The results from the latest Working as a Driving Instructor survey, carried out in October 2025, offers an invaluable snapshot of the state of the profession, from lesson prices and working hours to pupil demand and the challenges facing individual instructors. Although only about 8% of all ADIs responded to the survey, a stark contrast to 2024 when it received almost double the amount of responders, the results still provide useful trend data given the high confidence level applied to the results.
A Subtle Shift in Lesson Prices
For several years, we have seen steady increases in the typical price range for one-hour driving lessons. In the 2025 survey, over half (50.3%) of instructors reported charging between £36 and £40 per hour, and a notable 22.5% were charging £41 to £45.
Interestingly, while the headline figure hovers in a similar range to recent years, there is an indication prices are beginning to settle or plateau compared with the rapid rises seen earlier in the decade. Where previously large price increases were the norm, the distribution now shows a greater share of ADIs settled in the £36-£45 bracket, and comparatively fewer outside that range.
For members, this may signal a shift in pupil expectations and affordability thresholds., something increasingly expressed anecdotally with learner concern about the cost of lessons alongside other test-related expenses. It also raises strategic questions about pricing models, pupil retention, block booking incentives, and how ADIs balance competitiveness with sustainable earnings.
More Instructors Seeking Pupils
Another notable trend is that 45.4% of instructors currently have availability for new pupils, which is 8.8 percentage points higher than in 2024.
At first glance this might appear positive, more opportunity for business growth. However, it likely reflects a subtle softening of demand at the individual instructor level. This dovetails with reports that many pupils are less willing to accept extended lesson frequency or intensive blocks, possibly due to cost or scheduling conflicts. It’s a reminder that while learner demand remains strong overall, the market is not uniformly competitive and instructors may now need to be more proactive in marketing, scheduling flexibility, and pupil engagement to maintain full diaries.
Maybe something about the current influx of PDIs, there are more ADIs than there were so there is more market share for learners.
Working Hours: A Slight Decline
On average, weekly hours worked as ADIs have edged down slightly. The proportion working 25 hours or more per week dropped to 56.6 % in 2025, compared with higher figures in previous years.
This subtle reduction may reflect changes in work-life balance preferences, dissatisfaction with pupil booking patterns, or simply the administrative overheads that increasingly eat into teaching time. Whatever the cause, it’s a reminder that ADIs must be alert to their own business efficiencies, from diary management to service offerings, if they want to maintain income without over-extending themselves.
Only 8% Took Part, and What That Means
The survey received responses from 3,448 ADIs out of more than 43000 registered instructors, equating to about 8% participation. In 2024, 14% of registered instructors took part in the survey, managing to give a better sense of the profession as a whole.
While this sample size is statistically robust enough to identify trends, it also highlights a challenge: the community’s voice is not heard as loudly or as widely as it could be. Broader participation would strengthen the data and give policymakers and industry bodies more confidence that findings reflect the front-line reality. As a community, greater engagement in these surveys can help ensure your experience and priorities are included in future decision-making.
Pupils Switching Instructors: Service and Supply Issues
Consistent with previous surveys, respondents noted a high incidence of pupils registering with other instructors specifically for test preparation after an original instructor could not accommodate the test date. This trend underlines ongoing frustration with test availability, diary management complexities, and the cascade effect that test delays create across the market.
For ADIs, this continues to be a signal about the realities of pupil behaviour: many learners will shop around for quicker test slots or better scheduling flexibility. Rather than purely representing a loss of loyalty, this also emphasises the importance of solid communication, diary transparency, and structured block delivery that builds trust, even when test access remains outside our control.
Looking Ahead
Taken together, these trends paint a picture of a profession that is adapting to evolving market forces. Pricing appears to be stabilising, availability is becoming more varied, and instructor working patterns are shifting. While the 8 % participation rate means we should interpret results with a degree of caution, the picture emerging is one that reflects incremental change rather than dramatic upheaval.
1 thought on “Insights from the 2025 Working as a Driving Instructor Survey”
The response displays how rotten our industry is. I wouldn’t think 8% gives a fair reflection. I’m harsh with this statement too I think this shows the standard of instructors display a lack of understanding of how our industry is in. Simply because they do not know what their role is about. ££££ signs seems to be the only goal with intelligence thinking no further ahead to retirement or have a job for life. When I started 24 years ago I never thought the standards of training would have diminished so much. Etiquette doesn’t seem to happen and no wonder driving instructors today lack respect from the general public when were a respected part of the community. Nobody listens because we do not shout about enough and rely on a few that fight our corner. DVSA has no idea how to operate and nobody is accountable. Poor decision making continues to destroy our industry.