With the rise in using automobiles today compared to years before, the need for top driving instructor schools is yet to begin. The steps to becoming a driving instructor are first taking an instructor program from a state-approved agency.
After which, you sit for the state board licensure exam. This examination combines instructional tests, practicals, and theories and determines whether you qualify.
It includes your driving history and experience in this process. Thus, your past driving record will also matter if you’re to pass the screening.
In this article, you’ll discover how to gain your ADI license and some of the best driving instructor schools you can enroll in now to kick-start your career.
Table of contents
- Who is a Driving Instructor?
- How do I Become a Driving Instructor?
- Requirements To Become a Driving Instructor
- How Difficult is it to Become a Driving Instructor?
- Driving Instructors Salary
- Best Driving Instructors Schools Near You
- #1. Cantor’s Driving School
- #2. Driver Training Institute
- #3. The Americas Driving School
- #4. RoadMaster Drivers School
- #5. Red Driving School
- #6. A.A. Driving School
- #7. Pass Confident Driving School
- #8. Allison Driving Education
- #9. American Safety Council
- #10. DriversEd.com
- #11. Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI)
- #12. National Driving Academy
- #13. The Trucking Academy
- FAQS
- References
- Related Articles
Who is a Driving Instructor?
Wikipedia defines a driving instructor as a professional responsible for instructing, directing, and coaching a new driver(s) on the proper driving rules and techniques and safety road measures.
A driving instructor helps new drivers, especially those about to take a driving test, learn how to handle different vehicles, including trucks, lorries, motorcycles, and cars.
A licensed driving instructor must be skilled in handling non-commercial or commercial vehicles.
You can also refer to a driving instructor as an educator, an ambitious teacher, or an auto educator.
How do I Become a Driving Instructor?
Your training as a driving instructor will usually depend on the area you want to specialize in — you can either train to be a commercial vehicle instructor or a non-commercial vehicle instructor.
However, you will find your training with an approved college, vocational institute, or agency instrumental in passing the driving instructor tests.
The length of training can be long or short, depending on your region/institution, and takes anywhere from 3 weeks to a few months to complete.
Related article: 15 Best Driving Schools in Kent
Requirements To Become a Driving Instructor
As a rule, you must meet these basic requirements before taking instructor training:
- You must possess a valid driver’s license according to your region of operation.
- Be up to 21 years
- Have experience driving for at least 3 years
- Clean driving record
- Pass the vision, driving, and health tests.
- Have a minimum of a high school certificate or must have taken a GED program.
Enrollees with solid records and clean driving histories will find it easier to get the instructor license.
Also note that in some countries, you’ll have to take an ORDIT examination, even as an approved instructor, to qualify to train other instructors.
How Difficult is it to Become a Driving Instructor?
Becoming an approved driving educator is easy as long as you have what it takes to be licensed.
A flair for teaching the ‘how to’s of driving is also a bonus besides your driving skill level and experience.
Moreso, a vital customer service skill and the ability to communicate in multiple languages can come in handy in boosting your career as a driving instructor.
Check our guide to the top best driving schools near you
Driving Instructors Salary
Driving Instructors make an average of $38,569 annually, based on an October 2022 report by Ziprecruiter.
But this figure varies based on your area of specialty. For example, truck driving instructors earn higher annual incomes than non-commercial driving instructors. Your location, skills, and experience can also influence your yearly income.
Indications show some regions have higher average earnings with better advancement opportunities for Instructors than others.
Driving schools near you: 15 Best Driving Schools in Baltimore
Best Driving Instructors Schools Near You
To get the best out of your driving training, you must go to the best schools. A driving instructor program typically covers hands-on practices and training on handling automobiles and teaching others.
Some of the best-rated driving instructor schools you should consider are:
- Cantor’s Driving
- The Trucking Academy
- Red Driving School
- Advanced Driving Tuition
- Alison Academy
- DriversEd.com
- National Driving Academy
- Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI)
- Pass Confident Driving School
- American Safety Council
- A.A. Driving School
- RoadMaster Drivers School
- The Americas Driving School
- National Driver Training Institute
#1. Cantor’s Driving School
It is located in southern California and offers a broad range of training packages for learners. There’s also a package for the Drivers License Road Test Service, mainly for learners who have finished the 6 hours program at Cantors Driving School.
