Franchise vs Independent
Driving Instructor Franchise
vs Going Independent
Franchise fees of £150-250/week add up to £8,000-13,000 a year. Here's what you get - and what you give up - with the franchise model vs going independent with DrivePro.
£10,000-13,000
Estimated annual franchise fee (£200-250/week)
From £200
DrivePro annual cost (from £16.66/mo billed annually)
£8,000+
Estimated annual savings by going independent
Estimates based on publicly available franchise fee ranges. Actual costs vary by franchise, region, and individual contract terms. Independent costs exclude car lease and insurance which you arrange separately.
Franchise model vs independent with DrivePro
What you get and what you give up with each approach.
Franchise fee comparison
Estimated weekly fees for the major UK driving school franchises.
AA Driving School
Branded car, insurance, uniform, pupil supply
~£200-250/week
~£10,400-13,000/year
DrivePro (Independent)
Full diary management, payments, tax filing, marketplace, AI debriefs
From £16.66/mo
~£200/year (billed annually)
Franchise fees are estimates based on publicly available information and may vary by region, contract terms, and individual agreements.
Why instructors leave franchises
The franchise model works well for some. But for many experienced ADIs, the costs outweigh the benefits.
The maths don't add up
At £200/week, you're paying ~£10,400/year before you earn a penny. A car lease, insurance, and DrivePro together cost a fraction of that.
You're building someone else's brand
Every 5-star review, every word-of-mouth recommendation grows the franchise brand - not yours. When you leave, that reputation stays behind.
No freedom over your business
Franchise dictates your car, your branding, often your pricing, and sometimes your hours. Going independent means running your business your way.
Contract lock-in
Long contracts with lengthy notice periods keep you tied in even when you want to leave. DrivePro has no contracts - stay because it works.
Pupil supply decreases over time
Franchises front-load pupil supply to justify the fees. As you build your own reputation, you're paying franchise prices for pupils you'd get anyway.
No help with tax or admin
Despite the high fees, no franchise provides tax filing, MTD compliance, or financial management. You still need separate software or an accountant.
When a franchise might make sense
You're newly qualified
If you've just passed Part 3 and don't have a dual-control car, insurance, or any pupils, a franchise provides everything in one package. It gets you earning from day one.
You don't want to manage a business
Some instructors prefer to just teach and let the franchise handle the business side. If running your own brand, sourcing your car, and finding pupils sounds stressful, a franchise simplifies things.
You need the brand in your area
In some areas, the franchise brand genuinely generates more pupil enquiries than an independent can. This advantage typically decreases as you build your own reputation.
Further reading
Franchise Cost Calculator
Enter your franchise fee and see the real annual cost vs going independent
Franchise vs Independent: The Full Breakdown
In-depth guide covering costs, pros, cons, and when to make the switch
Hidden Costs of a Driving School Franchise
Beyond the weekly fee: costs franchises don't tell you about upfront
How to Leave a Driving Instructor Franchise
Step-by-step guide to checking your contract, serving notice, and transitioning
Frequently asked questions
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