Many ADIs choose to work for local, regional or national driving schools because they like the idea of receiving clients without having to advertise themselves and also not having to rely on a reputation they may not have had time to develop. You may also be attracted by the thought of having a new car provided, but you should consider what will happen if and when you wish to terminate the contract. If your ambition is at some stage to set out on your own, you should think about putting money to one side or you could explore the costs of leasing a car. You are likely to pay a franchise fee per week or month. This can be expensive and you must consider the terms of any contract carefully.
Do not think that all these schools are the same. Some are better to work for than others. There are two major national schools, and ADIs will consistently praise one and not the other. Obviously we cannot say more than that but it would pay you to have a chat with ADIs from each company. Talk to those who used to work for the one you are considering joining.
If you are thinking of working for a local driving school you should make sure that it has a good reputation. A driving school is only as good as its instructors. Try talking privately to the instructors before committing yourself. How long has each been with this school? How many have left over the past year? If you can talk to an ADI who has left you may find out some of the more unsatisfactory aspects of the school, but be aware that they may be a disgruntled ex-employee determined to say nothing good about the firm. Questions to ask Whichever driving school you are considering working for, ask the following questions at your interview: What are the terms and conditions of the franchise or commission contract on offer? Better still, request that this is sent to you before hand. Do not make a decision at the interview. Is there a cooling-off period?
Do you have to pay commission or a franchise fee for the clients you find yourself? Generally, what is the driving school’s first-time pass rate? How large an area will you be expected to cover? What proportion of the inquiries is from recommendations? Will clients, who you have been specifically recommended to, be passed on to you? If you find your own clients and while those clients are under your instruction, can you remove the school’s roof sign and use your own? When you leave, can the clients transfer to you without penalty? If there is a penalty, what is it? Is your contract based on you obtaining a minimum ADI grade? Ask about any other things you may have to pay for on top of the franchise. It may pay you to make a list of questions to ask, ticking them off as you receive a satisfactory answer. This way you should not fall into the trap of being diverted from your task by a smooth sales pitch. Are you guaranteed sufficient work? At the interview ask them if they will guarantee that you will have a full diary – to the hours you want. If they do you should be careful and take a closer look at them because it may look as though they may be willing to tell you almost anything to get you to sign up. It is impossible, over a period of time, to guarantee something like ‘a full diary’. Demographic population growth, the state of the economy, the success or otherwise of the driving school, will each impact on the availability of new clients. Also, if the availability of new clients does start to dry up, where will you be in the pecking order? If the local driving school is being run by Fred and his five other instructors have been with Fred for years, who do you think will get the pick of the few available customers?
Make sure that you are not going to be given all the out-of-town jobs which will clock up car maintenance/fuel bills and unproductive travelling times. Cover all these issues with the driving school. Ask how the system works to avoid unfair practices. Do not forget that these are hard-nosed business people that you are dealing with. Whether you like it or not you should be equally business like, so ask the questions. Whichever route you choose, whether you go for a large national/regional school or a local school, take your time, shop around and compare what is on offer. Look at the small print. Calculate what it is actually going to cost you and how much money you will make. Use ‘what if ’ scenarios.
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Articleinput.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.
Note: This article was sent to us by: Wilmer P. Clemons at 01172010
1. How to pass the test of instructional ability
All articles are property of their respective authors. Please read our Privacy Policy!
© 2009 ArticleInput.com.