Requirements for Drivers Education Teaching Certification
Driver’s Education and driving instructors are certified to train the aspiring driver in not only the proper operation of motor vehicles, but also how to read traffic signs and to obey the rules of the road.Such instructors have traditionally been found in high school settings, but can also be found in other institutions that offer classroom and behind-the-wheel training . Due to ongoing budget cuts, many high schools today have dropped the hands-on “Behind the Wheel” segments of their Driver’s Education classes. As a result, teenagers must attend certified driving instruction schools for a fee. Such driving schools will also employ certified driving instructors.Requirementsfor certification will vary from state to state or even by country. Sorry, but parents who let their kids take the wheel out on a deserted road or parking lot don’t qualify! The basicstepsneeded to acquire such credentials are listed below:You must obtain a driver’s or operator’s license from the state or country in which you plan to teach. You must also be licensed in the appropriate class of vehicle whether it is private, commercial, or both. For instance, an individual holding only a Class A license for an ordinary automobile or light truck would not be qualified to teach a student how to drive a semi tractor.In most locations, you must be at least 21 years old. A high school diploma or equivalent GED is required. Other educational and training requirements often include enrolling in driver education courses that provide in-depth education in traffic safety. A specific number of semester hours must be completed depending on location. Many colleges and universities offer such courses as do professional driving schools. Should you relocate and seek certification elsewhere, credits are oftentimes transferable.Generally, a comprehensive written test and a competent display of driving skills must be satisfied. Some states even require the prospective instructor to provide a teachingdemonstration,much like an audition of sorts. You must also be fingerprinted and subjected to a criminal background check and pass any applicable medical exams and/or eye tests. In commercial applications, licensed drivers and instructors alike in the United States must pass a physical. It should also be noted that in some states, driver’s education instructors employed within public school systems must also be a certified teacher.All applications and documentation of continuing education credits must be sent to the proper authorities (usually your state or country’s Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent). Obviously, you will want to hang onto copies of this important paperwork yourself as well.As long as motor vehicles serve as transportation, a demand for qualified instructors will remain.
