What is the role of a driving instructor?

As instructors, we generally teach people to drive!

We can teach many people for various reasons, some examples are ;

- - Drivers who have passed their test, but are looking to refresh their skills.

- Drivers who have driven, but are looking to change instructors for any reason

-Drivers who have never driven before

- Drivers who are looking for theory test support

- Drivers who are looking for motorway lessons

- Drivers who are wanting an assessment/ mock test for any upcoming practical.

- We also teach people how to become Driving instructors!

- We teach nervous students, those who are anxious, dyspraxic, dyslexic, or have other learning difficulties. If we can’t help we will try our utmost to help you find someone who can.

- We offer manual and automatic lessons

- We have fantastic, patient, and friendly instructors here at Udrive plus driving school. Our instructors are all fully qualified and vetted to ensure quality instruction.

What is an instructor's role during a lesson?

- To keep you, me, and the general public safe

- To provide you with a safe, controlled environment for you to learn and excel in.

- To provide you with realistic challenges to support your learning process.

- To encourage you to self reflect & analyse situations to support your learning.

- To give you the skills and confidence to pass your driving test.

- To give you the skills and confidence to be able to drive independently once you pass your driving test, and are safe and competent.

How do you become an instructor? Is it easy?

The process to becoming an instructor is not easy! Instructors go through difficult tests to be allowed to teach, and have to take regular tests throughout their careers.

Lets have a look at the process to becoming an instructor...

You must be over 21 years old and have held your driving licence for 3 years.

1. We have to have an up to date DBS check to ensure that we’re safe to teach you. We are committed against safeguarding and take this very seriously

2. Part 1 test; This is an advanced theory test with 100 questions and you must score at least 85/100 to pass. You also do the hazard perception test (just like your learner theory test), but the pass mark is also higher for this. Trainee instructors must be able to demonstrate they have a wider range of knowledge of more in depth subjects.

3. Part 2 test; This is an advanced driving test. Trainee instructors must be able to demonstrate that they have the practical driving skills to become an instructor. The advanced driving test is similar to the learner driving test, however it lasts longer, has more manoeuvres, you're only allowed up to 6 minors, and the examiners are looking for a much higher standard of driving

4. Pink licence; This is where trainee instructors can go onto a 'trainee pink licence' where they are still technically a trainee instructor, but can legally teach you and charge for driving lessons. They must have completed a mandatory 40 hours of training with a trainer, and once signed off by their trainer and the DVSA, they are allowed to teach to gain experience. Their teaching and lessons are closely monitored by their trainer. Trainers will observe the trainee instructor's lessons where possible, and keep in close contact with the trainee. The DVSA also require a further 20 hours of mandatory training whilst on a pink trainee licence to ensure their training and teaching is going in the right direction.

5. Part 3 test; This is where an examiner sits in the back of the car and watches the trainee instructor complete a 'normal' lesson. The examiner will mark the trainee instructor against 17 competencies, and score them out of 51. The pass mark is 31/51, however you must score a minimum of 9 points in the risk management section. This is to ensure that trainee instructors are keeping lessons as safe as possible, as well as keeping the risk and safety of the general public and student at the heart of everything they do

6. Once an instructor has passed their Part 3 test, they are fully qualified and can get their green 'fully qualified' badge! Within 12 months the DVSA will ask them to do a 'Standards Check' - which is the same as a Part 3 test - an examiner will sit in the back of a lesson and ensure that the instructor's lessons are still being conducted to a high standard

7. Once the instructor has passed the Standards Check within 12 months of qualifying, they must take their Standards Check every 4 years. This is again, to ensure that instructors are consistently teaching to a high standard and are keeping everyone safe. Every 4 years, the instructor must also complete a new DBS check to ensure they are still safe to teach you.

These tests are not easy! With the Part 2, Part 3, and Standards Check tests - you are only allowed three attempts at each test. If an instructor fails those three attempts of any test, they must start again right from step number 1 above!

An instructor is unable to teach if they have failed three times, the instructors DVSA pink or green licence becomes invalid, or their licence has been taken off them by the DVSA (this could be due to their behaviour, committing offences etc.. hence the DBS check). The DVSA closely monitor all instructors and take this very seriously.

How do I know if my instructor is genuine?

Unfortunately, and it is sad to say, there are some 'fake' instructors out there. Even if the 'instructors' car has dual controls and additional mirrors, this doesn't always mean they are a 'real' instructor and legally allowed to charge you for lessons.
Pink trainee licence badge example

A trainee instructor will always display a PINK licence badge.

A qualified instructor will display a GREEN licence badge.

You can ask your instructor to see their badge at any time - and if they are a real, genuine instructor, they will have no issues showing you their badge. Having a pink or green badge enables the instructor to legally charge you for the driving lessons you are taking.
Green, fully qualified, licence badge example

If your instructor is unable to show you their badge without good reason, you must be wary. If you're unsure, you can email the DVSA fraud team, and they would be happy to help you find out if your instructor is genuine.

DVSA fraud team;  [email protected]

It's important to note that instructors (and anyone!) can teach without displaying a pink or green licence badge - the difference is that they can not charge you for lessons. They can not take money 'for reward' - this includes for fuel, for lessons, or giving them services in exchange for lessons. With that in mind, trainee instructors can teach for free before they get their pink trainee licence badge, and parents, family members, friends etc can also teach you - as long as they don't charge you.; )

If someone wants to teach for free, or as an instructor, the important bits are that they;

- Are over 21 years old

- Have held their driving licence for more than 3 years

- Follow all the rules as if they were driving, for example, not drinking alcohol or taking drugs, not using their mobile phone, not being distracted etc. They must be ready to take control if you need help or support

- Your car must have L plates on the front and rear (keep a spare pair of magnetic L plates in your car in case they blow off during your drive!)

- Your car has insurance, tax, MOT, and is road worthy

L plates & signage

It is a legal requirement to display L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle where they are clearly visible, when teaching learners. If you are driving in your own car, you should take the L plates off when you're not driving. Driving instructors are exempt from having to remove their L plates between lessons.

Driving instructors often use a roof box - and if the roof box has L plates on the front and rear of the box, then legally, the instructor's car doesn't have to have L plates on.

Our roof boxes are a good form of advertising, and instructors sometimes choose to get their cars 'sign written' - where graphics and decals are put on the car to attract more customers.

Instructors often have signs on the back of their car such as 'CAUTION, SUDDEN BRAKING' - to bring more attention to drivers behind that our vehicle may stop suddenly if the learner panics or the instructor has to stop the car for safety reasons. We would hope that following drivers give learner drivers more space and distance, and more time to deal with tricky situations and moving off safely etc.

I want to become an instructor, what can I do?

We would welcome you to contact us so we can discuss this further with you 🙂

Please contact us on 07400081008

We also have more information here

Contact us today for instructor training and driving tuition in Coventry. https://udriveplus.co.uk/vacancies-instructor-training/ Or feel Free to join us on Facebook.