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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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Avg. Salary $28,271.00
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Avg. Wage $19.05
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook below avg
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Employed 1,800
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Auto Driving Instructor, Educator, Instructor, Teacher, Truck Driving Instructor
NOC Codes
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:
- 2006 NOC: Driving Instructors (4216.1)
- 2006 NOC-S: Other Instructors (E215)
- 2011 NOC: Other instructors (4216)
- 2016 NOC: Other instructors (4216)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
74%
74%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $18.13 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $19.05 |
| Top | $19.61 |
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Certification Provincially Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Driving Instructor is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Driving Instructors
- SOCIAL
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Interest in compiling information to explain and demonstrate the operations of motor vehicles; and to explain traffic regulations and insurance laws
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in instructing individuals and groups on proper motor vehicle driving skills; and in supervising individuals during practice driving
- METHODICAL
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Interest in driving to demonstrate techniques, handling and operations of motor vehicles
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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 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.
Duties
Updated Dec 19, 2016
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:
- traffic rules and regulations
- highway markings, signs and signals
- driver and pedestrian rights
- vehicle control and maintenance
- defensive and proactive driving attitudes and techniques
- driving near bicycles and motorcycles
- driving in adverse weather conditions
- emergency and first aid measures
- the effects of drugs and alcohol on drivers
- motor vehicle insurance requirements
- proper use of seatbelts.
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:
- adjust seats and rear-view mirrors
- use the emergency brake
- use turn signals
- interpret dashboard instruments
- start the vehicle
- check traffic and move forward
- use safe and proper braking methods
- put the vehicle in reverse
- do shoulder checks
- make turns and change lanes
- merge into traffic and exit freeways
- park
- handle the vehicle safely in all traffic conditions
- handle situations in which other drivers are not driving safely or courteously.
In larger vehicles, instructors show students how to conduct pre-trip inspections, operate air brakes, back up safely, and couple and uncouple trailers.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 19, 2016
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Driving instructors need to possess:
- enthusiasm and the ability to instil confidence
- patience and a calm nature
- the ability to get along with all kinds of people
- good communication and teaching skills.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy dealing with people, instructing individuals and groups, and working in a clear and organized manner.
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
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.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Driving Instructor
Driving instructors teach the knowledge and skills required to safely operate vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, transport trucks and buses.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Traffic Safety Act (PDF) and Driver Training and Driver Examination Regulation (PDF), driving instructors who teach people, other than their own employees, 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.
What You Need
Applicants for driving instructor licences must:
- hold a Class 1-5 non-Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) operator's licence
- have a minimum of 3 years driving experience for the Class they will be instructing
- have an operator's licence that was not cancelled or suspended under the Criminal Code (Canada) during the 5 years immediately preceding the application
- have fewer than 7 demerits on their current driving record, and no operator licence suspensions that expired in the previous 2 years
- provide a recent criminal record check that is no more than 90 days old and acceptable to Government of Alberta
- have no outstanding fines or account balances with Alberta's Registry services
- be employed and trained by a licensed driving school
- pay applicable fees and service charges
- pass knowledge and on-road driver training exams administered by the Government of Alberta.
Working in Alberta
Driving instructors who are licensed by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for licensing in Alberta if instructors in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
Contact Details
Driver Programs and Licensing Standards
Alberta Transportation
Room 109, 4999 - 98 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3
Phone: 780-427-8901
Fax: 780-427-0833
OR
1st Floor, 803 Manning Road NE
Calgary, Alberta T2E 7M8
Phone: 403-297-6679
Fax: 403-297-8682
Website: transportation.alberta.ca
Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 19, 2016
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.
Driving instructors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4216: Other instructors. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
- size of the occupation
Over 2,800 Albertans are employed in the Other instructors occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 39 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As driving instructors form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for driving instructors.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Dec 19, 2016
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.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.12 | $27.00 | $18.13 | $16.12 |
| Overall | $16.12 | $35.00 | $19.05 | $16.12 |
| Top | $16.12 | $41.86 | $19.61 | $16.12 |
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.
C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $28,271 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $26,086 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
74%
74%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
19%
19%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Alberta Transportation website, licensing information: www.transportation.alberta.ca/543.htm
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Dec 01, 2016. 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.
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