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Driving Instructor Day

Guiding new road adventurers, instilling confidence and safety, these mentors empower the journey to skilled and responsible driving.

Education Jobs & Professions Safety Transport35

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Celebrate and recognize driving instructors as safety mentors while promoting safe driving habits and appreciation for professional educators in the automotive sector.

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Thank your driving instructor: Share stories of how they shaped your confidence on the road
Safety spotlight: Highlight best practices from certified instructors to reduce preventable accidents
Professional appreciation: Feature driving instructor testimonials and the impact they have on communities
Brush up on the rules: Interactive guide to safe driving fundamentals in honor of the profession

History

The first mandatory national driving test was introduced in 1899 in the country of France, and around the same time the folks in various US states were joining in on the practice of requiring licenses for drivers.

Eventually this developed into the need for instructors to teach all of these drivers how to drive. But it wasn’t until 2022 that the inaugural Driving Instructor Day came to life!

Driving Instructor Day is celebrated on this day as a nod to the first ever driving test that was ever passed in the UK, on March 16, 1935. Though the test was voluntary at the time, the rules have obviously developed so that it is critical to pass a driving test in order to be legal and road ready.

How to celebrate

Take a Day Off

The first order of business for people who work as driving instructors is to schedule no lessons, no work, no tests and no training in celebration of Driving Instructor Day! In fact, it might be nice to not have to go anywhere in a motor vehicle at all. Just hang out at home, invite some friends over, order takeout and have a little low-key gathering in honor of the day.

Thank a Driving Instructor

Those who have had a particularly helpful driving instructor, or who are currently taking lessons, might want to have a card prepared or just offer a verbal thank you in honor of Driving Instructor Day. Family members and friends of driving instructors might want to make a big deal out of the day by taking them out to lunch or dinner, presenting them with a gift, or even scheduling to have a weekend away to rest from all of their hard work.

Drive Safely

Perhaps one of the biggest compliments a person can pay to their driving instructor of yesteryear is to follow the rules and drive safely! If it’s been a long time, brush up on the guidelines and be sure to implement them. Far too many preventable accidents take place on the roads and highways every year, so in honor of Driving Instructor Day – and every day – just be a bit more careful.

FAQ

What qualifications do people typically need to become a professional driving instructor?

Most countries require driving instructors to hold a full, clean driver’s license for several years, pass medical and background checks, and complete specialized teacher training and exams. For example, in the Netherlands instructors must be at least 18, hold a valid car license, complete an approved instructor course, pass theoretical and practical tests administered by the IBKI exam body, and obtain a WRM competence card before they can teach. Similar models with minimum driving experience, formal pedagogy training, and periodic refreshers are recommended across Europe through projects such as MERIT.

How does professional driving instruction influence young drivers’ safety compared with informal practice alone?

Research on novice drivers suggests that professional instructors contribute most when they go beyond basic car-handling and focus on “higher order” skills like hazard awareness, self-evaluation, and planning for risky situations. A systematic review found that few studies directly compare professional instruction with informal learning, but programs that upskill instructors to teach these higher order skills show promise in improving safety attitudes and reducing risky behavior in young drivers. The evidence base is still limited, so experts call for more rigorous studies that track crash outcomes over time.

What do road safety experts mean by “higher order” driving instruction, and why is it important?

“Hgher order” instruction refers to training that targets a driver’s attitudes, risk perception, self-control, and decision-making, rather than just maneuvering skills. Observational research on professional lessons with young learners found that only about 15 percent of lesson time involved this type of teaching, and many opportunities to discuss issues such as speeding, distraction, and peer influence were missed. Because most serious crashes involve poor choices rather than lack of basic control, experts argue that instructors should systematically teach learners to anticipate hazards, reflect on their own behavior, and manage social and emotional pressures while driving.

Are there international efforts to standardize how driving instructors are trained and assessed?

Yes. While each country regulates instructors differently, European projects such as MERIT have proposed minimum requirements that include solid theoretical knowledge of driver behavior, strong driving skills, structured teacher training, supervised teaching practice, and periodic continuing education and performance checks. These recommendations draw on the “Goals for Driver Education” (GDE) framework, which links vehicle handling, traffic situations, personal motives, and lifestyle factors. Although MERIT is not binding law, several countries use its principles when updating their instructor qualification systems.

How did formal driver education develop, and when did driving instructors become a recognized profession?

Organized driver education emerged as cars became common and governments started licensing drivers. In the United States, some school districts were offering structured traffic safety instruction by the 1920s, often integrating theory and behind-the-wheel practice. In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, commercial driver training began as a small “cottage industry” and gradually professionalized as testing became mandatory. Over time, rising traffic volumes and crash rates led many countries to formalize instructor licensing, with prescribed curricula and oversight to ensure consistent standards.

What are some common misconceptions about learning to drive that professional instructors often have to correct?

Driving instructors frequently report that learners underestimate the complexity of safe driving and overestimate how quickly they will be “test ready.” Another misconception is that once a person can steer, brake, and park, they are essentially fully trained, when in reality long-term crash risk is more closely linked to hazard awareness, impulse control, and experience in varied conditions. Instructors also challenge beliefs that speeding a little or glancing at a phone is harmless, emphasizing that many serious crashes stem from these “everyday” behaviors rather than extreme recklessness.

What does a typical workday look like for a driving instructor in practice?

Accounts from instructors show that their day involves far more than sitting in a car and giving directions. Alongside several hours of lessons, they handle route planning, vehicle safety checks, student records, bookings and cancellations, communication with parents or other clients, and preparation for test days. Many also invest time in keeping up with changes to traffic laws and testing criteria, and in some regions they are expected to attend periodic training to maintain their license or competence card. This mix of teaching, administration, and ongoing professional development can make for long, irregular hours, especially during exam peaks.