How to Become a Driving Instructor

A driving instructor is someone who teaches teenagers and adults how to drive and abide by the rules of the road. Their aim is to provide lessons that help students understand traffic laws, road safety, proper operation and maintenance of vehicles, defensive driving, and more.

Driving lessons include a combination of classroom education and real-world driving instruction. In the classroom, driving instructors use a combination of lectures and videos. They also assign homework and practice tests.

A key job responsibility of driving instructors is evaluating each student’s driving knowledge and comprehension to ensure they’ll be able to pass their driving test. In particular, they’re expected to help students master the following basic driving skills:

• Using various controls inside the car
• Reading road signs
• Avoiding hazards
• Parking
• Driving on the highway

Instructors also help students develop specific skills they’ll be tested on, such as parallel parking and three-point turns.

Driving instructors typically sit in the passenger seat of the vehicle while the student drives. To ensure the safety of the student and everyone else in the vehicle, the instructor can use alternate controls (like a steering wheel or brake) as needed.

Types of driving instructors

Before you begin your training or apply to become a driving instructor, figure out if you want to specialize. This is a crucial preliminary step since the qualifications you’ll need to become a driving instructor depend on the type of vehicle license training you’re providing.

Driver’s ed instructors typically help students learn how to drive noncommercial vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Another option is to provide instruction to drivers of commercial vehicles, like semitrucks, buses, and ambulances.

Below are a few of the main types of driver’s licenses you can provide instruction for:

• Standard driver’s license
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Motorcycle license
• Bus driver’s license
• Emergency vehicle license
• Public passenger vehicle license

There are other ways to specialize as well. For instance, there are driving instructors who work with law enforcement and teach officers skills like vehicle pursuit, skid control, and risk assessment. The type of license class you want to teach will dictate what type of training and licensing you need.

Because you’ll be teaching students in a school or private setting, certification is usually required to become a driving instructor. Below is an overview of the steps you’ll need to take to start teaching people how to drive.

1. Check your state’s requirements for driving instructors

Before you do anything else, you need to know what requirements you’ll need to meet to become a driving instructor. These criteria vary depending on where you plan to teach.

For example, to provide driving instruction in the state of New York, you’ll need to submit to fingerprinting and a background check, and you’ll be ineligible if your license has been revoked or suspended within the past 2 years.

Some states and schools may also want you to have a certain number of years of experience as a driver. In addition to the customary vision test that you take to get a driver’s license, you may also need to pass physical and mental health screenings.

Driving Instructor Requirements by State

2. Enroll in a driving instructor training course

In driving instructor training courses (DITCs), you’ll gain a wide variety of knowledge and skills. Here’s what you can generally expect to learn:

• Driving laws: Fundamentals of your state’s current driving laws so that you can teach your students how to drive lawfully.
• Training new drivers: Techniques and methods for training novice drivers to be comfortable, calm, and confident enough to drive.
• Performance assessment: Analyzing students’ performance and anticipating issues as they’re driving.
• Classroom management: Applying teaching techniques and strategies for creating lesson plans.

Courses can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to complete. There may be a certain number of hours or credits required, depending on the state you live and work in.

Where to find driving instructor courses

Courses are offered at a variety of government agencies, colleges, and vocational schools around the country. In addition, some driving schools offer their own driving instructor certification. If you want to work for a specific school, start your research there.

It’s also a good idea to contact your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) to see if they have a list of approved driving instructor courses and certificate programs. Even if you don’t directly work for the DMV, getting accredited by an approved institution will give you an advantage when applying for jobs or setting up your own driving school.

This will also be useful if you want to specialize. Not every driving instructor course offers training for noncommercial as well as commercial instruction.

3. Take the driving instructor exam

You’ll likely have to take a written exam as well as a behind-the-wheel instructor driving test before you can get certified as a driving instructor. This is generally something you can do at your local DMV office.

The exams may cover any of the following topics:

• Traffic laws
• Road signs
• Traffic regulations
• Motor vehicle operation
• Safe driving practices
• Teaching methods
• Basic first aid

Some states may also ask you to provide proof of observed driving hours during your training program. During these driving hours, your observer may either be evaluating your driving techniques or your ability to teach and supervise students. Either way, they’ll need to be a certified instructor.

If you fail the exam, you may be able to retake it. The number of times you can redo the driving instructor exam depends on the rules in your state.

