Driving School Owners and Instructors

Certification or Licensing

The American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association offers a credentialing/certification program for driving instructors. The program consists of three classes: Driver Task Analysis, Developing Vehicle Operational Skills, and Developing Classroom Knowledge. A driving instructor who currently holds or is working towards a degree would work towards the national credential. Those teachers without a degree work toward the national certificate. Visit https://www.adtsea.org/teacher-credentialing.phtml for more information.

Licensure requirements vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, for example, all driving schools and their instructors must be registered with the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles. Check with your state motor vehicle department for required documents. If you work as a driving instructor at a public school, you will need a teaching license.

Other Requirements

Driving instructors must possess a valid driver's license and a clean driving record.