A career as a driving instructor is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. The recent economic downturn has left many people jobless, and these people are now looking for a new career. In addition to this, people have long been attracted to the idea of being their own boss, and retraining later in life for a more rewarding career has become more acceptable and common in modern times.
Most people who are initially attracted to the idea have minimal knowledge on how exactly you can become a driving instructor. Although getting qualified is challenging, it is a relatively straightforward process. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you are suitable for the job, and that the investment you make in driving instructor training will not be wasted. The last thing you want to do is go through the entire process only to find that it is not for you, and then have to look for yet another career.
Most successful instructors will tell you that you will need good people skills, high levels of patience, and outstanding levels of concentration. These qualities are important because you will be working with people all day, and not everyone will have the same ability. Whilst some people may pick things up quickly, others will struggle and need more detailed explanations from you, the teacher. Concentration is rated highly because you will need to remain focused for long periods of time throughout the day, and this can be mentally exhausting.
There are no specific entry requirements, however you will need to ensure that you have a full UK licence held for at least 3 years with no more than 6 penalty points. If you meet these criteria, and feel that you have the correct personality for the job, the next thing you need to do is find and join a driving instructor course. Many schools and colleges offer these courses throughout the UK, and they will vary greatly in price and in quality. Most people would recommend that you sign up with a well established and well known instructor college.
Once you have selected the course, possibly the most challenging stage to complete before you can become a driving instructor is actually undertaking the training, and ensuring that you pass! The training period can last between one to two years depending on how intensive you study, however all driving instructors agree that the course is very challenging indeed. Your learning will be split into several modules encompassing theoretical based learning, practical learning, and teaching methods. Only when you have completed the final exams at the end of this course will you be awarded your certificates and become an ADI (approved driving instructor)
After receiving your certificates, you will then be free to join an established driving instructor school and start working, join a franchise, or even set up your own business.
Hopefully this post cleared up some of the mysteries surrounding this career, feel free to get in touch if you need any more information!
