Becoming a Driving Instructor:
The Honest Pros and Cons

What the job is really like, what it costs to qualify, and whether it might suit you.

Becoming a driving instructor can be a rewarding career, but it isn’t for everyone. As instructors and trainers ourselves, we’d rather give you an honest picture now than have you find out halfway through your training.

The pros

Rewarding work. Helping someone go from nervous beginner to safe, confident driver never gets old.
Flexibility. Most instructors are self-employed and choose their own hours.
Steady demand. People always need to learn to drive.
Every day is different. New pupils, new roads and new challenges keep things interesting.

The cons

Income can vary. Cancellations, quiet spells and holidays all affect what you earn.
Running costs. A dual-control car, insurance, fuel and upkeep all come out of your pocket.
Unsocial hours. Many pupils want lessons in the evenings and at weekends.
Long days in the car. It takes patience and concentration, hour after hour.
Qualifying is demanding. There are three tests, a limited number of attempts and a time limit.

What it takes to qualify

To start, you must be at least 21 and have held a full car licence for at least 3 years. You’ll also need a criminal record check, and you can’t apply if you’ve been disqualified from driving in the last 4 years.

You then pass three tests: Part 1 (theory), Part 2 (driving ability) and Part 3 (instructional ability). You must book your Part 3 test within 2 years of passing Part 1. Read more in ADI Part 1, 2 and 3 explained.

What it costs

The DVSA fees are £81 for Part 1, £111 for Part 2 and £111 for Part 3. A trainee licence costs £140, and registering as an ADI costs £300 every 4 years. On top of that, you’ll need training, which varies between providers.

Is it right for you?

Do you enjoy explaining things and helping people learn?
Can you stay calm when things go wrong?
Are you happy working evenings and weekends?
Can you handle a few months of study and training while you qualify?

If you answered yes to most of those, it could be a great fit.

Training with us

We provide Part 2 training, the 40 hours of training you need after Part 2, and sponsorship for your trainee licence (pink badge). Find out more on our Become a Driving Instructor page.

Sources: GOV.UK: ADI register guide and GOV.UK: ADI fees.