Before looking for a driving instructor school, you will need essential requirements to apply successfully. First, you have to have held an unrestricted car driving licence for a minimum of four years. Second, your driving history during that period should be impeccable. And third, you should be ‘fit and proper person’ in the opinion of the DSA. In other words, this relates to convictions not spent under the ‘rehabilitation of offenders’ act.

The training consists of three parts: theory training, in-car driving training and instructional training. So you must pass three qualifying tests accordingly.

Part 1. Theory and Hazard Perception Tests

These are much like learner’s tests, but as a driving instructor you are going to be tested at a higher level. The theory test is 100 multiple choice questions with 90 minutes to complete them all. During Hazard Perception Test you will be shown 14 videos of developing hazards and you will need to demonstrate an adequate reaction.

Part 2. Driving Test

If you have chosen to teach others to drive, you should be brilliant at driving. No wonder the pass mark for driving instructors is greatly different from that of learner’s. Within the test, you must not have made more than six minor driving faults.

Part 3. Practical Test of Teaching Skills

This is the most challenging and the most important part of entire training process. You can be a great driver but it takes a whole new mix of skills to become a good teacher. So this test shows your instructional abilities. Supervising Examiner will role-play a leaner driver, doing it all wrong. You would need to display your core competencies as a driving instructor, identifying, analysing and rectifying the faults.