A hearts and minds approach – Empowering driver trainers in Tunisia

RoSPA Advanced Driver Trainer, Paul Huskins, recently travelled to the port city of Sfax in Tunisia to deliver the RoSPA Level 3 International Award for Driver Trainers to six delegates. Here he gives an insight into what takes place during delivery of the course.

The Level 3 International Award for Driver Trainers has been specifically developed to support driver trainers outside the UK to coach others in their organisations to the highest driving standards.

Paul has been an Advanced Driving Instructor since 1999 and specialises in behavioural driver coaching, using a “hearts and minds” approach.

Of his trip to Tunisia, Paul says: “Every country has its own rhythm on the road, its own pulse that shapes how people drive. Understanding that rhythm is always the first step in tailoring meaningful training delivery. “What strikes me every time I return to a place like this is how much you learn before you ever start the engine. Watching traffic flow—or sometimes not flow—gives you an instant feel for local culture, confidence levels and the unwritten rules of the road. It’s not about judging the style but about understanding it. That understanding helps shape how we deliver training that genuinely lands.”

Day 1 – Connection before correction

The delegates Paul trained in Sfax were from oilfield services company, OiLSERV; three from Algeria and three from Libya. Paul said: “Each brought their own experience, insight and enthusiasm to the programme.

“The first day of any course isn’t about the vehicle or the curriculum—it’s about people. We begin by learning names, stories and experiences. Who they are, where they drive and what challenges they face. “Before a single concept is introduced, the priority is to build trust. That human connection sets the tone for everything that follows. When people feel respected and understood, they’re far more open to learning—and to questioning their own habits.”

Day 2 – Local roads, global lessons

Paul said: “By the second day, we’re out on the road—and every drive is an education in itself. “Getting used to the local driving style is always an eye-opening experience. Tunisia’s roads are alive with movement and improvisation; signals are more suggestion than instruction, and defensive driving takes on a whole new meaning. “But that’s the beauty of it. When you look past the surface chaos, you see patterns, instincts and coping mechanisms that reveal how local drivers read and respond to risk. For us as trainers, that insight is gold dust—it helps us shape training that respects local realities while introducing safer, more sustainable behaviours. “Every trip reinforces the same lesson: skill without mindset is fragile. True safety comes from awareness, empathy and adaptability.”

Day 3 – Behavioural change in practice

According to Paul, “Mid-week is where the technical meets the psychological. “Our train-the-trainer programmes go beyond teaching how to handle a 4x4—they explore why drivers make the choices they do. We look at behavioural triggers, decision-making under pressure and how to influence others effectively through coaching rather than instruction. “That blend of psychology and practicality is where transformation happens. When a trainer learns how to connect with someone’s mindset—not just their mirror checks or gear changes—they gain the power to shape behaviour long after the course ends.”

Day 4 – Learning how to learn

Paul said: “By the time we reach the classroom phase, something shifts. “Today’s session was all about developing and practicing learning events—how to plan, structure and deliver sessions that truly engage others. Even though everyone in the room was already an experienced trainer, the energy was infectious. “People shared methods, adapted ideas and explored creative ways to make learning more dynamic. What stood out most was the openness: no competition, just collaboration. It’s a reminder that learning never stops, no matter how long you’ve been in the job. In fact, it’s often the most experienced trainers who gain the most from these exchanges—they rediscover curiosity.”

Empowering trainers to think beyond the vehicle

“At the heart of this programme is a simple philosophy: we’re not just teaching people to drive safely—we’re helping them think safely,” says Paul. “That means empowering trainers to move beyond vehicle handling and into the deeper human factors that influence risk. Fatigue, distraction, culture, motivation—these shape driving behaviour far more than steering technique ever will. “As RoSPA trainers, our role is to plant those seeds of reflection, helping others develop self-awareness and decision-making skills that ripple through their organisations. “Whether it’s a British fleet driver or an Oilserve 4x4 operator from North Africa, the principle is the same: safety starts in the mind, not the gearbox.”

Learning together, growing together

Paul says that every time he delivers training overseas, he is “reminded that learning is a two-way street. The more I share, the more I learn—from the environment, the delegates and the shared commitment to improvement. “In Sfax, that spirit of collaboration was stronger than ever. The Oilserve trainers left not only with new techniques but with renewed purpose—to influence, to coach and to lead by example. “And for me, it was another reminder of why this work matters. Behind every classroom session and every dusty 4x4 track lies the same universal goal: to help people go home safely, every day.

“We’re not just teaching people to drive safely — we’re helping them think safely.”

Ready to take your driver trainers to the next level and make a significant impact on road safety? Book our RoSPA Level 3 International Award for Driver Trainers and transform your organisation’s ability to coach, assess and inspire safer driving practices. https://www.rospa.com/health-and-safety-courses/driver-training/rospa-level-3-international-award-for-driver-trainers