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Driving Instructor

Interviews

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"Driving is a great responsibility," says John Wright, an instructor with a driving school in San Jose, California. "You're responsible for not only your life, but everyone in your car and on the road. Driving isn't a right but a privilege. An abuse of that privilege could be a matter of life and death."

His grandmother, Dorothy Wright, founded the driving school in 1986. "This is very serious. We get some people who think they know it all, and then they fail their driver's test. Believe me, that's when they pay attention! Then we get some who are scared to death of driving. But we work with them. They may take a little longer to teach, but they get over [the fear]."

Dorothy started the school after 12 years as a bus driver. John began his career at his grandmother's invitation. "I thought I'd give it a try," he says. "I really enjoyed instructing people, and found that I was actually very good at it. And I still enjoy it. I know that many people are nervous about driving, and I really enjoy putting them at ease and watching them enjoy learning it."

"I'm certainly glad he's here," says Dorothy. "He does all the computer work for the business -- all the installation and all the record-keeping. He's managed to increase some business and probably will run things someday."

Paul Moitinho thought teaching people to drive would be easy. He also figured the flexible work schedule would give him time for other pursuits. But many years later, Moitinho is busy running a driving school franchise.

"This is definitely not an easy job," he says. "It can be very stressful. It requires a lot of tact to keep encouraging the apparent 'lost causes' while at the same time keeping yourself from strangling them because you've used up your whole bag of tricks and nothing seems to work!"

Keith Russell operates a driving school in Durham, North Carolina. He says he enjoys it. "I like the marriage of both business and education," he says.

Russell notes that being a driving instructor these days often means long hours. You also have to work odd hours to accommodate students who work during the day and can only take driving lessons in the evenings.

Driving instructor Ed Rodrigues would like to own and operate his own driving school. "I love driving," he says." I enjoy young people. I like to teach and I've always been interested in owning a business. I have always found relaxation in driving, be it in the most stressful situations.

"I consider myself an exceptional driver, and it seems natural to try and pass on my knowledge to less experienced drivers. I see a lot of bad driving daily, and I feel a need to try and correct it. Certain basic things like observation and long-range planning are so unused."

It was persistence that earned Peter Ha an instructor's license -- he failed the driving test twice. "I remember the examiner saying to me: 'Are you sure you want to be an instructor? You need a lot of work!' He was absolutely right. The training and failing helped. I realize that to be able to drive is simple -- just about anybody can do it. But to be able to drive safely is a day-and-night world of difference."

The third time was a charm and Ha earned his instructor's license -- and one year later his advanced instructor's license. Then he started his own driving school.

"I want to offer not just training in passenger cars, but trucks, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, as well as offering car sales, gasoline sales, car insurance and mechanical service under one roof. Some of my profits are used to help anyone who can't afford quality driver training."

Ha's motto is: "A good driver with good driving skills doesn't automatically make a good driving instructor."