Driver Training Instructor

Psni; Antrim; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

PSNI is seeking an experienced Police Driving Instructor to instruct and assess officers and staff in standard and advanced vehicle operation, including 4x4 and off-road driving. You will conduct theory tests, roadcraft training, and ongoing assessments to ensure high standards.

The role requires knowledge of traffic regulations, CVF-aligned training, and the ability to work flexible hours for night driving and enhanced course delivery.

Qualifications

• Essential skills in defining individual driver weaknesses.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and track progress.
• Strong supervision and comunicação with student drivers.

Responsibilities

• Instruct and assess officers in advanced driving across various vehicle types.
• Deliver theory and practical sessions, including Roadcraft and Highway Code tests.
• Conduct night driving assessments and CPD to maintain high standards.

Education

ADI / Police Driving Instructors’ Licence

DVSA/DVA Driving Examiner qualification

A1 assessor award or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

To provide high quality driving instruction, demonstration, assessment and associated specialised skills to police officers and police staff to enable them to perform their duties in line with their role and National Standards at present or in the future.

Hours of work: Monday – Friday 37 working hours per week. This is currently under review.

Main Activities:

The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

• Instructing and assessing police officers and police staff (up to 3 people in the vehicle) to a competent level in standard and advanced powered cars; armoured vehicles and other fleet vehicles to Police Service of Northern Ireland and any other relevant National accrediting body controlling the Standards of Police driving competence. This may also include basic maintenance and pre-drive checks.
• Training of police officers and police staff regarding legal exemptions from Road Traffic Regulations that includes speed limits, red traffic lights and keep left/right bollards etc.
• Reassessing of drivers where driving authority has been suspended for drivers involved in collisions or accumulation of points.
• Conducting continuous student assessment and instructions, to measure competence and understanding by examination and recording the evidence to show student development and training needs including Roadcraft and Highway Code theory tests.
• Developing good driving attitudes via classroom presentations, demonstration and ongoing assessment. This training is essential for highly emotive situations such as pursuit and immediate response.
• Providing instruction to students in skid avoidance and skid correction, braking techniques (ABS/non ABS), steering techniques, advanced manoeuvrability, reversing techniques and safe stopping of subject vehicles (note this does NOT include demonstration by stopping members of the public).
• Assessing night driving skills to ensure that students are effectively trained and competent (this may involve working unsociable hours).
• Instructing and assessing police officer/police staff in 4x4 driving, off-road and on-road.
• Instructing and assessing police officer and police staff LGV, PCV, vehicles and vans. This may require completing a DVA Delegated Examiners Course as Continued Professional Development.
• Managing and monitoring students and vehicles and the training environment to ensure compliance with health and safety.
• Working within the boundaries of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Quality Assurance process including course evaluation to ensure that course objectives and standards are maintained and enhanced.
• Creating new courses and updating existing courses including risk assessments.
• Undertaking research to keep up-to-date with legislative changes and developments to ensure accurate information delivery.
• Maintaining and developing personal training skills and courses in line with organisational and National Guidelines to ensure credibility and accountability in line with any national product.
• Managing individual courses and liaising directly with the students to ensure that courses are held.
• Completing timely written reports: Written Student Records; Daily course reports; Daily student assessment records; Other Course Documentation.
• Delivering instruction in Initial and Tactical Phase of Pursuit courses. This will require the correct use of pursuit radio communication, explanation, demonstration, instruction and assessment in the use of HOSTYDS (hollow spike tyre deflation system – stinger). Also includes dynamic risk assessments, site selection, safety, deployment techniques and authority for pursuit.
• Ongoing CPD to enhance instructor’s ability to both drive and instruct at an advanced level, on successful completion of the advanced car instructors’ course, instructors will be required to deliver the Police Advanced Driving Course.
• Instructors holding a full motorcycle licence with suitable experience may also be required to conduct Police Motor Cycle Training courses at standard and advanced level, upon successful completion of an Advanced Motorcyclist’s Instructor’s Course.

The above reflects the main elements associated with this position and is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

Currently possess or have held within the past 2 years, a current valid Approved Driving Instructors Licence (ADI)

OR

Currently possess or have held within the past 2 years, a nationally accredited Police Driving Instructors’ qualification

OR

Currently possess or have held within the past 2 years, a qualified DVA/DSA Driving examiner qualification.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Effective skills in defining individual driver’s weaknesses.
• Developing individual approaches to rectify problem areas through constructive meaningful feedback.
• Effective skills in supervising and communicating with student drivers.

Essential Other

• Applicants must have a driving licence and a car available for official business use, or access to a form of personal transport that will enable you to meet the requirements of the post in full.
• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).

Desirable Qualifications

• A1 assessor award or equivalent.
• Formal Training qualification (eg: NVQ 4 in learning and development, CTLLS or PTLLS) or working towards a qualification.
• Any of the following Categories A / D1 / C1 / C / D / CE / DE held on your driving licence.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience in Police Driving Techniques (IAM/RoSPA).
• Experience of adult learning theories and effective design / presentation skills.

Please note confirmation in post will be subject to:

• Passing the Police standard and advanced car-driving course.
• Passing the standard and advanced Police Driving Instructors’ car course in police driver instruction.
• Passing Advanced Certificate in Professional Teaching delivered by Garnerville College trainers.
• Applicants must agree to undertake and successfully pass a DVLA group 2 medical assessment by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Occupational Health and Wellbeing Branch.

Additional Information:

Appointment will be dependent on the individual satisfying the vetting requirements for the post which will vary according to the work area appointed to. Please note that for all appointments there is a minimum requirement to have a three year checkable history, which includes a requirement for candidates to have resided in the UK for the three years immediately preceding their vetting application.

Shortlisting will be carried out based on essential criteria. Please note in some instances, for example, where there is a high volume of applicants, desirable criteria may then be assessed.

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising.

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.

Selection Methodology

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below. This will include both past and future focused questions. Further guidance and information on the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website. Please use the 2024 CVF for this role.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their qualifications, skills and experience for the following criteria: