Driving ambition?

[capt jack]

Being 59 and a bit, I’m thinking about interesting ways in which I might start to plan an enjoyable semi-retirement. One idea is to train as a Driving Instructor. Has anyone on here had recent experiences of the various options available? My thought is to qualify ASAP, but not commit to franchise immediately, but rather wait and see how things pan out.

Thanks in advance

Jack

[MikeGMT]

Having been made redundant quite some time ago this was a change of career I was quite keen to pursue even up to quite recent times. I'm talking about 20 or so years ago now but looked into it in depth. Providing you pass the criteria to start training to become a ADI you then have to pass the three stages of the qualifying exams. Parts 1 and 2 seem straightforward, but the real stumbling block is part 3, I think the pass rate for this stage was something around the 35% mark or less. At the time I was looking it was in the region of £3000+ to qualify with no guarantees of success. You have three attempts at parts 2 and 3 which have to be passed within 2 years and then you will gain your green badge.

Recently I've coached a few driving instructors who wished to gain further qualifications, and having some interesting conversations with them I decided not to pursue it further.

Originally Posted by capt jack

Being 59 and a bit, I’m thinking about interesting ways in which I might start to plan an enjoyable semi-retirement.

Jack

I guess it depends on your reasons to become a ADI! Is it to provide some income? Or you just love driving and wish to do something in line with this.

Mike

[green van man]

There are an awful lot of driving instructors that have second jobs around me. A few can make a good living out of it but they are really good and have a waiting list of learners.

It's also a stressful job, are your nerves up to it ? I knew a very good instructor who it got to, once he started shouting at pupils he ended up with no pupils.

Having taught on off road driving courses it can be very rewarding but while I enjoyed it I don't think I would want to do it every day, and we were using their cars not mine.

Paul.

[christheancient]

As an ex-ADI (I retired), I could never recommend it as a job.

• The cost of the training is expensive... very
• Pass rates for the driving instructor tests are low
• With training and test (there are three of them) waiting times, it can take a few months to actually qualify
• There are not enough customers out there for the number of instructors on the road
• The hours can be very unsociable because so many potential learners work during the day.

I could make the list even longer!

Part of my life as an ADI was training potential driving instructors for a well-known national company (not 'Red' I hasten to add!) - many of whom had invested a lot of money without realising what was involved - both in time and money. It was the most depressing part of my job ever having to give the training knowing full well what the pass rates, drop out rates, time scheduling for training etc. meant that a high proportion of people wanting to become a driving instructor spent a lot of money getting nowhere.

So, needless to say, I would never recommend following that path to anybody!

This link puts it quite succinctly! http://www.learners-guide.co.uk/arti...ng-instructor/

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Being 59 and a bit, I’m thinking about interesting ways in which I might start to plan an enjoyable semi-retirement. One idea is to train as a Driving Instructor. Has anyone on here had recent experiences of the various options available? My thought is to qualify ASAP, but not commit to franchise immediately, but rather wait and see how things pan out.

Thanks in advance

Jack

I think the advice is pretty conclusive, Jack!

If you are seeking to pass on your driving skills rather than looking for an income stream, might I suggest that you approach your local IAM Group with a view to becoming an Observer?

This can be very fulfilling, as, generally speaking, you are working with already competent drivers seeking to enhance their own skills. I personally took out 6 or 7 people and 'failed' with only the one - a young lady who had been given a company car and was told to do it by her employers. She had completely the wrong attitude - resentment oozing out of every pore!

Best wishes in your retirement and with whatever you ultimately decide to do.

Regards, John.

[christheancient]

Seeing what John has to say, there is a good idea.

One of my jobs as an ADI was as a "Fleet Driver Trainer" (an additional qualification I gained).

There can be a lot of reward (mental - not monetary) in helping other people be better drivers. As a Fleet Driver Trainer, my candidates were doing it because their companies told them to! Usually, it helped companies insurance costs. But actually passing on advice - rather than instructing - and without being boorish about it was a satisfying job. The down side is that one has to already be and ADI before one can be a Fleet Driver Trainer.

Fleet work I enjoyed. But the company I worked for 'sold' that side of the business to another company that specialised in that sort of work. And it goes without saying that my level of fleet work decreased dramatically. That was the final straw that made me decide it was time to retire... the best part of the job dwindled to virtually zero.

Unfortunately (?) I gave up my membership of the IAM when I retired as I wasn't near any 'regional centres' where I could help as an observer.

[jor]

I've just joined a boat share, the boat in question being described as a 'river cruiser' i.e. not the full narrow boat. Will have to do a bit of training before being let loose, but hoping to enjoy a couple of weeks a year on the canals.

jor

[green van man]

Originally Posted by jor

I've just joined a boat share, the boat in question being described as a 'river cruiser' i.e. not the full narrow boat. Will have to do a bit of training before being let loose, but hoping to enjoy a couple of weeks a year on the canals.

jor

I had a holiday on a narrow boat, realised why the entrance to locks are funnel shaped when the misus had a go at driving. Crash bang clang as she cariered from one side to the other and then a thump as she hit the end wall on full power astern.
Was laughing so hard could hardly shut the gates and open the paddles before she reversed back out.

Was an enjoyable holiday, took 4 days to cover a distance I drove in 2 hours. One seemed to hop from towpath pub to towpath pub, stopping for refreshment and food, if we missed a pub we caught it on the way back.

Did think of taking the grandkids on a narrow boat holiday, the hire cost put me off, £2000 a week starting price in school holidays.

Paul.