Become a Driving Instructor in Elgin
Train locally. Earn flexibly. Support your community.
Apply NowElgin is one of the busiest driving test centres in the region, with learner demand consistently outstripping lesson availability. Because of this we're now recruiting trainee driving instructors in the Elgin area to help increase local capacity and support learners who are currently facing long waiting times.
We offer a structured, supportive route into driving instruction, designed as a professional alternative to franchise training. Our programme is suited to people who want high-quality training, expert support and long-term sustainability, without being tied into a franchise model without committing to a traditional franchise model that requires large up-front fees.
Why Choose Drive Pro Academy to become an instructor in Elgin?
Franchise models can work for some people, but they are not the right fit for everyone. Here at Drive Pro Academy, we offer a different approach. We focus on training instructors to become confident, capable professionals who run their own independent businesses, supported by strong systems and mentoring. Our programme is designed for people who want:
- Professional training without large up-front franchise fees
- Ongoing mentoring, not a “train and disappear” approach
- Flexibility and independence, with support where it matters
- Clear structure without pressure sales or long-term tie-ins
In a busy area like Elgin, this balance allows instructors to grow sustainably while maintaining control over how they work.
Why Become An Instructor With Drive Pro Academy?
Drive Pro Academy delivers one of the UK’s most supportive and structured instructor training programmes. We do not train and walk away. We partner with you to build a real business.
- No up-front training fees
- Dedicated trainee support from day one Mentorship through Part 1 and Part 2 – We guide you through the theory and driving tests with structured support.
- Blended learning designed for island locations with highly structured modules and a comprehensive 2-week core training schedule in Orkney.
- 100 hours of practical, in-car training and observation lessons
- Paid work while you complete Part 3 – Start earning while you’re still qualifying.
- Work as much or as little as you like – With guaranteed minimum working hours for peace of mind.
- No admin stress – Our dedicated admin team takes care of all diary management and bookings.
- A career that fits your life – Enjoy flexibility, satisfaction, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community.
How the training works
Training with Drive Pro Academy combines online learning, intensive in-person training, and local mentoring, giving you the skills and confidence to teach independently.
Online foundation
You will begin with structured online learning covering instructional techniques, theory preparation and professional standards. This allows flexibility around existing work or family commitments.
Intensive in-person training in Orkney
All trainees complete a focused two-week intensive training period in Orkney. This provides a calm, practical environment to develop strong teaching skills without the pressure of constant high-volume traffic. Training in Orkney allows you to:
- Focus fully on instructional quality
- Build confidence before teaching independently
- Develop techniques that transfer directly back to Elgin
Local training and mentoring in Elgin
Once back in Elgin, you will be supported by a local trainer instructor, alongside our wider training team. This ensures training is grounded in local test routes, driving conditions and learner needs.
What difference does having a local trainer make?
Having a trainer instructor based in Elgin means you are supported both during and after training, without feeling disconnected from your local area. Local support includes:
- Familiarisation with Elgin test routes and patterns
- Ongoing mentoring as you begin teaching
- A local point of contact who understands the realities of the area
This shared approach ensures continuity, reassurance and long-term support as you build confidence and experience.
Who this programme is suited to
This opportunity may be a good fit if you:
- Live in or near Elgin and plan to stay
- Are considering a career change or a move into self-employment
- Enjoy working with people and supporting others to succeed
- Have strong driving experience and a calm, patient approach
No previous teaching experience is required. Training is structured and paced to allow time to build confidence before teaching independently.
What You’ll Need:
- A full UK or EU driving licence (held for 3+ years)
- Aged 21 or over
- No more than 5 penalty points
- Pass a DBS (criminal record) check
- Be able to read a number plate from 27.5 metres
- No teaching experience? No problem. We’re looking for kind, patient people who care about helping others grow.
Your Journey with Us:
- Apply to the DVSA and complete your DBS
- Mentorship through Part 1 and Part 2 (theory and driving ability)
- Start earning while training through Part 3 with guaranteed hours and full diary management
- Join the Drive Pro Academy team as a confident, fully qualified instructor
- Find out more about the process at GOV.UK
What happens next
- Fill in the short initial enquiry form below
- A relaxed conversation to talk things through
- A clearer outline of training, timelines and expectations
There is no pressure to proceed unless it feels like the right fit.
Interested in finding out more?
If you’d like to explore whether becoming a driving instructor in Elgin could be right for you, we’d be happy to have a conversation.
We Create a Partnership With You
Training new instructors isn’t simply something we offer, it’s something we actively invest in. We commit significant time, energy and experience to each trainee, from the early stages of preparation through to qualification and into your first months of teaching locally.
In return, we look for people who are genuinely committed to completing the process, open to feedback, and serious about building a long-term role in their community.
When it works well, everyone benefits. You gain a structured pathway into a new career with ongoing support and clear guidance. We gain dedicated, capable instructors who strengthen the local driving community and maintain high standards for learners.
This isn’t a quick win or a numbers exercise. We select carefully because we want trainees to succeed and to stay and we train multiple instructors in the same area at the same time. That way, you benefit from learning alongside others, sharing experience, and building confidence together.
How Is This Viable For Us?
We invest heavily in training and supporting each instructor. To make this sustainable, we ask trainees to remain with us for a minimum of two years once qualified.
During that time, we recover our training investment through an agreed percentage of your earnings. This allows us to provide structured support, ongoing guidance, and local development without charging large upfront fees.
The arrangement is designed to be clear, fair and mutually beneficial.
Doing some of your training in Orkney means you very quickly learn how different rural and island driving is from city-based instruction. We’ve built Drive Pro Academy specifically around those realities. When instructors train with us here, they’re learning skills that transfer directly back into places like Elgin, not only techniques designed for busy urban centres.
Joe, Lead Trainer – Drive Pro Academy and Orkney Driving Academy
How to Apply
Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch to arrange a time for you to chat to Joe:
Our selection process includes a short written assessment and structured feedback stage, designed to identify candidates who are most likely to succeed in training and beyond. After this is completed, we will select approx.3 instructors to move forward with training with us.
Answers To Your Questions
Do I need to pay for training up front?
How long does it take to qualify as a driving instructor?
Can I earn money while I’m training?
Do I need any teaching or training experience?How many test routes are there?
How much flexibility will I have with working hours?
Where does the training take place?
What support do I get once I’m qualified?
Will I have to manage my own bookings and admin?
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
I’m nervous about leaving my current job. Is this a big risk?
I need work that fits around my life. Is this realistic?
What if I lack confidence or worry I’m not “the right type” of person?
I haven’t studied or taken exams in years. Will I cope?
How do I get started?
Got more questions?
Please book a no-obligation conversation to talk through suitability, training structure and next steps.
Get in touch