Driving instructors teach people how to drive safely. They also help them to develop the skills they need to pass their driving test. If you love driving and like helping people develop new skills, this could be just the job you are looking for. Driving instructor jobs are available in a variety of settings. Some schools offer driver's training to high school students preparing to get a driver's license for the first time. Other driving instructors train adults, and some offer commercial driver training, such as for semi truck driving.

Tasks:

Assess a learner's driving knowledge and ability
Plan a series of lessons to get your pupil to a standard where they can take their driving test
Introduce students to vehicles' instrument panels and controls and teach them correct driving posture along with road markings and signs
Instruct students on how to mechanically operate a vehicle, turn, use their brakes, stop a vehicle and park
In the classroom, they might use diagrams or even driving stimulators
Driving instructors also can cover insurance laws in their lessons
Use dual controls in the vehicle to make slight adjustments to the learner's driving
As students become more competent, instructor would take them on to busier roads, dual carriageways and more complex junctions like roundabouts
Identify areas in which students must improve before they take their official practical driving test
Teach students how to handle vehicle emergencies

Key skills for driving instructor:

The ability to give clear instructions
The ability to adapt your teaching style to suit each learner
Patience and good people skills
The ability to stay calm and point out mistakes in a constructive way
A sense of humour
Good observational skills

Average salary (2013):

United Kingdom: £25,000 per year
United States of America: $35,600 per year
Australia: AU$52,400 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Driving instructors usually must have two or more years of experience in whatever type of driving they plan to teach. Each country sets its own requirements for driving teachers. In general, potential instructors must be at least 21 years old, pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver’s license and a possess a clean driving record. An instructor in a school needs a valid teaching certificate, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Instructors for commercial driving courses must successfully pass advanced training classes. Law enforcement training officers, meanwhile, must take special courses offered by the Law Enforcement Training Center, before they can teach police recruits about driving skills used in law enforcement.
As a qualified Driving Instructor, you will have to renew your registration every four-five years (depending on country), which includes a test of your continued ability and fitness to work as an instructor. Your name can be removed from the register if you don't meet the required standards.