The Importance of Insurance for Driving Schools

Posted on August 27th, 2010 by admin, under Driving Research and Statistics, Driving Schools.

The number of vehicles on our roads is growing by the year. Every single day, more and more budding drivers are booking lessons with their instructors, eager to be part of the vehicular revolution. However, there is also a down side to all of this; the more cars that we have on our roads, the more accidents will occur…

Anyone who makes their living by teaching others how to drive will be fully aware of the many hazards on our roads. Tailgating, speeding and overtaking on bends are all frighteningly common problems. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good a driver you are, if you are unlucky enough to meet someone driving their vehicle recklessly, then you may well be involved in a collision. Even driving instructors will need to make car and accident claims if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time!

And this is why it is so important to have a good standard of protection in place. Many people will simply see insurance as being a legal requirement and a rather expensive necessity; but this is an unhealthy way to think. In the wake of an accident, the quality of your cover really can make all the difference to how quickly you are able to get your life back on track. And if you run your own driving school, then this will be doubly important! For a driving instructor, a car is the singularly most important item to have. And if it is off the road, then your income will immediately grind to a halt.

Of course, anyone will want their vehicle repaired/replaced as quickly as possible after an accident, but if your livelihood depends on it, then it is so much more serious. Some insurance companies will deal with claims far quicker than others and it is well worth looking around. This is where the internet proves to be very useful; not only can we use it to get quotes, but it will also provide us with plenty of information about each insurer!

Many people will make the mistake of trying to find the very cheapest insurance, but this is often a bad idea. There are plenty of companies out there who will offer you cover for a really low price, but at what other cost? Just how comprehensive will your policy be? And how quickly will they deal with any claims? Finding the right insurance isn’t simply about tracking down the lowest quote, there is far more to it all than that.

We all like to find ourselves a bargain whenever we can, but vehicle insurance is very much an exception. So save your ‘penny-pinching’ for other products and concentrate on the quality of your cover instead! Your vehicle is very important to you and keeping it adequately protected is of paramount importance; especially if you are using it to shape the drivers of tomorrow!

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Learning to Drive with Special Needs

Posted on November 26th, 2009 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Schools.

Having moderate learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Aspergers syndrome can’t deny you an opportunity to learn to drive. This opportunity is vital for you to feel independent and fulfilled. Learning to drive with special needs can be very challenging both physically and emotionally. But aren’t you facing challenges in your everyday life? So think of learning as just one more challenge. Thousands of disabled people hold their driving licence, enjoying the excitement of driving. With diligence, robust motivation and the right training, you will be able to overcome your disabilities, too. Find out how you are going to make it.

Applying for Provisional Licence

Before you start looking for the right driving instructor, you need to consult your GP on your plan to learn to drive. The doctor will brief you on existing DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) guidelines for learners with special needs who are willing to get a driving licence. The agency’s medical advisers will establish whether you are able to meet conditions for safety driving and issue a special certificate that entitles you to apply for your provisional licence with Driving Standards Agency. It would be advisable to get medical reports from your GP to reinforce your application.

Choosing Sensitive Driving Instructor

If you think that driving lessons come natural to pupils with no special needs, you are not quite right. Many people never pass their tests and have to start all over again. Frequently, it is not even their fault. Anyone wishing to learn to drive needs a good driving instructor. But you want to look for more than that, a sensitive, experienced driving instructor who has knowledge of your needs. These people have special training and they can teach you more than just to drive. They will show you how to get in and out of the car more easily and how to operate adapted controls. Big part of learning to drive is learning how to handle adaptive equipment that greatly eases driving and reduces discomfort. Another consideration may be to contact the Forum of Mobility Centers, a network of organisations across the UK that specialises in advising and teaching those with medical conditions which may impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. They also provide a special course for driving instructors who take on teaching people with special needs.

There is no need to say a lot of disabled people can drive a car. If you can do that too, you will accomplish much more than able-bodied learners because daring to get your driving licence is really a heroic deed you can be proud of.

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Learner Driver Theory Test Revamped

Posted on October 26th, 2009 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Schools, Driving Test.

Learning to Drive programme launched by Driving Standard Agency (DSA) is coming into its new phase with the introduction of changes to learner driver theory test. The Learning to Drive was planned as a long-term programme to overhaul learner driver test practices and regulations with the aim to strengthen the way drivers are trained and tested at driving schools.

From late September this year, learner drivers taking their theory test will face case study questions. As of now only one new question has been added in each theory exam for drivers, motorcyclists and moped riders. Instead of just choosing correct answer out of multiple-choice list, learner drivers will find a case study of driving episode. Candidates will judge by context and answer the case study question in the common way by choosing the right answer from a multiple-choice list using mouse or touch screen. Case studies are not something learners never heard about before as they are being extensively used in education.

DSA announced about the introduction of one new question based on existing multiple-choice questions so learner drivers could adapt to the concept. DSA officials, however, say they plan to include more case studies into exams in future. The reason for revamping the approach to the theory test was that case study can really put candidates into the context and show how well they understand what they have learnt during their theory training.

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The discipline of a good Driving School business

Posted on November 5th, 2008 by admin, under Driving Instructor, Driving Schools.

Having clearly established the purpose of setting up a driving school business you then need to be clear about the “shape” of the business and set a market leading strategy. There are three basic principles for establishing a good strategy:

- Teaching excellence
- Exceptional value
- Complete customer satisfaction

Driving Instructors must aim to be an expert in at least one of the above fields – just one, but you need to be at least “industry average” in all three. If you are not then you are likely to have weakness that undermines your strengths in other areas. But first let’s discuss numbers.

What information do you need to get started in setting up your driving school.

• Start with what’s important – Profit (assuming you’re interested in making money)
• Keep a strict diary of what’s happening in your business, how many pupils you have and where they came from
• Keep a balance sheet so you can see at first hand how much is in the bank and how much is in your pocket!

The above information shown on a month by month basis should you give you a good idea what is going on in your driving school business. Next, you need to look at the big picture. This is more important with financial information than probably any other area in the business. Whether you are comparing year on year, or just checking a few months at a time, I would recommend you draw up a simple driving instructor profit and loss account.

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Do you like driving? Would you like to earn money teaching people to drive?

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by admin, under Driving Schools, Driving Tips.

“The roads would be much safer if everyone drove how they were taught.”

Surepass Driving School offers Driving Instructor Training Courses, once you have qualified as a Driving Instructor, you can take out a franchise and start your own business.

If somebody wants to learn to drive safely it is important they learn from a highly trained driving instructor, someone who is teaching people to drive on a daily basis and is used to seeing all the mistakes a pupil can make. As a driving instructor you give the pupil confidence by being patient when mistakes are being made. Over a period of time the pupil will stop relying on you telling them what to do and start to drive with less and less instruction.

When the pupil can drive for 30 minutes without any help from you – they are ready for the driving test. Some people say driving instructors are happy when a pupil fails the driving test, because pupil will have to pay more money for more driving lessons and as a result it is more money for the driving instructor. This is Nonsense! The driving instructor builds a bond with a pupil and they are just as upset as the pupil. Most driving instructors feel if the pupil fails – then they have failed also. The joy a driving instructor feels when the pupil passes is very rewarding and stays with him for a long time afterwards.

Passing the driving test is a life changing experience for most pupils, everyone remembers their driving instructor. Many pupils still remain in contact with their instructor long after passing the test.

So if you become a driving instructor, you will not only have a well-paid rewarding job, but your circle of friends will increase. Think about it!!!

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