Swift Learners

This month, we’re looking at what a great business can do to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
There are over 44,000 driving instructors in the UK, so it can be difficult for driving instructors to distinguish themselves, especially when they are competing against well established, national schools such as BSM and the AA. However, driving instructor Jon Reynolds has implemented a number of innovative ideas which have set his school apart. Jon, who owns and runs Jon Reynolds Driving School, has been a driving instructor for the past six years, and has taken steps to ensure that his business remains ahead of the pack. Since under-17s are only allowed to drive cars on private land, Jon hired out a private military road system to hold a series of lessons where younger drivers can learn to drive safely. The lessons proved to be a huge success, and Jon is now planning to offer this service to other young would-be drivers in the area.
He has also taken advantage of new technology available to driving instructors: using special cameras fitted to his car Jon can film the lesson, which allows pupils to review their driving after the lesson and look out for more subtle mistakes that might go unnoticed at the time, giving added value to the classes. Jon has also used the footage taken from the car as a resource for other learner drivers, as well as putting it onto his website that pupils can access for free.
Jon said:“Offering unique services does make the business stand out, but more importantly they help me to make sure that my pupils learn to drive as safely as possible. People are more likely to come to a driving school that has advanced facilities, as they recognise that these will help learners succeed. My pass rate, which is one of the highest in the country, confirms that these techniques can make a world of difference when combined with careful teaching, so it’s no wonder that they attract new learners.”
You can find out more about Jon Reynolds Driving School here.