How to Become a Licensed Driving Instructor

With the plethora of fast cars and teens pushing them to the limit, licensed driving instructors have been rising on the scale of importance. Most states have their own requirements, but if you want to specialize in such things as race car driving or defensive driving, you will need additional training. Here are ways to become qualified as a licensed driving instructor.

Instructions

1. Fulfill the basic requirements set by your state. Most states require that you earn a high school diploma, have a valid driver's license, be at least 21 years old and also be conversant in English, to become a driving instructor. Also, most states require that you take driver's education courses that are taught by someone who is recognized by that state. Finally, most states require you to have a professional license that must be renewed periodically after passing an exam and a background check.

2. Become adept in both the classroom and in the car. Not all instruction takes place in the automobile, because much of what your students will learn from you will be in the classroom. For example, you will teach both driving etiquette as well as the driving laws of your state in a classroom setting. In the automobile, you will serve as a mentor to your students as they hone their driving skills. And if necessary, you will keep your students from getting into accidents.

3. Decide on the type of driving instructor you want to become. For example, you might aspire to be a driving instructor that specializes in people wishing to drive tractor-trailers. Or you might want to become a driving instructor at a private or public high school or a community college where you will teach young people how to drive. A college degree might be required before securing one of these jobs. You can also align yourself as an employee of a driving school, or become a freelance driving instructor which will require you to be knowledgeable in how to run a business.

4. Become known for specializing in a particular driving technique. You could receive training to teach only defensive driving, or you could specialize in training people to race cars on the track. Each of those specialties require that you have a license to drive the types of vehicles they require and you must qualify at a state-approved facility.