The Complete Guide to Becoming a Driving Instructor in Ireland
Judging by the number of articles online discussing the benefits of becoming a driving instructor, it’s reasonable to deduce that there’s steady interest among Irish jobseekers in careers in this area.
But is being a driving instructor worth it?
Are there now so many approved driving instructors and trainers that the demand is already being addressed?
Driving Class answers these questions and more in the FAQs below.
Is becoming a driving instructor hard?
Becoming an approved driving instructor in Ireland can be challenging, but anecdotal evidence suggests that most people who set out to become ADIs do end up obtaining the qualification.
If you’re a safe and confident driver with an aptitude for teaching, you’ve already ticked most of the boxes.
Then you’ve got to worry about the ADI qualification process (see next question).
How do I become a driving instructor in Ireland?
The RSA has developed a structured program for anybody looking to become a driving instructor in Ireland.
This process is explained in good detail on the RSA website here, but in summary, the steps are:
- Possess a full clean driving license: You knew that you need a driving license to become a driving instructor, right?
- Fill out an ADI application form: This is a standard application form that seeks to prove your eligibility to be a driving instructor in Ireland. In addition to standard personal information, it seeks your PPS number and a tax clearance number.
- Garda vetting form: This is where the gardaí check your criminal record and provide their assessment on your suitability to be a driving instructor. More on the Garda vetting process here.
- Exam stage 1 — ADI theory test: Paperwork concluded, it’s time to being exams. Stage one, like being a learner driver, is the theory test. However, to be an ADI, you’ll also face questions on topics such as pedagogical techniques and assessment of pupils. Passing stage 1 enables you to progress to stage 2.
- Exam stage 2 — ADI driving test: The next step is a driving test, similar in structure to that of the EDT, but significantly longer in time and distance. The test takes around an hour and covers 25–30 kilometres. You are expected to show full competence as a driver. Like the EDT, your examiner will give you feedback after you finish.
- Exam stage 3 — Instruction ability test: Once you’ve passed the driving component of the test, you’re required to provide a sample class to show you’ve got what it takes to be an ADI. There are two parts to this: First, role-playing for a beginner’s class, covering typical learning difficulties for beginners. Second, role-playing for an advanced learner driver who’s fine-tuning before taking their driving exam. Each part takes half an hour and results are provided within 10 working days.
- Register as an ADI: Having passed all the exams and criteria, you will receive a driving instructor’s license and a permit from the RSA. At this point, the RSA will also provide instructions on how to log a student’s learning records.
- Updating your ADI qualification: The RSA requires that driving instructors renew their ADI registration every two years. This re-registration involves passing a standard test to ensure that you still fit all of the criteria required to be an ADI, and that you’re keeping abreast of best practice in driving instruction.
How long does it take to become a driving instructor in Ireland?
If you fit the criteria required to be an ADI, you can become a driving instructor relatively quickly.
We estimate that most instructors gain their qualification within 3–6 months. We’ve provided a suggested timetable below for indication purposes.
Paperwork and Garda vetting: 2–3 weeks
Exam phase 1: 4–6 weeks
Exam phase 2: 3–4 weeks
Exam phase 3: 3–4 weeks
Registration: 2 weeks
Minimum time to become an ADI: 14 weeks
How much does it cost to become a driving instructor?
The cost of becoming an ADI may seem expensive at first, but when you consider the career that it provides, it can be a good investment compared to other forms of education.
The main fees to consider when looking at becoming a driving instructor in Ireland are:
- €550 paid directly to the RSA for administration and licensing.
- €150 for each additional exam attempt for stage 1 exams, and €200 for each exam attempt for exam stages 2 and 3.
Most ADIs report costs of between €2,500 and €3,500, and this figure includes an ADI-instruction course, which most budding driving instructors choose to take.
There are a number of ADI instruction courses available across the country, which usually come in at around the €2,000 mark.
Do I need to adapt my car to become a driving instructor?
If you’re referring to dual controls, then they’re good to have, but not a necessity as an ADI.
Dual controls enable driving instructors to take control of the primary functions of the vehicle, including the break, accelerator and clutch.
A set of dual controls typically cost around €200, and are available online or in selected auto parts stores.
Adapting a car may also mean equipping it for anybody learning to drive with physical disabilities.
The cost of making these adaptations can be significant, explaining why so few driving schools in Ireland offer lessons in adapted cars.
