Becoming a Driving Instructor...

[mistergixer]

As i hate my current job, i've been looking at a way out.

One job i've considered for years is becoming a driving instructor (don't ask why), and i reckon i'd be a pretty darn good one too. I'm thinking now might be a 'good' time to take the plunge and actually do something about it.

I know there's at least one driving instructor on here, wondering if you might be able to shed a bit of light on the pros/cons of either going with an established franchiser (BSM for example) vs going out as an independent.

Personal experiences would be most welcome, any info on required qualification/accreditation/training etc also most useful.


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[Feasty]

Hi

Well you've just walked right up my street!

A few years ago I took the same decision as you're thinking about and decided to become a driving instructor. I looked around a LOT to find the best company to train with. I heard bad things about several companies including BSM, in that they would entice you to part with lots of money but give you bugger all support and leave you dry if you got a bit stuck. Don't take my word for it though, things may have changed by now. Just be very careful who you end up with.
I ended up going with LDC, and very fortunately found someone on Ebay selling their entire course complete with books/videos etc for a third of the price. So I got stuck in thinking 'well I haven't had an accident for 14 years now so I'm doing somthing right'!

I got through the first section (which took me a year because I was very slow but also working full time!), and then had my first 'test' drive with an instructor training person. At that point I came up against a brick wall - I simply couldn't cope with the utter anal approach they had. Things like - I was changing gear at slightly the wrong rev's, the way in which I held the steering wheel whilst indicating etc, looking in your rear view mirror 3 times on that corner instead of 4 etc, etc...
I know they have standards they obviously have to adhere to but this was ridiculous, so I gave up. I'd never be able to be so nit picky about it.

The other things that I had at the back of my mind the whole time were working hours, holidays, sickness and salary. Just bear in mind when they advertise £25K-£30K salaries, you're extremely unlikely to ever actually reach those unless you work 8am-9pm Mon-Sat and also manage to find the work to do this through the winter too!
Recently my wife and I had a baby, in the past 18 months since I've never been so glad to work a normal office 9-5 job. I can take time out with ease for appointments etc, I have my weekends to myself to enjoy time as a family and I don't need to worry about money during holidays, since I get paid holidays anyway.

Lots of stuff to bear in mind when making your decision.

Lastly, if you still want to do this. I have the entire course content from LDC including the entire theory manuals and all the training videos, you can have them at a very good price.

Good luck!!!
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(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Itchy]

Don't look at red driving school, their parent company is in administration.

I have experience of doing accounts of about 9 driving instructors they all made around 30K turnover, after taking fuel and expenses they were left with about 15-17K. With one low one who made 12K.

There were quite a lot of car repairs in their expenses, fuel was a massive massive expense and maintenance was also a massive expense with people having to service their cars every 2 months sometimes. Although the one I got on with quite well used to do this himself he still spent enourmous amounts on tyres, repairs (which were dings done on tests) and oil.
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[J0Al1]

Interesting thead. I thought bout it myself quite a few years ago. The anti-social hrs put me off. Most 17 year olds want after school and weekend training.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I've thought about it, but I've not much tolerance for arseholes and people with low personal hygiene standards.
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[MarJay]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zvkeK6_Yu0

Don't do it. Its not like that at all. You work all hours and make hardly any money.
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[GhostRider]

My old next door neighbour had a punt at it.

It wasn't until he paid all his fees, passed all the tests and was registered that he was informed that there were something like 6 other instructors for the same company in the same area, so getting work was nigh on impossible for him - put it this was he was asking my brother if there was any warehouse work going on at his place that he could put a good word in for him, so evidently he wasn't bringing in £30k a year. After about 4 months he gave up and went on to do something else.

Thats about all I know really.

GhostRider
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[Clanger]

Skudd used to be one. Have a chat with him, he'll probably give you some pointers.
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[Groove]

My dad is one.

He started with BSM, went to Safeways and is now on his own (Aco UK Driving School).

For some time now he has been very busy and doesnt have a huge area (Harlow, Bishops Stortford & Braintree) and is looking to take one or two people on to cover the other side of Essex.

He enjoys it, works reasonable hours although somtimes doesnt get in till 8pm.

Not sure on his actual turnover
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[Charlie]

Try giving a PM to deanoet he was training to be an instructor last time I spoke to him
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[pebles]

Hmmm, interesting thread.

I love driving, but unfortunately I love driving myself, hate being driven by anyone else. Am way too scared and don't trust a lot of people. So you seriously need to be able to stay calm even if they're messing things up, which they will.

But I was thinking, how is it with riding instructors? Don't worry, not myself, haven't even finished the whole test, one final bit - MOD2 to do possibly next week and then I'm out there. But anyway, how is it with the riders? Has anyone been lucky and experienced it? Can you work full-time or part-time, whenever it suits you? Once you know how it goes and how things work, start your own business

[Bofh5]

lots of good advice here. i'd seriously think twice about it.
the ads make it look simple and that you'll be earning wads of cash in no time which from what ive heard is b)llocks.

personally after following several learners lately i think you'd have to be on vallium to get in a car with them
can't be good for blood pressure and heart all that stress.
hats off to those who do it though
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[Kickstart]

Hi

The claims for money never seem to add up to me. £30k a year (common claim) is £15 an hour for a 40 hour week. Take into account mileage (say 10 miles at 50p a mile) and you need to be charging £20 an hour straight out before taking into account travel between students, non chargable time between students, advertising, etc.

All the best

Keith
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[MarkJ]

[Kickstart]

[J0Al1]

I think pootling round the roads at almost 30pmh would get very boring very very quickly.

[Bofh5]

[HP]

The driving instructor i had very recently has a very good first time past rate and is very popular, he charges 23per hour and is always fully booked, he has a two month waiting list. He has an old shape ford ka does hidious mileages but does all the servicing himslef so it is as cheap as possible. He done all the test himself and says if only shit people work for big driving schools like the bsm as they charge over £300 per week for the use of vechile and the advertising. They are also repsonsible for providing you with work but they don't give you that much. He then said any decent instructor works for themself to avoid these big cost.
So my advise would be to do it yourself and not through a company.

[J0Al1]

On the countrary to that; The chap that taught me, many moons ago, was private.. He got run out of town by the big boys (they took all the work)!

[Groove]

My dad does it privatly although he is looking to take people on (as mentioned before). Last week he did 18 2 hour lessons priced at £20 per hour. This is how its been for quite a few weeks and is booked up for the next 5 or so weeks untill a few go for their tests.

Think his car is about £50 a week (207 1.4 diesel) and obvioulsy a lump on diesel.

So its fairly good for him.
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