Success stories

Andy, age 43 – "Even if I won the lottery I'd still do this!"

I started with another school, but found their franchise fee really high and they didn't supply me with pupils. I then worked independently for 10 years, but it was a lonely life and I never had any back up. I like being part of a big organisation, part of a team.

I never go a day without having a real laugh. I've got 40 pupils on my books and work about 30 hours a week.

You get an amazing sense of achievement. There's a huge buzz in seeing people succeed. I do Pass Plus as well so people come back to me.

Lindy, age 38 – "You get such joy out of this job"

I used to work in an office and got made redundant, so decided to change direction completely.

I trained with another driving school and stayed with them for a year. I found once you were qualified they lost interest in you. Then I had a year on my own but really missed the support. I've been with the AA for seven years now – I wouldn't go anywhere else.

The Ford Focus is a lovely car to drive, really comfortable. I've got a Vodafone that gives me free calls to the AA. Most of my business comes from word of mouth, but you can pay for pupil referrals when you need them. I could be working 24/7, there's so much work around.

You get such joy out of this job. You take on a clueless pupil and by the time they're ready for their test, they're the most confident people in the world.

Peter, age 45 – "I love the fact that I'm my own boss"

I've been with the AA for 14 years now, and to me, they're in a different league. The way they run the business is totally professional.

I work 25 to 30 hours a week, depending on the income I need to generate. I've not needed any pupils from the AA for the last six years, but it's worth paying the franchise fee to keep your options open. If you haven't got any work coming in, they'll get pupils for you, just like that.

Their costs are really pared down too. I'd be hard pushed to buy, tax and insure my own car for less, and then I'd have all the worry of ownership and upkeep. No, I wouldn't change now for all the tea in China.

Based on the real experiences of AA driving school instructors.
Photographs model shots. Names fictional.