#2. Driver Training Institute
NDTI is an online driving institute and ranks as one of the most reputable driving instructor schools in 2023. NDTI offers driving instructor training programs on driver’s ed and defensive driving across several states, including California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.
#3. The Americas Driving School
The Americas Driving School offers driving instructor training programs on all driving services. It operates in multiple states across the US, including California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
They combine quality instructors with 40 years of experience to give you the best possible driver training.
#4. RoadMaster Drivers School
The RMDS does everything trucking, from providing extensive CDL driving instructor training to helping you get job ready.
Known as the national driving school, Roadmaster Drivers School gives you all you need to become a confident driving instructor.
#5. Red Driving School
Red Driving school won the award of the national driving school of 2022 and has trained one-fourth of driving instructors in the state.
Her course training goes for 2,222 dollars with a refund policy when you register as an instructor with the academy.
#6. A.A. Driving School
A.A. Driving School offers two types of services to learners. One is the premium driving instructor training done one to one. This service costs 1,995 euros or its equivalent.
The other is the fast track V.R. course which costs 999 euros. A.A. Driving instructor school course training blends all 3 DVSA tests to help you gain access to your PDI License before your test.
#7. Pass Confident Driving School
Also ranked one of the top driving instructor schools, Pass Confident Driving offers a driving training program at an affordable price.
They broke the trainings down in three parts; which you have to thoroughly practice before getting the Approved Drivers License
#8. Allison Driving Education
Allison is a reputable online platform where learners can take courses in various fields. The driving instructors training program is free is cover to[ics on defensive driving, delivery handling, educators skills training, construction safety, fire management, and more.
Check out 15 Best Driving Schools in Indianapolis
#9. American Safety Council
The American Safety Council driving instructor certification program covers topics such as teaching techniques, state laws, and emergency procedures. It also prides itself in its long history of equipping driving instructors with safety rules and practices.
The top courses at ASC include workplace safety and driver safety.
#10. DriversEd.com
DE.com offers an online driving instructor training program that covers classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
DE.com drivers school operates in Texas, Ohio, Florida, California, and Colorado. At DE.com, you’ll get everything from comprehensive driver’s ed to defensive driving.
#11. Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI)
One of the leading truck driving instructors schools, PTDI provides driving instructors with the tools to educate learners.
The perks of learning at this institute include its convenient location, affordability, small-sized class, and school fee reimbursement, amongst others.
#12. National Driving Academy
The National Driving Academy can help you become an approved big truck driver in 4 weeks.
After you have completed your driver’s instructor’s training program, you’ll receive the CDL license, which makes you job-ready and in demand. CDL School of America instructor driving school operates in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
#13. The Trucking Academy
This truck driving school is ideal for anyone looking to earn an extra income outside the regular 9-5 job. At TTA, you’ll learn the ropes of truck driving and what it takes to be a certified driving instructor.
Summarily, not so many professions allow you the freedom of your time as a driving instructor. If you are looking for a rewarding way to remain active after retirement, a post-work career as a driving instructor might be ideal.
Does the cost of attending a driving school bother you? Find out how to get cheap driving schools here.
FAQS
The registration fee and driving test for prospective instructors are not decided by driving instructor schools but by the driver standard agency. While the driving instructor school or training institution. training fee
However, you can only register for the ADI License after you have passed the qualifying test for driving instructors.
The fee for the part 1 test for approved drivers is 81 euros. Part 2 and 3 tests cost111 euros, respectively.
To become a driving instructor in Washington state, you need to get your state’s driver’s license, have a high school certificate or equivalent, attend an auto instructor school, and have some years of clean driving experience.
Afterward, you can book an appointment for your test with the Washington state licensing body for a non-refundable fee of $25.
Aside from the freedom to own your time and dictate your schedule, driving instructors average an annual income of $40,786 ( for U.S.-based instructors) and 30,137 euros ( for U.K. driving instructors).