8215 Driving instructors

In short

• ONS unit group 8215, in minor group 821 (Road transport drivers) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £39,500 (£20.26 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £33,300 (£17.08 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Driving instructors co-ordinate and undertake the instruction of people learning to drive cars, motorcycles, buses, fork-lifts and haulage vehicles.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic requirements. Candidates must have held a current driving licence for four out of the last six years, have no motoring or criminal convictions and be over 21 years old. To gain registration as an Approved Driving Instructor, entrants must pass a three-part examination. Instructors for Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) and Fork-lifts are trained internally or at specialist training establishments.

Tasks

• checks instruction and learning standards and discusses teaching plans with other instructors
• plans lessons in accordance with the needs and abilities of individual pupils
• explains driving techniques and assists pupil with difficulties
• familiarises pupil with the Highway Code and different road and traffic conditions
• advises pupil when to apply for theoretical and practical driving tests and familiarises them with test procedures and standards

Related job titles

• Cycling instructor
• Driving instructor
• HGV instructor
• Instructor (driving school)
• Motorcycle instructor

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

8215 Driving instructors

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Cycling instructors
• Forklift instructors
• Heavy and large vehicle driving instructors
• Motorcycle instructors
• Passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) and car driving instructors
• Driving instructors not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£39,500 (£20.26 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

8215 Driving instructors

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

8215

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Cycling instructors
• Forklift instructors
• Heavy and large vehicle driving instructors
• Motorcycle instructors
• Passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) and car driving instructors
• Driving instructors not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£33,300 (£17.08 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 821

• 8211 Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers
• 8212 Bus and coach drivers
• 8213 Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs
• 8214 Delivery drivers and couriers
• 8219 Road transport drivers n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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