The Green Room #47: Could 2025 be the best year for Driving Instructors?
Join Terry Cook and Chris Benstead as they dive into the current landscape of driving instruction and the exciting developments on the horizon for 2025. They explore the impact of the driving test booking system changes proposed by the DVSA and discuss how these potential restrictions might affect instructors. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they reflect on the rise of national driving schools and how instructors are stepping up to offer alternatives in a saturated market. With a focus on community and ongoing professional development, they emphasize the importance of collaboration among instructors and the need for innovative approaches to teaching. Expect a lively discussion filled with insights, laughter, and a shared commitment to improving the driving instruction profession.
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Terry Cook and Chris Benstead dive into the latest happenings in the world of driving instruction in this engaging podcast episode. Kicking off with a light-hearted introduction, they set the tone for a spirited discussion about the recent announcements from national driving schools and the implications of changes to the driving test booking system. The conversation shifts towards the anticipated changes for 2025, highlighting the lack of recent developments from the DVSA and offering insights into what driving instructors can expect. They dissect the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, emphasizing the importance of community support and proactive engagement among instructors. The duo also touches on the concept of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and its relevance in enhancing instructor skills and confidence. With a playful banter, they tackle serious topics such as the need for innovation within the driving instruction sector while sprinkling in their signature humor, making for an informative yet entertaining listen.
Takeaways:
- Driving instructors are encouraged to engage in CPD to enhance their skills and confidence.
- The podcast discusses the upcoming changes in the driving test booking system for ADIs.
- Terry and Chris reflect on the importance of community support among driving instructors.
- Chris emphasizes the need for innovative approaches in driving instructor training and theory.
- The conversation highlights the significance of Road Safety Week and its impact on the community.
- The hosts discuss the rise of national driving schools and their potential impact on the industry.
Transcript
The Instructor Podcast with Terry Cook talking.
Chris Benstead:With leaders, innovators, experts and game changers.
Terry Cook:About what drives them.
Terry Cook:Welcome to the Instructor Podcast, Green room edition number 47.
Terry Cook:I think this is a show we cover all the latest news and hot topics from within our little driving instructor world.
Terry Cook:As always, I am your mediocre host, Terry Cook.
Terry Cook:I'm delighted to be here, but.
Terry Cook:You're delighted it's not just me because I am joined by the enigmatic enigma that is Chris Benstead.
Terry Cook:How are we doing, Chris?
Chris Benstead:Hello.
Chris Benstead:Hang you.
Chris Benstead:I'm good.
Terry Cook:Excellent.
Terry Cook:I.
Terry Cook:I think I might have to stop those wrestling ones now because I keep forgetting which ones I've done and I'm going to wind up repeating myself and then someone will point out to me and I'll feel very embarrassed.
Chris Benstead:You can't double up, can you?
Terry Cook:Well, depends what we're doing, but either way, you like piggybacking on lessons.
Terry Cook:I don't, so there you go.
Terry Cook: are going to be talking about: Terry Cook:There's not been a lot of news this month so far, but change it to the driving test booking system.
Terry Cook:So this was put out there that the DVSA are going to change the driving test booking system for ADIs and all this kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:And then I think there was a survey that come out and they said they were going to do it.
Terry Cook:And Chris, what's been done?
Chris Benstead:To the best of our knowledge, nothing.
Chris Benstead:Emails were sent, that was it.
Chris Benstead:So, yeah, I don't know.
Chris Benstead:I have been asked to attend a meeting with Loveday to discuss the seven point thing and I haven't heard about that either.
Chris Benstead:So maybe things are just very busy in the world of the DVSA and they're going to hit us with lots and lots of things in February, the shortest month of the year when the least normally happens.
Terry Cook:I have not been invited for a meeting with.
Terry Cook:Loved it.
Terry Cook:You'll be surprised here, but yes, I'll be looking forward to the green room in February then.
Terry Cook:But do you know what, just while we're on it, though, do you think that the changes to the test booking systems, some of the proposals have made around restricting the number of tests you can swap and you know, if you, if you're found to be booking tests for someone that's not your own student, then you'll be in trouble, basically.
Terry Cook:They haven't said now, but they kind of said you'll be in trouble.
Terry Cook:Do you think that'll have an impact.
Chris Benstead:No, I don't think.
Chris Benstead:Well, I think, you know, they're all nice threats and that seems to be all it really is.
Chris Benstead:Kind of saying, you know, you're going to get us back on the wrist.
Chris Benstead:Most likely is that they're going to be really strict with who can have access to the obs and who can have, you know, have that privilege, because it's a privilege.
Chris Benstead:So, you know, things like that will be taken away outside of that.
Chris Benstead:But the thing I keep coming back to is where the legality begins and ends, as in, what are you actually allowed to do?
Chris Benstead:The only thing that the DVSA have power over is our badges, and until they're given other powers, and I'm not necessarily against it, especially for driving school regulation of some kind, and until that, there isn't a lot they can do, except for we're going to take your badge away, which is protected by a tribunal process.
Chris Benstead:So as long as you behave yourself, you should be all right, you know, with these things.
Chris Benstead:It's not saying, I don't want change.
Chris Benstead:I don't know that I don't want things to happen, because I think things need to.
Chris Benstead:But do I see it actually happening?
Chris Benstead:It'll be a date in the, you know, in.
Chris Benstead:In the future that might never come.
Terry Cook:I do reckon whether they could, and I'm not an advocate of this generally, but whether they're making an example of someone, you know, getting someone struck off the register and being like, this is because you did the naughty thing.
Terry Cook:But are you volunteering?
Terry Cook:No.
Terry Cook:I mean, potentially, it's been one of those weeks and it's only Monday, but I don't know, I.
Terry Cook:I have no idea what impact this will have because I also think the kind, you know, the people that are profiteering are making hundreds and thousands of pounds off the back of people probably don't care that much.
Terry Cook:You know, I think there's an element of, you know, well, let's make as much as we can until they block us and then we'll just get students to book the test firm or whatever.
Terry Cook:So I don't know, we'll see.
Terry Cook:But again, we'll wait for news for that because who knows if and when that will come, because they've been talking about it for about two months.
Terry Cook: g to happen or will happen in: Terry Cook:Either way, a little bit of other news.
Terry Cook:Some.
Terry Cook:Some things have been cropping up recently.
Terry Cook:Today in particular, we're recording this on, I believe It's Monday the 27th and new national driving schools.
Terry Cook:There's been a few interesting announcements, if you like.
Terry Cook:I've seen at least four now, two of which I can remember, so I'm going to mention them and apologies to the others, but Lee Sperry is putting out his national school and Tom Stenson has teamed up with Gates and Gibson and they're putting out theirs.
Terry Cook:And there's been a couple of others as well.
Terry Cook:And one thing I will say is, I like a tease, Chris.
Terry Cook:I like a tease.
Terry Cook:So let's say watch this space.
Terry Cook:But this has fascinated me.
Terry Cook:It feels a little bit like all this has come from nowhere.
Terry Cook:And I'm interested in your thoughts because it just feels a little bit like we don't like how the national schools are operating.
Terry Cook:In some instances, we're gonna do things differently.
Terry Cook:That's how it comes across with what I'm reading from different people.
Terry Cook:And I like that, you know, from a personal standpoint, it's something I've always said, do something.
Terry Cook:If you're not happy with it, do something.
Terry Cook:And it feels like there's people that have gone, I'm not happy with this, I'm going to do something.
Terry Cook:So I'm just interested in your thoughts on it.
Chris Benstead:I think it's that thing if you can do different or you can do better, you can do both, you know, but they're both in there.
Chris Benstead:It'll be really interesting to see what happens.
Chris Benstead:I don't get it.
Chris Benstead:I think there's.
Chris Benstead:There's another thing that's been announced, which is Bob Morton's mentoring, which is a similar kind of approach of ADIs need an arm around them.
Chris Benstead:And really, that's what a good national school would be, is it offers support.
Chris Benstead:So when Ian Brett and myself started up our own driving school, we started it as a school for what driving instructors would want, rather than a school that's there to provide pupils.
Chris Benstead:And that's it, really.
Chris Benstead:Maybe cars, but we didn't want to go down that route anyway.
