Driving instructor
Teach people how to drive safely and get the skills they need to pass their driving test.
About the job
What it's like
You would teach people how to drive safely and get the skills they need to pass their driving test.
You'll need to be patient and calm with learners. You’d give your instructions clearly and constructively explain when they make a mistake.
You would start by assessing a learner's driving knowledge and ability. Based on your assessment, you’d then plan a series of lessons to get the person to a standard where they can take their driving test.
Most driving lessons follow a similar pattern.
You would teach:
How to use vehicle controls with confidence
The correct approach to road safety
How to manoeuvre, turn, reverse and park safely
About driving laws and the Highway Code
How to deal with emergency situations
Basic vehicle checks
You’d adapt your teaching style to suit each person. Some learners may be very nervous about driving and panic if something unexpected happens.
You would normally use dual controls in the vehicle to make slight adjustments to the learner's driving. You’d observe what they do and react quickly and safely to any problems.
As a learner becomes more competent, you would take them on to busier roads, dual carriageways and more complex junctions like roundabouts.
As well as normal road driving, you might also give lessons in night driving and, for people who have passed their test, motorway driving.
You might also cover driving theory with your clients.
Hours
Your working hours will have to fit in around your learners' needs, so be prepared to work evenings and weekends. There may be variations in the amount of lessons booked with you, particularly around Christmas or during the summer because of school holidays.
Environment
You would spend most of your time in the car, sitting in the passenger seat during lessons. Lessons typically last between one and two hours.
Explore more information about this job
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- backlogs
- accounting
- finance
- financial services
- learning styles
- lesson planning
- parallel parking
- educational assessment
- performance appraisal
- demonstration skills
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- coaching
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- empathising
- verbal communication
- building relationships
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Skills for Work: Automotive Skills
To be a driving instructor your must be listed on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) or you must hold a trainee's 'Licence to give instruction'.
These processes are managed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), an executive agency of the UK Department of Transport.
You would be trained by a organisation which is listed by the DVSA in the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT).
The qualifying examination for entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors is in three parts:
a computer-based theory test
a practical test of your driving ability
a practical test of your ability to instruct learners
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate:
Patience and tact
Communcations skills
Basic knowledge of car mechanics
To be at least 21 years old to accompany a learner driver but you can apply to start the qualifying process six months before your 21st birthday.
A full UK or European Union car driving licence. You must have your licence for at least three years before joining the register. If you have ever been disqualified from driving or have six or more penalty points then your application may be refused.
A Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check.
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