Become a Driving Instructor- Expert Opinion
Fools Gold?
2009 may prove to have been a difficult year for driving instructors, driving schools and signs show 2010 is just as competitive. The Driving School industry will always attract trainee driving instructors into it which is a good thing, but it is often portrayed to someone who is considering a career as driving instructor, that the roads may be lined with Gold.
This may be the case but it is of paramount importance that anybody thinking of engaging upon a new career to become a driving instructor, should find as much information as possible as to what exactly the job as a Driving Instructor entails. After all every career and industry has advantages and disadvantages, it is up to the individual to find them!
People are often led to believe that if you have held a full driving licence for 4 years or more and have a few penalty points on your driving licence, you can become a driving instructor, earn £30,000 per year, run a company car and work hours to suit, and be your own boss! Sounds so good I might give it a go!
A Driving Instructor career can be very rewarding. People skills are of paramount importance as are the responsibilities of running your own business, which as we all know, can become a potential minefield.
It is not just trainee driving instructors coming into the industry that may need to do their homework. Any successful business that wants to maximise its profits and increase its profit potential, will find it necessary to take stock of current working practices and to be aware of an ever changing market, balancing your diary and looking at ways of reducing journey time between lessons is also important. The possibility of 90 minute lessons or two hour lessons, occasionally, instead of a one hour lesson, may have to be investigated as an option to try and reduce operating costs, but the biggest cost to the business is the biggest necessity, the car!
We can’t earn our living without it and with ever increasing fuel costs, servicing costs and potential earning time being lost whilst a vehicle is off the road, the problem or running a driving school car is forever compounded!
Contract Hire maybe an option worth considering. More and more driving instructor’s contract hire their vehicle rather than the previous traditional way of purchasing a vehicle fit for driving lessons. Residuals of vehicles in the second hand market has been hit hard in recent times, take into consideration to what the vehicle has been used for, (in the eyes of a potential buyer) could further reduce the value of your vehicle. For these reasons Contract Hire should be looked at with all that important requirement, homework!
Contract Hire is becoming ever popular and the decision for a PDI to get the correct package is vital. A contract should be sought that is flexible, cost efficient, financially viable, with an option to extend the contract on a month by month basis or to change the contract to a new or better vehicle, once that coveted green badge is secured.
The decision required of an ADI is a little easier in the fact that you will probably have an idea as to the choice of vehicle and to the term of contract that works best for you, now is the time to source the most competitive quote in terms of service and viability.
Contract Hire will enable a driving instructor to have a new car every 7, 12, or 18 months that should enhance your driving school business and give trouble free motoring After all the driving schol car is the most important aspect of a driving school business. A small deposit and bond is usually required to order the vehicle, payment for the first month rental is due on collection or delivery of the vehicle, so initial costs are kept to a minimum. Subsequent monthly payments are made one month in advance until the end of the contract.
A major advantage is the fact that you will have a fixed monthly budget to work to with for your vehicle. No road tax to pay, and no unforeseen service bills! Worn tyres are often replaced free of charge, punctures, impact and any damage to the side wall of the tyre or rim are often not included.
Contract hire is the most tax efficient way of running a driving school cal as all payments are 100% tax deductible. Insurance is also available from contract hire companies but once again, check the contents of the cover and find out if your partner is entitled to drive the vehicle should the need arise.
New vehicles are covered by a comprehensive manufacturers warranty as are most used cars, (often a good option for a PDI). Should your vehicle breakdown 24 hour recovery assistance is available and a replacement vehicle is normally supplied within two working days.
There is usually a mileage allowance depending on the term of the contract. For example a 12 month contract often has a restriction of 30000 miles and prices per mile do vary, so once again, do the homework and find a company that will make a tailor made package to suit!
Whether contract hire is for you or not, it is important to find what works best for you and your business and be open to different options that maybe, just maybe, work better for you.
The roads may be lined with gold as a driving instructor! But with a little work it won’t be fool’s gold!
Mike Gibbons, CACars General Manager