What a crazy year it's been too!
We still haven't actually been back at work for a year yet after being locked down three times during 2020 and 2021 (yes, I know some people think there were only two lockdowns but there were three - March / July 2020, November 2020 and January / April 2021) but it does finally feel as though they're behind us now although we're still cleaning and airing the cars through, we are teaching without masks and even DVSA has conceded that it's safe for their examiners now to conduct full length driving tests again.
Although the restrictions seem to be over now, I think the financial effects of Covid are going to be with us for a long time to come with something of a tax tidal wave coming for next year along with several other major challenges for the driver training industry such as fuel supply etc.
My plans to switch to electric cars in January 2021 had to be scrapped as I need some electrical work doing on the house so that the charger could be installed and couldn't get it done in time (or afford to pay for it) as we were all stopped from working.
Furthermore, the contract for the Fiesta (the worst car I've ever owned) had to be extended as a result of payments missed during lockdowns and when that finally expired, new cars weren't available to buy!
I've now taken delivery of a new tuition car to take me through the next two years and that is one aspect of this whole mess that finally feels back under control... I'm hoping that the work can be carried out for the switch to electric in 2024 now!
Another mess that is coming under control is the waiting list - I'm basically closed to new customers for 2022 now and have a long waiting list for 2023 already! That could all change if DVSA suddenly made loads of tests available and reduced the pressure on the learners sitting those tests, but being as that's not likely to happen any time soon, the current waiting list for lessons is as realistic as I can forecast it.
Now I'm restarting the blog, I'm hoping to be back more regularly again, writing about all different aspects of driving including car ownership, different types of road users, driving best practice, driving test waiting times and anything I can think of as I use the roads all day.
I hope you're all well after the pandemic and that you've come through it with your livelihoods secure. I wish you the best for the future.
Nick
