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Driving Instructor Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Driving Instructor information

See Iowa salary details

$5

$20

$37

How much do driving instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for driving instructor in Iowa is $20.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $20.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are driving instructors?

Driving instructors are professionals who teach individuals how to safely operate vehicles and prepare them for driving tests. They provide instruction on traffic laws, road safety, and practical driving skills. Driving instructors may work with new drivers, individuals seeking to improve their driving, or those needing specialized training. They assess student progress and tailor lessons to individual needs. Becoming a driving instructor typically requires certification and a valid driver's license.

How much do top driver instructors make?

Top driving instructors can earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the number of students they teach. Earnings may also include bonuses for high performance or additional certifications, and many work flexible hours to maximize income.

Can you make money as a driving instructor?

Driving instructors can earn income through hourly lessons, with earnings varying based on location, experience, and the number of students. Many instructors work as independent contractors or for driving schools, and income can increase with additional certifications or specialization. However, earnings depend on factors such as demand, hours worked, and local rates.

How quickly can you become a driving instructor?

Becoming a driving instructor typically requires completing a training course that lasts several weeks to a few months, depending on the program and region. Candidates must also obtain relevant licenses or certifications and gain experience as a licensed driver before qualifying as an instructor.

What Do Driving Instructors Do?

Driving instructors teach students how to drive safely and follow traffic laws. As a driving instructor, your job duties include creating lesson plans for classroom instruction, giving students hands-on driving practice, and providing feedback to students on how they can improve. You need strong teaching and communication skills to help your students learn essential driving concepts and methods. Driving instructors usually find jobs teaching first-time drivers who are preparing for their driver’s license test or experienced drivers who want to drive different vehicles, such as motorcycles or commercial vehicles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Driving Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Driving Instructor, you need a thorough understanding of traffic laws, vehicle operation, and teaching techniques, typically supported by a valid instructor's license and a clean driving record. Familiarity with driving simulation tools, dual-control vehicle systems, and learner assessment platforms is also important. Patience, clear communication, and strong interpersonal skills help build student confidence and address learner anxieties. These skills are essential for ensuring students' safety, promoting effective learning, and fostering responsible driving habits.

What is the difference between Driving Instructor vs Driving Examiner?

AspectDriving InstructorDriving Examiner
Required CredentialsDriving Instructor qualification (e.g., ADI license)Driving Examiner qualification (e.g., DVSA certification)
Work EnvironmentTeaching learners in vehicles, driving schools, or on-roadAssessing candidates at testing centers or on-road
Employer & Industry UsageDriving schools, independent instructorsGovernment testing agencies, DVSA
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career paths in driver trainingRelated to testing and certification process

Driving Instructors focus on teaching learners how to drive and prepare them for driving tests, while Driving Examiners assess and certify candidates' driving skills during official tests. Both roles require specific qualifications and are integral to driver training and licensing processes, but they differ in responsibilities and work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by driving instructors, and how can they be managed?

Driving instructors often encounter students with varying confidence levels and learning speeds, which can make lesson planning and progress tracking a challenge. Additionally, instructors must remain patient and alert while ensuring safety in unpredictable traffic situations. Effective communication, ongoing professional development, and building rapport with students can help manage these challenges. Collaborating with other instructors for support and best practices also contributes to a positive and successful teaching environment.

What qualifications do you need to be a driver trainer?

To become a driving instructor, candidates typically need a valid driving license, relevant driving experience, and completion of a certified instructor training program. Additional requirements may include passing background checks and obtaining an instructor qualification or certification from the appropriate licensing authority.
More about Driving Instructor jobs
What are popular job titles related to Driving Instructor jobs in Iowa? For Driving Instructor jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Driving Instructor jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Driving Instructor jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Driving Instructor jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Driving Instructor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Driving Instructor jobs in IA? For Driving Instructor jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Driving Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Driving Instructor job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,759 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
Truck Driving Instructor - Continuing Education(Part-Time)

Truck Driving Instructor - Continuing Education(Part-Time)

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

Part-time

Posted 8 days ago

Kirkwood Community College rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

586th of 612 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Location : Kirkwood Training and Education Center,101 50th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Type: Continuing Ed Instructor
Job Number: 02621
Division: Continuing Ed/Training Svcs
Department: Continuing Ed/Training Svcs
Opening Date: 09/23/2025
JOB GOAL:
To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The instructor will be responsible for the in-truck instruction of the professional truck driving program, both on the truck driving range and on the road. They will be responsible for evaluating and reporting student performance and progress in the identified formats. In this position instructors will work with students at varying levels of proficiency and understanding. This position will be part time as needed. The schedule is normally Monday-Friday days, but may require working nights and/or weekends per scheduling needs
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:
  • Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
  • Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
  • Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
  • Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
  • Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Maintain student engagement in a variety of settings, including within the truck cab, on the truck driving range, and within the classroom.
  • Able to provide information to students through demonstration, written communication, and verbal instructions.
  • Complete timely and accurate student performance records
  • Perform pre and post trip inspections regularly and accurately
  • Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
  • Provide expert instructional information as related to the transportation industry in a professional method
  • Possess a high degree of attention to prevent injury to learners, staff, and public
  • Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Position involves frequent (34-66%) reaching, standing, sitting, talking, visual acuity, and climbing into semi-truck cabs and semi-trailers. Occasional (10-33%) stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, walking, pushing, pulling, grasping and repetitive motion.
Will travel over-the-road with students operating trucks to teach and perform other related work as required.
Potentially subject to extreme heat (temperatures above 90 degrees for periods of more than an hour); and to extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour) to perform duties on the truck driving and safety range.
Potentially subject to noise; vibration; hazards such as moving mechanical parts and electrical current; hazardous chemicals; and fume and odors.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • High school or equivalency required.
  • Must pass DOT long form physical and drug test

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
  • Minimum of three years' professional driving experience over-the-road required (coast-to-coast desirable).
  • This position requires a valid driver's license and participation in continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring. Your driving record will be verified initially and monitored on an ongoing basis as a condition of employment.
  • Must have valid commercial driver's license (CDL) from the state of Iowa and good driving record.
  • Must pass DOT long form physical and drug test

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:
  • Prior teaching or other educational work experience preferred.
EEO/AA STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404,319-398-5572,equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone:(303) 844-5695FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email:OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
WHY KIRKWOOD:Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them !

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