A job for life

As long as there are cars, people will need to learn how to drive them. This makes driver training a reliable source of income for years to come.

• Driving instructors choose their own hours - a job that fits with your lifestyle.

• There are no age limits or initial qualification barriers - if you get on with people and enjoy driving it could be a great career for you.

• In the UK, driving instructors are virtually all self-employed. No one can make you redundant.

Where do I start?

Below you will find a quick overview, but before making any decisions you will need to do some homework to find out exactly what's involved when choosing a driving instructor course.

Doing your homework is important to ensure that you do not get caught out by misleading claims regarding jobs, training periods and qualification rates.

Your starting point is to find out if you meet the minimum legal requirements to be a driving instructor. More...

How do I qualify

To become a driving instructor (ADI) you need to pass a three part examination:

• ADI Part-One tests your knowledge of driving theory, rules and regulations and driver training and includes an on-screen hazard perception test

• ADI Part-Two is an advanced level driving test

• ADI Part Three is a test of teaching ability

All three parts of the exam have to be passed within a maximum two-year period; if you are already in a full-time job this gives plenty of time to train and practise. Because of the skill level involved you will need training, but with a good training company and a little hard work this is an easy process.

What can I earn?

The best instructors earn in excess of £30,000 per year (plus car) - these instructors are in the top 10% of earners. A more typical salary for a good instructor would be in the region of £25,000.

Be very careful when choosing a training provider - many will mention the top earnings figure but will not mention that some instructors earn less. It is also unlikely that you will earn the top rate working for a driving school - however, setting up your own school is straight forwards even if you have no experience of working for yourself. SmartDriving members get regular weekly training and business advice. Smartdriving students can take an optional business start-up and support package.

Is there plenty of work?

As long as there are cars on the road, there will be work for good instructors.

In order to become one of the best you must ensure that your driving instructor training course sets a sound foundation for your career.

Regardless of who you train with you will always be able to find work. Try this experiment for yourself. Call any of the major driving school companies and tell them that you are a fully qualified instructor who has newly moved to the area and ask them if they have any vacancies...

Driving schools are keen to recruit SmartDriving trained instructors because they know that our students receive quality training - after you qualify we can secure a position for you in any of the top schools, we also have many small schools affiliated to us.

Visit www.smartdriving.org to get our free information pack and to discover how we can help you to become a driving instructor.