Is it worth me training to become a driving instructor?

Maybe this is something you have been considering for a while? Or possibly you are only now thinking about a change in career?

There is a very informative article on the smallbusiness.co.uk web site that goes into a lot of detail about the process of qualifying to become a driving instructor. There is a lot of very good information in this article. However one area that is not as accurate as we would like is where the hourly rate is mentioned – here we are most certainly way above the £20-£25 per hour being quoted. You can expect to be charging over £40 per hour once you are fully qualified.

This blog post is an update on a previous post from 2019.

Opportunities – and a better work/life balance

Becoming a fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) can open up lots of opportunities within the driver training sector but most importantly I guess is the ability to be able to manage your own diary and give yourself a better work/life balance. This tends to be the most compelling reason why a lot of people are attracted to the job. Take time off when you want to, not when you are told to! Work evenings and weekends only if you want to so you can co-ordinate your lifestyle with that of your partner and family.

So what is the current situation?

Covid has created a scenario where we have very long wating times for practical driving tests. At the time of writing this, the earliest tests at Exeter driving test centre are towards the end of February 2023. Two lengthy lockdowns led to almost a year without driving instructors being able to conduct any lessons – but young people still kept turning 17 during this time! Throughout 2022 we have experienced a constant stream, of enquiries. Whilst this has slowed slightly in recent weeks, there is still a lot of demand out these and I am sure that, once qualified, anyone thinking of training would have plenty of work very quickly.

So is it worth me training to become a driving instructor?

My answer to this would be a definite ‘yes’. The article which has been linked to in this blog is very helpful – except in one respect. It talks about instructor s being paid and hourly rate of around £25-£30. This is certainly well out of date here as we are currently charging up to £42.

So what do I do next?

If you are seriously considering training to become a driving instructor please get in touch with us for a no obligation chat when we can answer the many questions you are bound to have. We can give you an illustration of what you could reasonably expect to earn – as well as the likely expenses involved in running a driving school car.

You can contact us by email – info@trainingwheelz.co.uk or by phone – the number is at the top of each page on our web site. Please leave us a voice message as we are likely to be out on the road if you call during the working day.

We would be delighted to hear from you!

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