MSA GB; Driving Mobility

We are thrilled to announce a brand-new partnership with Driving Mobility. A UK-based charity, Driving Mobility, helps people with disabilities or medical conditions maintain or regain their independence by providing assessments, advice, and support related to driving and mobility, including vehicle adaptations and accessible transport solutions. Supported by the Department for Transport in England its assessors, including ADIs, assess and advise drivers with disabilities who self-refer or are referred from the DVLA, Motability, NHS and the Police. You can find out more about Driving Mobility here.

At MSA GB, we believe that driving should be accessible to everyone. As the UK’s leading association for driving instructors, we are committed to promoting inclusivity in driver training. By partnering with Driving Mobility, we aim to support instructors in developing the knowledge and skills needed to teach individuals with diverse needs, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to gain and retain their independence through driving.

As part of this new partnership, we’re asking MSA GB members to take a hand in shaping the future of specialist tuition for disabled drivers, by completing ONE of Driving Mobility’s quick surveys below.

Click here if YOU ARE NOT currently offering specialist tuition.

Click here if YOU ARE already offering specialist tuition.

*Driving Mobility’s definition of specialist tuition This includes tuition for drivers living with any disability or health condition including physical, specific educational/developmental needs or hearing loss.

Why is this information being gathered?

The objective of the project is to start addressing the national shortage of specialist ADIs, including those with adapted vehicles, available to support people with disabilities and additional needs, which in turn create challenges for drivers who need to access specialist tuition. Drivers may need specialist training and support for a variety of reasons, ranging from the use of adapted controls and strategies to manage the challenges their specific needs present, through to support to pass both the theory and driving test.

It is hoped the data captured will help to shape improvements and make an inclusive driving tuition service more widely available.

What are the surveys aiming to find out?

The surveys have the potential to drive change for disabled drivers and increase opportunities for ADIs across the UK. Each ask questions to find out:

 How many ADIs currently deliver specialist tuition

● What areas of expertise can they cover

● Which regions of the UK have a shortage

● What the barriers are to entering the specialist field

● What Driving Mobility and the Motability Foundation can do to help

What has been achieved so far?

Phase one of the research project began in Autumn 2024 and has accomplished the following milestones so far:

● Interviews with ADIs at Driving Mobility centres across the UK

● Engagement with the Association of Disability Driving Instructors

Presentations and awareness-raising activities, including at meetings and events such as the 2024 ADI NJC Conference, Driving Instructors Association webinar, and engagement via national, regional, and local driving schools, instructor associations as well as with independent instructors

Thank you for your support and for helping to shape the future of specialist tuition!