News: Interview - "Gogi"
Gogi Jeer, 21, is a student and passed his test with Toots Driving School, run by Michelle and Gill.
"DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED A FEMALE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU STARTED TAKING LESSONS?"
"No, not really. I just wanted an instructor. Gender didn’t really matter to me."
"HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR DRIVING INSTRUCTOR?"
"It was just word of mouth really. One of my friends had lessons with Buddies Driving School and said they were pretty good, so I phoned them up and got Michelle. I stopped taking lessons for a while because I was really pressured with my Uni work in my second year. I thought I’d lay low for a bit and once the stress was over I started taking lessons again."
"So, you went back to Michelle?"
"I phoned Michelle as I had her number. She had left Buddies and began her own solo business as an instructor. I thought I’d go back to her because I’d used her before so I was kind of used to her."
"Was it difficult getting back to into it?"
"Not really, no. When I got back to it, Michelle said it didn’t really seem like I hadn’t driven for a year!"
"WHAT WAS YOUR DRIVING INSTRUCTOR LIKE?"
"She was really good and really patient with me. She always got the best out of me. When I used to make mistakes like stalling or whatever, she would say; "It happens... be calm, be patient, take a deep breath and start up again". I’d take my time and keep doing it till I got it right. She was really funny as well. Whilst I was driving, me and Michelle would have a good conversation and make jokes and what not, but when it came to the serious bits - manoeuvres and stuff, she was very disciplined and would teach me how to do it step by step. She was really helpful. She was more like a friend as well as being on a professional level."
"DID YOU ENJOY LEARNING TO DRIVE?"
"I did yes... partly because of Michelle. She made me feel comfortable. At first I was really nervous and did things wrong like not observing at roundabouts, but because of the way she is - really generous and kind, she makes you feel good. She gave me a lot of support so after a while I loved it!"
"DO YOU THINK THERE ARE ANY ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A FEMALE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR?"
"It’s difficult to answer that question because I’ve never had a male driving instructor. I just think they are pretty good at it to be honest!"
"HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR FIRST CAR YET?"
"Yes, I bought a new Micra!"