Chris Benstead:And, you know, that didn't encourage growth and success and a reputation for each of the individuals all about the school.
Chris Benstead:So we wanted to move away from that and have been, you know, I like to think relatively successful inside of what we did.
Chris Benstead:I've never really wanted.
Chris Benstead:Had that desire to kind of think of things nationally.
Chris Benstead:But I think as.
Chris Benstead:As a trainer, I'm always picking up pieces normally from large driving school messes and with the people that have announced, you know, the things going on, it's kind of what they do as well.
Chris Benstead:So I Think that's probably where things come from.
Chris Benstead:I don't see yet.
Chris Benstead:I don't get it, the bigger picture.
Chris Benstead:So, you know, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
Chris Benstead:I hope there's something positive.
Chris Benstead:I'm not sure what that's going to be.
Chris Benstead:I hope it's not different and damaging to instructors in other ways if they don't get the support that they need.
Chris Benstead:But if they're not, you know, ironclad handcuffs on them all and holding them in there, that they're there because they want to be there, that can only be a good thing as long as they get the support that they need, which I would like to think they will.
Terry Cook: there because I think back to: Terry Cook: , when I went independent in: Terry Cook:I had to get my ears mixed up.
Terry Cook:It was around that time I went independent, left Red, and I started going down that route.
Terry Cook:I started thinking, you know what?
Terry Cook:I want to train instructors and I want to open my own driving school.
Terry Cook:And I wasn't thinking about national at the time.
Terry Cook:I was just thinking about that.
Terry Cook:And I've told this story before, but started doing it, and then I got so far in.
Terry Cook:I'm like, actually, I don't.
Terry Cook:I don't want to do this.
Terry Cook:I'm doing it because that's what everyone does.
Terry Cook:And then that's where the instructor podcast came from, that of I want to help people a different way.
Terry Cook:So for me, it's like.
Terry Cook:And I think you do this as well.
Terry Cook:To be fair, we are training.
Terry Cook:It is helping people nationally.
Terry Cook:And I don't know, I'm fascinated by this.
Terry Cook:And again, it's something I.
Terry Cook:I don't want to dive too deep into because obviously people will be doing it for different reasons.
Terry Cook:I'll be announcing stuff over the coming months, I'm sure.
Terry Cook:You know, I had a chat with a couple of people today that have.
Terry Cook:I'm not going to name names, but a couple of people that have put stuff out there, and I would love to call them, but I haven't asked if I could, so I'm not going to.
Terry Cook:But I think that it's all done with good intentions.
Terry Cook:And I don't know, I think it's one of the things where it could be.
Terry Cook:It has the potential to be really positive, but I also wonder if it's going to be almost like a fad, because it's the sort of thing that will take a while to get up and running.
Terry Cook:Now, when you think of national driving Schools, there's a reason they do things the way they do them and it's to make the most amount of profit.
Terry Cook:And that's not a criticism.
Terry Cook:Making profit, it's a good thing.
Terry Cook:But to make some of the change that needs to be made, they're going to have to reduce profit.
Terry Cook:So maybe there's a reason they do things the way they do them.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, absolutely.
Chris Benstead:And I think that exactly what you say is, if it's about helping people nationally, then I get it.
Chris Benstead:It's that brand thing, isn't it?
Chris Benstead:So, you know, my other hat, as a business coach, I've worked with driving instructors for over 10 years, supporting them, growing their own businesses.
Chris Benstead:And it.
Chris Benstead:I don't know, this is all assumption, but it's a bit like it's going to be that, but with someone else's brand on it and that.
Chris Benstead:I think that's probably why I don't get it, because if I was going to do it, I'd do it with my own.
Chris Benstead:Get.
Chris Benstead:Get the mentoring, support and launch a brand that identifies what you are and what you do.
Chris Benstead:And the big question will be, what happens when those people want to grow their own schools?
Chris Benstead:Do they grow it inside of that national driving school?
Chris Benstead:Is it a true franchise rather than a driving instructor franchise?
Chris Benstead:Is it that kind of thing?
Chris Benstead:It's really interesting.
Chris Benstead:I've got more questions than answers.
Terry Cook:I think it's just one of those things that we'll see as time goes along.
Terry Cook:But I'm looking forward to February's green room, let's put it that way.
Terry Cook:Let's take a moment, set the table.
Terry Cook:Then, Chris, you want to tell everyone who you are and where they can find you and what awesome stuff you've got to offer.
Chris Benstead:I.
Chris Benstead: ho is currently still lost in: Chris Benstead:So I am Chris Benstead and I am the co founder of the ditc, the Driving Instructor and Trainers Collective.
Chris Benstead:And we help signpost people to different things in the industry, as well as having a chat with the people that are panicking because they've got points coming or other threats as such, and pointing people in directions to go with that, all those sorts of things.
Chris Benstead:But that seems to be my week this week and last week.
Chris Benstead:And I am also theory test specialist, running Theory test Explained, helping with all the theory needs of the industry.
Chris Benstead:It seems like a bit of everything at the moment.
Terry Cook:A couple of things.
Terry Cook: id that you're still stuck in: Terry Cook: Well, today we're looking at: Terry Cook:And secondly, I stated public that one of my newest resolutions was to promote your grade A driving course.
Terry Cook:And I think I've done that so far.
Terry Cook:So we can tick that box.
Terry Cook:Am I agreeing?
Terry Cook:Yeah, it's all good.
Chris Benstead:Thank you.
Terry Cook:Okay, so there you go.
Terry Cook:But yes, you are listening to the Instructor Podcast Green Room Edition and I am its regular host, Terry Cook.
Terry Cook:And if you enjoy the content I put out and you would like to get more of that or work with me on a personal basis, several options.
Terry Cook:You can tune into the Instructor Podcast Premium or you can contact me for some one to one work as well.
Terry Cook:And the best place to find that is www.the instructorpodcast.com.
Terry Cook:you can find the premium details over there and if you click on the bit that says instructor training, you can even find more stuff from me to work with me one on one.
Terry Cook: id, we are looking forward to: Terry Cook:You and I and, and, and Stuart Locker and Tom Stenson.
Terry Cook:I was quite downbeat on that.
Terry Cook:I think I had a row end of the year and I wasn't excited about this one.
Terry Cook:I am fresh and invigorated and there is a new Terry on the scene now.
Terry Cook: s lined up and I'm looking at: Terry Cook:I'm looking at some of the stuff that's lined up for us that wasn't there when I become an instructor and it wasn't there especially when you became an instructor.
Terry Cook:So I thought it'd be fun to talk through a little bit of that.
Terry Cook:Yeah.
Terry Cook:So first of all, let's start with some that is true.
Terry Cook:How long have you been an instructor, Chris?
Chris Benstead:16 years.
Terry Cook:Okay.
Terry Cook:I think I always forget.
Terry Cook:I think I'm seven, seven or eight.
Terry Cook:So you double mine.
Terry Cook:Yeah.
Terry Cook:Right.
Chris Benstead:Rub it in.
Terry Cook:Yeah, there you go.
Terry Cook:But let's talk through some of this stuff then.
Terry Cook:And I think give people an.
Terry Cook:I'll say what we think of it, but also give people an idea of what's coming up, what they can engage in this year and we'll look at our bits first.
Terry Cook:So I want to talk about the walk back.
Terry Cook:So if someone doesn't know what their walk back is, what is it?
Terry Cook:Why should and could they be doing it?
Chris Benstead:I was trying to figure out what our bits were because I assumed it was an acronym and I didn't know.
Chris Benstead:And then I realized it was an accent thing and I needed to tune into Terry.
Chris Benstead:So the walk back that I can tell you about, the walk back is a mental health and physical health effort.
Chris Benstead:I don't like calling an effort.
Chris Benstead:I can't think of a better word.
Chris Benstead:Where we're really trying to encourage driving instructors to connect with each other, have a chat.
Chris Benstead:I don't mind if you do it over a coffee, if it's a rainy day, but the, the essence of it is go out and find somewhere that you can go for a walk.
Chris Benstead:So you get a bit, bit of physical exercise and you get to excise any demons that are in your brain with like minded people.
Chris Benstead:Have a chat.
Chris Benstead:And it came up over a chat with a driving instructor.
Chris Benstead:And like all these things, we said, well, let's make it national.
