The Intelligent Instructor Driving Instructor Convention proves to be yet another great success for everyone involved.

It brought together hundreds of driver training professionals for a packed day of learning, debate and networking.

This annual event again underlined its status as one of the most influential days in the UK’s road safety calendar.

The menu

The Driving Instructor convention at Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes on 22 March, was organised by Intelligent Instructor and the ADINJC.

It delivered what organisers described as a “high-energy, content-rich day” aimed at informing and upskilling instructors at every stage of their careers, particularly by taking the subject matter to an even deeper level of understanding.

 With more than 300 attendees and a strong line-up of expert speakers, both academic and industry professionals, looking at the work of driving instructors, a deeper understanding of their pupils, theories of effective teaching methods and effective road safety training.

It was an event that combined professional development with industry insight, offering five hours of CPD-accredited seminars alongside a busy exhibition space showcasing the latest products and services.

Recipes and ingredients

At the heart of the convention was a programme of nine presentations delivered by leading figures from across the driver training and road safety sectors.

Speakers included senior representatives from the DVSA – Amanda Lane, Stuart Gale and Kim Hughes – alongside driver training industry leaders such as Lynne Barrie of the ADINJC and performance psychologist Simon Hartley.

The range of topics covered was intended to reflect the evolving challenges facing our profession.

Road safety remained a central theme, with Dr Elizabeth Box of the RAC Foundation providing research-led insights, particularly on the positive contributions parents and guardians of pupils can make to the learning process and the ongoing attitudes behind the wheel./

Meanwhile, Alan Hiscox of the British Horse Society emphasised the importance of understanding drivers’ responsibilities when sharing the road safely with vulnerable users.

But perhaps the most powerful and impactful sessions came from campaigner Sharron Huddleston.

She delivered an emotional presentation on young driver safety following the death of her daughter in a crash.

Her talk served as a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of poor driving standards.

It reinforced the instructor’s role in shaping safer drivers, particularly the young learners just starting on their journey through life behind the wheel – while youth and inexperience are huge dangers, setting the positive attributes of safe, responsible driving at this early stage can instil positive driving habits that will serve them, and all road users well, throughout their driving lives.

Des O’Connor, founder of AI for Driving Instructors, explored the emerging trends of artificial intelligence in driver training and how it can be utilised to make the business side of driver training more effective and profitable, improving outcomes for both the ADI and the pupil.

 Further sessions included: Tom Stenson, Head of Training at the ADINJC; Phil Cowley and Dianna Todd, founder of Inspire Drivers Training; and Terry Cook, founder of The Instructor Podcast.

The day was a mix of road safety, business development strategies, and teaching and coaching techniques designed to improve pupil outcomes, ensuring broad relevance for both experienced Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and those still in training.

On a plate

Beyond the seminar rooms, delegates had access to a busy exhibition area featuring more than 30 industry suppliers.

Here, instructors were able to engage directly with companies offering everything from in-car technology and insurance products to training platforms and business management tools.

The hands-on nature of the expo allowed attendees to explore innovations that could enhance both teaching methods and business efficiency.

Networking was another major component of the event.

With over 300 professionals in attendance across the weekend, the convention provided valuable opportunities to share ideas, discuss challenges and build connections within what many describe as a close-knit industry community.

And all this followed on from a gala dinner and awards ceremony the evening before, which celebrated excellence across the sector and set the tone for a weekend focused on professional pride, development and collaboration.

The takeaway

The key takeaway from the day was a renewed sense of purpose and professionalism.

It covered a breadth of topics, from road safety research to coaching psychology, highlighting the increasingly complex role of the modern driving instructor.

Delegates left with practical tools to improve lesson delivery, insights into regulatory developments, and new ideas for growing their businesses in a competitive market.

The emphasis on continuous professional development reinforced the importance of lifelong learning within the sector.

Equally significant was the sense of community.

Comments included: 
 
 
“Networking. Talking to others with the same ethos and values in respect of training. Some excellent speakers, reinforcing knowledge.”
 
“The passion in the industry”
 
“I felt very good after listening… [and] the exhibitions were very good.”

All the feedback points to the value of bringing instructors together to share experiences and support one another in raising standards across the industry.

As the driver training landscape continues to evolve, with new technologies, changing learner expectations and ongoing road safety challenges, the 2026 convention demonstrated the critical role such events can play in keeping instructors informed, connected and inspired, ensuring the profession moves forward together.

Why not set a date in your diary for next year’s ADI Convention? Find out more here.