Becoming a driving instructor

Shikkaka · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:42

Hi all,

I am stuck in a job in IT at the minute, i'm on 15k a year working on a poxy helpdesk and the only technical side of it is running some As/400 queries, which to be quite honest. A monkey could do.

I'm bored to put it blunt.

I really fancy something new. Something fresh. Different from sitting infront of a computer screen all day listening to people whine that they can't login to Novell and it is business critical. Is it **** business critical.

I have considered becoming a driving instructor. I love driving for a start (although I won't be driving). I have heard the pay is pretty decent and it's certainly a change from what I am doing now.

What I want to know is what exactely does it take? How long does it take to become fully qualified? Does the training cost anything?

I think the only thing that potentially might hold me back is I am in some debt and I have another year and a half till I am out of it. I need money coming in for this debt. I'm assuming if I were to go into training it would require me to come out of work?

If anyone could answer any of the above questions, i'd be grateful

SiriusB · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:43

http://www.theinstructorcollege.co.uk/

Amazing thing, the Internet.

platypus · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:44

From what I learnt from my driving instructor..its fairly expensive to get qualified, but if you go with a well known group (AA/BSM etc) then you'll do ok out of it.

You need something like 5 years experience and clean licence, and then can sit the courses. The guy I learnt with was earning enough to work only 4 days a week, and learn to fly Spitfires, so I guess its alright. Oh and as he was with the AA he got a brand new ford focus every 6 months.

Shikkaka · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:46

SiriusB said:
Amazing thing, the Internet.

Yes it is. That is why I posted on here for personal experiences.

Thanks

platypus · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:49

You say you fancy something other then sitting infront of a computer all day..

Would you really fancy sitting in a metal tin all day, with people that can't drive, in traffic..

I don't know from personal experience, but why would it consider you to come out of work? You can learn to drive outside working hours.

Shikkaka · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:50

platypus said:
From what I learnt from my driving instructor..its fairly expensive to get qualified, but if you go with a well known group (AA/BSM etc) then you'll do ok out of it.

You need something like 5 years experience and clean licence, and then can sit the courses. The guy I learnt with was earning enough to work only 4 days a week, and learn to fly Spitfires, so I guess its alright. Oh and as he was with the AA he got a brand new ford focus every 6 months.

lol just had a thought about clean licences

I received 3 points 4 weeks ago. Bugga! Oh well nevermind

My gf is also on about looking into it. Do you defo need 5 years experience? She has only been driving a year.

Shikkaka · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:51

platypus said:
You say you fancy something other then sitting infront of a computer all day..

Would you really fancy sitting in a metal tin all day, with people that can't drive, in traffic..

very good point there. I am just sick of an office environment but as said I need a steady income for my debts.

Zip · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:51

platypus said:
You say you fancy something other then sitting infront of a computer all day..

Would you really fancy sitting in a metal tin all day, with people that can't drive, in traffic..

Just think of the Adrenalin rush!

platypus · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:51

Steameh said:
My gf is also on about looking into it. Do you defo need 5 years experience? She has only been driving a year.

The AA require that for all their driving instructors, not sure about others I'm afraid.

calnen · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:52

Don't do it! You'd have to put up with nonces like me making the same mistakes week in, week out!

Richdog · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:53

Steameh said:
lol just had a thought about clean licences

I received 3 points 4 weeks ago. Bugga! Oh well nevermind

*slaps forehead*

My gf is also on about looking into it. Do you defo need 5 years experience? She has only been driving a year.

*slaps forehead*

I think it's probably good you don't become a driving instructor.

Shikkaka · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:55

Richdog said:
I think it's probably good you don't become a driving instructor.

The idea was nice for 10 minutes.

Hmmm what other none boring jobs could I take up.

Werewolf · 4 Jun 2007 at 14:55

Steameh said:
lol just had a thought about clean licences

I received 3 points 4 weeks ago. Bugga! Oh well nevermind

My gf is also on about looking into it. Do you defo need 5 years experience? She has only been driving a year.

Given that you need 2 years experience to take a learner out I wouldn't be surprised if most reputable companies require 3-5 years.

Richdog · 4 Jun 2007 at 15:01

Steameh said:
The idea was nice for 10 minutes.

Hmmm what other none boring jobs could I take up.

Stuntman, human cannonball, secret agent, what sort of stuff interests you?

Twinblade · 4 Jun 2007 at 15:03

You could become a test subject for a pharmacuetical company.

Johnnytoxic · 4 Jun 2007 at 15:13

Werewolf said:
Given that you need 2 years experience to take a learner out I wouldn't be surprised if most reputable companies require 3-5 years.

I'm sure its 3years.

Werewolf · 4 Jun 2007 at 15:19

ooops, you're right, it is indeed 3 years.

When did that change?
I'm sure it was 2 years last time i looked (probably about 8 years ago

)