safe
despite it creating “the same risks of a collision”, according to the
report.
It recommended that the government should explore options
for extending the current ban on hand-held mobiles and publish a
public consultation on the issue by the end of 2019.
In 2017, there were 773 casualties on Britain’s roads – including
43 deaths and 135 serious injuries – in crashes where a driver using
a mobile was a contributory factor.
The committee said the number of people killed or seriously
injured in such accidents has risen steadily since 2011 but the rate
of enforcement of the law regarding phone use has plunged by
more than two-thirds since the same year.
Since March 2017, motorists caught using a hand-held phone
have faced incurring six points on their licence and a £200 fine –
up from the previous penalty of three points and £100.
The MPs urged the government to consider whether penalties
should be increased further “to better reflect the serious risks
created by drivers committing this offence”.
Labour MP Lilian Greenwood, who chairs the committee, said:
“There is a misleading impression that hands-free use is safe. The
reality is that any use of a phone distracts from a driver’s ability to
pay full attention and the government should consider extending
the ban to reflect this.”
08 Driving Instructor
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 3 23/09/2019 11:59 am
TEST CENTRE NEWS
Bournemouth test centre will Calls to stop Reading test
not reopen centre closure
DVSA has announced the Bournemouth test centre is to Reading practical test centre is due to close in May 2020.
permanently close. Local instructors are concerned as Reading is one of the
The Gillam Road centre has been closed since February busiest test centres in the UK, with more than 10 tests an hour
due to a flooding problem but driving instructors in the area undertaken. Students generally have to wait eight to 10 weeks
believed it would reopen. However this is not the case and for a test in Reading. The waiting list is currently much longer
learner drivers will have to travel to Poole, Southampton, due to concerns regarding the closure.
Salisbury or Dorchester to take their tests. A petition has been started to stop the
DVSA said: “Following a detailed independent survey, we’ve closure. If you wish to add your support, visit
taken the difficult decision to not re-open the test centre as a https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/268839
result of the prohibitive repair costs. There is no official information available at the moment
“Candidates should continue to book tests at Poole driving regarding an alternative test centre if Reading closes.
test centre. Traffic congestion in Bournemouth means that by For more information on this, see final word on page 70.
moving tests to Poole we will be able to better test candidates
on all parts of the new test, helping make Dorset roads even
safer.
“To meet demand for testing, we’ll be refurbishing and
extending the test centre building in Poole.”
Local instructors are unhappy about the closure New locations for Salisbury
and have started a petition which can be found here:
ipetitions.com/petition/bournemouth-test-centre
and Sutton Coldfield theory
test centres
The location of the Salisbury theory test centre is to change in
Hayes driving test centre October.
The last day of testing at the current site at 39 Brown Street,
closure Salisbury, will be Monday 24 September. Testing will start at
the new site on Tuesday 1 October and bookings can now be
made at the new site.
Hayes driving test centre is closing and relocating to Yeading
driving test centre. The address of the new theory test site is:
The last day of testing at the current test centre in Rigby Suite 104, Ground Floor,
Lane will be 25 October 2019. Warner House
Yeading driving test centre will be open for testing on 123 Castle Street
4 November 2019 and tests are available to book. Salisbury SP1 3TB
Test centre details Sutton Coldfield theory test centre will change location in
Cygnet Way November.
Willow Tree Lane The last day of testing at the current site at Four Oaks
Yeading House, 160 Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield will be Saturday
Greater London UB4 9BS 16 November. Testing will start at the new site on Monday
25 November and bookings can now be made at the new site.
The address of the new theory test site is:
If you have any information about test centres 31-33 Birmingham Road
Sutton Coldfield B72 1QE
or want to let us know what you think about
Candidates will be informed of the new addresses in their email
closures, email editor@driving.org
confirmation of their test booking.
