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Become a Driving Instructor

More people than ever before are training to become driving instructors. So why is driving instruction fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular career paths?

Below we have outlined some of the reasons why driving instructor training courses are becoming so popular, as well as a breakdown of the course components, and what you can expect once you qualify. Simply click on the heading that you would like to read about, and an article on that topic will drop down for you to read through.

Freedom and Flexibility

Becoming a driving instructor will give you the freedom of becoming your own boss, and the flexibility to work the hours that suit you. You will be able to plan lessons around your family life and other commitments, increasing your quality of life.

As employers also seem to be endlessly demanding more and more from their staff (with little extra reward being given for it) becoming a driving instructor could dramatically ease the burden and stress associated with the modern workplace, and empower you to take back control of your career.

Earnings

Typically, as a driving instructor you can expect to earn between £20-£25 per hour before expenses. These expenses include things such as fuel, your franchise fee (if you choose to operate under a driving school franchise) and insurance. It is also wise to put a percentage of your earnings aside each month to contribute towards any tax that you might need to pay when your self-assessment becomes due, and we will give you further help and advice regarding this during your training with us.

Demand is High

In spite of the ‘credit crunch’ tightening the purse strings of the nation, demand for good driving instructors is still high. In fact, whilst jobs are in short supply and more candidates are battling for the same positions, a full UK driving licence is becoming an almost essential CV credential.

Students will also make up a very large percentage of your target market as a driving instructor, and with the incentives such as EMA payments and student loans, learning to drive is still a favourite investment of many students.

Career Development Opportunities

Once you have qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you will have a vast array of opportunities open to you. Not only will you be able to teach students to drive in both manual and automatic vehicles, you may choose to further develop your qualification and specialise in a specialist niche such as:

Teaching students with disabilities or specialist needs
Fleet training (this is where you train and retrain drivers employed by firms on a contract basis)
Becoming an Instructor Trainer
HGV training
Taxi driver training

These are just a few of the many options that you may choose to consider once you have qualified as a driving instructor.

Unrivalled Job Satisfaction

Each and every time one of your students moves a car for the first time, masters a maneuver or passes their driving test, you will undoubtedly experience the most tremendous feeling of achievement, accomplishment and pride. This is one of the major reasons why driving instruction is widely regarded as being one of the most satisfying and fulfilling careers paths to follow.

These are just a few of the many reasons why driving instruction is becoming one of the UK’s most popular career choices. To discuss training to become a driving instructor in more detail or to arrange an appointment to meet with one of our advisors, please call us today on 0800 0234578, or alternatively email us at info@learn2passuk.com

No Previous Experience Required

The training course which we offer you is completely comprehensive, meaning that combined with your willingness to learn, you will be taught everything you need to qualify and succeed as a driving instructor.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) require that anybody wishing to train as a driving instructor must

register on the DSA’s register of ADI’s
be at least 21 years of age
have held a full UK driving licence for a minimum of 3 years
not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the 4 years prior to applying to join the register
meet the physical and health criteria necessary to safely control a vehicle
undergo a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check

The DSA will consider applicants who have 6 or more penalty points on their driving licence, and those who have been convicted of an offence (motoring or otherwise). The final decision regarding a candidate’s suitability to become an Approved Driving Instructor rests with the ADI Registrar at the Driving Standards Agency.

Course Structure

To qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor, you will be tested on your knowledge of driving theory, your driving ability and your ability to teach. As such, the Driving Standards Agency qualifying exam is split up into 3 separate parts, each focusing on a specific skill.

Part 1 - The Theory Test

The Part 1 exam focuses on the Theory side of motoring. This exam begins with a 100 question multiple-choice test, which looks at your knowledge of topics such as road procedures, traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and basic mechanics.

Once you have completed these questions, you will then be tested on your ability to spot potential driving hazards throughout a selection of videos showing real-life driving situations. This part of the exam is known as the Hazard Perception test.

An overall pass mark of 85% is required to successfully complete the Part 1 examination.

As this part of the course is theory based, your training for Part 1 will involve instruction and tuition in relation to the Highway Code and the essential skills of driving. You will also receive all relevant texts, CD-Rom’s and materials will be provided to fully prepare you for this exam.

