Driving Instructors aren't important!

One of the downsides of being a driving instructor is that a lot of people don't think ADIs are important, or that their time is valuable.

Apart from late driving lessons cancellations, others think the instructor is running a charity, and expect to be given free lessons as introductory offers or that they are actually doing the driving instructor a favour by taking tuition with them.

I had a call the other day from a prospective learner driver, who left a message on my mobile phone saying that he had seen my website and was interested in having lessons with me.

I called him up, get a few details from him, then ask when would he like to start driving lessons, he then says as soon as possible, but first he would like me to come round for a 30 minute chat so he can see the car, and iron out a few issues. I respond that is not a problem as long as he is ready to pay for my time, to which he responds in that case leave it!

Does a learner expect a driving instructor to travel to their house, spend their time, petrol, wear and tear on a car just for a chat all for free because they might be taking 20 driving lessons? My experience in this industry has shown me that serious enquirers will have done their research, and would base their selection of driving instructor based on either recommendation, website information, and will appreciate the value of the services provided by ADIs.

How can you expect me to give you a discount on driving lessons just based on the fact that you promise to take 10 hours of tuition, and yet won't pay the money up front!

These are unfortunately some of the things you get as an instructor, and you need to consider this before signing up with those organisations that advertise how glorious it is teaching learners to drive. If you have a mortgage to pay, family to feed, this is of no concern to some learner drivers, they just want free or cheap driving lessons at your expense