If you have invested in the Driving School Pro graphic briefings, you will be able to start using them on this first driving lesson. Your client will again be impressed by your professional approach and commitment to delivering a first-class driving lesson, and you will be confident that you have missed nothing out. Perceived lack of progress
One of the most common reasons for clients changing driving instructors is that they are not satisfied with their progress. There are several reasons for this: The instructor may not have identified the driving problems and helped the client rectify them. It may be because the instructor is stringing out the driving lessons by sitting on the side of the road for too long. It could be due to too many lengthy intervals between driving lessons or that clients are not being worked to their full potential. It could be that clients are not pleased with the distractions or breaks in their driving, such as fuel stops, answering the telephone, comfort breaks and so forth occurring too regularly. Most clients will want to achieve test standard as soon as possible, but some will be extremely unrealistic about when that date should be. Instructors sometimes come under a lot of pressure to put these clients in for the test before they are ready. You not only have your personal reputation at the test centre to protect but you also have a moral obligation only to enter clients for the test when you think they will not only pass but will also be safe, competent and independent drivers. You should point this out to them, as well as to their parents where appropriate. At this point they may seek another instructor in the hope of being put in for the test earlier than you are prepared to accommodate. To give your clients a more objective view of their driving, give them a mock test so that they can see the type of faults – both minor and serious – they are making when no assistance is being provided by you.
On rare occasions the chemistry may not work between client and instructor and both parties will be aware of this. Some might not like the differences in age or attitude between client and instructor.We cannot please everyone – but we have a duty to try. The ultimate decision remains with the client. If a client leaves it is probably in both parties’ interests.
Other factors may also cause clients to leave. It could be they have financial problems, are having domestic problems or they may just dislike the car. We must not forget that, although rare, some people are just not cut out to drive, and every driving lesson is going to be an uphill struggle for them. It is sometimes easier to blame the instructor rather than face up to this fact. Starting with a ‘clean sheet’
Ideally, clients should start their driving lessons with an ADI so that there will be no pre-learnt bad habits to correct. Nevertheless a short period of time spent with family or a friend, just learning how the clutch works, can be beneficial. The more common faults that clients tend to pick up from private driving lessons with well meaning family and friends are poor steering technique, lack of mirror use, poor anticipation and poor general observation. Experience shows that clients who start with ‘a clean sheet’ will learn quicker and will retain information better.
During the first meeting with the new client, you should find out whether the client will have private driving lessons with friends or family. If you download the ‘Clients’ details’ sheet from the Driving School Pro website, you will see that this point is covered when you take details from your client on the first driving lesson. Our strong recommendation is to advise them not to practise between lessons until they have established good driving techniques and are confident they can deal with awkward and possibly dangerous situations. We therefore suggest that you ask your clients not to have this extra practice until you both agree that they are competent in emerging from junctions safely and are able to negotiate roundabouts confidently. Make it clear that you fully support and encourage the idea of private practice after completing these topics with you.
Practice sessions with others can sometimes undo the good work you and your client have put in, and a near-mishap could seriously knock their confidence. Explain that you know they might want to pass their test in the shortest time possible but that, if the methods from others conflict with yours, it will take them longer to reach test standard. You appreciate that others have ‘best intentions’, but it may have been a long time ago when they took their test and bad habits may have developed. It is therefore vital that, when the client is driving with friends or family, the client insists on driving in the way they have been taught by their instructor. If there is any serious conflict, then you should be informed. You need to know if your authority and good work are being undermined. It may help to explain why things are not going quite so well as you would expect. Private practice near to the test day As clients approach test standard and you feel there may be a problem if they suddenly take up ‘private practice’ in another car, you might suggest that they refrain from driving in another car at this stage as it may feel very different. It may have an indicator on the opposite side, it may not have power steering and the reference points for manoeuvres may be dissimilar. You do not want last-minute difficulties that might cause your clients to feel even more anxious about their imminent test date.
At the end of this first driving lesson ask the client what they thought of it. Was driving more, or less, difficult than they imagined? If they have found it easier, then this may be due to your excellent instruction and, of course, Graphic Briefings! Had they enjoyed it? Do they want to ask any questions? Are they happy to continue with you? If they are, then this is the time to get the diary out to commit them to the next driving lesson.
Upon completion of this first driving lesson, you must state that you will always endeavour to be punctual for each driving lesson, but that circumstances such as traffic delays may cause you to be late. If you are to be more than, say, 10 minutes late, state that you will contact them (remind them to have their mobiles switched on). This information should also be in your brochure and terms and conditions. If you turn up late you cannot assume that your client will be able to over-run the allocated finish time. If they cannot, another appointment time will need arranging – perhaps with some reduction in driving lesson fee or addition of time to compensate them. This goes a long way to show your professional approach and to gain future clients by way of recommendations.
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Note: This article was sent to us by: Gail Stratton at 01172010
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