Franchise Advice

Running your own driving school is for some the ultimate aim whilst for others running a franchise is a better option. If you are new to the driving school
industry, to begin with it can be useful to run a franchise. However, what you should bear in mind is that whichever route you choose, you are in effect running
your own school. If you start your own school bear in mind that you will have to do all your own marketing, answering sales enquiries, organising your own
stationery, but operating a franchise can release some of those pressures and a good franchise can work out cheaper than running your own school.
However if you choose to start your own school there are some very good deals on new cars and if you choose to go the route of contract hiring a car you can
get a new car every 12 months for a very competitive price. For stationary there are some excellent deals from companies such as Vista Print or National Pens.

The support you get from driving schools varies. Some driving schools will charge a high fixed fee for which you will have a call centre, a car (Which is
basically a mobile advertising billboard!) some stationary and some pupils. Whilst some schools will supply pupils for free, others will charge a slightly lower
franchise fee but will charge you extra for each new pupil you receive. There are some schools who even charge extra for stationary and other sundries. With
cheaper franchises, you may be responsible for supplying your own car, which is good as you can then choose what make and model of car you use.

Whilst training, you may want to gain further experience and operate on a trainee instructor licence. In order to do this you will usually have to work with a
larger driving school and the ratio must be one fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to every Potential Driving Instructor (PDI or trainee)

Most driving schools offer franchises to trainee instructors but when deciding which school to go with, you ideally want to find a school that won't overload you
with pupils and try to find one that will give you all the support that you are likely to need.

Questions to ask before taking a franchise

Before committing yourself to a franchise you may want to find out the following information as there are some unscrupulous driving schools.

  • How much is the franchise?
  • Is there a start up deal?
  • What is included in the franchise? (E.g Advertising, call centre, business cards, stationary etc)
  • Who supplies the pupils?
  • What help is given if the school is unable to supply pupils
  • Is there a pupil introduction charge?
  • Is the car supplied? (If no, there are some specialist car hire firms who hire dual controlled cars at a sensible cost . See the link page)
  • If a car is included in the franchise fee, is there a spare car available?
  • Are there any limitations imposed on out of hours usage or excess mileage charges imposed?
  • How much does the school charge the pupils?
  • If there are any special offers, who bears the cost?(E.g. First 5 lessons £50.00 or first lesson free)
  • Is there sickness/ accident insurance provided?
  • If you are a trainee, what support is there? (Most of the better schools will provide a mentor or supply some additional training)
  • If yes is there an additional charge?
  • Is there any CPD provided? If so is this provided free?
  • What notice is needed to terminate the franchise?
  • If on a trainee licence, what happens in the event of failing to qualify at the 3rd attempt?


Before committing yourself to a franchise it could be useful to try to talk to a few driving instructors or go on a few driving instructor forums to find out which
driving schools are worth going with and which ones to avoid. Whatever you choose to do, help and advice will be at hand. Please feel free to contact me if you
want any advice regarding franchises or starting your own driving school.
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