How Do You Go About Becoming a Driving Instructor?

 There's never a shortage of people wanting to learn to drive, but the pandemic has produced a bigger demand than ever. This is because there's a huge backlog for driving tests, and all those people waiting are filling up the slots offered by their driving instructors. This means that new driving instructors are in demand. So, if you consider yourself an expert driver, perhaps you have the ability to pass your skill on. You can't just set up as a driving instructor, though. These are the steps you'll need to take.

1. Register with the DVSA

 Anyone who wants to qualify to become a driving instructor has to register with the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Before you register, however, you need to check whether you're eligible to be a driving instructor. For this, you must:

• be at least 21 years old
• have held a full driver's licence for at least 3 years
• not have been disqualified from driving during the past 4 years
• have a NEW Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (you can't use a check obtained previously)

2. Arrange Lessons

 Technically, having lessons isn't essential for become a driving instructor. Just as you can take your driving test without having had a lesson in your life, you're entitled to skip this stage and apply straight away for your ADI tests.

 However, it's highly unlikely that you'd pass if you take this approach. Even if you're already an expert driver, teaching other people to drive is a different matter, and in practice you'll almost certainly need bespoke lessons to cover the elements of the ADI tests.

3. Taking the Theory Test

 The theory test (ADI part 1) currently costs £81 and is divided into two parts — multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test. There are 100 multiple-choice questions, divided into 5 sections — you'll need to get a minimum of 80% in each:

• The Highway Code
• Knowing your traffic signs
• Driving — the essential skills
• The official theory test for the approved driving instructor's pack
• The Driving Instructor's Handbook

 The hazard perception test involves watching videos of road scenesthat involve developing hazards. You click the mouse as soon as you spot the hazard, scoring up to 5 points, depending on how quickly you see the issue. You need at least 76% to pass.

4. Taking the Driving Ability Test

The driving ability test (ADI part 2) currently costs £111 and tests you in 5 categories:

• An eyesight check
• "Show me, tell me" vehicle safety questions
• General driving ability
• Manoeuvres
• Independent driving

 In order to pass the test, which takes about an hour, you must record no more than 6 driving errors — and none of them must be serious or dangerous. If you fail, you can book to retake the test, but after a third failure, you have to wait at least two years to take it again.

5. Setting Yourself up as a Driving Instructor

 If you pass both tests, you'll be entitled to act as a driving instructor — but that still leaves you with the problem of establishing yourself. You can join an existing driving school, of course, but if you prefer to work for yourself, you'll need to set up a business and find customers. The best way to do this is to register with TutorExtra, where you'll find plenty of resources to learn how to set up your business. Most importantly, would-be drivers will be able to find you through our platform.