Cost of training
Why do I have to pay for the training?
Because of the freedom and flexibility with which they work, driving instructors are entitled to the status of self-employment with all the tax advantages that it confers. As a result, all driving instructors in the UK, regardless of which driving school they work for are self-employed and have to pay for their training to become qualified. However, when the costs of becoming a driving instructor are viewed in relation to your future earnings, this investment is very small and quickly returned.
Course price
The full cash price of the course is £2,395 but if you join us once qualified and rent one of our driving school cars you will receive over £600 cash back and a further discount of £900 against franchise fees and materials. Thus when you take these incentives into account you could view the price of the course as being only £895. And best of all you benefit from these incentives immediately you join us. This is in addition to the fact that our franchise fee with car is up to £6,000 per year less than other national driving schools. Nobody can offer you better value for money. If you can not afford a lump sum you can also purchase the course over 12 months on our special payment plan option. Both payment options will be more fully explained when you meet with us. See Next step for details.
If you are looking to become an LDC driving instructor there really is no lower cost way to become qualified and start up with us. And when you consider the potential earnings and job prospects as an LDC driving instructor you will appreciate that the monetary investment needed is relatively small and quickly returned.
| Tony Hume | Cath Shipley | Mike MacMillan |
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| "I passed with a 5/6. Not bad for an old dog, learning new tricks. The job with LDC turned out to be what I expected and then some. For the first time in years I look forward to working." | "Everyone is so friendly. The support both during the training and once you've qualified is fabulous… being a driving instructor is even better than I though it would be. I wish I'd done it sooner." | "LDC are always very professional, competent and friendly. I am now doing a job that I love and I can't wait every day to get to work. The best decision I have ever made." |
Earn while you learn
To help you pass the third part of the examination the DSA (Part of the Department for Transport DfT) have created a trainee driving instructor licence scheme so that you can learn on the job either part-time or full. It is a type of modern apprenticeship. This not only enables you to earn some money earlier than you might otherwise it also provides some valuable additional practice in preparation for the final part of the exam. Around 50% of people who qualify each year as driving instructors in the UK have found this scheme invaluable. LDC supports this scheme and where appropriate it provides an excellent additional option to help you qualify. Please note some driving schools such as the AA do not support this Government scheme and will not provide this option to you. Also be aware that some driving schools charge a much higher weekly franchise fee or get you to accept a much lower lesson rate (and therefore income) if you join them on a trainee licence. This is not the case with LDC the fee and lesson rate remains the same.
Earn more with LDC and pay less for your training
The other major national driving schools in the UK take a much bigger proportion of your income. The franchise fee can be around £250 per week or more and you have no guarantee that this fee will not exceed your income! With LDC the figure is only £136 per week based on the provision of a 5 door Corsa Club 1.3 CDTi or £42 per week if you provide your own car - a much fairer system. Many of those companies who currently offer to refund your training fees after you have joined them know you will need to pay them tens of thousands of pounds in franchise fees before you can benefit from the refund or discounts they offer - this is not the case with LDC. Immediately upon joining you become eligible to £1,500 worth of refunds and discounts thus the effective price of the course could be viewed as only £895.
DSA examination and registration fees
Please note you will also need to pay examination fees to the DSA as you take each part of the exam. The Part 1 test fee is £90, Part 2 test fee is £111 and Part 3 test fee is £111. Finally once qualified the DSA charge a registration fee of £300 which has to be paid every 4 years to remain on the DSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) register.
