In this Book Club edition of the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast, Phil is joined by Terry Cook (The Instructor Podcast), Andy Sinker, and Kev Lynes to explore Start With Why by Simon Sinek. But this isn’t just a book review — it’s a deep, personal dive into why we teach, why we care, and how purpose shapes every lesson we give.

The conversation touches on:

• How your “why” evolves over time
• Why purpose-driven instructors build better drivers
• Personal stories of learners whose lives changed because their instructor had a mission
• What your pupils might say your why is (and why that matters)

If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just want to reconnect with your passion — this one’s for you.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
• Your why can develop over time, through both challenge and reflection.
• Aligning your work with your values makes tough decisions easier — and more meaningful.
• Your learners feel your why — and that builds trust, loyalty, and deeper impact.

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Phil is joined by returning guest and mentor Sam Harper (filling in for Diana) for an open and honest conversation about the personal and professional journey of being a driving instructor.

Together, they explore:

The importance of shifting from “doing” to “learning” in lessons.

How to dig deeper into both successful and unsuccessful moments to help PDIs and pupils grow.

The power of mindset, confidence, and human connection in driving development.

How neurodiversity, fear responses, and backgrounds affect the way learners experience lessons.

Why empathy, patience, and presence are game-changers in instruction.

Reflections on how their teaching style has evolved over the years, and advice they’d give their past selves.

A live Q\&A moment from Chris around supporting decision-making skills in anxious learners.

Plus, they touch on the value of business education, being your authentic self, and the famous 'Let Them' Theory by Mel Robbins.

🔍 Key Topics Discussed:

🧠 Learning vs. Doing: Why instructors should focus more on what’s being learned rather than just what’s being done.

🪜 Stepping Stones & Goal Setting: Helping pupils visually and mentally map out their learning progress.

🗣 Coaching vs. Instructing: The struggle of shifting from giving solutions to creating space for pupils to find their own.

🧩 Neurodiversity Awareness: How understanding ADHD, autism, and dyslexia has reshaped their approach.

🤝 Trust & Belief: Why self-belief and internal confidence matter more than external praise.

🧠 Fear Responses & Lived Experience: How learners' behavior can often be misunderstood, and why empathy is crucial.

🧾 Business & Boundaries: The importance of learning business skills early and setting healthy personal boundaries.

📚 Books Mentioned:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

🎓 Upcoming Workshop Mentioned:

Client-Centred Learning Workshop — Walsall

🗓 Sunday, 20th July | 🕘 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

💷 £120

✅ Coaching, rapport building, GDE matrix, road safety, experiential learning — and much more!

🎤 Interactive, practical, and engaging — no roleplay, just real talk.

📣 Join Us:

✨ Become a Member of Inspire Instructor Training

🤝 Join Support — where Sam is one of our valued mentors

📚 Access 100+ hours of CPD and business development resources

💬 Weekly check-ins, real support, and constant growth

🎧 Listen, Learn, Reflect

Thank you for tuning in to the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast — where the learning never stops.

🌐 Visit www.inspireinstructortraining.com

In our first ever live podcast (streamed on Facebook for members), we dive into practical strategies for driving instructors to take control of what they can—and thrive despite DVSA test‑booking challenges. Plus, Diana shares two “Digs Deeper” coaching moments, and we explore clever learner‑driven terminology for blockers, hazards, and reflection over perfection.

0:00 – Welcome & Live Format

- Introduction to the live‑recorded video cast for members

- How to watch future live recordings on Facebook (membership required)

3:15 – Workshop Announcement

- Date & Time: Sunday 20 July, 9:30 – ~16:30

- Location: Walsall

- Cost: £120 per person, group discounts available

- Focus: client‑centred learning, CPD for driving instructors

7:00 – Phil’s thoughts: “Control the Controllables”

1. The DVSA Waiting‑List Problem

- Five‑plus‑month waits, scarcity of cancellations

- Common reaction: moaning on Facebook—unhelpful

2. Taking Action for Change

- Write to your MP and the DVSA (mobilise your pupils to write, too)

