The instructor's job - Introduction
A typical driving school consists of one or more driving instructors who are legally qualified or ‘Licensed’ to teach clients how to drive a car.
The driving instructor’s job is to bring learner drivers up to driving test standard by ensuring they are competent in the skills required to drive safely, namely: car control, road 
procedure and the development of a good attitude towards other road users.
Driving instructors will also help pupils to prepare for the Learners' Theory Test.
Theory Test preparation is usually done by allocating a portion of the lesson time to theory training and using homework quizzes, etc.
Some of the more enterprising instructors teach theory in the classroom. Free classes arranged through your local college could be a valuable source of new business...
The Trainee Licence system
'Licensed' instructors are not fully qualified. They are permitted to charge for driving lessons on a 'provisional' licence for six months (maximum) before taking the final part of the exam. There are supervision and training conditions attached to the licence.
While the Trainee Licence can help you gain experience, good driving instructor training will help you qualify much sooner without the need or expense for a licence.
Good driving instructor training courses should enable you to qualify without the need for a trainee licence, however, the practical experience does help a lot of people.
Beware: Do not look upon the Trainee Licence as a driving instructor job opportunity, consider it an extension of your training. The sooner you are fully qualified the more job choices you will have.
Other jobs
Beyond teaching learners, some instructors, having gained sufficient experience, move into other jobs within the driver training field.
These include:
- the retraining of traffic offenders
- refresher and advanced driving courses
- courses for disabled drivers
- eco-driving courses (SAFED)
- defensive driving courses for company personnel
- lorry and bus training; driving instructor training
- taxi driver training
- trailer-towing
- van/minibus training
- instructor training
- instructor development
It should, however, be noted that while the markets in these areas are relatively small when compared to the ‘L’ driver market, some sectors, especially the fleet training market are showing growth as new rules and regulations come into force.
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