Driving Instructor Training North East
Train as a driving instructor with DrewMatic. Low weekly fee. No lesson cuts. Full pupil retention if you ever leave. Real support from working instructors and an ex-DVSA examiner.
North East Areas We Cover
Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Sunderland, South Shields, Washington, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Hartlepool, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Darlington, Northallerton and surrounding towns.
Most People Don’t Look Anywhere Else
Most ADIs and trainees who get in touch with us haven’t spoken to anyone else yet.
They’ve heard about us from another instructor, a pupil, or a Google search. They come to us first.
That’s the reputation Drew’s built running this school since 2015. We’d rather earn that trust with you than spend this page warning you about other companies.
What Our Instructors Say
“I’m still in training and I’m so glad I chose DrewMatic. I’m doing well, and they’ve made me feel valued, trusted and supported. They’re such a great team.”
Emma, DrewMatic Trainee Instructor
“I did my research before I trained. DrewMatic came out on top for everything. I’ve been here eight years. We have it very good here.”
Laura, DrewMatic Driving Instructor, 8 Years
Why Choose DrewMatic for Driving Instructor Training North East
Low Weekly Fee Driving Instructor Franchise
- Only £50–£52 per week
- Drops to £40–£42 after 12 months
- No hidden extras or lesson cuts
Fair Terms & Pupil Retention
- You keep all your pupils and contact details
- Usually just 1 month notice
- Welcome back if it doesn’t work out
Ex-DVSA Examiner Insight
- Real test route knowledge
- Mock testing and examiner thinking
- Standards check preparation
True Local Focus
- North East only – no national turf wars
- You choose your areas and hours
- Backed by local word of mouth
Pay As You Go Driving Instructor Franchise Option
- Fully flexible – no long contract
- Ideal if you want to test the waters
- Access to overflow work
Instructor First Promise
- No micromanagement
- You own your diary from day one
- Real mentoring and 24/7 support
A Realistic Weekly Earnings Example in the North East
- Area: North East average
- Work pattern: 3 x 90-minute lessons per day, 5 days per week (15 lessons)
- Lesson price: £60 per 90 minutes
- Weekly lesson income: 15 x £60 = £900
- Weekly franchise fee: £52
- Fuel estimate: £50 to £90
- Income after franchise fee and fuel (before tax): £900 minus (£52 plus £50 to £90) = £758 to £798
This example excludes other car costs and tax. Many instructors across the North East achieve similar or better results depending on hours and demand.
Weekly Fees Explained
What the weekly fee includes
- Total Drive diary management
- Mentorship
- 24 Hour Support from the entire Driving Team
What it does not include
- Fuel
- Car costs and upkeep
- Tax and insurance
After the fee drop at 12 months, nothing else changes.
Modern App Support – Total Drive
All DrewMatic instructors use the Total Drive app to manage diaries, payments, bookings and admin in one place.
- Prepay lessons via the app – protects your income from cancellations.
- All-in-One Management – diaries, pupil records, progress tracking and finances in one place.
- Reduced Admin – go paperless with digital records and automated reminders.
- Secure & Reliable – 256-bit encryption, works offline, syncs across devices.
The ADI Instructor Training Journey
- Part 1: Theory and hazard perception. £81 paid direct to DVSA.
- Part 2: Advanced driving test. £111 paid direct to DVSA.
- Part 3: Instructional ability test. £111 paid direct to DVSA.
Two years from Part 1 pass date to complete Parts 2 and 3.
Free Driving Instructor Training Deal (When Available)
- Part 1 learning materials: Free from us, plus signposting to extra resources.
- Part 2 training: We often see 6 hours get an experienced driver up to standard. Provided free in our deal.
- Mandatory 40 hours ADI training for trainee licence: Market rate often £40+ per hour. Covered in our deal.
Ask Clint about current availability when you get in touch.
Trainee Licence (Pink Badge)
- Most people choose this route.
- DVSA trainee licence issue fee: £150 paid direct to DVSA.
