Driving instructor training since 1996
Driving Instructor Training FAQ's:
Q: Am I eligible to become a driving instructor?
A. Please see my driving instructor eligibility checklist page. Please feel free to contact me directly if your question is not answered by the information on that page.
Q: Is there enough work out there to justify training to become a driving instructor?
A. In a nutshell, yes. There are about 1 million driving tests
conducted each year and almost all of those test candidates are
learning to drive with driving instructors. The learner driving
test is very tough now and most people average around 40 hours
of tuition before reaching an acceptable driving standard.
Besides learner drivers, many people take post-test training such
as Pass Plus, Motorway and refresher courses. Companies with car/van
fleets are being pressured by their insurance companies into paying
for fleet/corporate driver coaching and these courses must be
conducted by qualified driving instructors. In short the driver
training industry is flourishing!
Q: How can I afford a driving instructor training course?
A. The majority of driving instructor trainers require you to pay large four figure lump sums in advance. I only charge you for the training that you are taking. I do offer discounts for larger amounts paid in advance, but you can start your training by paying only for each two hour session at a time if you wish!
Read my page about ADI qualifying test and DSA licence fees information or my driving instructor training costs page if you're looking for specifics.
Q: What if I change my mind half way through the training course?
A. Under the ORDIT regulations, advance payments must be refunded
but only under various exceptional circumstances. Any training
establishment that does not belong to ORDIT will most probably
not refund advance payments under any circumstances. I will refund
any unused funds upon request, no matter what the reason.
Q: Will I have to take time off work to complete my instructor training?
A. Not necessarily. I regularly train driving instructors all day on Saturdays and
Sundays so that those in Monday to Friday work can take their
training at weekends. I also train on various days during the
week so arranging training shouldn't necessitate costly time off
work, unlike most other establishments that work only Monday to
Friday plus Saturday mornings.
Q: Do I have to share my training time with other trainee driving instructors?
A. All my driving instructor training is on a 1 to 1 basis and you only pay for the
hours that I train you, unlike most establishments that charge
you for observing another trainee being trained on a 2 to1 basis.
Some trainees do like to observe others in order to learn more.
If they request this, it is only allowed with the express permission
of the person being trained. The observer is not charged for this
service and if you would like to take advantage of this free service
that I give to my paying customers, then all you have to do is
ask.
Q: How long will it take to qualify to be a driving instructor?
A. There is no short route to qualifying to become a driving instructor except for applying yourself
to your studying and training and the more time you can devote
the quicker you can qualify. Do not believe wild claims of qualification
within a few weeks as although it's not impossible, it is highly
improbable! Remember that many training establishments will not
train you for Part 2 if you haven't yet passed Part 1 and will
not train you for Part 3 if you haven't yet passed Part 2.
I start you with both Part 1 and Part 2 training and as soon as
I think that you are able I also will give you Part 3 training.
Even if you haven't taken your Part 1 exam yet! This is because
it speeds up your training and gives you a better chance of passing
each exam by having full practical experience of the whole qualifying
process. In a nutshell, you should consider the process taking
from around 6 months to a year, although you can be working as
a trainee driving instructor within a few months of starting your driving instructor training.
Q: Where does the training take place?
A. We're based in Clapham, south London. It's really conveniently located with all possible road and traffic conditions (everything from the chaos of central London to rural Surrey) within easy reach. There is a map of our precise location on my driving instructor training in Clapham page.
Q: What is the Driving Standards Agency?
A. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is part of the Department for Transport (DfT). The DSA controls the register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). There is a lot more information about the DSA and their role in regulating the industry on my Driving Standards Agency page.
If you can't find what you're looking for here you might like to have a look at my recommended reading for trainee driving instructors list.
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