tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post6840367051361382945..comments2009-11-13T16:25:12.219ZThe Driving Instructorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05985716294912088060adi@privatehomesales.co.ukBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-73113137408773558162009-11-13T15:24:51.171Z2009-11-13T15:24:51.171ZAnyway I waited till I could start over again, passed parts 1 n 2 1st time without asking CIA for help. onto the dreaded part3 and time to call CIA to get them to honour there promise, THEY DID!<br />I had another 40 hour training and passed with ease, even the examiner said she had not enjoed a part 3 so much in a while even though I got a 5 n 4. HAPPY DAYS!<br /><br />That was the easy part now to make it a business. I spent the next few years working for CIA happy as larry. I got plenty of work and payed my bills and all was rosy.<br />After this time most of my work was reckomendations so I thought why not go out n do it on my own??<br /><br />All was good for the next year then the ressesion came and slowly work started slowing down! my recomendations were drying up too!<br />&quot;my mate wants to start with you but there skint at the moment&quot; and &quot;There dad saw an ad for 5 hours for £57 and went for that instead&quot; along with my own guys n gals losing there part time jobs were no use to me and keeping my head above water.<br /><br />Im now only doing 10-12 hours a week, do the maths £200 ish a week. on that earning ive got to pay off my car, phone bill, advertising costs, repair bills, and PETROL costs too. now how much is left?????<br /><br />Its not that im a bad instructor, I have a really good pass rate and a good rep but all that isnt much use unless I run my car on thin air or give my time away. It is really hard work out there and everyone is desperate for work.<br />How bad is it?? well when BSM and the AA are giving away lessons id say its BAD.<br /><br />I love what I do and really get a thrill from doing a good job and having pupils pass quickly. Luckily I DONT do this for the money as id of been long gone ages ago. Even pre recession it was a slog and now its even worse. the hours are all day everyday, my phone goes off into the early hours of the morning with people cancelling at the last minute etc, then they might not turn up wasting your time n money more. There is NO holiday pay or sick pay. I have 1 1 WEEK holiday a year and dare not get sick!<br /><br />You get the occasional pupil try n make a mug of you, you get other road users giving you endless grief for there own bad driving mistakes and then theres the tax man!!!!<br /><br />Still want to do the job????<br />If you can put up with all this then welcome to the trade BUT if you want to make a quick buck.....Then ROB A BANK!!!<br /><br />DANAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-74024906704168475412009-11-13T15:23:37.088Z2009-11-13T15:23:37.088ZA true insight into becoming an ADI<br /><br />I have just spent an hour trying to read all these posts and feel its time to share my experiences as an ADI of 5 years.<br /><br />Like post people the main lure of becoming an ADI was admitidly the money though when I was only 22 I asked my old instructor about how to become an ADI. His reply was &quot;Its HARD work!&quot; and now 5 years on, in the middle of the worst ressesion this country has seen only now will I admit how right he was!<br /><br />When I decided to take the plunge and start looking into the training I did the sensible thing thank god and shopped around different schools offering ADI training.<br />My 1st inquiry was TIC, traveled 30 miles for the B*llsh*t thet tell you. I was in a room with 8 others and at the end I was the only 1 to have the guts to say &quot;ILL LET YOU KNOW&quot; the other 7 poor fellas are probably in a gutter by now.<br />After reading all the other infomation packages 1 caught my eye. It was by a comapny called CIA. the price was way to good to be beleived (£1695) half the price of all the others!! and the quality of the brocher was the best too! I Know I thiought I was dreaming! After a phone call and a meeting with there manger (who I still keep in contact with now) she answered every question I had honestly like<br />1We cant guarentee work<br />2If I fail ALL training is FREE UNTIL I PASS no matter how long it takes etc<br />3when I first start up I will NOT have to start paying top franchise fee straight away!!<br />WOW pinch me now!!!<br /><br />Anyway I signed up paid the fee up front (no need for a loan) <br />When I went for my 1st training session (theory)I was with 7 others, out of my group i was the only 1 to pass stage 1! we had been given work books, reading material and cd-roms as well as 3 days in the classroom, so I can only guess it was too much like hard work to the others. I passed this 1st time without any probs.<br /><br />Next up was the driver training, This was done 2 up which I actually prefered and my trainer was awsome and again I still have his number to chat to about any problems. all though again I had 3 days training I spent every night practicing my maneouvers etc for about 1 month and boy was I gald I did!! It was an intense experience and failed 1st time because I went 31 in a 30!!! Yes REALLY! I know it because I was going down a hill and watching it creep over 30 while braking to keep it down. other than that I got 2minors so he obviosly wanted an excuse to have me fail and I must admit it, I did give him the reason he needed.