Become a Driving Instructor

Why become a driving instructor? Most people want to for the attractive salary, flexible work hours, job security and the chance to be their own boss. The demand for driving instructors in the UK is on the increase; and with the current economic instability, many people are looking to train in a career that will see them financially secure for life. As no previous experience is required to become a driving instructor, people of all ages and from all walks of life are entering the profession.

As a driving instructor, your day will be spent teaching people to drive safely, to understand the Highway Code and to develop the skills which they will need to pass their Driving Test. You will need to give each student individually tailored lessons depending on their strengths and weaknesses, constantly assessing them and adapting the lesson to suit their needs.

So What Does a Driving Instructor Earn?

Well, that depends on you! This is because when you become a driving instructor you will have the choice to work as many or as few hours as you want; this, coupled with how much you choose to charge, means that earnings can vary from person to person. However, if you are willing to work full time, you can easily achieve a salary of over £600 per week; although it is also possible to earn far more than this!

Driving Instructor Pay and Franchises

Driving instructor earnings are based on how much you charge per lesson (remember you are working for yourself now, so you get to make all the decisions!) and how many customers you teach, minus the cost of expenses such as petrol, tax, and a franchise fee if you join one.

Why join a franchise? If you join a driving instructor franchise you will benefit from brand recognition from the huge marketing campaigns they run – this will give you instant credibility and may attract more customers, but you have to balance this against the extra cost. Of course there is no obligation to be part of a franchise, you can operate on your own. Once qualified, driving instructor jobs will always be easy to find.

Who Can Become a Driving Instructor?

To become a driving instructor you must have a full UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points. You will need to have held a licence for over 3 years and also be CRB checked – these are the only criteria, other than a willingness to learn, that are required. The training can be quite intense, as you will need to become an expert if you are going to instruct others. There are no other barriers to entry, it truly is a career open to all. It is a job suited to those who like to work with people, have good patience and have the discipline to work hard and study hard to gain their qualifications. Driving instructors will often comment on the satisfaction they get from seeing someone successfully pass their test – it’s a great feeling knowing that it was because of the tuition and guidance you provided.

What are the Career Prospects of a Driving Instructor?

Besides working as a franchise or on your own, many successful instructors set up their own driving schools and franchise out to other instructors. Other options are to become an instructor trainer, or get involved with fleet or police training. It is one of the few jobs for life left in the UK.

So, having read up on the job and lifestyle and having decided that you would like to become a driving instructor, what’s next? The only thing you need to get things started are the relevant qualifications.

Driving Instructor Training and Qualifications

To obtain these qualifications you must pass the DSA tests, as only then will you be able to become a driving instructor or ADI (approved driving instructor). In order to pass these tests you will need to attend a training course provided by one of the many driving instructor training schools. These courses are designed from scratch to give you the best possible chance of passing the tests; and some will even include other modules to help you with managing your future business e.g. information on retaining students, how to market your business and how to manage your business finances. All of these are vital to the success of your business and far too many driving instructors overlook this – at their peril! Remember, you are running your own business now and will need to act accordingly if you want to earn a healthy income. To learn more about becoming a driving instructor, get in touch and I will send you a copy of the DSA ‘Become a Driving Instructor ADI14′.

How and Where Can I Train as a Driving Instructor?

With Tam’s Driving School, training is very flexible and can fit around your current work and life commitments. You can study at home and attend in-car classes that will be very small and personal. Training will be in the Dover and Folkestone areas.

How Long Does it Take and How Much Does it Cost?

Ultimately it will take as long as you make it take (normally within 24 months) because the more you study, the faster you can pass the tests. The initial outlay will be small in comparison to the big training schools and once you start your training for your final test (Part 3) you will find this to be the most demanding part of the training – this will be charged at an hourly rate.

Remember that the training is tough and you will have to work hard to build up your business; but with the right mindset and lots of hard work, there is no reason why you can’t become a driving instructor and join us in this ultimately rewarding career!!