Becoming a Driver Trainer: 3 Key Factors to Consider
It’s one matter to know how to drive, and it’s another to teach people how to drive. The latter requires that you take your driving expertise to the next level. Apart from your driving skills and knowledge, you also must know how to deal with different types of students and foster the utmost safety on the road as they learn. However, before you can become a driver trainer, you need to first meet some basic qualifications.
In this article, we will discuss three factors to consider when you want to become a driver trainer in the US:
Basic qualifications
The specific qualifications for a driver trainer vary from one state to another. If you’re looking to become one, you must check the eligibility requirements in your specific state. But for the most part, below are the basic qualifications required to become a driving trainer:
- You must be a Commercial Driver License (CDL) driver for at least two years.
- You must have a teaching license and a bachelor’s degree (if you’ll teach at a driving school).
- You must have professional driving experience and a clean driving record (if you want to become a truck or bus instructor).
- You must pass some tests and obtain certification from an organization like the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA).
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Essential qualities
Apart from your driving and teaching qualifications, you must also have some essential qualities to become a successful driver trainer. Here are some key attributes you should possess:
- Interpersonal relationship skills: You must know how to deal with different types of driving students. Keep in mind that how you handle them varies from one person to another.
- Patience: You must have this quality as a core competency of a driver instructor. Remember that teaching requires a lot of patience.
- Attention to details: Hitting the road isn’t a walk in the park, so your students must consider a lot of things—from proper driving techniques down to the safety guidelines they must strictly follow. As a driver trainer, you must be keen on specific details and relay these to your students.
- Flexibility and positive attitude: If you want to be an effective driver instructor, you must be flexible in your approach with different students. A fair, open-minded, and positive attitude will make you a great motivator and a leader.
Safety focus
Safety must always be a top priority of every driver hitting the road. As a driver instructor, you must always value life and uphold the importance of safety. When these are your principles, you will be able to foster safety and convince your students to make it a priority as well. In the end, you aren’t only teaching your students how to drive, but you also want to protect them from potential dangers on the road as they learn!
Conclusion
Becoming a driver trainer is an excellent opportunity to have a flourishing career and thrive in the transportation industry. But getting started can be a bit challenging, so be sure to consider the three key factors outlined above. By doing so, you’ll be able to start on the right footing and steer your teaching career in the right direction!
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