<br /><br />Anyway passed 2nd time so went onto part 3 which as stated by others on here is a much more intense 40 hours. had all this in 2 weeks and put in for my part 3 test....Failed...too nervous<br />2nd attempt....Failed...he spent too long in the right hand lane<br />3rd attempt..Failed...didnt get him to look over his shoulder enough on the reverse park<br /><br />GUTTED was the feeling!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-18233000875305737082009-11-07T19:13:25.638Z2009-11-07T19:13:25.638ZAfter four years as a Driving Instructor I decided in August of 2009 that I was fighting a losing battle with established instructors offering 5 lessons for £45 never mind new entrants offering 3 free lessons to build up a business.I dont mind competition but doing this job for less than the minimum wage is crazy. I am now working in a call centre earning more money with paid holidays and days off. I would not advise anyone to start down this road, Red says that over a million poeple will be taking driving lessons this year when in fact 17 years age only 700,000 people were born. A friend of mine who qualified this year could not find enough business with learner drivers, is now teaching Driving Instructors for a National driving school. I think that says it all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-62918046918122630162009-11-06T20:35:26.805Z2009-11-06T20:35:26.805ZAt some point in the future they will deny that you ever sent them any letters cancelling the agreement.<br /><br />Send everything recorded delivery and make sure you have proof just like Barclays said. Make sure Red that your course is cancelled and also check with Barclays again to make sure that the loan is scrubbed. sometimes the paperwork can get &#39;lost&#39; or &#39;delayed&#39; and the cooling off period can unluckily run out.<br /><br />Best of luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-76700177120744872702009-11-06T19:13:12.345Z2009-11-06T19:13:12.345Z06/11/09<br /><br />btw the fee&#39;s were as follows<br /><br />£3725 for the course ...<br /><br />£180 per week for the franchise<br /><br />£750 back if I stay with Red if I pass...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-25238072680415070442009-11-06T19:08:52.799Z2009-11-06T19:08:52.799ZI signed up about 3 hours ago and then read this ... I signed a non cancelable agreement with Barclays... In reds Terms you get 7 days although the Sales Instructor said 14 days to put in writing and cancel...<br /><br />Ive spoken to barclays, who be the tone her voice as though she get this alot, advised me to keep proof of sending the letter of cancelation and the box of books back...<br /><br />1st thing tomorrow I&#39;m returning them ... I will update as to the resultAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-31725144914179364262009-11-02T21:46:29.370Z2009-11-02T21:46:29.370ZThat&#39;s the problem, people DO think it&#39;s easy and Red don&#39;t do anything to let them know it isn&#39;t.<br /><br />It&#39;s a hard slog to get qualified and most people don&#39;t make it. Red convince them they will even though they know they won&#39;t. The reason?, MONEY.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-56301714694352340972009-11-02T19:20:37.527Z2009-11-02T19:20:37.527ZRed is the fastest growing driving school , i suppose if you have on ebad experience with any compay whether for training or retail you will always be sour, i think people just in to quick , maybe see it as any easy option , i passed my adi training with TIC and i have earnt a good living but that dont mean it was easy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-34828020358181131832009-11-02T16:50:09.646Z2009-11-02T16:50:09.646ZIt is possible to make good money as a driving instructor, don&#39;t go with a really expensive school like the AA because you have to pay a high franchise fee and pay for every pupil given to you. I was with Bill Plant for 5 years before I retired, There franchise is only £160 a week and got as many pupils as I could handle and didn&#39;t have to pay for any of them.Driving Schoolhttp://www.billplant.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-54926304543721991762009-10-28T09:13:26.490Z2009-10-28T09:13:26.490ZThe fees don&#39;t vary that much across the country. The reason why they don&#39;t want you to know the fee before you get there is because a) You are less likely to think about the money and so get frightened off and b) You won&#39;t get the chance to compare them to other companies like BSM who are about £1,000 cheaper. Don&#39;t pay for a full course up front. If you fluff it you will lose all the money.<br /><br /> They offer £1,000 cashback on completion because they know that MOST PEOPLE won&#39;t qualify.<br /><br />Good Luck + Good decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-41987037320702333322009-10-28T01:44:26.417Z2009-10-28T01:44:26.417Zwent for the RED talk yesterday 27/10/09. the fees are different up and down the country apparently this is why they arn not in brochure. The staff member claimed to be ex-police with a degree.<br /><br />Also this may or may not be common practice but was told there was a £1000 cash back on compleating the course but only if i signed up by the end of the week?<br /><br />Reading all of these articles i will be ringing red to cancel my short practicle test and will persuie it through an indipendant company<br /><br />This articel has saved me around £4200 (£3800 TO TRAIN WITH RED AND ROUGHLY £500 APR THROUGH RED FINANCE OPTION)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-42321597995599625262009-10-27T02:23:06.372Z2009-10-27T02:23:06.372ZWhat&#39;s the true overall pass rate?