Introduction
As an ADI or PDI have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions?
- How can I keep up to date with new information and changes in the industry?
- Where can I go instantly to get professional and confidential help and advice if I need it?
- Who can help if I ever need legal advice?
- How can I meet and interact with other ADIs?
- How can I improve my skills and continue my CPD?
- How can I make sure my views are heard and represented?
- Where can I find discounted services and benefits I can make use of?
To help with any of the above and more, join a national association, and if you have a local one nearby, make sure you are part of that too. It makes good business sense to be part of a national association.
Joining a National Association
As an ADI or PDI, don’t bury your head in the sand and think you will not need one; it is too late when you are in trouble, so be ready.
A perfectly good professional relationship with a client can suddenly turn challenging, with them making claims and threats if they feel something is unfair. You could be reported to the DVSA or the police for your conduct.
To support you, take the stress away and give you professional advice, a national association is there to benefit its members. As a member of a national association, they can help you write important letters, attend DVSA interviews with you, and guide you through a tribunal process, all of which could cost thousands of pounds if handled via a solicitor.
Being part of an association provides peace of mind that reliable help is available.
Benefits of Joining an Association
National associations offer a huge range of support and resources to member ADIs, including:
- Comprehensive professional support on all matters related to your work and business, including Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
- Helplines with regular access
- Specialist assistance on any queries related to clients, the public or any legal or technical advice
- Representation and help at DVSA investigations and tribunal support
- Special member resources and discounts
- CPD to further your development and training courses often at discounted prices, members meetings, face to face and online
- Conferences and events at discounted costs
- Newsletters, blogs and breaking news
- Connections to other members via social media
- Allow you a route to help shape the future and have your say. The associations liaise and attend meetings with DVSA, the Department for Transport and some are members of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, PACTS.
Key National Associations
There are 3 main national associations that represent and support ADIs. These are:
Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC)
Telephone: 0800 8202 444
Email: secretary@adinjc.org.uk
Website: www.adinjc.org.uk
Driving Instructors Association
Telephone: 020 8686 8010
Email: help@driving.org
Website: www.driving.org
Motor Schools Association of Great Britain
Telephone: 01787 221020
Email: info@msagb.com
Website: www.msagb.com
The three main associations come together as a joint group called the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) to share ideas, experience and expertise to move the profession forward and tackle key issues. They liaise between the DVSA and ADIs. Their website is www.n-a-s-p.co.uk, where you will find details of their work, the meetings they hold, and reports of those meetings with the DVSA, so ADIs and PDIs can stay up to date.
There is a section on the DVSA website (See link) on national associations and DVSA do encourage ADIs to join one. Many ADIs join more than one and PDIs can join too.
For myself as an ADI a national driving instructors association means having security and being safe and not alone. I have been an ADI for many years and always been part of both a national and local association.
Lynne Barrie
MA Driver Training, ORDIT Trainer, ADINJC President
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