Everybody still needs to know how to drive. Plain and simple, almost everybody will need to learn how to safely operate an automobile at some point in their life. While it is true that you can receive a license to drive in most states without driver’s education training, driving schools are still in high demand
Steps for Opening Your Own Driving School
Decide if you want to buy into a franchise become a licensee or be independent?
Franchising often comes with a large franchising fee, but a large business like this can supply you with many of the materials you will need to start your driving school.
Get certified as a Driving Instructor
Most states in Australia require the completion of TLI41210 Certificate IV in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport – Car Driving Instruction).
Become a licensed driving instructor in NSW
To become a qualified driving instructor in NSW requires you must be deemed eligible by the Roads and Maritime Service of NSW (RMS, formally the RTA). You will have to pass a medical and police check and have your driving record examined. Once deemed fit by the RMS, you’ll receive your “letter of eligibility”.
The next step is to enroll in the Driving Instructor Course – TLI41210 Certificate IV in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport – Car Driving Instruction). Choose your course provider carefully. Ensure the provider is a Registered Training Organisation with the qualification on their scope of delivery.
Some training organisations that run the driving instructor course in NSW have nationally accredited assessors working for them, so your final assessment maybe able to be completed by the training organisation who delivered the driving instructor course!
TLI41210 Certificate IV in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport – Car Driving Instruction) is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as Driving Instructors. Upon completion of the driving instructor course, you should be ready to put into practice all you have learned and begin your new profession!
In NSW you will be required to obtain a Letter of Eligibility (if you don’t have an existing Driving Instructor Licence). You must obtain a Letter of Eligibility from the RTA
Become a licensed driving instructor in Victoria
To become a Driving Instructor in Victoria you must complete the course “CertificateIV in Transport and Logistics Road Transport (Car Driving Instruction)”Course Code: TLI41210.
Become a licensed driving instructor in Queensland
In Queensland, a person wishing to provide pre-licence driver training for reward must be accredited as a driver trainer with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The requirement for accreditation as a driver trainer is in accordance with the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.
Become a licensed driving instructor in WA
Anyone who is paid to teach another person how to drive a motor vehicle must hold a driving instructor’s licence, including:
Professional driving instructors.
Employees who give driving instruction as part of their job (including government employees).
The Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Act 1963 (WA) sets out the requirements for a driving instructor’s licence, including:
A current Western Australian driver’s licence.
Minimum of 3 continuous years experience driving the vehicle class you wish to teach.
Medical fitness standards.
Police character checks.
Minimum age of 21 years old.
Step 1: Complete the theory assessment
If you have a nationally-recognised qualification from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you may be exempt from both the theory and practical assessments.
Nationally-recognised qualifications
Under the Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructor Regulations 1964 the following are deemed sufficient training for driving instructors in WA:
Certificate III in Motor Vehicle Driver Instruction.
Certificate IV in Driving Instruction.
Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics (Road Transport Driving Instruction).
Step 2: Obtain a police and traffic report: Driving instructors
National Police Certificate (NPC)
Step 3: Provide proof of identity
Step 4: Submit the application in person (Form DL23)
Step 5: Go for a medical check-up: Driving instructors
Step 6: Complete the Practical Driving Assessment
If you hold a Certificate IV in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport: Driving Instruction) or similar nationally-recognised certificate, you will be exempted from the Practical Driving Assessment.
Step 7: Pay the licence fee
Pay you Driving Instructor annual licensing fee
Writing a good, solid business plan with all of your expenses listed will be vital to this step.
Get start-up money from a bank loan or private investors.
Writing a good, solid business plan with all of your expenses listed will be vital to this step.
Set up your place of business.
While some choose to instruct out of their homes, it is best to locate a building where you can set up your driving school. Also consider today’s technology will you offer VR Driver training.
Get a driving school business license from the DMV.
Be aware that state fees for driving schools can be up to $10,000.
Get your car or cars.
Be sure that any vehicle you are using has the proper insurance and signage for a student driver car. It may be prudent to install a secondary brake system, instructor perspective mirrors, and perhaps even steering.
Advertise your new driving school.
Don’t overlook the value of using social media like Facebook or Twitter and building a website to help promote your business. Remember that many of your clients will be today’s tech-savvy youth.
Managing your Student bookings and selling lesson packages online
Consider using bookitLive to help manage lessons bookings and selling lesson packages online. This is especially important if you are running a driving school with Instructors.
BookitLive connects to multiple payment gateway provides (bookitPay, eWay, SecurePay) to enable to take payment at time of booking or sell lesson packages upfront.
For More information and a Free Trial of our comprehensive driving school booking system. Sign up today. After you’ve qualified as an instructor 70% of your key admin tools will covered with a platform like BookitLive.
Increase profits
There are several statistics that highlight the potential financial benefits of using booking software. According to a survey conducted by bookitLive, a booking software provider, 76% of businesses that use online scheduling software reported an increase in revenue, with the average increase being 30%.