Top reasons why PDIs fail their Part 3

Did you know there are certain competencies that PDIs consistently misunderstand and that examiners often see low scores on? Unfortunately, missing the mark on these can bring your whole score down, even if other areas are strong.

But here’s the good news: once you know what these competencies are (and how they interlink), you can avoid the pitfalls and start scoring higher.

In this focused workshop, Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff will guide you through the most common reasons PDIs fail their Part 3 and how to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ The hidden pitfalls – competencies where PDIs often score low.
⇒ How they interlink – and why one weak area can drag everything else down.
⇒ Avoiding the traps – practical steps to stay ahead.
⇒ Boosting your score – strategies to improve your overall performance.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for their Part 3.
⇒ Trainers supporting PDIs through the process.
⇒ ADIs looking to refresh their own understanding of Part 3 competencies.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Understand exactly which areas cause the most issues.
⇒ Know how to avoid the traps that bring scores down.
⇒ Have a clear plan to improve your performance and confidence.
⇒ Be better prepared to pass Part 3 and move forward in your career.

Spaces are limited.  Book now and give yourself the best chance of success.

Listening Skills

Are we really listening, or just waiting for our turn to speak? In driver training, listening is one of the most powerful tools we have. Yet so often, we jump to assumptions, fill in the blanks, or miss what’s really being said.

In this interactive workshop, Kathy Higgins will break down the 5 levels of listening and show you how to move beyond surface hearing to deeper understanding.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ What does it mean to really listen?  Going beyond nodding along.
⇒ The 5 levels of listening – from ignoring to truly understanding.
⇒ Processing what’s been said – avoiding assumptions and misinterpretation.
⇒ Sharper communication – how listening improves coaching and results.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 and Standards Check.
⇒ ADIs who want to strengthen their coaching and communication skills.
⇒ Anyone who wants better conversations, inside and outside of lessons.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Be able to recognise which level of listening you’re operating at.
⇒ Improve your ability to process what learners (and examiners) are really saying.
⇒ Avoid costly assumptions and misunderstandings.
⇒ Enhance your coaching impact through clearer, more meaningful communication.

Secure your spot now! Spaces are limited, don’t miss out.

Mind Mapping

Ever struggled to solve a tricky learner fault or wished you had a clearer way to think through your options? Mind mapping could be the answer.

In this creative and practical workshop, you’ll explore how mind mapping can help you solve problems, capture ideas, and structure solutions with ease. Whether you’re analysing faults, planning lessons, or simply looking for a better way to organise your thinking, this session will show you how powerful this technique can be.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ The history of mind mapping – where it came from and why it works.
⇒ How to mind map – simple steps to create clear, effective maps.
⇒ How to read it back – making sense of your notes at a glance.
⇒ No need to re-read – why one mind map can save endless note-checking.
⇒ Practical uses for ADIs & PDIs – from solving faults to lesson planning.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs who want smarter ways to study and prepare.
⇒ ADIs looking for creative tools to solve problems and coach effectively.
⇒ Anyone who wants to think more clearly and creatively.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Know how to create and use mind maps effectively.
⇒ Be able to solve problems more quickly and creatively.
⇒ Have a tool that makes notes easier to understand (and reduces the need to revisit them).
⇒ Add a versatile new skill to your teaching and learning toolkit.

Spaces are limited, so secure your place today and discover the power of mind mapping.

The Importance of MSPSL

MSPSL (Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, Look) isn’t just another routine; it’s the backbone of safe driving and the foundation of everything we teach as instructors. Yet, many learners (and sometimes instructors) don’t apply it effectively, leading to repeated errors and weaker driving habits.

In this workshop, Kathy Higgins will take you step by step through how to make MSPSL clear, consistent, and second nature for you and your pupils.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Common MSPSL errors – what learners often get wrong and how to fix them.
⇒ Skill levels – what’s expected at each stage of learning.
⇒ Bringing it all together – making MSPSL flow naturally in every lesson.
⇒ Practical coaching tools – ways to reinforce MSPSL without overwhelming learners.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 or Standards Check.
⇒ ADIs who want to sharpen their teaching approach.
⇒ Trainers and mentors supporting others in mastering core techniques.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Be able to clearly explain and demonstrate MSPSL.
⇒ Recognise and correct the most common learner mistakes.
⇒ Understand how MSPSL underpins safe decision-making on the road.
⇒ Strengthen your ability to coach learners into confident, safe drivers.

Spaces are limited, so book your place today and master the foundations of driving instruction.

Winter Break – no classroom sessions

Diversity ESOL

As instructors, we work with pupils from all walks of life. But when English isn’t a pupil’s first language, the challenges of communication can multiply (for both the learner and the instructor). To be effective, safe, and inclusive, we need strategies that go beyond ‘speaking slower’ or repeating ourselves.

