Currently the owner of the Manchester-based driving school, Alz School of Motoring, Alam was enjoying a highly successful career as a driving instructor. However, a medical condition has forced him to put his driving lessons on hold while he recovers.
Here Alam discusses how he came up with an ingenious way to keep himself focused and learning during what has been and remains an extremely challenging time.
Why did you make the move into instructing?
I was a panel beater and welder at a major accident repair centre. However, I was made redundant in 2007 so I had to find an alternative route into the motor industry.
In 2008, I saw an ad saying I could potentially earn £600 a week as an instructor. I decided to pursue the opportunity as I’d always wanted to teach young people safe driving skills for life.
Most importantly, I’d just become a dad to my baby son, Eesa, and wanted to do my very best for him by securing a longterm career that I could count on.
How did you get your career off the ground?
I took out a loan of £5k to train with the RED driving school. I passed the first test – which was the theory and hazard perception – and then the Part 2 driving ability test. Finally, I passed my Part 3 instructional test so I could finally get teaching in 2012!
Up until 2019, I was independent but in 2018, I developed a medical condition in 2018 that physically limited my opportunities as an independent instructor while I recovered. So I decided to sign up with the AA Driving School at the end of 2019 to help support me moving forwards.
What were the benefits of being part of a franchise?
The AA deals with all the marketing, advertisements, call centre work, pupil queries, and customer complaints. All I had to do was deliver the driving lessons! I worked for awhile but unfortunately, my medical condition got worse and I’ve had to stop instructing in-car while I wait to recover.
The AA has been very supportive, calling me to check how I am doing and it has put me in a dormancy position until I am physically able to teach again.
How have you coped over the last two years – especially during the pandemic?
The pandemic caused huge disruption to my trade when the government announced the need to keep a one-metre distance from anyone outside your household. It wasn’t possible for driving instructors while teaching in a car!
Because of this and my medical condition, I was advised by the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC) to not work as I was in a vulnerable group. The council have been brilliant in the meantime, always keeping in touch and holding webinars so I can keep learning.
Importantly, it was through the ADINJC that I came across another way to keep motivated while I have been out of action – Theory Test Pro.
How has Theory Test Pro helped?
I realised that if I couldn’t do as much physically as I normally could, I should focus on the mental. So I signed up to Theory Test Pro and have been using it to teach students their theory for free.
I work with pupils to ensure they are ready to take their theory test and currently have 27 pupils on Theory Test Pro with full access. I believe until you can pass a mock theory test, you shouldn’t book your official test because you’ll just end up failing and paying more money in the long run.
What are your plans moving forward?
I’m trying to keep positive and have been helped hugely with support from my parents, sisters and brothers. I do want stay in the game by teaching theory until I recover.
I’d actually like to expand my theory test class further until I am able to get back to teaching behind the wheel!
Once I do recover, I’ll start teaching in an electric vehicle while continuing to offer my pupils access to Theory Test Pro because it’s so easy to use and effective.
When you are able to teach in-car, what kind of ADI are you?
I recognise that all pupils are individuals and have different ways of learning as they all come from different walks of life.
It means I structure the lesson according to the pupil’s learning preferences by figuring out which style suits them the best.
What’s your favourite and least favourite part of the job?
My favourite part is teaching people to drive safely and being recommended to new pupils when existing pupils pass their tests.
My least favourite part? When I can’t work due to circumstances outside of my control. However, I remain hopeful that I will be back behind the wheel sooner rather than later. Watch this space!
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