From the driving instructor
“I have been a driving instructor for over 30 years”
This blog gives a little background to my journey becoming a driving instructor. I started my career in photography. I was one of the first Guinee-pigs on the governments initiative to try to control unemployment figures. They called it the YTS (Youth Training Scheme). In the early 1980’s unemployment was huge.
After spending a year in the Air Force and getting an exemplary discharge, I managed to blag my way in to a transport company as a multi drop delivery driver. I spent more than three years driving from Harpenden to Bournemouth and along the south coast. A round trip of over 300 miles, daily.
I borrowed heavily and retrained. The training included advanced driving tests with the Institute of Advanced Motorists and RoSPA. I have been a driving instructor for over 30 years. Vehicles and technologies have moved on at an alarming rate.
My 1st mobile phone was larger than a bag of sugar and about as heavy. I could only call a landline because hardly anyone else had a mobile. The calls cost a fortune!
My first car
My 1st car was a 1971 1.6L Cortina Mk3. It was capable of about 0-40mph, eventually. My first driving school car was a 1991 Metro 1.1 capable of 0-60mph in about 16 seconds. My current Corsa 1.2 (without turbo) is about 13 seconds. When you hold a full license, you can drive a family hatch capable of 0-60mph in around 3.5 seconds – and not spend a penny on petrol or diesel!
What’s next!
Tim Plater FD, DVSA ADI (Car)
