Thinking of going independent? Keep the support. Build your own business.
Whether you're considering leaving a driving school franchise or you're already an established independent ADI, you don't have to do everything alone. Join a local network that helps you develop your own driving school while keeping your independence.
Practical business support and professional development, all in one affordable membership.
- ✓ Your own professionally optimised website
- ✓ Ongoing training and quarterly workshops
- ✓ Standards Check preparation and support
- ✓ Marketing and local website promotion
- ✓ Networking and shared pupil opportunities
The benefits of belonging
Independent doesn't have to mean doing everything alone.
Running your own driving school gives you freedom, but it also means managing your marketing, website, professional development and business decisions. Our network brings practical support and local connections together, while you stay firmly in control of your business.
Your own professional website
A website built around your driving school, your branding and your teaching areas. Designed to help prospective pupils find you and make an enquiry directly.
Free transfer after 12 paid monthsOngoing professional development
Quarterly training workshops and opportunities to discuss real teaching challenges with experienced instructors. Keep developing your skills long after qualification.
Quarterly workshops includedStandards Check support
If you're called for a Standards Check, receive five hours of individual preparation and support. Additional support is available under the membership arrangements if needed.
5 hours of preparation includedMarketing and online visibility
Support with promoting your driving school online, presenting your services professionally and improving your local visibility. Your website also benefits from promotion through Town & City Driving Lessons.
Practical marketing supportA network of local instructors
Connect with other independent ADIs across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Exchange ideas, discuss challenges and benefit from the experience of instructors working in your region.
Local and collaborativeShare pupil opportunities
When you receive an enquiry you cannot accommodate, you can share it with another instructor in the network. You may also receive suitable enquiries from other members or our wider website.
Opportunities, not guarantees
Real instructors.
Real experiences.
Dale
DCL Driving School
CPD & NetworkingView Dale's websiteWhat I really value about being part of Town & City is the opportunity to keep developing as an instructor. The CPD sessions and regular training workshops are a great way to refresh my knowledge, share ideas and continue improving.
It's also good to meet and network with other instructors. Working independently doesn't mean you have to work in isolation.
Paul
PWP Driving School
Teamwork & SupportView Paul's websiteOne of the best things about Town & City is feeling like you're part of a team, even though you're running your own independent driving school.
It's great meeting up with other instructors, sharing ideas and passing pupil enquiries between us.
I'm also the first to admit I'm a bit of a technophobe, so having someone look after my website is a massive bonus!
Tracey
Road to Pass
Development & Business GrowthView Tracey's websiteI really appreciate the help and support I receive through Town & City, particularly with my ongoing development as a driving instructor.
I'm also really pleased with how well my website is working. It's generating a good number of pupil enquiries and helping me build my independent driving school.
Having that combination of professional support and practical business help makes a real difference.
Tammy
Chilled & Skilled
Sharing Ideas & Mutual SupportView Tammy's websiteOne of the things I enjoy most about Town & City is sharing ideas with other like-minded driving instructors.
When you're working independently, it's easy to feel like you're doing everything on your own, so it's great to have people you can talk things through with and learn from.
I really appreciate knowing that if I need help or advice, there are other instructors I can call on.
Jordan
Independent Driving Instructor
Ongoing DevelopmentExplore Town & CityBeing relatively new to the driving instruction industry, I really appreciate having access to ongoing help and support as I develop my skills.
There's a lot to learn when you're starting out, and it's reassuring to know I can ask questions, discuss different approaches and get advice from more experienced instructors.
Being part of Town & City gives me the opportunity to keep learning and improving.
Dean
Drive with Dean
Experience & Marketing SupportView Dean's websiteOne of the biggest benefits of being part of Town & City is having access to the knowledge and experience of other driving instructors.
I also really appreciate the help with marketing my driving school. Running your own business involves a lot more than teaching people to drive, so having that extra support makes a difference.
Having a professional website is a big bonus too!
The freedom to run your business
More control. Without losing the support.
Being independent means making the decisions that are right for your driving school. You shouldn't have to rely entirely on somebody else's marketing strategy or recruitment decisions to build your business. With Town & City, you stay in charge while being part of a supportive local network.
Not getting enough work? Take control.
Under some franchise arrangements, instructors depend on central advertising and pupil allocation. If enquiries slow down, there may be limited scope to influence how the business is promoted.
