The British School of Motoring (BSM) has changed hands for the second time in less than a year after its bosses today announced a £10m deal to take the wheel.

BSM’s joint managing directors Abu-Haris Shafi and Nikolai Kesting, who led the takeover, outlined ambitious plans to recruit another 3,000 driving instructors and open more centres within the next two years.

The acquisition comes just nine months after insurance giant Aviva sold BSM to German private equity group Arques Industries, which had parachuted Mr Shafi and Mr Kesting in to manage the driving school.

The pair, who previously held a minority stake in BSM, now own 100% of the Bristol-based driving school having agreed to pay the full £10m to Arques over a period of years.

BSM – founded nearly 100 years ago – is one of Britain’s most recognised brands and lays claim to having taught the Queen to drive.

It teaches more than 130,000 learners each year and claims a share of around 10% of the UK driving school market.

The school’s new owners want to add to its existing 94 centres and double its 3,000 strong driving instructor base.

Some existing centres may also be set for relocation to better sites within the same area, such as Sheffield, while the new owners hope to open a centre in Bristol.

But they said there were no plans to close any existing sites.

Mr Shafi said: “Nikolai and I are honoured to take over the ownership of this iconic company.

“We are excited to be taking this strong British brand forward and continuing its growth by offering the best expertise for learners and a secure financial future for our staff and instructors.”

Mr Shafi was previously managing director of Auto Windscreens, which was bought by Arques a year ago, while his BSM partner comes from a background working within buyout firm Arques.

BSM has had a number of ownership changes in recent years, having been bought by Aviva in May 2005 as part of the RAC group acquisition.

It announced in July that had struck a deal with Fiat to replace its fleet of Vauxhall cars after the end of a 16-year contract.