The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Driving Instructor

Career changes are daunting and if you’re thinking of making a dramatic move and changing jobs, then this might require you to acquire new skills and adapt to a whole new way of life. Of course, the positive effects that this chance could have on your life could outweigh the negatives, so it may be worth taking the leap and seeing how you could benefit by pursuing a new career. 

Since it doesn’t require any existing qualifications, driving instructing could prove to be the perfect job if you’re wanting a complete career overhaul. The training and qualifications that you’ll need to become an instructor are an extension of the skills that you had to acquire to obtain your initial licence, so if you’re a keen driver and enjoy teaching others, it could be a great job option for you. 

To help you to decide whether a career as a driving instructor is for you, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons, so read on to find out more. 

Pro #1 — Take charge of your career

If freedom is your main priority and you like the idea of being in control of your own schedule, dictating the number of hours that you work, then driving instructing could be a great career choice for you. Of course, you’ll have to be flexible to an extent, to work around your clients and their lifestyles, but once you’ve developed a good reputation, you’ll be afforded the luxury of being able to decide how many clients you take on and therefore, how much you earn. 

You’ll need to have great organisation skills and be a self-motivated individual to become a driving instructor who’s self-employed, so if you prefer the structure of being part of a team, then you might prefer becoming a franchise-based instructor. 

Pro #2 — Freedom

Nine-till-five office jobs aren’t for everyone and you might be craving the freedom that working from your car could bring. The beauty of driving instructing is that no two days will be the same, and since your pupils will change and you’ll be welcoming new clients into the driving seat on a regular basis, you’ll be working and socialising with new people, which could be exciting. You’ll be free to spend your working days on the open road, whilst also teaching a skill that will provide your pupils with the freedom to venture out alone, once they’ve become a proficient, passed driver. 

Con #1 — Training 

As we previously mentioned, pursuing a new career can prove daunting because you’ll be required to acquire new skills. In the case of driving instructing, you’ll have to enrol on a training course to prepare you for the vigorous practical and theory tests that you’ll have to pass to obtain your accreditation. Unfortunately, the training and assessments can prove to be quite costly, with the average training course costing around £1,600. In addition, there are three tests, each of which cost around £100, and should you fail, you’ll have to pay and take the test again. 

What’s more, it will take around 12 months to complete the training programme, but the whole qualification process can take around 12-18 months to complete. 

Con #2 — Getting to grips with being your own boss

Once you’ve established yourself, being your own boss could prove to be the best life decision that you make, however the establishment process isn’t always straightforward. You’ll have to get to grips with accounting, setting your own fees, working out your business expenses and sorting your taxes. 

Being your own boss will also mean that you’re fully liable for the amount of income that you generate, since your salary will be based upon the client base that you can build and the number of hours that you work. You’ll have to be highly organised and self-motivated, since you’ll have no one to answer to other than yourself. 

So, now you can weigh up the pros and cons and decide if driving instructing is the career for you. Though the training and assessments can be expensive, driving instructing is a rewarding career and since it requires no qualifications, it could be a great way to get started on a new path.