Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 May 2005 16:38:37
Yesterday I took my first pupil out on the road. He had booked claiming never to have driven before, so had been sold a block of 5 lessons at the reduced "beginners rate". (Definition of a beginner according to the owner of the school is "someoene who has never even held a steering wheel"). As this was to be a control lesson, (half an hour explaining the controls and getting him to practice starting and stopping) I was confident enough to take him out on my own without supervision and the boss man was quite happy with this too.
I got to the office nice and early for a quick briefing session with the boss. I then nipped out the back for a fag after which I popped an Orbit sugar free in my mouth so that I wouldn't smell too much like an ashtray. (I remember what my old driving instructor's breath used to smell like!)
After lots of back slapping and good luck wishes from the experienced instructors in the office, I went to meet my pupil.
I remembered the drill. We shook hands, and after ascertaining what we would both like to be called, I asked to see his licence. All was in order, although I was a little surprised to see that he also had a Theory Test pass certificate. Most unusual for someone who's never even been behind the wheel of a car, but never mind. That's something I won't have to teach him. After getting him to read a number plate from just about over the distance required for the test, we got into the car and I drove him to the quiet bit of road I'd chosen to get started.
On the way, I said something along the lines of "so this will be your first time driving then?" to which he replied "Well, I had a few lessons about a year ago". Aah! So that explains the theory test pass! As he'd had "a few lessons" I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, so when we arrived at the alloted place and swapped seats, I started to give him a rudimentary recap of the controls.
"Oh that's OK, I know this already. I drove for over 10 years in my own country"
So off we went. For somebody who'd had "a few lessons a year ago" he was surprisingly good. His observation, use of mirrors, speed approaching junctions and reading road signs was straight out of the textbook. After driving around the block, I mentioned a few things that could be improved, but also praised him on what he had done well. It turned out that he had already sat a UK driving test in December but failed. He was a bit cagey when I asked him what he'd failed on, but after asking him to perform a turn in the road, (thats' a three-point-turn to you mortals) I think I can probably guess.
Givien his obvious experience, I explained to him that he wasn't entitled to the beginners rate and would have to pay the balance for the full rate. (OK, so I'm still only a trainee, but I've still got to earn a living!) He seemed a bit upset by this, but was very keen to continue his lessons, so agreed to bring the balance aong next time.
When I suggested his next lesson to be the same time next week, he said "Oh, can't I have it a bit sooner? I've got a test booked in four weeks"
So in one hour, I've taken somebody from complete novice to test candidate. That must be a record, especially for my first ever pupil.