Marie Sharp Driving Instructor

18/09/2026

🚗 What does your driving lesson actually pay for?🚗

There’s been quite a lot of discussion recently about the cost of driving lessons, so I thought I’d explain what goes into running a professional driving school.
When you pay for an hour of driving tuition, you’re not simply paying for an instructor to sit beside you for 60 minutes.
There are lots of costs behind every lesson that you don’t see.
🚗 THE CAR
* Finance, lease or saving for a replacement car
* Fuel
* Servicing
* MOT
* Tyres
* Repairs and maintenance
* Vehicle tax
Driving school cars do a LOT of miles, so wear and tear can be much greater than on a normal car.
🛡️ INSURANCE
Driving instructors need specialist insurance to cover teaching learners, as well as the risks involved in carrying out the job.
🎓 TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Being an ADI doesn’t mean you stop learning.
Instructors need to keep up with DVSA guidance, changes to legislation and continue developing their teaching skills.
💻 THE WORK YOU DON'T SEE
There’s also all the time spent:
* Answering enquiries
* Booking lessons
* Planning lessons
* Keeping student records
* Managing accounts
* Sending messages and emails
* Social media and advertising
* Organising tests and diaries
You may only see the hour or two you spend in the car, but there is much more happening behind the scenes.
💷 TAX
As self-employed instructors, we also have income tax and other business costs to account for. So if a lesson costs £45, the instructor certainly doesn't take £45 home.
🌴 HOLIDAYS & SICKNESS
We don't receive paid holidays or sick pay.
If we don't work, we don't earn — but the household and business bills still need to be paid.
⚠️ AND THERE'S THE RESPONSIBILITY
Perhaps one of the biggest things that gets overlooked is the responsibility involved.
We are teaching someone who may have very little driving experience to drive safely on public roads, alongside other road users.
It's not simply about teaching you how to pass your test.
It's about helping you understand how to drive safely, make good decisions and eventually become an independent driver.
💜 SO, ARE DRIVING LESSONS EXPENSIVE?
Yes, they can be a significant expense, and I completely understand that not everyone can afford regular lessons.
But when looking at the price, it's worth remembering that you're paying for much more than the time spent sitting in the driver's seat.
You're paying towards:
🚗 A suitable, maintained vehicle⛽ Fuel🛡️ Specialist insurance🔧 Repairs and servicing🎓 Training and experience💻 Administration💷 Tax and business costs🌴 Holidays and sickness⚠️ The responsibility and risk involved
And most importantly, you're learning a skill for life.
A driving licence can give you freedom, independence, access to employment and the confidence to get yourself safely from A to B.
So rather than simply asking:
“Why do driving lessons cost so much?”
Perhaps it's worth asking:
“What actually goes into providing a professional driving lesson?”
🚘 Driving is a skill for life, not just for the test. 💜

14/08/2026

🚗 **A LITTLE MESSAGE TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR FOR THEIR TEST…** 🚗

Every week, driving instructors receive messages asking if we can provide a car and accompany someone to their driving test — sometimes when we have never met or taught that person before.

Please understand that **we don’t simply take people to tests.**

Our cars are valuable business assets, and more importantly, **we have no idea whether you are actually ready for your test.** Having a test booked does not necessarily mean you are test-ready.

You may have:
• Had lessons with another instructor
• Been told by your instructor that you’re not ready
• Had very little professional tuition
• Learnt with family or friends
• Or simply booked a test because you found a cancellation

We cannot responsibly put our car — or our insurance — on the line without first assessing your driving.

And if an instructor is already fully booked, they may not have the capacity to fit in an assessment before your test date anyway.

**Please don’t take it personally if an instructor says no.** It isn’t about not wanting to help. It’s about safety, responsibility and protecting our business.

There is also a huge backlog of tests at the moment, and repeatedly booking tests before you are genuinely ready only adds to the pressure on the system.

