Alison is our social media consultant at Training Wheelz and returns in this podcast episode to talk about her recently launched project. This gives you the opportunity to develop ypour own social media marketing at an affordable cost if you feel unable to hire a manager yo do this for you - or of you like the idea of doing this for yourself. The l…

In this episode I was joined by Natalie Warr who is the partnership manager for Vision Zero South West. We discuss the vision of reducing the numbers of people seriously injured or killed on the roads in the South West. The initial aim is to reduce these numbers by 50% by 2030 and eventually down to zero. 47 people were killed on the roads in Devon…

Claire was one of our PDIs at Training Wheelz who (finally) qualified in June 2024 after almost two years. I am sure her story will resonate with many of you who are grappling with the process of becoming an ADI as well as being a remonder of how hard it was for many who are now qualified. Claire used two unsuccessful part 3 tests as learning oppor…

Every now and then you hear that a previous unheard episode of a radio or tv show has lain undiscovered for a long time - well I have realised that a recording from over 3 months ago has been dormant in my archives! This recording was taken back at the start of March 2024 with two of our own PDIs at our driving school (Training Wheelz) and gives th…

Lee and Mick from Knowledgeablee Instructor Training (K.I.T.) joined me to elaborate on their submission to the DVSA regarding the restoration of the Part 3 and Standards Check to the full pre-Covid 60 minutes. How aware are you of the DVSA's document the National Standard For Driver and Rider Training? In particular: Element 6.3.1: Create a climat…

Becky has made quite an impact since launching Empathetic Instructor Training. She has made it her aim to provide a safe space for PDIs and ADIs alike and she also has an impressive array of training courses available. Why not take a look at the web site - www.beckyseaton.co.ukDe către The Exel Podcast

The sudden and tragic loss of Lou Walsh hit many people within the driver training industry very hard, none ,ore so of course than Lou's husband Blaine. Both Lou and Blaine, togtrher with Laura Morris, had been the architects of a totally new way of approaching driving instructor training and their Go Green course has proved extremely popular. As i…

Neil is the author of 'Untwisting the Road to Success'. This book is designed to help you with either your Part 3 test or Standards Check. It is full of extremely helpful advice and supporting videos which you can access via QR codes in the text. Neil is a great advocate for CPD and, by his own admission, is a 'CPD junkie'. He is a member of the In…

San Harper is an internationally renowned authority on the subject of mindfulness. It is a great privilege to have her as a guest on the podcast. In this episode we just dip our toes into the ocean of mindfulness. For those of you who find this topic either useful or interesting - hopefully both! - you can take this further as San is the creator of…

Lee is one part of Knowledgeablee Instructor Training, who with Mick Knowles, is a partner with this award winning training company. You can find out more about their training options at https://www.adikit.co.uk/De către The Exel Podcast

In this episode I chat with Stewart Lochrie the founder of Bright Coaching. This is a newly created training company aimed at driving instructors offering the only accredited qualification in coaching in the UK. The course specifically aims at exploring challenging and changing behaviours in drivers and explores driver psychology. To find out more …

Carrie passed her Part 3 just two days before we recorded this episode. She talks about her experience of the qualifying process and the pressure of having to go to a third attempt to pass her Part 3 test. She also tells of the reasons why she chose to become a driving instructor and the support materials that were used (Go Green). Modesty forbids …

Join me as I chat with Olly Tayler, the face of The Honest Truth. We start off with our own tribute to Lou Walsh who tragically died suddenly in August. Olly and I first met many years ago at Westpoint on one of the legs of the relay so it was Lou who actually facilitated us getting to know each other. Olly has always been passionate about road saf…

We are back in our Devon roots for this episode with Claire Hancock. Claire is a active member of her local RoSPA group and a passionate campaigner for raod safety and her connections to Vision Zero, The Honest Truth and Learn2Live. She also talks about her preference for being part of a team of instructors rather than going independent and we talk…

I was delighted to get Chris Allsopp on my podcast just before he and his partner Diane Hall came to Exeter to deliver their excellent 'Driving Test Nerves' course. Diane came on in Season 2 and talked about the content of their course and suggested then that I get Chris on to talk in more depth about the mental well-being (or not) of our young peo…

For the first episode of Season 3 Alison Harper gives some advice on how to utilise social media to maximum effect. She manages the social media for Knowledgable Instrucotr Training (KIT), The KIT Podcast, Xpert Driver Training, Diane Hall's L of a Way to Pass as well as Training Wheelz for myself and Christie. In this episode we only really scratc…

Following on from the previous episode with two trainees talking about their training, I realised that they are not really aware of the range of resources that are available. Phil Cowley very kindly agreed to join me to discuss a whole range of resources and I think we have covered a large peroportion of the most popular or most well-known of these…

We finally got there! After a blip on the first recording when one of my interviewees disappeared for the last 15 minutes they both very kindly agreed to come back and re-record the last part. Vicky Bourne and Vicky Henwood are training with me. The purpose of this is not to push our driver training but is designed to give an insight into what is i…

Total Drive is so much more than just a diary for your lessons. It is a complete pupil management system designed to free you from pen and paper. For those not convinced then come and listen to Ross Kernick, one of the partners at Total Drive and find out just what it can do for you and your learners. At Training Wheelz we have been using it for ov…