- This does not include the £111 you pay to sit the Part 2.
- Minimum 40 hours ADI training required before trainee licence application.
- Once on a trainee licence, you earn while building experience.
Part 3 Coaching and Support
- Typical Part 3 coaching before first attempt: around 20 to 30 hours.
- ORDIT registered trainers deliver mock tests when requested. Mock Part 3 tests are optional.
- After Part 3, ORDIT trainer time is priced at £50+ per hour.
- A Part 3 fail triggers a legal requirement for a further 5 hours training signed off before re-test.
Pricing and Control Once Qualified
- Lesson prices are set by DrewMatic.
- You choose your days, hours, and areas.
- Private work outside DrewMatic supplied work is allowed.
- No percentage cut of lesson income, ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes DrewMatic different from other driving schools?
We’re independent and local. No shareholders, no head office targets, just a team that supports you and lets you keep what you earn.
How do I become a driving instructor?
First, check you meet the DVSA criteria here: gov.uk/become-a-driving-instructor.
Once eligible, apply for your Personal Reference Number (PRN) before booking any tests.
What can I realistically earn with a driving instructor franchise north east?
Rather than quote you an advert figure, we’ve laid out a real weekly earnings example further up this page, based on our actual lesson pricing. Have a look and do the maths yourself.
What’s this Total Drive app?
Total Drive is the app every DrewMatic instructor uses to manage diaries, pupil payments, bookings and reminders in one place.
Pupils pay upfront, so you’re protected from no-shows and get paid the day after they pay.
Do I need DrewMatic branding on my car?
Yes. Every instructor drives a professionally branded DrewMatic car. We cover the design and fitting. It brings in enquiries as you drive.
Do I always pay the weekly franchise fee?
No. You don’t start paying until we’ve put ten paying pupils in front of you. The fee also pauses automatically during holidays, sickness, or if your car’s off the road.
Do I need to sign a long contract?
New instructors on the Franchise Plan sign a 12-month minimum, then move to a rolling monthly agreement with one month’s notice. The fee drops after year one.
Our pay as you go driving instructor franchise option has no long-term tie-in at all.
What areas do you cover?
We focus on the North East: Durham, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Billingham, Darlington, Peterlee, Redcar and surrounding towns.
I’m already a qualified ADI with another driving school. Can I switch?
Yes, and you’re not the first to ask. Our page for experienced instructors covers exactly this, including how the law changed in 2025 for instructors stuck in unfair contracts.
How do I get paid?
You’re in full control. Pupils can pay you directly or through the secure Total Drive app. We never take a cut of your lesson income.
What’s it really like being a DrewMatic instructor?
You set your own hours and choose the work you want. You get proper mentoring and the freedom to run your diary your way, without anyone watching over your shoulder.
I’m already a PDI or qualified ADI. Can I join?
Absolutely. If you bring your own pupils you pay nothing until we’ve supplied you with 10 new paying pupils. Everything is treated in strict confidence.
How do I get in touch?
Use the buttons above for a quick WhatsApp reply, or fill in the form. You can also call or text Clint directly on 07870 809 373.
Already Tied Into a Driving School Franchise?
Maybe you’re wondering about the weekly fees.
Or the cut taken from every lesson you teach.
Or what happens if you want to leave. You’re not the first instructor to ask us about it.
A 2025 High Court ruling, Ellis and Others v John Benson Limited, confirmed that franchise contracts must be run in good faith. The CMA has fined AA and BSM close to £5 million for hiding fees from learners. We’ve written up what this means for instructors, and we’ve helped people leave fairly and legally.
Read the full article →If that sounds like you, our page for experienced instructors covers it in full.
Leaving DrewMatic
- You keep pupils and pupil contact details.
- Notice period is per the contract, usually 1 month.
- Welcome to return if it doesn’t work out.
- New pupil supply will cease as soon as notice is received.
Ready to talk?
Fill in the form below and Clint will get back to you quickly.
