Your instructors are in the passenger seat.
They can't answer the phone while a student is merging onto the highway. AlloPlace answers your school's line in English or French, answers questions about courses and lessons, and books lessons into Google Calendar.
The calls you get
"When does the next course start?" "My son just got his learner's licence. How do we sign him up?" "Can I rent the car for my road test?" "Do you give lessons in English?" "Can the instructor pick me up at school?" "I need to cancel tomorrow's lesson." Half the callers are students. The other half are parents, usually calling around supper.
What it does for you
Answers course questions from your information. Start dates, prices, what's included, where classes happen. It only says what you've given it, so it won't make up a rule about permits.
Books lessons. Practice lessons and refresher sessions go into Google Calendar at the length you set, with the pickup address noted if you ask for it.
Protects the lesson schedule. To move or cancel a lesson, the caller needs a code texted to the number on the booking. If a parent booked it, the code goes to the parent's phone.
Speaks the student's language. Some students want lessons in English, some in French. It answers in either and switches when the caller does.
Takes messages for instructors. Questions about a student's progress or the road test car become clear messages.
A typical call
4:15 p.m. on a weekday in Longueuil. A mother calls in French. Her daughter has a road test coming up and wants one more practice lesson. AlloPlace checks the calendar, offers Saturday at 9:00 or 11:00, and books 9:00. It asks for the pickup address, which is inside the area you serve. The confirmation text goes to the mother's phone, since that's the number on the booking.
TBD: replace with a real call once a customer agrees.
Rules you might write
- "We only pick up within TBD km of the school. Otherwise, lessons start at the office."
- "Registration for the full course is done in person. Don't book it over the phone."
- "Cancellations less than 24 hours ahead are charged. Tell the caller before you cancel."
- "If a student or parent asks about the road test car, take a message for the office."
Good to know
- Calendar or software: it books into Google Calendar only. If you schedule lessons in driving-school software, there's no connection yet. Talk to us first.
- Rules and requirements: AlloPlace doesn't know licensing rules on its own. It answers from your information and takes a message when it isn't sure.
- Payments: it doesn't take course payments or card numbers.
What it costs
Starter is US$30 a month (about CA$43) for 150 minutes and 20 transfers. Every feature is included. Full pricing