Listen to the ultimate instructor podcaster! Terry Cook is the host and creator of The Instructor Podcast. He has grown and developed this into one of the most comprehensive sources of CPD available to driving instructors. It was a delight to have him as my guest and to hear his views on the role of a podcast for driving in structors - but also how…

Whilst the emphasis of this podcast is intended initially for the driving instructor community, this episode undoubtedly has an appeal well beyond this. If you know anyone with a phobia, high anxiety or just generally stressed I strongly recommend listening to Janie! Do you have a learner with high anxiety levels? Maybe something in their past is r…

Chris Bensted is the epitome of someone who has a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement. He has a passion for giving other ADIs the opportunities to gain knowledge and experience to help them also become better at their work. Preparation for the theory test is something many of us leave to our learners with little meaningful input. `This means …

Mick Knowles is the author of the KIT Podcast (https://pod.co/kit-podcast) and, together with Lee Jowett, they produce the KIT Mag (https://www.facebook.com/groups/694453705007069/). KIT stands for Knowledgeablee Instructor Training - no, that's not a spelling mistake, it is a combination of parts Mick and Lee's names. KIT Instructor Training holds…

Diane Hall and Chris Allsopp from 'L Of A Way 2 Pass' are coming to Devon in October with their fabulous Driving Test Nerves Specialist workshop. The workshop will help you understand how your learners are thinking, why they act the way they do - and some strategies to deal with this. The course helps you to become the 'go to' specialist, giving yo…

In order to qualify as an approved driving instructor (ADI) we all need to pass a driving test at a higher standard than a learner test. But how many of us take a further advanced driving test to ensure our driving is still at the highest standard possible? I talk with two members of the Exeter and East Devon Advanced Drivers and Riders RoSPA group…

In this episode I talk with two of my own past learners about their experience learning to drive. Georgia came to Devon from her home in Kent to take a job at a local hotel having taken lessons with an instructor at home. Georgia's lessons were interrupted by the last of the Covid lock downs but she passed at the first attempt on the second day of …

A bonus episode! The DVSA has created quite a storm this week with its proposals for reducing the wait time for driving tests - and a few other things! Phil Cowley joins me to discuss these. Hope fully some of you will agree with us but I guess some might not?! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Kevin Raven is a driving instructor who lives in Tiverton in Mid-Devon. He tells about how he chose to train after taking redundancy from his previous work place. He talks about the struggle he had to pass his Part 3 - which he managed on his third attempt! He can certainly empathise with anyone who is finding it hard to qualify. However he has sin…

Bob Morton is one of the most recognisable volce and face in the driver training industry. In this podcast he delivers some great advice on a range of issues: Breaking down the elements of the Standards Check or Part 3 test to make it easier to manage The proposal to raise the pass mark for the Standards Check from 31 to 33 The 'new' ORDIT assessme…

In this first episode of Season 2 I am joined by three instrcutor trainers - Pennie Hughes, Ella Burnett and Phil Cowley to discuss a number of aspects of the Standards Check and Part 3 test and answer questions that have been put forward by members of the EXE ADIs instructor Facebook group. Just two days before this episode aired for the first tim…

Hazel Jarrett is a locally based expert in everything to do with SEO - search engine optimisation. If you are responsible for running your web site or are someone who is thinking of going independent and looking to get your website started then you should listen to Hazel as she demystifies the world of SEO. Find out how getting your website properl…

A double act! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.De către The Exel Podcast

Following some gremlins with the intended broadcast date on Friday October 28th, this is now the correct version of a very interesting discussion with Emma Hallett with an emphasis on adapted cars. It is difficult getting Spotify, etc to remove individual episodes so please ignore the original attempt! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor…

Listen to Emma talking about her path to becoming an ADI and her involvement with disability driving and car adaptations. This episode was recorded in August 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.De către The Exel Podcast

Hear about how Kay trained with a national company, then joined a local driving school before moving to Kent just as Covid happened! Find out why she decided to move back to Devon, how she re-established herself and what her plans are for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Phil Cowley is the owner of Cowley's Driving School based in Newton Abbot. Listen to how Phil became an ADI and how he has developed his driving school and keeps everyone happy! One thing he is aiming to do is have some salaried franchisees so I was interested to probe into this a bit more. Also find out what Phil's suggestion is for improving thin…

Listen to Ella describing how she became a driving instructor. I describe her in this episode as a bit of a trailblazer - she was the first person I can remember to admit in the EXE ADIs Facebook group that she had failed her Standards Check. She posted because she wanted to get better. Ella also started her own home business during lockdown in 202…

The Big Learner Relay returns in its full form this year for the first time since 2019. I talk to Lou Walsh, the driving force behind the relay, about its origins, what it involves, how you can get involved and raise funds for Children in Need. More information is available on the website www.biglearnerrelay.co.uk and the Facebook page https://www.…

The very first episode of the ExeL Podcast! As this podcast is initially aimed at informing members of the Exeter and Newton Abbot instructor facebook groups in Devon, I have chosen one of the admins of the EXE ADIs group to start everything off. Pennie Hughes is one of the most respected instructors and trainers in the area. We find out about her …

This podcast is primarily aimed at driving instructors in the Exeter and Newton Abbot areas. It will consist of fortnightly interviews with member of the group to find out more about them, not just their work with learners and PDIs but also what interests they have outside of work. Hopefully some of this will be of interest to other members of the …