Motorcycle license – Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September –

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Auto and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September

Motorcycle license - Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September -

In addition to its appalling health crisis, the Covid-19 is responsible for a colossal economic and social crisis. After taking stock with the CSIAM (manufacturers) and the CNPA (dealers), Site is studying the situation of driving schools with UNIC, the leading independent union in the profession..

There are around 12,000 driving schools in France, on which nearly 45,000 employees depend. Closed since March 17 due to confinement, the cars and motorbike schools have just obtained permission to reopen this Saturday, May 13. Phew ?

The two months of inactivity weigh heavily on their financial health and the future is far from bright … "All structures, regardless of their size and number of employees, are affected", Philippe assures us. Colombani, driving school manager and for 17 years president of UNIC, the first independent union.

  • MNC of February 12, 2020 :
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Long before the Covid-19 crisis broke out, UNIC had carried out a survey of its members: it appeared that "80% of them had between zero and two months of cash in advance, and among them, only 20% were two months away "…

For a majority, therefore, the emergency measures taken by the government have proved beneficial. "But this is a breakthrough lifeline," protested our interlocutor. "We are asking for an exemption from charges, and not a simple postponement which only delays the disaster".

Postponements and credits only delay the disaster

The debts are accumulating, the withdrawals continue: URSSAF, VAT, local rents … and vehicle rents: "the manufacturers of cars and motorcycles could also agree to postpone payments. Some have interrupted their withdrawals but ask that the amount due in 2020 be paid this year, smoothing over the remaining months ". Not easy.

Another lure denounced by Mr Colombani: the credit guaranteed by the State which "offers" a whiff of euros to companies but will have to be fully repaid. "It can be a trap, beware! There may be breakages in September because the summer will certainly not allow to bail out empty funds." A quarter of companies would thus be threatened with closure.

Motorcycle license - Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September -

Deprived of driving lessons and exams this spring, "the French are now thinking more about their summer vacation, it seems to me". And even if the students would rush to the doors of their driving school, the supply will certainly not be able to meet the demand..

"The monitors will necessarily decrease in productivity because it will now be necessary to ensure the cleaning of vehicles between each student … and take well-deserved breaks to breathe without the mask!", Predicts the president of UNIC. "Instead of seven hours billed per day for example, we will go to six … for the same time actually worked!"

Motorcycle license - Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September -

The resumption of motorcycle lessons is however simpler: no worry of proximity to the student when driving, so no mask and visor in the following car, nor prohibition to put the air conditioning or ventilation. .. The high temperatures of the last few days are already putting the car monitors to the test. !

Good news for apprentice bikers, on the other hand, their plateau event promises to be a little easier in the months to come: "we campaigned for the elimination of the passenger on the slow course because his presence required the cleaning of his outfit and the motorbike at each passage ", tells us Philippe Colombani. An inconceivable waste of time.

The motorcycle license restarts, a little easier…

According to a "source close to the matter", the practical tests of the motorcycle license should resume next Wednesday (May 27, in June for the B license). "The time lag between the reopening of schools and that of examination centers was planned, even requested, so that students do not take their test after two months without driving".

The candidates will have a little more pressure: given the overloaded schedule of the inspectors over the next few months, missing a test would mean waiting long weeks before resuming! "Not to mention that every day, we lose two candidates per inspector because of the new anti-Covid-19 provisions", underlines our interlocutor.

Motorcycle license - Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September -

In addition, the students who were to be examined at the end of March will imperatively have to resume – pay – additional driving hours. Aware of this problem, "we would like the State to cover this additional cost, as well as the expenses related to Covid-19: masks, hydroalcoholic gel, etc.)" The driving schools are still waiting for an answer.

Similarly, and although it is fully defined, the protocol for examinations incorporating the new health system is slow to be published: "it was written, we were just suspended from the signature of a senior official. It would be done, finally! ", would almost get annoyed our interlocutor, exasperated by the administrative slowness … in some cases deemed non-priority.

Motorcycle license - Car and motorcycle schools: UNIC fears a lot of breakage next September -

"And yet, our activity is essential because the mobility of the French, especially young people, is at stake," the president of UNIC points out. By delaying giving instructions and limiting – too much? – its support for VSEs in the sector, the State is exposing itself to serious danger…

“What do you think is likely to happen?” Asks the interviewee in turn! The answer is as simple as it is problematic: "some students unable to take the exam will drive without a license …"

Given the mistrust of – city dwellers – French towards public transport where social distancing is impossible, and fed up with traffic jams in the car, "the 125 cc will indeed see their price rise in the coming months", predicts Philippe Colombani. To be continued in our market reports in particular: stay connected and #RestezCare !

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