An honest, practical guide to ADI driving instructor franchises — how they work, what the fees cover, what to look for, the difference between franchise and independent, and the questions every instructor should ask before signing anything.
This guide is written by 360 Driver Training — an independent driving school based in Hertfordshire, founded in 2019 by two qualified ADIs who had both worked for large national franchises and experienced firsthand what the industry gets wrong. We have written this as genuinely useful information, not as a sales document.
If you are a qualified ADI or a trainee approaching your Part 3, this guide will help you make a genuinely informed decision about whether a franchise is right for you and, if so, which kind.
A driving instructor franchise is a commercial agreement between a qualified ADI and a driving school. In exchange for a weekly fee, the instructor gets:
The instructor is self-employed throughout. They are not an employee of the driving school. This means they are responsible for their own tax returns, National Insurance and business expenses.
Franchise fees are paid weekly by the instructor to the school, regardless of how many lessons are taught that week. This is an important point — if you are ill, on holiday or have a quiet week, you still pay the fee.
At £300 per week, a national franchise costs over £15,000 per year. At £65 per week, the same agreement costs £3,380. That difference — over £11,000 — is money that stays in your pocket.
Some schools present the fee as a percentage of earnings rather than a flat rate. Be cautious — a percentage deal can cost more than a flat fee if your diary fills up.
Not all franchises are equal. Here are the things that actually matter when comparing options:
Ask specifically: how many pupils per week can I expect in my first month? A school that cannot give a straight answer to this question is one you should be cautious about.
What is the notice period? Are there financial penalties for leaving early? Can you take your pupils with you? Read every line of the contract before signing — some national schools include non-compete clauses.
At a national school, support often means a call centre or a ticketing system. At a smaller independent school, it means speaking to the people who run it — ideally working ADIs who understand your day-to-day challenges.
A high fee is not always a sign of quality. Break it down: what specific things are you getting for that weekly payment? Pupils, admin, marketing, vehicle, CPD? Price each element and decide whether it represents fair value.
A national school with a Hertfordshire page is not the same as a school that operates in Hertfordshire. Local schools know the test centres, the roads, and the community. That matters for pupil supply and for the quality of support you receive.
| Franchise | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pupil supply | ✓ Provided | ✗ Self-generated |
| Weekly cost | £65–£300+/week | £0 |
| Brand / reputation | ✓ Provided | Build your own |
| Admin / bookings | ✓ Handled | Self-managed |
| Earning potential | Capped by fee | ✓ Maximum |
| Best for | Newly qualified ADIs | Established instructors |
For most newly qualified ADIs, a franchise makes strong financial sense in the first year or two. The cost of generating your own pupils through advertising and reputation-building is typically higher than a reasonable franchise fee — and the time investment is considerable.
For experienced instructors with a full diary and strong local reputation, going independent often maximises earnings. The break-even point depends on your local market, your lesson rate, and how good you are at marketing yourself.
A note on transparency: Any reputable driving school should answer all of these questions clearly and without hesitation. If a school becomes evasive or pressures you to sign before you have had time to read the contract properly, walk away.
If you are still training and hold a PDI (trainee) pink badge, you are required by DVSA to be attached to a driving school in order to teach pupils. This creates a moment of vulnerability that some large schools exploit.
The model works like this: the school offers you cheap or free training in exchange for signing a long franchise contract. Once you are attached to them on your pink badge, you are earning — which makes it psychologically and financially harder to leave, even if the terms are unfair.
During your training, you can join 360 on your pink badge for £65 per week with pupils supplied. There is a one-year agreement in your first year as a fully qualified ADI — after that, you are completely free to stay, leave or go independent with no penalties and no restrictions on your pupils.
We believe if we treat you well, you will want to stay. We do not need a contract to keep good people.
Whether you are newly qualified or thinking about switching from another school — we would love to have a conversation. No pressure, no sales pitch.