Chris Benstead:Let's not start on a local level and do it with just us.
Chris Benstead:We'll go national straight away.
Chris Benstead:So we did.
Chris Benstead:And there's pockets of instructors all over the country who meet up on the second Saturday, sorry, second Tuesday, second Tuesday of the month.
Chris Benstead:Some in the morning, some in the evening.
Chris Benstead:Isle of Wight do both because they just couldn't make their mind up.
Chris Benstead:But if you can't find one locally, start one.
Chris Benstead:It could just be two of you going for a wander in the woods, you know, no one will judge.
Chris Benstead:It's all good.
Chris Benstead:We listen, but we don't judge.
Terry Cook: ould I have done with this in: Terry Cook:And the only sense is I'm not sure because I was a very different person back and I've always been an introvert and I don't know if I would have embraced it or not, but I would have liked to have had the option.
Terry Cook:I don't know, I could have started it myself, obviously, but it's always easier when something's there and it came from your brain, as many wonderful and weird things often do.
Terry Cook:But I think if you think of driving instructors often, the only time we actually get to talk show is at the test center.
Terry Cook:I'm not saying we should be talking shop nest around the world back, but I think it's a great opportunity.
Terry Cook:Even if you just take away like the physical health and maybe an element of the mental health, it's a great opportunity to liaise with a local community or liaison people.
Terry Cook:You know, I've, I've started my little Venture around the UK again, this I've got to obviously Gary Thomas, who was watching live with us today, I'm off to see him in February.
Terry Cook:I've got Andy Cinco's to be fair, he's 20 minutes down road.
Terry Cook:But I'm off to see Andy Sinker in March.
Terry Cook:I think it's Sarah hall in April.
Terry Cook:So I'm lining up mine for my travels and it's, it's exciting me again and I just think, I think it's a great idea.
Terry Cook:And how would you have embraced that if that had been kicking about when you started, Chris, 16 years ago, double my time.
Chris Benstead:I think the big change would be, I wouldn't have necessarily known about it because we've now got the opportunity to do these things.
Chris Benstead:It was a case of come up with it on one day, launch it on the next day and off we go.
Chris Benstead:And it would have been a case of trying to convince the DVSA that we were allowed to put the posters in the waiting rooms, which is something I'm going to revisit now because we still haven't got permission.
Chris Benstead:It's down to test center managers.
Chris Benstead:So if we'd have got that permission and back then they were far more strict, then people might have seen it at the test center.
Chris Benstead:I definitely wouldn't, I would have had to go to all the test centers to put posters out.
Chris Benstead:You know, it would have been a very practical exercise.
Chris Benstead:We are spoilt for, as you just kindly, you know, labeled it, the silly ideas that come out of my head and other people's heads that we can have this silly idea like, you know, an international driving driving instructor day.
Chris Benstead:We can launch it and see where it goes.
Chris Benstead:I love that it's part of my self diagnosis of adhd.
Chris Benstead:I was watching a thing earlier that said these are the things that most people work to for tasks, they want the rewards and this, that and the other.
Chris Benstead:But this is what ADHD people want and work to.
Chris Benstead:And they described me.
Chris Benstead:It was just one of those things.
Chris Benstead:Well, that's what I love.
Chris Benstead:I love that, you know, chuck it out there, see what happens.
Chris Benstead:I, I, I'm not necessarily looking for a, an end goal.
Chris Benstead:I just want to see what the response is.
Chris Benstead:I'm like my very own Newton's cradle.
Terry Cook:You know, I think that's a really good point that we've got these platforms shouting about it, whether it's on the podcasts that are out there, whether it's on various newsletters, whether it's just social media where you've got like that 10,000 plus strong Facebook group and.
Terry Cook:And all this kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:I think that's a really good point.
Terry Cook: tor, which we started back in: Terry Cook:It was around that time and life happens sometimes and it got put aside and then forgot about and, and I came across it recently.
Terry Cook:I forget why, but I came across it and I listened to it.
Terry Cook:I'm like, this is really good.
Terry Cook:And I wound up sending you like a five minute long voice note going, we need to do something with this.
Terry Cook:So I suppose the thing, one of the things I'm excited about this year is relaunching that.
Terry Cook:What are your thoughts on that?
Chris Benstead:Yeah, no, I'm looking forward to that.
Chris Benstead:And again, it fits in with the pattern of, you know, I need someone like Terry around me to help me finish and complete.
Chris Benstead:I'll leave that one there.
Chris Benstead:But it's that thing of the things that happen, the things that come from it.
Chris Benstead:That's what I love about the industry, is that you can chuck something out there and people will run with it and you'll meet them 10 years later and they'll remember the thing that you said.
Chris Benstead:The funny thing from that is that you're not necessarily the same person, the same instructor that you were then and you've moved on and changed opinions and those things are still floating out there and they're in the ether which say, I find all of that really interesting.
Chris Benstead:But no, I'm looking forward to hopefully adding something, you know, you said if you don't like it, do something about it.
Chris Benstead:I hope that that is going to become something that potential driving instructors, you know, that are.
Chris Benstead:But pre PDIs, that's what I'm looking for.
Chris Benstead:The pre PDIs will find it and they'll think about it before they sign on the dotted line.
Terry Cook:Well, I haven't told you this yet.
Terry Cook:So this is.
Terry Cook:You're discovering this everyone else's, but I've had ideas.
Terry Cook:I think it's bigger than this.
Terry Cook:I think we can make this something that the trainers can share with people.
Terry Cook:I think we can make this.
Terry Cook:We can take into right now.
Terry Cook:You're and an adi what now?
Terry Cook:And take it beyond that.
Terry Cook:I think this goes beyond the podcast.
Terry Cook:I think this becomes a thing.
Terry Cook:So, yes, you found out my thoughts there, Chris, live.
Terry Cook:But I think this is.
Terry Cook:I'm quite excited about this and we're talking about it.
Terry Cook:We're still not arranged to do it yet, so let's, let's pick a day sometime after we finish recording.
Terry Cook:But yes, how to be a driver and I will just say that there are some episodes out there.
Terry Cook:I will include a link in the show notes so if you go on to whatever podcast platform you want and search for, you can find it.
Terry Cook:There's three episodes out already now and yeah, we'll be adding to that, so go and check out.
Terry Cook: d a Megan Art at the start of: Terry Cook: release one in the middle of: Terry Cook:But I had to reschedule it and that has now been rescheduled again to January.
Terry Cook:Sorry, July.
Terry Cook:Thankfully it's not January.
Terry Cook:We rescheduled to Thursday 10th July at 11am and for those that don't know, you can't actually go back and listen to the Meganar on the instructor podcast feed.
Terry Cook:But this is nine speakers all delivering 20 minute presentations.
Terry Cook:We've had some awesome people on like yourself, Chris, you've been on and some awesome people, Dr.
Terry Cook:Elizabeth Box and Emma Cossington and all these kind of cool folk.
Terry Cook:And it's an instructor podcast production which means there will be some random people in there you would not expect.
Terry Cook:And as I say, that's Thursday the 10th of July, 11am if you want to find out more, I'm going to suggest you do two very important things.
Terry Cook:Firstly, follow the instructor podcast WhatsApp channel.
Terry Cook:Secondly, follow the instructor or subscribe to the instructor podcast email.
Terry Cook:Again, you can do both of those things in the comments.
Terry Cook:That's going to be the easiest place for you to find out more.
Terry Cook:Already got six of the nine speakers lined up and the other three haven't been lined up yet because I haven't messaged them.
Terry Cook:I need to do one at a time otherwise it's too much stress, but that's something I'm very excited about.
Terry Cook:Chris, are you excited about the Megan R.
Terry Cook:Returning?
Chris Benstead:I've just put it into my drive time so it's there.
Chris Benstead:I won't forget about it.
Chris Benstead:It's yeah, sandwiched between me meeting with Ian the day before and me going for breakfast the day after.
Chris Benstead:I don't know which one I'm more excited about.
Chris Benstead:It's all good.
Chris Benstead:But if, if we subscribe to your email listing, do we get an email.
Terry Cook:About it at some point.
Terry Cook:Yes, I will be sending that emails.
