Becoming a driving instructor

junii

Whats involved? Do you need a special license... Do you need to pass some sort of test and what age do you have to be?

wba88

afaik no special license just a full driving licence

J_R

Hi,

wba88 Wrote

afaik no special license just a full driving licence

Not exactly correct. A person could set up as a driving instructor without even a driving licence. They could give instructions (??) to people on their 2nd provisional.

One of the reasons why standard of driving in Ireland is so poor. No properly trained instructors

Alun

J_R wrote:

Not exactly correct. A person could set up as a driving instructor without even a driving licence. They could give instructions (??) to people on their 2nd provisional.

Are you sure of that? Regardless of whether you're a driving instructor or not, anyone on a 1st, 3rd or later has to have a fully qualified driver with them, i.e. not someone on their 2nd provisional. That only entitles them to drive unaccompanied, not to accompany someone else who needs accompanying. I suppose if there was someone else, i.e. a 3rd person, in the car who did hold a full licence it would technically be OK, but ...

J_R

Hi,

Perhaps could have said it clearer. Without a licence they could only give instruction to someone on their 2nd provisional.

Someone on their 1st, 3rd and all subsequent licences would have to be accompanied by a quallified driver. Therefore the instructor would have to have a driving licence to teach these.

It was a test examiner who pointed out to me the above ridiculous situation that in Ireland, anyone whatsoever, even a 17 year old, could give instructions to someone on their 2nd provisional and everything perfectly legal.

Regarding the OP's other questions. No age limit. No special licence.

seamus

Well, I think he was being a little facetious. Someone without a full licence could definitely charge people for lessons, provided that they didn't be the accompanying driver to the learner. Other than that, anyone with a full licence can claim to be an instructor and drive around the place "instructing" people.

Any instructor with any sense of ethics and personal pride would complete an IAM or similarly accredited instructor's course before assuming that they can charge people to tell them how to drive correctly.

cormie

Here's a PM I sent to Irish Salfordia, he is a driving instructor, with the reply below it. Very helpful:)

Originally Posted by cormie
Hi there,
I saw your reply to my post about becoming a driving instructor saying that you do it yourself. I'm just wondering, is all that is required now, to have a full license and appropriate insurance cover? Do you know anything about getting the car to be dual controlled? Also, have you information on the new legislations being brought in and if they are definitely brought in and what will then be necessary to become a driving instructor?

Corm

Legally, yes. At present all you need is to hold a full driving license and get full insurance cover.

In practise, there is obviously a lot more to it than that. Firtly for insurance, most companies will want to know that you are very experienced and have a good accident free record in your own driving. Some will insist that you are D.I.R. Registered.

The D.I.R. is a voluntary group set up by 'good' driving instructors years ago. To become a member of the D.I.R. you have to pass a long theory test, pass an advanced driving test, and teach 2 lessons to a supervisory driving examiner. After that your teaching methods need to be check tested every 2 years or so.

If the proposed regulations come in, all instructors will have to be registered with the government. Similar exams will have to be taken and re-sat regularly. Your car will have to pass a stringent test every year. Your record of passes at tests will be recorded and you will be brought in for re training if you do not maintain the required standard.

Dual controls are easy, lots of garages do them or Mobility Aids will fit.

However, you will need nerves of steel; will have to be able to explain clearly and patiently how to drive to complete novices and to kids who already think they know it all; you will have to prepare people to pass their test, and constantly keep getting new pupils, as every time any one pases they will not come again so you need someone else in their place. Word of mouth / the grapevine will also play a large part. If you are good you will be reffered to friend, workmates etc. If you are not you will struggle. There are a lot of schools out there all looking for business.

Examiners are also involved in the grapevine. If you are not very good they know and it seems to be passed around.

I learnt in England where you had to pass exams etc before you could become an instructor. Ireland will go down the same route soon, possibly being stricter that england because things have got so bad here.




Hope this helps,