Building on our Basic Diversity Workshop, this session with Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff focuses on multicultural communication, especially with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) pupils. You’ll leave with practical strategies to connect more effectively, teach with clarity, and create inclusive learning experiences.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Equality, diversity & inclusion – deepening your awareness as an instructor.
⇒ Barriers & enablers to communication – what helps and what hinders.
⇒ Communicating with diverse groups – adapting your approach with confidence.
⇒ Working with ESOL learners – how to teach and support pupils who don’t have English as their first language.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 and working with varied learners.
⇒ ADIs seeking to enhance inclusivity and communication in lessons.
⇒ Trainers and mentors supporting diverse groups of pupils.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Have a stronger understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in driver training.
⇒ Know how to adapt your teaching style for ESOL pupils.
⇒ Gain tools to break down barriers and build better connections.
⇒ Be able to deliver lessons that are both professional and accessible to all.

Spaces are limited, so book your place today to take your teaching to the next level.

Choosing the correct student

You can be a skilled teacher, but if you don’t choose the right candidate, topic, or route for your Part 3 or Standards Check, your score could take a hit. Sometimes, success isn’t just about how you teach but who you’re teaching and under what conditions.

In this practical workshop, Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff will help you master the strategy behind choosing the correct student and setting yourself up for the best chance of success.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Choosing the right candidate – who will best showcase your teaching.
⇒ Picking the perfect topic or lesson – aligning strengths with test requirements.
⇒ Areas and routes – selecting the right environment to support success.
⇒ Strategy for scoring high – how to make smart choices that boost your results.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3.
⇒ ADIs getting ready for a Standards Check.
⇒ Trainers and mentors supporting others through the process.

Why Attend?

By the end of this session, you’ll:

⇒ Understand the key factors in choosing the right candidate for your test.
⇒ Know how to match lesson topics with what examiners want to see.
⇒ Be able to plan areas and routes that make your skills shine.
⇒ Walk into your Part 3 or Standards Check confident and prepared.

Spaces are limited. Secure your seat and take the guesswork out of test-day choices.

Dealing with complaints

Let’s face it, no instructor likes receiving a complaint. Whether it’s fair or not, it stings. But here’s the truth: how you respond can make or break your business reputation, your confidence, and even your income.

In this practical, face-to-face workshop, Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff will share proven strategies for handling complaints calmly, professionally, and effectively; turning what feels like a negative into an opportunity to shine.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ What to do when a complaint arrives – first steps to protect yourself and your business.
⇒ How to deal with complaints effectively – staying professional and in control.
⇒ Turning negatives into positives – using complaints as opportunities for growth.
⇒ Why dealing with complaints matters – the real impact on your reputation and business.
⇒ How much is one pupil worth to you? Understanding the value of retention.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs who want to prepare for the realities of running a business.
⇒ ADIs who want to handle complaints more confidently.
⇒ Trainers, mentors, and instructors who care about professionalism and reputation.

Why Attend?

By the end of this session, you’ll:

⇒ Feel confident in responding to complaints professionally.
⇒ Know how to limit damage and protect your reputation.
⇒ Be able to turn a tricky situation into a positive outcome.
⇒ Understand why one pupil could be worth much more than you think.

Spaces are limited, so secure your place today and master the art of complaint handling.

The What Ifs

Ever left a lesson thinking ‘What if I’d handled that differently?…’

Risk management is at the heart of driver training, but are we really giving learners the chance to understand it, or just managing it for them?

In this thought-provoking workshop, Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff will dive into the What Ifs of driving instruction, exploring how to balance safety with real learning opportunities.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Pros & cons of risk management – when to step in and when to step back.
⇒ Are we analysing enough? Looking deeper at the risks in every lesson.
⇒ Digging beyond the obvious – recognising hidden hazards and learner behaviour.
⇒ Opportunities for learning – helping pupils understand risk for themselves.
⇒ Are we causing risk? Avoiding the trap of introducing danger while teaching.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3.
⇒ ADIs getting ready for Standards Checks.
⇒ Any instructor who wants to sharpen their awareness of risk in lessons.

Why Attend?

By the end of this session, you’ll:

⇒ Feel more confident in balancing control with pupil responsibility.
⇒ Know how to use “what ifs” to build learner awareness.
⇒ Recognise when you’re reducing risk and when you might be adding to it.
⇒ Be better prepared for real-world lessons and test-day performance.

Spaces are limited. Book today and discover how to turn “What if?” into “I’ve got this.”

Using Great Questions

Great lessons don’t just come from telling; they come from asking. The right question, at the right time, can unlock understanding, reveal gaps, and keep your learner engaged in their own progress.