Driving Instructor 09
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 4 23/09/2019 11:59 am
M6 drivers save time after upgrade
Peak-time drivers on the M6 are now travelling up to 15 miles collisions along the route has fallen by around 30%. There were
per hour faster than before the motorway was upgraded earlier 97 incidents reported from April to June 2015 compared to 68
this year. incidents during the same three months this year – an average
Highways England says drivers travelling towards Crewe of 10 fewer collisions every month.
after 9am and leaving the office after 6pm are seeing the biggest Overall, safety has improved by over 25% on England’s
improvement to their journeys – saving more than eight minutes ‘all-lane running’ sections of motorway where electronic signs
along the 19-mile route every day. display red Xs and variable speed limits to close lanes and
Commuters working nine-to-five near Manchester are also control the flow of traffic, and emergency areas provide a safer
spending over 30 minutes less time on the road each week. They place to stop. See page 52 for more on smart motorways.
are now able to travel at an average speed of 66 miles per hour on Highways England completed the £255 million project to
their way home from work – 15 miles per hour faster than before upgrade the M6 between Crewe and Knutsford in March 2019.
work started on the upgrade. A fourth lane has been introduced in each direction and a
Drivers travelling southbound previously faced average total of 258 electronic signs, 104 traffic sensors and 70 CCTV
speeds of 50 miles per hour between midday and 1pm. They cameras are helping to tackle congestion and improve journey
are now able to travel 14 miles per hour faster, saving almost times for around 120,000 drivers every day.
six minutes along the route and cutting journey times by over Construction work is currently taking place on a similar
a quarter. upgrade of the M62 near Warrington, and preliminary work is
Initial statistics from the first three months following the also due to start later this year on the stretch of the M62 over the
M6 smart motorway’s completion also show that the number of Pennines which links the North West to Yorkshire.
10 Driving Instructor
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Driving Instructor 11
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 6 23/09/2019 11:59 amConcerns over smart motorway safety
THE AA has uncovered a report, first published in 2016, that claims were predicted to reduce safety risk compared to conventional
smart motorways could be 216% more dangerous for drivers who motorways and evidence states:
have broken down. ■■ The figure is an estimate made before the schemes were
The report differs from information given to the Transport built and relates to one specific hazard relating to the risk
Select Committee in 2016 who were told that Stopped Vehicle associated with stopping in a live lane when there is little
Detection Systems (SVDS) would be rolled out across all sections traffic.
of smart motorways. ■■ This is one of over 140 hazards that exist on a motorway
SVDS is only in place on a few parts of the road network, with when driving. Others include driving too fast, driver fatigue
some not due to be completed until 2022. and the risks associated with hard shoulders.
SVDS warns Highways England of any danger, enabling it to ■■ Many of these hazards are reduced by the introduction of
turn on the lane closure signs. smart motorways, but Highways England has always said
The AA has learned that of the stretches of motorway that do the risk around stopping in a live lane increases, but this
have the SVDS fitted, it’s sometimes taking too long to activate the represents less than 5% of the overall risk of driving on a
safety measures in place. smart motorway.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Taking three minutes ■■ This same analysis showed that overall there would be
to set the red-X (the sign on the gantry that closes lanes and advises around an 18% reduction in risk – this has been shown
of stopped vehicles) is too long for someone in a broken-down in practice with a reduced casualty rate with completed
vehicle to wait. Expecting someone to wait in a dangerous and schemes of 28%.
life-threatening position for 20 minutes is simply inexcusable.”
Highways England responded with a statement. Chief highway
engineer Mike Wilson said: “Motorways in this country are among Drivers avoid hard shoulder
the very safest roads in the world. Highways England would never
carry out a major improvement scheme without being confident Over half of UK drivers wrongly avoid driving on the hard shoulder
that we would maintain or enhance this position. of smart motorways, new research has revealed.
“Evidence indicates that smart motorways are helping to According to a survey, 56% of motorists avoid using the lane –
improve safety. The first nine of the latest generation of smart even when signs indicate they should do so.
motorways have reduced casualty rates by more than 25%. This research shows, many motorists still don’t understand the
“Smart motorways are good for drivers, adding vital extra lanes rules of ‘all-land running’ smart motorways. The poll, by KwikFit,
to some of our busiest motorways and making journeys safer and found high levels of confusion among drivers, with less than a third
more reliable.” able to correctly identify which smart motorway sign indicated an
Highways England also said that smart motorways are reducing open hard shoulder.
casualty rates. It also claims that more than a hundred people A fifth (20%) of motorists said they have no idea when a hard
are killed or injured on the hard shoulder every year, and people shoulder is in use as a driving lane, while 13% wrongly claim you
stopping on them unnecessarily is an issue. should never use a hard shoulder – even on a smart motorway.
Smart motorways have emergency areas a maximum of 1.5 15% of drivers believe a blank sign indicates an open hard
miles apart – around 75 seconds of driving. They have emergency shoulder – when it actually means it’s closed to traffic.
telephones and are wider than hard shoulders to enable drivers to Four people have been killed on the M1 in just 10 months after
get further away from traffic. being hit by vehicles while on the hard shoulder – prompting one
Highways England says that the information that smart of the victim’s widows to sue Highways England for corporate
motorways increase risk by 216% is incorrect – smart motorways manslaughter.
