There’s more to it than sitting in the passenger seat!
My overriding personal experience of being a driving instructor is one of fulfilment. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when it seems like any other job, but the times where pupils have achieved their goals thanks in part to my help, well, they’re the times when I love doing what I do.
No two days are the same, but they share a lot of similarities. Here’s a rundown of what to expect during a day working as a driving instructor.
The business side
As a self-employed business owner, I am responsible for much more than teaching people to drive, getting them through their driving test and establishing them with safe driving skills for the rest of their careers.
It requires self-discipline to run your own business – yes, there are perks like only working when you want to work, but having the motivation to bring in work consistently is probably the biggest challenge.
So, I always start my day early – well before my first lesson. I will respond to enquiries, review my pricing to ensure it is competitive, think about relevant blog post topics and ensure my vehicles are clean, tidy, fully maintained and road-legal.
I always check the local council’s website to see where there are any roadworks – that’s not to say I avoid them completely, because it is important to be able to deal with temporary traffic lights, for example, and busy traffic. However, if I know a set of roadworks is going to affect the areas where I might be teaching, I plan ahead so I’m not sitting in traffic with learners unnecessarily.
Before leaving for my first lesson, I fill my water bottle – being on the road for most of the day leaves little time for breaks. Driving instructors have limited access to lavatory facilities, and as a result I’ve fallen into the trap in the past of not drinking enough water through the day. It’s really bad for your health, and I’m aware of instructors who have become ill from dehydration.
Structuring the day
I can’t just book lessons in randomly, there has to be a geographical logic to the diary. For instance, I try to work in lesson clusters – I will base myself one day in Leamington Spa and Warwick, and give driving lessons to as many learners as possible locally. The next day I could be in Kenilworth or Stratford-upon-Avon teaching learner drivers. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to travel further between lessons to accommodate learners who are taking their driving test, for example.
Actual teaching!
I usually start teaching between 9 and 10am, with at least a 30 minute break in between lessons. This is used for personal comfort, refreshment, and mental preparation for the next lesson. Being an instructor can be quite tiring – you have to give your full attention throughout lessons, and keep your eyes both on the road and on what your learner is doing. Hazards come out of nowhere, and learning to drive is a team sport, so it takes a lot of concentration and mental energy.
Lessons vary greatly – you might be teaching a complete beginner on one, followed by someone who is nearly test-ready and requires less support. Being able to adapt and change a lesson on the fly is one of the most important skills a driving instructor can have. You can’t continue in this game by teaching a set lesson plan, and you can’t make assumptions about how any lesson will go. Each individual learner is like a fingerprint – entirely unique. My job is to understand the best way of communicating with them and coaching them to understanding, which means putting them at the centre of the lesson from the outset.
Clustering lessons usually means I have time to respond to any messages or enquiries during breaks, but sometimes it isn’t possible, as I have to prioritise noting or reading any learning points or issues relating to each lesson. I’ll usually do this from the car park of a supermarket, preferably one with a clean loo and a good value meal-deal! Although, I avoid fast food as much as possible – it might be a quick-fix, but it’s not a healthy option in the long run.
After my last lesson, I return home – usually between 6 and 7pm. This is where it’s important to stay on top of mundane administrative tasks such as completing my mileage report for the day, updating my accounts and checking my messages for enquiries and lesson changes. I find doing these tasks ‘little and often’ is better than trying to remember everything at the end of the month and trying to update it all in one go!
I will often check in with other instructors on social media, as it’s a good way to share any issues or problems. It’s also a great way to refer pupils between us, as our availability fluctuates pretty much constantly. Also, it can be quite a lonely job, so having a few friends on the road you can wave to is nice!
Down time
The working week for me is five days – I have Sundays and Mondays off. It’s convenient having free time on a weekday, as I can sort vehicle maintenance and cleaning. Some instructors work six or seven days, but personally I find the cumulative effect of not having a day off isn’t great for mental acuity or health.
A good night’s sleep is really important – I try to stop working before the evening, switch off my ‘phone and wind down before turning in. A good work-life balance is important when you’re self-employed, as you can too easily push yourself harder than your body will allow.
Is it worth it?
So, to anyone looking at Driving Instruction as a career, I would say if you think it’s just about sitting in the passenger seat all day, telling people what to do, think again! It is, however, a wonderful way to help people gain one of the most important life skills they could have. Driving is a skill for life… and although there is far more to the job than sitting in the passenger seat, seeing learners achieve something they once thought impossible makes it all worthwhile.
