Independent driving instructor with your own car

Learner drivers and their parents, adults new to driving, and people who have moved from overseas and need local road experience.

Hourly or package-based lesson fees, with extra income from test-day lessons and car hire for the driving test.

• Patient, calm teaching style
• Confident, safe driver
• Clear communication
• Managing your own diary and bookings

• Driving instructor licence or authority rules differ by state, so check with your state's transport authority
• A Working with Children Check and possibly a police check may be needed, so verify locally
• Insurance must cover paid driving instruction, so check standard car cover does not exclude it
• Dual-control fitting and vehicle standards, so check what your state requires
• Car running costs and downtime when it is being serviced or repaired
• Register for an ABN and check when you must register for GST

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the car you use, dual-control fitting, training and licensing fees, and insurance. Your state's requirements will affect the final amount.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,500 to $9,000, depending on how many lessons you teach, your pricing and how quickly you build clients. Car running costs come out of this, so treat it as a rough estimate.

Check your state transport authority for instructor licence or authority rules, and whether a Working with Children Check or police check is needed. Also check insurance covers paid instruction, dual-control and vehicle standards, and ABN and GST registration.