12 Driving Instructor
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 7 23/09/2019 11:59 amGovernment doubles
funding for on-street
electric car charging
The government has announced an additional £2.5 million to
fund the installation of over 1,000 new electric car chargepoints.
The funding will support the on-street residential
chargepoint scheme, launched in 2017, which helps people
access charging infrastructure near their homes when they
don’t have off-street parking. It will go towards helping local
authorities to install these chargepoints, which can be built
into existing structures like lampposts.
The scheme aims to encourage more people to choose an
NI Road Safety Award
electric vehicle by making it easier to charge their cars near
home, following a 158% increase in battery electric vehicle
sales compared to July last year.
for driving instructors
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “It’s fantastic Do you know any driving instructors who should be recognised
that there are now more than 20,000 publicly accessible for their road safety work? Entries are now being sought for the
chargepoints and double the number of electric vehicle Northern Ireland Road Safety Awards 2019.
chargepoints than petrol stations, but we want to do much The awards, now in their fifth year, are organised by Road
more. Safe NI Charity and there is a total of 10 categories on offer. These
“It’s vital that electric vehicle drivers feel confident include schools, emergency services, voluntary, public and private
about the availability of chargepoints near their homes, and sectors as well as a dedicated driving instructor prize
that charging an electric car is seen as easy as plugging in a Pat Martin MBE Chairperson of Road Safe NI Charity said:
smartphone. “We’ve had a great response to the Awards over the last four
“That’s why we are now doubling the funding available years and we now look forward to emulating that with our 2019
for local authorities to continue building the infrastructure nominees. It is vitally important that we properly recognise the
we need to super-charge the zero emission revolution – right hard work and commitment that goes into helping keep our roads
across the country.” safe.”
The allocation of funding for on-street residential The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 October. Visit
chargepoints is part of the £1.5 billion investment underpinned roadsafeni.com/campaign/ni-road-safety-awards/
by the Road to Zero Strategy. The awards ceremony takes place at Cultra Manor on Friday
As part of this, the government is also investing 22 November as part of Road Safety Week.
£37m into British engineering to develop electric chargepoint
infrastructure that could rapidly expand the UK chargepoint
network for people without off-street parking and put the UK
on the map as the best place in the world to own an electric
Ford Fiesta top of the
vehicle.
Innovations to receive investment include underground
charging systems, solar powered charging forecourts and
wireless charging projects. Much like current mobile phone
technology, wireless charging could mean an end to needing
to plug in your electric vehicle.
pops again
The Ford Fiesta is the UK’s bestselling car of the year so far.
New car registration figures show that the Fiesta is once again
the most popular car, with 43,379 registered. Ford has the car in
second place as well; the Focus has 32,149 registrations.
Rounding off the top ten are:
3 Volkswagen Golf – 31,385 registrations
4 Vauxhall Corsa – 29,876 registrations
5 Nissan Qashqai – 29,215 registrations
6 Range Rover – 27,043 registrations
7 Volkswagen Polo – 23,691 registrations
8 Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 21,863 registrations
9 Ford Kuga – 20,483 registrations
10 Volkswagen Tiguan – 20,285 registrations
Driving Instructor 13
p06_13_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 8 23/09/2019 11:59 amp14_15_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 12:10 pm
BUSINESS
HELPDESK
KEITH HALSTEAD
AN INVESTIGATION INTO YOUR
TAX AFFAIRS BY HMRC CAN BE
ONEROUS
A
n investigation by HMRC is every small If HMRC launches an investigation into you or
business owner and sole trader’s worst your business, there’s a broad range of records and
nightmare. Along with the enormous ABOUT THE documents it might check. HMRC will contact you or
stress, it can take up a great deal of time WRITER your accountant in advance to set out the evidence it
and, in the worst case scenario, you could end up wants to see or information it’s collecting.
Keith Halstead MA
with a heavy tax bill.
