Grumbles from the Gearbox
Driving Instructors and Hardship from the Corona Virus Pandemic.
COVID19 and the hardships brought on for the ADI
Following the Chancellor's announcement yesterday there has been a lot of concern expressed by Driving Instructors on various social media platforms.
Let's see if we can find some answers and information to help us out.
Lot's of ADIs and PDIs at this time of the year are just beginning to come out of the doldrums after the Christmas and New Year spending sprees when the seasonal spending sprees have caught up with their clients, or at least their bank accounts. Many of us are just picking up from the lean January/ February period that all in the service sectors suffer from post Christmas and the diaries are full, or filling up again nicely and then COVID19 hits us all.
We are no different to anyone else and ae vulnerable to the fluctuations in the market, trends and seasonal changes. Many who have been in the industry for many years will have seen this come and go over the years and to an extent be prepared for such an event. Some of us will have other incomes or, even pensions from other occupations or even investments coming in. For those of us new or relatively new to the industry this is going to be a nightmare and maybe even a disaster financially, please don't underestimate the severity of what this crisis will do to many of our colleagues. Most will get through it but for some there will be severe financial hardship and even going bust, I don't want to think any further than that.
Please, if you know of anything I can add to this that may be of assistance to someone drop me a line via the comments box and I shall be happy to add it in here. I am an ADI, just like you, not a financial adviser or accountant so any tips will be gratefully received.
Let's see what information is out there:-
HMG. Here we have what the government is saying to us on General guidance, Social distancing
- not a term I'm keen on to be honest, Stay at home, Travel
and the NHS
Statutory Sick Pay If you are employed is currently £94.25 per week for up to 28 weeks. If you are Self Isolating because of Covid19 you can get SSP but must be eligible. See the link for more details.
Employment and Support Allowance.
This you can get if you are employed, self employed or unemployed. See the link for more details and follow the internal links eg, Eligibility here you will find some figures to guide you.
Universal Credit. There is a possibility that some ADIs and PDIs may already qualify for this depending upon their individual circumstances, use the eligibility checker
to find out if you qualify.
Given all the above is done remember there are other avenues of help out there.
Mortgage. Speak to your mortgage provider and they may be able to help with a mortgage loan period. Ok, this will extend the period of the loan but you could put a little away when thing pick up and pay back the difference, this will help with your ranking in the eyes of the mortgage provider in future periods of instability, should they arise in your life. You will be considered as a 'good risk'.
Rent. As for the mortgage above, speak with the landlord and get them involved. If you are with a local council or housing trust/authority get them involved in your situation as soon as possible, please don't hide away from it and let it fester. It will not go away and there is nothing wrong in asking them for help, remember they will have other tenants in the same position as you, maybe even worse.
Car lease. Car purchase. If you have your car on a lease, or are buying on an agreement of one form, or other then get onto the phone straight away speak to them. For many on a franchise deal I'm hearing/reading some good comments from ADIs on social media and many of the franchisers recognising the problem are waiting to talk to you. Don't expect them to come to you though, if they hear nothing they will assume you are ok so speak to them before you are in trouble with making payments. After all they want you to survive this situation and stay with them so will offer what support they can, on an individual by individual basis as this is not a one size fits all scenario.
Utilities: Gas, Water, Electricity and Council tax. Again speak to your provider as they are all aware of the current situation and will be getting lots of calls. Please don't be afraid or embarrassed as we have all had the rug pulled from under our feet on this one and all in the same boat. This is not your fault, nor the fault of anyone you know, this is a global issue and a pandemic so millions and millions of people across the globe are in the same position as you, let's sort this out and help each other through it.
and finally from one of the best known experts for money saving advice. Martin Lewis
click on the link to his site for some serious help and advice.
Good luck and keep safe out there. Save the link and keep checking in for all the news for ADIs and the road safety Industry.
The DVsA response to recent media criticism about the current test waiting times is to throw in the kitchen sink - but, is this the right solution?
Are the DvSA morally bankrupt?
Why bother, the job is not what it used to be?
Where on earth does the dvsa thinking come from, we know where it belongs?
The AADI is offering to help the dvsa with its poor public image to help clear up some confusing issues on the driving test for driving instructors and learners in the UK and make their lives easier.
AADI advising the dvsa, and they are at last listening.
Did the dvsa go too far opening new theory centres when tests are not available?
We are all Ambassadors for our chosen profession
Dear dvsa,
DVSA thanks for all the recent emails,... keeping us ADIs up to date. I should like to discuss with you a few of the points that you have raised.
"It is all our fault (the ADI) that the booking system is in chaos and our fault that candidates are not turning up for the test".
how the dvsa fails its customers on a daily basis
