Less than 10% of new driving schools last year were set up by women. 

In an industry with a growing number of female driver trainers, what is holding women back?

That’s the question raised through research by Instant Offices.

The fairer sex

Just 8% of driving schools launched last year were started by women, research has shown. 

Companies House data analysed by Instant Offices found a total of 469 businesses were registered in 2022 under ‘driving school activities’ – a massive 61% increase compared with 2021. 

However, just 36 were launched by a woman – only 8% of last year’s total. 

Disappointing picture

The research also found the numbers fell year on year.

In 2021, 34 driving schools were launched by women among a total of 291 schools, meaning 12% were led by females. 

Considering the equal mix of genders wanting to learn to drive, and the large number of female driving instructors working, it seems an outdated reality.

This is especially so considering the conclusions of recent reports into business ad leadership. Maybe it’s time for more women to get behind the wheel and drive driving schools forward.

Time for equality

Strides are being made to support women start their own businesses across the country. The ‘Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship‘ highlighted how women could add £250billion of new value to the UK economy if they started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men. The report aims to fulfil the government’s ambition of increasing the number of female leaders by 50 per cent by 2030.

John Williams, Chief Marketing Officer at Instant Offices added: “Research shows that 54% of small businesses, 64% of medium ones and 59% of large companies reported improved business outcomes when implementing initiatives to improve gender diversity.

“Studies have also shown women score higher than men in most leadership skills.”  

Overall, the schools started last year were predominantly launched across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester and Glasgow.