Get reliable references!
When looking for a driving instructor training course it is important to speak to other people who have been successful with the company.
Ideally you should find someone independently if possible. Do this by seizing opportunities to chat to instructors without the company knowing - spend half a day at a driving test centre and talk to people who are already working with that company or who know about them.
By all means follow up company provided references - but remember, they are not going to send you to see their dissatisfied customers!
Ideally the person you talk to will have passed all the exams either first or second time and have not required extra training over and above the basic course. The should also have passed Part-Three of the driving instructors examination with more than the minimum required score.
It is also important to find someone who either works for themselves or works for a different company from the company that they trained with.
Perhaps a more reliable method is to ask around in your own area - it's surprising how many people have been interested in driving instruction as a career.
Do you know a driving instructor? If you know, or can get to know an instructor ask him/her if they have heard of the companies, or named individuals that you are considering and what kind of reputation they have.
Ask about John Farlam...
If you picked up this web site from a search engine, ask local instructors if they have heard of John Farlam or SmartDriving.
SmartDriving currently has the largest members subscription area available that is totally dedicated to the well being and development of driving instructors.
John has been described as a 'Leader' by the DSA Chief Examiner Trevor Wedge, a 'Guru' by the Driving Instructor's Association of Great Britain and a 'True Expert' by the founder of the Diploma and Degree in Driving Instruction, Dr. Peter Russell.
John has also been described as one of the driver training industry's leading thinkers by world renowned coaching expert and best selling training author, Sir John Whitmore.
If you are not able to speak to people personally, make sure that you see other evidence that the company can offer first class training. Remember, job offers are no good if you don't qualify; and if yo qualify but are not properly prepared for the job you may struggle to succeed.
Click the forward arrow below to find out what to ask your prospective driving instructor training provider...
