Driving instructors need to be tested

Having an Association of Professional Driving Instructors (APDI) is long overdue. One would think that having a few thousand seeking a driver's licence every year, the APDI should have been in existence long ago.

Firstly it should have been the government imposing the requirement. A driving instructor should be required to pass a driving test at a higher level than a basic driving licence. Also, a satisfactory pass in a government written examination must be a requirement for certification. One can reasonably conclude that it would be in the ADT's vested interest to seek this since they are responsible for testing new drivers. It would be the responsibility of the owner/s of driving schools to prepare would-be instructors to pass the requirements. This could be done through those interested to pay for the course, get certified and then seek employment. Alternately, the fee could be less or refunded if the candidate agrees to work for the school for a period of time. Perhaps one of the post-secondary colleges might want to provide the service.

Those seeking the services of a driving instructor should demand proof of certification, also to make sure that they are getting their money's worth.

The advertising of "free home pick-up anywhere" is rather misleading. This is mostly done at the expense of the learners. One can rationalise that the new driver is getting experience. Spending a good part at the beginning of every lesson driving somebody home and then at the latter part of the session picking up the next student leaves little time for quality instruction.

It's also long overdue - making sure that all drivers on the road are keeping up-to-date with new road signs and regulations, new technologies incorporated in vehicles. Just to mention two, ABS brakes and air bags, two great features, can be the most hazardous. Maybe it's time that "seasoned" drivers are randomly called in for re-testing. It might make our roads safer.