Career Advice for a Driving Instructor

As a Driving Instructor, you will teach learners how to drive safely and confidently on the roads.

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How to Become a Driving Instructor

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Driving Instructor

Should you wish to work as a Driving Instructor you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Driving Instructor

  • A full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.
  • A Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) approved driving instructor qualification.
  • A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Key Responsibilities for a Driving Instructor

  • Planning and delivering driving lessons tailored to each learner's needs.
  • Providing constructive feedback and guidance to learners.
  • Keeping accurate records of learners' progress.
  • Ensuring learners are aware of the Highway Code and road safety rules.
  • Maintaining a safe and clean vehicle for lessons.
  • Continuing professional development to stay up-to-date with changes in driving laws and regulations.

What to expect as a Driving Instructor

As a Driving Instructor in the UK, you can work for driving schools, private companies, or become self-employed.

You will help learners gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass their driving test and become safe and confident drivers.

Recommended Driving Instructor Jobs

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How to get Driving Instructor Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Driving Instructor job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Driving Instructor application. If you have not held a Driving Instructor position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Driving Instructor role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Driving Instructor CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Driving Instructor application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Driving Instructor in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Driving Instructor 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Driving Instructor and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Driving Instructor experience.

How to get Driving Instructor Experience

What does it take to be a Driving Instructor? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Driving Instructor jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Driving Instructor through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Driving Instructor Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Driving Instructor part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Driving Instructor or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Driving Instructor freelance work

If you have impressive Driving Instructor qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.