Part 2 - The Driving Ability Test

The Part 2 test is the Practical Driving aspect of your exam, and your own driving will be under analysis. This test takes a very similar format to that of a learner driving test, with a few additions. Your drive will include negotiating your way through built up areas, competently completing a number of different manoeuvres, and driving on motorways as well as on both A and B roads. As your test will be of an advanced nature, a high standard of competence is required. You must show that you have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good, safe driving and apply these in practice.

To pass the Part 2 examination, you must accumulate no more than six minor faults with no serious or dangerous faults.

As this part of the course looks at your practical driving, we will begin your training by analysing and assessing your current standard of driving. From this, we will set up your personal training program, giving you an indication of the level of tuition and coaching that you will need in order to reach the required DSA standard. Your training will be specifically tailored to work with your individual skills, and sessions will be arranged at times and dates to suit you.

Part 3 - The Teaching Ability Test

The Part 3 test focuses on your ability to communicate and instruct. This test is split into two phases: during the first phase you will take the role of the driving instructor and the Senior Examiner will play the role of a novice or partly trained driver who you will need to teach to meet a required standard. After you have completed this you will move onto the second phase of the test, during which the Senior Examiner will change their role to that of a driver who is at (or near to) test standard, or a driver seeking further training. You will be expected to use and adapt your teaching skills to instruct him/her at their respective level.

Once you have completed both phases of the Part 3 exam you will be graded out of a possible 6 grades for each phase. To qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor you must achieve a grade 4 or higher in both phases.

Typically you will require around 40 - 60 hours of training to reach the standard required by the DSA. Almost all training for this part of the qualifying process is taken ‘in-car’ and you will have your own personal mentor to guide you through the process, helping you with any questions or queries that you may be facing. You will also be supplied with course notes and publications to support your practical learning throughout your course.

Training Around Your Commitments

We appreciate that you may need to train around your current job, family life or other commitments, so we endeavour to make sure that your training course will flexible to fit around your lifestyle. In order to accommodate your situation, you will enjoy the benefits of training at weekends or during the evenings at no extra cost. However, please be aware that the Driving Standards Agency only conduct exams during the working week.

Residential and Intensive Courses

For those candidates who wish to fast track their training, we are proud to now offer residential courses, allowing the candidate to complete their course intensively over a pre-arranged and fixed time frame. Candidates will train with our instructors during the daytime, and then relax in the comfort of first rate hotel accommodation during the evenings. For further information and availability, please contact us today on 0800 0234578, or alternatively email us at info@learn2passuk.com

How long does it take to Qualify?

This will very much depend on your ongoing commitments and the time that you have available to train, as well as to study at home. Typically candidates can expect to complete their training within around 3 - 6 months so long as they can commit sufficient time within this period to the course. DSA exam waiting lists must also be taken into account when considering how long it will take to qualify.

What happens once I Qualify?

Once you have qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) you will have the choice of either operating under a driving school franchise, working as an independent driving instructor, or alternatively, you may even wish to set up your own driving school. Whichever path you wish to take, we will be there to help and advise you along the way. We will begin looking at the different options available to you during consultations, once you have completed your Part 2 exam.

How much can I expect to earn?

The cost of driving lessons today is typically around £20-£25 per hour, and the majority of driving instructors look to work around 35-40 hours per week. Therefore, it is realistic to expect to earn anywhere between £600-£1000 per week before expenses. These expenses will be made up of both fixed costs and variable costs, and below is a typical breakdown of these expenses:

Fixed costs:

Your franchise fee (if you choose to operate under a driving school franchise). The cost of a franchise package varies drastically from company to company (anywhere from £50-£375 per week), and is very dependent on the level of service that you are looking for.
Car lease fees (these are often included within your franchise package, or you may well have your own car which would be suitable for the job). A typical car lease package costs around £50-£70 per week, and these leases are usually taken out on a 7 or 12 month term.
Car and personal liability insurance. Premiums will be very much based on your own personal circumstances and claims history.

Variable costs:

Fuel. Your fuel expenditure will fluctuate depending on the number of hours you are working and the current price of fuel.
Car repairs / tyres / general wear and tear.

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