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Driving examiner

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Career outlook for driving examiner

Average UK salary

£41,600

Currently employed in Scotland

5,000

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would test people’s skills at driving a car. You’d see whether a person is a safe and competent driver and decide whether they can get their full driving licence.

You would go out in a vehicle with a learner driver and assess their skills to see if they reach the national standard for driving cars and light vans.

You would:

  • prepare the paperwork for the test
  • meet the driving test candidate
  • set them tasks so you can check their eyesight
  • ask them questions to confirm the vehicle is safe
  • give them instructions as part of the test
  • watch how well they drive and if they are a safe driver
  • check their skill and safety in carrying out manoeuvres like reversing the car
  • take notes throughout the test
  • tell the person if they have passed or failed
  • give feedback to the candidate and their instructor
  • fill out the driving test report form and give a copy to the candidate
  • complete a more detailed report on the driving faults.

You would sometimes have to tell people that they have failed the test. They may be upset or angry but you would need to be firm and fair.

Being observant would be important. Throughout the test you’d need to concentrate on the person’s driving and pay attention to other traffic or people on the roads.

You might also carry out tests for other types of vehicles such as motorcycles or large goods vehicles.

Driving examiners work for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) which is an executive agency of the UK Government’s Department for Transport.

Some haulage and bus companies also employ driving examiners to assess their lorry, bus or coach drivers. 

Working conditions

Environment

You would be based at a local driving test centre with other driving examiners.

Travel

You need to have had a UK or EU driving licence continuously for the last four years and not have any more than three penalty points on your licence. You’ll also need to have a full category A licence if you’re applying for a vacancy where fast-track motorcycle examiners are needed. Some of your training would require you to be away from home for up to 7 weeks.

UK employment status

Full-time

78%

Part-time

17%

Self employed

5%

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  • Resilience
  • Making decisions
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding
  • Verbal communication
  • Respecting
  • Empathising
  • Observation

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job.

Some understanding of cars, automotive skills, may be helpful.

You don’t need to have been a driving instructor to become a driving examiner.

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths

You will also need

You need to be 24 years of age or over. 

You must have had a UK or EU licence continuously for the last four years with no more than three penalty points on your licence. Any endorsements will be taken into account on a case by case basis. can this also be added into the helpful to have column: 

You must have a full category A licence if applying to fast-track motorcycle examiners jobs.

As part of the recruitment process you must pass judgement test, a theory and hazard perception test, assessment of driving or riding ability where you need to pass an extended version of the practical driving test, known as a ‘special driving test’.and behavioural assessment.

You need to be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.

You may need to pass a medical.

Helpful to have

Qualifications or experience that show driving skills, good communication skills and the ability to deal calmly and effectively with pressured situations.