Most people who are considering becoming a driving instructor for a new career, have got two main worries: 

I don’t have a driving school car – there are a lot of unknowns about that 

I’ve never run my own business before, I don’t know much about it 

It’s the unknowns that cause the anxiety. Just like when someone takes their driving test for the first time, it’s the unknown. 

Most people google “becoming a driving instructor” and see lots of listings from large national companies and register their details. Before they know it, they are inundated with emails, phone calls, text messages and glossy brochures coming through the front door. 

For most people, this makes them feel good. It’s exciting. And having this amount of attention is not only unusual, but actually, quite boosting to the ego.  And every sales person that you interact with, are bending over backwards to agree with you and resolve any worries you have. 

Before you know it, you have registered yourself to receive the training for the qualification process and then not only will you get a brand new car, but all your worries about running the business are sorted, because this company is going to “sort it all out”, and give you some cash back too – how lovely. 

2 years down the line, you look back at this stage and wish you had asked the question: 

“What percentage of new starters with you are still with you three years later?” 

Picture the scene, meeting the sales person and asking them that question. 

Salesman: “Sorry?” 

You: “Can you give me any reassurance that what I’m about to sign up to, has got a long-term future?” 

Salesman: “I most certainly can” 

You: “Go on then” 

Salesman: “Well,” loss of eye contact with a slight smirk and then, “I can’t give you a figure as such, but listen, we don’t get as big as we are, by being rubbish you know” 

You: “Ok, so you can’t tell me?” 

Salesman: “Well, you have to bear in mind that many of our successful instructors decide after a while, to go and do their own thing” 

You: “Ok, so in that case, can you give me the figures please for the customers who qualified with you three years ago, how many are still with you, how many have handed in their green badge and how many have gone independent?” 

Salesman: “Well, I wont have that to hand no” 

You: “And yet you are expecting me to commit to all of this financial outlay based on no data of how long you retain your customers?” 

 

The problem is, when you are excited and keen (and fed up with your current job), when sales people paint a very rosy picture of what your new life can look like, it is very tempting to sign up without any factual data to back up your life-changing decision.  Think BUSINESS not EMOTION.

You are about to sign up to a contractual agreement that very often has a fixed monthly financial commitment from you, to them, for a number of years. Contractual – legally binding – fixed.  Covid or no covid – obligatory. 

You have no corresponding legally binding commitment from them regarding your yearly earnings. They tell you that it will depend on your flexibility to work extended hours, and weekends, also where your driving school is going to be based, also how many days/weeks you are prepared to work per year, also how far you are prepared to travel to pick up a pupil.   

As such, ALL the risk is with you.  

Put aside smiley sales people, hand shakes, verbal ‘guarantees’, fancy looking brochures, assurances of joining 9,000 other instructors (they can’t all be wrong….surely). The buck stops with you. No matter what happens in terms of your revenue levels, regardless, you are legally obliged to pay this company their monthly fee, by law. 

Make sure you know what you are entering into.

The BIG TOM Franchise does not have a fixed monthly fee, your fee is proportionate to your earnings. That seems a much fairer way of doing business. 

No gimmicks, no deceit, no half-truths, just plain speaking with BIG TOM 01928 508 833