You may have already encountered the teaching car in our city. The KIA Stonic of instructor Joost Andeweg is quite striking because of its bright yellow color. “Working all day in an office in front of a screen is not for me.”
Ad loading…
Joost worked for years as a chef in the catering industry at companies and schools. After an operation on his back, he had to make a different choice. “A friend’s father was an instructor in Zoetermeer for years, but he was moving. That gave me the idea to partly take over his baton.”
Bright yellow demo car
Joost trained as a driving instructor and was allowed to do an internship at Autorijschool Koos Vlieger. “After Koos’ move, I took over his Zoetermeer students together with other driving instructors,” says Joost.
In the end, Joost opted for his own driving school with the appropriate name Andeweg. At a car dealership he saw the yellow KIA. “It was a demo car that I could take over for a good price. The bright color ensures that people recognize me on the street, but the car also stands out in the parking lot at the CBR when I am there for a driving test.”
Read more below the photo >
Difficult traffic situations in Zoetermeer
During his lessons, Joost and his student often drive through Zoetermeer, but they also visit cities such as Gouda and The Hague. “I often have young students who sometimes think they can already drive well. But in another city there are completely different traffic situations, just think of the trams in The Hague.”
In Zoetermeer, Joost also looks up familiar, difficult traffic situations during the lesson. “The most notorious is the Princess Maximaplein,” says Joost. “Taking the roundabout for three quarters, seen from the Oostweg, regularly causes problems when entering and exiting. Another well-known point is to get in the left lane from the tunnel to the direction of De Leyens. During my lesson I explain to students how to deal with this.”
Ad loading…
Dr. Phil
In the lesson car, Joost tries to create a relaxed atmosphere with pleasant background music and sometimes a good conversation. “I ask how things are going at school and where they go out. I enjoy their stories: they even call me a relaxed guy.” If Joost notices that a student is not doing so well, the car is pulled over first. “I am not Dr. Phil but everyone can tell their story to me. I want there to be trust. Only then can we continue with the lesson.”
I want there to be confidence during driving lessons
In the back seat
On request, Joost will accompany you during the driving test. “As an instructor, I find it quite exciting. A student usually takes lessons with me for about three quarters of a year, but during the exam I can only sit in the back and watch. I almost always agree with the result and the assessment of the driving examiner,” says Joost.
A time of coming and going
Once successful, the cooperation between Joost and his student ends. “Afterwards I regularly receive compliments, such as i miss our talks, it was a good time or i look back on it fondly. Saying goodbye is part of it and I am happy when my student has passed again.”