How to become a driving instructor

Successful driving instructors need to have a specific set of skills as well as a certain type of personality. Naturally, you should be a confident and competent driver with a firm grasp of the rules of the road if you want to become a driving instructor. You’ll also need the following skills and attributes:

• Patience
  You should also be a patient person who can make other people feel comfortable and confident as they learn to drive.
• Communication skills
  Strong communication skills are very important in this profession. You’ll be expected to explain how to drive in an accessible, easy-to-understand way, and you’ll have to provide your clients with the constructive feedback they need to improve.
• Time management skills
  As you’ll be juggling multiple clients at once, the ability to manage your time effectively will also prove crucial.
• Trust
  Clients will expect high levels of customer service and commitment from you. To attract and maintain clients, you’ll need to be able to build relationships with diverse people and earn their trust.

In this way, personal qualities are just as important as qualifications when it comes to being a successful driving instructor. In addition to these traits, you’ll also need to undertake formal training, obtain qualifications, and meet legal requirements.

A driving instructor is a job with a lot of responsibility, which is why it’s strictly regulated.

Technically, you can still become a driving instructor even if you have a criminal record. However, it really depends on the nature, frequency, and severity of your previous offences. Understandably, motoring offences are likely to rule you out entirely from becoming a driving instructor. Likewise, if you’ve ever been disqualified from driving, your application for ADI registration will be quickly rejected.

When the ADI Registrar assesses whether you’re a “fit and proper” person, your criminal record will be taken into consideration. This is part of the application process because a driving instructor is a job with a high level of responsibility. Not only are you coaching people through potentially dangerous experiences, but you’re also entrusted to spend time with them as a figure of authority in a one-to-one setting.

For the above reasons, a history of violent or sexual offences is incompatible with the ADI Registrar’s definition of a “fit and proper” person. This kind of criminal record would mean that you aren’t able to become a driving instructor.

Remember, even if you don’t disclose your criminal record directly, the ADI Registrar will perform background checks to assess your suitability. They will have access to your DVLA records and an enhanced disclosure check will be undertaken.

To prepare for your assessments and become a qualified driving instructor, you’ll be expected to undertake additional training and education in three areas: theory, driving, and teaching.

• Theory
  To become a qualified driving instructor, you’ll have to demonstrate that you understand and can apply the rules of the road. Brushing up on the Highway Code is a great idea, and you’ll also need to revise the meanings of all traffic signs. You’ll also need a confident, in-depth understanding of the theory behind driving safely – for example, how to approach driving in different weather conditions. 
• Driving
  It goes without saying, you’ll also need practical driving skills. Driver instructor training courses are available to help you strengthen your abilities and perfect your manoeuvres.
• Teaching
  You don’t just have to prove that you can drive to a high standard both in theory and in practice. Teaching skills are also required. Many people can drive very well, but that doesn’t mean they’re well equipped to teach. Teaching necessitates a certain personality type and knowledge of instructional techniques. Your students will each have their own learning style, and it’s your job to identify and cater to that style. A big part of being a successful driving instructor is planning effective lessons. A good driver instructor course will cover this. It will help you learn to be a driving instructor.

To prepare for your assessments, you should undertake driver instructor training. A number of organisations including the AA offer training courses.  The following books may also be useful in addition to your driver instructor course:

• The Highway Code
• The Driving Instructor’s Handbook
• The Official DVSA Hazard Perception and Theory Test Pack
• Practical Teaching Skills for Driving Instructors
• Know Your Traffic Signs
• The Official DVSA Guide to Driving

You’ll also find a range of online resources available to support your studies.

You may be extremely enthusiastic to get started on your career as a driving instructor, but you shouldn’t book these tests until you’re fully prepared for them. Taking each test costs money, after all, as does joining the ADI register and receiving your trainee driving instructor license.

When you first start working as a driving instructor, you can expect to earn anything from £15,000 a year. Over time, as you build a reputation and a strong network, you’ll probably attract more clients and so earn more money. It will also depend on the career path you take. Here’s why:

• Franchise
  Joining a franchise might seem like the safest option for a newly qualified driving instructor that wants a certain level of financial stability. After all, being part of a well-known brand guarantees a steady influx of clients. The downside of this arrangement is that a significant percentage of any money earned will be eaten up by your franchise fee. This limits your earning potential.
• Independent driving school
  To pay a smaller fee and still avoid the gamble of going it alone, you might choose to join an independent driving school. The fee you pay will ensure that marketing is taken care of, which saves both time and money. Because this is considered a compromise between joining a franchise and starting a new business, many driving instructors are attracted to this option. They’re able to keep more of their earnings and they still benefit from being part of a (smaller) brand.
• Setting up your own business
  If you choose to go it alone and start your own driving school, you won’t have to lose any money on fees. However, you’ll have to invest in promotional materials to attract new students. You could find it difficult to draw potential students away from more established driving schools. Since a busy schedule of lessons is far from guaranteed, this is considered the riskiest option when it comes to earnings. Of course, the risk could pay off and setting up your own business could become incredibly successful. Some driving instructors wait until they have built a wealth of experience working for other schools before they take the leap and start their own.

The importance of business car insurance as a driving instructor shouldn’t be underrated. In the unfortunate event that your car is damaged, you’ll need it back on the road as quickly as possible. A standard-issue insurance policy won’t be sufficient. Instead, look for insurance that’s specifically designed for driving instructors.

Make sure that any insurance policy you invest in applies to any and all drivers. If an accident occurs while a student is behind the wheel, you need your car to still be covered. “Any driver” cover permits students with a provisional driving license to operate your vehicle.

When your car is out of action, insurers will offer a replacement. However, you’ll need a specific kind of replacement if you want to continue with your classes. Find insurance that promises a dual control vehicle in the event of an accident.

The car of a driving instructor isn’t like any other car. You’ll probably use modifications like extra mirrors or an additional speedometer to support your students. If your car is damaged, these modifications need to be taken into consideration. Ensure that your insurance is willing to cover and replace them if required.

Something that is non-negotiable is “hire and reward” cover: this is a legal obligation! Anyone who carries people or property in their vehicle for payment has to have this kind of insurance. Although you’re not a taxi service or a delivery driver, “hire and reward” still applies.