Do you think you could be a Driving Instructor?

As well as teaching people to drive, at Nick Heath Driver Training, we also run a Driving Instructor Training (DIT) scheme which helps those who would like to become a Driving Instructor to gain the qualifications required and set themselves up as one of our Franchised Driving Instructors.

The qualification process starts with a DBS check, after which you are entitled to apply for a PRN (Personal Reference Number) which is linked to your entry on the register of Approved Driving Instructors where all your details and exam results will be kept on file.

You are then allowed to book the first part of a three part exam that you are required to pass in order to qualify as a Driving Instructor.

That "Part 1" test is a test of your subject knowledge. You'll be asked 100 multiple choice questions and expected to get at least 85% of those correct. The questions are taken from four different topics and you are not allowed to get less than 80% of the questions right in any single topic. At the same time, you will complete a hazard perception test, where you click on your mouse button if you see a developing hazard whilst watching a video clip - you get a maximum of 5 points depending on how early you see the hazard developing and you need to gather at least 57 points in order to pass that part of the test.

If you pass it, then you are obviously entitled to book your "Part 2" test of driving ability. Passing that first test also starts a clock ticking away - you must pass the next two tests within a period of 2yrs or your theory test certificate will expire and you must start the process again. These last two tests are also subject to restrictions on how many attempts at them you are allowed - you must pass them within three attempts or fail your attempt to become an Approved Driving Instructor. If that happens, you must wait until that 2yr clock has stopped ticking and then start the process again.

The Part 2 test is a driving test of approximately 1hr in length. You will do a variety of manoeuvres, the emergency stop and demonstrate your ability to use motorways where it is practical to do so as well as driving generally in a variety of road and traffic settings. In order to pass, you must attract no more than 6 driving faults and a high standard of driving is required - unlike learners, you may pick up driver faults for issues of finese or refinement.

Having passed the driving ability test, you are then entitled to book your 3rd exam, which is a test of teaching skill. This test was recently re-structured by DVSA to fall in line with the Standards Check that is carried out on Fully Qualified Driving Instructors every four years. A specially trained Driving Examiner from DVSA will sit in the back of the car whilst the PDI (Potential Driving Instructor) teaches a lesson. They will assess 17 different competencies and award an overall score at the end of the session - you will pass if you have achieved a score of at least 31 points out of a possible 51 unless there is a particularly low score in the area of "risk management"

After passing this test, you're then a Fully Qualified and Approved Driving Instructor who can give tuition for payment as long as you display your Green badge in the windscreen (see previous blog entry relating to the difference between Green and Pink licences)

Click here for more details of how Nick Heath Driver Training could help you on the way to becoming a Driving Instructor