driving schools still in slow motion

It is a little phew of relief that pushed Claire Thil, at the time of the announcement of the reconfinement by Emmanuel Macron last Wednesday. The driving schools were not going to end up at a standstill.

“At the same time, I was not afraid of bad news: the driving schools continued to run in the 19 departments which had been previously confined. It would have been a real misunderstanding to backtrack, ”says Claire Thil, manager of the driving schools of the same name in Thionville, Yutz, Hettange-Grande, Sierck-les-Bains and Manom.

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Classrooms always closed

Its establishments are therefore continuing their journey, but with the same obstacles as those which arose during the second confinement. “At the first confinement, we were all closed. In the fall, we were able to maintain our activity but had to close our rooms dedicated to learning the Code. This is still the case today, ”regrets Claire Thil.

“We have had no feedback from monitors, inspectors or candidates who have been affected by the virus”

Suddenly, theoretical courses continue to take the path of distance. What to put sticks in the wheels of some candidates. “Not all are equipped with the equipment and there can always be connection problems. Our audiences are not necessarily all young. We have older applicants who pass or retake the license. They may have trouble connecting. Others have difficulty with the French language. In face-to-face, we can explain things to them. In distance, it’s much more complicated … “

This is why the manager from Thionville is campaigning for a reopening of classrooms. “Last summer, we had a gauge of ten students per classroom. While in schools, there were thirty of the schoolchildren in a classroom and for a long time that did not bother anyone… ”

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Strict adherence to health protocols

Claire Thil recalls that driving professionals have not gone beyond the white line in terms of compliance with health protocols. “We have the masks, we have the gels. After each driving session, the vehicles are thoroughly disinfected. “

The one who is also the president of the education and road safety branch in CNPA (National Council of Automotive Professions) certifies, in passing, the absence of any case of Covid in its sector of activity. “We have had no feedback from monitors, inspectors or candidates who have been affected by the virus. So, soon will the green light be given for a return to normal in driving schools?

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