Mike trained in Oldham with us having left the Army.
Why did you want to become an instructor?
I have wanted to become an instructor ever since I first learnt how to drive. When I was 17, I saw how rewarding it can be to teach a skill to someone that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
What did you do at the time?
At the time I had a couple of small part time jobs, however I was also in the Territorial army, and was progressing through their driver training as I started the qualifying process.
What made you choose us?
I chose Smartdriving because when it came to instructor training, there were no gimmicks of guaranteed pupils, or inflated profit figures like other training companies. Their selling point was simply providing the best training possible, and they lived up to that in every single way.
What did you enjoy about your training?
The training was easily structured, and broken down into modules throughout the theory, driving, and instructional sections. This meant it was easy to fit in around other comittments, but I could still ‘knuckle down’ with study when needed. The in car element of training follows on perfectly from the iCourse content, and I would have to say that the most enjoyable part of the course was watching the skills learnt online applied practically.
What didn’t you enjoy?
If I had to pick one part I enjoyed the least, it would be when I first failed the Hazard perception test. I missed it by one mark and was furious at myself! The support team from Smartdriving helped talk me through my strengths and weaknesses and a couple weeks after my first attempt I passed second try.
This was good because knowing that I had the support of the team behind me meant I was fully prepared, and helped me pass the other two tests first time.
What advice would you give another person looking to be an instructor?
If I could give one piece of advice to someone coming through the training, it would be to get prepared for hard work. It is no easy feat to become a qualified instructor, and even more to become an experienced one. Dedicate yourselves to the work and reap this rewarding career.
How has this changed your life so far?
As soon as I passed my L test, aged 17 I knew I wanted to become an instructor. As soon as I was 21 I started the process, and qualified before my 22nd birthday. Now, I have a liveried car, my dream job, and an independent business. What more could you ask for?