Details on car adaptations for drivers and passengers with physical disabilities in Ireland can be found here.
How much do driving instructors earn in Ireland?
The average driving instructor in Ireland earns around €50 per hour in gross income.
Once VAT, motor tax, insurance, and petrol are deducted from this figure, the average driver earns approximately €35 per hour.
This is consistent with recent figures provided by GlassDoor, which shows hourly rates of €34 — €45.
When working for a driving school, driving instructors earn around €20 per hour, but this price can vary on experience, and whether you’re bringing your own car.
The school should be able to bring students to you direct but this doesn’t come cheap.
We estimate that the average driving instructor pays between €5 and €15 to their driving school for each student received.
How many hours a week do driving instructors work?
The great thing about being a driving instructor is the flexibility it offers.
Generally, you should be able to work enough hours to cover a full working week of 40 hours.
Alternatively, if you’ve got a second job, you can just give classes at the evenings and weekends, where there tends to be most demand.
From our conversations with ADIs, we believe that most of them are working around 30 hours a week.
Are driving schools looking for new instructors in Ireland?
Irish driving schools field calls every day from current and aspiring driving instructors.
The bigger schools usually welcome new driving instructors, as they’ve got sufficient demand to bring new people on board.
Smaller schools, where there can be less than five full-time instructors, are less likely to take on new team members.
It’s mainly a case of contacting individual driving schools and seeing who’s offering the best hours and rates.
How much do driving schools charge driving instructors for each lesson?
Driving schools charge driving instructors between €5 and €15 for each lesson.
This can rise to €30 per lesson if the driving school is providing the vehicle, although this is increasingly rare.
Can I work part-time as a driving instructor?
Absolutely!
Many driving instructors work part-time, and a good proportion of driving instructors choose the career because of the flexibility it offers.
The extra money gained by working on weekday evenings or weekend mornings can supplement an existing salary.
Alternatively, if you have to look after children or an aged relative, becoming a driving instructor gives you the chance to fulfil your role as a care giver and still make money on the side.
How can I find work as a driving instructor?
You’ve come to the right place. Driving Class is the best place for driving instructors to find a constant stream of work.
What’s the best thing about being a driving instructor?
The best thing about being a driving instructor is knowing that you’re helping people every day with a key life skill.
What’s the worst thing about being a driving instructor?
The worst thing about being a driving instructor is seeing a student that you know has worked hard failing their driving exam.
A close second is waiting for your driving school to provide you with new lessons.
What are the typical working hours of a driving instructor?
The flexibility offered by working as a driving instructor means there really are no typical hours.
Peak hours are on weekday evenings and weekend mornings.
Beyond this, many driving instructors may offer classes on differing days each week depending on their personal commitments.
Am I too old to become a driving instructor?
Age can be a benefit for driving instructors like few other careers!
The experience that comes from decades of driving combined with the mellowing temperament that comes later in life, can be a powerful combination for driving instructors.
This may explain why working part-time as a driving instructor has become a popular choice of people retiring from their existing career.
I’m retired — Can I work part-time as a driving instructor?
Absolutely!
If you’ve recently retired, working part-time as a driving instructor can be a great way to bring in income, get out of the house for a few hours, and stay active.
Is being a driving instructor a dangerous job?
Recently released RSA figures show that nearly 100 people crashed their cars during the driving test between 2020 and 2023.
This may seem scary, but given that there were nearly 4,000 lessons every week in 2023, the headline figure, however eye-catching, amounts to a tiny fraction of the total number of driving tests taken.
It should also be noted that just 10 of the 100 cases led to ‘minor personal injuries.’
Now, if we hike these figures up a bit for learner drivers — less experienced than those taking the test — let’s assume that 500 people crashed their cars during driving lessons in Ireland over the same period.
But that’s 500 people from over 2 million lessons, a much smaller figure.
In conclusion, being a driving instructor is not a dangerous job.
Can I Become a Driving instructor with points on my licence?
Yes, you can become a driving instructor with points on your licence, but the RSA reserves the right to rescind your ADI license at any point that it chooses.
Can I become a driving instructor with a criminal record?
Yes, you can become a driving instructor with a criminal record.
However, the decision to allow you to become an ADI is at the discretion of the Gardaí.
In deciding whether to allow you to become a driving instructor, they will look at several factors, including the seriousness of the offence committed and evidence of rehabilitation.
This question is answered in more detail here.