<br /><br />How much does it cost?<br /><br />If you take out the loan and don&#39;t qualify in time does it really double to nearly £8,000?<br /><br />Type in &#39;Red instructor scam&#39; or something similar to any search engine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-77536930396764965462009-10-26T22:27:59.914Z2009-10-26T22:27:59.914ZHi I have just completed the RED intensive course, it was intence but really worth it. I have worked in diffrent sector as self employed for many years and understand that working for your self is not a 9 to five job and is not a 40 hour a week job, what you put in is what you get out. No I am not a RED employeee just someone who totaly understands the true meaning of self employed.<br /><br />I would say that anyone who is thinking of becoming a driving instructor must forget about a paid holiday, sick pay etc. If these things cause consern and you expect them then find a fulltime job and forget about being self employed and being a driving instructor because you are not cut out for it.<br /><br /><br />Sadly most of those on this site who are moaning where never cut out for the job and got into it thinking they would be a millionair by this time next year only to find out that while sitting arround moaning on this site they are not making money.<br /><br />My advice, shut down your computer, pick up the car keys and go work thats the only way you will make money. Your hours need to be long and out of hours if you do not like it, leave no one is holding a gun to your head.<br /><br />If anyone has guts and a brain does not matter what line of work you do if you work hard and long you can and will make money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-71481115868471267152009-10-21T18:44:21.797Z2009-10-21T18:44:21.797Zi went to the red presentation about 3 months ago, it sounded good on the tv but once we got there i was a bit suspicious about the guy and the way he was pushing us, it seemed like a hard sell, &quot;sign up now get bonus&quot; etc etc, didn&#39;t really fall for it, but today got a lovely letter from them today enclosing a fake cheque for £1000, in it it quotes &quot;As the fastest growing driving school in th UK, RED driving school needs new instructors nationwide to keep up with this demand&quot; im kinda guessing after jumpin on this forum for a wee look, that that comment like the rest of their whole system, is bull****, wasn&#39;t plannin on sighning up but now i definately wont be!!! <br /><br />phil, arbroath ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-18566508536440031832009-10-09T15:16:17.347Z2009-10-09T15:16:17.347ZWhy not become an HGV/LGV driver? Visit www.hgvlgvtraining.co.ukhgvlgvtraininghttp://www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-76568135639070468942009-10-04T22:40:27.267Z2009-10-04T22:40:27.267ZIt&#39;s good to get positive reviews of companies as well as the negative ones but anyone reading them should be aware that it may be a company marketing it&#39;s own courses so be discriminating about what you believe. The best advice is probably to look at ALL the different options and then make your own mind up based on your own circumstances. Pay as you go or payment by module (Part 1,2 and 3) gives you freedom to change trainers and gives the trainer/company a continued incentive to train you. Paying in full means that you are committed to one trainer and if you later find out that you aren&#39;t suited to the job or the trainer is rubbish you are stuck.<br /><br />The key thing though is to make sure that the job is what you really want to do. Read the advice at the head of this forum and then look around the web for more information before jumping in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-2974239017264459862009-10-04T01:17:00.103Z2009-10-04T01:17:00.103ZI have recently qualified as an instructor for LDC - Learner Driving Centre and I have nothing but praise for all of the training I received from day one. The package was not as expensive as other schools and the franchise fee is only £30 per week. Some schools are only after your money and won&#39;t let you have you own details on the decals of the car, however LDC positively advise this and you can have your web address added too. The LD system they use is a great selling point and offers pupils something that no other school can - DVDs and a workbook that they use in their own home so they can watch a lesson on the disc first before they have a lesson and do theory quizzes in the book. It cusrt down the briefing time and lets the pupil spend more time behind the wheel. The training was £2345 and I have claimed back more than £1400 as I qualified with them. They have reimbursed the test fees I paid, the £300 I paid for amy green adi badge, I got a 3 day induction course for free and free registration on Yell.com and one month free franchise!! Like I said - I can&#39;t fault them. I hope this has helped some of you decide?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-91346568146930118462009-10-03T21:43:25.665Z2009-10-03T21:43:25.665ZPeople are getting caught out all the time.<br /><br />Being positive doesn&#39;t help them much when they don&#39;t qualify and lose their money. Whats the pass rate again?<br /><br />If they qualify and have to pay the franchise every week when even established instructors are struggling how will they afford to live. If you want to sell courses you would say that wouldn&#39;t you.