If you’re looking for a career change and have considered becoming a driving instructor, then you might also want to think about whether being a driving examiner would appeal to you. Granted, when you think about your experience as a learner driver, you probably remember your driving instructor as clear as day and have fond memories of them. On the other hand, you were probably so overwhelmed by fear and dread, that you can’t remember a thing about the examiner that you took your test with and provided you with your licence.
Of course, the decision as to which career you are best suited to will depend on what you enjoy doing, your specific character traits, and your desired salary. To help you decide if either career could be for you and to come to a suitable conclusion here’s some information about both.
What does it take to become a driving instructor?
If you’re thinking about training to be a driving instructor then there are a few specific qualities that you’ll need. Probably the most important is the ability to stay cool, calm, and collected in stressful situations. Learner drivers can make mistakes, but making these on the road, when surrounded by traffic can be dangerous enough in itself, without your pupil getting stressed about it. If you’re able to stay calm when others around you are losing their heads, the chances are that you’ll be able to help a learner driver when they encounter an issue and help them out of that situation effectively.
Leading on from this, you’ll also have to be patient. Your pupils haven’t stepped in a car before, so this process is completely alien to them. They need you to be clear in your instructions and give them time to process the information, practice and learn. Some drivers will be slower than others when it comes to picking up skills, so make sure to allow them the time that they need and be understanding.
It goes without saying, but especially if you’re wanting to work as an independent driving instructor, you’ll have to be organised and have great time management skills. You’ll have to manage your diary and make time for all of your pupils, which might require you to be flexible at times and work around their availability.
If you exhibit these characteristics, then driving instructing can be a rewarding career that can enable you to work on your own terms, be flexible, and have a great work-life balance.
What does it take to become a driving examiner?
You might have never considered becoming a driving examiner, but with a starting salary of £24,876 and no qualifications required to undertake the training to qualify, it could be worth thinking about. To be a driving examiner, it goes without saying that you’ll need to be a good driver since there is a driving assessment that you’ll have to take that will require you to be able to drive to a high standard in order to pass.
You’ll also have to be able to concentrate for prolonged periods since the practical section of the test will typically last for 40 minutes. Unfortunately, you’ll also have to be pretty resilient, since quite often, drivers will not be happy with the result of their test and could react negatively towards you.
A career as a driving examiner can be extremely rewarding. With each test that you oversee, your overall decision will contribute towards the safety of Britain’s roads, which will leave you with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you’ve made a difference. Equally, each time that a driver passes their test, you can share in their triumph, knowing that they will go on to enjoy the freedom that having their licence will bring. If you think that driving examining is for you, you can enrol on a course and get training straight away.