The first year

I remember reading somewhere, 50% of newly qualified driving instructors fail or give up within the first 12 months.... However for me, I have been very fortunate... Is this by luck or is it be hard work and determination....

When I first qualified as an ADI back in January 2024, I posted a single post on Facebook with me celebrating passing my final exam.... This single post resulted in several enquiries for driving lessons. I was already working full time as a Service Manager within the NHS, I asked my employer about going part time, for this I would have to submit a flexible working request and whilst discussions were encouraging and it looked like my request was going to be approved... The amount of work I got from Facebook and my website... Suggested that there was plenty of work to be had.... So I gave my notice in to my boss, I decided it was the time to leave the company I had worked for over the last 13 years, my last working day within the NHS would be mid May.

I received my Ford Puma Late January, I put a nice photo on my social media accounts.... and wow the results where amazing, resulting in 50 shares, lots of likes and comments.... And lots of genuine bookings.... Truth is I was extremely busy, working full time with my Service Manager Job and teaching around this work, often working 80 hour weeks, it was not good for me, however I needed to have a full diary by the time I was solely relying on my driving instructor income.

February 27th was an important day for me... My first driving test pass for Connor, receiving just 3 minor faults... What a fantastic result and a massive boost for my confidence, Over the next few months, I got 8 more passes in a row, I couldn't break the 10 passes in a row sadly, but the results I got proved I was doing the job well, my pupils where taking their tests when they was ready, picking up a couple of small driver faults along the way.

In June 2024 I received my brand new Ford Focus, delivered to me with just 83 miles on the clock, the car was perfect, smooth to drive, comfortable for my students, plenty of room for me and my family and a few gadgets to help me and my students along the way.

The summer flew by, I managed to have some time off with the family, without having to argue about when I could take leave ..... This was a massive change for me, in my previous role annual leave could be refused, I was often asked to be changed to suit business needs.... But now I was in control, I could plan annual leave to suit me and to make sure I had no driving tests booked around my annual leave.... I was in control of my workload and working schedule.

In the first year of teaching, I helped 24 people to pass their driving tests (driving tests delays locally hadn't helped the situation), helped people overcome their fears of driving, helped people who have been driving years feel more confident on the motorway or parking...

Also I have helped my good friend Jack on the road to become a driving instructor.... So watch this space for 2025, I will have more instructors on the road in Ashford, Canterbury and Folkestone, I would have helped more people to pass their driving test and become safe drivers on the road....

Thank you for supporting me and my journey, please do subscribe to the website and if you are interested in learning to drive or to become a driving instructor.... Please do get in touch.

Chris