The Instructor

In this in-person conversation, Terry sits down with Lee Jowett to explore what really shapes a driving instructor, beyond passing tests, ticking boxes, and collecting certificates. Lee discusses his journey into the industry, why he never set out to be a trainer, and how discovering coaching fundamentally changed both his teaching approach and his personal identity. From early mentorship under Cl...

In this episode, Terry is joined by someone he’s been trying to pin down for years : Rachael Butler of Intelligent Instructor. And it was worth the wait. This is a conversation that goes well beyond the usual ADI chat. Rachel opens up about her journey, the realities of working within Intelligent Instructor, the thinking behind the events and awards, and the huge amount of unseen graft that powers...

Terry is joined by Kieran Williams, Project Manager for the Driver Mobility ADI Project, to explore one of the most significant pieces of research released this year for driving instructors, the newly published report examining the challenges, barriers, and opportunities within disability driving training. Over 605 ADIs took part in the survey behind this report, offering detailed insights into ho...

Terry sits down with psychotherapist and podcast host Richard Nicholls for a conversation that goes far deeper than International Men’s Day soundbites. What starts as a lighthearted catch-up quickly opens into something honest, warm, and surprisingly relatable. Richard breaks down what a psychotherapist actually does , before the two dive into the messy, complicated reality of being a man today: e...

For the 250th episode of The Instructor Podcast , Terry Cook is joined by Kate Monk, creator of My Learner Driver , a resource designed to improve private practice between learners and parents. Together, they explore how instructors can use their influence to make a real difference beyond test day. Kate shares the personal stories and local tragedies that inspired her to act, explaining how My Lea...

In this latest Six 4 Sixty, Terry Cook brings together a fresh team of ADI Avengers: Bob Morton, Kim Gibson, Emma Fonnaland, Tommy Sandhu, Stewart Lochrie, and Tom Stenson, for another rapid-fire round of six questions, each answered in 60 seconds. This episode dives into some of the biggest issues facing driving instructors today, from raising lesson prices with confidence to adapting communicati...

Terry Cook is joined by Terry Lefteri to explore the difference between teaching for the driving test and preparing learners for real-life driving. Drawing on years of experience and a background in coaching, Lefteri shares how his journey from instruction to coaching reshaped the way he works with learners. The discussion covers why focusing too much on the test can create pressure, how instructo...

In this fourth and final In Conversation With episode, Terry is joined once again by Diana Todd to explore the pitfalls and positives of social media in the world of driving instructors. Together they debate whether social platforms are more toxic than helpful, and how responsibility lies not only with those posting but also those consuming content. Diana reflects on how supportive communities can...

Terry is joined once again by Diana Todd to tackle an important topic: women in the driving instructor industry. Diana shares her perspective on why women remain an undervalued resource in what is still a male-dominated profession, and how qualities like compassion, empathy, and balance can bring huge value to both learners and instructors. Together, Terry and Diana explore why fewer women put the...

Terry continues his chat with Diana Todd, this time focusing on driving schools and the realities of running one. Diana explains why she initially resisted the idea of managing a school, and how partnering with Phil eventually led to launching Support Driving School. She opens up about the challenges of balancing fair franchise fees with meaningful training, the importance of genuine care in build...

Terry sits down with Diana Todd to explore her journey into the driving instructor world. Diana shares how the search for a better work-life balance led her from a high-pressure career into ADI training, just before the pandemic reshaped everything. She speaks openly about the challenges of qualifying, the reality of juggling family and work, and the lessons she learned along the way. The conversa...

In this episode of The Instructor Podcast , Terry is joined by Bob Morton and Chris Bensted for a full conversation about the Standards Check and Part 3. Together, they break down what the DVSA is really looking for, how the SC has developed from the old PST system, and why instructors often overcomplicate things. The discussion covers risk management, goal setting, common myths (like failing if y...

In this short lesson, we're diving back to my 2022 conversation with the brilliant Nik Oakes to demystify two often misunderstood marketing terms: copywriting and SEO. Nik breaks down what they really mean, why they matter for driving instructors, and how to use them effectively without getting lost in jargon. From understanding the difference between chatter and intention, to how using the right...

