9 Qualities Driving Instructors Need

When someone starts learning to drive, selecting the right instructor can be a make or break decision. You'll be guiding this person through a tricky process that requires patience, determination and good communication from everyone involved. So, to be a successful instructor, you need to make sure you showcase the best qualities.

Want to make things a bit easier? Below we've listed 9 qualities that all good driving instructors should possess. Consider these points when teaching and your business will be off to the best possible start!

1. Experience

It goes without saying that learners want an instructor who has already helped a lot of people earn their licence. This indicates that they possess all of the necessary skills and know how to work with learners who have a variety of different needs.

People who have been in the job for a long time are also likely to have a thorough understanding of local test routes and examiners. Learners will respect your experience, utilise your knowledge and you'll be on to a winner with your reputation.

With that being said, everyone has to start somewhere, so don't worry if you're a PDI or a new ADI. You still have a lot to offer. All of your training will be up to date and fresh in your mind, and you've still got a wealth of experience to draw from.

2. Patience

When learning to drive you're unlikely to get everything (if anything!) right first time. It's really important for a learner's progress, therefore, that they have an instructor who is understanding and patient. Someone who gets frustrated or annoyed when a learner doesn't master skills straight away is only going to knock their confidence and make things worse. 

Practice makes perfect, and a good instructor will give their learners enough space and encouragement to learn and grow until they are ready for the test. 

3. Friendship material

You don't exactly need to be best mates with your learners, but it certainly helps if you get along! That's why it's important that whoever you're teaching, you're always friendly and approachable. Being in a car with a person you don't know very well can feel a bit awkward at first, so being able to put someone at ease is a great quality to have.

Sure, you're only spending time with this person to teach them a valuable skill, but never underestimate the power of small talk. Being able to chat to your learner in a relaxed manner will reduce their nerves and enable both of you to enjoy the lessons.

4. A flexible teaching style

Some people are visual learners, some people are verbal learners and some people simply like to get stuck in and learn by experience. The point is, everyone responds differently to certain teaching methods and you need to adapt to this or find students that that match your preferred teaching style.

When selecting an instructor, it's about finding what works for the learner. One learner might have positive feedback for you, while another doesn't get along with you.

Think about how you take in new information yourself. Do you find a  no-nonsense, tough love teacher gets the best out of you? Or maybe a softly, softly approach is more effective. Try to adapt your teaching style to fit the needs of different learners, and you're on the right track.

5. Good communication skills

Make sure you're a great communicator, so learners know exactly what they're doing and how well they're doing it. Years of experience is all well and good, but it's no use having that driving knowledge if you can't explain it in a way that learners can understand.

The process of learning to drive involves trying new things, acknowledging weaknesses and learning from mistakes. All of this is nearly impossible for a learner to achieve if their instructor cannot accurately (and kindly) describe your progress (or lack thereof!).

Especially on the occasions where feedback may be negative, you need to be able to get this across without being too harsh. If communication between you and your learner is even a little off, it can leave them feeling confused and maybe even disheartened. Be someone who can walk the walk and talk the talk!

6. Someone you can count on

To do things right by the DVSA you need to be fairly organised and punctual—they have very little sympathy for lost licences or late learners. As you're most likely going to be the one taking your learners to the test centre and preparing them for the examiner, you need to make sure you are reliable.

Cancelling too many lessons or, God forbid, showing up to the test centre late, will really hamper your learner's chances of passing. This can affect your reputation, pass rate, and may even lead to you being called for a standards check test.

7. Cool-headed

Driving is stressful, particularly when you're a newbie. The best instructors are ready for the unexpected and won't fly off the handle when a learner makes a mistake. Dual controls are in place so that you can take over control of the car should anything go wrong. There's no reason, then, for you to be anything other than cool as a cucumber.

When someone in the car is on edge, it can be very off putting for the person behind the wheel. Thankfully, the opposite is also true—if you're calm and laid-back, you should help your learners feel nice and relaxed in the driver's seat.

8. Sense of humour

This trait is not absolutely necessary (comedy is a gift!), but can make a big difference. If you're able to see the funny side of things and crack a few jokes here and there, it should put learners at ease and make your lessons more enjoyable.

Of course, you shouldn't let having a good time get in the way of a learner actually learning the skills they need to pass the test. If earning a driving licence is their main aim, experience and a solid knowledge of the road trumps comedy gold.

Having the odd chuckle along the way, though, will reduce stress levels and lighten the mood.

9. Recommended by others

Along with gut instincts and proven qualifications, a great way to get the measure of an instructor is to find out how their previous learners rate them. These days the internet acts as the fountain of all knowledge, so check out sites like Trustpilot and Facebook to get the lowdown on how you're doing, if you're getting any reviews at all. Or, if you'd rather go old school, spread the word around your local area.

A driving instructor that comes with a range of glowing reviews is likely to possess all of the qualities listed above—and you don't just have to take their word for it!

There's no such thing as the perfect driving instructor, but you can't go far wrong if you try to incorporate the 10 qualities we've listed above. You're going to be integral to the success of your learner's driving journey, so a lot of learners put some thought into their decision.