But sadly, it must be said!
For the vast majority of driving instructors, it is highly likely that your lessons will involve you being in the car on a 1-1 basis.
Therefore, you must ensure professionalism to the utmost is carried out at all times.
This not only safeguards you and your reputation, but also ensures your pupil can feel safe and relaxed during their lessons.
If finances permit, I would HIGHLY recommend that internal cameras are fitted to the cockpit area of your vehicle as well, to ensure that every lesson you carry out is covered (ensure your pupil's are aware that this is the case).
We are living in a climate where an allegation can be made, by anyone at any time, and with the prevalence of social media, these allegations can spread far and wide extremely quickly, whether they are false or true.
Just a disgruntled customer who you may have spoken to in a stern voice due to a dangerous situation arising can turn that into a full blown
"they assaulted me " allegation.
Even not turning up for a lesson, or not hanging around when your pupil is 20minutes late for their lesson, can evoke a reaction from a pupil to slate you and your reputation.
It is quite likely at some stage in your instructing career that you will receive a negative review.
Hey! I've had one from someone I've never even met, saying that they don't recommend my services!!!
Quite possibly a competitor who was maybe jealous of my successes?
Or maybe were reviewing a company with the same name but in a different location, and it wasn't meant for me.
If this happens, I would recommend replying to the review in a professional manner, explaining the situation.
People reading your reviews will make up their own mind whether that review is fake or not.
NOW FOR THE UNDESIRABLE PART OF THIS PAGE
In all walks of life, there are the "undesirables" who will use their position in society to push boundaries and go way past that of their position,
or even take advantage, verbally or physically with people.
If it's an instructor who uses their position, especially to a vulnerable learner, then they deserve to get what's coming to them.
Unfortunately it happens, and for every occasion that it does happen, it puts our industry into disrepute.
This is why your side of the car is yours and the drivers side is your pupils side!
Just pointing out with your hand where the rake and reach lever is for the steering wheel by entering the pupils side of the car, could evoke an allegation that you were trying to touch up your pupil!
Helping someone put on the seat belt, exactly the same! Were you trying to cuddle them?
For the majority of instructors, the thoughts of doing this are totally innocent and may NEVER cross their mind that these sorts of allegations could happen, BUT THEY DO!
And on occasion these allegations are justified, there are sexual predators out there in all walks of life, and vulnerable learners are at risk in our industry!
If you consider that someone is at risk you have a duty of care to report it.
Safeguarding people is everyone's responsibility.
Human nature and being a caring person has a VERY FINE LINE when inside a car instructing.
Your pupil has a melt down, begins to cry (It happens), and human nature kicks in.
You want to comfort them because maybe it was your fault that they had the melt down?
Sometimes, pupils will just have a melt down and begin to cry or go silent for no apparent reason.
That may be the case, however, irrelevant of the circumstances, it is not your job to comfort them physically.
Verbally is adequate, and obviously apologise for whatever may have been said.
But under no circumstances should physical contact be made with your pupil.
On your very first lesson with your pupil, explain to them that there are two sides to the cockpit, theirs and yours,
and that the only time you will enter their side of it will be to negate any safety critical situations.
