The Driver and Safety Education Certification program provides training to instruct Driver Education within public, private, commercial and Technical Colleges throughout the state. Students will learn to teach the goals and outcomes of driver and traffic safety education. These goals include in-car instruction, including observation, curriculum development and practical experience behind-the-wheel; curriculum information selection, development and use, with observation and teaching activities and classroom curriculum development; problems of alcohol, drugs and addiction, the effects of physiological, psychological and sociological aspects, as well as how education programs are utilized within our community and schools; behavioral aspects in accident prevention using concepts and methods to understand the impact on unsatisfactory driver-related attitudes and behaviors; and basic concepts and principles of safety and loss prevention, with an emphasis on various teaching techniques relating to school and roadway safety and risk awareness.

Become a Driver Education Instructor

  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    If you are interested in teaching our teenage population the correct method(s) of becoming safe, insightful, responsible drivers, then teaching Driver Education may be just what you’re looking for.

    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

    • Short-term diploma, qualifying for DPI Driver Education Certification (450) at the completion of all 3 courses.
    • Individually for continuing education courses.
    • Fall, Spring or Summer start
    • Credit for prior learning may be available (transcripts required)
  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

    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.