Defensive Driving Instructor
In New Jersey, you can reduce the number of points on your license
by taking a defensive driving course. You might also want to consider
traffic school, or a driver’s education program to help you improve
your driving skills and lower your insurance rates. If you’re a great
driver, instead of taking these classes, consider teaching them! Here’s
how to do it:
What is a Defensive Driving Instructor
A New Jersey defensive driving instructor has the job of teaching
students the skills they need to pass a written driving test. These
courses are different from traffic survival school, which is a class
the court can require you to take, and just regular traffic school or
driver’s ed, which is a basic class that usually has on-the-road
training as a part of the course.
If you become a New Jersey defensive driving instructor, you’ll be
eligible to get a job at any of the driving course centers in the
state. In addition, many public and private high schools hire at least
one New Jersey traffic school teacher for in-school or after-school
student training. You can also work privately, giving single lessons to
new drivers.
What State Agency Regulated Instructors
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) regulates all New
Jersey defensive driving instructor licenses. If you want to teach in
the state of New Jersey, you have to apply through the Driving School
Unit of the New Jersey MVC. They hold you to state and national
standards, ensuring that you are the best New Jersey defensive driving
teacher for the job.
Steps for Becoming an Instructor
To become a New Jersey traffic school instructor on any level
(defensive driving, traffic survival school, driver’s ed, etc.), you
must first get an instructor license. This certification will allow you
to work at any licensed driving school in the state. You have two main
choices: the authorized agent license or the initial driving school
instructor’s license. As an authorized agent, you can transport
students from school to the test and complete other tasks around the
school, but you cannot teach on-the-road training or classroom
training. To do that, you need an initial driving school instructor’s
license.
To apply to be a New Jersey traffic school instructor, you must fill
out a form to get the license, as well as pass a written knowledge
test, an on-the-road and practical driving instructor test, a judgment
of driving test, and a vision test. You must also be
fingerprinted.
The written test is given daily on a walk in basis to applicants who’ve
mailed their information to the Business License Compliance Driving
School Unit. You don’t need any appointment – just stop by the
Eatontown, Trenton, Rahway, or Wayne Driver Testing Centers between the
hours of 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. At this point, your vision test will
also be given and if you pass the written test, you’ll be scheduled for
your road test. You’ll then receive you license in the mail if you pass
all tests and your fingerprint check is clean.
Requirements to Become an Instructor
To become a driving school instructor, you must fill out the
application carefully. This application will include information about
your background, your driving record, and so forth. Other requirements
to become a New Jersey defensive driving instructor include the
following:
- You must pass all driving tests to get the license.
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must have at least 4 years of experience with a driver’s license.
- You must complete a 6-8 hour course through the National Safety Defensive Driving Program.
Continuing Education Requirements
If you’re a licensed New Jersey defensive driving instructor, you
only have a few requirements. First, you may be required to submit your
application for renewal, especially if you are put on inactive status.
You might also need to comply with federal National Safety Defensive
Driving Program standards.
Most importantly, though, you must have your licenses with you at all
times while teaching. Your license can be revoked if you do not follow
property validation procedures or have complaints against you. In
addition, while there aren’t any continuing education requirements, you
should consider taking a defensive driving course yourself occasionally
to keep your skills sharp.
Job Opportunities and Income Potential
There are dozens of job opportunities for New Jersey defensive
driving instructors who hold licenses from the state. You can work at a
licensed driving school center, find a job at a high school, or even
offer private driving lessons. Income potential varies according to
where you work, but one thing is for sure – by getting your license to
be a certified New Jersey traffic school instructor, you will open
doors and see a jump in salary.
