Since the start of the pandemic the ADI has had a fairly tough time, so have others I know, but we are front facing, having to source our own work and keep the customer happy at all times in a very stressful potentially dangerous, and possibly life threatening situations on a daily basis.

The profession is largely taken for granted and frequently looked down on by the people we serve, who shop around for the cheapest deal they can to use our car, which is usually worth thousands of pounds, claiming it was so much cheaper when they learnt. So was the phone that they are using to talk to you through, or the laptop/tablet that did not exist then. They will happily spend more that the cost of a lesson on a pair of trainers (2+ lessons), a meal out, shirt, new top etc., yet the lesson will contribute to a skill for life that will open so many doors for the next 30,40,50 years.  Do the dvsa shout this from the rooftops, do they heck - on a rare occasion there is a mention of our value, but only if pushed, and even then to those who know anyway.

Hundreds of ADIs lost.

We have lost hundreds of ADIs since the pandemic as many ADIs needed to find other sources of income to feed and clothe the family, keep a roof over their heads as they did not have enough in the SEISS grants to cover everything, or as some, did not receive a penny from HMG.  Many found that the alternatives were better paid if you added in holiday, sick pay, pensions etc that were all included. They found it less stressful as they did not have to manage the diaries and plan ahead, worry about lessons being cancelled or trying to find and fit in test dates under normal circumstances.  So they did not come back, or if they did it was in a part time role.

Since the dvsa wiped its hands of running their own booking system and allowed outsiders to block book and resell tests - often at inflated prices. Tests were booked all over the country choking up rural test centres only to be cancelled at the last minute when the app found a local one for the candidate.  Or worse still it went down the toilet as the local ADI refused to hand over their pride and joy worth thousands of pounds to an unknown for a hundred quid. The dvsa appeared to blame the ADI for all the tests that went to waste appearing to say we were being uncooperative and not using these test appointments. Ms Ryder, how about putting your personal car up for public use to an unknown person for £200, not interested, I wonder why? 

Mock Tests

Suddenly the dvsa think that the idea of a mock test was a great one and if only ADIs would do them for their pupils to get them ready for their tests and increase the pass rates. What do they think we have been doing since 1st June 1935?  Do you think we have waited for the dvsa's great awakening of 2022 for ideas? ADIs have been adapting and changing to suit the current needs, thinking and adjusting to the market place requirements since at least the early 80s when I joined the club. Our colleagues, your examiners, have given us hints and tips over the decades, the better ones anyway, and we have taken all this on board. We are ahead of you, many of us sit in on tests and often see questionable items, are you interested - NO!!

Example of the stress the dvsa do not understand

A recent mock test with one of my pupils.  A highly qualified, professional man in his 30s, in a stressful occupation carrying a lot of responsibility broke down in tears at the thought of failing and having to wait another 6 months- possibly longer because his theory certificate could expire before he manages to rebook.  He gave up last week due to the stress and going to take a break. 

I am not the only one facing this sort of situation on a daily basis but just one of thousands of ADIs. Your booking system is rubbish and with the theory certificate only being valid for 2 years before having to resit thousands are being forced to pay you more money for the theory test because you are failing to provide them with a service you offer in the first place.  MANY OF THE PUBLIC, OUR PUPILS, SEE THIS AS A STITCH UP AND FEEL YOU THE DVSA ARE NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT CHARGE? Many, including ADIs, are calling for the system to be privatised and the dvsa to be made accountable, do you agree?

Are you Ready?

Your new emails asking candidates if they are ready for their test and should they think of cancelling it!  Have you any idea of the stress this causes and the language aimed in your direction about the waiting times for a new test? We ADIs are having to put tough choices to our pupils more than ever because you and your system are not fit for purpose.

  Mindfulness

 Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

I am a plucking ADI not a phycologist, or therapist!  If you are now wanting us to provide this sort of service at a professional level then teach us how to do it and support us, not just paste a link into a blog or email. If you are not prepared to do this then shove off and stop complaining. Go public and fight for only ADIs to bring cars to the test, shout for higher prices and more appreciation of what we are expected to do. We sit in the car supporting, coaxing and cajoling our pupils into being the best they can be individually. We go through their bad times with them, their fears, struggles, bereavements and often ill health. We support them when they are down and in floods of tears (male & female), we explain over and over again using different approaches and diagrams, or teaching aids to get the message across.  This is mindfulness, we are already there on a day to day basis ahead of you yet again. If you want therapists buy me a desk, rent an office and say my fees are from £80+ph.

Unfortunately you expect all to reach the same level, this does not happen.

Just think of your own handwriting, did it reach perfection in school, was it clear and concise or, was it good enough to be read and passable. It is because of varying standards that the written exams in schools and colleges are preferred to typed, with spell checker to aid the teachers. Have you gone on to develop your handwriting and now able to produce beautiful flowing script that would not look out of place on an ancient scroll??   Driving is no different, we will have pupils who struggle through everyday at school and leave barely able to read and write, put them in a car and they are gifted. Tell them once and they have it, in no time at all they are like chauffeurs or chauffeuse. These, like Archimedes, Aristotle, Newton and others of their ilk are as rare as hens teeth. Some will be brilliant academically and have a real struggle to move the car around to an average basic standard and then there are all the inbetweeners Mr and Mrs Average. Our pupils, your candidates, and customers to both of us need a better service from you.

Fantasy land

You recently quoted a 14 week wait for tests with the aim to reduce it to single figures. This is Fantasy Land . Wake up, this is not possible, be honest with people.  My area, as of todays date 9/9/2022 has no tests before the end of March 2023. After doing a quick call around it is pretty much the same in Dorset, Llanelli, Newcastle, West country   , . . a national disgrace that you just do not seem to accept.

I love my job and what I get back from it in teaching people to drive, there are so many upsides and I am sure that you have heard them all, at least back in the days when you listened to us.   A couple of days ago, for the first time since I began training as an ADI in October 1983 and qualified in February 1984 I said to my wife that I was not looking to going back out on Monday.  I have had to adjust my diary because tests are so far away. Because pupils can not afford to keep going and I am booking them in for alternate weeks. Yet my phone is ringing several times a day with enquiries that I have to turn down due to lack of space as I only work part time now.  There is a demand the like of which I have never seen and the end product is just not available.  Like hundreds of others I am tired of it and want out.