Become A Driving Instructor

 

Driving Instructor Training With Andy Kerr

There’s no doubt that you can make a big impact on peoples lives when you become a qualified driving instructor. The benefits and the rewards are plain to see, but the greatest pleasure is in meeting such a wide variety of people and helping them to achieve their personal goals. The diversity and variety that this career offers could open up a whole new world of possibilities . . .

 

Ask yourself these questions..

Do you want to work when you want to, where you want to?

Do you want to be your own boss, making your own decisions?

Do you want a challenging and rewarding new Career?

 

Be free from your 9 to 5 life?

 

Spend more time with your family?

 

 

 

If the answers to the above questions are yes please read on!

 

Congratulations you have taken your first steps to your new career however before you can apply to have your name entered onto the register you must also satisfy certain legal minimum requirements. The main requirements to teach people for money or monies worth are set down below.

You must have held a full UK driving license for a continuous period of at least four out of the last six years.

 

Have not been disqualified in the four years prior to applying to the register.

If you currently have more than 6 penalty points it is possible that your application will be refused.

You must be a 'fit and proper person' This relates to criminal convictions not spent under the rehabilitation of offenders act.

 

You will have to under take a criminal records bureau check.

 

 

The Qualification Process

You must pass a three set exam set by the DSA.

 

 

A theory test
A driving ability assessment
A test of instructional ability

To be entered in the Register of Approved Driving Instructors you must pass all three parts of the Qualifying examination within a two-year time period, starting from the day you pass part one, and have paid the requisite registration fee.

 

The first thing you need to do is complete an application pack to register yourself as a trainee instructor. Then you are free to start the exam process.

 

 

The 3 Qualifying Exams Explained In More Detail

 

Part One

The first of the exams on your route to qualification is in two parts, the Theory test and an on screen Hazard Perception Test ( HPT ).

Both parts of the test must be taken together and you must pass both parts on the same attempt to progress towards the part two test.

Part one is entirely computer based. You will be asked 100 multiple choice questions about all aspects of driving and driver training. The questions follow a similar format to those set in the learner's theory test but cover a much wider spread of topics including teaching practice and principles.

The questions are banded into four sections and you must score 80% in each band and achieve an overall mark of 85% to pass. This means that it is possible to get a score of 94% and still fail if you are weak in a particular band of knowledge. In order to pass Part-One you also need to attain a pass mark of 57 in the HPT. If you do not achieve this you will have to do the whole test again, including the theory test, even if you gained 85% or higher in the questions.

The HPT comprises of a selection of short videos, showing real road scenes and potential hazards. You will be tested on fourteen film clips. These clips will be chosen at random from a selection of two hundred. You will be assessed on how soon you spot and respond to the dangers shown on screen. You will watch the video clips on a computer screen and you will need to click the mouse button at the correct time to identify the developing hazard ahead.

Your Bumpers trainer will advise you on the study materials you will need to have the best possible chance of passing this test.
You may have as many attempts at this test as you need in order to pass.

 

 

Part Two

Part 2 is the foundation on which your part 3 skills are built!

Part two is a test of your driving ability.

This test normally lasts for about an hour. You are limited to three attempts at part two.

If you fail three times you will have to wait two years from the date that you passed your Part One exam before you can start over again. You will then have to re-take Part One.

Your Part two training should be thorough, structured and developed as a firm foundation for the work to come at Part three.

A common mistake in lots of training programs is to try and get through Part two as quickly as possible, I believe that much of the understanding required for the Part three exam starts at Part Two.

You need to demonstrate expert handling of the car controls and a progressive yet defensive driving approach. During the test you will show that you can control the vehicle safely, follow correct road procedure, recognise and deal with any hazards that occur using the MS-PSL routine and complete some basic set manoeuvres.

Anticipation of other road users and the ability to act on this anticipation is also one of the key skill areas that I will teach you at Part two.

Your part 2 knowledge will lead to part 3 success.

Never forget how important part 2 actually is.

 

 

Part Three

 

Part three is a test of your instructional ability. The test lasts for approximately one hour, and is the final part of the qualifying process. When you pass part 3 you become a fully qualified driving instructor

One of the most common misconceptions about the Part three exam is that it all about briefings and Pre set tests, this without a doubt is one of the reasons for the low pass rate for this exam with most PDI's ( potential driving instructors ) failing at this point.

Whilst the briefings and Pre set tests are important the ability to deliver a well structured, safe and controlled driving lesson with a good understanding of the core competencies ( your ability to find, analysis and remedy faults ) and instructional techniques are without doubt the key areas to success not only in qualifying but also to ensure your continued success as a fully qualified ADI and for check testing purposes.

As with part two, you are only allowed three attempts, after which you must start all over again with the theory and hazard perception tests after 2 years. The pass rates for this stage of the ADI qualifying process are not high.