(Oxon) FCA has been a
It’s important to be aware of what might trigger
partner in the chartered
an HMRC investigation. It might be one or more of accountancy profession “NOT ALL ENQUIRIES
the following factors: for more than 20 years. BY HMRC ARE THE
Ä HMRC receives a tip off that you are
He is responsible for
a wide range of owner
SAME, AND THE TYPE OF
defrauding the Revenue managed businesses, INVESTIGATION YOU WILL
Ä Your returns show unprofitability for
multiple years
including driving BE SUBJECT TO WILL
instructors. He currently
Ä Your returns regularly include mistakes heads up the DIA Tax DEPEND ON
Ä There are large fluctuations in your reported Service for members. ITS SUSPICIONS”
figures
Ä Your figures look dramatically out of kilter
with the normal position for a business in Occasionally HMRC might indicate that it wants
your industry to visit your home or other business premises. It can’t
Ä You don’t have an accountant. It’s been legally force you to attend, but doing so willingly is
suggested that HMRC is less likely to generally seen as a sign of co-operation and may have
investigate those who have an accountant to an impact on the outcome of the investigation. You’re
prepare their returns. entitled to have an advisor such as your accountant
present.
Not all enquiries by HMRC are the same, and the HMRC must tell you what it wants to discuss in
type of investigation you may be subject to will advance of a visit.
depend on its suspicions or concerns. There are two Once the investigation finishes, HMRC will write
main types of HMRC enquiry: to you to explain the outcome.
Full enquiries: These may take place when HMRC If it finds something wrong on your returns but
believes there is a high risk of errors on your returns. doesn’t believe the errors were made fraudulently or
If you’re subject to a full enquiry, the Revenue will negligently, it’ll tell you how it thinks the return
look through all of your business records and, needs to be corrected. You have 30 days to make the
potentially, your personal records. correction.
Aspect enquiries: An aspect enquiry happens If HMRC believes that you have acted with
when HMRC is concerned about one or more specific negligence or fraudulently, you’ll be made to pay
elements of your finances. penalties, extra tax, and interest. You’ll normally be
This type of enquiry is much more common in required to sign a contract pledging to do so, in
the case of genuine mistakes, as opposed to wilful tax exchange for HMRC waiving its rights to prosecute.
evasion. The main message is, avoid being investigated
Driving Instructor 15
p14_15_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 12:10 pmCHIEF EXECUTIVE
REPORT
CARLY BROOKFIELD
PICK UP THE PHONE IF
YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES OR
CONCERNS
W
e’ve noted an increase in calls to our always endeavour to offer advice and support, we can
helpdesk of late. Some of our members struggle to help with scant notice.
are facing quite thorny issues. We can ABOUT THE We have cases where members have also panicked
offer advice directly on a lot of topics, WRITER or lashed out due to the stress (or perceived injustice)
we can even help solve some problems in a single Carly has over 18 years
of an issue, taken matters into their own hands and
phone call. We can go away and do some research experience in senior made a situation even more challenging. It is always
when we’re not so sure, so we make sure we give you management helping to prudent to seek some support in how best to tackle a
the latest and most in-depth answers to queries or develop and promote problem before just wading in.
challenges you may have. And, when we exhaust all both private and public We also have members who have engaged legal
sector bodies including
those avenues and we reach the limits of our own advice at great expense when we could have offered a
professional membership
expertise (because we want you to have the right and industry bodies in the free initial consultation as part of their membership, or
advice from suitably qualified and regulated people), medical, education and even been able to provide full representation under the
we can also pass you onto other expert advisors. financial services arena. public liability or professional indemnity policy.
Our team has a pretty comprehensive span of She is also an experienced The bottom line? Call us as soon as you realise you
campaigner and lobbyist
knowledge across a number of training and business need some help and we’ll do our damndest to help you.
on road safety issues and
related issues, indeed we have personnel qualified in member of the DfT’s Road We understand that situations are stressful,
many areas of business and driver education who work Safety Delivery Group and feelings run high and that when you have a sense
with us full time to provide that helpdesk function. a board member of the of injustice, you can also have anger. We get ADIs
The one piece of advice (which is common to research and knowledge swearing at us the moment we pick up the phone (not
all issues) I’d give upfront to all members is that – hub The Road Safety because of something we’ve done but because they’re
Observatory.
whatever the issue, however bad it is – the earlier you mad as heck!), we get shouting and we get people who
speak to someone who can offer you advice, or refer just won’t listen to advice at all – or respect there are
you to a point of advice, the better. simply some things at which we cannot wave a magic
Some issues get worse when a) they’re ignored wand. But still the team tries to help.
