Opening a Driving School

everybody

Hi folks..
I've been looking at alternative avenues for my career.. A friend recommended I consider opening a driving school as he thinks it would suit me perfectly..

I looked up this group who train instructors..

http://www.drivinginstructor.ie/earnings.htm

Anybody tried or been successful at this ??

Any comments or advice would be welcome, I'd be thinking of opening my own school rather than being a franchisee...

The idea makes sense but doesn't really light me up like I would think a new career should...

DubTony

I have a feeling a bunch of people are going to get into this over the coming months and years after the new rules announced the other day. As for the business itself, I'm inclined to think that when you start this you're really just buying a job.

I can't see most instructors having anything like 30 lessons a week, and if they did, at €30 an hour, there's obviously a limit on how much an individual can make. Take getting certified, insurance, servicing, general wear and tear, cost of altering the car and some advertising, and I'm not sure it's the most profitable business. Clutches go, the odd knock needs repairing, and while that guaranteed 20 lessons per customer is great news for the industry, a single operator isn't getting rich in that game. Good idea on not going with the franchise though. Personally I think that's all a bit of a scam. Expect many more people to enter the market in the coming years and a serious reduction in prices.

I know one guy in it, and he has had the same car for 7 years, and looks worn out all the time. And he won't ever discuss how much he makes.

edit: and this from your link

"Whilst pay is very important, the biggest reward comes from knowing that what you are doing is more than just a job - you are doing something that helps enrich people’s lives and adds to their safety and security. The smile from a learner who has just passed the test provides the ultimate in job satisfaction."

MEH !!!!

2qk4u

Dont do it, its not worth it. I have experience of this. Its long hours because your lessons are not back to back. Some instructors end up working 7 days to suit their customers. People will book lessons and not turn up leaving gaps in your diary that you will not get paid for. You can expect to start a 7am some mornings and not get home till 10pm but still only have done 5 or 6 lessons that day. There is no guarantee, if the phone does not ring you dont earn a living.

Mickk

everybody wrote: »

Hi folks..
I've been looking at alternative avenues for my career.. A friend recommended I consider opening a driving school as he thinks it would suit me perfectly..

I looked up this group who train instructors..

http://www.drivinginstructor.ie/earnings.htm

Anybody tried or been successful at this ??

Any comments or advice would be welcome, I'd be thinking of opening my own school rather than being a franchisee...

The idea makes sense but doesn't really light me up like I would think a new career should...

What a con of a statement "do a normal working week (i.e. 40 lessons per week)". If you were to do 8 lessons a day it would take at least 10-11 hours, are you expecting every lesson to be on the doorstep of the next lesson? Most instructors do 5-6 lessons a day (if they are lucky) and that takes 8 hours.

lexluther

hi i was with the aforementioned driving school. basically really bad no money in it youd be better off driving a taxi i did that too for 7years.

if you go ahead with it im selling some dual controls and roofsign for cheap.

cheers

everybody

lexluther wrote: »

hi i was with the aforementioned driving school. basically really bad no money in it youd be better off driving a taxi i did that too for 7years.

if you go ahead with it im selling some dual controls and roofsign for cheap.

cheers

Thanks, that is really useful information..
Can I ask..
Was it the affiliation to the (or any) school that was the probelm?
Do you think it would be better to go independant?
Do you think the new legislation compelling 20 lessons will improve the business?

PS: I've driven SPSV and it's not for me... Can't stand drunks !

Chet Zar

everybody wrote: »

Thanks, that is really useful information..
Can I ask..
Was it the affiliation to the (or any) school that was the probelm?
Do you think it would be better to go independant?
Do you think the new legislation compelling 20 lessons will improve the business?

PS: I've driven SPSV and it's not for me... Can't stand drunks !

Hey,

I saw a really detailed write-up on this exact question a while ago in the learning to drive forum I think - it was by someone in the know. Do a search there and you'll find out everything you need to know.

Seems like a tough old game to me - no regular hours, people cancelling, lots of obvious overheads and wear and tear on your car. One thing I would say though is that if you get a good rep it's all about word of mouth and I would say instructors who benefit well from that do pretty ok. Really depends on your interest in it and your skills I reckon.