27 September 2024
Increasing learner demand has prompted calls from the UK’s biggest driving school for people to join them as driving instructors.
The AA has seen new pupil registrations increase this year by 5.1%*, with regional peaks of up to 127% (Salisbury).
Overall, The AA has estimated an additional 300 new, fully-franchised, driving instructors would be supported by the increase in pupil demand seen in 2024.
Combining the percentage increase of pupil registrations with instructor availability in the area, The AA has calculated the top 10 places most in need of new driving instructors:
- Liverpool
- Oldham
- Bristol
- West London
- Blackburn
- Edinburgh
- Harrow
- Medway
- Salisbury
- Motherwell
Across the whole industry, potential pupils numbers are increasing. The latest government statistics show a 3.4% increase in provisional licence holding comparing May 2023 with May 2024**. This increase doubled among 25-to-30-year olds with a 6.1% increase (1,154,529 May 2023 to 1,226,287 May 2024).
DVSA data also shows there was a 1.3% increase in the number of driving test conducted comparing Jan-Sept 2023 with Jan-Sept 2024***.
Concerningly, 70% of driving instructors are closed to new pupils, even though a fifth (19.6%) of instructors have increased the hours they work.
Two-thirds (63.3%) operate a waiting list to manage demand. Of these instructors, 10% have more than 20 people waiting for lessons and 15% expect to have this waiting list for more than a year.****
"Being a driving instructor is a flexible and rewarding career, which enables you to earn well, on your own terms."
Camilla Benitz, AA Driving School Managing Director, said: “We have seen significant regional booms of increased pupil registrations this year.
“It’s likely this increase in pupil demand is linked to the high waiting times for driving tests, as it is taking longer for driving instructors to get their current pupils through their test, new pupil slots are not becoming available as often, meaning there is pent-up demand.
“We also know that during the pandemic more people wanted to be able to travel under their own steam and this may be a continuation of that trend.
"Many of the areas showing high levels of new pupil registrations are densely populated urban areas and we need additional instructors to match that demand.
"Being a driving instructor is a flexible and rewarding career, which enables you to earn well, on your own terms."
To become a fully-qualified Approved Driving Instructor you must train and take three exams, set by the DVSA.
Both AA Driving School and BSM offer this training, including PDI training which means you can teach and earn, while you learn.
Once qualified, full franchise instructors are self-employed with all the benefits that brings including uncapped earning potential and flexibility. On average, full franchisees outside of London with AA Driving School and BSM earn around £45k and inside London around £51k.
Trish Hubbard is an AA Driving School franchisee who expanded her teaching area into Bristol this year because of the demand in that area.
Trish said: “Learner demand is certainly very high at the moment, especially in Avonmouth and at times I have had to close my diary as I can’t take any more pupils on. I feel sorry for pupils if I have to turn them down or ask them to wait. I choose to work 40-hours a week, as I like to earn well and be kept busy.”
*AA Driving School and BSM data showing new pupil registrations from January 1st 2024 to September 11th 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
*** Developing faster indicators of transport activity - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk))
****Working as a driving instructor survey: 2023 results - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)