- Drip‑feeding pressure at scale can move ministers

3. Working the System Today

- Hire a test‑finder or virtual assistant and charge a small management fee

- Pre‑book tests early (e.g. on theory‑pass day), then adjust as needed

- Build in “re‑assessment” checkpoints two months out

4. Maximizing Learner Hours

- Encourage private practice between lessons

- Consider mini‑intensives if finances/time allow

5. Pricing & Service Models

- Offer “test‑management” as a premium add‑on

25:00 – Diana’s “Digs Deeper” Coaching Moments

1. Reframing “Blockers” → “Gap‑Makers”**

- Instead of calling oncoming vehicles “blockers,” ask learners what they’d name them

- Shift from negative framing (“blockers”) to positive (“gap‑makers”)

2. Perfection vs. Reflection

- Encourage “reflection, not perfection” as a mantra for analysis

3. Mini‑Roundabout Design Exercise

- Role‑play as the “traffic‑flow engineer” to explore pros/cons of signals vs. roundabouts

- Pitch solutions to “road‑safety teams” and “road‑users” to deepen conceptual grasp

- Follow up with real‑world practice, then debrief on muscle‑memory vs. theory

38:30 – Learner‑Driven Terminology

- **Hazard Traffic‑Light Game:**

- **Green hazards:** unlikely to affect your path

- **Amber hazards:** may require slowing or manoeuvring

- **Red hazards:** will definitely require action (stop, change lane)

- Origin: inspired by Hazard Perception Test colour cues

42:00 – Handling Second‑Guessing on Test Day

- Is doubt a sign they really “owned” the learning?

- Build true understanding, not rote responses

- Use controlled “wrong‑way” practice (with safety caveats) to reinforce correct choices

- Wean off instructor “micro‑affirmations” (mhm/mhmm) so learners trust their own judgment

- 🎙 Join our Facebook membership to watch live Q&As

- 🏫 Book your CPD workshop on 20 July (group discounts available)

- ⭐ If you found this episode helpful, please rate & review on your podcast app

Add learning don't steal it.

In this episode, we break down key teaching strategies for driving instructors, including:

✅ The Concept of "Driving Independently"

• How it differs from test-focused "independent driving"
• Why letting pupils drive without constant instructor input builds confidence
• Practical exercises to implement this approach in lessons

✅ Instructor Self-Analysis for Better Teaching

• Breaking down subconscious decision-making into teachable steps
• Balancing structured lesson plans with pupil needs
• Helping struggling pupils through observation & reflection

🎧 Plus, we cover upcoming training events!

🗓 March 12th Zoom: 8 Pitfalls to Avoid for Part 3 & Standards Checks

🗓 March 26th Zoom: Learning from the Positives in a Full Fixed Society

🗓 March 27th Masterclass: How to Teach Skills Within Topics

🗓 March 22nd-23rd Conference: Gala dinner, speakers, and networking

🚀 Next Steps for Instructors:

✅ Try "driving independently" exercises with your pupils

✅ Reflect on your own driving decisions to improve teaching

✅ Sign up for the upcoming Zooms and conference

💬 What do you think? Have you tried these strategies in your lessons? Let us know in the comments!

#DrivingInstructor #InstructorPodcast #DrivingIndependently #InspireTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment

Podcast Show Notes – Episode 45: Inspire Instructor Training

In this episode of the Inspire Instructor Training Podcast, we dive into key topics that help driving instructors improve their teaching strategies and stay informed about industry developments.  

Phil's Thoughts

- Don’t let the pursuit of perfection hinder progress!  

- Learn how to focus on *practice over analysis* when teaching bay parking.  

- One key improvement per attempt = more effective learning.  

- This approach also applies to roundabouts and other driving scenarios.  

Drive Mobility & Instructor Survey

- Jacky from Drive Mobility joins us to discuss a crucial survey on disability driver training.  

- There’s a high demand for instructors specialising in mobility needs and older drivers.  

- Why do some instructors choose not to work in this sector? Let’s explore the barriers.  

- Two surveys are available: one for ADIs involved in disability tuition and one for those who are not. 

- You can find the survey here,

Click here if YOU ARE NOT currently offering specialist tuition

Click here if YOU ARE already offering specialist tuition

Diana Digs Deeper  

- A different approach to instruction—understanding why decisions are made.  

