Training to be a driving instructor

Martyjake · 2025-03-08T13:18:39+00:00

I'm currently a primary school teacher, with over 25 year's experience, working 50 hours plus a week. I'm thinking about training to be a driving instructor as I could earn a lot more for less hours and actually teach people who want to learn. If anyone has become a driving instructor in their late forties, what are the pros and cons? Thanks

MathsMagpie · 08/03/2025 21:22

Also interested in this as a burnt out primary school teacher!

WonkyDonkeyWonkeyDonkey · 08/03/2025 21:28

I know someone who is retaining to be a driving instructor in her early forties. She’s doing it with the AA.

I don’t know that it’s the case that it’s better paid than teaching. It’s about £40 an hour for the hours you are with a pupil. But then there is the car, the insurance and fuel to pay for. And then at least half a day admin a week.

WonkyDonkeyWonkeyDonkey · 08/03/2025 21:29

It’s much more flexible though. I’m not saying don’t do it.

there’s certainly a demand.

ChickenXacuti · 08/03/2025 21:39

You need to be prepared to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as that’s when a lot of working people want lessons. Also that 30 hours of instructing could equal 50 hours of being out of the house by the time you factor in driving between pupils and the inevitable waiting around as it’s not always possible to schedule lessons to flow one after the other.

You need to consider the cost of franchise fees as well as it can be hard to build up a decent size customer base on your own. And you need to have a strong bladder and a good knowledge of all the public loos in the area you cover 😂

Original poster

Martyjake · 09/03/2025 07:53

WonkyDonkeyWonkeyDonkey · 08/03/2025 21:28

I know someone who is retaining to be a driving instructor in her early forties. She’s doing it with the AA.

I don’t know that it’s the case that it’s better paid than teaching. It’s about £40 an hour for the hours you are with a pupil. But then there is the car, the insurance and fuel to pay for. And then at least half a day admin a week.

What kind of admin tasks are there please? I want to fully understand the expectations so I can make an informed decision.

OP posts:

BogRollBOGOF · 09/03/2025 07:55

ChickenXacuti · 08/03/2025 21:39

You need to be prepared to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as that’s when a lot of working people want lessons. Also that 30 hours of instructing could equal 50 hours of being out of the house by the time you factor in driving between pupils and the inevitable waiting around as it’s not always possible to schedule lessons to flow one after the other.

You need to consider the cost of franchise fees as well as it can be hard to build up a decent size customer base on your own. And you need to have a strong bladder and a good knowledge of all the public loos in the area you cover 😂

Teaching would be perfect training for those conditions!

Original poster

Martyjake · 09/03/2025 07:55

ChickenXacuti · 08/03/2025 21:39

You need to be prepared to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as that’s when a lot of working people want lessons. Also that 30 hours of instructing could equal 50 hours of being out of the house by the time you factor in driving between pupils and the inevitable waiting around as it’s not always possible to schedule lessons to flow one after the other.

You need to consider the cost of franchise fees as well as it can be hard to build up a decent size customer base on your own. And you need to have a strong bladder and a good knowledge of all the public loos in the area you cover 😂

I already leave the house at 6.45am and am willing to work evenings or weekends if it means I have time off during the day.

OP posts:

Original poster

Martyjake · 09/03/2025 07:56

BogRollBOGOF · 09/03/2025 07:55

Teaching would be perfect training for those conditions!

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Exactly that's my thinking

OP posts:

biscuitsandbooks · 09/03/2025 08:11

While it may seem well paid on the surface, I don't think you'd be bringing home as much as you think for the hours you work.

Running costs - fuel, insurance, wear and tear. My old instructor used to fill up his car almost daily as he was doing so many miles. Tyres also got replaced a lot.

"Dead time" in between lessons - you can't fill yourself up back to back as you need to factor in traffic and getting between pupils, but it might not be enough time to do anything productive other than sit in your car waiting around.

Covering things like holidays, your pension, holidays, sick days, tax...it takes up a surprisingly large chunk of your income.

I'm not saying don't do it by any means, but there's a lot to factor in going self-employed. I'm five years in to running my own business and am still learning!

biscuitsandbooks · 09/03/2025 08:17

Also as PP said, you'd be mainly doing evenings and weekends - driving round on busy roads with nervous learners is pretty stressful. You'd need to decide if the money is worth giving up all your free time to sit in a car for hours!

CoffeeTable22 · 09/03/2025 08:18

I'm currently training to be an ADI having been a primary school teacher.
I'm not planning on doing it full time. I'm also a tutor so I plan to do it alongside. I'm pretty much 100% responsible for the school runs as DH works long hours so am hoping it's a flexible option around that.

Car costs/franchise fees do add up. Do some research and calculations before you sign up to anything.

Yes you get paid well but in reality you might as well halve the hourly wage considering car costs and no holiday pay, etc.

doubleshift · 09/03/2025 08:27

And constantly trying to find somewhere that has a toilet between lessons!

Giraffe888 · 12/05/2025 20:32

just a little bump as I’m currently considering this as a career option!