Remember when you learned how to drive? How nervous were you the first time you got behind the wheel? The whole process can be unnerving, especially if the classroom lessons leading up to that first drive are mundane.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to the average driving course, and owner Michele Montagano is willing to go the extra mile to make sure his students feel comfortable.
‘I’ve worked for the other companies before. I hated it and I hated that the kids hated it. Now I come in to work and I like what I offer, you hold your head high,? Montagano said.
The higher standards don’t only apply to the students, Montagano has put in several years to achieve his level of driving proficiency. In 1997, Montagano earned his bachelor’s degree to teach driver’s education from Central Michigan University. He later attended the Kalamazoo Stunt Driving School to earn his stunt license. He wanted to earn that license to learn what a car will do in an unexpected circumstance.
‘I’m calm because I know what to do next,? Montagano said. ‘I did it for these kids.?
No matter what driving school you attend, the rules of the road do not change. The methods for learning are completely different however. The content of the lessons set ‘All About Driving? apart and are taught, rather than watched.
‘All they do is show movies from the 1980’s or early ?90s and the laws have changed since then,? Montagano said.
Montagano invested his money to make sure materials at AAD are completely up-to-date and doesn’t rely on straight-from-the-book lecturing or instructional films that students can doze off watching. Students at AAD interact with their lessons, with hands-on exercises that keep them interested and entertained all while learning the vital rules they need before they drive. Assignments have student using magnet boards to simulate various traffic scenarios and creating presentations on single aspects of driving which they present to the class.
From start to finish, lessons at AAD last three weeks and 36 students can enroll in a single class. Students get six practice drives to show what they’ve learned, but Montagano said he has no problem going over that number if that is what it takes for a student to feel comfortable. Whether it’s teens or adults, defensive driving is critical to their success.
‘I drove with a girl every Saturday for a year and never charged her extra,? Montagano said, adding that the girl’s parents came along to see her progress as time went along.
The type of car being used for road tests is hardly a minor detail. With the excessive milage put on test cars, constant tune-ups and repairs are a necessity, and the investment is worth it.
‘Try going on a freeway in a car with no power with a kid that doesn’t want to go on the freeway at 70 miles an hour and they have to pick it up at the last second, it doesn’t work,? Montagano said. Student at AAD will become familiar with the company’s Pontiac Grand Prix’s, which Montagano maintains regularly. Each car has its tires replaced every two months for example.
Montagano understands the pressure that comes with learning to drive, and knows that mistakes will be made along the way during the learning process.
‘I can’t be perfect, and I don’t want to even suggest that I am. I leave my blinker on for too long sometimes. I’m like everybody else, I make mistakes. At least I’m more conscience of it,? Montagano said. ‘I don’t think it’s fair that students don’t pass because they’re nervous and they just need more time. I just give them more time.?
Montagano said paying attention behind the wheel is a huge part of learning to drive, and a bad habit which may need to be un-learned. Bad behaviors can be learned from adult drivers, Montagano said, ‘We have to correct adults to train kids.?
That sentiment applies to students even after they have passed the course. Former students are welcome to return for a refresher course or practice drive before taking a road test.
Montagano hopes to begin a defensive-driving course in July. The program would be ‘panic control,? to help students cope with hydroplaning, driving in reverse and cornering too fast, he said.
‘If they lose control of the car, they know how to recover from it,? Montagano said.
All About Driving is located at 5476 Dixie Highway. For more information or to register for classes, contact All About Driving at 248-623-0799 or visit www.allaboutdriving.com. The school’s calendar can be viewed and reservations can be made on the Web site.