Becoming a qualified DVSA driving instructor can be a fulfilling career choice for people who enjoy driving and have a passion for road safety and teaching. If you dream of becoming an instructor – and think you have the skills and confidence to pass on to others – read on for more advice about this highly satisfying career choice.
The pros of being a qualified driving instructor
- You’ll find job satisfaction daily whilst helping others develop an essential life skill and gain independence can be highly rewarding.
- You can often choose your working hours and have the flexibility to set your own schedule.
- There is a constant market for driving instructors, which shows no sign of slowing.
- Many driving instructors work on a self-employed basis, allowing them to be their own boss and manage their own business.
- The industry offers opportunities for professional development, allowing you to continually expand your skills and knowledge and keep your career interesting.
Control your own earnings
Average wages for driving instructors vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the number of students. According to the National Careers Service in the UK, qualified driving instructors can earn between £18,000 and £30,000 per year. However, earnings can increase with experience and if you operate as a self-employed driving instructor, and the more hours you spend on the road, the more you wil allow yourself to earn.
Have you got what it takes?
To be a patient driving instructor, having a calm and understanding temperament is essential. Here are our top tips and tricks for dealing with nervous drivers.
- Create a comfortable environment. Establish a supportive and relaxed atmosphere to help alleviate nervousness. Encourage open communication and let the learner know that it’s normal to feel anxious when starting to drive.
- Start slowly. Begin with simple driving tasks in low-stress environments to gradually build confidence. Focus on basic manoeuvres before progressing to more complex situations.
- Provide clear instructions. Clearly communicate instructions and expectations, breaking down tasks into manageable steps. Use simple and concise language to avoid overwhelming the learner.
- Practice positive reinforcement. Encourage and praise the learner for their progress, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost confidence and motivation.
- Patience and empathy. Understand that each learner is unique, and everyone learns at their own pace. Be patient, empathetic, and understanding when addressing concerns or mistakes.
- Stress management. Share strategies for managing stress and anxiety with pupils, such as deep breathing exercises or visualisation techniques.
- Offer support. Recommend useful resources like online tutorials, practice materials, or books that can supplement learning outside of lessons.
- Continuous Assessment. Regularly assess the learner’s progress and provide constructive feedback. Identifying areas of improvement can help them focus on specific skills and build confidence.
Remember, every learner is different, so adapting your teaching approach to meet their individual needs will greatly contribute to their success and ease their nerves… and give you increased job satisfaction.
Lanes’ Driving Instructor Training Courses provide an ideal starting point. Every course is run by trained experts who are experienced, knowledgeable and DVSA qualified, and we cover all the latest training methods and techniques. Participants receive over 50 hours of on the road training plus classroom training. In the Southeast, Lanes School of Driving is the pinnacle of driving schools, and our ADI courses are highly regarded so what are you waiting for? Give us a call on 020 8166 5678 to get started.
