I was furious today. My first lesson was at 10am and I turned up bang on time. The pupil was a few minutes late (he normally waits outside as I drive up), and I was just about to go and knock.
So, he got in the car, and as he finished adjusting his mirrors he rubbed his face with both hands. That always makes me ask them if everything is OK – they are often unwell or haven’t slept for some reason.
But then I registered the familiar smell of alcohol, and asked “were you out on the piss last night?” “Yes”, came the reply. He didn’t get in until after 1pm, and although I didn’t ask, he probably drank at least 16 units of beer.
Working on the principle that it takes about an hour to get rid of one unit, I figure that he must have still had around 6 or more units in him – so three times over the drink-drive limit! (Those calculations are estimates, just in case one of the many, many pedants who become driving instructors are looking in).
We didn’t do the lesson. I read the riot act. And I charged him.