If you’ve ever thought about becoming a licensed driving instructor, look no further! It’s a rewarding career for those who have a passion for teaching. It also allows for a ton of flexibility and independence, as you’re often responsible for managing your own students and schedules.
However, with great power, comes great responsibility and Driving Instructors are no exception. They need to be masters of their craft and ensure new drivers are able to navigate the roads safely as they learn. They are also expected to instill great driving habits in new drivers and make Ontario’s roads safer for everyone.
As a result, becoming a Driving Instructor isn’t a walk in the park. You’ll need to meet a set of requirements that demonstrate your driving ability. These include:
- A valid Ontario driver’s license (G license or greater)
- At least 4 years of consecutive driving experience
- Zero demerit points on your driving record
- Meet the vision standards of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
- Pass a written G1 knowledge test
- Pass a G class road test
- Complete a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
- Complete an MTO-approved driving instructor training course
Let’s break down each of these requirements in detail.
The Process for Getting a Driving Instructor License
Once you have started the process to become a licensed driving instructor in Ontario, you have one full year to complete all the requirements. If any of the steps are left incomplete within that period, you will need to restart the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your instructor license:
1. Visit a DriveTest Centre to apply for a driving instructor license
At the DriveTest centre, you must present a full valid Ontario driver’s license and complete the Application for Ontario Driving Instructor License form (SR-LD-007). They will check your driving record to ensure you are eligible to become a driving instructor. Once everything checks out, you will be asked to pay a fee that covers the cost of the G1 written test and one attempt at the G road test.
2. Enrol in a Driving Instructor course
Driving instructor training courses come in both full-time and part-time formats. It’s typically 4 weeks full-time and 12 weeks part-time (evenings and weekends). These courses include both in-class and in-vehicle components. During the in-class portion, you’ll be learning about driving theory and the rules of the road in Ontario. You’ll become familiar with the Highway Traffic Act and thoroughly understand the steps required to perform both simple and complex driving maneuvers.
During the in-car portion, you’ll be paired with an experienced driving instructor who will train you on driving commentary (i.e., guiding a new driver from the passenger seat). You’ll also get the chance to perform complex maneuvers and learn the steps involved. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll need to have successfully passed both the G1 and G tests to obtain your instructor license.
3. Complete the tests
Although you would have already taken and passed both the G1 and G tests while getting your G license, you’ll need to take them again to become a driving instructor.
The G1 knowledge test has 40 questions in total – 20 questions on signs and 20 questions on rules of the road. You must score at least 80% on each section (i.e., 16/20) to pass. Don’t worry! There are a variety of ways to study for this test.
For the G road test, we recommend taking it after you’ve completed the Driving Instructor Course, as you’ll also gain experience behind-the-wheel. The onus for passing the G road test is higher for driving instructors, so practice as much as possible!
4. Obtain a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
To determine if it is appropriate for you to interact with teenagers, the elderly, and any persons with disabilities, a CRJMC will need to be obtained and submitted to the Ministry of Ontario. Most driving instructor applicants can complete this process online or visit a local police station. These checks can take several days or even weeks, depending on your jurisdiction, so you may want to begin this process before taking your tests.
To submit your CRJMC for MTO review, you can visit a DriveTest centre and they will submit the document on your behalf.
5. The final touches
Once the driving instructor training course has been completed, the written test and G road test have been passed, and the CRJMC has been cleared by the MTO, you can obtain a temporary driving instructor license! You will receive the permanent one in the mail a few weeks later. Ensure the reverse side of the instructor application form (SR-LD-007) is completed by the course instructor, including their signature.
A few other things to note before you can start delivering driving lessons to new drivers:
- You must work with a ministry-approved driving school to serve G1 students
- You must have a dual brake installed in your vehicle
- You need to obtain 6D endorsement on your auto insurance (to protect yourself and your students when delivering lessons)
- You’ll need a rooftop sign provided by the driving school
- Depending on the city, you may need to apply for a municipal license to operate as a driving instructor
A rewarding career
Driving instructors play a monumental role in creating safer roads in our society. They are responsible for molding students into patient, confident, and skilled drivers. This is also why the role is so gratifying! Taking a driver from 0 to 1 is a rewarding process and one that they will thank you for!
If you decide to pursue this career in Ontario, we would love to speak with you! Feel free to email support@kruzee.com to learn more about what it means to be a driving instructor at Kruzee.
Want to learn more?