July was packed with ideas, insights, and “aha” moments — and in this episode I’m sharing my 5 biggest takeaways so you can skip the noise and head straight to the good stuff. To give you an extra taste, I’ve included a few short clips from our Premium‑exclusive shows so you can hear exactly the kind of deeper conversations and training our members get access to every week. We’ll cover: How to cut...

Today, we're diving into a fun episode dissection with business guru, Dino Tartaglia! We're all about asking better questions and figuring out how to charge what we're truly worth. You know, it’s not just about knowing the clutch from the brake pedal; it’s about understanding what our students really want: confidence, freedom, and maybe a little less stalling at traffic lights! So, whether you're...

In this special episode for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Terry Cook is joined by returning guest Jono Poon for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about the struggles many men face. They discuss why so many men find it hard to open up, the impact of cultural expectations, and how loneliness and comparison affect mental wellbeing. Jono shares personal stories and insights from his work...

In this powerful Short Lesson, we revisit a conversation from April 2022 with the inspiring Jono Poon. This bite-sized episode dives into the all-too-common fear of other people’s opinions, and how that fear can hold us back from living the life we actually want. Jono shares blunt but uplifting truths about why you don’t need anyone’s validation to chase your goals, try new things, or simply do wh...

In this Green Room episode, Terry Cook is joined by Chris Benstead and Stewart Lochrie for a lively and thought-provoking discussion about the latest developments in the driver training world. They reflect on upcoming events like the Intelligent Instructor Expo and the Meginar, before diving into the DVSA’s recent consultation on test booking changes - a topic that’s sparked plenty of debate. Chri...

In this episode of The Instructor Podcast , host Terry Cook kicks off the brand new monthly format with a powerful and timely discussion. He’s joined by Debbie Beadle, CEO of Fear Free, to explore the urgent need for safeguarding in the driver training industry. Debbie shares the story behind the “Emergency Stop” campaign, which calls for driving instructors to be legally recognised as being in a...

The Instructor Podcast is getting an overhaul, and Terry explains why and how in this episode. For more information on The Instructor Podcast visit https://www.theinstructorpodcast.com/ For additional content and exclusive discounts, be sure to check out our Premium subscription - Here you'll find lots of extra content, including: Episodes on the Standards check and how to break down each individu...

For more information on The Instructor Podcast visit https://www.theinstructorpodcast.com/ For additional content and exclusive discounts, be sure to check out our Premium subscription - Here you'll find lots of extra content, including: Episodes on the Standards check and how to break down each individual competency so you're fully aware of what to expect, how to prepare, and how to perform. Excl...

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of wisdom with Terry Cook and our fabulous lineup of ADI Avengers! Today, we’re shaking things up with six incredible driving instructors: Chris Bensted Stewart Lochrie Emma Cottington Laura Morris Emma Fonnaland Kev Field They're here to tackle some burning questions in our signature “Six 4 Sixty” style. We’re kicking things off by finding out why each of these...

Today’s guest is Ray Seagrave, and we’re diving deep into his brand new book, "The Driving Instructor's Ultimate Guide to Client Centred Lessons." This episode is all about how to elevate your game as a driving instructor by focusing on client-centred learning and the importance of understanding your pupils as individuals. Ray shares how he’s crafted this book as a companion for both newly qualifi...

Today’s chat is all about taking a good, hard look at what’s going wrong in our driving instructor world—and guess what? We're not pointing fingers at everyone else! We’re diving into three big issues: road deaths, the driving test backlog, and the importance of continuing professional development (CPD). Instead of playing the blame game, we’re putting the spotlight on what *we* can do to make our...

There's some meaty news to get stuck into this month, including: The Convention Should an ADI be a position of trust? Driving and theory test changes We also take a look at the concept of 'binning' students. Check out the DVSA blog  and the BBC article You can find my safeguarding episodes here: Safeguarding Professionalism And find the DITC here For more information on The Instructor Podcast...