Become a Driver Education Instructor

  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    Students entering Driver Education program should:

    • Enjoy teaching and interacting with teenagers and their parents.
    • Communicate well orally and in written form.
    • Be concise, purposeful, detailed and appropriate in all teaching situations.
    • Willing to work weekdays, weekends and evenings.
    • Remain calm and in control during emergency situations.
    • Have an excellent driving record and character background.

    Program Basics

  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,820
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,148
    Books and Supplies $1,466
    Personal Expenses $3,608
    Transportation $4,018
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $600
    Loan Fees $84
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $23,744
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $11,872

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
    • Please submit official college transcripts showing completion of either a Bachelors or Masters degree to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809.
    • WI provisional, lifetime or master educator license
    • Perform and successfully pass a criminal background check

    Requirements for DPI endorsement

    • Meet the eligibility criteria identified in Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 34.073 and PI 34.080(2)
    • Meet the requirements of PI 34.022
    • Hold a teaching license that is acceptable for a supplemental license
    • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better of all transcripts (including the courses completed through Southwest Tech)
    • Successful completion of the Driver’s Education Safety program.

    Helpful Academic Background

    • Employment with CESA, Technical College, K-12 School or DOT driving school
    • Good verbal and non-verbal communication skills

    Program Fees

    • NOTE: This program is not eligible for financial aid.
    • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
    • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to:

    • Teach Driver Education classroom instruction.
    • Teach Driver Education in-car instruction.
  • Career Opportunities

  • The profession of driver education instructor is becoming increasingly necessary to fill those positions left by aging and retiring individuals. Instructors are needed to educate our teen drivers correctly, concisely and with compassion, as well as re-educate our adult population as they age and are faced with problems that may carry over onto our roadways. Our graduates may look forward to employment within:

    • Public schools
    • Private schools
    • Commercial driving schools
    • Technical Colleges
    • Privately owned schools

    Students may take individual courses to fulfill training requirements for commercial and/or private driving schools.

    Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.