Terry Cook:I'll, I'll update on there, who's, who's coming on and how you sign up to it and watch and all that kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:But they will be posted on social media as well.
Terry Cook:But the easiest way to find it will be the emails.
Terry Cook:That'll be the most direct way.
Terry Cook:But yeah, I, I, you know what I love, I love the Megana.
Terry Cook:So I think it might be my favorite thing I do is very stressful.
Terry Cook: look at it and go, well, it's: Terry Cook:11:00am I need to work.
Terry Cook:I've got this, this thing seven months away, by the way, you know, at.
Chris Benstead:11:00Am I will say what I always say about you, which is the, the instructor podcast and all that has come with it is the, the best collection of CPD that you will get with the broadest and widest variety of content.
Chris Benstead:Stuff that you didn't think you needed to know, stuff that you might not need to know, but you'll only find that out by having a listen and, you know, discard the stuff you don't want and keep the stuff you do.
Chris Benstead:I reckon every single episode you listen to, you will find something to put in your toolbox.
Chris Benstead:The mega gnar is that in a day of, you know, just variety and it moves on to the next one and you're happy sitting there listening, absorbing and just being in the moment with cpd.
Chris Benstead:Whereas if you were to go to a course for the same length of time, you'd sit there listening to a person or a couple of people talking about a subject, maybe a couple of subjects, but you get variety, you get a bit of everything and then you can use that to plan what's going to be going on for the rest of your year.
Chris Benstead:And you could invest the money in yourself instead of the tax man.
Terry Cook:Thank you for those kind words.
Terry Cook:I appreciate that.
Terry Cook: r thing I'll just say is it's: Terry Cook:Schedule the day off, schedule a morning off.
Terry Cook:And the reason it's 11am is because it's a hell of a lot easier for me to run them when I do it at 7pm and then finish it half past 10.
Terry Cook:Because even though I say it's three hours, it goes on for three and a half to four.
Terry Cook:But either way, the next thing I want to mention, Chris, is our favorite day of the year which is driving instructor day, March 16, which, as of recording was 50 days away two days ago, and I forgot to post, so there we go.
Terry Cook:But driving instructor day, March 16.
Terry Cook:I love driving Instructor Day.
Terry Cook:This is one of another one of my favorite things because with the first year this came out, it was.
Terry Cook:It was okay.
Terry Cook:It was good, but it felt like last year, and it just felt warm.
Terry Cook:It felt like more people embraced it.
Terry Cook:Not in a way of let's celebrate.
Terry Cook:You know what's awesome?
Terry Cook:This Saturday over.
Terry Cook:It was just a way of.
Terry Cook:It were a lovely day.
Chris Benstead:Yes.
Chris Benstead:I think it came to us rather than we went to.
Chris Benstead:It was how it felt last year that there were so many people getting involved.
Chris Benstead:It was nice to watch that happening.
Chris Benstead:Whereas previously we'd both kind of tried to make a point of the fact it's Driving Instructor Day and you know, and say or do things.
Chris Benstead:But it was just really nice to see.
Chris Benstead:From how many countries is it now?
Terry Cook:Six or seven?
Terry Cook:There's Switzerland, there's Germany, there's the us, Australia.
Terry Cook:I can't remember the others, but yeah, there's six or seven.
Chris Benstead:That's a proper thing, isn't it?
Chris Benstead:It's really cool.
Chris Benstead:It's just cool.
Chris Benstead:It doesn't have to be anything else.
Chris Benstead:It just has to be that you.
Chris Benstead:You kind of sit there on the summit and go, yeah, what it becomes now, let's see.
Terry Cook:And you know what?
Terry Cook:I don't mention this.
Terry Cook:And I'm only mentioning it for a very specific reason, which you'll find out when I say it, but I don't mention it, which is I think it's become what I wanted to be, which is I never wanted it to be mine.
Terry Cook:I didn't want people to look at it and go, this is something that Terry's created.
Terry Cook:And obviously the idea, you know, weird and wonderful idea came from my grid and then it got put out there.
Terry Cook:But now people just share it, and there's an awful lot of people that have no idea where it came from.
Terry Cook:And that was always the goal.
Terry Cook:I never wanted it to be Terry's thing.
Terry Cook:I want to.
Terry Cook:I just want to hear, he is driving.
Terry Cook:Let's have some fun.
Terry Cook:And I think that that's why I liked it so much last year, because it.
Terry Cook:I think it felt like that.
Terry Cook:And.
Terry Cook:Yeah, and I probably won't mention that again because obviously if I mentioned it, then it's kind of saying it was my idea.
Terry Cook:And that's not why I'm saying it.
Terry Cook:I'm just saying I like that fact.
Terry Cook:I think that's good.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, absolutely, I get that.
Chris Benstead:And does that mean we're not allowed to tag you every time people go whose stupid idea was this?
Terry Cook:I think you're more than welcome.
Chris Benstead:That's right.
Terry Cook:I'll happily take the criticism as well as the PR and just I don't take notice as much of the criticism because usually it's from Neanderthals, but whatever, let's move on.
Terry Cook:Driving Inductor day.
Terry Cook:What stupid idea?
Terry Cook:Don't embrace it then.
Terry Cook:Don't do it.
Terry Cook:It's fine, you don't have to embrace it, you know, just you carry on with your little life, it's okay.
Chris Benstead:But when their pupil notices and they bring them a nice bottle or something to say happy Driving Instructor Day, I bet they still take it and drink.
Terry Cook:It and put it on social media.
Terry Cook:Look at my people want me to do for driving instructor.
Terry Cook:Aren't I the best?
Chris Benstead:And then I'll reply, dear hmrc, they're the post.
Terry Cook:You tagged me in as well, Chris.
Terry Cook:Yeah.
Terry Cook:Anyway, let's move on because another one of my favorite things.
Terry Cook:Maybe I've just picked a list of my favorite things, I'm not sure but the, oh God, all the words.
Terry Cook:The ADI NJC and Intelligent Instructor Convention which is on the 23rd of March.
Terry Cook:There are still tickets available for this.
Terry Cook:This is the overnight stay where oh get this right on the Saturday there's the awards, there's like a meal, there's a dance, there's a, a world class entertainer that's been put out in our world class entertainer Chris.
Terry Cook:And then the following day is the like the actual convention where there's, I might get these numbers wrong so it's either 12 or 14 speakers and then 25 exhibitions and somewhat a little bit like the Megana you go in, you get presented to and they were in three blocks last year where they'd come and talk to you I think like 20 to 30 minutes each and then you go off and have a break then you know, back and forth like that.
Terry Cook:I loved this last year.
Terry Cook:I, I thought it was one of the best CPD events that I've been to and I love the overnight aspect.
Terry Cook:I love meeting some good people and I liked sitting and being presented to by different people because it often if you go for like on a workshop or a course and I've spoke about my issues with this before, I struggle with that when it's that same thing throughout the day by having different people's plan, it works really well.
Terry Cook:But you're off to it this year Aren't you, Chris?
Chris Benstead:Yes, I am.
Chris Benstead:And I am looking forward to seeing lots of people and then recovering for two days afterwards because that's the bit I don't like.
Chris Benstead:But it's good for me.
Chris Benstead:I do enjoy it in the moment.
Chris Benstead:It's the recovery bit that I don't.
Chris Benstead:But that's fine.
Chris Benstead:It's all good.
Chris Benstead:And again, everyone will have to come and say hello and introduce themselves by name because I'm awful with names, but everyone was so good at the Expo.
Chris Benstead:I'm.
Chris Benstead:I'm expecting everybody to do it, despite my.
Terry Cook:Otherwise.
Terry Cook:I do, you know, when sometimes you shouldn't say stuff, but I do anyway because it's after 7 o'clock.
Terry Cook:I've had a word.
Terry Cook:I've had a word about the seating arrangements.
Terry Cook:Chris, we may be together.
Terry Cook:We may be together.
Chris Benstead:I've had a word as well.
Chris Benstead:We may not.
Terry Cook:Screw it.
Terry Cook:There are still tickets available again for all this stuff I'm talk.
Terry Cook:We're talking about today.
Terry Cook:We'll put links in the show notes, but the stuff we've spoken about there.
Terry Cook:Is there any again?
Terry Cook:They've got more to come, but we'll do them in blocks.
