Rephonic
Artwork for The Instructor

The Instructor

Terry Cook
Driving Instructors
Road Safety
DVSA
Coaching
Graduated Driving Licensing
Standards Check
Social Media
Road Safety Strategy
Bright Coaching
The Instructor Podcast
Driver Training Industry
Client-Centered Learning
Protect Young Drivers
Copywriting
Driving Test
Search Engine Optimization
IPP Summit
Driving Mobility
Disability Driving Instruction
My Learner Driver

Holding a mirror up the the driver training industry, to help driving instructors run better and more profitable businesses as well as improving as instructors. I talk with a variety of experts, leaders, innovators and game changers to harness their knowledge and see how we can apply that to our business. If you share the same passion for personal and professional development as me and my guests, ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes280Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusinessEducationSelf-Improvement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Instructor

Latest Episodes

As he prepares to retire after more than 30 years in driver training, Blaine Walsh joins Terry Cook for an honest reflection on his career.

He shares the story behind his early training videos, his work with Louise Walsh and why he feels ready to st... more

This Halloween, Lee Jowett, Mick Knowles, Stewart Lochrie and Tom Stenson join me for a frank discussion about driving instruction and what it means to call ourselves a profession.

After sharing their favourite horror films, we tackle:

• The value ... more

What should PDI training prepare you for beyond passing Part 3?

In this session, Stefan Solomenca takes over the interviewer’s chair to question Terry about the quality of instructor training, why new instructors can feel unprepared, and what needs ... more

Thinking about becoming a driving instructor? Or already working your way through the PDI process?

In this special episode, Terry is joined by Emma Cottington and Tom Stenson for a comprehensive look at what it really takes to become an ADI.

They e... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Lee Jowett
Driving instructor and industry trainer associated with KIT Mag
ADI KIT
Episode: Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Mick Knowles
Driving instructor and trainer
Episode: Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Stewart Lochrie
Chair of the ADI NJC
ADI NJC
Episode: Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Tom Stenson
Driving instructor and Bright Coaching Diploma representative
Bright Coaching
Episode: Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Stefan Solomenca
Driving instructor and ambassador for instructor training.
ADI Kit
Episode: Ask Terry: Are We Preparing PDIs for the Job? - with Stefan Solomenca
Emma Cottington
Driving instructor; guest on episode
Drive Up Training / Up Driver Training
Episode: The Ultimate PDI Podcast
Chris Bensted
Driving instructor, industry expert
DITC (The Instructor Performance and Psychology / TheDITC)
Episode: From the Vault: Was the practice area suitable?
Sharon Huddleston
Road safety campaigner focused on graduated driving licensing
Forget Me Not Families United
Episode: Why Young Drivers Need More Support
Ian Greenwood
Researcher and road safety advocate with expertise in GDL
Sister podcasts The Dragon Interrupted and Vision Zero; connected to Caitlin's Campaign
Episode: Why Young Drivers Need More Support

Host

Terry Cook
Host of The Instructor Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • Awesome !!

    Been listening to Terry and his guest for over 2 years now , whilst I was a PDI and still now a year after I qualified and his content is soooo valuable!! I’ve learnt so much about training the industry & so much more.

    Any one wanting to expand their knowledge within the industry and learn from some of the best known names then look no further, his content is so engaging and interesting for someone entering into the driving instructor industry

    Gutted to hear your thinking of stopping these at ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nikkinu84.
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • What do you want? Jam on it?

    This is a fantastic resource for anyone who is an ADI or PDI or anyone who is thinking about starting the Journey. Start with the free episodes then get more with the membership you won’t regret it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shh it’s Daniel
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Just listen

    Terry has really created an enjoyable thought provoking podcast that not only challenges norms but really gets your thoughts flowing on a variety of topics. Standards check, mindfulness, business, dvsa, health, mental health, social media, coaching, instruction, top tips. You name he has it and I often find myself smiling whilst I listen. I am NOT a podcast learner but I certainly listen to this and pay for the premium. You won’t regret it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Di1102
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Every driving instructor should listen to this podcast!

    If you are a driving instructor then you simply must listen to this. Up to date industry news, high quality expert guests, fantastic variety of subjects. I know count Terrys podcast as the single biggest positive influence on my professional development. Outstanding.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Iwanscarlets
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A ‘must’ listen

    Bless you Terry, you probably don’t know how brilliant you are at bringing together some of the best Cpd content I’ve ever heard from the best trainers in the industry.

    Every podcast is interesting and enlightening.

    Even though you always play down your own skills as a trainer, you are a genius at picking the best trainer and topic.

    The instructor podcast is a must listen for anyone in the industry.

    Keep up the great work Terry

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ady9507
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are engaging, with actionable takeaways for real-world teaching.
Premium content and diverse perspectives are repeatedly highlighted as standout features.
Listeners praise high-quality guests and practical CPD value.
Community-friendly, supportive vibe and strong guest lineup keep listeners returning.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Q: What changes could improve the quality of driving instructor training?
The guests suggest moving beyond test-focused preparation, strengthening entry requirements, setting experience and qualification standards for trainers, and creating clearer professional levels and structured development pathways.
Do Driving Instructors Really Matter?
Q: Does the driving instruction profession matter?
Lee Jowett says it helps people gain independence and access future opportunities, and that instructors can provide safer, better-informed teaching than family members. The panel also says instructors' contribution to road safety and professional recognition could be greater.
Ask Terry: Are We Preparing PDIs for the Job? - with Stefan Solomenca
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking for a PDI trainer or maybe what red flags should be looking out for them?
Cook recommends researching trainers before committing, considering how they communicate and whether they listen, and asking to observe one of their lessons. If something feels wrong, he advises asking the trainer or seeking another perspective.
Ask Terry: Are We Preparing PDIs for the Job? - with Stefan Solomenca
Q: What do you think is the current state of the PDI training in the UK?
Cook describes a mixed landscape, with excellent trainers and PDIs alongside poor-quality training and negative attitudes. He says the experience varies depending on which trainers and trainees someone encounters.
From the Vault: Was the practice area suitable?
Q: Who should you take for a standards check?
Take someone who reliably turns up and can keep the wheels moving, so you can focus on the actual teaching and testing process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Instructor

What is The Instructor about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, practitioner-focused show that interviews driving-instruction leaders, researchers, coaches, and road-safety advocates. Episodes regularly explore pedagogy, coaching, CPD, and the business side of running instructors' organizations, with frequent emphasis on improving safety, student outcomes, and profitability. Notable angles include policy shifts in driver training, the responsible use of technology, mindfulness and mindset in teaching, and community-driven campaigns that shape public dialogue around young-driver safety. The format often blends hands-on tips, coaching frameworks, and industry-wide context, making it a strong resource for instructors seeking actionable strategies and professional growth.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Instructor?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Instructor. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Instructor and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Instructor get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Instructor, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Instructor?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Instructor, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Instructor have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Instructor has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Instructor?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Instructor:

1. Dipod - The Driving Instructors Podcast
2. Inspire Instructor Training Podcast
3. One Minute Driving Instructor Tips
4. Driving Instructors and Vision Zero
5. The Martin Lewis Podcast

How many episodes of The Instructor are there?

The Instructor launched 6 years ago and published 280 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Instructor?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Instructor?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Instructor from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Instructor?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Instructor. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Instructor?

Recent guests on The Instructor include:

1. Lee Jowett
2. Mick Knowles
3. Stewart Lochrie
4. Tom Stenson
5. Stefan Solomenca
6. Emma Cottington
7. Chris Bensted
8. Sharon Huddleston

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days