Driving Instructors teach people the theoretical and practical aspects of driving motor vehicles.
Theoretical training comprises lectures and demonstrations on how to handle a vehicle in an emergency, driving techniques and the mechanical operation of motor vehicles. Instructors may use blackboard diagrams, audio-visual aids and driving simulators to accomplish this task.
Practical training involves the learner driver actually starting the car, driving and parking - first in the driving-school grounds and then out on the public road - while the instructor observes the learner’s driving habits and reactions under various conditions.
Driving instructors encourage improvement of the learner driver’s technique until a satisfactory level of competence has been attained and the learner is able to attempt to pass a test and acquire a driver’s licence.
Personal Requirements
- at least 5 years of driving experience
- excellent interpersonal skills
- patient and mature
- ability to work with young people
- calm temperament and mental stability
- able to react quickly in an emergency
- able to deal with criticism from learners who fail their driving tests
How to Enter
Schooling & School Subjects
No specific requirements
What to Study
The law requires that a practising driving instructor must be in possession of an Instructor’s Licence, issued by the Department of Transport or local traffic department. This is renewable annually and it is a condition of renewal that the driving instructor repeats the practical driving test. Candidates who have at least 5 years of driving experience will stand a much better chance of securing a position.
A driving school will accept an application for a position as a driving instructor, even without the necessary licence, provided that a person has the right qualities for the position.
If a driving instructor wishes to start a driving school the following steps should be taken:
- collect an application form from the nearest police station
- return the completed form to the police station with the application fee
- receive a receipt for the application fee and a form to be completed by a medical examiner
- hand in the completed medical form at the police station
- forms and fingerprints will be sent to central government to check whether any criminal offences have been committed
- after a period of approximately 2 months the applicant will receive correspondence from central government advising where to go for the instructor’s licence or K53 test
- take the test to prove that the driving school has been registered as a company and that it is well advertised.
Employment
- driving schools
- self-employed, with enough experience and capital, can start own driving school
Further Information
Any of the above potential employers or any police station or the Department of Transport.
Getting Started
- improve your driving skills and, if possible, take advanced driving lessons
- speak to a driver instructor about this type of career and ask to observe them at work
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