Thinking

A simple guide that says it how it is…

Thinking About Training to be a Driving Instructor?

This introductory guide to training to be a driving instructor could save you hundreds of pounds! Before you invest your time, money and energy into training for your new career we strongly recommend you read this ‘everything you need to know’ resource to help you decide if this career is for you. With your best interests at heart, we will lay out the facts about the job, the training options and how not to fall into regrettable traps others have found themselves in, as well as the links you need to start the process if you’d just like to get going!

Throughout this guide, we have included quotes from trainees and newly qualified instructors who are happy to share their experiences with you. And, after all, that, if you’re still keen we’ll talk you through the next steps!

Video One – ‘So You’re Thinking About Being A Driving Instructor?’

  • Watch the videos in this ‘Thinking About’ section
  • Do your research
  • Make an informed decision

Video Two – ‘What is a Driving Instructor (ADI) ?’

A person

  • who is licensed to charge when providing driving tuition
  • has an up to date DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service)
  • has passed 3 DVSA tests to prove theory knowledge, driving ability and teaching ability
  • who agrees to have their teaching standard assessed every 2-4 years
  • who is graded by the DVSA
  • who shows a valid licence (green badge) in their vehicle when giving paid tuition
  • who can further their career by offering driver tuition in a number of specialist fields

It is illegal to charge or accept money for driving lessons unless registered to do so by the DVSA

Many driving instructors also sign up to a Code of Professional Conduct and undertake continuous professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with their teaching techniques.

There are currently in the region of 38,000 registered driving instructors on the DVSA (Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency) Register*. This figure has fluctuated over recent years and is influenced by recession, redundancy figures and national advertising campaigns and marketing strategies.

Let’s face it, learning to drive doesn’t necessarily mean needing to be taught by a qualified driving instructor. Many provisional licence holders are ‘taught’ successfully by friends or relatives every year. You may even be considering this as a career choice after supervising someone’s learning and quite enjoying it! However, many thousands of People a year take some sort of official driving lessons with a registered driving instructor.

Quote:
“Not all trainers are created equally and if you’re not careful it can cost you more than just money”
Gail, Newly qualified instructor

Video Three – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of being a Driving Instructor

  • Great job satisfaction
  • Get to meet and work with people from many different backgrounds and with many different needs
  • Can fit around your current personal situation or commitments
  • No academic qualifications or C.V needed
  • Need to be flexible
  • Need to be good at diary management
  • Need business and self employment skills
  • Be prepared to be sharing the road with many other road users and cope with their decisions and behaviour!
  • Be prepared to seek out your own support networks and make local contacts
  • Be prepared to be challenged!
  • Be cautious about the ‘promises’ made by some training providers

Take this no obligation, free DVSA approved survey to see if you have the makings of a driving instructor!

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/check-if-becoming-driving-instructor-right-you

Video Four – Who can Train to be a Driving Instructor – The Legal Bit

  • To be accepted onto the DVSA register before you train you need to meet the criteria
  • Be 21 years old before completing the training process
  • Hold a full licence in the category you will be teaching in for a minimum of 3 years
  • Be a ‘fit and proper person’
  • Have no more than 5 standing points on your driving licence

https://www.gov.uk/become-a-driving-instructor/y

https://www.gov.uk/become-car-driving-instructor

“There are good lessons, bad lessons and no formulae. Never before have I understood individuality as I do now, and I’ve so so much more to learn.”
Octavia, newly qualified instructor

Video Five – The Qualifying Process in a Nutshell

  • Have a valid DVSA DBS check and be accepted onto the register before training
  • Take and pass the part 1 test – theory and hazard perception
  • Take and pass the part 2 test – driving ability
  • Take and pass the part 3 test – teaching ability

There are conditions to each test and we strongly suggest that you become familiar with each part of the qualifying process (explained in the video)
The links below give you the information in detail –

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/whats-involved-in-being-a-driving-instructor/approved-driving-instructor-adi-register-guide

https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-become-driving-instructor

“I underestimated the work involved in getting the qualification, but I’m so pleased and relieved to finally be doing the job I’ve wanted for nearly 20 years”

Philippa, newly qualified instructor



Video Six – Your Training Options – Important Decisions!

  • Do your research!
  • Don’t sign anything until you are 100% certain
  • Pay only as much as you can afford to lose
  • Speak to the trainer in person
  • Ask to speak to previous trainees
  • Look at online reviews
  • Consider trainers on the ORDIT register but don’t dismiss non ORDIT training
  • Read the contract looking for tie ins and conditions
  • Do your sums and know if financially the training and possible franchise fees are affordable
  • Consider all options when considering taking a trainee licence
  • Don’t give up your current job and put all your eggs in one basket
  • Be realistic with your timeframe and the possibility of not qualifying
  • Have a back up plan

Here is the link to trainers on the ORDIT register:

https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-instructor-training

‘…the isolation is a problem to me. It’s knowing who you can ask for advice without feeling stupid or belittled and who to trust too’
Barry, New qualified instructor



‘So I’m not put off! What next?’

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