Becoming a driving instructor in Quebec gives you the opportunity to play a key role in training tomorrow's drivers, and contribute directly to road safety. Whether you're passionate about teaching or motivated to pass on responsible driving values, this profession offers you a rewarding and challenging career.
As Quebec's leading driving school, Tecnic invites you to discover everything you need to know about becoming a driving instructor: from the essential steps to the qualifications required, to the benefits and opportunities offered by this inspiring profession. Ready to get started? Follow the guide!
The Role of a Driving Instructor: Much More Than a Teacher
Being a driving instructor means helping to shape responsible drivers, prepared to face the challenges of the road. This involves two main aspects: theory and practice.
- Driving instruction: Teaching safe driving techniques and the rules of the road, through the presentation of 12 driving course modules.
- Accompany driving practice: Prepare routes to take on the road with students, and offer feedback followed by a few suggestions for exercises to practice at home.
In the course of meetings with students, a driving instructor should also:
- Ensure student safety: The aim is to guarantee safe learning, by anticipating and managing potential student errors.
- Help develop confidence: Each student has his or her own pace of learning. The driving instructor plays a crucial role in managing students' stress, right up to helping them overcome their fear of driving.
- Exam preparation: The mission of this role is to guide students towards passing their SAAQ knowledge test and practical road test, in order to obtain their Quebec driver's license.
Arm yourself with patience and pedagogy to succeed in the role of driving instructor!
Driving Instructor Training Courses: All the Steps
Becoming a driving instructor in Quebec takes time, commitment and rigorous training. Here are the key steps to achieving this goal.
1. Meet the Basic Requirements
Before you begin, make sure you meet the following criteria, established by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) and accredited schools like Tecnic:
- Hold a high school diploma (DES) or an equivalence recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation du Québec, or a higher diploma.
- Valid class 5 driver's license for at least 2 years.
- No more than 4 demerit points issued in the last 6 months. Be aware of eliminatory faults on the driver's license.
- No driving-related criminal offenses (alcohol, drugs or dangerous driving) in the last 5 years.
- Be sponsored by a driving school recognized by the SAAQ.
At Tecnic, we'll sponsor your training as a driving instructor. Find a school near you and contact us to find out what roles are available!
Become a driving instructor at Tecnic!
2. Follow a Recognized Training Course
To be a driving instructor, you need solid teaching skills. That's why it's mandatory to take a driving instructor training course accredited by the Association québécoise des transports (AQTr). The total course is estimated at around 150 hours of theoretical and practical instruction.
Theoretical training: pick up your learner-instructor card
You'll have to take theoretical training over 3 weekends, and put them to the test during an assessment.
- Pedagogy and teaching techniques: Learn how to effectively pass on knowledge to students.
- Regulations and the Highway Safety Code: In-depth study of the laws and regulations governing driver licensing in Quebec.
- Psychology of learning: Understanding different learner profiles and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Emergency management: Preparing to react appropriately to unforeseen accidents on the road.
Finished? Well done! You are now in possession of your learner-instructor card for driving a passenger vehicle.
Supervised practical training: recovering your probationary instructor's card
The practical portion begins with a 15-hour observation period with a certified instructor. This is followed by a 4-month practical training period under the supervision of an instructor. A prior learning assessment then enables you to acquire a probationary card as a passenger vehicle driving instructor.
Practical: obtaining your certified instructor's card
You'll now need a total of 6 months' experience before you can take the final assessment. Passing it allows you to receive your certified instructor card.
3. Obtain Your AQTr Certification
After completing your driving instructor training courses, you'll need to obtain a certificate of aptitude from AQTr. This certificate confirms that you are qualified to teach driving in a recognized school.
The Qualities Required to be a Good Driving Instructor
You've now discovered the whole path to becoming a driving instructor, but one question remains: what qualities will make you an exceptional trainer?
- Patience: Accompanying students at their own pace, and adapting teaching methods to individual needs.
- Pedagogy: Clearly explain concepts and transform difficulties into constructive learning.
- Exemplarity: Be a role model for safe driving.
- Empathy: Understand learners' fears or hesitations in order to support them and build their confidence.
- Stress management: Knowing how to keep your cool, even in unexpected situations, to reassure learners and guarantee their safety.
Working as a Driving Instructor at Tecnic
Once you've obtained your certification, you can apply to driving schools like Tecnic, present in over 150 branches across Quebec. With its well-established reputation, Tecnic offers rewarding career opportunities in a professional and dynamic environment.
Joining the Tecnic team as a driving instructor means joining an organization committed to training responsible drivers; it also means taking advantage of ongoing training and flexible schedules.
Benefits of training as a driving instructor at Tecnic :
- Ongoing training: At Tecnic, our driving instructors receive regular training to keep them up to date on the latest safe driving techniques and teaching standards.
- Flexible schedules: Tecnic understands the importance of work-life balance. You'll have the opportunity to work full-time or part-time, days, evenings or weekends.
Start your Driving Instructor Career Today
Becoming a driving instructor in Quebec is a rewarding experience that combines a passion for teaching with a contribution to road safety. With a little determination and the right resources, you can achieve this goal and play a key role in training tomorrow's drivers.
If you'd like to find out more about career opportunities at Tecnic, take a look at our available jobs or contact one of our advisors to get started today!
