Growing from a sole trader into a fleet or multi-instructor driving school is a significant milestone. More cars and more instructors can increase income, but they also change your insurance needs significantly. Relying on the same driving instructor insurance you had as a one-car business can leave serious gaps.

Here’s what UK driving instructors should consider before expanding.

Fleet Insurance vs Individual Policies

Once you operate two or more instructional vehicles, fleet insurance is often worth reviewing. Instead of insuring each car separately, fleet driving instructor insurance covers multiple vehicles under one policy.

Benefits can include simpler administration, consistent cover across vehicles, and potential cost efficiencies as your fleet grows. However, fleet policies are not always cheaper for small setups, so a like-for-like comparison is essential.

 

Any Driver vs Named Driver Cover

Multi-instructor driving schools often need flexibility. Named driver policies limit who can teach in each car. In contrast, any driver cover lets approved instructors use different vehicles.

Any driver insurance usually costs more. However, it helps reduce downtime when instructors are sick, on holiday, or leave the job. For growing schools, flexibility often outweighs the premium difference.

 

Employers’ Liability Insurance

If you employ instructors, even part-time, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK. This covers claims if an instructor suffers an injury or becomes ill due to their work.

Many instructors expanding quickly overlook this, assuming motor insurance is enough, but it’s not.

 

Public Liability and Third-Party Risk Exposure

As a driving school grows, the level of third-party risk increases in substantial ways. More instructors, more learners, and more vehicles on the road increase the chances of incidents with the public.

Public liability insurance covers claims for injuries or property damage that happen during lessons. This includes cases like a learner hitting a pavement or crashing into a parked car. Standard motor insurance does not cover these claims. They can become costly without the right coverage.

Multi-instructor driving schools should carefully review public liability limits. What was adequate for a single instructor may not be sufficient once lessons are happening simultaneously across multiple locations.

 

Business Interruption and Income Protection

If one car is off the road, a solo instructor loses income. If several cars are off the road, a driving school can grind to a halt.

Business interruption cover helps replace lost income following insured events such as accidents or vehicle damage. This becomes far more important once overheads include wages, vehicle finance, and premises.

 

Centralised Claims and Risk Management

Managing multiple instructors also means managing behaviour, training standards, and claims history. Poor risk management can drive premiums up quickly across a fleet.

Clear policies, regular training, and good record-keeping are important. They directly impact the costs of driving school insurance.

 

Next Steps…

Expanding your driving school is about more than adding cars and instructors. Your insurance needs to scale with the business, not lag behind it. Reviewing your driving instructor insurance early can prevent costly surprises later and protect the business you’re building.

BG Insurance is here to help you with your driving instructor insurance needs. Get your online quote today or call our experts on 01892 501 501 and we’ll help to find you cover at a competitive price.