Parents speak of anger and frustration after collapse of Next Gen driving school
People who were meant to have driving lessons say they've lost thousands of pounds
Two Suffolk parents say they have been left “angry”, “hurt” and “incensed” after their children lost money on intensive driving courses with Next Gen, a company now in liquidation with estimated debts of more than £380,000.
NxtGen Driving Academy, part of the NG Driving Group Ltd, based in Stowmarket, Suffolk, ceased trading earlier this month. The company had instructors based across Suffolk, Norfolk, Staffordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, North Wales and Cheshire.
Families who have been impacted say they received cancellation emails just days before the business confirmed it was going into liquidation.
Both parents told this newspaper they were drawn in by the company’s heavy branding, apparent professionalism and the appeal of an intensive-learning model, and say they did not expect any risk because of the highly regulated nature of driving instruction.
“They said they couldn’t locate any of the drivers”
Hollie Newton, from Ipswich, said she received an email on the morning of November 3, the day her 18-year-old son Toby was due to start a week-long intensive course. She told us Toby had been working really hard in order to save the £1,200 he needed for these lessons.
She said: “We got an email first thing in the morning stating from Next Gen that they had a widespread problem with their computer systems, that they couldn’t locate any of the drivers that were due to be booked in, couldn’t locate any of their information, and that it was all cancelled.”
Next Gen later confirmed it was entering liquidation.
Clare: “I thought it would be reputable… I know that’s really naive now”
Another parent, Clare Doughty, also from Ipswich, said she chose the school because of its visibility and because it offered a structured, intensive package.
She said: “I’d seen the brand. I’d seen it a lot, and it had been advertised quite a lot… I felt that doing it all in one go would probably be best for the way my daughter learns.”
Her daughter paid upfront for a package including a theory test, a practical test and 36 hours of lessons.
“She only had her theory test,” Ms Doughty said. “Everything seemed to be fine… They sounded really nice on the phone. They explained it all.”
But she now feels she should have researched more thoroughly.
She said: “I’m ashamed to say now looking back… I felt that with driving, there’s so much regulation around it that you take it for granted that it will be reputable, that there won’t be any risk. And I know that’s really naive now.”
Parents question payments taken shortly before closure
Both parents raised concerns about lessons still being sold shortly before the company shut.
Ms Doughty said that if she could speak to the owner of Nxt Gen Driving directly, she would first ask: “Can my daughter have her money back, please?”
She added: “I could tell them how frustrated, how angry, how hurt I am… but would they listen? I don’t think so.”
Refund attempts ongoing
Ms Newton says she has begun a debit-card chargeback, but her bank has told her any refund may be temporary.
She said: “We wouldn’t be able to touch it until we’re certain that money has been recalled properly.”
AMS have more on this below.
Calls for greater oversight of instructors
Both parents say they now question how driving instructors are regulated.
Ms Newton said: “I don’t know what the DVSA are actually doing regarding their code of conduct… I don’t know how they've not being struck off as an accredited driving instructor.”
Ms Doughty said she is now urging other families to be cautious.
“I would just say to anyone looking at taking up services, do your research,” she said. “Look for reviews. Look for the facts. And before you part with money, make sure what you’re paying for, worst case, is protected.”
Right of Reply
Next Gen and Infinity Driving Academy
A spokesperson said: "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and loss you may experience through this process that we have had no choice but to take."
AMS Business Recovery (proposed liquidators)
AMS said they are not yet formally appointed, and therefore cannot comment on:
- Whether AMS can confirm when the company became insolvent or are aware of impending liquidation
- Whether accepting payments close to closure could constitute wrongful or fraudulent trading.
- Any director conduct issues
But they are due to be formally appointed on 20 November 2025, and once they are they "will begin our statutory investigations into the company’s affairs, and any relevant findings will be reported to the appropriate authorities in the usual way. "
Regarding what customers should expect in terms of the claims process and the likelihood of recovering money paid, AMS have said they will "circulate a proof-of-debt form to all creditors as part of our post-appointment responsibilities.
"We appreciate that customers will have concerns, and we will ensure updates are provided as the liquidation progresses."
DVSA
A DVSA spokesperson said: They can't comment on individual complaints, but that "approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) play an essential role in helping learners to get the right skills, knowledge, and attitude to drive safely on Britain's roads. It's illegal for someone to charge for driving lessons if they are not qualified and registered with DVSA.
“Anyone who chooses not to work within our strict and very clear booking terms and conditions will be subject to investigation and could lose the ability to book tests for learners.”