Becoming a driving instructor

Ferti

Hi everybody!
Is anybody here employed as a driving instructor and if so can you please provide some information on it.

Its something that would appeal to me and I'm thinking about taking tests but apparently it costs a fee even before your interview
Also anyone any idea of the salary?

Do I have to pay for insurance for that car or does driving school pay all that?? And other thoughts I should know about this job.
Thanks very much in advance.

Alfagtamini

hi
My family runs a driving school in limerick with 3 cars and 2 instructors. they have been trading for over 40 years.

You now need to register with the RSA and become a approved driving instructor cant remember the exact cost off hand, you then also need to do a check test every few years.
you then need a car with dual controls fitted (500-1000e)

you will work unsociable hours, evening, weekends etc

when we break the costs down we would make just above minimum wage

at the moment the market is saturated with instructors.

some positives though, working for yourself etc..

ADIDriving

There are a few of us on here. You need to do three exams. First is an expanded theory test. Second is an advanced driving test. Finally, an instructional test. I can't remember test exam costs though. The market is flooded with instructors at the moment. Some will be kept busy with work, some will be scraping by and others will be wasting their time and money to give three hours instruction per week. Do not pay money to big companies who promise work. I no people that are now finding those promises to be quiet shallow. The amount of work does vary slightly depending on wher you are.
But it may be better to try something then nothing?

saleda

Can I hijack this thread a little and ask how much insurance would be for a driving instructor's car? Thinking of doing the ISM course but would want to go it alone rather than work for a big company. Thanks.

DaveyDriving

saleda wrote: »

Can I hijack this thread a little and ask how much insurance would be for a driving instructor's car? Thinking of doing the ISM course but would want to go it alone rather than work for a big company. Thanks.

Hi there I started work as an ADI about sept last year having done the 3 exams between January and may. I was surprised how "reasonable" the insurance was. I don't want to state exactly what it was in this general thread but just to say it was only a couple of hundred more that my normal car insurance.i was expecting it tone huge. The problem is finding a company that will insure you, the only one I could find was First Ireland they also now have great deals for your students insurance also. Best of luck
P. S .would agree with previous comments re market saturation it is very heavily subscribed with instructors at the moment. Read Rsa advice to potential ADIs on the ADI section of the RSA website.

saleda

Mind if I ask where you did your training? Thanks for your help.

DaveyDriving

saleda wrote: »

Mind if I ask where you did your training? Thanks for your help.

Hi just sent you a pm.

Catzz

I was wondering do you need to do the adi check test in a school car or can it be done in a pupils car.

DriversEd

hi Catzz,

it can be done in any car AFAIK as long as your ADI insurance covers you in that class of vehicle.

MascotDec85

Catzz wrote: »

I was wondering do you need to do the adi check test in a school car or can it be done in a pupils car.

The Vehicle
The vehicle must be taxed, insured and have any appropriate road worthiness
certificate/disc.
It should be reasonably clean and have seating accommodation for the driver,
Instructor and up to two RSA staff in the back of the vehicle. Proper Insurance cover must be in force for the driving of the vehicle by the Student/Instructor. An RSA examiner may be accompanied by a more senior official. This practice is quite normal and part of our standard quality assurance measures.

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/ADI/guide_to_check_test.pdf

loobylou

Catzz wrote: »

I was wondering do you need to do the adi check test in a school car or can it be done in a pupils car.

I did mine recently and I'm pretty sure it was specified in the correspndence from the RSA that I was to use a driving school car.
The introduction to the document linked above also says to use your driving school car.
In any event, one of the checks made is that you have all your safety equipment with you, highly unlikely if you use a students car.
Definitely enough ambiguity/doubt around to justify a call to the RSA for confirmation.

ADIDriving

From memory, you are asked to do a lesson for a learner as opposed to an improver / pretest. This standard of lesson would suggest a driving school car. They do also check for safety equipment, in the car. In short, I think it needs to be a school car.

Catzz

Ok. Thanks. I am a qualified ADI but work full time in a different line of work. I haven't set up my own driving school yet so I don't have a school car. I can rent one. Have to organise a pupil now.

Catzz

In the RSA check Test booklet it says that the student u bring along can be at any standard between complete beginner and someone who is already at 'driving standard'. Student must have either a learner permit or a full licence.

loobylou

You can bring anyone at all along, except for another ADI, who they say does not have a "learning need".
I brought a student who had had about 8 lessons and plenty of independent practice. Did'nt want to be with a near beginner driving around Rathgar:eek:
You're probably better off with someone whose capabilities you know although in theory you could get away with doing a controls lesson in the carpark.

Catzz

loobylou wrote: »

You can bring anyone at all along, except for another ADI, who they say does not have a "learning need".
I brought a student who had had about 8 lessons and plenty of independent practice. Did'nt want to be with a near beginner driving around Rathgar:eek:
You're probably better off with someone whose capabilities you know although in theory you could get away with doing a controls lesson in the carpark.

Was thinking of bringing a fully licenced driver and teaching them how to park. Will have to see what would be the best to do. What about having the safety epuiment if u are not in a dual control school car. Do u need this anyhow?

loobylou

The safety equipment is a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and 2 hi vis jackets. They do check that you have them.

Catzz

I will Pick up the safety equipment so. Thanks. Hopefully all will go well.