A job with a future
The number of driving instructors in the UK today is almost the same as it was 10 years ago. On the other hand the instructor’s workload has increased dramatically since then.
Recent changes that add to our work load include the addition of the Theory Test, the retraining of driving offenders, the introduction of the Pass Plus training scheme to reduce insurance premiums (i.e. additional motorway lessons etc., backed by the government and insurance companies alike), the introduction of a more difficult driving test (i.e. the introduction of bay parking and more difficult routes in 2001), the introduction of the hazard perception test for learners and ADI’s alike in October 2002 and finally in September 2003 the introduction of the “show me tell me” section of the driving test.
Recently insurance premiums to cover an additional learner driver on a standard motor car insurance policy have also dramatically increased forcing many parents to have their children trained professionally rather than doing it themselves. Again this has benefited our industry. And finally, according to the DSA’s latest business plan they expect practical car driving tests to grow from 1.5 million in 2003/04 to 1.7 million by 2006/07 while at the same time they expect applications for ADI tests to fall.
Therefore while the number of driving instructors in the UK to day is almost the same as it was 10 years ago the amount of work for them has increased dramatically. Hence , the reason why driving schools are increasingly finding it difficult to find good driving instructors. This makes driving instruction one of the most secure careers available. On the horizon there is talk of introducing compulsory retesting of drivers every 10 years and making it compulsory for all learners to take a minimum number of professional driving lessons. As society becomes more safety conscious training is bound to feature even more. Therefore, the future for driver training could not be brighter.