At CA Cars, we have spent 40 years providing new and used cars to driving instructors across the country. In this article, we’ll explain our top five tips for driving instructors which reduce running costs.
Cost of running a car
There is a wide range of costs associated with running a car for driving instructors. These include:
- Fuel costs - Driving instructors spend long hours out on the road every week, so fuel is one of the biggest expenses. Fuel prices have soared for all kinds of geopolitical reasons in recent years, so finding cheap options is more important than ever.
- Insurance - Driving instructors need specialist car insurance, which can be more expensive than standard policies.
- Vehicle maintenance - Regular servicing, MOTs and unexpected repairs are all common parts of owning a car, and for driving instructors, this is even more important to help ensure your vehicle is safe.
- Tyres - High mileage means more pressure on tyres, and they will wear out and need changing more regularly than an average driver.
- Road tax - Depending on your vehicle type, road tax is another cost you will need to consider.
5 tips for driving instructors to reduce running costs
If you’re a driving instructor looking for ways to reduce the running costs of your vehicle, there are several things you can do:
- Fill up at supermarkets
One of the simplest ways to reduce running costs is to fill up your car at supermarket petrol stations. Supermarkets often offer lower fuel prices than dedicated petrol stations, and while the savings may seem small, over time they can make a big difference.
- Drive gently in cold weather
Cold weather can increase fuel consumption as it takes the engine longer to reach optimal operating temperatures. Aggressive acceleration or idling during the colder months can worsen fuel economy. With this in mind, you should drive gently during the colder months in order to reduce the amount of fuel you use.
- Check tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure can also affect fuel efficiency and the lifespan of your tyres. While a warning light on your dashboard should let you know if your tyres have a pressure issue, you should also regularly check them yourself to make sure they are at the correct pressure.
- Avoid harsh braking
Harsh braking wastes fuel and increases wear on brake pads. Your students might brake harshly while they’re getting used to driving, but you should make sure you’re not doing this yourself wherever possible. Smooth braking also creates a calmer learning environment for your students.
Buy or lease cars with CA Cars
Choosing the right vehicle is one of the most important decisions for every driving instructor, and at CA Cars, we specialise in car leasing and sales for instructors across the UK. Whether you’re looking for your first driving instructor car or to upgrade your current one, our expert team is always on hand to help, so get in touch today to find out more.
See our full range of dual-control cars for hire and dual-control cars for sale.
