Too honest for my own good?

Am I TOO honest to be a driving instructor?

June 18th 2012

What a strange day I've had today!  

My first lesson has been booked for quite a while, and involved me travelling for approximately 25 minutes in order to meet this young girl. We had previously arranged to meet at the train station in my home town, in order for her to get the most out of her driving lessons and not use me as an expensive taxi! She has had approximately 12 hours training so far.

When I met her today I asked her about her Theory Test, and she said she had it re-booked for tomorrow. I asked her if she had been out driving with her parents, and her answer was no. I felt this was a real shame as I always find that those that do get out and about in their own cars do SO much better! I asked her if she felt ok to drive into town and she said no. So, this would mean that out of the hour and a half she'd booked, 50 minutes of it would be spent with me driving! Which, to me is a complete waste of time! However, when I asked how she felt about meeting me at the station she made it quite clear she didn't want to do this anymore. 

After further discussion a decision was made; mostly by me! I told her I wouldn't charge for today. And that she needed to decide whether she wanted to start meeting me at the train station again, or find another instructor who lived and worked nearer her. I have also emailed her Dad to let him know what happened today...So my question is, did I do the right thing?

So, onto my evening session! A normal driving lesson - or so I thought!!

After an initial discussion she decided she wanted to practise the turn in the road...a new skill. When we got to a suitable road, we parked up and turned the engine off. Before we went into the briefing, we started to book some more lessons in. And then, I asked her when she thought she like to take her practical driving test,

"Before I go back to College", was her reply. So we looked at my Diary, and find out that I've got two semi-intensive courses booked with a week in between in July and August. I could see the look on her face immediately...and it transpired that she wanted to learn asap! No surprise there then! I asked her if she had booked her Theory test...

"No, I haven't yet..." was her reply.

To cut a long story short, the session ended up with me suggesting that she could always find another driving instructor who would be able to accommodate her needs...and then driving her back home to discuss this further with her Dad! 

There are a couple of things I would like to add before I go. I HATE "losing" pupils! To me it feels like I've let them down in some way. However, I HAVE to be guided by how I feel and how I would like to be treated...and for me that means complete transparency and honesty. I have managed to walk away from today, knowing that I have done my best by these two students and their families...even if I am losing out on the potential income...for me, money is SO not important!! And it certainly never drives me...as long as I've got enough to live on and continue being a driving instructor - because for me, it's the BEST job ever!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this! 

Helen Adams ADI