In this practical, interactive workshop, Kathy Higgins and Leanne Condliff will help you sharpen your questioning skills so that every conversation in the car leads to better results.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Open vs Closed Questions – when to use each for maximum impact.
⇒ HWWWWW – the questioning framework that digs deeper.
⇒ The GROW Model – guiding your learners to set goals and find solutions.
⇒ Solution-Based Questioning – helping learners take responsibility for progress.
⇒ Clean Questions – cutting out assumptions and keeping responses honest.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3.
⇒ ADIs facing a Standards Check.
⇒ Trainers, mentors, and instructors who want clearer, more effective coaching conversations.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Know which types of questions to ask and when.
⇒ Be able to tell if your learner really understands.
⇒ Create more responsibility and reflection in your pupils.
⇒ Build smoother, more goal-focused lessons that flow naturally.

Spaces are limited, so book your place today and unlock the power of great questioning.

So What is Great Feedback?

As a driving instructor, you give feedback every single day, but is it landing the way you intended? Feedback can shape a learner’s progress, build their confidence, or stop them in their tracks. The difference? How you deliver it and how it’s received.

This interactive workshop, led by Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff, will help you master the art of giving feedback that really makes an impact.

What You’ll Learn

⇒ The 5 Rules of Feedback – simple principles that make all the difference.
⇒ Why Words Matter – tone, phrasing, and timing can change everything.
⇒ No Wrong Answers – creating a safe learning space where mistakes drive progress.
⇒ How to Deliver Feedback That Sticks – so your pupils act on it, not ignore it.
⇒ Why Great Feedback is a Game-Changer – for learners, PDIs, and ADIs alike.

Who’s It For?

⇒ ADIs looking to improve lesson impact.
⇒ PDIs preparing for assessments.
⇒ Trainers, mentors, or instructors who want to transform their communication skills.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll walk away with practical tools and techniques to:

⇒ Give constructive feedback with confidence.
⇒ Turn mistakes into genuine learning opportunities.
⇒ Build stronger rapport with your learners.
⇒ Boost progress and success rates.

Spaces are limited.  Book your seat today to take your coaching skills to the next level.

How to keep your pupils progressing?

If your pupils are stalling (not just the car), you might be missing something. Progress and motivation don’t happen by accident. As instructors, it’s our job to spot habits that hold learners back and find ways to keep them moving forward with confidence.

In this interactive, hands-on session, Kathy Higgins and Leanne Condliff will help you identify what really stops learners from progressing, and how to keep them engaged, motivated, and on the road to success.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Why do pupils switch instructors? Uncovering the hidden reasons.
⇒ Are you losing customers without realising?  Spotting the warning signs.
⇒ Excuses or real issues?  How to tell the difference.
⇒ Breaking habits.  Practical strategies to help pupils push past sticking points.
⇒ Keeping momentum.  Ways to maintain steady progress and motivation.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 and looking to understand pupil progress better.
⇒ ADIs who want to keep learners engaged and avoid pupil drop-off.
⇒ Trainers and mentors supporting others in sustaining progress.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Recognise common pupil habits that stall progress.
⇒ Know how to motivate and re-energise struggling learners.
⇒ Understand why some pupils change instructors, and how to prevent it.
⇒ Leave with practical tools to keep your pupils moving forward.

Spaces are limited, so book your spot today and learn how to keep pupils progressing with confidence.

Test Day Best Practice

Test day. For your learner, it’s one of the biggest milestones in their life. For you, it could be your Part 2, Part 3, or Standards Check. Either way, the pressure is real, and the difference between success and disappointment often comes down to small details.

In this clear, practical workshop, Kathy Higgins and Leanne Condliff will guide you through proven strategies to prepare, plan, and perform on test day with confidence.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ What “best practice” really means – beyond the buzzwords.
⇒ Timing is everything – when to arrive and why it matters.
⇒ The tipping points – subtle factors that can influence results.
⇒ Myth-busting – clearing up common misunderstandings about test day.
⇒ Success strategies – practical tips for learners, PDIs, and ADIs.

Who’s It For?

⇒ Learner-focused ADIs who want smoother test days for their pupils.
⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 2 or Part 3.
⇒ ADIs heading into a Standards Check who want confidence on the big day.

Why Attend?

By the end of this session, you’ll:

⇒ Know exactly what to do (and when) on test day.
⇒ Avoid common mistakes that add unnecessary pressure.
⇒ Be able to guide your learners with confidence and calm.
⇒ Walk into your own test day prepared, focused, and ready to succeed.

Spaces are limited, so book now and take the guesswork out of test day.

Back to Basics Fault ID

Spotting faults in real time is one of the most essential skills for an instructor, yet it’s also one of the hardest to master under pressure. Miss a fault, and progress stalls. Step in too late, and safety is at risk.

