Application and Standards
Our application processes
We have a very thorough, transparent and comprehensive application process to enable you to confirm and validate your ADI registrations and other credentials. Register with us by using the form below, after which you will be given access to download a welcome letter and an application form. This needs to be completed offline and returned by post together with copies of relevant and appropriate documents.
We will scrutinise your application and respond confirming whether your application has been successful within 7 days. For those applicants that are initially unsuccessful we will identify how you can improve your application and plan to join us at a date in the future.
Successful applicants will be sent a Franchise Agreement and we will agree a date when you the prospective Franchisee will start with What Car? Driving School. The Franchise Agreement will operate for a minimum period of 12 months from the start date.
Documents you are required to show us
You will need to send a copy of the following documents with your application form to speed the application approval process. Please do not send originals as the documents will be kept by What Car? Driving School to validate your application:
- A utility bill / council tax demand containing your name and home address
- Your ADI licence issued by the DSA
- Your latest check test grade confirmation from the DSA
- Your driving licence – photocard and schedule of endorsements
- Your professional Indemnity Insurance cover
If you have chosen our What Car? Brand Franchise using your own training car you will additionally need to supply:
- Your vehicle log book or hire agreement
- Your vehicle insurance schedule
- 3 photographs of the car showing the number plate and bodywork condition (front and nearside, front and offside and rear)
Training cars
If you have chosen our What Car? Brand Franchise using your own driving school car we will send you as part of our Starter Pack a set of vehicle graphics and a roof box. These will clearly identify you as a What Car? Driving School Franchisee and must be applied to your car when training Learners. Your training car must meet our criteria as specified through the application process.
If you are taking a What Car? Car and Brand Franchise including a driving school car through us we will deliver to your home address a brand new fuel efficient 5 door training car with air conditioning that will be exchanged every 12 months or c.25,000 – 30,000 miles. This car will be fitted with He-Man dual controls and will be decaled with the full What Car? livery and come with a roof box. The car will also be comprehensively insured for driver training.
Become a Foundation Instructor
As one of the first 250 nationwide, What Car? 5 Star Instructors you'll receive Foundation status which gives you the following benefits:
- We'll waive the application fee of £29.95
- You will be protected from any What Car? Driving School franchise price increases until at least 31st March 2011.
- You'll also be able to promote your "Founding Instructor" status and will become entitled to benefit from our recognition programme.
The quality standards required to be a What Car? 5 Star Instructor
All our Instructors must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be a fully qualified ADI, grade 4 or above
- Hold a CRB check that has satisfied the DSA or send us the results of a CRB check that was conducted in the last 3 months
- Have completed our What Car? Driving School induction training and a planned approach to Continual Professional Development
- Agree to provide lessons in accordance with our Charter for Learners (See below)
- Agree to share feedback from Learners on the quality of instruction received and be transparent on the levels of pupil recommendation rating you receive
The business will publish a highly visible and performance monitored Charter for Learners. A personal "overall rating" of the performance of the Instructors will be publicly available to new Learners that enquire for training.
Feedback on each Instructor performance will be available to the business to determine any future training needs.
The Charter for Learners – All What Car? 5 Star Instructors will:
Meet and greet your parent/guardian within the first 5 lessons unless otherwise requested
Offer all Learners guidance on study for the theory and HP test including products available
After the initial assessment structure a practical training course most appropriate for each Learner
Always conduct a post lesson debrief including completion of your training progress
Recommend the most suitable time to apply for your theory and practical tests
Always give lessons one to one unless specifically requested otherwise by the Learner
Endeavour to be on time for each lesson and honour a full 60 minutes lesson time
Always provide a well maintained dual controlled car that is less than 3 years old
Maintain high personal and professional standards without discrimination
Respond efficiently to any queries or concerns that the Learner may have raised
Note that Learners will be emailed for feedback between the 5th and 10th lesson.
Instructor Training
We place a particular emphasis on you maintaining your driver training skills at the very best standard so that you can offer your Learners great service and the best chance for them to pass their driving test.
- You will already be an ADI and be grade 4 or above
- You should set out your additional knowledge and skills gained through further training or courses completed
- You should identify how you intend to maintain and refresh your skills over the next 12 months
- You will be obliged to attend our 1 day Induction Training programme within the first 6 weeks of starting your franchise