Terry Cook:Is there anything you're looking forward to more than the others?
Chris Benstead:The stuff you didn't mention that we don't know yet.
Terry Cook:Yes.
Chris Benstead:I think what you've touched on is we'll call it in affectionate terms, stupid ideas that have turned into things.
Chris Benstead: How awesome is: Chris Benstead:That's what I want to know.
Chris Benstead:I just.
Chris Benstead:What.
Chris Benstead:What's going to come along that.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, that becomes a bit of a trend or, you know, grows into something else.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, I'm.
Chris Benstead:I'm.
Chris Benstead:That's what I'm looking forward to.
Terry Cook:Let's tie it in because we mentioned the convention and we've also got the Expo, which is different to the convention and the export is on 28th September, very different to the convention.
Terry Cook:Always enjoy it.
Terry Cook:Intrigued to see who the speakers are, because I think my one critique, sort of negative critique of last one was it felt very driving instructor centric.
Terry Cook:You know, it was very standards check or very, here's a driving instructor, here's a dvsa.
Terry Cook:It didn't feel like there's anything out of the box.
Terry Cook:Whereas with the convention last year we had people like mirin aran and Dr.
Terry Cook:Lewis box talking and Ian Greenwood was there, which, you know, I love listen to in Greenwood Talk.
Terry Cook:And I know there's some other people coming up this year.
Terry Cook:Was it Ian Greenwood?
Terry Cook:Have I got my Name.
Terry Cook:Right.
Terry Cook:I might be getting that wrong either way, there's some of those sort of people at the convention, but the expo felt a bit, like I said, driving short the centric.
Terry Cook:What were your thoughts on that, Chris?
Chris Benstead:I.
Chris Benstead:I didn't go and I regret not having gone.
Terry Cook:Just, just to interject with the Expo.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, didn't go to the convention, sorry.
Chris Benstead:So I regret not having gone to that.
Chris Benstead:So I can't compare the difference, but I think with the, with, with the speakers, I know I was up against people that I wanted to go and listen to that.
Chris Benstead:It, you know, there were a lot of similarities in there and I think a bit more variety.
Chris Benstead:I don't think that would have made it easier to pick who to go and listen to.
Chris Benstead:But, yeah, it was, I don't know, the variety was, Was missing for me.
Chris Benstead:So I think sometimes it's a bit of outside the box thinking, but we want the box there because she's awesome.
Terry Cook:And that might be the.
Terry Cook:My favorite thing you've ever said.
Terry Cook:But yes, Ian Edwards, Gary Thomas in the comments, I knew I'd got that wrong.
Terry Cook:Ian Edwards, not Ian Greenwood.
Terry Cook:I believe Ian Greenwood is at this one.
Terry Cook:But I could be wrong on that.
Terry Cook:So there could be lots of things I'm wrong on today.
Terry Cook:So.
Terry Cook:Yes, and also Gary says, rich invite you mid to the night event.
Terry Cook:Someone sitting next to me.
Terry Cook:Anyone?
Terry Cook:Please.
Terry Cook:Gary.
Terry Cook:I've had a word about the seating arrangement.
Terry Cook:Let's leave it at that.
Terry Cook:But yes, that's the export in the 20th of September.
Terry Cook:We've also got the MSA National Training Weekend on the 1st of March.
Terry Cook:Now, this is celebrating the MSA in.
Terry Cook:I, I didn't write down number of years, but they've been around many years and they're celebrating that.
Terry Cook:So the MSA national training weekend on the 1st of March.
Terry Cook:Chris, I only found this out today because when I was making notes, I thought, let's go and see if the MSA have got anything planned.
Terry Cook:So, Chris, did you know about the MSA national training weekend on the 1st of March?
Chris Benstead:Well, as an MSA member, no, I didn't, but I, I only said today how I need to up my game in looking at what the MSA do, because I know they work their backsides off and I think, you know, being a member isn't enough.
Chris Benstead:You know, there's no point in it.
Chris Benstead:Firstly, it's a waste of my money.
Chris Benstead:Secondly, you know, it, I don't think it's fair on them.
Chris Benstead:They put all that effort in and I respect that effort.
Chris Benstead:So, yeah, I was literally saying this morning when someone said, you know, what associations are there and what's the differences?
Chris Benstead:I'm not informed enough on the MSA.
Chris Benstead: s my one, one of my goals for: Chris Benstead:So I may well see if I can get along to, to that and see what's happening.
Terry Cook:Do you know what, it was in the middle of last year on a Green Room that I was praising the MSA for their communication and I thought they were the best at getting stuff out in terms of the associations.
Terry Cook:And I think that I had no idea this was coming up.
Terry Cook:And the fact that as a member and I just to clarify, I too remember the fact that neither I didn't know that I think says a lot.
Terry Cook:So maybe that's something that we need to mention to them in a polite way.
Terry Cook:But yeah, that's on the 1st of March.
Terry Cook:I won't be attending that.
Terry Cook:It's a weekend I've got booked in.
Terry Cook:It's also a weekend that I should be going to the imtd, which I'm also not attending that.
Terry Cook:And that's how they're finding out through this podcast.
Terry Cook:So that's nice.
Terry Cook:We've also got the Road Safety Week coming up in November.
Terry Cook: Now Last year in: Terry Cook:I have no idea what we're going to do this year.
Terry Cook:I have no idea if anyone else is going to pick up the baton and do something or if I'm going to do anything again this year.
Terry Cook:But I will be involved in road safety one way or another this week.
Terry Cook:And I think, if I'm being honest, I think that I need to be better for that because part of my role as Things wrote the podcast and then in the Green Room in particular is to showcase this stuff.
Terry Cook:It's kind of a self appointed role.
Terry Cook:I want to promote this stuff that instructors may not know about otherwise.
Terry Cook:And I think that with stuff like that, I'm sometimes guilty of leaving it a little bit late and throwing it on people.
Terry Cook:So I think that one of the things I'll need to do this year is talk about that a little bit early.
Terry Cook:But I did really enjoy it.
Terry Cook:I love the content that break out last year.
Terry Cook:It didn't feel overly preachy, it felt educational, it felt abrupt sometimes.
Terry Cook:And you know, I think that's needed occasionally, even if the science is otherwise.
Terry Cook:But you know, I know better than science.
Terry Cook:I'm one of those people.
Terry Cook:So yeah.
Terry Cook:Road Safety Week.
Terry Cook:Any comments or thoughts on that, Chris?
Chris Benstead:I never feel like I do enough when it comes to Road Safety Week.
Chris Benstead:I really struggle.
Chris Benstead:I feel like one of those fleas where they've put the lid on the box and now I can only jump as high as the box.
Chris Benstead:I.
Chris Benstead:I don't know, it seems to be the same.
Chris Benstead:It's the same as when we're talking about teaching people to drive and, you know, it's like, well, you've got to.
Chris Benstead:You've got to the test level, the level I want you to be at.
Chris Benstead:I don't think I can teach you anymore.
Chris Benstead:But there's more that you can teach.
Chris Benstead:You know, there's advanced techniques and development.
Chris Benstead:We weren't good enough at that point.
Chris Benstead:We had to work for our part twos.
Chris Benstead:We've worked on other things, other skills since, hopefully.
Chris Benstead:So I often just sort of feel like we hit that glass ceiling and I don't know, it doesn't feel comfortable, but I don't know quite what to do.
Chris Benstead:But I think we might have a look at something.
Chris Benstead:We've managed to bring back our under 17 driving as a driving school, so we might try and do something alongside that because that feels, you know, like a good space to work with, with the messages and that sort of thing.
Chris Benstead:So.
Chris Benstead:So, yeah, I think we might try to do that.
Chris Benstead:Yeah.
Chris Benstead:I.
Chris Benstead:I don't know.
Chris Benstead:I haven't yet seen.
Chris Benstead:I've seen little things and some of those have been really big little things, but any sort of connectivity through the industry of an embracing Road Safety Week, which seems to be.
Chris Benstead:I think this is the problem.
Chris Benstead:It seems to be a real natural bedfellow for driving instructors, but it's what we do.
Chris Benstead:But, yeah, I don't know whether by the time break have got it, it's so presented and marketed that we then struggle because we're not in the same arena in that way.
