How Has Corona Changed the Driver Training Industry

Adjusting to the ‘New Normal’

Matt Buckland, an experienced driving instructor and road safety expert and owner of Driversmatter, deems it of utmost importance to convey the coronavirus outbreak's effect on how drivers are now dealt with. While the fast-paced nature of the changing landscape has been an unexpected surprise, adjustment has gone well given the short notice. 

In the pre-corona world, he was a consultant trainer responsible for educating prosecuted drivers on how to best steer clear of license penalty points and then, later on, went on to advise firms on how to minimise damages from road risk. Unfortunately, the sudden outbreak of this deadly global pandemic meant that he could no longer continue with his freelancing ways.

The mode of his instructions underwent massive change. What was an in-person class transitioned to social distancing protocols with a lack of shareable resources, textbooks, and stationery to being postponed indefinitely. The same situation was experienced by other professionals in the field, with all driving tests being halted, spare those for essential workers.

He was one of the lucky few that were able to plan ahead and bring about slight adjustments in their job plans. Personally, he bagged the role of a driving trainer responsible for working with a supermarket’s online delivery drivers. So, although the information that he imparted remained the same, the environment in which he did so, and the procedure that had to be undergone was entirely different. Of course, while sanitisers, anti-septic cleaning cloths, gloves, and masks were necessary to ensure everyone's safety, the feeling that it gave off was nothing short of alien.

New instructions by the Head Office have reduced vehicle training sessions to an hour and a half long, and to be delivered by one instructor to one driver. This is a swift change from earlier training sessions that lasted over the full course of a day and had a 2:1 instructor to driver ratio. It’s essential for the training course to push the drivers’ limits as they should be prepared to encounter all sorts of on the job road scenarios. From narrow lanes to busy intersections to slow zones, all of this now has to be covered in a ninety-minute drive. This is nothing short of challenging, as drivers would typically be expected to deliver about twenty loads ranging across a busy city.

The new drivers that have been hired are from a colourful and varied career path, with previous occupations, including floristry, acting, cameramen, and even tradespeople. Since most of these jobs did not include driving in the job description, this is a new learning experience for most. 

As life takes a step back into the old normal and road traffic increases, they plan to check up on their new drivers, ensuring that safety is being maintained as a priority.

A similar pattern was seen in the theory lessons, with them reverting to an online platform. These new classes spanned two and a half hours instead of the usual four and had a 1:8 ratio for instructors and clients, respectively. This switch to the virtual was not free from its own complications as clients had to be guided on how to navigate the online platform and engage with the instructor.

Despite all these changes, it is necessary to recognise how lucky he is since instructors throughout the UK are operating in much more restrictive conditions, focusing solely on essential workers.

Virtual Training

For Matt personally, the greatest obstacle with virtual training was being restricted to the house as both his partner and he tried to manage their jobs while simultaneously homeschooling their five-year-old. 

Building a connection and expressing understanding and empathy comes naturally when it’s an in-person interaction; however, doing the same on camera is rather trying. 

A virtual session often lacks criticism on poor driving practices, and as for the instructor, their job moulds into one that requires more telling than asking. 

One pleasant surprise, however, was the change in the drivers’ attitudes. Normally, prosecuted drivers are disgruntled for being charged, whereas now people were glad to have an activity to do during quarantine to save them from the mindlessness.

It also allowed drivers to take the lessons from a setting that they were more used to, although in some cases, individuals did actually get behind the wheel for their lessons!

And that’s not all; even businesses can benefit! Not only can they cut down on their carbon footprint, but they can also see falling fleet expenses and reduced hours.

Practical Training

Matt’s experience in working with a supermarket has led him to see the benefits of telematics and safety applications towards fleet management. 

Driver ticks such as sharp turns, abrupt brakes, and coasting can all be identified through this. Although these habits don’t affect anything other than the car itself in a deteriorative manner, they do increase costs for the company.

Since lessons have been cut down to an hour and a half, teaching methods have also changed. Instead of asking ‘what knowledge can I give the driver,’ instructors now ask, ‘what does this driver not know?’

Of course, none of this can be achieved without the use and aid of technology in a time such as this.