For so many, March 2020 was the beginning of a new way of life. Uncertainty and concern about health, work and the future came to the fore.

On a personal level I found myself struggling with how I would sustain my career as a driving instructor with one lockdown after another. Being self-employed, falling through cracks of limited relief. It was a mixed bag of emotions, being unable to help my students and worry of an uncertain future. These were exacerbated by feeling alone with little to no support from the very agency we are regulated by and serve.

Our Charges

Students have been struggling on so many levels. Not only with their own lives in general, but stressed about driving progress, particularly when unable to practice privately. With driving tests being moved, sometimes several times, it has been a challenge to keep them motivated and positive. Helping maintain their standards without feeling they are constantly spending more and more money, and on lessons they can ill afford beyond their initial budget expectations. Add to this the isolation some are experiencing, especially those already struggling with the issues at University, it has been a tough time. 

Helping my students has been a real honour. It is not only about their driving, but in providing an escape route, enabling them to see life outside their four walls and help vent frustrations. During the lockdowns I have done my best to remain in regular contact to update and often educate remotely. This has helped them feel less alone alone, keeping up training momentum, helping motivate while also mitigating further stresses.

I am so pleased that all my students taking their driving test during 2020 passed first time, several with zero driving faults. This a great achievement showing my students faith in me and a commitment to being safe drivers. It also alleviates further delay, cost, stress of needing to retake a test, while relieving the need to waste valuable and limited test slot availability.

United We Stand

Fortunately, I have the opportunity to support fellow Instructors through positive discussions and conversations. I often help them with sharing ideas, concerns and solutions. This enables us practically understand we are all in this together, particularly during the lockdowns.

My gratitude goes out to those who have supported me. My wife has been amazing putting up with my lockdown commentary driving during essential shopping trips. They have helped me maintain my own driving skills.

The ADINJC, DIA and Intelligent Instructor have all been incredible with their online community of support. It has kept us all informed with relevant news, updates and training opportunities.

The Pull of Positivity

I have tried to turn the negative of lockdowns into a positive, using the time wisely while maintaining a normal schedule each day. Still getting up 5:45am to start the day, latterly an hour walk with my wife to try and keep healthy and invigorated. I have taken up baking bread, completed DIY house tasks put off for years and undertaken online courses for my CPD. I’ve completed Drivers CPC, MoD Prevent and MoD Care of Trainees to allow training of desperate Military personnel.

During the initial lockdown I was one of the first to complete the DIA key worker course and certification in order to help key/critical front line workers remain indefinitely mobile.

Sharing & Caring

Helping a few good causes has also been a valuable source of positive motivation. Knowing you are helping others less fortunate than yourselves really helps you to keep perspective. My local food bank, donation of computers to those struggling with homeschooling and petitions to help the self-employed with financial support have been very rewarding.

These are all ways we can help feel we have a purpose at times when our own normal working life is being impacted beyond our control.

ADI of the Year

Being awarded the accolade ‘Driving Instructor of the Year 2019’ from Intelligent Instructor was one of the greatest achievements in my life. I am so grateful to so many for believing in me. This award continues to mean the world to me. 

My existing students were so proud and pleased for me. New students have invigorated confidence in my abilities to help them become safe drivers for life.

Despite this global pandemic following shortly after this accolade, my conviction has continued.  I am certain it would have waned without this recognition. Our driving school ‘A2B Driving School’ in  Bristol continues to enjoy a high level of confidence from new students. This will no doubt attract even more ADIs to our team going forward. 

You Can Vote

The Intelligent Instructor Awards shortlist has now been published. Help reward those who deserve recognition across our industry, and help drive us to greater professional recognitions.

Driving Instructor Car of the Year

Car Supplier of the Year

Driving Instructor Insurer of the Year

National Driving School of the Year

Product of the Year

Professional Support Provider of the Year

Cast your vote here