Chris Benstead:I don't know.
Chris Benstead:But I definitely want to try and do more and at least not miss it because I've done that a couple of times as well where I know it's coming up.
Chris Benstead:So if you're shouting about it earlier, I'll remember, which would be great.
Chris Benstead:Thank you.
Terry Cook:Well, I think that I obviously had a big kind of explore into the world of road safety last year and I think I agree with you, it's not really connected with our industry properly.
Terry Cook:The dots haven't connected throughout, but I think I've come to the realization that it's not going to.
Terry Cook:Is going to take a long time because of the mindset of a lot of instructors out there.
Terry Cook:You know, if you look at the ones that aren't willing to adapt in brackets yet, it's up to the new people coming in, I believe.
Terry Cook:And go right back to what you said at the start.
Terry Cook:This information is available to them now and again.
Terry Cook:I don't think I did a good enough job last year of presenting that in some instances.
Terry Cook:So I think that if we can continue to present it to these people, it's almost like when we look at drivers, I just want to make the best new driver I can.
Terry Cook:I can't fix the existing driver, but if I can create a culture of new drivers that is, for lack of a better term, better than the culture that is currently there, even if it's just one degree better, if I can make that one degree better every time, well, where's that going to be in 10 years?
Terry Cook:You know, you think almost like the compound interest, it's not 10 degrees, it's adding on top of that.
Terry Cook:So I think that it's, it's not going to come overnight.
Terry Cook:And I, I'm not going to name him because I don't think I've, I've said it before and I don't know if it's sensible to say him, but I had someone that asked me recently that said, how come you've con.
Terry Cook:They asked me specifically how come I've connected the road safety stuff as well as I have.
Terry Cook:And my response is quite simply because I'm talking to the people that care.
Terry Cook:I'm not worrying about the people that don't because I can't persuade everyone.
Terry Cook:I can talk to the people that care.
Terry Cook:I can talk to the people that are sort of a bit further away looking over the shoulder and then hopefully there's a few people further away that are going, why are those people looking over the shoulder?
Terry Cook:Starting to look over the shoulder and then they get interested and it kind of goes that way.
Terry Cook:But I think that's kind of where my head's at.
Terry Cook:From the last year, this little voyage into the road safety world I've done.
Terry Cook:Anything you want to add on to that?
Chris Benstead:No, I think that's really interesting because it is that growing on norms, isn't it?
Chris Benstead:And I experienced this during the big learner relay years, which was PDIs were coming in thinking it was what we did and it was a totally revolutionary change.
Chris Benstead:And that's all you need is for people to come in, in the change to then grow from that point and that way we all take that step Forward.
Chris Benstead:So I think you make a really good point.
Terry Cook:One of the things I've done this year, in fact, I need to tell you about last year.
Terry Cook:First, I had a goal last year of reading 52 books in the year because I used to be a big reader, actual reading, not listening.
Terry Cook:I listen as well.
Terry Cook:But reading 52 books in a year.
Terry Cook:And within the first couple.
Chris Benstead:Sorry, I didn't know there were that many Mr.
Chris Benstead:Men.
Terry Cook:Yeah, within the first couple of weeks of January last year I hadn't read a book.
Terry Cook:So then I gave up because what's the point if, if I can't read 52, what's the point of reading any.
Terry Cook:And last year I read one book, whereas this year I've set myself a goal of reading 10 pages a day.
Terry Cook:And that's going to be about a book a month.
Terry Cook:And I've already read one in January.
Terry Cook:And that's.
Terry Cook:It seems obvious when you, when I say it aloud, but that my brain wasn't working that way before.
Terry Cook:It wasn't going where's the small step that takes me to the mile?
Terry Cook:It was just I can't do the mile, so there's no point doing it.
Terry Cook:And now I'm all about the small steps.
Terry Cook:So, yeah, it's interesting.
Terry Cook:But the other one I want to mention.
Terry Cook:Oh, I don't think we've got a day for this yet.
Terry Cook:Is the, the DIA conference events that you always attend that I don't.
Terry Cook:Chris, that's usually sort of in the fourth quarter of the year, so I never attended this.
Terry Cook:I'll let you get.
Terry Cook:Not through any negative reason, just because again, weirdly, there's only so many hours in the day.
Terry Cook:Any, anything you want to mention on.
Chris Benstead:The DIA conference, they normally sneak it just into the beginning of December and I always enjoy it.
Chris Benstead:I, I think when I first came into the industry, the different associations did things differently in the way of a conference and it was a bit more of a traditional conference, but they still all had their takes on it.
Chris Benstead:I much prefer what's available now.
Chris Benstead:I think the DIA one, as I've said, didn't go to the NJC conference, so I can't compare it to that.
Chris Benstead:But it's that more traditional conference go along and listen to speakers as an approach.
Chris Benstead: The one that they had in: Chris Benstead:And I think that added value in a way that we haven't necessarily had those along in that kind of format to the DIA conferences, but again, a nice mix of other things as well.
Chris Benstead:So yeah, it's one that I've always liked.
Chris Benstead:Possibly also because there's not as many people, they work to a slightly smaller number and that often suits me.
Terry Cook:I think the last thing I want to mention around this, and I've been asked not to say anything about this, so screw it, is that you and I, Chris, we are not presenting at the convention this year.
Terry Cook:And if we're not talking, however, we will be presenting at the Expo in September.
Terry Cook:And I've been asked not to give any further details on that, but I just wanted to drop that in there that we will be doing something a little bit different at the Expo this year.
Terry Cook:So once the convention's out of the way, I'm allowed to talk about it.
Terry Cook:So keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.
Terry Cook:But you know, I just think of that list, right, We've got the Walk Back, which is ongoing every month.
Terry Cook:We've got the Meganar, which is in July.
Terry Cook:We've got Driving Day in March, We've got the Convention in March, the MSA National Training Weekend in March.
Terry Cook:We've got the Expo in September, Road Safety Week in November, the DIA conference which kind of mentioned as usual in December.
Terry Cook:We've got stuff not even mentioned like the Road Safety GB which is like a two day meeting that's usually end of the year.
Terry Cook:The young driver focus I think is usually around June, July time.
Terry Cook:We've got the ICE Live event which as of recording is in two days time.
Terry Cook:But when this epic goes out will be two days ago.
Terry Cook:So I'll let you your brain work that one out, Chris, but all that stuff, and I'm sure there's loads I haven't mentioned and there'll be lots of little stuff going on around it as well.
Terry Cook:A lot of local stuff that isn't national.
Terry Cook:There'll be lots of other webinars and other podcasts and other YouTube, Chisel and courses and all this kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:So how awesome is that?
Chris Benstead:It's brilliant.
Chris Benstead:My concern is that if the DVSA hear about that, the reason there's such a long waiting list is that driving instructors never actually teach people to drive.
Chris Benstead:They're always too busy at a conference or an event somewhere.
Chris Benstead:So that'll be on the next email coming out.
Terry Cook:Well, I'm glad you've mentioned that because I received an email from the DVSA today.
Terry Cook: As we've stepped into: Terry Cook:Continuing professional development.
Terry Cook:CPD is A simple way to ensure you're always at your best, helping your pupils and improving your skills as an adi.
Terry Cook:Did you know?
Terry Cook:I'm going to read these facts out, Chris.
Terry Cook:They're three facts and I'd appreciate your opinion on these facts.
Terry Cook:I'll read all three out.
Terry Cook:This is the email from the DVSA that came out today.
Terry Cook: The: Terry Cook:ADIs who regularly engage in CPD report higher confidence and satisfaction in their role.
Terry Cook:And ADIs who charge higher lesson rates are more likely to engage in cpd, boosting both their skills and their income.
Chris Benstead:Okay, we got a survey done to find that out.
Terry Cook:We got a survey done.
Terry Cook:Yeah, we needed one for that.
Terry Cook:We needed a survey to tell us that ADIs who complete CPD last year says it improves the skills.
Terry Cook:Okay, I will be leaving that silencing and the last bit, I'm going to read from this email some activities ADIs have found valuable include.
Terry Cook:Keep in mind, this is an email from the DVSE attending the Top Reasons for Failing Driving Test webinar.
Terry Cook:I'm going to put this video clip out.
