What It’s Like to Be An Instructor (& Learner) in the ‘New Normal’

By Blind Spot DriveBlog

What It’s Like to Be An Instructor (& Learner) in the ‘New Normal’

What It’s Like to Be an Instructor (& Learner) in the ‘New Normal’

With new social distancing and hygiene guidelines in place, instructors reveal how this shift has impacted their lessons, students, and overall livelihood.

Outline of the Article

1. Introduction
   • Overview of the “new normal” in driving instruction
   • Key challenges faced by instructors and learners
2. Understanding the ‘New Normal’
   • Definition and examples of the changes
3. Following the Guidelines
   • Adjustments required for instructors and learners
   • Cleaning protocols and mandatory PPE
4. Challenges in Adapting to New Rules
   • Issues with mask-wearing, open windows, and ventilation
5. Instructors’ Experiences with Guidelines
   • Real-world experiences from instructors
   • Practical strategies to address challenges
6. Learners’ Responses to Safety Guidelines
   • How learners feel about the new safety measures
   • Practical tips for handling mask and glass fogging issues
7. Safety Perceptions
   • Do guidelines make learners and instructors feel safer?
   • Ensuring honesty and trust in following guidelines
8. Ignoring the Guidelines
   • Cases where instructors or learners disregard rules
   • Consequences of not following safety measures
9. Booking a Driving Test: A Major Hurdle
   • Delays and difficulties in booking tests
   • Impact on learners’ progress
10. Testing Day Obstacles

• Stricter cleanliness requirements for test day
• How examiners are enforcing new rules

11. Financial Impacts on Instructors

• Changes in lesson scheduling and earnings
• Increased costs for sanitation and PPE

12. Mental and Physical Strain on Instructors

• Balancing new responsibilities with teaching
• Additional time and energy demands

13. Learners’ Perspectives on Delays and Challenges

• Frustration over rescheduling and testing delays
• Coping with uncertainty in their driving education

14. A Glimpse at the Future

• Possible shifts in regulations and norms
• Long-term adjustments for instructors and learners

15. Conclusion

• Summary of the new learning landscape for instructors and students
• Acknowledgement of resilience and adaptability

16. FAQs

• Addressing common questions about driving instruction in the “new normal”

What It’s Like to Be an Instructor (& Learner) in the ‘New Normal’

Introduction

In the post-pandemic world, driving instruction, like many other industries, has had to adapt to a “new normal.” From face masks and social distancing to increased hygiene measures, the teaching landscape for instructors and learners has shifted dramatically. But what does this mean in practice? Is it a practical adaptation or a logistical nightmare? In this article, we’ll explore the impact of these changes on instructors and learners alike, covering the experiences, challenges, and adaptations made to ensure safety without compromising on effective teaching.

Understanding the ‘New Normal’

The “new normal” refers to the modified ways of conducting driving lessons and tests to prioritize safety and reduce the risk of virus transmission. While some aspects remain familiar, the inclusion of strict safety protocols adds layers of complexity.

Following the Guidelines

For instructors, following the new guidelines involves more than just teaching driving skills. From sanitizing the car’s surfaces to maintaining ventilation with open windows, they now have to ensure that each session adheres to health protocols. Face masks, hand sanitizers, and even health questionnaires have become part of the routine.

Challenges in Adapting to New Rules

While these measures are essential, they present unique challenges. Mask-wearing can make communication between instructors and learners difficult, especially in noisy traffic. Open windows may help with ventilation but can make the car cold, especially in winter. These seemingly minor changes can turn into daily obstacles.

Experiences with Guidelines

Jessica Hanson, an instructor from Hastings, shares that teaching with masks on and windows open is exhausting. “It’s noisy, cold, and sometimes even wet,” she says. “I’m not looking forward to winter.” Jessica’s experience echoes many others who feel that these guidelines, though necessary, can be uncomfortable.

