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Malcolm Fortnam Driver Training

Whether you are a complete beginner, wanting to learn the skill of driving from scratch, a qualified driver who wants to increase your confidence in some particular aspect of driving, or a very experienced driver who wants to raise your skill to a higher level, perhaps including taking an advanced driving test, then I can help you to achieve your aim. Even very experienced drivers can lose their confidence if they have been involved in some kind of trauma on the road. Sympathetic help can be given to help such people to restore their confidence to new levels and get life back to normal.

When you are choosing a driving instructor it isn’t easy to know what to look for. In advertisements you will often see a list of abbreviations that won’t mean much if you don’t know what they stand for. They could be relevant qualifications, or they could just indicate membership of organisations where only a subscription is necessary. I list below my own qualifications and services, so that you will know what you are getting if you choose to come with me.

ADI

ADI stands for Approved Driving Instructor. This is the only compulsory qualification that all driving instructors must have in order to charge for their services. Three exams are involved; a 100 question theory test, an advanced style driving test and a test of instructional ability. All ADIs are check tested periodically and graded from one to six. Six is the highest grade and that is my current grading. Certificate available for inspection on request. Only about 8% of instructors in the country are grade six.

DIA

DIAmond Advanced Instructor. The form of the first word is so written because it is administered by the Driving Instructors Association (DIA). This qualification involves passing 5 separate 2 hour written examinations on different aspects of driving instruction. Also candidates must pass the same driving test that Driving Standards Agency examiners have to pass. Finally we have to sign a strict code of conduct applied by the Driving Instructors Association. I am also an examiner for the DIAmond advanced driving test.

RoSPA

Rospa

RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Diploma in Advanced Driving Instruction. Open to members of the RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association who already hold their ‘gold’ award, this is a 4 day course culminating in a test of ability to instruct in class and in car, including an advanced level demonstration drive with running commentary. It is a requirement to re-qualify in this test every 3 years. For 10 years I was the chairman of the Devon voluntary group for the RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association.