As an independent ADI, you can make your own marketing decisions. Promote the areas you want to work in, run local advertising campaigns, develop your online presence and adapt your approach when needed.
We don't oversubscribe teaching areas.
We're building a local network, not trying to recruit as many instructors as possible into the same town.
Before accepting additional members, we consider existing instructor coverage and local demand. Our aim is to grow the network responsibly, rather than create unnecessary competition between members.
Three ways to run your driving school.
Every instructor's circumstances are different. Here's how a traditional franchise, complete independence and Town & City membership can compare.
| What matters | Traditional franchise | Independent alone | Town & City network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your own brand | May operate under the franchise brand | Yes | Your own driving school identity |
| Set your own prices | Depends on franchise terms | Yes | You decide |
| Control your marketing | May depend on central marketing | Full control, self-managed | Full control with support |
| Professional website | Varies by provider | Arrange and fund yourself | Included in membership |
| Ongoing training | Varies by provider | Arrange yourself | Quarterly workshops and support |
| Standards Check support | Varies by provider | Arrange yourself | 5 hours included if called |
| Pupil enquiries | May be allocated centrally | Generate your own | Your own marketing plus potential shared enquiries |
| Local instructor recruitment | Approach varies by provider | Not applicable | Existing coverage considered before recruiting |
| Business support | Depends on franchise package | Self-managed or purchased separately | Local network and marketing support |
| Weekly network fee | Varies by franchise | No network fee; own running costs | £19.50 per week |
Comparison is illustrative. Franchise arrangements differ between providers. Independent instructors remain responsible for their own business expenses. Shared pupil enquiries are not guaranteed. Town & City membership terms apply.
Your next step
Let's build the support
around your business.
Whether you're already independent or planning to leave a franchise, start with a conversation about your business and the support you're looking for.
-
Tell us about your business
Share where you teach, how you currently work and what you'd like help with. We'll talk through the package and whether the network fits your needs.
Start with a conversation -
Bring your brand online
We build and maintain a professional website around your driving school, using your branding, teaching areas and supplied photos. Your website is included in your membership, with free transfer available after 12 months of paid membership. Earlier transfer is available for £175.
Free transfer after 12 paid months -
Connect and keep developing
Share pupil enquiries with other instructors, take part in quarterly workshops and get ongoing marketing and training support as you develop your business.
Independent, with support
Frequently asked questions
A few things you might want to know.
Joining an instructor network should be a straightforward decision. Here are some answers to the questions we're most likely to be asked.
Is this another driving school franchise?
No. Town & City is a support network for independent driving instructors, not a traditional driving school franchise.
You continue to run your own business, set your own prices, choose your working hours and manage your own pupils.
How much does membership cost?
Membership costs £19.50 per week. This includes your professional website, ongoing training, quarterly workshops, Standards Check support, marketing assistance and access to our local instructor network.
Am I tied into a long-term contract?
No. You can leave the network by giving four weeks' notice. There is no requirement to remain a member for 12 months.
The 12-month condition applies only to transferring your website free of charge if you decide to leave.
What happens to my website if I leave?
After 12 months of paid membership, your website can be transferred to another hosting provider without an additional transfer charge.
If you leave sooner, an early website transfer is available for £175. The full arrangements are explained in our membership terms.
Do you guarantee me new pupils?
No. We don't promise or guarantee pupil enquiries.
However, members can share enquiries they cannot accommodate, and suitable enquiries received through our website may also be passed to instructors in the network.
I'm already a busy independent ADI. Is there any benefit in joining?
Absolutely. The network isn't just about finding pupils.
It provides ongoing professional development, Standards Check support, marketing assistance and the opportunity to connect with other local instructors. You can also refer enquiries you cannot accommodate to other members.
What if I'm considering leaving my franchise?
You can speak to us confidentially before making any decisions.
We can explain how the network works and discuss the practical support available for developing your own independent driving school.
You should also check the notice period and other obligations under your existing franchise agreement.
What areas does the network cover?
We're developing a local network across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Membership is considered according to the areas instructors teach in and how they could contribute to the wider network.
Your business. Your brand. Our support.
Start with a confidential conversation.
Tell us where you teach and what support you’re looking for. We’ll talk through the network, your website and the training included, so you can decide whether it’s right for you.
All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.