4. Undergo additional screening

Depending on the requirements where you live, you may also need to complete the following additional tests and screening processes, if you haven’t done so already:

• Vision test
• Physical test
• Mental health screening
• Criminal background check
• Driving record check

Additionally, if you’re planning on opening your own driving school and using your own car for training purposes, the DMV will likely need to inspect it at this time.

5. Apply for your driving instructor license

Once you’ve passed the exam, undergone all the required assessments, and completed your instructor training, you can apply for a driving instructor license with your local DMV. After you submit the licensing fee, your application will be processed.

If you’re approved, you’ll receive a driving instructor license. After that, you’re all set to start working as a driving instructor.

Students have a choice when it comes to driver’s education. For example, they can go to their local DMV or to a dedicated driver’s ed school. Some have the option of taking classes at their high school.

You also have a choice about where you teach. It depends on if you’d like to be employed or operate your own driver’s ed school.

Option 1: Apply for instructor positions

If driving instruction is going to be a side hustle, it might be easier to seek out employment with an existing driving school.

For starters, you won’t have to make as big of a time commitment. You’ll be able to spend more time teaching, and you won’t need to spend any time managing a business. Another advantage is the benefits that come with part-time or full-time work, like health insurance and a 401(k).

Use job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn Jobs and search for jobs using keywords like “driving instructor,” “driving teacher,” and “driving trainer.” You can also go straight to the source if you’re interested in working for a government agency, a certain driving school, or in a specialized field.

Option 2: Open your own driving school

If you’re truly committed to a driving instructor career—or you just want more freedom and control over your work—then starting your own driving instruction business is a good choice.

Even if you have a full-time job already, you can open a driving school on the side. Teenagers aren’t available until after 2 pm or 3 pm most weekdays anyway, so all you need are evenings and weekends to run your school.

Here are steps you’ll probably need to take to get your school up and running:

1. Purchase or rent a space for your classroom.
2. Choose a name for the school.
3. Register your business.
4. Purchase a car (or cars) to use in training and get them outfitted with alternate controls.
5. Secure all the local licenses needed to operate.
6. Purchase business, property, and auto insurance.
7. Get software to help you write contracts, manage student rosters, create lessons, issue certificates, handle accounting, and more.
8. Set your hours of operation.
9. Get copies of your state’s approved curriculum and training materials.
10. Create signage for the exterior of the school.
11. Design a website.
12. Sign up with Google Business and get your school added to Google Maps.
13. Create accounts on social media sites like Facebook and start marketing your business.

There are a ton of benefits to opening your own driving school. You get to set your own schedule and rates, for one. Entrepreneurship also opens up more avenues to make revenue down the road.

However, the self-employment route does take significantly longer to set up, so this a factor to consider if you want to make money right away as a driving instructor.

If you’re seriously considering driving instruction as a side hustle, there are some other things you should know about this line of work.

How much does driving instructor training cost?

The total cost of your training and licensing will depend on several factors:

• The state where you’ll be working
• The type of course you choose (in-person, online, or hybrid)
• The class of license you want to get certified in
• The current cost of gasoline

If cost is a factor, do some research before committing to a driving instructor course. There are lots of them out there, and prices vary quite a bit. You can find all-inclusive packages for anywhere from $400 to $1,000+.

You should also factor in the cost to get certified, which could cost $100 or more. This includes fees for the application, background check, driving record check, medical evaluation, and so on.

How long does it take to get licensed?

Each state’s requirements for driving instructor licensing are different. However, most states require you to undergo formal training, which can take anywhere from days to weeks.

Once you’re qualified, you’ll also need to add on the processing time after you’ve submitted your application. In Washington State, for example, it can take up to 6 weeks to run your background check and process your application.

How frequently do you have to update your license?

The validity period on your license will depend on your state, so take note of the expiration date once you receive it to ensure that you get recertified in time. You’ll likely need to pay a recertification fee.

How much does a driving instructor make?

According to Indeed, the average salary for a driving instructor in the United States in January 2024 was $21.34 per hour, with typical earnings in the range of $13–$34 per hour. 1 If you’re working for an agency or business, you might also be eligible for additional benefits like paid time off and a 401(k).

Ultimately, your location and employment type will determine how much you make. For example, Indeed found that driving instructors make an average of $44.72 per hour in Trenton, NJ. In Columbia, MD, on the other hand, instructors make $16.42 per hour.