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Lesson Plus Founder Sohail Amjid Recognised with Heroes of Industry 2026 Award - Midlands Driving School Going the Extra Mile

Nottingham-based instructor and trainer champions professional development, road safety and a more personalised approach to learning.

Sohail Amjid, commonly known as Sam Malik, founder of Lesson Plus Driving School Nottingham and Lesson Plus Driving Instructor Academy Nottingham, has been recognised with the Heroes of Industry 2026 Award – Midlands Driving School: Going The Extra Mile.

The award recognises outstanding leadership, exceptional customer service and a continued commitment to excellence within the driving school industry, alongside a strong reputation for professionalism, integrity and supporting both learners and the wider community.

Sam has built his career around a simple principle: helping people develop the skills and confidence to progress safely and independently.

An experienced driving instructor, trainer and coach, he has become increasingly recognised for an approach that looks beyond simply preparing learners for a driving test. His work focuses on building judgement, confidence, responsibility and long-term road awareness, while also supporting the next generation of driving instructors as they enter the profession.

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Lesson Plus Driving School Heroes Award Logo v1

“My primary goal is to help people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals safely and independently,” he explains.

That individual approach has become central to the work of Lesson Plus. Every learner brings a different level of experience, confidence and understanding, which means teaching cannot be based on a single method. Sam believes good instruction comes from recognising those differences and adapting accordingly.

This outlook is also reflected in his wider professional development. Sam is an SCQF Level 8 Qualified Driving Instructor Trainer, holds an MSc in Materials Science and Applied Physics, is a qualified ADHD coach, and has postgraduate diplomas in Information Technology and E-Commerce & International Marketing. He is also an IDEA Brand Partner for Nottinghamshire.

Alongside learner development, Sam has placed increasing emphasis on instructor education through Lesson Plus Driving Instructor Academy. Supporting trainee and qualified instructors has become an important part of his work, particularly when it comes to professional standards, reflective practice and continued learning.

He encourages instructors to look beyond pass rates and ask more meaningful questions about the quality of the learning taking place.

Rather than focusing solely on whether a learner has passed, Sam believes instructors should consider what the learner has genuinely understood and whether their teaching could have been adapted to produce a better outcome.

That mindset is particularly important as the driving instruction industry continues to change.

Lesson Plus Driving School - Heroes Digital Plaque

Sam believes the next decade will bring greater professionalisation and specialisation across the sector. Areas including neurodiversity, coaching, instructor training, continuing professional development, advanced driver development and technology-supported learning are likely to become increasingly important.

Driving instructors are already expected to understand far more than vehicle control. Risk management, communication, human behaviour, accessibility and different learning styles now form a significant part of the profession.

For instructors looking to remain competitive, Sam believes continued development will be essential.

“We cannot expect our industry to develop if we stop developing ourselves.”

It is a philosophy that also shapes the culture within Lesson Plus. Sam views professional development as an ongoing process rather than something that ends once an instructor qualifies.

Keeping up to date with DVSA guidance, national standards, legislation and wider industry developments forms part of that process, alongside CPD, professional networking and honest reflection on performance.

Sam is a member of both the Midlands Instructors Group and the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain, helping him remain connected with developments and conversations across the profession.

His work has also attracted a growing list of industry recognition. Previous honours include the Intelligent Instructor Award 2023 for Best Driving Instructor in the East Midlands, the Intelligent Instructor Award 2024 for Best Driving School – Regional, the Elevate Business Awards 2026 for Best Driving Instructor Academy in Nottinghamshire, the Innovative & Excellence Awards 2026 – Driving School of the Year, and the SME UK Transport Awards 2026 – Most Trusted Driving School, East Midlands.

For Sam, however, awards are not a reason to become complacent. He sees recognition as encouragement to continue improving, while maintaining the standards, learner outcomes and commitment to safety that built the reputation in the first place.

His academic background has also influenced the way he approaches training, bringing an emphasis on evidence, structured learning and continuous improvement into his work with both learners and instructors.

That sense of responsibility is particularly important when considering the wider impact of learning to drive. For many people, gaining a licence can open opportunities in employment, education and family life, while also providing a greater sense of independence.

But Sam is equally clear that the profession carries significant responsibility.

Driving instructors are not simply preparing people to pass a practical assessment. They are helping shape attitudes, decision-making and behaviour on the road, potentially influencing how safely someone drives for years to come.

That is also the message he gives to anyone considering entering the profession.

Sam advises new instructors to focus first on becoming skilled, adaptable and professional educators before concentrating on building a busy diary. Communication, coaching, risk management and understanding how people learn should all be treated as essential parts of the role.

He also encourages instructors to view the ADI qualification as the beginning of their professional development rather than the end.

Reputation, he believes, is built through reliability, integrity, professionalism and genuine care for learners. His advice is simple: “Learn first. Develop your skills. Build trust. The earning potential will follow.”

As Lesson Plus Driving School Nottingham and Lesson Plus Driving Instructor Academy continue to grow, Sam remains focused on raising standards, supporting learners and helping instructors build careers grounded in knowledge and responsibility, with the belief that great instruction is not just about helping someone pass a test, but helping create a safer and more responsible driver for life.

Contact

Phone: 07577877335

Email: mylessonplus@gmail.com

Website: lessonplus.co.uk