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.
Satisfying Aspects
- seeing the improvement in learners' driving skills
- working with people
- meeting different kinds of people
Demanding aspects
- working with people who lack confidence and seem incapable of following instructions
- the dangers of taking learners onto public roads during training.
Requirements
A driving instructor should:
- have at least 5 years of driving experience;
- have excellent interpersonal skills;
- be patient;
- have the ability to work with young people;
- be mature;
- have a calm temperament and mental stability;
- be able to react quickly in an emergency;
- be able to deal with criticism from learners who fail their driving tests.
School Subjects
No specific requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Languages
Training
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
- purchase a dual-control car in which to conduct tests
- take the test to prove that the driving school has been registered as a company and that it is well advertized.
Note: There are moves afoot to convert the Instructor's Licence test into a full diploma course and to make possession of the diploma a legal requirement of practising as a driving instructor.
Employer
- Driving schools
- Self-employed (own driving school)