What’s the Best Car & Roof Sign for Driving Instructors?

A helpful guide from Top Notch Signs & Graphics – supplying the School of Motoring industry for over 20 years

If you’re setting up or refreshing your driving school, two of the biggest decisions you’ll make are:

 

✅ Which car to teach in?
✅ Which roof sign to fit on it?

 

 

Here’s our quick expert guide answering these common instructor questions. Perfect for anyone searching “best cars for driving instructors UK,” “driving instructor car recommendations,” or “learner driver roof signs.”

 

 

🚙 What types of cars are popular with UK driving instructors — and why?

 

 

Driving instructors across the UK look for vehicles that are:

 

 

• Easy for learners to handle: light steering, smooth clutch and gearbox, excellent visibility.
• Reliable and economical: so they can rack up miles without hefty bills.
• Cost-effective to insure: crucial when your car is on the road all day with new drivers.

 

Some of the top choices include:

 

 

• Ford Fiesta: Often called the instructor’s favourite. Known for precise steering and a forgiving gearbox, making hill starts and clutch control easier for learners.
• Toyota Yaris: Popular especially in hybrid form, thanks to ultra-low running costs and great stop-start handling in town.
• Volkswagen Polo: A sturdy, confidence-inspiring drive with quality interiors.
• Vauxhall Corsa: Affordable, widely available and with controls perfectly suited for first-time drivers.
• Hyundai i20: Offers a modern feel with good tech and a comfortable cabin.
• Skoda Fabia: Practical and surprisingly spacious, with a reputation for reliability.
• Peugeot 208 & 108: Stylish options that cover everything from compact city learners (108) to a more grown-up drive (208).
• Mini Hatch: Ideal for instructors who want something eye-catching that still delivers a crisp manual drive.

 

These picks are consistently highlighted across instructor forums, reviews in publications like Auto Express, Motorpoint, Motors.co.uk and Evans Halshaw, as well as countless real-world driving instructor discussions. We’ve chosen these because they balance comfort, safety, low costs and a learner-friendly experience.

 

 

🚗 What magnetic roof sign should I choose for my driving school car?

 

 

A quality magnetic roof sign does two things brilliantly:

 

✔ Lets other drivers know it’s a learner vehicle, improving safety and patience on the roads.
✔ Acts as your own moving billboard, advertising your school wherever you go.

 

✨ Types of roof signs at Top Notch Signs

At Top Notch Signs, we offer a wide choice of professional driving school roof signs to suit different cars and preferences:

 

 

• SOM1: (Straight Top) Our most popular sign, fitted with 5 heavy duty magnets. It’s a great all-round option that sits securely on most vehicles. This style also comes in SMALL – suitable for the Yaris, Corsa, i20, Fabia, KA, Micra, Peugeot 208 and Mini Cooper and STANDARD – suitable for the Fiesta, Polo and most cars (always measure and check our specification sheet). If your vehicle is smaller with a more contoured roof, then go with SMALL.
• SOM2: (Raised L) Has a raised/stand out area for the red L- ideal for smaller hatchbacks or cars with tighter roof lines like the Fiat 500 or Toyota Aygo. The small size will also fit the same models the SOM1 does.
• SOM6: (Curved Top) Features a curved, modern top edge that stands out and keeps your branding looking fresh.
• SOM7: (Angled) Angled L design. 680mm across the top, 779mm across the bottom. Graphic area : 461mm(top) 570mm(bottom) x 200mm high. Only comes in one size.
• SOM10: (Pyramid shape) – 4 sided – Fits most vehicles – NOT for the Ford KA, Corsa, Micra, Beetle, Fiat500, Hyundai i10, Mini One and Citroen DS3
• SOM12 (Top Hat): Attaches to the roof using 1 round ferrite magnet with rubber cover. Width 270mm, Height 235mm, Depth 265mm. Often chosen for those who just want to show a simple red L, without their contact details
• SOM13 (Air Flow): Designed with aerodynamic lines to reduce wind drag, making it perfect for newer models with contoured roofs (like the latest Ford Fiesta or Hyundai Kona).

 

💡 What about illuminated roof signs?

 

 

If you want to stand out even more — especially in the darker winter months or evening lessons — you can opt for an illuminated roof sign.

• These signs include internal LED or fluorescent lighting, so your school name is visible day and night.
• They still mount magnetically and plug into the vehicle’s power (via the 12V socket). It’s an excellent choice for maximising visibility, improving safety, and acting as a bright rolling advert for your business.

 

 🚗🌞What if I have a sunroof/panoramic roof?

 

 

Top Notch Signs sells suction cups designed to attach to glass. These vacuum mounts come as a set of 3.

 

 

• Ensure the glass is clean and flat.
• Press the yellow tab until fully depressed (hidden).
• Regularly check suction strength, especially during temperature swings.

 

Users should regularly inspect the vacuum mounts to ensure continued secure attachment throughout use. This helps prevent accidents and keeps your sign secure. (Top Notch Signs accepts no liability for misuse.)

 

 

The suction cups are easy to position and reposition as needed.

 

 

✅ Final Thoughts: How to choose

 

 

✔ Match your sign to your car. Smaller cars with a more contoured roof are better suited to

SOM1 and SOM2, in size SMALL. Larger cars should choose STANDARD. If you are uncertain check the specification sheet for measurements.

✔ Think about style and wind resistance. If you’re often driving at higher speeds, an aerodynamic option like the SOM13 can reduce noise and drag.

✔ Use your roof sign for branding. All our signs at Top Notch Signs can be customised with your logo, phone number and website — turning every lesson into rolling advertising. If you don’t have your graphics already made up, that’s no problem. Just email us with your driving school name and number, the colours you like and any graphic you want included and we will make up the design for you. You will always receive a proof to agree before we make it.

 

💬 Have more questions?

 

 

We’re here to help. Whether you want expert advice on which roof sign best suits your instructor car or creative ideas for standout graphics, get in touch with Top Notch Signs today.

 

We’ll make sure your driving school not only gets noticed — but remembered.

 

👉 Explore our full range of magnetic roof signs here

 

#ADI #DrivingInstructor #LearnToDriveUK #DrivingLessons #DrivingSchoolBusiness #TopNotchSigns #SchoolofMotoring

For more information on What’s the Best Car & Roof Sign for Driving Instructors? talk to Top Notch Signs and Graphics Ltd