Any driving instructors here?

Tdcp · 2023-11-04T21:38:01+00:00

I'm 37, out for 50 hours for a dead end job that isn't much more than minimum wage. I hate it. I'm thinking about training to become a driving instructor but the thought also terrifies me. Well the thought of laying out 2k that I don't really have and then not passing / not being up to standard or hating the job! What is being an instructor really like? Do you like your work? Is it worth it?

Untoldhassle · 05/11/2023 07:49

Unless you have the money to burn please don't do it. The process is gruelling and soul destroying. It's not like people think it is. Also so many cowboy "teachers" who are only after your cash.
If its because you hate your long hours etc then definitely don't do it. You'll have to work so much to earn a decent living after costs. It's so much harder than people think it is. The hoops the dvsa have you jumping through is ridiculous also.
Join Lous pdi group on Facebook.... Sadly Lou the absolute god of instructor trainers has passed away this summer.
You'll see posts there of people who passed all the exams etc but then you search for all the people who've failed it over and over. You get 3 attempts and then it's blocked out until you are 2 years after your (advanced) theory test expires. You have to then start all over again. The dvsa don't want more instructors - that's now clear to me. Despite apparent demand competition is tough and the dvsa test wait times for instructors and learners is a joke. If I had chance again I would have not done it. I wasted 2 years and a ton of money. Had plenty pass their test but not good enough for dvsa. Think long and hard about it. I'm not someone who usually struggles with things but it was the most single stressful thing I've ever done.
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Untoldhassle · 05/11/2023 07:54

Also when you look at the traffic and standard of driving out there. I'm now glad I am not doing it. Taking your life in your hands each time you go out.... and if they wreck your car that's you not working while it's repaired. By the way. Insurance is absolutely astronomical for trainee instructors. It can be upwards of a grand depending on car etc. So many costs I didn't factor in. I was quoted £2k by one place.

Original poster

Tdcp · 05/11/2023 09:49

Untoldhassle · 05/11/2023 07:49

Unless you have the money to burn please don't do it. The process is gruelling and soul destroying. It's not like people think it is. Also so many cowboy "teachers" who are only after your cash.
If its because you hate your long hours etc then definitely don't do it. You'll have to work so much to earn a decent living after costs. It's so much harder than people think it is. The hoops the dvsa have you jumping through is ridiculous also.
Join Lous pdi group on Facebook.... Sadly Lou the absolute god of instructor trainers has passed away this summer.
You'll see posts there of people who passed all the exams etc but then you search for all the people who've failed it over and over. You get 3 attempts and then it's blocked out until you are 2 years after your (advanced) theory test expires. You have to then start all over again. The dvsa don't want more instructors - that's now clear to me. Despite apparent demand competition is tough and the dvsa test wait times for instructors and learners is a joke. If I had chance again I would have not done it. I wasted 2 years and a ton of money. Had plenty pass their test but not good enough for dvsa. Think long and hard about it. I'm not someone who usually struggles with things but it was the most single stressful thing I've ever done.
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Wow thank you so much for this. I really appreciate the honest feedback! I definitely don't have money to burn, we're just getting by at the moment.. I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience with this!

OP posts:

Untoldhassle · 05/11/2023 23:22

Of course. I really didn't realise just how much it would drain my money and destroy my soul. That's my experience and there are people who pass and love the job as it can be rewarding, but it's a lot of hours and very many costs involved. It's not something that would get you a lot of money unless you became an instructor trainer as that's how the real money is made.... Off people like me, and if you decide to train, you too x