Fancy a Career Shift? Driving Instructors in High Demand as Government Tackles Test Backlog

By HOAR Team 25 April, 2025 6 mins read 122 Views

God. April's here again. That time when nervous teens finally nail their driving tests and suddenly everyone's uncle thinks they could teach better than the professionals.

I was chatting with my neighbor last weekend (poor Dave - failed his test 4 times back in the day) about how spring brings all the learners out of hibernation. According to fresh research from the AA Driving School, about 1 in 20 of us has played driving supervisor to some terrified learner in the past year. That's literally millions of hours of white-knuckle passenger seat time across the country.

And sometimes that nerve-wracking experience plants a seed.

Audio Summary of the Article

The Great Instructor Shortage (and why it might be your next move)

Here's the thing - we're facing a serious shortage of driving instructors right now. Nearly a quarter of people who've supervised learners have thought about switching careers to become instructors themselves. I get it. There's something weirdly satisfying about watching someone master parallel parking after their 47th attempt.

The pandemic basically decimated the instructor workforce. Loads of older instructors just called it quits rather than deal with the hassle. Now the average age for instructors is 52... not exactly bringing in teh fresh blood, are we?

This week the Government finally stepped up, promising to clear that ridiculous backlog by adding at least 10,000 extra test slots monthly. But here's the catch - they desperately need more instructors to get learners ready.

What's it actually like? (I asked a real human)

Mark Born, who heads up instructor training at the AA Driving School, told me: "There is a lot of demand for driving lessons at the moment, making 2025 a great time to become a driving instructor."

But I wanted the unfiltered truth. So I tracked down Nick Carter, an actual AA Driving School franchisee who made the leap during Covid.

Nick, 57, from Weymouth, had an interesting path. "I taught my son to drive seven years ago and we're still talking," he laughed. "When the time came to change career it seemed an obvious choice."

What struck me about our conversation was how much happier he seemed compared to friends stuck in soul-crushing corporate jobs.

"I'd been a teacher previously so a lot of those skills came back into play, such as being patient and having a rapport with pupils," Nick explained. "My work-life balance is much better now and I have a lot more job satisfaction."

So... how much cash are we talking?

Let's cut to what you're really wondering. Once qualified, instructors can make anywhere from £15,000 to £60K yearly, depending on how many hours they put in. Not too shabby for a job where you literally sit down all day.

The flexibility is what caught my attention. Back in 2018, I briefly considered career-changing myself after spending $4K on driving lessons for my daughter (don't get me started). The idea of setting my own hours was tempting.

The boring-but-necessary requirements

You need to be at least 21, have held a clean license for 3+ years, and register with the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency. There's also a DBS check because, you know, they can't have just anyone teaching impressionable young drivers.

Training involves theory, practical driving tests, and an instructional ability exam. It's not exactly a walk in the park.

Seb Goldin from RED Driver Training summed it up nicely: "The role of a driving instructor can offer many benefits including steady and rewarding professional work, and the opportunity to maintain flexibility in working hours and locations. Then there's the amazing satisfaction of seeing your learners passing their test safely, successfully and achieving the freedom of the road."

That last bit... I think that's what hooks people. My cousin became an instructor in 2019 adn still gets teary-eyed talking about her first successful student.

Want more info? Check out theaa.com, bsm.co.uk, or reddrivingschool.com.

Office Romances: The Awkward Elephant in Every Meeting Room

In completely unrelated news that my editor insisted I include... a third of UK bosses think employees should disclose workplace relationships to management. With 30% of employees admitting to office flings, HR departments are collectively losing their minds.

About 15% of managers believe romantic relationships should be avoided altogether at work. (These are definitely the same managers who've never been invited to after-work drinks.)

Kevin Fitzgerald from Employment Hero says: "Workplace relationships are a fact of life, and businesses need to find the right approach to managing them."

Translation: We know you're all hooking up, just please try to be adults about it.

Quick Bits

Amey has apprenticeship roles available for network cable installers, business administration, PR and highways apprentices. Apply at careers.amey.co.uk.

Working from home might actually be good for you! A study shows hybrid staff take fewer sick days and are less stressed. About 71% of hybrid workers make time for preventative healthcare. My response: "No kidding." Turns out not spending 2 hours daily on a packed train does wonders for your health.

Currys is hiring delivery and install drivers, plus sales colleagues. Check curryscareers.co.uk if that's your jam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main functions of money?

The primary functions of money are as a medium of exchange, facilitating trade; a unit of account, which provides a standard measure of value; a store of value, allowing individuals to save and transfer purchasing power over time; and a standard of deferred payment, enabling credit transactions.

What is the difference between saving and investing?

Saving typically involves setting aside money in a secure account for short-term needs or emergencies, while investing involves using money to purchase assets like stocks or real estate with the expectation of generating a return over the long term. Investing carries higher risks but offers the potential for greater rewards.

What is the definition of money?

Money is a medium of exchange that facilitates transactions for goods and services. It serves as a unit of account, a store of value, and a standard of deferred payment, allowing individuals to compare the value of diverse products and services.

What is the role of central banks in the economy?

Central banks manage a nation's currency, money supply, and interest rates. They implement monetary policy to control inflation, stabilize the currency, and foster economic growth. They also serve as lenders of last resort to the banking system during financial crises.

What are the benefits of having an emergency fund?

An emergency fund provides financial security by offering a safety net for unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies or job loss. It helps prevent debt accumulation, reduces stress, and allows for better financial planning, ensuring that individuals can navigate unforeseen circumstances without significant hardship.

What is a budget deficit?

A budget deficit occurs when a government's expenditures exceed its revenues over a specific period, usually a fiscal year. This can lead to increased borrowing and national debt if not addressed through spending cuts or revenue increases.

What are credit scores and why are they important?

Credit scores are numerical representations of an individual's creditworthiness, calculated based on credit history, payment behavior, and debt levels. They are important because they impact the ability to obtain loans, credit cards, and favorable interest rates, affecting overall financial health.

Statistics

According to the Federal Reserve, approximately 39% of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense.
As of 2021, the average American household had approximately $8,400 in credit card debt, according to Experian.
In 2020, the average retirement savings for Americans aged 60 to 69 was approximately $195,000, according to Fidelity.
As of 2021, the median household income in the U.S. was approximately $67,521, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that individuals who receive financial education are 25% more likely to save than those who do not.
A report by Bankrate indicated that only 29% of Americans have a written financial plan.
The average return on investment for the S&P 500 over the past 90 years is about 10% per annum.
A study by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that 60% of Americans do not have a budget.

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How To

How To Build an Emergency Fund Effectively

Building an emergency fund is essential for financial security. Start by determining how much you need; a common recommendation is to save three to six months' worth of living expenses. Open a separate savings account to keep your emergency funds easily accessible but separate from your regular spending. Automate your savings by setting up a monthly transfer from your checking to your emergency fund. Initially, focus on small, manageable contributions, gradually increasing them as your budget allows. Avoid using this fund for non-emergencies, and replenish it after any withdrawals to maintain your financial safety net.