- Analysing roundabouts: how shape, incline, and traffic levels affect decision-making.  

- The balance between deep analysis and repetition-based practice.  

Upcoming Events  

📅 Mark your calendars! 

- Feb 19 – Zoom: Asking Relevant Questions  

- Mar 12 – Zoom: Avoiding Pitfalls for Part 3/Standards Check  

- Mar 20 – *We’re Only Human* Workshop  

- Mar 22-23 – Meet us at the *Intelligent Instructor Conference*!  

- Mar 26 – Zoom: Learning from the Positives  

- Mar 27 – Masterclass: Teaching Skills Within Topics  

- Apr 24 – Masterclass: Helping Pupils Who Struggle to Articulate Answers  

🎧 Tune in now and take your instructing skills to the next level!  

On this episode we discuss our new national driving school, aimed at supporting driving instructors across the country.

Book Club: Learning to Drive and Lasagne by Alex Jones  

📚 Key Takeaways

✅ Uses lasagne-making as an analogy for learning to drive 🍝🚗  

✅ Covers both car control skills and higher-level cognitive aspects  

✅ Engaging approach tailored to learners' interests & experiences  

✅ Valuable resource for earners, PDIs & experienced ADIs

🔍 Topics Discussed 

🛠 Book Concept & Structure:

- Inspired by Alex’s PDI training experiences and a conversation with Chris Bensted  

- Focuses on layering skills like a lasagne!  

- Covers GDE matrix concepts and psychological aspects of driving  

🎯 Who Can Benefit?  

- Learner drivers 

- Nervous beginners who want a structured approach  

- PDIs & ADIs looking for fresh, relatable teaching methods  

📘 Bonus Resource: Show Me Tell Me Book  

- Companion book for practical vehicle checks 🚦  

- Makes "Show Me Tell Me" questions more engaging & memorable  

🛒 Want to Read It?  

📖 Available on Amazon – Search "Learning to Drive and Lasagna" 

https://amzn.eu/d/go1rJZs

📌 Formats: Paperback & Kindle 

🎙️ Inspire Instructor Training Podcast – Episode: “Be Kind to Yourself & Embrace Learning Opportunities”

In this thought-provoking episode, Phil and Diana share insights on self-kindness as a driving instructor and how to turn everyday lessons into meaningful learning moments.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

• Celebrating the Industry: The hosts encourage listeners to vote for them and their companies Inspire and Cowley’s, for industry awards, and they reflect on the wealth of resources available to driving instructors.
• The Importance of Self-Kindness: Diana highlights the need for instructors to be kind to themselves, especially when dealing with difficult students or situations that push them beyond their expertise.
• Dealing with Challenging Pupils: The hosts discuss managing students with ingrained bad habits, addressing parental involvement, and the value of communication, collaboration, and sometimes referral to specialists.
• Teaching Nuggets: In the “Phil Digs Deeper” segment, Phil shares a powerful example of using a brief moment during a lesson to emphasise road safety. Diana adds a perspective on timing and the balance of deep discussions in lessons.

📚 This episode is full of relatable stories, practical strategies, and reminders to approach teaching with patience, kindness, and adaptability. Tune in to learn how to nurture your own growth while helping your students succeed!

💌 Don’t forget to vote for Inspire and Cowley’s in the industry awards—help us celebrate excellence in driving instruction!

https://www.intelligentinstructor.co.uk/awards-voting/

https://www.goroadie.com/awards

In this episode, Phil and Diana dive into what it really means to be an experienced driving instructor — and why it's notjust about the years you've been teaching. They explore the qualities that make a great instructor mentor, tips for achieving an A grade on your standards check, and the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) for driving instructors who want to make a lasting impact.

Key topics include:

🚗 Experience vs. Time — Why length of service doesn't always equal quality

💡 Qualities of a Mentor — The mindset and skills every trainer needs

🛑 Standards Check Tips — How to create a supportive learning environment and go beyond surface-level teaching

📚 CPD Insights — Practical ways to improve your teaching and make lessons more impactful

Phil also shares his vision of creating a community of instructors who are passionate about road safety and committed to learning. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow and support the next generation of safe, responsible drivers.

Tune in now to start leveling up your teaching game!