Job Guide - Driving Instructor

The Job and What's Involved

An instructor must be able to teach people from all walks of life, with differing abilities, skills and understanding. Qualities needed include:-

patience - ability to put the client at ease.
even temper - good communication skills.

It is a driving Instructor's job to give sufficient instruction to provisional license holders to enable them to drive safely for life (and pass their driving test!). The instruction covers all aspects of vehicle handling (e.g. reversing into a limited opening, emergency stopping and parking using reverse gear) and the Highway Code. Lessons usually last for about one hour, the average person requiring approximately 20 lessons before taking the driving test. The driving test itself is conducted by a driving examiner.

Education and Training

In order to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you should:-

Have held a driving license for at least 4 years.
Not have been disqualified from driving for any part of the last 4 years.
Not have been under the 'R' plate restriction for longer than 12 months.
Be prepared to be assessed for suitability.
Pass the Register Qualifying Examination (a 1½ hour written test and 2 x 1 hour practical tests). For further information on the practical tests contact the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

No academic qualifications are required. Fees are payable for each part of the qualifying examination.

Although there is no minimum age requirement, it is rare for anyone under 21 to gain ADI registration.

Training

In order to prepare for the department of Environment's qualifying examination, instructors either take professional training or obtain a trainee licence, which is current for 6 months from the date of issue.

The trainee licence scheme involves the issue of a professional instructor's licence. The trainee is sponsored by a driving instructor who supervises training for a three month period and must sponsor the trainee for the full tenure of the trainee licence.

Professional training courses vary in length according to the nature and content of the course. Some courses offer both practical and theoretical training, others only practical. Courses are run by qualified driving instructors or driving schools.

Prospects

Once registered, you could work in any of the driving schools in Northern Ireland or start your own school.