Why should I consider a new
career as a Driving Instructor?
There are approximately 1,600,000 Driving Tests taken each year, therefore the demand
for Driving Instructors is high. The Driving Test has become more and more difficult over the last 15 years and this has in turn created a lot more work for Instructors. There are possibilities of the test becoming even more difficult in the future.
Working as an instructor is an interesting and rewarding career. Usually you are your own boss and you control the days and hours that you work, which can either be full or part time. You will meet lots of different people and help them to gain a valuable life skill.
Driving instruction is not just about teaching learners though, nowadays there is a demand for Fleet Training, Trailer Training or in some areas of the country Driving Instructors are now involved with the re-training of people who have been caught speeding or who have been instructed by a Court to attend a Driver Improvement Course. You may wish to specialise in teaching in an automatic car or teaching disabled people.
A Driving Instructors earnings are usually well above average and an example of potential earnings is available on this website. It is career highly unlikely to be taken over by technology, and redundancies in this profession are unheard of.
We teach Men or Women of all ages, from all different previous employments, to be Driving Instructors. For a relatively small investment you can join them and look forward to being your own boss! <<Back
What is involved in becoming a driving Instructor?
It is illegal for anyone to charge for driving tuition unless they are on the register of approved driving instructors (A.D.I) or they hold a Trainee Driving Instructors Licence (P.D.I)
There are a number of basic requirements:
- You must have held a full driving licence for the last 4 years
- No more than 5 penalty points in the last 2 years (at the discretion of the D.S.A)
- Have no criminal convictions which are not 'spent'
- Be able to read a number plate at 27.5 metres (90 feet)
- Be at least 21 years of age
You will need to pass three exams:
Part One
A 100 question, multiple choice, on-screen test similar to the theory test for learners. You will have up to 90 minutes to complete the test and the pass mark is 85%. There is also a 15 minute hazard perception test again similar to the learner drivers' version where you will need 57 marks out of 75 to pass. If necessary you can take this test as many times as you need to.
Part Two
A one hour test of your driving skills. Once again similar to the learner drivers' test (theirs is 40 minutes) but of course to a much higher, experienced standard. You are allowed up to three attempts at this test
Part Three
A one hour test of your instructional ability during which you will teach the examiner as if he / she were a pupil. The training concentrates on developing your skills in teaching techniques, lesson structure and fault identification / correction. Once again you are allowed up to three attempts at this test.
The exam and licence fees for each attempt (subject to change by the D.S.A) are:
There is a test fee (payable to the D.S.A.) for each attempt at the tests and also a separate fee for a trainee licence. Once qualified there is registration / licence fee which is renewable every 4 years. Up to date fees can be found on the D.S.A. website.
