Private driving instructors represent an alternative source of driving education here in Singapore.
However, some may not know that private driving instructors are a dying profession. Since 1987, the Traffic Police (TP) has stopped issuing private driving instructor licences to members of the public.
That means the instructors who are operating today are the last of their kind. Once they turn 75, they will be required to stop as they’ve reached the mandatory retirement age.
A Singaporean lamented this loss in a viral Facebook post on Sunday (22 Aug). In response, netizens recounted their personal experiences.
Referencing an article by The Straits Times, a netizen named Mr Foong mourn the imminent end of the dying profession.
In the article, ST cited multiple anecdotes shared by private driving instructors throughout their years of teaching.
Many of them have reportedly dedicated decades of their life teaching generations of drivers and are sad to see the profession fading off.
The article also mentions that there are currently only 375 private driving instructors. With no fresh blood in the wings and many of them aged between 65 and 70, it will not be long before the trade vanishes altogether.
In a related article on the same page, TP went on to say that having driving schools will ensure safer roads. This is because of the structured and comprehensive training programme provided by schools.
In his view, Mr Foong found the whole situation to be a sad one.
That’s because private driving instructors who take pride in their work are unable to do so while turnover rates at driving schools are high.
He even claimed that instructors at driving schools are “not as dedicated” compared to their private counterparts.
Hence, he questioned if the cessation of the private driving instructor profession is a sensible move.
Many netizens agreed with Mr Foong’s sentiments on the private driving instructor industry.
This Facebook user shared some valuable points as to why learning from a private driving instructor is better.
Another netizen is peeved to learn that ownership of work is being stripped away from these instructors and calls for more competition in the industry.
However, one netizen said he favoured his experience in the school system as it helped him develop a style comfortable for himself.
While the jury is still out as to which learning route is the best, it is safe to say that having a choice is better than having none.
Hopefully, TP can revisit the idea of issuing licences to private driving instructors so the trade doesn’t fade away completely in the years away.
As for the private driving instructors who are still plying the trade, we hope they continue to dedicate their remaining time towards grooming great drivers.
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Featured image adapted from Facebook.
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