or left too long (because people are scared/nervous/ When listening helps, and is all we can do, then
just don’t know what to do) or b) you try and have a we’ll spend as long as you need, just listening. The
go at resolving it yourself, with no advice. From the team here is incredibly passionate and caring (but not
moment you even suspect you have an issue, giving the afraid to give some tough love at times when needed)
helpdesk a call or email helps us help you better. and spend hours sometimes just talking things over
We sometimes have members call us when they with a member who clearly needs someone to talk
have a matter of days before a transport tribunal or to. So remember the sooner you call us, the sooner a
interview with Fraud and Integrity, and whilst we problem is shared and hopefully, halved
16 Driving Instructor
p16_17_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 12:13 pmGUEST
COMMENT
JIM MILTON
NEW RIDERS SOMETIMES
WON’T ACCEPT THEY
DON’T KNOW IT ALL
A
couple of years ago I decided to sell my you go under the railway bridge.
wares (advanced riding courses). I was at a Me: “So you didn’t take the road surface conditions
biking event that supports a local hospital ABOUT THE into account?”
that provides respite care for veterans. I felt WRITER Him: “Well it was raining heavily”.
it was certainly a worthy cause as the fee for my stall I then suggested that perhaps he didn’t take the
Jim Milton is a car and
was being donated to the hospital. motorcycle trainer, and
weather conditions into account.
I’d had a few enquiries before a couple of new Diamond examiner. Him: “What is it with you?”
riders had a chat with me. One in particular asked why Me: “What is it with me? Well… it wasn’t me that
should he give me his hard earned cash for a bespoke came off my bike under the bridge at Crianlarich!”
riding course as he “could do all that stuff ”. “I mean,” Luckily the biker told me that no one was hurt,
he said, “I’ve already passed my test, and they just don’t and there was no damage to the truck and very little
give it away you know!” I gave them a lot of my time damage to his bike, as his speed was low at the time
and information regarding the content of the course, of the incident. However the whole event was entirely
and suggested to him the virtues of further training in preventable.
general, and he left.
Some time later he and his friend returned for “HE COULD NOT
further discussion, one reminding the other that he
came off his bike. “Remember, after we passed the test RECOGNISE HIS LACK OF
we went on a run to Oban. You came off under the SKILLS AS A NEW RIDER”
bridge at Crianlarich,” he said.
The other then felt he had to explain. He told me that I’m sure the tanker driver didn’t find that part
he came off his bike as it slid under the front bumper of of his day very enjoyable. After he assisted the bloke
a petrol tanker below the bridge. “But no one was hurt with the removal of his bike from under his vehicle.
and it didn’t hit the tanker,” he said. The signage at that It seemed he had quite a few choice words with him.
location is clear and easily seen, on the approach to the The biker’s bravado and his attitude while telling me
bridge. The conversation went as follows: what happened, perhaps explains some of his actions.
Me: “Didn’t you see the sign saying oncoming He could not or would not recognise his lack of skills
vehicles in the middle of the road?” as a new rider.
Him: “Yes, but it wasn’t my fault. I was braking, but This is a short but true anecdote. I’ve passed it on
I came off because the ‘shellgrip’ was loose.” to many pre-test bikers and drivers but convincing
It seems it had been recently renewed and his mate drivers and riders to take up post-test training remains
said there were small piles of the material on the left as a difficult task, as I’m sure we all know too well
Driving Instructor 17
p16_17_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 12:13 pmKING’S
COMMENT
EDMUND KING OBE
HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHAT
GOES ON UNDER THE BONNET?
S
taying safe on the roads is about more Only a third (34%) of young people surveyed said
than just a driver’s ability and attitude they could fit a spare wheel compared to two in three
behind the wheel, although they are, of ABOUT THE pensioners (66%).
course, vitally important. WRITER When it comes to checking the tread depth on a
The roads we drive on and the cars we drive also car’s tyres, one in three (30%) young drivers said they
Edmund King is
play a hugely important part in keeping all road users couldn’t do it alone, compared to one in five older
best known for media
safe. appearances on the drivers (18%).
The engineering and maintenance of roads is subject of motoring
managed by Government, both local and national. and transport policy.
