If you’re looking for a reliable and well-paying job that offers you flexibility and independence, becoming a driving instructor could be the move for you. 45% of Britons believe themselves to be very safe drivers and if you belong to this group, you are particularly well-suited to this role. The job is best for people who are calm, patient, good drivers and have good people skills. This blog outlines how driving instructor training courses work and the opportunities you have once you’ve received the qualification. 

Legal requirements to start driving instructor training

There are some essential legal requirements to meet before starting your driving instructor training, set out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). 

The requirements are:

• You must have a full UK or European Union unrestricted car driving licence.
• You must have held it for at least 4 of the past 6 years.
• You must not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years before the application. All convictions (motoring and non‐motoring) will be taken into account when the DVSA assesses your suitability to be entered on the Register. 
• You must have an enhanced level criminal record check, which is used to assess your suitability.

The qualification process 

After your checks have completed and approved, you will need to study for and pass three main tests. These tests are:

• A theory and hazard perception test
• A practical test testing your driving ability 
• A practical test testing your instructing ability 

These tests are mandatory and must be completed in order. Once the theory test is passed, you must pass the two practical tests within 2 years; otherwise, the theory test will have to be retaken. 

If needed, you can repeatedly take the theory tests until you pass. However, for the practical tests, you are only allowed a maximum of three attempts at each within the two-year qualification period.

Opportunities after you have passed 

Once you have passed, you will have some options. You can choose to be an independent driving instructor and build your portfolio and client base from scratch, or you can work in conjunction with the company you qualified with – either in a full-time or part-time position. 

If you choose to partner with us at Beverly Slater, you will receive: 

• Free pupils (we will not charge per client like some driving schools)
• Fixed fees
• Flexibility in hours and schedule
• Premium lesson prices (so you can start out charging a high rate)
• Full payment – no percentage of each of your pupil lessons is taken by us
• Support from a dedicated support team
• Full-time office staff to organise pupil enquiries
• Real-time online diary
• All the marketing and advertising is included
• Freedom to choose your own tuition vehicle

Checks and additional training

Once you are an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you can get additional training, such as check or rescue training. This ensures you maintain your quality and any additional training means you can become a specialised driving instructor. 

Beverly Slater Driving School 

Our team at Beverly Slater is highly qualified, with years of experience in training and supporting new instructors. We are in partnership with the Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers (ORDIT), which means we conduct regular inspections to ensure all our driving instructors are ORDIT-registered and fully qualified. 

We are currently recruiting in:

• Manchester
• Stockport
• Macclesfield

If any of this appeals to you and you want to learn more, feel free to contact us and become a driving instructor.