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With 36 years of solid, accident‑free driving experience, my journey as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in 2025 has been about more than qualifications. It has been about bringing a lifetime of safe driving, professional coaching, and customer‑focused service into every lesson I deliver.   🚦 A Career Built on Experience Long before I became an ADI, I spent years training, coaching, and mentoring in professional settings. Those experiences taught me how to communicate cl

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test-in-great-britain In the next few blogs, we will explore the Top 10 reasons for failing the driving test in Great Britain. The contents of which can be found directly from the link above on the Gov.UK website, details of which are also reposted below for your ease of reading. Introduction This guide: explains the top 10 reasons people fail the

https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/driving-skills/following-routes/ 27. Independent driving and using a sat nav Independent driving is an exercise you’ll have to carry out during your driving test. You’ll have to follow directions from a sat nav or follow a series of traffic signs. This gives you the chance to experience what it will be like to drive after you’ve passed your test. To drive independently and keep full control, you should be able to: plan ahead, so you do not

https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/driving-skills/road-types/ 24. Driving in the dark There are many factors that make driving in the dark more hazardous. Judging speed at night can be difficult, so be particularly careful at junctions. You should be confident driving on: urban roads rural roads single and dual carriageways You should know: how darkness limits your visibility and when to adjust your speed, especially in bad weather when you should use your lights, which ligh

https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/driving-skills/road-types/ 21. Country roads Country roads vary from trunk roads, carrying heavy traffic, to narrow lanes, where there’s only room for single-file traffic. Unless signs show otherwise, the national speed limit will apply. This limit is the top speed you may drive, it doesn’t always mean that it’s safe to drive at that speed. Always adjust your speed for hazards, other traffic and the road and weather conditions. You should b

17. Reversing You should be able to reverse smoothly and safely while under complete control. This includes reversing to the left and right around sweeping curves and sharp corners. You should be confident reversing: around a left and a right corner – including square and gently curved corners as well as on the straight on a level road on a gradient on a narrow or wide road on a flat road or one with a camber on the left and right-hand sides of the road into driveways into an

The Total Drive app is the ultimate app Pat Lamb and Paul Hanlon use as driving instructors and a school management tool with a corresponding app for our pupils and parents to track lessons, progress, and payments . It helps us manage diaries, pupil records, and finances while allowing learners to view their lesson history, track skills, and communicate with their instructor. The app is available on iOS and Android and offers both online and offline functionality.

14. Junctions There are many different types of junction. You should be able to negotiate any junction on any type of road safely, without holding up other traffic. You should be able to deal safely and confidently with all types of junction, on all types of roads. This includes: T-junctions and Y-junctions crossroads slip roads unmarked junctions You should know: mirrors – signal – manoeuvre (MSM) and position – speed – look (PSL) routines rules for turning at, entering into

8. Mirrors – vision and use You must know what’s happening around you at all times and act safely on what you see. You should know: how to make use of the mirrors – signal – manoeuvre (MSM) and position – speed – look (PSL) routines when to use the mirrors why they need to use the mirrors and the importance of regular mirror checks how to act on what they see in their mirrors You also need to know about the different mirrors fitted to the car, including: the uses for the inte

Your driving test will be a key event for you. Passing opens up a whole host of freedoms and flexibilities. It's not the end of your learning but it is possibly the end of the formal part. Instructors and examiners are well aware of this and will do all they can to minimise any nerves. What I'd not expect you to think about is that this is also a point of high tension for us. Not only are we eager to see you pass but it is also a validation of the hours we have spent tog

5. Controls and instruments You need to concentrate on what’s happening around you when you’re driving, so operating the vehicle’s controls should become second nature. This includes: foot controls – the accelerator, clutch and brake pedals hand controls – the parking brake, steering wheel, indicators, headlights and gearstick other controls – the horn (you need to know when and for what reason you can legally use it), windscreen wipers, demister and heated windows. You shoul

1. Legal responsibilities As a driver, it’s your responsibility to know how the law relates to both yourself and your vehicle. Make sure that you’re up-to-date with the rules and regulations. You should understand how the following affects your driving: health eyesight drink drugs tiredness mobile phones You must be able to check that the car you’re driving is: taxed and has an MOT (if it needs one) insured safe to drive (roadworthy) 2. Safety checks It’s important that your

When you learn to drive, you’ll be learning and practising 27 important driving skills that you’ll need for a lifetime of safe driving. Learn with a driving instructor It’s unlikely that anyone except an approved driving instructor (ADI) will have the experience, knowledge and training to teach you properly. We are specially trained to help you learn the 27 skills. Practise with family or friends When you’re at the right level, it’s a good idea to start practising with family

I should start by saying, I don't really like the job title! The DVSA calls us Approved Driving Instructors. I have can have ADI after my name, it's what we call ourselves and what we are called by others (when being polite!). I don't know what the best title would be and am not going to bore with it here - but "instructing" is not really at the core of what we do. That might sound a little picky but for me, as someone committed to training in various fields for most of the

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Defensive driving is more than just a skill; it's a mindset that can significantly enhance road safety for everyone. In a world where...