But, while the engineering behind cars is down to
the manufacturers, the basic day-to-day maintenance
He is president of the
Automobile Association
“ONLY A THIRD OF YOUNG
to keep them roadworthy is a driver’s responsibility. and a visiting professor PEOPLE SAID THEY COULD
So, it came as a bit of a surprise when a recent of transport at Newcastle FIT A SPARE WHEEL”
AA/Populus survey showed nearly one in 20 (4%) University
drivers cannot even open their car’s bonnet and
nearly one in 10 (8%) do not feel confident checking Being able to check fluid levels and tyre pressures
tyre pressures. are basic checks that all drivers should be able to
perform; they help ensure drivers can maintain their
“NEARLY ONE IN 20 cars and minimise their risk of breaking down.
At best, breaking down is inconvenient, but at
DRIVERS CANNOT EVEN worst it is stressful and dangerous. As a new driver,
OPEN THEIR CAR’S the thought of breaking down can be even more
BONNET” troubling than for more experienced motorists.
Learner drivers with the AA get a year’s Standby
Tasks that drivers were least confident carrying membership included with their lessons, which helps
out include changing the oil and oil filter (32% reduce worry about a potential breakdown.
would feel confident doing this), checking that Anything novice drivers can do to alleviate the
power steering is working (46%), changing a wheel, likelihood and stress of a breakdown should be
checking there is a safe level of brake fluid (both done. Taking the theory test and ‘Show Me Tell Me’
62%), and changing a windscreen wiper blade (73%). elements of their driving test seriously is a good place
Given the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ section of the to start.
driving test it was even more surprising that young New drivers should also make sure they know
people (18-24) were more likely than older drivers what to do in the event of a breakdown; how to safely
to say that they were not confident carrying out car exit their vehicle, where to place a warning triangle
maintenance checks; in every category they scored and who to contact. In a vulnerable situation on the
lower than over 65s. roadside, a little knowledge can go a long way
18 Driving Instructor
p18_19_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 12:18 pmDual Controls
Fit the Best
Tailor made to suit most
popular cars used for driving tuition
He-Man are experts in the design, manufacture and installation of dual controls with
over 80 years manufacturing experience. The dual controls are “tailor-made” for each
make and model of car, ensuring the ideal fit and optimum performance. He-Man Dual
Controls promise quality, safety and value to driving instructors everywhere.
• Comprehensive range available from stock
• Utilises as many existing fixing points as possible
• ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 accredited
• Over 250,000 units sold worldwide
• As supplied to the police and other emergency services for training purposes
• Experienced network of installers across the UK
In-Car Teaching Camera
This He-Man approved in-car teaching camera with wide angle lens is an ideal teaching aid,
allowing immediate video playback of elements of a driving lesson on a smartphone or tablet.
Android and IOS compatible via a free app.
GPS Display Speedometer
This plug and play speedometer is the ideal solution for a driving instructor. No need to check
the car’s speedometer when it’s at a difficult angle or obscured by the pupil’s arm - the speed
is projected onto the passenger side of the windscreen and can be closely aligned to the speed
shown on the car’s own speedometer.
Contact He-Man on 023 8022 6952
www.he-mandualcontrols.co.uk
He-Man Dual Controls Ltd, Cable Street, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 5AR
p18_19_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 12:18 pmDriving Instructor FEATURE: BACK TO THE CLASSROOM
Back to the
classroom
20 Driving Instructor
p20_23_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 1 23/09/2019 12:21 pmDriving Instructor FEATURE: BACK TO THE CLASSROOM
AS YOUR SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AGE PUPILS HEAD
BACK TO THE CLASSROOM THIS AUTUMN, MAYBE
TRAINERS SHOULD TOO. CARLY BROOKFIELD TALKS
ABOUT HOW GETTING OUT OF THE CAR FOR LESSONS
CAN SUPPLEMENT AND IMPROVE THE TRAINING
EXPERIENCE FOR OUR PUPILS
I
n this day and age, driver training ÄÄ Students able to take ownership of
can be delivered in a much wider way the subject matter
than simply in-car practical sessions. ÄÄ Students develop communication
Interacting with your students more and teamwork skills
regularly, and expanding the educational ÄÄ Content is reinforced as students
experience and exposure of your pupils work together and ‘teach’
to driver training can really boost their each other. This improves
learning and understanding – and understanding through additional
ultimately their driver competency and discussion and explanation
safety. ÄÄ Content may be broken down
An increasing amount of ADIs are into parts. This allows students to
starting to offer their pupils supplementary tackle larger and more complex
forms of learning outside the box with four problems and assignments
wheels. In this feature we’ll look at why than they would be able to do
more trainers should consider diversifying individually
their training offering into classroom-based ÄÄ Students can work together to pool
activity, either on and offline – as we’re now their expertise, knowledge and
firmly in the age of the virtual classroom! skills
ÄÄ Students hold one another
responsible and accountable
WHY GET INTO THE ÄÄ Teaches students to plan more
CLASSROOM? effectively and manage their time
ÄÄ Instructors benefit by seeing
Apart from the fact it gives you some students approach problems
variety and diversity in how you train, in novel and unique ways. This
it’s a great opportunity to extend your can improve the instructor’s
pupil’s learning – and encourage helpful perspective and make their future
peer group learning opportunities. And teaching more effective
rather than being another cost of time or ÄÄ Instructors are able to have the
money to your business, it can actually be content reinforced by giving the
a profitable part of your business – costing students ways to apply what they
little to deliver but delivering lots of value to have learned in a collaborative
your pupils, and extra income to you. Let’s setting
look at some of those key benefits in a bit ÄÄ More time to focus on content
more detail. that’s maybe not working in the car
and use a range of teaching tools
PROMOTING GROUP LEARNING and approaches less easy to use by
Many scholarly papers and research reports the side of the road or on the road
point to the positive impact of learning (such as video, roleplay etc).
