Buying a Second-Hand Car

Thinking about a career change? Curious about being a driving instructor? Well, that can be a rewarding career if it's a match for your personality. Here are four signs you may want to sign up for driving instructor training and go down that particular road in your career.

1. You Like Hands-On Work

Being a driving instructor is pretty hands-on work. You don't just sit in a cubicle shuffling papers or reading spreadsheets. Instead, you actually work with students in the classroom to help them learn the rules of the road. Then, you get in the car with them and help them learn the realities of driving.

2. You Are a Conscientious Driver

As you have to spend a lot of time monitoring new drivers and helping them learn safe driving strategies, you need to be skilled at driving. Ideally, you should be a conscientious driver who understands the rules of the road extremely well. Beyond that, you should understand small nuances related to driving such as how to avoid sudden stopping and starting so that you can improve fuel efficiency.

It also helps if you truly enjoy driving. When teachers are passionate about their subjects, that inspires people to learn.

3. You Like People

Being a teacher is great for a social introvert or an extrovert, but regardless of those classifications, you should like people. Whether you are dealing with the classroom or the driving part of the course, you are working hand-in-hand with people.

In many cases, driving instructors work with teens or other young drivers. However, that is not the only option. You may also take driving instructor training and then become a teacher of a defensive driving course for adults or seniors.

4. You Can Handle a Lot of Sitting

Sitting can be hard on your body, and when you are helping someone learn to drive, you'll spend a lot of time sitting. Depending on the number of students you have, you may spend hours in the car. If you get backaches from prolonged sitting, this may not be the right career for you.

Alternatively, you may just want to focus on becoming a classroom teacher who provides drivers with theoretical information or who teaches overseas students using simulation tools. You don't necessarily need to sit in the passenger seat all day with this type of job.

If you think that you are a good match for this career, you may want to contact a school that offers driving instructor training courses.