trainee driving instructors

rose11

My bf has been a trainee driving instructor for I think about 3 years, he has been taking students while doing his own lessons etc, he managed to pass the 1st 2 tests but sadly failed on the 3rd, then his licence ran out and they wouldnt give him another one because he hadn't done the test in the time allowed. Anyway now after all that work and time and especially quite abit of money( hire of car, insurance, agency, test costs, lessons etc etc) he will have to more or less start from the begining. We were getting short of money quite a while ago and this hasnt helped. He has now decided to go back to his old job to get some money, to pay off different things and dirct debits etc and has more or less decided to give in driving instructing. I can understand why and we can't go on like this with no money, but I just feel its all been wasted and is such a shame, he has to give it all up. He was really good at it to, he got loads passing their tests! I know no-one can help much but I just wondered what any one thought, or even if there are other people in the same situation.

Hammyman

On one of the forums I'm on, a guy went through the same - paid out loads of money, had loads of test passes but failed the same test as your BF. Likewise, he gave up the idea and became a railway signalman.

MoneySavingUser

Apparently this happens quite a lot based on posts by people - it is a risky think to get into!

viktory

rose11 wrote: »

My bf has been a trainee driving instructor for I think about 3 years, he has been taking students while doing his own lessons etc

Have to say, as a learner this really annoys me. I want to be taught by someone qualified - not a someone who is also a learner.

MeeNorr

This happens to loads of people. I lost thousands of pounds training to be an ADI, I only passed in the end because I met a lady who gave me a load of extra training for virtually free as she needed experience of training trainee instructors. I gave up the trainee licence as it was costing me so much money and confidence was shot. I taught for about a year after passing around a full time job as there's not much money in it.

I think him going back to his old job is an excellent idea from a money side of things. I know it feels like a step backwards but I wish I had done the same at the time, instead of just pileing more and more money into this 'dream'.

A few of my fellow trainees were in the same position, had to give up teaching when they failed their part 3 for the 3rd time. Some just assumed they'd be ok as most of their pupils were passing their test.

terryw

viktory wrote: »

Have to say, as a learner this really annoys me. I want to be taught by someone qualified - not a someone who is also a learner.

Viktory,

You make a valid point but there is positive aspect to being taught by a trainee who is just waiting to pass Part 3. At this point in their career a trainee is likely to be dead keen and bang up to date. Unfortunately, for many instructors the initial enthusiasm wears off and they merely go through the motions! A good trainee will be much better than a disenchanted fully-qualified instructor.

As has been mentioned on these forums before, you can't do better than a personal recommendation from someone who has just passed their test.