If you want to become a driving instructor, you need to know that teaching someone to drive can be a challenging occupation. To do the job properly you need to be knowledgeable about the rules of the road; and be capable of passing on that knowledge in a structured way. You also need lots of patience and to be adaptable.
Not everyone takes to driving naturally. You will come across pupils who lack basic co-ordination skills; and those who lack judgement. Some people are very nervous of the challenges they face; they will need constant reassurance and coaching. You may also find individuals who don’t really want to learn to drive; it’s just something they feel they have to do to get on in life.
You as an instructor need to be capable of tailoring your approach to all these individuals. You need to know when to push and when to hold back. When to speak and when to keep quiet. To do the job properly it is not the easiest way to make a living. But if you want earn a living from it then you must become an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor). It is illegal to charge anyone for driving lessons without this qualification.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a licence to become a driving instructor, you must first satisfy certain criteria. You must:
- be 21 or over
- have held a full car licence for at least three years
Also you must NOT have:
- a driving ban on your recent record
- more than five penalty points on your licence
- any serious criminal convictions
- an order preventing you from working with children
Checks will be carried out to ensure that you meet all the above criteria. You will need to get a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before you start your application. You can do this online by following this link.
Once you have completed your DBS check you can start your application. Click here to begin.
If your application is accepted, you can then go ahead and take the Part 1 theory test for ADIs >>>