Periodic Training and Re-certification of Driving Instructors in Norway : A Study of Educational Levels and Competence Needs among Driving Instructors and Professional Leaders

The self-reported competence of driving instructors and professional leaders related to teaching and guidance is consistently high. They express strong confidence in their own abilities to teach students undergoing driver The self-reported competence of driving instructors and professional leaders related to teaching and guidance is consistently high. They express strong confidence in their own abilities to teach students undergoing driver training. We find, however, that the education level among driving instructors vary, and that the reported competence levels vary across different aspects of the driving instructor role. For example, the reported level of competence is the lowest for use of digital tools in teaching, suggesting a need for further training and competence develop-ment in this area. Self-reported competence also varies among different groups of driving instructors. A key finding of the study is that the extent of professional development at various levels (individual, organisational) has a significant impact on self-reported competence among both driving instructors and professional leaders. This indicates that professional development and training play an important role and may point to a need for standardization of driving instructors’ competence, in line with the intention behind the periodic training requirement introduced in 2025.