Daventry Switch

Lack of RESPECT!!!!

It’s no secret I love my job and have met some amazing people. But one thing keeps raising its ugly head. The complete lack of mutual respect, and I do not mean just giving a polite wave one the road.

I’m talking about certain people on Facebook forums! Over the last couple of week’s there have been a number of post, that for some of superior beings seemed blatantly stupid, and comments like are “are these people really teaching” or “sweet Jesus is this real” and more besides.

Now for all of you who seem to be some kind of super ADI or have complete mastery of everything, and do not need to ask any questions what so ever, because you are a proper smart ass, and even give God advice. The people asking these questions genuinely do not know the answer’s yes they may be just a little green or naive, but there is no reason to insult them, and make them feel stupid, as they may have another question of more importance but are afraid to ask.

Do you teach like this, if so god help the nervous ones. It would be more constructive just to say nothing at all. Let them ask the questions, there are some of us who are willing to help even if the answer is obvious, we help, give advice and stay supportive no matter what, above all we do not JUDGE them.

A safe little box.

Do we as drivers once we have past our test decide to ignore the rules taught to us? I believe this may to true to an extent. I witness this on every day whilst carrying out my job as a DVSA Driving Coach. Speed limits tend to be the biggest offence followed closely is inpatients.

This year alone there have been 4/5 serious accidents between Banbury and Daventry, an 18 mile stretch of road. Two of witch on the same corner, one sadly fatal!

So where is the safe little box? When we are in our car most of us feeling safe, and some feel as if they cannot be hurt, true to an extent, we are safe from the elements, and our surroundings. When we are safe we gain confidence and then here is where it turns into a problem. We are also so busy in modern life that we race around and make not extra time, then again we can speed.  If this is you then the percentages say that at some point you will be involved in an accident.

For some they seem to feel they are right and the speed limits are only there for show, or the rules of the road are only for learners, this type of driver I feel is the most dangerous of all, and sadly the one I see the most of daily!

All I would say is that in the end the speed will get you or someone close, please slow down and enjoy life.

It is true to say that there is not enough enforcement of traffic laws, i.e. police officers, speed camera’s etc., to slow people down.

My Standards Check

Well after missing three check tests for whatever reason I finally sat the new DVSA Standards Check. I found the Examiner very approachable and helpful, I had heard so much hearsay at test centres from other ADI’s over the last couple of years that I thought I was sure to fail because of nerves. From “he downgraded me for wearing sunglasses” to “He didn't like me from the start so I only got a 4”.   All of their comments could not have been farther from the truth as to my own experience.

In February I decided to complete my BTEC3 in driver development, this gave me some new skills that I am sure helped me achieve my GRADE A on my standards check. I now am now putting into place what the examiner said after, by doing this I hope to again achieve an A but without dropping 5 points as I did last time.

All i did was deliver a normal lesson for my pupil, making sure i was client centred and managed any risks. I do this every day. I would also recommend people to not to listen to the hearsay and find out for themselves, whether or not they are client centred. It is not, all about just asking questions (another thing i hear allot at test centres), but asking the RIGHT questions.

I even reflect after each day, and see where I can improve. All of this can only benefit me and my pupils, thus making them safer drivers.

I feel that some in the industry like to blame others for their own short comings, if they were to ask the right questions to the right people I am sure they would have had a better result/experience.

                                                      

Franchise. Find out the facts

I have recently been contacted by some who would like to train to be an adi, with the company I franchise with RED. He wanted a chat without the sales pitch, so I asked if he wanted to meet for a coffee to ask a franchise ADI any questions about my experience so far.

He came prepared and went away feeling much better about, the training, and what happens after. I could only give him my story but he was happy with the help i gave him.

Will become an ADI? Maybe I gave him no real negatives.
Will I continue to help? Of course, why not. I have nothing to gain or loose by helping someone.

My final thought is, why don't more people ask somone who has beem in a franchise for a couple years, for a bit of advice? Who knows it might stop people coming into the industry wanting to make axquick buck.

Untill next time.

New tricks learnt for my driving lessons in Banbury and Davetry

I recently completed my BTEC3 course in driver coaching. I went in open minded and was not disappointed. I learnt more about myself than I thought. Plus I learned how to help my pupils in a more positive way, and some new teaching skills.

I have been teaching for over 10 years now, and I wish I had known more about coaching when I was teaching scuba diving.

It just goes to show you can never be too old to learn new tricks, and I am looking forward to developing my coaching skills as time goes on.

It has to be said that I have to thank aCCelerate for their BTEC3 course, and Kevin Field for delivering it in a fun and positive way. 

An old dog, new tricks.

There is allot to be said about teaching people who think they know about things, but really do not. I have only been an ADI for a couple of years, but i taught scuba diving for 10. The mechanisms for teaching both were very similar.


We all know that the standards check is coming, and some think they coach already, they may will do, but do they really understand how client centred works, it's not just about customer service, as i have just learnt on my recent BTEC3 course with aCCelerate. Its about knowing your pupils needs, helping them understand, and creating safe drivers after the test.

I am not going to go into it too deep as you can do the course yourself. @ aCCelerate

I will be useingmy new skills Iin my driving lessons, in Banbury,  and Daventry.