Driving instructors are some of the most important people on Nigerian roads today. They are out there day after day training the latest generation of youngsters who want to learn to drive for themselves. They spend most of their time in their car, and it acts as their office space as well as their tool for teaching. It’s therefore important that they choose the right vehicle for them, so we’ve come up with a few rules for what a good driving school car needs to be:
Economical – Because driving instructors cover so many miles, it’s imperative that the car they are using returns an exceptional level of miles per gallon, in order for them to keep their costs as low as possible – especially with petrol and diesel prices what they are. Driving school cars spend their lives mostly at low speeds, stopping, starting and manoeuvring which will affect the amount of fuel consumed massively.
Compact – Learning to drive is a daunting enough prospect without having to do it in a great behemoth of a car. It’s better for the learner and the instructor if the car is more compact, allowing them to complete manoeuvres such as the parallel park with ease.
Easy to drive – It is important that the car is not confusing in any way, and that all the controls are laid out in a logical and ergonomic manner. It’s also advantageous if the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals are light but with good feedback, so that the learner can get a really good feel for the car.
Practical – Most driving instructors use their cars as their only means of transport, so while the compact size is important for the learner, it is also valuable for the instructor to have a car that is practical and spacious too.
Stylish – These days there are thousands and thousands of driving instructors on the road, so it’s vital that your driving school car looks good and stands out from the crowd – just the top box isn’t enough anymore. You don’t need take a paint brush to your car yourself however, most manufacturers now offer a multitude of customisation and personalisation options for their small cars.
Low service costs – Most cars need servicing every 10,000 miles, so servicing costs have to be a consideration when purchasing a driving school car – especially as you’ll be servicing the car twice or even three times a year. We’ve included the service schedule in each car so that you know how often they’ll need routine maintenance.
Safe – Above all the car needs to be safe. If you’re currently teaching in an older vehicle, it may well be prudent to upgrade to a newer car based on a safety principle alone. New cars today have a lot more active and passive safety features, and will protect you and your learner driver better in the event of an accident, or even prevent the
