COVID AND THE DRIVING PROFESSION what has covid done to the driving profession?
it has terrified people and frustrated them. Made so many people so desperate to get their license before DVSA move their test that they are prepared to throw any kind of common sense and compassion for others out the window.
The want/need but mainly want to get that licence before any kind of restrictions move that goal even further away. So they can get out with the kids, or get it out of the way, just so they can stop thinking about it. The driving instructor or examiner are now in hospital with covid 19 but the candidate and new driver have her licence. So that’s ok ? isn’t it? NO it’s not.
This pandemic has brought out the best in some and the very worst but there doesn’t seem to be anything in between. Having met and experienced the emotional reactions of many many people when learning to drive and the day they achieve their goal.
The day they are told they were not successful in that attempt at their driving test. The disappointment , feelings of injustice and in extreme cases, anger. Experiencing elation of success and the notion of being given freedom.
Gaining a driving licence in many and most cases is life changing. Ranging from getting a job and changing career to being able to take the kids out. Self confidence is elevated , self esteem. So many doors are opened for you that were only a dream before.
COVID AND THE DRIVING PROFESSION
However we are in the middle of a national lockdown and health emergency. Thousands of people are dying. Covid doesn’t care whether you want a driving licence. What if even though the car has been wiped down and sprayed with dettol before you got in you still catch covid? was it worth it? you were both wearing masks, yet you still caught it and you are really ill and / or you’ve given the virus to an elderly relative? was is worth it ?
the only direction we can look in is ahead and there is nothing to be gained with paranoia. As long as the car is clean and you both wear a mask , the risk is reduced. However, how far are you prepared to go? how much are you prepared to lose? Life is full of calculated risk. We always way up how much we are prepared to lose before we take a risk.
Not only is the pressure growing to pass 1st time on learners because the waiting time for a resit is longer, More over the pressure on driving schools becomes more and more to get you through 1st time, mainly because you have waited long enough right? you are “entitled ” to your driving licence. Right ? entitled is not a word that sounds right when it comes to owning a driving licence. Privilege is more appropriate. The other side of the pandemic we will be happily waiting to help you achieve this privilege.
pressure in the car creates an oppressive atmosphere. Any kind of negativity between pupil and instructor makes the whole process more difficult and lengthy. Let’s try and make sure the whole thing as easy as possible. As pleasant as possible. it actually puts your chances of passing higher.
PLAN YOUR LESSONS AHEAD AND HAVE THEM TO LOOK FORWARD TO
When we are allowed to teach again and examiners are back at work , remember the pandemic has affected everybody. By the end of it we will all know someone who has lost a loved one to covid or we will have lost someone immediately close to us. Let’s all look forward to being back out there. Be nice to each other. Take the hint the pandemic is trying to teach us. Nothing is ever worth risking your health or life for. Certainly not a driving lesson or test. We all have time to do the things we want to do when all this is over.
COVID AND THE DRIVING PROFESSION
Having something planned to look forward to when we all return is a nice light to watch for at the end of the tunnel.
make all this negative into a positive.