delivered in a peer group context. Some key
benefits include:
ÄÄ Direct interaction between RISK MITIGATION?
students promotes active learning
ÄÄ Studying with friends is more fun Could classroom-based learning,
than learning alone particularly before on-road lessons or
Driving Instructor 21
p20_23_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 2 23/09/2019 12:21 pmDriving Instructor FEATURE: BACK TO THE CLASSROOM
any kind of in-car session where riskier online sessions. A group where the costs package to other ADIs for a licence fee or
activities are being undertaken, help lower are already being covered by the paying one-off charge. I’m really not convinced
the risk of learning on road? Think of it like pupils, and therefore delivering a profit, it’s worth paying extra for that when
this, if you were to book a flying lesson or can withstand a few freebies or tasters for the majority of the content can easily be
a session on a racetrack in a performance potential new pupils to try you out. You can developed from your own knowledge, the
car, there is no way your first session would provide this extra service to the pupils of National Standards, for free from expert
be operating that expensive vehicle and other ADIs who do not offer this product, training bodies like us or from other online
company asset. without necessarily ‘stealing’ their pupils – road safety/driver education resources. This
An initial classroom-based session you’re simply offering wider access to driver is fundamentally where some of the ‘unique’
for learners – one-on-one or in a group education. programmes I’ve seen being delivered
– is vital in areas such as motorsport or have already have been drawn from. It’s
flying. These are high-risk environments, fine to pay someone else for the ease and
so it’s important to teach learners how to INCREASE YOUR INCOME convenience of the materials already being
mitigate and manage risk before letting pulled together, but don’t be sold into
them loose. Yet some driving instructors let I’ve been encouraging ADIs to think outside thinking it’s a unique product you couldn’t
learners drive after a quick in-car briefing – the metal box on four wheels when it create yourself with a little time, research
a learning environment where the student’s comes to learning delivery for a while now. and effort. We’ll be putting together some
mind is already on the road and probably I’m sometimes met with expressions of lesson outlines and classroom resources
not able to concentrate on what they’re incredulity as to why on earth I’d suggest shortly for DIA members to use for free.
being told. that. “Oh yeah, and how do I afford to do
Classroom-based briefings before a first that – I haven’t got a classroom and why EQUIPMENT:
lesson can give you and your pupil more would I spend money on that?” or “why This depends whether you want to go full
time to discuss key risks, embed learning, would I want to spend time I could be on projector/whiteboard/video. Some
test knowledge and find out how your pupil delivering lessons for money, in a classroom training venues already come with this
will react to key situations before taking for free?”. equipment pre-installed and included in the
to the road. They will be better prepared Who said anything about these costs so shop around rather than thinking
to safely acquire new skills in new driving additional learning opportunities being free you have to invest and lug your equipment
contexts and environments. to the user or you not both covering costs around.
and making a profit? Pupils perceive real Our basic training kit is a low cost
value in additional learning opportunities laptop or tablet and an inexpensive
EXTEND YOUR and are willing to pay extra for extra time, projector. I’ve seen mini projectors on the
ENGAGEMENT WITH skills and knowledge development. internet, perfectly serviceable for classroom
LEARNERS Let’s consider the resources and costs training for as little as £30! Quite frankly
for this for one second. a blank light coloured wall is perfectly
Delivering more than adequate on which to
a learner would expect project in most situations
from the typical driving so check out the venues
instructor can become “PUPILS PERCEIVE locally and see what they
your unique selling point. have and what could
It will be a talking point REAL VALUE IN work before investing in
among pupils, creating lots of equipment.
valuable word of mouth ADDITIONAL LEARNING The benefit of using
– the most powerful form digital tools is that
of marketing.
