2019 is well and truly underway and that means I'm into my 30th year of teaching and things have changed so much in that time.
I started my business with an old second hand Ford Fiesta that didn't have any dual controls. Imagine that! I soon added some after a few scary moments and have used them ever since. The driving test was still only 20 minutes with some theory questions and signs at the end. It all seems a world away from the current 40 minute test with its 20 minutes of independent driving with SatNav etc.
The theory test came along in 1996 and the hazard perception test was added in 2002 to make sure students were aware of the potential hazards on the roads. In 2003 the 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions were added to the practical test with moving questions added in 2017. The manoeuvre's in the test have changed too with the old turn in the road (three point turn) and the dreaded left hand reverse being removed back in December 2017 and replaced with forward bay parking and offside parking with its seemingly silly two car length reverse. I'll be honest and say I still question the value of such a manoeuvre and tell my students that it's still best practice to park on your own side of the road where safe.
So, a great many things have changed in my 30 years as an instructor, not always for the good, but one thing has stayed the same, and that's the pride get when one of my students passes their test, gets their full licence and takes to the roads on their own. Knowing that I have helped them achieve that is still the best feeling in the world and what got me into this job in the first place. When that feeling is no longer there then I know it will be time to hand in my ADI licence, but for now its a case of bring on the future, whatever it holds. Safe driving!
I started my business with an old second hand Ford Fiesta that didn't have any dual controls. Imagine that! I soon added some after a few scary moments and have used them ever since. The driving test was still only 20 minutes with some theory questions and signs at the end. It all seems a world away from the current 40 minute test with its 20 minutes of independent driving with SatNav etc.
The theory test came along in 1996 and the hazard perception test was added in 2002 to make sure students were aware of the potential hazards on the roads. In 2003 the 'Show Me, Tell Me' questions were added to the practical test with moving questions added in 2017. The manoeuvre's in the test have changed too with the old turn in the road (three point turn) and the dreaded left hand reverse being removed back in December 2017 and replaced with forward bay parking and offside parking with its seemingly silly two car length reverse. I'll be honest and say I still question the value of such a manoeuvre and tell my students that it's still best practice to park on your own side of the road where safe.
So, a great many things have changed in my 30 years as an instructor, not always for the good, but one thing has stayed the same, and that's the pride get when one of my students passes their test, gets their full licence and takes to the roads on their own. Knowing that I have helped them achieve that is still the best feeling in the world and what got me into this job in the first place. When that feeling is no longer there then I know it will be time to hand in my ADI licence, but for now its a case of bring on the future, whatever it holds. Safe driving!
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