Terry Cook: National Conference and Expo: Terry Cook:So Chris, do you think that those three things, two of which are DVSA things and one of which the DVSA heavily attended, do you think that the DVSA saying that those things has any relevance or.
Chris Benstead:I think the biggest challenge is the one that I've always been scared of and continue to be.
Chris Benstead:If they mandate cpd, that's what they will mandate.
Chris Benstead:And as we know, as the podcast reflects in every single varied and unique episode, variety and outside the box stuff is what makes the industry great.
Chris Benstead:And I don't believe that the civil service would see that because otherwise they'd be on our side of the fence.
Terry Cook:I think, you know, I want one point on that, which is I still find myself saying this to this day about this podcast, and I said it when I first launched it, which is this podcast will never be the biggest thing around because it's not talking about stand the check every week and all that kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:And I'm constantly proven by social interaction, by messages, by sheer volume of people that download on on multiple different platforms.
Terry Cook:Site aside, I had someone message me this week saying that my number's on YouTube are crap like yeah, no, it's not a YouTube show.
Terry Cook:It's just there for the odd people that likes listen on YouTube music, you know, there's like 20 times that on the podcast thing.
Terry Cook:But anyway, and I think that that makes me happy because it shows.
Terry Cook:There are more people out there than we realize that actually want that variety, you've said.
Terry Cook:I just think that the people that want the standards check stuff shout louder sometimes.
Terry Cook:That's all.
Terry Cook:Gary pauses a good.
Terry Cook:Sorry, Chris.
Terry Cook:Gone.
Chris Benstead:So I was gonna say.
Chris Benstead:And they don't know where to find it.
Chris Benstead:You know, that's the other issue, isn't it?
Chris Benstead:The other stuff hits you in the face because it's there and it's directly relevant to absolutely every ADI that's out there.
Chris Benstead:Whereas the other stuff, you don't know what you don't know until you know that you don't know it.
Chris Benstead:And you don't know what you need until you discover it.
Terry Cook:And I, I still think I'm.
Terry Cook:Oh, God, I'm blowing my own trumpet now, but whatever.
Terry Cook:But I still think I'm the only person that will happily showcase plenty of other people on the same episode.
Terry Cook:So if you listen to this podcast and you're not enjoying it, well, there's about 17 of us.
Terry Cook:You can go check out Dipod, you can check out the Knowledgeable Instructor podcast, you can check out Inspire Podcast.
Terry Cook:There's one that's about a cup of tea.
Terry Cook:There's the one on YouTube called Mirror Signal Podcast.
Terry Cook:And I probably missed a couple.
Terry Cook:And do you know what?
Terry Cook:Two more of my own that I always forget.
Terry Cook:Driving Instructors Division zero and one Minute Driving Short tips.
Terry Cook:There's a load more out there if you don't like this.
Terry Cook:And in a nice possible way, I'll happily send people to those if they don't like this.
Terry Cook: t what you're hoping for from: Chris Benstead:I'd like to find inner peace of some kind.
Chris Benstead:I'd like to get some things done.
Chris Benstead:I've been trying to get done for ages.
Chris Benstead:Be able to stand there, look at them and appreciate them.
Chris Benstead:And I don't think I will because I haven't managed it yet.
Chris Benstead:There'll be lots of new things and there'll be lots of shiny things and all that will go on, but I'd like to kind of, yeah.
Chris Benstead:Get some.
Chris Benstead:Some good foundations in place.
Chris Benstead:So there's a risk I might go a little bit Quiet.
Chris Benstead:It's not gonna happen, is it?
Terry Cook:Well, I won't let you.
Terry Cook:You're stuck on every month.
Terry Cook:Is there anything planned specifically that you want to let us know about?
Chris Benstead:The problem is if I tell you what's planned, then I get held to it.
Chris Benstead:And then you will do a podcast at the end of the year asking me why I haven't done what I said I'd do.
Chris Benstead:We are regrouping regarding DITC because we've.
Chris Benstead:We know the things that we need to improve.
Chris Benstead:We just need to do it.
Chris Benstead:So we're doing some nice practical stuff.
Chris Benstead:Worst thing about practical stuff, no one sees it.
Chris Benstead:It's.
Chris Benstead:It's all behind the scenes and everything else.
Chris Benstead:And then, you know, hopefully we get to the point where people appreciate it.
Chris Benstead:Regarding theory, I want to change the world.
Chris Benstead: e I'm going to manage that in: Chris Benstead:It's not even that, it's worse than that.
Chris Benstead:But I can't find a word that's polite.
Chris Benstead:So anything I can do to make changes on that is going to be important.
Chris Benstead:I am.
Chris Benstead:Specifically because you want specifics.
Chris Benstead:I know.
Chris Benstead:I am trying to engage with driving instructors about what they can do differently without them teaching theory, which is not self preservation.
Chris Benstead:But I recognize, and I was always surprised how many instructors don't do theory, but they do, but they see it as being something different.
Chris Benstead:And I now understand why it's different.
Chris Benstead:I understand what is different.
Chris Benstead:And I'm finding ways that they can in car, do theory stuff without going anywhere near a theory test question and do things differently in that way.
Chris Benstead:So that's probably my biggest focus at the moment, is getting that done.
Chris Benstead:And yeah, we might produce that calendar that we keep saying that we're going to do.
Terry Cook:Do you know what?
Terry Cook:When I listen back to the episodes from last year and we said we were going to do like a naked calendar running through a meadow, we would have to record it, do it in the summer.
Terry Cook:So it was sunny.
Terry Cook:We didn't do it.
Terry Cook:Let's schedule that in now and we'll mention this end of the podcast because not as many people listen all the way to the end.
Terry Cook:But yeah, we've got the naked calendar that we'll do this summer.
Terry Cook:Chris.
Terry Cook:We're agreeing to it this time.
Chris Benstead:I don't think I didn't agree.
Chris Benstead:I think I just was looking for ways to avoid it.
Terry Cook:Yeah, you were less keen than me, let's put it that way.
Terry Cook:I thought it was A great idea.
Terry Cook:And then it's the running.
Chris Benstead:It was the running.
Chris Benstead:It's not the nakedness.
Chris Benstead:It was running through a field.
Chris Benstead:I don't run for anyone.
Terry Cook:Prancing merrily.
Terry Cook:That's what we'll do.
Terry Cook:You also sent me a message today about what you might want to talk about on the show.
Terry Cook:Was that something that you want to talk about?
Terry Cook:Was that something that.
Terry Cook:Let's tease Terry with this comment.
Chris Benstead:I think you've already done it, to be honest.
Chris Benstead:But no, I'm up for anything.
Terry Cook:I'll let you take it away then.
Terry Cook:What was the topic that you wanted to talk about?
Chris Benstead:I was trying to think.
Chris Benstead:I worded it very nicely.
Terry Cook:Just while you're finding that, I will just mention Gary has put in the comments 12 Naked Instructors calendar to raise money for road safety.
Terry Cook:I think we've just figured out what we're doing for Road Safety Week.
Chris Benstead:That's it.
Chris Benstead:Sounds questionable.
Chris Benstead:I think there should be a draw for the 12.
Chris Benstead:So everybody gets to put names in because some of them have beaten.
Chris Benstead:Pulled twice, I suspect, but we'll see.
Terry Cook:Yes, but Gary has committed to doing it.
Terry Cook:I've committed to doing it.
Terry Cook:You've committed to it.
Terry Cook: calendar for Road Safety Week: Terry Cook:I should probably run this by Lucy Striker at breakfast just to be on the safe side, because she may not approve.
Terry Cook:But if you want to be on that calendar, then let us know.
Chris Benstead:Also, do we know what the theme's going to be?
Chris Benstead:Because that might be very inappropriate.
Terry Cook:We could have different size tires covering body parts.
Terry Cook:We've got a LEGO car back there that will do the trick.
Chris Benstead:How to measure your tread depth.
Chris Benstead:So my word, my suggestion, when we were spitballing what to do when the DVSA haven't done anything new yet for us to talk about was the Emperor's New Clothes rehashing things and selling them as new innovations.
Chris Benstead:Is it time for actual change?
Chris Benstead:That was my big question.
Chris Benstead:What do you reckon?
Terry Cook:I don't know is the answer.
