{"id":4892,"date":"2025-04-07T11:25:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T10:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/?p=4892"},"modified":"2025-04-07T11:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T10:25:07","slug":"driving-instructor-career-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/driving-instructor-career-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Instructor Career Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nDriving instructors are responsible for teaching people to drive and pass their driving test to obtain a legal driving licence. As a driving instructor, you can work flexible hours to suit you, earn a steady income, and work with a wide range of people. This career path suits people who enjoy driving and are sociable, calm, patient and encouraging.<\/p>\n

In this guide, you\u2019ll find out what it\u2019s like to work as a driving instructor day to day, as well as career opportunities and training requirements, both in the UK and the USA.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\"Driving<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Potential Roles for a Driving Instructor<\/h2>\n
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Driving instructors<\/b> usually teach learners how to drive standard passenger cars. However, you can go on to specialise by type of client, for example, young people or nervous drivers, by vehicle, like HGVs, or by driving style, such as defensive driving or motorway driving.<\/p>\n

As a driving instructor<\/a>, you collect your clients from an agreed place, usually their home or workplace, and take them out on a lesson that typically lasts one hour. You\u2019ll teach your learner about traffic laws and the Highway Code, essential car maintenance, vehicle safety checks, what to do in an emergency, how to manoeuvre and park the car, and more.<\/p>\n

You deliver a course of lessons, coaching a learner through their theory test and all the way to taking their driving test. It takes an average of 45 hours of paid lessons before a learner passes their driving test.<\/p>\n

In the UK, driving instructors are legally required to use cars with dual controls so they can accelerate or brake from the passenger seat for safety reasons. However, dual controls are not mandatory in most US states, where a standard, single-control car is acceptable.<\/p>\n

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Salary and Career Progression<\/h2>\n
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Driving instructors<\/b> who are self-employed typically earn around \u00a330,000 to \u00a345,000 per year in the UK and $30,000 to $50,000 in the US, or an average hourly rate of \u00a325 to \u00a340 and $20 to $40, respectively. However, pay can vary depending on demand, location, experience, and speciality.<\/p>\n

Employed driving instructors who work for a driving school in the UK can expect lower pay of around \u00a318,000 to \u00a325,000 per year.<\/p>\n

Higher rates of pay are attainable by specialising in one area, such as:<\/p>\n