Part 2 of 6 — Thinking of Becoming a Driving Instructor?
Probably the most important decision you will make
Of everything covered in this series, this is the article I would ask you to read most carefully. How you qualify, and who trains you, shapes the instructor you become far more than any single lesson plan or textbook.
What to avoid
Do not choose a trainer solely because they:
- Advertise the cheapest course.
- Promise that you will qualify quickly.
- Claim an exceptionally high pass rate without evidence.
- Offer a large number of hours for a low price.
- Tell you that becoming an instructor is easy.
What to ask instead
Look for a trainer who can explain how they will develop your driving, your instructional knowledge and your ability to think professionally — not just how they will get you through three tests. Ask potential trainers:
- Who will actually train me? Is it the person advertising the course?
- What qualifications and experience do they have?
- How is the training structured across Parts 1, 2 and 3?
- What happens if I need additional training?
- What are the total costs, including training, tests and any additional sessions?
- Can I speak to recent trainees about their experience?
- How do you prepare me to become a competent instructor, rather than simply pass Part 3?
A good trainer should be comfortable answering every one of these questions, without hesitation and without pressure to sign up on the spot.
In the next article, I want to challenge a common assumption about what Part 3 actually tests.
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