The wheels are turning on a businessman's bid to rid Richmond of its bad driver reputation.
Alberto Montoto hasn't even officially opened his mobile driving simulator company, but has already attracted interest from ICBC and the Small Business BC Awards.
Montoto, who started up Moncar Simulators on the side of his regular IT specialist job, is also having to turn away customers eager to test out their driving skills because he's still awaiting delivery of the simulator.
"The reaction has been incredible," said Montoto, who came to Richmond five years ago from Cuba.
"I met with some people from ICBC this week and they were really impressed.
"They're looking into introducing my business idea at some fairs. And the hope is that I might be able to operate in parking lots outside of ICBC centres."
Montoto set up the mobile driving simulation service after years of witnessing random acts of stupidity on Richmond's roads. He believes new motorists and new immigrants would benefit greatly from going through his 12-lesson program, similar to what all new drivers have to go through in his native Cuba before they're allowed on the road.
Moncar Simulators has also been nominated in the "new concept" category in the Small Business BC Awards.
"It's all very exciting and the feedback from everyone has been very positive," added Montoto.
"The simulator is arriving later this week, so we hope to be up and running very soon."
The only roadblock in Montoto's path thus far has been his inability to be truly mobile, as the City of Richmond's business licence bylaws require him to apply for a new, $124 site-specific licence each time he parks up for a client.
He's hoping to find one or two businesses in hightraffic locations where he can park semi-permanently and start steering new drivers in the right direction.