At present, only approximately 28% of those who take the test will pass

Part-Three is split into two 'phases' each lasting about 25 minutes

During phase-one the examiner will role play a learner with very little or no experience at all of the subject that you are asked to teach. During phase-two the examiner will play the role of a pupil with more experience and prior knowledge of the subject you are asked to teach.

You will be assessed on your ability to match your instruction to the level of the pupils portrayed, observe and correct any errors and maintain a safe controlled learning environment and the ability to spot, remedy and give analysis on any faults that you see.

At first you may find that role play feels unnatural to you however through careful structured training you will become much more confident with this most vital of skills.

You need to combine this with your ability to demonstrate the core competencies and good instructional techniques and you are well on the way to getting your hands on that coveted green card.

You can then start your new career as a fully qualified and most importantly well trained ADI, enabling you to run a successful business and train the drivers of tomorrow to a high standard.

It's not as bad as it seems! With the right guidance you can pass quite easily.

I can show you how!

 

 

Training Program

Your training program will always be prepared and adhered to the highest standards there will be NO CLASSROOM training with all your training will be carried out on a one to one basis ( at times it may be useful to have more than one trainee in the car but I will always ensure that this mutually beneficial to all parties ).

I view the car as a mobile classroom and am mindful that each hour you spend with me is of vital importance to you both from a financial and learning perspective.

Whilst it is important that you understand the theory behind what you are doing you will benefit far more sat in the passenger or driver seat of the training vehicle than you will sat behind a desk.

The course is broken down into 20 hours at Part two, ( you may find other schools offering to get you through this part of the training at a much reduced amount of hours but please remember Part 2 is the foundation on which your part 3 skills are built!

The failure to gain the correct skills at Part two are I believe a major factor for failure at Part three.

Training for your part 3 exam is a minimum of 40 hours.

 

However please note that this is the minimum time needed to show you the skills you will require to be successful, you will need to put in twice this time on your own for you to succeed and become a fully qualified instructor.

Iin other words a 60 hour course is a 180 course with the commitment required on your part, YOU WILL NOT succeed at this unless you are a 100% dedicated.

 

 

Realistic Pricing

Your training can be payed for on a pay as you go basis at a cost of £30 an hour or for a full 60 course an upfront fee of £1600 which is an amazing saving of £200! and includes study material and briefing cd's you will need for the three exams.

With a flexible approach to payment and course fees like the course itself can be tailored to suit an individuals requirements, I promise to be friendly and honest in my dealings with you, please ask if you are unsure about how to proceed I will be more than happy to make every effort to accommodate any reasonable request.

 

 

This is what you get . .

 

No hidden franchise fee or contracts you can pay as you go for part two and part three or pay in one sum and gain the benefit of a block booking discount!

 

One to one in car training from a grade 5 ADI who has attended and passed an ordit Instructor training courseI

 

No classroom training!

 

You could be fully qualified for less than £2000!

 

Access to your trainer at all times, I am always on the end of the phone!

 

Help with the quialifying process and all three parts of the exam process!

 

Training Material!

 

What Can I Earn?

I am often asked about the potential earnings for driving instructors. Clearly, this is not an easy question to answer, but your potential earnings depend only on one thing – YOU!

You can decide how many hours you will work and you can decide what you'll charge based on current local prices for your area.

Throughout the UK lesson prices vary from £16 up to approximately £25.

You will be able to work out a guide to your income based on the lesson price, how much work you want to do and your car expenses.

So you have to be realistic, I would suggest not buying a new BMW Mini to teach in at £15000, save a fortune and buy a Hyundai for £6000. It does the same job!

Let s look at tpical instructor charging £20 per hour and teaching for only 30 hrs per week. He will earn £2,400 per month.

That’s an income of £28,800 per year.

An instructor charging £18 per lesson and working for only 20 hrs per week would earn £1440 per month.

That’s an income of £17,280 per year.

 

So why do companies go on about huge wages from £30,000 to £50,000 in some cases?

Yes it can be done, but please think about your prices and how many hours you wish or need to work..

You will need to deduct petrol and car running costs, business expenses and any other costs that you decide to incur, but as you’ll realise, the way you run your business is your business

The choices are all yours. You’re the boss – you decide!

 

If you have any further questions or you just want to ring me for a chat about the training course or with any practical questions you may have about changing career and earning a living as a driving instructor please feel free to ring me on the number below, this is not for everyone but if you are dedicated and willing to put the time in it can be a very rewarding experience. Give me a call I am always willing to talk to you.

 

Thanks for reading and whoever you decide to take your traing with good luck!!!!!

 

Andy Kerr

 

 

Call now on 07807 655751 or 01484 604038