Driving Instructors teach individuals and groups the theory and application of safe driving skills.

JOB DUTIES 

Driving Instructors may:

Teach such things as driver and pedestrian rights; defensive driving techniques; engine control; driving procedures; mechanical details and preventive maintenance; emergency handling techniques; motor vehicle laws; insurance laws; and highway markings, signs, and signals, while in a classroom setting

Familiarize students with the controls and gages in the car

Teach students how to adjust the seat and mirrors, start the car and check the gauges after the engine starts; release the hand brake, put the car in gear, and move slowly forward

Teach energy-efficient ways of driving

Provide in-car driving experience, including elementary driving, city driving, and rural and freeway driving

Observe the individual's driving habits and reactions under various driving conditions to ensure conformance with vehicle operational standards and the state vehicle code

Recommend that the student take the state exam for a driver's license when they are satisfied the student has become a careful, knowledgeable driver

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Driving Instructors may specialize in these areas:

099.223-010 DRIVING INSTRUCTORS teach individuals and groups the theory and application of safe driving skills. Some Driving Instructors specialize in teaching the operation of vehicles other than an automobile and are identified according to the type of vehicle, such as Tractor-Trailer-Truck Driving Instructor and Motorcycle Driving Instructor.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Driving Instructors work both indoors in classrooms, and outdoors in cars in all kinds of weather, when giving on-the-road instruction. Classrooms are usually well lighted and ventilated. Their practical instruction is generally given in new or late model cars in good mechanical condition. They minimize the danger of accidents by using cars with dual controls.

Working hours are flexible as they schedule lessons for students' convenience. Instructors work in the early morning, late afternoon, evening and weekends to accommodate high school students and working adults. Instructors might work as many as six days a week. They may instruct four to six students per day. They are busiest during the summer when the number of students can be much higher. Their amount of overtime, if any, depends on the number of students. Instructors might be required to furnish a late model car.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which require working with people

• Activities involving use of machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Communicate ideas to others

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or judgments

• Rate information by using personal judgment

• Work well under pressure in critical or unexpected situations

• Coordinate use of your eyes and hands rapidly and accurately

• Coordinate movements of your hands & feet according to visual signals

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If your automobile get 22 miles per gallon and you have 10 gallons of gas, how many miles can you drive before you need to fill up?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Battery efficiency decreases as temperatures fall, because the chemical process necessary for the production of electrical current is retarded.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining a student's progress in your course.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best route to take a student so he or she can experience a variety of traffic styles.

Instructors (of adult, handicap, and truck drivers) in commercial driving schools in Michigan must be licensed by the Department of State. Commercial Driving Instructors who wish to teach youths under 18 or motorcycle riding must also be approved by the Department of Education. Applicants must have had a valid driver's license for the last 3 years prior to application, provide a medical exam report, and meet other requirements, such as not having received a 6-point conviction or 3 or more points in conjunction with a fatal accident. To teach youth under 18, Instructors cannot have more than 6 points for moving traffic violations during the 2 years prior to application, must be at least 21 years of age, and have at least 8 semester hours of university credit in traffic safety education. School (public or private) Driver Education Instructors must be approved by the Michigan Department of Education. The fees are $2.00 for the initial license and $2.00 for each renewal. Licenses expire on December 31 each year. Department of Education approvals are free and valid for life.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

048 DRIVING INSTRUCTOR EDUCATION

Programs in Driving Instructor Education provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as a Driving Instructor. Individuals who teach Driver Education at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

           E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Taking a driver education course in a commercial driver education school or a high school will acquaint you with the duties and responsibilities of a driving instructor. Several years of driving experience will prepare you for on-the-road instruction. Experience as a classroom teacher, teacher aide, or tutor or taking driving instructor education programs while in college will help you develop some of the skills and techniques used in the job.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Driving Instructor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Driving Instructor employer

community service work with an agency

Individuals should apply directly to a driving school and check on local or state requirements. The names of driving schools are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone directory. A listing of state-approved schools may also be obtained from the Driver Training School Division, Bureau of Driver Improvement, Michigan Department of State. Assistance in finding a job may be obtained from a local office of Michigan Works!. Jobs are sometimes listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

  Michigan Talent Bank

  Michigan Jobs & Career Portal 

                You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Driving Instructors vary according to their place of employment, geographic location, the number of students taught, and the number of hours worked. Highest earnings occur during summer months when instructors are busiest.

Nationally, commercial Driving Instructors had starting wages of about $6.00 to $10.00 per hour in early 1999. Driving Instructors employed in public schools usually had the same wages as regular school teachers. In the 1998-99 school year, teachers averaged about $41,351.

About 2,800 high school Driving Instructors were employed by Michigan school districts in 1996. Their pay ranged from about $14.66 to $40.23 per hour in 1998-99. They are required to be certified as teachers. In addition they must complete 3 classes in traffic safety education available at Michigan universities (currently Wayne State, Northern Michigan University and Central Michigan University ).

In Michigan, inexperienced Driving Instructors earned from about $7.00 to $12.00 per hour (mid 1999), with those teaching teenagers earning the higher hourly rates. Most experienced Driving Instructors earned from $11.50 to about $20.00 per hour in Michigan. A few Instructors were paid a flat amount for each student. Total weekly earnings depended on the number of hours worked or the number of students taught. Driving Instructors who use their own car to teach students may receive an additional $4.00 to $6.00 an hour.

Depending on the employer, Driving Instructors may receive paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, and hospitalization insurance. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. Some driving schools offer use of a company car and full or partial tuition for continuing education. Some have profit sharing or pension plans.

Driving Instructors may become supervisors or the owner of a driving school. They may also be able to obtain positions as traffic and safety administrators with federal or state government agencies, if they have the right combination of education and experience. Job areas may include highway safety and management, public safety information, vehicle registration and inspections, accident investigation, and highway safety education.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

It is not known how many full-time Driving Instructors are employed nationally. It is estimated that employment in this occupation will grow as population growth, more highways, and an increasing number of automobiles contribute to the demand for Instructors.

About 700 licensed Commercial Driving Instructors were employed in Michigan in mid 1999. Most were employed in or near large cities and heavily populated suburbs. All worked at the approximately 150 licensed commercial driving schools in Michigan. Many of those were self-employed as sole or part owners of a driving school.

Based on limited data, the employment of Driving Instructors in Michigan is expected to change very little through the year 2005. The best opportunities will exist for those who are willing to work part time. Although the exact number of openings is unknown, large driving schools might expand their staff to accommodate an increasing number of students. In addition, some openings will occur each year to replace instructors who leave the occupation. Instructors who speak a second language have a distinct advantage in attracting non-English-speaking students. The greatest need is for Spanish-speaking Instructors.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development