Does anyone have experience of becoming a driving instructor?

[Hades]

I recently taught both of my children to drive (they both passed first time). It was very difficult finding an instructor in my area that was still available evenings and weekends, so there is definitely demand here. I was in the back seat of my sons driving test and the examiner mentioned that he drove so well that I should consider becoming an instructor. It got me thinking. I am 55 this year and can start drawing some of my pensions if I want to. One of those is an old school final salary scheme so I will have a reasonable basic income. That would mean I no longer need to earn the same salary as I currently do and It gives me options for the future.

I wondered what people's experiences have been with becoming an instructor. Did you do it independently or with a school such as Red where you then work for them for two years to get the training costs reimbursed? If working independently then are there regulations around the age of the car? Where can you buy dual control (used) cars? Do you need to refresh your instructor status every few years? etc.

Thank you.

 

[MissChief]

Some of the big companies do intro courses I’m sure, but, although a good many years ago and certainly pre-Covid I heard that they didn’t care what area your were in, even if there were dozens of instructors locally and didn’t guarantee any work afterwards. I also have seen three or four driving instructor liveried cars at my workplace over the years suggesting making a living out of it, especially as an independent, new startup is exceptionally difficult. Many bookings need to come by word of mouth rather than advertising.

Now, a driving test examiner, demand is much higher. Have seen some people in some areas talking about bookings out in to 2025 so clearly there’s loads of demand, but getting hired is the difficult bit!

 

[Hades]

Some of the big companies do intro courses I’m sure, but, although a good many years ago and certainly pre-Covid I heard that they didn’t care what area your were in, even if there were dozens of instructors locally and didn’t guarantee any work afterwards. I also have seen three or four driving instructor liveried cars at my workplace over the years suggesting making a living out of it, especially as an independent, new startup is exceptionally difficult. Many bookings need to come by word of mouth rather than advertising.

Now, a driving test examiner, demand is much higher. Have seen some people in some areas talking about bookings out in to 2025 so clearly there’s loads of demand, but getting hired is the difficult bit!

Thank you.

 

[Josh]

Huge demand in my bit of Surrey IIRC 8-12 week waiting lists for some instructors etc, think the going rate seems to be £25-£30+ per 1h lesson but with it this busy guessing this could be upped, package deals seem to be popular in blocks of 10 lessons.

My 17-year-old has put off learning to drive for a couple more years.

 

[Hades]

Huge demand in my bit of Surrey IIRC 8-12 week waiting lists for some instructors etc, think the going rate seems to be £25-£30+ per 1h lesson but with it this busy guessing this could be upped, package deals seem to be popular in blocks of 10 lessons.

My 17-year-old has put off learning to drive for a couple more years.

Thanks. Yes rates around here (Esher, just down the A3 from you) are £30 to £40 per hour. Most did a 10 lesson block booking like you said.

 

[dlockers]

There is someone on here that became a driving instructor - might be worth a search to try and find them. They threw the towel in because of the "customer" side of things - it was a nightmare with no-shows, and the costs are astronomical.

My Dad's retirement dream was to drive the short bus - early starts, take the oldies to the stroke club, home by lunch type outfit.

 

[Hades]

There is someone on here that became a driving instructor - might be worth a search to try and find them. They threw the towel in because of the "customer" side of things - it was a nightmare with no-shows, and the costs are astronomical.

My Dad's retirement dream was to drive the short bus - early starts, take the oldies to the stroke club, home by lunch type outfit.

Thanks.

 

[Quartz]

I wondered what people's experiences have been with becoming an instructor.

A former colleague tried to become one. She failed. All I can remember of her report is that it's not as easy as you think.

If you look up Ashley Neal on YouTube, you'll find several videos where he references instructor training.

 

[Hades]

A former colleague tried to become one. She failed. All I can remember of her report is that it's not as easy as you think.

If you look up Ashley Neal on YouTube, you'll find several videos where he references instructor training.

Thanks.