THE INSTRUCTOR
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www.ukdic.co.uk
With the advent of DSG-style
semi-automatic `paddle shift'
transmissions and their
adoption on a wider range of
cars the automatic vehicle
market in the UK is growing.
More and more drivers are
preferring the ease and
convenience of doing without a
manual gearbox, but are driver
instructors doing enough to
cater for learners in this area?
As an example, one well-
known driving school has
had to turn down over 7,000
customers in the last 12 months
because they simply did not
have enough automatic driving
instructors nationwide. So why
aren't there enough?
A more mature client base
There are plenty of benefits
to being an instructor who
specialises in automatic cars
one of the most importnat
being the clientele. Many
manual driving instructors cater
to the younger generation
and their first stages of
motoring, although, sadly,
with youth, often comes a
lack of organisation and many
cancelled lessons!
Automatic driving instructors
often reach an older client base,
with less demanding schedules
meaning reliability. Larger
and more regular income often
also means more structured
lesson packages, always a
benefit for a self-employed ADI.
Increased income
The hourly rate for automatic
driving instructors is also
slightly higher, sometimes as
much as £4 per hour more than
a manual lesson price. Another
benefit seems to be the fact
there is a larger client reach,
from ethnic groups, females
and foreign licence holders.
For instructors, the client base
is the single most important
aspect of their business, so
a larger reach of clients is
a perfect way to plan out
your monthly lessons and
therefore your income. It also
offers that stability with clients.
The benefits listed so far are
clear advantages but there
can always be quiet periods,
cancellations, sickness etc. In
a office-based role with an
employer this may not be
an issue, but when you are
self-employed with bills to pay
this can be crucial.
Therefore, an expanded client
base, higher lesson charges,
and larger upfront payments/
packages can be highly
valuable for a driving instructor.
It can ease the worries of when
your next lesson is scheduled in.
New challenges ahead
Automatic cars also reach out
to clients carrying specialised
needs, especially those who
are not able-bodied. It gives
them the opportunity to be
able to drive a car, without all
TRAINING: AUTOMATIC
Why aren't there enough driving instructors catering for the automatic car market in
the UK, especially when there is a growing demand from drivers?
Automatic Driving: A new
market for many instructors
CASE STUDY
RED Driving Instructor
Stuart started as a driving
instructor for manual cars.
He switched to becoming
an automatic specialist
upon hearing how busy the
automatic instructors' diary
was. (He was with BSM at this
point, in the same office at
the Auto instructor). He made
the jump to RDS in May 2011.
Stuart maintains that as an
Auto Instructor your diary
will always be busy and now
is completely 100%
automatic in his pupils.
He believes the main
difference between teaching
automatic and manual is the
learners. Auto learners tend
to be more nervous, find
driving difficult and are also
slightly older. The majority
have tried a manual and
found it difficult, or not a
good experience, so switch
to try auto. However by this
point they can find that their
confidence is completely
shattered.
Pros: Plenty of work and
really enjoyable.
Cons: None!
Price difference: Auto
£28.50, Manual £24.50.
Advice: Be prepared to be
extremely patient.