The instructor training minefield

Intelligent Instructor is proud to have brought together industry experts to produce ‘The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Driving Instructor’.

It has been created in association with Drive.Day, a free magazine offering advice and guidance for those wishing to train and qualify as professional driving instructors.

This FREE 68-page digital magazine is packed with impartial, comprehensive, and detailed information for individuals looking to become driving instructors, and those who have already started out on the road to becoming a professional driver trainer.

Over the next ten weeks, we will publish a small selection of the articles in this guide.

This week, Chris Bensted tackles ‘the instructor training minefield’.

The instructor training minefield

Understanding every aspect of what you are committing to is vital when starting your journey to being an ADI.

We are so used to signing our lives away and clicking accept that people just do it without question and only consider the options when it is too late. It can be hard to differentiate between sales pitch and truth. It’s also important not to take unqualified advice. I’m an ORDIT trainer with 16 years of experience and co-founder of The Driving Instructor and Trainers Collective (theditc.co.uk), helping support ADIs and PDIs.

Where do you start? The unspoken secret is the business of driver training has two sectors: the first is developing driving skills – Driving Instruction – that is regulated by the DVSA. The other is developing trainers – Instructor Training – which is unregulated by the DVSA. You need to consider both provisions: are they the right trainer and the right school?

Broadly speaking, there are two financial models for instructor training. Paying upfront, possibly in instalments, or where you commit to paying as part of a franchisee. There are key questions to consider.

What is the overall cost from starting the training to being able to leave the contract? Then compare like-for-like with other cost options. The ability to charge more after one year could make it more cost-effective to pay double upfront. I tell people to budget an assumed cost of £2000-£3000 to become an ADI. Whether this cost is visible or not, it will be there or you are likely cutting corners for your all-important future.

You need specifics and you need them in writing. Contracts may promise a lot, but you need support, guidance, and experience.

There are other variables to factor in, such as what happens if you fail Part 1, 2 or 3; can’t afford to continue; have a life-changing event; you hate it; you don’t learn the way you are being taught; or you’re not given the trainer you need?

As well as this, you need to understand: what does the syllabus look like; who is delivering your training; what experience do they have and what is their success rate?
Also think about: what is your commitment and for how long; when can you get your training and a test; where will you have to go for it; how and when can you leave; how long does it take to train, to be ready to pass, to be ready to do the job, and to be ready to run a business? These are not all the same things. And importantly, how will you get pupils – is there a guarantee or just them ‘trying their best’?

You need specifics and you need them in writing. Contracts may promise a lot, but you need support, guidance, and experience. I’ve had calls from those travelling hours, left unsupported, or even trained by a fellow PDI. My advice is to reach out and find mentors to support your journey, whichever path you choose.

Driver training is an amazing job, but it is too often founded on minimum standards, and that is not what you want for you and your new business. If you are not aiming for the stars, ask yourself why. If you are, find someone ready to support that.

Chris Bensted
Driving Instructor and Trainers Collective

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