Too few 17 year olds

At present there are around 700,000 people reach the age of 17 each year.

There are approximately 40,000 Driving instructors on the ADI register.

That means 17 people reach the age where they are allowed to learn to drive each year for every one driving instructor.

And with the number of 17 year olds decreasing each year and the number of instructors increasing, there's clearly not enough pupils to go round!

Red Driving School Scam

Type "red driving school" into Google and one option you are offered is "Red Driving School scam"!

Probably less of a scam than a mistake is their latest offer of £1000 cashback.

In the terms and conditions on the Red driver training website, it states that you must complete 6 months as a qualified ADI with a Red franchise before you are entitled to the cashback. However the next sentence says you have to claim WITHIN 6 months.

A scam or a mistake? - you be the judge!

Getting a job as a driving instructor

There are many pitfalls in becoming a driving instructor - not the least the need to pass the qualifying exams!

5 Myths about becoming a driving instructor

1. It's easy to earn over £30,000
Few driving instructors earn over £30,000 after they have taken account of car purchase / running costs / franchise/ advertising etc

2. It's easy to become a driving instructor
Only about 1 person in 10 who sets out to become a driving instructor passes the final exam

3. There's a national shortage of driving instructors
Many instructors are struggling to find enough work and are having to lower lesson prices accordingly

4. You get a guaranteed job at the end of your training
Most training organisations offer a franchise, not a salaried job - all assuming you pass the exams

5. I'm a good driver, so i'll be a good instructor
Although driving skills are important to becoming an instructor, they are not all that's needed.
You need to have good people skills, patience and an ability to teach.

Red Instructor Training

According to the Daily Telegraph, financial problems at Red Driving School were caused by Barclays stopping their offer of loans to trainee instructors. Full story

Red Driving School almost goes bust

Red Driving school's parent company LVG has been saved from administration by a private equity firm. It is believed that the problem was not due to a failure in the business but rather cash flow problems resulting from a change in accounting procedures and the loss of a backer.
None of the 400 staff are expected to be made redundant.

Meanwhile the FT reports that the market is flooded with too many instructors.
Between 2007 and 2009 the number of provisional licences has dropped by 34%. During this time the number of instructors has increased, with an increase of over 50% in the last 10 years.

What Car? Driving School Franchise Costs

What Car? have now published their full costs:

Headboard/livery/starter pack but no car or pupils - £67 inc vat

As above but with car - £179.90 inc vat

New pupils £22.95 or £29.95 per pupil

Full details