The road to becoming a Driving Examiner

What was your background before becoming a Driving Examiner?

Before joining DVSA I was a self-employed professional photographer for 15 years, specialising in weddings, family portraiture and corporate events around the UK. Before then, I worked in management roles in the telecoms and fitted furniture industries. Prior to that, I passed my Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) test and drove buses in central and south-west London. I also have a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence.

What made you apply to become a Driving Examiner?

I applied for the Driving Examiner role at a similar time to training for my Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence. I had already decided that I wanted a change of career, and I have always enjoyed driving and travelling. When I passed the off-road reversing part of my LGV course, I was chatting with the examiner about his previous role as a car driving examiner.  The job really appealed to me, and I searched online for more information when I got home. Just by chance, DVSA were recruiting Driving Examiners at that time, so I applied, and the rest is history.

What skills from your background have helped you in your role?

In addition to many years of driving different classes of vehicle, my previous role as a photographer has given me valuable experience of working well under pressure, being empathetic and being able to put people at ease all while providing excellent customer service. Getting married is one of the most exciting but also nerve-racking times of anyone’s life and my experience of working with many nervous and anxious people helps me in my current role.

What do you enjoy most about the role?

I joined DVSA and have stayed here because of the job security, work/life balance and career progression opportunities, and because the Driving Examiner job is such a responsible, worthwhile and fulfilling role.

I really enjoy meeting people and the variety that the job offers. Some people have said that the role must be boring doing the same things every day, but every single test is different because of the person, the day, the traffic, and the circumstances. This means that for me the job has a lot of variety making each day different from the last.

What advice would you give to someone applying for the role of a Driving Examiner?  

Listen, learn and practice your wordings! Approach the training with an open mind. The Driving Examiner role is complex, and regardless of how many years driving experience you may have; the training is designed to test and challenge because ultimately, we’re assessing the customer and determining their ability to drive safely.