Terry Cook:Because on one hand, I think this comes down to what we've spoken a little bit about before in terms like originality and creativity and.
Terry Cook:And that kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:And I think I've changed my mind slightly on this in.
Terry Cook:I worry less now about other people copying or rehashing stuff because if they're copying something good and they're rehashing something good, then it's still.
Terry Cook:It's gonna be better than a lot of the crap that's out there and ultimately why am I doing what I'm doing?
Terry Cook:So whether that's teaching people to drive, whether it's the instructor podcast, the Megana, whatever, I'm doing it because I want less people to die on roads.
Terry Cook:And yes, I want to make a profit while I do that because then I can afford to live and eat and stuff.
Terry Cook:And that's quite important at times.
Terry Cook:But when I step back, if someone copies it or if someone uses it as inspiration or if someone rehashes it, then that's probably a better thing than some of the other crap that's out there.
Chris Benstead:I think I'm biased because of in saying this.
Chris Benstead:I have no problem with people getting in touch with me and asking me questions.
Chris Benstead:I get at least once a week an instructor getting in touch saying, I want to do theory.
Chris Benstead:Can you give me all your stuff?
Chris Benstead:I've worked really hard on it and it's mine from a perspective of it's an end point, it's still developing and everything else.
Chris Benstead:But there's all the stuff behind it.
Chris Benstead:All that time and effort and understanding you put into that and the skill of the job that we all do is making things simple.
Chris Benstead:So if you've done the hard work and made it really simple, it's incredibly easy then for someone to take it and run with it.
Chris Benstead:And I fully support people doing theory.
Chris Benstead:Absolutely.
Chris Benstead:We need more people doing theory.
Chris Benstead:We need to change it and engaging with it.
Chris Benstead:And as I said earlier, that's potentially about finding ways people can do that while still inside the comfort of the car rather than, you know, re launching something different or something totally new to them, an alien to them.
Chris Benstead:But it's.
Chris Benstead:I feel the pain of when you've worked so hard to create something and then someone else builds on top of it and it, it's a real double edged sword because you want things to improve so you want to be part of it.
Chris Benstead:It's nice to as well.
Chris Benstead:You kind of look at it and go, I did that.
Chris Benstead:There's certain phrases that I hear that I know that I came up with and you suddenly hear it come back at you from someone else and it's nice.
Chris Benstead:But I All the things we've said today about how the PDI is coming in, there's a new norm, they just accept that that is how it is.
Chris Benstead:So I feel the pain of the people that have put that effort in and then feel that it's been taken from them.
Chris Benstead:But I also want to see that development and growth of the industry.
Chris Benstead:So, so often in life the needs of the many and the needs of the few, isn't it?
Chris Benstead:It's that.
Chris Benstead:And it's probably better for everybody with, you know, where you build on other people's stuff and that's how science and technology and everything works in such a small industry.
Chris Benstead:I still feel it sometimes and I still look at things and think, you know, I know where that came from and you've just sold it as yours.
Chris Benstead:But it, it allegedly worked for J.K.
Chris Benstead:rowling.
Chris Benstead:So.
Terry Cook:I, I agree with what you said there and I feel it sometimes as well that I'll look at some.
Terry Cook:I'll go, yeah, that, that rings a bell.
Terry Cook:And.
Terry Cook:But I think where I've changed our mindset recently is I can't control that.
Terry Cook:I can only control what I can control.
Terry Cook:So if, if someone decided to create a new thing called the Blue Room, where they covered all the latest hot topics and news from within the industry with, you know, Chris Cook and Terry Benstadt, then it would sting a bit.
Terry Cook:Especially if it did better than this podcast did.
Terry Cook:It would sting, but that means they've done a better job of marketing it.
Terry Cook:So what I need to do is go back and copy their marking or at least take inspiration from their marking.
Terry Cook:And I think that's where.
Terry Cook:Oh, no, that one's got me.
Terry Cook:I love that comment, Gary.
Terry Cook:I'm not going to put in the podcast, but it's got me.
Terry Cook:I don't know what we're saying.
Terry Cook:Oh, I'll leave it in.
Terry Cook:Actually, screw it.
Terry Cook:You can wonder why.
Terry Cook:If you want to know what Gary said, you'll have to tune in and come watch these live, because that was brilliant.
Terry Cook:But either way.
Chris Benstead:Yeah, and he's actually gone.
Terry Cook:Yeah, it's actually gone.
Terry Cook:But the, the, it's that I can only take responsibility of what I can take responsibility for.
Terry Cook:If anyone else is.
Terry Cook:Is doing something, they can do it.
Terry Cook:It's fine, off you trot.
Terry Cook:I'm not going to worry about you, I'm going to worry about me.
Terry Cook:And there's a line there.
Terry Cook:So to use your example, someone comes to you and says, can I have your stuff?
Terry Cook:Well, the answer is no.
Terry Cook:But if you pay me for a session and then you go and use that stuff, there's very little I can do about it.
Terry Cook:So.
Terry Cook:Okay, well, at least I've got my 50 quid or whatever off your truck.
Terry Cook:And again, if they do it better, well, you just need to improve your marketing and.
Terry Cook:Which is probably the thing we both need to do if, you know, it's.
Terry Cook:Anyway, so I think that's where I stand on it.
Terry Cook:Yes, I'm human.
Terry Cook:Yes, it's frustrating.
Terry Cook:Yes, it's frustrating when I look out and I'll see standards, check this, standard, check that.
Terry Cook:And you know my feelings on that.
Terry Cook:But I think the other thing, we can almost tie this right back to one of the first things spoke about today with the national driving schools that are being released.
Terry Cook:It feels like I could be completely wrong with this, by the way, but it feels like someone did it first, then everyone else has gone, I need to announce my really quick now.
Terry Cook:And almost again, I could be 100% wrong with that, but that's how it feels just by looking at it.
Terry Cook:Unless.
Terry Cook:Unless the four people decided all to announce on the same day by coincidence at different times throughout the day, which could happen, but unlikely.
Terry Cook:So it's then potentially are people seeing other people going, oh, I need to get my.
Terry Cook:I'm worrying again what other people think.
Terry Cook:I'm at a point now where I don't care.
Terry Cook:I just like, whatever you want to worry about.
Terry Cook:You don't concern yourself with me.
Terry Cook:You know, when I've.
Terry Cook:Whatever podcast it is, whatever Megana is.
Terry Cook:I wasn't the first person to do a mega.
Terry Cook:Now, the Megana is a Dan Meredith product and he called it a Megana.
Terry Cook:The thing is, he forgot it were called Omega now because when I told him I would do it, he goes, that's a great name.
Terry Cook:I went, yeah, it's yours.
Terry Cook:No bed.
Terry Cook:And he's like, oh, yeah, I did that dinner.
Terry Cook:And he's so I think that, yeah, I don't want to bang on about that too much, but for me, I think I'm at a point now and I wasn't at this point at the end of last year.
Terry Cook:It's why I were quite downtrodden on the the end of year episode.
Terry Cook:I'm at a point now where I'm concerning myself with me, not other people.
Terry Cook:Let them do what they want.
Terry Cook:I've got me and I've got the people I care about.
Terry Cook:And if people want to come and listen or come and watch and come and be part of this awesome community, as in like an active member or just someone that floats around or someone that says, well, amazing, you're more than welcome.
Terry Cook:If you don't, great, that's not a problem at all.
Terry Cook:Do your own awesome thing, but just make it as awesome as you can.
Terry Cook:Cool.
Terry Cook:Well, on that note, on a.
Terry Cook:Here, here.
Terry Cook:We'll wrap up.
Terry Cook:Do you want to take a moment to.
Terry Cook:To remind people where they can find you?
Chris Benstead:Chris you can find me via theditc.co.uk or through theory Test Explained, which is also available on Instagram and TikTok.
Chris Benstead:If you want to send your pupils to something that might help them with their theory.
Terry Cook:Awesome.
Terry Cook:Well, a big thank you for joining us today, as always, and if you want to find out more from me, www.theinstructorpodcast.com but for now, let's just keep raising standards.
Terry Cook:The Instructor podcast with Terry Cook talking.
Chris Benstead:With leaders, innovators, experts and game changers.
Terry Cook:About what drives them.
