Driving Instructor
Driving instructors teach the knowledge and skills required to safely operate vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, transport trucks and buses.
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Auto Driving Instructor, Educator, Instructor, Teacher, Truck Driving Instructor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information to explain and demonstrate the operations of motor vehicles; and to explain traffic regulations and insurance laws
Interest in instructing individuals and groups on proper motor vehicle driving skills; and in supervising individuals during practice driving
Interest in driving to demonstrate techniques, handling and operations of motor vehicles
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Driving instructors teach traffic laws and safety in a classroom setting and help students practice driving skills behind the wheel. Most driving instructors teach inexperienced drivers how to safely operate cars and light trucks. Some teach experienced drivers how to operate special types of vehicles such as motorcycles, large trucks or buses.
In teaching beginners how to operate a vehicle, classroom instruction generally covers:
In addition to classroom instruction, driving instructors work with students individually to give them first-hand driving experience and help them develop defensive and proactive driving habits. Sitting next to student drivers in cars and light trucks, instructors show them how to:
In larger vehicles, instructors show students how to conduct pre-trip inspections, operate air brakes, back up safely, and couple and uncouple trailers.
Driving instructors' working hours must be flexible to suit students' needs. Evening and weekend work is generally required. Instructors may work long hours during the summer months and fewer hours in the winter.
Driving instructors need:
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy dealing with people, instructing individuals and groups, and working in a clear and organized manner.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 37 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 13, 2021 and May 30, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
Attention to detail | 15 |
---|---|
Teleworking Information: On the road job | 12 |
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Judgement | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Dependability | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Reliability | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Team player | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 11 |
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 10 |
Construction Specialization: Reliability | 10 |
Applicants for a driving instructor's licence must be trained by a licensed driving school. Most driver training schools train their instructors on an ongoing basis. For a fee, some will also provide instructor training for non-employees.
To teach in the Class 1 category (large trucks), applicants also must hold a certificate from a recognized air brake course. Air brake courses are offered on an as-needed basis by public technical schools, colleges and private driving schools.
For information on qualifying for a driver instructor's licence, see the Certification Requirements section.
For a list of driving schools in Alberta, please go to the Alberta Transportation website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Driving instructors teach the knowledge and skills required to safely operate vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, transport trucks and buses.
Under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act [pdf] and Driver Training and Driver Examination Regulation[pdf], driving instructors who teach people to drive must hold an instructor licence issued by the Government of Alberta and be employed by a driver training school. You cannot be both a driving instructor and a driver examiner.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Driving Instructor.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Driving instructors are employed by commercial driving schools which are generally located in regional centres.
Some schools require applicants for instructor positions to have no criminal record and no more than 3 demerits on their driver's licence.
In larger driving schools, experienced instructors may advance to supervisory positions. With additional training or qualifications, driving instructors may start their own driving schools or move to positions dealing with public safety information, vehicle registration and inspection, accident investigation or motor fleet safety supervision.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 4216: Other instructors occupational group, 79.8% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4216: Other instructors occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Driving instructors are generally paid by the hour so their earnings vary according to the number of hours they work. Earnings also vary depending on whether instructors use company vehicles, or if they use their own vehicles and pay for car insurance.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $16.43 | $34.51 | $26.23 | $28.00 |
Overall | $16.50 | $47.78 | $30.94 | $31.00 |
Top | $19.00 | $56.38 | $35.33 | $34.51 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
Public Administration | $62,189 |
---|---|
Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,509 |
ALL INDUSTRIES | $41,485 |
Educational Services | $39,742 |
Alberta Transportation website, information on delivering training: www.alberta.ca/delivering-driver-training.aspx
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.