Damion Hartley, from Jump Start School of Motoring, has also had to find ways to adapt. “Some learners struggle with mask-wearing, especially with glasses fogging up,” he explains. “One learner taught me to use a bit of tape over the bridge of the nose to prevent fogging, which was a lifesaver!”

Learners’ Responses to Safety Guidelines

For many learners, these adjustments are a small price to pay for the chance to get on the road. While some may experience discomfort, most are willing to follow the rules to continue learning. However, issues like fogging glasses or difficulty hearing instructions can make lessons more challenging, especially for new drivers who are already anxious.

Safety Perceptions

Despite these challenges, the guidelines do offer a sense of safety. Instructors like Damion feel that sticking to the rules not only protects them but also helps them provide reassurance to learners. He even includes a health questionnaire before lessons to keep both himself and his learners safe, a proactive measure that enhances mutual trust.

Ignoring the Guidelines

While many instructors adhere to the new rules, there are some who disregard them. Jessica shares her frustration, saying, “Some instructors around here don’t wear masks because they or their students don’t like them.” For instructors like her, it’s hard to emphasize the importance of guidelines when other teachers openly ignore them.

Booking a Driving Test: A Major Hurdle

With so many precautions in place, booking a driving test has become increasingly difficult. Delays have frustrated learners and instructors alike, with some students even having to book tests in different cities to find availability.

Testing Day Obstacles

When learners finally secure a test date, new obstacles arise. Cleanliness standards on test day are now stricter than ever. Some learners have had tests canceled for something as minor as crumbs on the floor. Jessica recalls one student who was turned away because her car wasn’t deemed spotless, pointing out the unrealistic expectations for maintaining a “showroom clean” vehicle at all times.

Financial Impacts 

Instructors are also feeling the financial strain of the new normal. Reduced lesson slots due to added cleaning time between students mean fewer lessons in a day and, ultimately, lower earnings. Jessica explains, “I used to schedule back-to-back lessons, but now I have to allow extra time, which affects my income.”

Mental and Physical Strain 

This shift has added more than just financial pressure. The extra cleaning, administrative tasks, and mental energy required to enforce and follow guidelines can be exhausting. Instructors find themselves balancing teaching with these new responsibilities, adding stress to an already demanding job.

Learners’ Perspectives on Delays and Challenges

Learners are facing unique frustrations too. The uncertainty of scheduling and the added layers of preparation for lessons and tests make the process feel more stressful. These hurdles, while temporary, impact their overall experience.

A Glimpse at the Future

Despite the current challenges, instructors are hopeful for a return to more “normal” operations in the future. Many believe that while masks and extra cleaning may be part of the routine for now, they won’t last forever. Until then, instructors and learners continue to adapt, showing remarkable resilience.

Conclusion

The new normal in driving instruction may come with its challenges, but both instructors and learners have shown adaptability in the face of these changes. From mask-wearing tips to innovative lesson structures, they’re finding ways to make the best of the situation. While it’s uncertain how long these measures will last, the commitment to safety and learning remains strong, highlighting the determination and flexibility of both teachers and students alike.

FAQs

1. What safety measures are required during driving lessons now?
   Instructors must sanitize surfaces, wear masks, keep windows open for ventilation, and sometimes use health questionnaires to ensure safety.
2. How can I prevent my glasses from fogging while wearing a mask?
   A popular trick is to place a small strip of tape over the bridge of your nose, which helps prevent glasses from steaming up.
3. Why is it so hard to book a driving test right now?
   High demand and reduced availability due to COVID-19 safety measures have created backlogs, making it challenging to secure test slots.
4. Are all instructors following the same guidelines?
   While guidelines are in place, adherence can vary among instructors. It’s best to check with your instructor about their specific policies.
5. Is it necessary to sanitize the car before each lesson?
   Yes, frequent sanitization is recommended to reduce risk. Many instructors clean key areas of the car before each lesson to maintain hygiene.

   Main image by pinterest