How to start out as a private driving instructor

irri_tant

Happychappy wrote: »

How's many people did you know who left school said "I want to be a driving instructor" it is just something people go into normally after being made redundant, needing a job etc, it is a cut throat job which involves long unsocial hours, evening, weekends and not a massive profit?

Not me. I'm looking at doing this as more than likely be made redundant at 55 someime this year as the site closes due to it's age. Should be able to get my works pension but going to need something to fill my time in rather than just sit on the sofa which is all I do now on my days off, I work shifts at the moment.

PhoenixDF

Hi irri tant,

Personally I think you're quite brave to dive into the world of being a driving instructor considering the amount of stress it can cause with all those young 17 year olds wobbling left and ride whilst kangerooing up the road!

However, I personally don't believe you need a full blown business plan for being a driving instructor. A basic speadsheet will be useful but I think one of the best free pieces of software that you could use is the VT cash book. Click here for the link.

It's main features are:
Fast data entry with autocomplete
Supports multiple bank/cash accounts
Bank reconciliation
VAT returns
Easy correction of mistakes
Profit and loss account, balance sheet and ledgers reports

Although VAT and invoicing aren't really applicable to this role, it's still worth having the VAT there as part of the package anyway.

As my other half has started driving lessons I have looked around the West Midland area quite extensively and the best offer I found was The 1st 5 hours for £50 (£10 per hour) then they were £20 an hour afterwards or £19 for a student.

Other things you'd need to consider for you is business cards, leaflets/flyers, logo and name including advertising (you can often advertise for free in the free local magazines or newspapers, including ones that are given out at Universities & colleges by their Student Unions). Then you can also advertise via social media (twitter, facebook, pinterest etc) as well as websites likes Gumtree.

On a side note - if you need any help with designs, logos etc I'd be willing to help as I need to bolster my own graphic portfolio and there would be no charge. All i'd ask in return is a mention somewhere and use of the images in my portfolio and e-portfolio/website but that part is up to you if you want any help down that road.

ILW

I believe that less than one in ten starters actually complete the training.

MeeNorr

There are thousands of other people doing the same thing which means the lesson prices are decreasing because supply is outstripping demand. How many ADIs sit down and work out what the lesson price should be so that they cover their costs and give themselves a reasonable hourly rate that they can live off? The 10 hours for £100 offers are great for the pupil (assuming the teaching is of a good standard) but awful for the instructors livelihood. Sadly these offers are the only way some instructors can get a full diary. I read somewhere that of the 1 in 10 people who pass the tests 90% of those ADIs are no longer teaching after 3 years.