A new business takes time to build, and doesn’t happen overnight! Become a good instructor, but you will also need to be good in business to prosper.

Starting out
Once qualified how do I start? To begin with have a business plan! This should include projected turnover, profits, expenses, marketing plans etc. All too often new instructors are in the driving instructor game to make a fast buck.

You have to speculate to accumulate! You should really have a business start up budget, not just a training budget.

It can be difficult at the very beginning, a good instructor’s work comes from recommendation and stands for?

Going it alone straight away
If you intend to instruct part time then this is a valid option. You just need a way into the business. If you have sons/daughters/relatives who wish to learn to drive, then there is your way in. Via recommendations to their friends it won’t take long for you to build up a client list in this way.

If you need to start full time then it could be a wrong decision. You need to build up gradually as described above. If at alll possible, keep any current job you have for as long as possible and build up gradually. You can be self-employed and work under the PAYE at the same time. Many instructors work alongside other jobs in this industry.

Remember you could try flyers, mail shots, advertising in local papers and the yellow pages. You can even advertise on your car!

Whatever you do, avoid doing cut price lessons, you are selling yourself short, other pupils will expect cheap lessons and you will alienate yourself from other instructors by undercutting them. You need a suitable charge out rate to make a living.
Remember that the key to your success is to building up gradually through recommendation. Advertise your services wherever possible and gain extra qualifications to set you out from the crowd.

A Small Franchise
A franchise is a very good option, whether you intend full or part time. Many smaller companies will offer a franchise locally. There are many different schemes available.

A smaller company would generally offer a deal based on supplying you with pupils, a roof sign, telephone support and bookings all in exchange for a weekly fee. You operate under their name and often supply your own car, which you maintain and run (You are responsible for insurance). You are allowed to source your own pupils as well if you wish. This is a very good way to build up clientele gradually and then to go out on your own. This is the option most instructors take. You are not normally tied into these deals and can go on your own at short notice.

Weekly franchise deals vary enormously! Expect to pay in the region from £75.00 per week if you supply your own car. There is generally no guarantee of pupils with any deals so make sure you know at the outset how many pupils are expected between both parties.

You don’t have a risky outlay with this method, remember your car doesn’t need to be brand new, just well maintained and your dual controls and not expensive to fit. Your current vehicle may well be suitable.

Opportunities with Amber that are similar to the above often exist to get your started, depending on time of year and pupil numbers etc. We are in contact with many companies locally and nationally.

Larger Franchises
Larger companies such as AA/BSM may offer franchises with a vehicle supplied. These companies in particular are always after instructors. Obviously you pay more for these deals, which can be anything between £150-300 a week and you either pay for pupils on top or have them included. The vehicle maintenance is normally included in the price as is advertising, insurance, vehicle licence, phone support, and livery etc. Your only cost is fuel. This is a generally safe option with no significant outlay initially but an outlay weekly. Again check on likely pupil numbers.

How much is insurance?
New instructors presume insurance will be very expensive…WRONG!

You are now a highly trained individual. Accidents don’t happen - 95% are driver error. You are in control and even with your pupil driving you are at the helm! Good instructors don’t have accidents, if they do it’s nearly always someone else’s fault I.E a rear end shunt. Claims are made on the other party’s insurance. Insurance companies recognise this and price policies accordingly.

Expect to pay £200-500 for a fully comprehensive protected policy on an average driving school car as long as you have a full no claims bonus.

Another good option with no large outlay. You may lease a new vehicle or used for anything from £250-600 per month, often including insurance and maintenance and servicing. These cars are 100% tax allowable. Again, with this outlay per month you need to make sure you have a good idea of your potential pupil numbers. You still have no initial outlay other than a bond of approx £200.00.

Deals are available with specialist companies for 6-24 months. Remember you are tied to the vehicle for this length of time.
Amber can offer an introduction to cheap vehicle leasing, from personal experience the best deals are generally lease purchase. A small initial deposit followed by low monthly payments.

Will I have enough work?
What you need to remember is that when you obtain your green badge, you services are in demand! Make sure you get a good deal. We deal with many local companies who will take you upon qualification. Advice is freely offered upon qualification, this is all part of the service.

Don’t be taken in by large training companies offering a guaranteed job/working within 8 weeks etc. They just want your money up-front.

Driving instructors are self-employed. No company offers guaranteed pupils that is the important bit.
If you are good, you will be reasonably busy.

How much can I earn?
See above section.

Do I need an accountant?
Yes! A good accountant will easily save you more money than his/her fee. Get an accountant, get good advice. The taxman will believe an accountant, will he believe you? Keep proper business accounts from the word go and save all your receipts. It is important you contact your local tax office and register as self employed.

So what is ORDIT?
It stands for Official Register of Driving Instructor Training.

What does it mean?
It means that your trainer has been watched and assessed by an ACDE (Assistant Chief Driving Examiner) from the DSA, to see if your standards are to a high and exacting standard expected by the DSA. Infact! You may notice that on the DSA website, it encourages people who are becoming driving instructors to only train with an ORDIT registered instructor trainer.

How do I benefit?
** One on one ** so you get value for money **
Many driving schools advertise that they do driving instructor training, however, they may never have taught anyone or know what the DSA expects them to teach potential driving instructors now. You see, a driving instructor could have qualified many years ago and will not realise how much things have changed and what the examiner expects to see on your part 2 and 3. The fact that I have qualified to be on the ORDIT means that I know what the examiners are expecting, which means that you get the best value for your money and the best chance of passing.

YOU ONLY GET 3 CHANCES AT THE EXAM... therefore you should NEVER:
• Be told “Go for a test attempt to see what its like”
• Be sent for part 2 to an area you are not familiar with
• Be sent for part 2 to an unfamiliar area being told “all roundabouts are the same”
• Be sent for part 2 or 3 without a mock test
• Be sent for part 3 thinking “I hope I don’t get a Pre-set Test”
IF YOUR TRAINER DOES ANY OF THE ABOVE.....IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON!!

You only get 3 attempts...

Part 1
 All training materials
 Books, CD’s, DVD’s provided

Part 2
 Training consists of 8 x 2 hour session on each lesson (16 hours)
 If PDI does not need the 16 hours training I will carry additional hours onto part 3 training
 Colour file booklet will be provided

Part 3
 40 hours one on one training
 Training provided at dates and times to suit you
 Training file, lesson plans and diagrams will be provided