How to Become a Driving Instructor

Becoming a driving instructor is a fairly straightforward process. It may vary slightly from state to state, but the process will be similar throughout the country. State statutes and regulations govern how to become a driving instructor. The following describes the procedure in Maryland and offers some additional information on job possibilities in the field.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Basic Certification Process

1. Associate yourself with a certified driving school before you apply to become a certified driver education instructor.
2. Obtain a certification packet from your state's driver instructional services division.
3. Make sure you satisfy the minimum requirements before you apply. You must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a valid license to drive the type of vehicle you will be certified to teach.
4. Pass a criminal background check and a driving record check.
5. Complete any required driver education certification courses.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in English.
7. Verify your employment with a certified driver education school as an instructor.

Additional Driver Education Training and Jobs

8. Decide whether you want to teach in a high school or for a driver education school.
9. Find out if community colleges offer associates' degrees in driver education.
10. Get a college degree. Teaching at a high school will require a college degree and certification by the state in driver education.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in running or owning a driver education school, you may need additional education in business and driver safety.