Stellenbosch University alumni Jarryd Strydom and Jason Bruce-Brand in September 2020 co-created and launched a new automotive-focused tech startup, Nubee that is positioned to transform the traditional method people use in getting driving lessons.
Leveraging on digitisation, the tech startup has become a game-changer in the automotive industry as the first driving lessons app in Africa.
Jason Bruce-Brand, the co-founder explains that Nubee is an innovative solution to booking driving lessons for South Africans
“We believe the driving lessons industry is ripe for innovation, and that our product makes the whole process life-cycle far easier for both learner drivers and driving instructors.
Moreover, by leveraging technology to improve the transparency of driving instructor quality, the driving ability of new drivers will be bolstered, leading to safer roads.”
Nubee is a young startup that is bootstrapped but has engaged with other innovators within the automotive tech ecosystem to create an ultra-modern digital platform that can operate beyond Africa.
Currently, Nubee is available for use in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Somerset West. Moving forward, the tech startup plans to scale nationwide, followed by a global expansion in mid-2021.
Disrupting the patterns adopted by the existing driving school industry, Nubee succeeds in levelling the playing ground as it were for competitors within this space.
Simultaneously, it proffers a solution to booking vetted and qualified driving instructors for users.
Commenting on the alternative employment opportunity Nubee opens up to driving instructors, Bruce-Brand adds:
“The traditional driving school landscape makes it very difficult for small driving schools to gain market share as client acquisition is largely based on driving school size or word of mouth.
However, Nubee is changing this, and with this new way, driving instructors who provides the best services will ultimately be the ones that secure the most clients.”
Nubee app features
- Booking of driving lessons in record-time with screened and qualified driving instructors
- In-app payments for driving lessons
- Geolocation software to track and ensure the safety of both instructors and learner drivers
- A calendar feature
- A chat portal for engagement purposes
- Built-in ratings and reviews.
“The user interface can be described as an ‘Uber for driving lessons,” Bruce-Brand further explains.
Prospective driving instructors and learners
Although registration is free, however, instructors must go through a rigorous screening exercise before they are qualified to host their services on the Nubee platform.
Also, instructors must also employ the use of their own vehicle for lessons.
Revealing that many instructors in the driving lesson industry get away with driving without a licence or required government-issued certificate, Bruce-Brand emphasised the need to have a proper vetting process.
“From day one we have made it paramount to have a sound vetting process.
Each registered instructor is individually vetted by the company’s in-house quality assurance team before being activated on the app.
We will then continue to assess an instructor’s vehicle condition every week.”
Also, before booking a session, learners are able to view ratings and reviews of potential instructors, to ensure their safety and comfort.
Both instructors and learners must also be aware that there is a 10% platform processing fee for all transactions done on Nubee.
Instructors also enjoy benefits from Nubee’s partnership with various third parties as they are given discounts on vehicle repairs, car washes, fuel, and so on.
Covid-19 guidelines
To ensure that instructors and learners feel at ease with one another during the Covid-19 pandemic, Nubee maintains strict compliance with necessary health regulations for the safety of all.
Among these regulations include the wearing of masks by participants during the driving lessons and use of medical-grade hand sanitizers regularly during the exercise is mandatory.
The app is available for free download on Google Playstore and Apple store.
Every instructor has the option to choose their hourly rate and users can choose from several qualified driving teachers on the app.
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