OPPORTUNITIES” you can include video
Your existing pupils and other interactive
will have an opportunity elements in your sessions.
to have more regular interaction with you, However, worksheets on piece of paper,
which studies show can increase retention ROOM HIRE group work or just a stand-up routine can
of customers. Companies, who regularly Cost to hire a church or village hall, local be just as interactive and very low cost.
engage with their customers and provide training room etc: £50-100 (could be even There’s less margin for error too when
more information and advice, as well as cheaper if you’re a volume booker) per power or programmes fail!
other services around the core product, add two-hour session.
more value to the customer experience and YOUR TIME
the customer is more likely to be retained. TRAINING MATERIALS Make sure you cost your time for a true
Engaged and happy customers are also FREE! Develop your PowerPoint skills or evaluation of cost to deliver. Base it on
more likely to talk about their experiences create simple paper handouts. You can your hourly rate for a two-hour session and
to other potential customers, aiding new receive free help from DIA’s wonderful also spread the cost at your hourly rate of
business development. training team on structure and content. the time it took you to pull the training
It could also aid recruitment without A word of advice, there will be some sessions together or consider that and the
too much cost if you encouraged your ADIs delivering in-classrooms sessions equipment part of the start up costs/an
pupils’ friends to attend your classroom or already who may be marketing their investment.
22 Driving Instructor
p20_23_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 3 23/09/2019 12:21 pmDriving Instructor FEATURE: BACK TO THE CLASSROOM
NOW LET’S LOOK AT WHAT
YOU CHARGE AND POTENTIAL
INCOME
Class Size Charge Revenue
10 pupils £25 per 2-hour session £250
20 pupils £25 per 2-hour session £500
10 pupils £50 per 4-hour session (aka one morning or afternoon) £500
20 pupils £50 per session £1000
Factoring in the cost of a meeting room
for each session, teaching resources,
equipment, your time and even
refreshments for longer sessions (get down
a value supermarket and pick up cheap
individual bottled water or juices and a
few biscuits), you’d be into profit on these
sessions quite quickly. CASE STUDY
Of course, one learning you could
offer for free is online learning. You could Jimmy Ho, DIA’s Driver and Rider Training Awards ‘ADI Hero’ winner
consider the value of that as a marketing, 2016, talks about how delivering additional teaching sessions using
engagement or retention tactic, with only classroom and online programmes works for him and his pupils.
an investment of your time. Free webinar
tools now abound – either via specific “We are currently the only driving school in our area to offer theory test
webinar services such as GoToWebinar workshops, not only for our customers but also clients of other driving schools.
or via social media group chat and group We hold these in various conference rooms, and they have grown exponentially
video functions (think Facebook Live, with all attendees giving us great feedback for the interactive and fun sessions.
Google Hangouts, Skype etc). We provide handouts for them to take home, theory test questions and
Next issue we’ll delve more deeply into discussions, and hazard perception practice on a large projector screen.
content, curriculum, lesson plans and
online learning. In the meantime, have a “We are delighted that these have helped many clients to pass their theory test,
think about how widening your learning despite struggling and failing multiple times before. We believe this interactive
offering could work for you and your pupils and engaging environment really helps individuals who would otherwise
or if you’re already doing this, share your struggle to effectively learn on their own. These workshops also cover discussions
stories, tips and advice by emailing on practical elements of driving in different scenarios as well as the practical
editor@driving.org. For any help and advice driving test.
about developing what you deliver as a
trainer our ADI Helpdesk is always available “From past experience, we’ve seen learners getting theory questions correct
to give advice and share resources by learning the questions and answers ‘parrot-fashion’ but do they really
understand it? It’s a bit like telling a pupil what to do in the car. How do we
know it has been analysed and fully understood?
“As driver trainers, it is important to understand that everyone learns differently
and that ADIs could and should offer other educational interactions with pupils
other than just in-car training. We also offer monthly webinar chats for those
who require extra help, free of charge.”
Driving Instructor 23
p20_23_Instructor_2019_Issue09.indd 4 23/09/2019 12:21 pmYou can also read
