Becoming a Driving Instructor – How Easy Is It?
Working as a driving instructor can be an incredibly rewarding and lucrative career, being one that puts you in charge of your own work and hours – and one that pays remarkably well in the process.
But the path to becoming a driving instructor is not well-known, and many are put off from the idea in the mistaken belief that it is a difficult process. Here, the route to qualifying as a driving instructor is demystified, with the process and costs laid bare. Exactly how easy is it to become a driving instructor?
Requirements
There are some base requirements you must meet in order to be eligible as a driving instructor. Firstly, you need to be over the age of 21. Secondly, you must have been in possession of a driving license for three years or more, and free of any points or convictions relating to motoring offences – in order words, your license needs to be clean.
Qualifying
Past these base requirements, you will need to acquire qualifications in order to become a licensed driving instructor. The qualifications are provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, or DVSA.
There are three exams for you to take, in the form of ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) Parts 1, 2, and 3. ADI Part 1 is a theory exam, part 2 is a driving ability test and part 3 is an instructional ability test. In passing parts 1 and 2, you are able to apply for a trainee license and get hands-on experience teaching; after passing part 3, you are fully qualified to work as a driving instructor.
Costs
There are a number of costs associated with becoming a licensed driving instructor. Firstly, there are the up-front costs attributed to taking the ADI tests. ADI Part 1 costs £81 to take, while ADI Parts 2 and 3 costs £111 each per attempt. There is also the cost of instruction; you will need a licensed driving instructor trainer to help you prepare for the tests you are taking, which will cost you on a per-session basis.
When you have qualified as an instructor, there are longer-term running costs you will need to contend with. You will need a car to teach in – though you can use your personal vehicle as a driving instruction vehicle. There will be heightened maintenance costs to consider, owing to the high level of use your car will receive; you will need to invest more in car tyres, as well as regular maintenance check-ups.
You should also think about your insurance policy; you will need to pay for more protections, and ensure that other drivers are covered in your vehicle.
Career
The reward, though, is a career in a high-skilled industry – affording you security, longevity, and control over your own work. You can choose your volume of clients and hours, all while earning a generous salary in an environment of your own choosing.