In this hands-on, face-to-face session, Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff will take you back to basics, helping you sharpen your focus, your timing, and your confidence in identifying and responding to faults effectively.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ What to look for – recognising faults before they escalate.
⇒ When to step in – balancing safety with learner responsibility.
⇒ How to respond – giving clear, constructive feedback that sticks.
⇒ Confidence in real time – staying calm and effective under pressure.
⇒ Practical application – tools and techniques you can use immediately.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3.
⇒ ADIs facing a Standards Check.
⇒ Any instructor who wants to strengthen their fault identification skills.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Be faster and sharper at spotting learner faults.
⇒ Know when and how to step in effectively.
⇒ Deliver feedback that helps learners improve.
⇒ Build confidence for both everyday lessons and test situations.

Spaces are limited, so book now and take your observation and coaching skills to the next level.

The DL 25 explained by a retired DVSA examiner.

Ever wondered exactly what examiners are thinking when they mark the DL25? This is your chance to find out, straight from someone who’s been on the other side of the clipboard.

Join Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff for this unique workshop with special guest Ted, a retired DVSA examiner for both Cat B and Cat A tests. Ted will break down how faults are recorded on the DL25 and explain what really separates a minor from a serious or dangerous fault.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Not worthy faults – what they are (and why they don’t get marked).
⇒ Driver faults – how they’re recorded and why they matter.
⇒ Serious faults – what tips an error into this category.
⇒ Dangerous faults – the red line every pupil must avoid.
⇒ Examiner insight – what goes through their mind when marking.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 or looking to understand fault marking better.
⇒ ADIs supporting learners through their driving tests.
⇒ Trainers, mentors, and instructors who want a real examiner’s perspective.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Understand exactly how faults are judged and recorded.
⇒ Be able to explain fault categories clearly to your learners.
⇒ Gain confidence in preparing pupils for test-day performance.
⇒ Hear directly from an experienced former DVSA examiner.

Spaces are limited, so book today and get clarity on what examiners are really looking for.

Developing your pupils’ skills – Tell-Ask-Assess

Risk management isn’t just about ticking DVSA boxes.  It’s about protecting your car, your pupils, and yourself. The Tell-Ask-Assess method helps instructors strike the right balance between pupil responsibility, analysis, and safety in every lesson.

In this hands-on, practical workshop, Kathy Higgins and Leanne Condliff will show you how to apply Tell-Ask-Assess in real-world situations, turning potential risks into valuable learning opportunities.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ Spotting avoidable risks – from chipped alloys to blown tyres.
⇒ Shared responsibility – knowing when to tell, when to ask, and when to assess.
⇒ Protecting your vehicle – reducing unnecessary wear and tear.
⇒ Safeguarding wellbeing – managing your own stress and your pupils’.
⇒ Smarter decision-making – using Tell-Ask-Assess to keep lessons safe and effective.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3.
⇒ ADIs looking to strengthen their Standards Check performance.
⇒ Trainers and mentors wanting to embed stronger risk management habits.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Know how to use Tell-Ask-Assess effectively in lessons.
⇒ Spot early warning signs of both mechanical and behavioural risks.
⇒ Keep your car in better condition and reduce costly damage.
⇒ Support your pupils’ progress while keeping stress levels low.

Spaces are limited, so book now and take a proactive approach to safer, smarter teaching.

To be confirmed…

Diversity of Pupils

Every pupil is different, and as instructors, our success depends on how well we embrace those differences. From personality types and behaviours to cultural backgrounds and expectations, diversity is something every ADI and PDI will encounter daily. How we respond can shape both the learner’s experience and our business reputation.

Join Kathy Higgins & Leanne Condliff for an engaging, face-to-face workshop exploring the importance of diversity and inclusion in driver training.

What You’ll Explore

⇒ What is Diversity & Inclusion? And why it matters for instructors.
⇒ The business impact. Why this could be the most important thing you do.
⇒ Dealing with awkward customers. Turning challenges into positive outcomes.
⇒ Embracing diversity. Learning from and adapting to your pupils.
⇒ Professional standards. How to treat every pupil fairly and consistently.

Who’s It For?

⇒ PDIs preparing for Part 3 or entering the industry.
⇒ ADIs who want to strengthen their customer service and teaching approach.
⇒ Anyone looking to build a more inclusive and successful business.

Why Attend?

By the end of this workshop, you’ll:

⇒ Better understand diversity and inclusion in the training environment.
⇒ Have strategies for handling tricky or “awkward” customer situations.
⇒ Feel confident in adapting your teaching and communication to different learners.
⇒ Enhance your reputation as a professional, inclusive instructor.

Spaces are limited. Book your place today and take your business to the next level.