How much does a driving instructor earn in the UK? Salary explained

DRIVING instructors have a great responsibility to teach people how to drive safely.

They guide learner drivers to take on the roads and chaperone them as they learn how to drive a car without causing any accidents, but how much do instructors earn in the UK?

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How much does a driving instructor earn?

Just like in many other jobs, the more experience you gain as a driving instructor, the more pay you earn.

Entry-level positions tend to be around £29,283 per year, while the average salary of a more experienced instructor is around £32,063 per year.

Instructors can earn up to £41,600 a year.

In October 2022, a UK government survey found that almost half of approved driving instructors (ADIs) charge between £31 and £35 for a one-hour driving lesson.

Pay does vary between different companies.

How do I become a driving instructor?

There are eight steps which you must take to become a driving instructor and the training normally takes around six to nine months.

Are you eligible?

First, you should access the UK government website and check whether you are eligible to become a driving instructor.

The site will ask you question such as:

• Whether you’re a registered driving instructor in Northern Ireland or an EU country
• If yes, the website will ask you to first register your non-GB driving licence with the DVLA and then transfer your registration
• If not, then it will ask how old you are
• If you are 21 and over, the website will ask you if you had a full driving licence for at least three years
• You will then be asked if you have been banned or disqualified from driving in the last four years
• If not, you will be asked what type of car you drive – manual or automatic
• If you choose manual then the site will indicate the application process
• If you choose automatic, the website will indicate that you can start the application process but to teach manual you need to pass that test first

You cannot become a driving instructor if:

• You are 20 or under
• You haven’t had a full driving licence for at least three years
• You have been banned or disqualified from driving in the last four years

Start the application

Before you start filling in the application process, you must get a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

This cost around £8.22.

After that is cleared, you can start your application.

Find a trainer

You will need to take three qualifying tests to become a driving instructor and a trainer is required to help you prepare yourself for these tests.

You can find a driver instructor training course through the Government website.

Take the first two tests

The first test you’ll need to take is the ADI part 1 test – the theory test, which costs £81.

Once you pass, you need to take the other two tests within two years, or else you will have to start the whole process again.

The next test is the driving ability test – ADI part 2 – which costs £111.

Practice teaching

Once you have two tests in hand, you can apply for a six-month trainee licence.

This will help you gain experience and costs £140.

The final test

Finally, it’s time to take the instruction ability test – ADI part 3.

This is the last test of your journey and it costs £111.

Start working as a driving instructor

Once you have passed all your tests, you can register for your first ADI certificate within 12 months.

This will cost you £300 and will enable you to either join a driving school or start your own driving instructing business.

Every four years you will need to have a standards check, a DBS check and renew your registration which will once again cost you £300.

What does a driving instructor do?

Driving instructors show students how to drive a car and explain what every single component does.

They also give them theoretical information such as lane names, junctions, road laws and traffic signs, and the Highway Code.

They also tell students about safe driving procedures and give them advice on what to do in difficult driving situations or emergencies.