👉 **The best advice is to work closely with your instructor, make sure you are genuinely test-ready, and only book your test when you are confident you can meet the required standard consistently.**

Driving instructors want to see you pass — but we also need to know that when we put our car and reputation on the line, **you are ready.** 🚗💨

Thank you for understanding and respecting the position of independent driving instructors. ❤️

https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/

13/08/2026

✋🚗 Happy International Left-Handers Day! 🚗✋
As a left-handed driving instructor, I thought today was the perfect day to talk about being left-handed and learning to drive!
Being left-handed can sometimes mean doing things a little differently. Whether it’s using scissors, writing, using certain tools or simply trying to use something designed with right-handers in mind, we’ve all experienced those little challenges! 😂
But when it comes to learning to drive… being left-handed is absolutely no disadvantage! 🙌
Driving is a skill that everyone has to learn, regardless of which hand is dominant. You develop coordination, steering control, gear changing, observation and muscle memory through practice — and your brain simply adapts.
And I should know… I’m left-handed and I’m a driving instructor! 😁🚗
So if you’re a left-handed learner wondering whether it will make learning to drive harder — don’t worry! You’re no less capable than a right-handed learner.
✋ Left-handed�🚗 Learning to drive�🧠 Developing new skills�💪 Building confidence�🎯 Working towards that PASS!
Being left-handed might make some everyday things interesting… but it certainly doesn’t stop you becoming a great driver! ❤️
Happy International Left-Handers Day to all my fellow lefties! ✋🥳

11/08/2026

A fantastic driving test pass today 🥁!!!!! Goes to Megan Holmes !!!!!! 🎉🥳🚗 so calm and chilled, well done you did amazing !!! 🥳🚗 drive safe and don’t forget to wave 👋🏼🥰 freeeeeedommmm !!! 😊

07/08/2026

I don't often share videos like this, but this one really hit me.
It brought me to tears because it reminds us that reckless driving doesn't just affect the person behind the wheel. The consequences ripple through families, friends, emergency services, and even the driving instructors who once sat in that passenger seat hoping they'd taught enough.

As driving instructors, we sometimes feel powerless. So many learners are understandably focused on passing their test as quickly as possible because of the long waiting times and difficulty getting test appointments. But our job has never just been about helping someone pass a test—it's about helping them become safe, responsible drivers for life.

There are times when we have to make difficult decisions, including refusing the use of our car for a test if we don't believe someone is ready. It's never done to be difficult; it's done because the responsibility doesn't end when the test does.

A driving licence is a privilege, not just a certificate.

If this video makes even one person think twice before speeding, using their phone, showing off, or taking unnecessary risks, then it's worth sharing.

Please watch it, reflect on it, and remember that every decision you make behind the wheel affects far more people than you may ever realise.

07/08/2026

I don't often share videos like this, but this one really hit me.
It brought me to tears because it reminds us that reckless driving doesn't just affect the person behind the wheel. The consequences ripple through families, friends, emergency services, and even the driving instructors who once sat in that passenger seat hoping they'd taught enough.

As driving instructors, we sometimes feel powerless. So many learners are understandably focused on passing their test as quickly as possible because of the long waiting times and difficulty getting test appointments. But our job has never just been about helping someone pass a test—it's about helping them become safe, responsible drivers for life.

There are times when we have to make difficult decisions, including refusing the use of our car for a test if we don't believe someone is ready. It's never done to be difficult; it's done because the responsibility doesn't end when the test does.

A driving licence is a privilege, not just a certificate.

If this video makes even one person think twice before speeding, using their phone, showing off, or taking unnecessary risks, then it's worth sharing.

Please watch it, reflect on it, and remember that every decision you make behind the wheel affects far more people than you may ever realise.

Sister of teen killed in crash on 18th birthday hopes footage will save lives

https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2026-08-04/sister-of-teen-killed-in-crash-on-18th-birthday-hopes-footage-will-save-lives

15/07/2026

14/07/2026

A fantastic driving test pass today !!!! 🚗
Well done Grace Hartshorne, you got rid of those nerves resulting in a pass! Enjoy driving and drive safe ! Xx 🚗 🎉🥳

29/06/2026

💍 Holiday Notice 💍

Just a quick update to let everyone know that i am now on holiday until Monday 13th July.

As many of you know, I'm getting married next week 💒 so it's a very exciting (and busy!) time with lots of preparations still to do!

I'll be taking some time away to enjoy the celebrations 🎉 and will reply to all messages as soon as I can when I return.

Thank you all for your understanding, patience, and continued support.

I look forward to getting back with you behind the wheel and answering any messages from Monday 13th July.

See you soon, and wish me luck! 🥰 🚗💒

09/06/2026

Feeling really Spoilt !!!! 🥰
Thank you so much Megan for your lovely gifts today 🥰💖 really love all of them! Thank you 🥰Xx