Getting the right training
It's relatively easy to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) if you get the right driving instructor training.
Get the wrong training and you might well find yourself joining the 90% who never make it...
The next few pages in this section, coupled with what you have already read, will help you to decide whether a career in driving instruction is right for you and how to seek out a good driving instructor training course.
It is not our intention to put people off becoming driving instructors, just the opposite in fact - but then again, we don't want you to make a costly mistake by entering a career that you are not suited for.
Get it right first time!
Sadly, statistics show that there is a high failure rate in the Approved Driving Instructor examination, particularly at ADI Part-Three (where you demonstrate your practical teaching skills). The reasons for poor results could perhaps, be categorised as shown in the box below.
3 reasons for failure - No. 1
Strange as it might seem, experience has shown that although 'unsuitability' is a factor it is at least equally matched by poor training. It is also strange that some companies choose to recruit people for training when it is patently obvious that they are 'never going to make it'.
3 reasons for failure - No. 2
Studies have shown that to achieve real expertise in any field takes about 10,000 hours* (. Of course, everyone has to start somewhere, but there are cases where 'instructor trainers' have only been qualified as driving instructors themselves for as little as three months, with no other training qualifications! Hardly the experts that you want to prepare you for your new career!
*According to research published in the best-selling book, 'Outliers' - by Malcolm Gladwell', it takes 10,000 hours to become a true expert at something.
3 reasons for failure - No. 3
The 'extra training' that is available is often limited to 'sitting in' on classroom sessions or while someone else is training (you take no active part). And if it is more of the same training that helped you to fail where will you stand?
However, what is more worrying is the 'small print' found in some agreements that makes extra training subject to conditions like: "If we consider you have contributed enough effort". You might then find that when trying to get extra training you are faced with something like the following scenario...
Part 1 fail: "Re-book and do more home study." - Some companies may allow you to sit in on classroom training, but the vast majority (if any) do not offer full, constructive classroom work for Part-One.
Parts 2 or 3 fail: "We consider that the reason for your failure is that you have not worked hard enough. Because of this we cannot offer more training without cost."
Some companies will allow you to sit in the car and watch other students train, but do not allow practise in the front of the car. For practical exams practise is essential.
Worryingly, these things are just as likely to happen with ORDIT* registered companies as with non-registered companies.
(*The Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers)
With a little care, you can make sure that you don't waste money on ineffective training. Take lucrative sounding job offers with a pinch of salt - remember that anyone can offer a job, but not everyone can offer you work.
Whether working for yourself or a company the amount of work you get will be mainly determined by your quality of driving instruction and customer service.
When you have qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor you will find that it is relatively easy to find work - if your training is poor you will not qualify and there will be no work anyway!
Click the forward arrow below to find out what it takes to become a driving instructor...
