Driving training activities include:

• car driving instruction
• motor cycle instruction
• passenger carrying vehicle driving instruction

Jobs within this industry include driving instructors and examiners.  Driving instructors can either set up their own sole trader business or they can buy into a franchise operated under a large recognised company such as BSM or the AA.

There is an estimated 42,500 people working in the industry, which includes 39,500 registered car instructors and 3,000 motor cycle and vocational instructors.  There are few young people in the industry because there is legislation on the minimum age and experience of driving to become an instructor.

Workforce statistics:

• 17% of the workforce work part-time
• 22% of the workforce are female
• the average age of employees is 47 years
• 2% of the workforce are under 25 years
• 28% aged 55 years and over
• 100% of Scottish driving instructors were over 55 years and 47% in Northern Ireland
• only 1% of the workforce are from ethnic minority groups, compared by 12% in the whole sector
• 61% of the workforce are qualified to at least NVQ Level 2

Employer statistics:

• 16% of companies report a lack of funding as a barrier to training
• 11% report a lack of  local training

To be a paid driving instructor, drivers must complete stages 1 and 2 of the Approved Driving Instructors examination (ADI).  Part 3 of the assessment covers the ability to instruct, with an examiner playing the role of a student and must be passed within 2 years of completing stage 1.

Source: Data from GoSkills 2007, LMI Industry fact sheets 2006 and GoSkills Skills Needs Assessment (stage 1) sector summary 2006a