Driving Instructors Association

14/10/2026

Driving is about more than controlling a vehicle. Emotions and social interactions are fundamental to how we drive and learn.

At DIA Conference South 2026, Dr Shaun Helman, Dr Neale Kinnear and Adam Asmal will explore the science behind driver behaviour and how trainers can work more closely with learners’ emotions to help them achieve their goals.

Join us for The Teaching Toolkit on Friday 11 December at De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading.

Book your place at https://www.driving.org/conference

13/10/2026

How can better communication strengthen your lessons and your training business?

Join us for our first DIA Mini Conference, exploring effective communication for driver and rider trainers. Across three focused sessions, you’ll look at The Fundamentals of Communication, Communication for Delivering Training and Communication for Running a Training School Business.

28 October 2026 | 10:00am–1:00pm | Free for DIA members

Book your free place: https://www.driving.org/dia-mini-conferences/

12/10/2026

What’s one thing you’ve changed about the way you teach in the last 12 months?

Good instructors never stop developing.

Maybe you’ve changed how you give feedback, updated your safeguarding knowledge, supporting anxious learners or encouraging independent decision-making.

Sometimes the best CPD comes from reflecting on what we do every day and learning from each other.

What have you changed in your teaching recently, and has it made a difference to your learners?

11/10/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The language trainers use, the assumptions they make and the environment they create can all affect a learner’s confidence and progress. Join Amanda Jayne Banks, owner of Horizon Driving School, LGBTQ+ advocate and radio presenter, for a free webinar exploring respectful communication, emotional safety, professional boundaries and safeguarding.

Thursday 22 October 2026 – 11am

Register your place: https://bit.ly/4Bd33Lc

10/10/2026

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽!

From teaching aids and learning resources to essential equipment, the DIA Shop offers a wide range of products to support your lessons and help your pupils succeed.

Our latest picks include the 2027 DIA Diary, Colourfile Professional 3, Drunk Busters Impairment Goggles, the DIA Official Panoramic Mirror and The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving.

DIA members receive 10% off these products and more. Simply access your discount code through the Members Area.

Explore the shop today 👉 https://shop.driving.org

09/10/2026

DVSA and NASP met to tackle ADI training challenges, from test access to standards. What should be fixed first? https://bit.ly/479yzvS

Explore the latest updates from the DVSA NASP quarterly meeting discussing driver training challenges and developments.

09/10/2026

DIA CEO Carly Brookfield introduces the new DIA Safeguarding Hub and explains why safeguarding matters to every driving and rider trainer.

DIA was the first professional association in the driver training industry to lobby for safeguarding training, recognising early that instructors work closely and often one-to-one with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

With the updated ADI code of practice placing much greater emphasis on safeguarding, professional boundaries and learner welfare, it is increasingly important that every instructor understands their responsibilities.

Watch Carly’s message and explore practical guidance, training and resources through the new hub, including a free safeguarding guide available to everyone.

Visit the DIA Safeguarding Hub 👉 https://www.driving.org/safeguarding/

09/10/2026

How confident do you feel dealing with a safeguarding concern as a driving or riding instructor?

You spend a lot of time one-to-one with pupils and may sometimes notice or hear things that cause concern.

Would you know what to look for, what to say – and what to do next?

We’d be interested to hear how prepared you feel.

09/10/2026

Decisions made across government and the wider industry can have a very real impact on your working day.

Driver Trainers deserve a voice in those conversations.

DIA works with the DVSA, DfT and other industry stakeholders to represent the profession and ensure the experience of Driver Trainers is heard.

When you become a DIA member, you're not only accessing benefits for your own business. You're joining an association working on behalf of the profession as a whole.

Find out more about DIA membership: https://bit.ly/3TnQATN

08/10/2026

The driving test backlog is adding £138 per month to family motoring while test-ready pupils wait for slots. Does this sound about right? Tell us below. https://bit.ly/3UcP1sc

Explore how the driving test backlog costs parents an extra £138 in fuel and vehicle expenses for their teens waiting for tests.