Phil Hirst is an ex-Serviceman with 16 years’ experience as a driving instructor trainer. He owns AIM Instructor Training, an ORDIT-registered company, based in Harrogate (ELC 2840).
When asked by Service leavers ‘Is becoming a driving instructor a worthwhile career option?’ I reply that if you gain satisfaction from seeing your students achieving their goals with your help then, yes, it is. I add that you have been trained to demonstrate resourcefulness and initiative in the Services; these qualities will stand you in good stead when training to qualify and operate successfully as a driving instructor. Your skills are easily transferred once you have completed a training course.
Now is a good time to join the driver training industry. It is in the throes of change and turbulence, but there is always a need for well-motivated instructors. Most national and mid-size regional driving schools are expanding into new areas and constantly recruiting qualified ADIs. Lack of experience is not a stumbling block – a licence to operate is all you need. Service people have a strong work ethic and discipline when working unsupervised, which are attractive qualities to driving school managers.
Once qualified you have two choices: work for yourself or as a franchisee as part of an established school. The benefits of working for a school include having a car provided for you, a strong brand name with established practices and most of your work will be provided by the company. Expect to pay between £200 and £300 per week for these services. On the downside, you will be tied in to a contract for a lengthy period, there is no guaranteed supply of pupils and expect to be travelling fairly long distances between your lessons. You might decide to work for yourself (75% of all instructors run their own schools). This gives you flexibility and total control over your work diary. You might be in a position to build your school gradually without the support of an established school. This cuts out the ‘middle man’, thereby saving you a weekly franchise fee. However, it takes time to establish yourself, and advertising your services costs time and money, factors that need careful consideration.
Set-up costs for the independent ADI are fairly low compared to other new business ventures. Leasing a fully maintained dual-controlled car costs around £75 per week, car insurance is around £400 per year and ADI registration is £300 every four years. Obtain the services of an accountant for between £200 and £300 per year.
When choosing a training provider it does not have to be the company you might go on to work for. In fact, training independently allows you the luxury of a few months to learn more about your working options without committing yourself to anything other than your training course. The training course should be tailored to your needs and time schedule; don’t be dictated to when negotiating dates for training. If the training provider wants your business they will bend as far as they can to accommodate your time constraints. Expect the course to last between five and eight months on a part-time basis. Qualifying any faster than that is simply not feasible. Try to obtain the services of an ORDIT-registered organisation and insist upon one-to-one lessons. Ask what precisely you get for your money: are all training resources included and how many hours of training do you receive for each of the qualifying exams? Will a vehicle be available for the practical tests? Ask to speak to some of their previous clients to gain an impartial view of the provider.
If job satisfaction, being your own boss and planning your own diary are important to you, then working as a driving instructor could be the career for you.
For more information about qualifying and working as an Approved Driving Instructor contact Phil at AIM Instructor Training on 01423 500446 or email
phil.hirst1@ntlworld.com.
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