<br /><br />Who is ex AA?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-32609533229517770152009-10-02T23:39:33.452Z2009-10-02T23:39:33.452ZThis is THE most negative and soul destroying site I have ever come across. You don&#39;t have a good thing to say about becoming a PDI, ADI or any driving school do you Mr Ex AA Franchised Driving Instructor!... You are a Driving Instructor with a flea in your ear trying to out the big boys, me thinks xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-88528025258676220732009-09-27T09:17:26.451Z2009-09-27T09:17:26.451ZYes, read with great caution. Driver training for instructors can be fraught with dangersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-6327613223973301972009-09-21T01:28:17.109Z2009-09-21T01:28:17.109ZGet him to look at these sites.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnhkyLYbqIY<br /><br />http://www.squidoo.com/driving_instructors<br /><br />http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/drivertrainers/becomingadrivinginstructor/becomingadrivinginstructor.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-31705937154942872472009-09-17T16:03:58.964Z2009-09-17T16:03:58.964ZBev<br />My son has just interviewed for Red and been told he&#39;s an ideal candidate,he&#39;s 22, with not enough driving experience in my eyes.I&#39;ve driven since 1978,no fines etc.As parents we&#39;ve told him there MUST be a catch but they&#39;ve really hauled him in. I need help from those with experience of Red to come forward and help me out to get him not to waste his money.bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09321798521283254531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-27303486422223978162009-09-15T20:37:13.456Z2009-09-15T20:37:13.456Zwow what a forum. i to like many a fool went with red to train as this has been something i wanted to do for years now. Most of the comments i have read have been true to form about red, what i would like to add is they never explain to you exactly where your three and a half grand is going. Now as many have said it when you get to part three that red really turn their nose up at you and dont want to know you anymore. i am so gutted that i have been conned into this by very good sells people and got nothing to show as yet. After doing my 40 hours, for which i had to book a weeks holiday off work, i was bombarded by driving schools offering their services, some where competetive and some were dam right thieves, i had phone me today who are based in slough and i live in essex mmmmm that notgoing to work some how???? but what i did say to him was that how about you as a company loan me a vehicle for saturday you take the fee and i get my experience for my part three. To my amazement HE SAID NOT POSSIBLE but was willing to take my money and expect me to get his driving school into basildon , i dont think so stay in slough i say and let the instructors basildon breed compete amoungst themselves.<br />I suggest that red being so profitable now should drop their franchise fee for part three pdi&#39;s and allow them to have use of a vehicle free of charge to help them gain the experience they need to pass the final hurdle and when you think of it that is what we pay the excessive fee for is be trained as an adi not left on the doorstep.<br />We as pdi&#39;s need to stand together and fight for what i believe is rightfully ours and that is to be trained properly until we pass part three.<br />If anybody feels the same and are genuinely interested in taking the fight to red then email me at contact-me@simple-genealogy.co.uk<br /><br />Lets make a stand and lets get our moneies worth<br /><br />Frank Mcguirefrancis mcguirehttp://www.simple-genealogy.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-85931596600233038592009-09-15T11:57:56.346Z2009-09-15T11:57:56.346ZA quick comment to Driving Instructor UK. Are you a driving instructor yourself?<br />Reason for asking - if yes, then everything you say should be taken with a pinch of salt as your interest is obviously to see fewer instructors on the market to increase the demand for you.<br />I have agreed with what you say, but just think that when reading your comments it is important for people to remember the background.<br /><br />I am thinking of doing Red College for part 3 only, as past 1 and 2 with Let&#39;s Drive (now taken over by Red), but have probably decided to spend my £1900 (costs of part 3 only) on another course/ degree. <br />Too much negative feedback on all forum sites, making it a very high financial risk (which I cannot afford to take).<br />Good luck all and thanks for all your experiences and views.Lottenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15515786.post-68815417740184870042009-09-14T23:37:29.452Z2009-09-14T23:37:29.452ZBut be aware that the pass rates are very low and that it is not a good idea to bet your whole future finances on a scheme that may not work out for you. <br /><br />Do it if it is the JOB that you really, really want to do but shop around and don&#39;t get locked into a deal that means you pay everything up front unless you can afford to lose ALL that money for no return.<br /><br />If anyone offers to finance your training/offers you a loan then be realistic about the chances of paying it back and find out what the penalties are if you don&#39;t pay it back in time given that the pass rates are so bad and the exams can take ages to pass - whoever you train with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com