The Best Cars For Driving Instructors

Driving Instructor Car

According to Government data, there are over 35,000 registered driving instructors on Britain's roads, which is known as a lot.

They cover a huge amount of mileage every year and are responsible for ensuring people are ready for their driving test. Therefore, it's important they have the right car for the job.

Choosing the correct vehicle can be tricky, so we've highlighted our top picks below that meet the following criteria:

• Economical: Given the number of miles instructors cover, it makes sense to suggest something that's frugal.
• Compact: A smaller car is easier to drive, and therefore less daunting for learners.
• Practical: Most instructors use their learner car for day-to-day family life, so a respectable boot size is essential.
• Low service costs: The car should be affordable to service and maintain.
• Safe: Goes without saying but having a car with the latest driver aids and safety features is crucial.

Vauxhall Corsa

A firm favourite among young drivers, the Vauxhall Corsa is absolutely perfect for driving instructors who want something affordable and learner-friendly.

Main highlights

• Up to 54.3mpg from the 1.2-litre petrol engine
• All-electric Corsa-e offers range of 209 miles if you want something greener
• Available with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera (spec dependent)
• Comes with five doors and a 309-litre boot
• Affordable servicing is available through Evans Halshaw Vauxhall retailers
• Four-star Euro NCAP safety rating, scoring highly for adult and child occupant protection

The great thing about the Corsa is that it's a great companion for life outside of driving lessons. It's quiet and refined, while the generous levels of equipment make it good value. That may explain why it was Britain's best-selling new car in 2021.

Ford Fiesta

If the Corsa doesn't tickle your pickle, then the Ford Fiesta is the natural alternative because of how well-rounded it is as a package. It's easy to drive - not to mention good fun - and comes with a host of safety features for added peace of mind.

Main highlights

• Award-winning EcoBoost petrol engine returns a minimum of 45mpg
• Available with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology
• Can be configured with a manual or automatic gearbox
• Comes with Lane-Keeping Aid and Lane-Keeping Assist as standard
• Low cost servicing available through Evans Halshaw Ford retailers
• High scores in the Euro NCAP safety tests

The Fiesta is a versatile car by nature, making it a great choice if you need something affordable and dependable for learners and home life.

Nissan Micra

Compared to the aforementioned models mentioned above, the Nissan Micra may seem life a left-field alternative. However, it makes a compelling purchase because of its quality interior and low running costs.

Main highlights

• Smallest 0.9-litre petrol engine returns up to 50.4mpg
• Robust interior design that's well made
• N-Sport models and above come with a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors
• Spacious cabin, five doors and a 300-litre boot
• Affordable servicing available through Evans Halshaw Nissan retailers
• Models fitted with the 'Safety Pack' have a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating

It doesn't have the same engaging driving dynamics as the likes of the Fiesta, but the Micra is easy to drive and has a spacious interior, making it ideal for family life outside of teaching.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai are renowned for making quality passenger cars, which reflects in the brilliant i20 supermini. The interior is up there with the best in its class thanks to features such as the 8.0-inch central touchscreen.

Main Highlights

• Efficient petrol engines come with mild hybrid (MHEV) technology, making them ideal for city use
• Available with a clever 6-speed manual gearbox that allows for safe coasting, therefore saving fuel
• All models come with five doors and a 351-litre boot
• Low cost servicing available through Evans Halshaw Hyundai retailers
• Come with a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors as standard

In addition to the above, the Hyundai i20 comes with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty from new (don't worry, driving instructors aren't excluded), which should prove beneficial in the long run.

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio is another 'go-to' for young drivers because it's easy to drive and affordable. It also offers a spacious cabin and excellent levels of refinement; ideal for driving instructors who want a great all-rounder.

Main Highlights

• Available with a robust, 1.5-litre diesel engine that can return over 70mpg
• Comes with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and driver aids such as lane departure warning
• Has one of the biggest boots in its class, offering 391 litres of space
• Iconic models come with rear parking sensors and satellite navigation
• Can be serviced through your nearest Evans Halshaw Renault retailer

The Clio is ideal if you're a driving instructor who completes most of their classes in urban areas. This is because the Clio offers good visibility and is easy to manoeuvre.

Discover your next car through Evans Halshaw

Truth be told, there are plenty of great cars out there if you're a driving instructor. However, for the reasons we've highlighted in each section above, we believe the cars in this list are among the best.

If the cars above aren't quite what you're looking for, then you can explore our latest new car deals from leading brands. Alternatively, if you'd like to discover more car buying advice - or general motoring tips - then you can head over to our blog section.