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Want To Drive

Operations Manager

Teach others how to drive.

Passing your skills on to other drivers can be a very rewarding experience! So if you're the type who likes to teach people everything they need to know to succeed behind the wheel, this just may be the right career for you. Here's what you'll need to do to get there.

How do I get to be a Driver Trainer?

Virtually all Driver Trainers “come up from the ranks” and are highly experienced professional drivers in their own right. Selection is usually based on experience, driving record, the ability to communicate and a desire to teach.

Education
Although there are no mandatory education requirements, most new drivers have at least:

  • a high school education and/or
  • a trade or vocational certificate at the community college level

 

Technical Training/Certification/Licensing
 This usually depends on where you live based on local regulations. Different employers have their own unique requirements, such as regular refresher training or specific training.
Examples include:
  • training to obtain a Class 3 (Ontario Class D) licence (straight truck) or Class 1 (Ontario Class A) licence (articulated trucks)
  • air brake endorsement (if air brakes are used on the equipment you'll be driving)
  • Transport Dangerous Goods (TDG) endorsements (if you're transporting hazardous materials)
  • other Occupational Health and Safety (OH+S) training (for example, first aid or Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
  • specific training in instructional delivery, instructional design and adult education/learning principles

Physical/Medical
You'll have to pass medical screening and you may have to be tested for drug and alcohol use.

Language
Although there is no specific language requirement for a Driver Trainer, a Driver Trainer is expected to have excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.

Other Attributes
You must be at least 18 years old and have experience as a driver to be a Driver Trainer, though some companies may require you to be older for insurance purposes. In some cases, a company may check for a criminal record or have a background check done on you. A clean driving record is a must. Strong customer service skills, communication skills, mechanical skills and computer skills are all useful as well. And, of course, a strong desire to teach!