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Driving instructor

Alternative titles for this job include

Driving instructors teach people the skills and knowledge they need to drive safely and pass their driving test.

Average salary (a year)

£31,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

20 to 35 variable

You could work

in your own business as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Driving instructor

You can get into this job through:

  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

Other Routes

You first need to apply to become an approved driving instructor.

You can find training providers on the Approved Driving Instructor Register Guide.

You'll need to pass the approved driving instructor part 1 and part 2 exams. You'll then get a licence to give instruction and legally charge for lessons.

You must also pass the part 3 exam to get onto the register of approved driving instructors.

More Information

Career tips

You would normally charge for lessons by the hour and your salary will depend on how many hours you work and your location.

Professional and industry bodies

It may help your career if you join a driving instructor association.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a driving instructor from GOV.UK.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work on your own
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • pass motoring conviction checks
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • be able to read a licence plate at 90 feet or 27.5m, with glasses or contact lenses if worn
  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 3 years
  • be over 21 years of age

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • check your learners' driving knowledge and ability
  • plan a series of lessons to get learners ready for their driving test
  • teach about road safety, driving laws and the Highway Code
  • give instruction on the use of vehicle controls, like how to steer, turn, reverse and park safely
  • demonstrate how to deal with emergency situations
  • discuss basic vehicle checks
  • keep records of appointments and payments
  • manage your business

Working environment

You could work from a vehicle, in an office or from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could move into specialist areas like training disabled drivers. You might also train drivers of passenger carrying vehicles, large goods vehicles (LGV) or emergency services vehicles.

GOV.UK has information on professional development and if you're highly experienced, you could become a driving examiner.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Driving instructor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a Driving instructor?

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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