History of the Association

The Wessex Association of Driving Schools was the brainchild of Ken Matthews who was Chairman and a member for a number of years. It was formed in l975 with the object of Instructors having some form of unity, exchange of ideas, mutual aid and support.

Areas covered: Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster, Melksham, Devizes and Frome. Driving instructors from these regions are more than welcome to join our Association. Please contact any member for further details.

We are affiliated to the National Joint Council of Driving Instructors. Much correspondence has been exchanged between the Association and the former Ministry of Transport and later DVSA, by way of opinions, suggestions and complaints. We have also lobbied our various MPs.

We liaise with senior members of the DVSA and also Highway Authority on a number of issues. Have regularly had guest speakers at our meetings from Highways Dept. Police, various Insurance Brokers and the I.A.M.

From time-to-time, members have acted as examiners at local road safety events.

At one stage, the Association made annual visits to Cardington, the Examiners training centre.

On the lighter side, we have social events including quizzes, BBQs, skittles evenings and the Annual Christmas dinner.

Despite the fact the many Associations have folded we have kept going, with a strong, regular attendance at our monthly meetings. We hope to carry on and recruit new members. We meet at the Lamb, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge normally on a Tuesday each month.