Wage watchers: how much does a driving instructor earn?

Driving instructor Dirk Bosmans, 30, from Halle talks about what he earns and how he spends it

What do you do for a living?

I teach learner drivers and prepare them for their test. I help them practice their manoeuvres, and take them through possible test routes.

How many hours a week do you work?

My contract says 38 hours a week, but I do 45 hours on average. How much work I actually do is depends on the time of the year, seeing as I work mostly with secondary schoolchildren or students. So summer holidays are super busy, while exam periods are pretty quiet. In this job you have to be flexible. Sometimes I start early and finish late because the students are only free after school. I frequently work until 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening.

Do you enjoy your work?

I certainly do! I have a new student every two hours, which is refreshing. My boss doesn’t check on me much, which means I am independent in the way I work. In the car I’ll choose whether to have the radio on or not – and I’ll pick the station. I also choose the routes and decide when whether or not to have a break between lessons. More than anything, the best part of this job is the feeling of teaching something useful to people.

What do you think of your salary?

I take home €1.450, plus  every three months we get a bonus of €375 if there is no damage to the car. Like many people I think my salary could be higher. After all, it is a risky job, especially with traffic getting busier and busier. Thankfully I’ve got pedals to avoid accidents. In eight years I’ve only had one.

What does the biggest chunk of your salary go towards?

Until now, the purchase of building materials for the renovation work I’ve started. As of August it will be my mortgage.

Do you save?

Until last month I was saving long-term. Now I’ve stopped. I use the money to pay for my life insurance. I also have a private pension plan. What’s left goes towards renovating my house.

What could you never spend money on?

Video games. I’m not a fan. Besides, I don’t have the time for them, same as with long journeys. I’m going to have to wait for those.

What do you gladly pay for?

A nice dinner with my girlfriend. My mother used to give cookery lessons, so I’ve always been spoilt when it comes to food. I’d like to keep it that way. I also spend quite a bit on comics. I’ve acquired quite a collection over the past three years. Basketball jerseys are also a weakness of mine – I’ve got over forty of them.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I’d get the house finished, the way we want it, without us having to stick to a budget. Afterwards I’d go on a round-the-world trip. Then afterwards I would resume as a driving instructor, but only part-time.

Do you give money to charity?

Not really. I used to give money to Music For Life every year. Nowadays, I’ll buy red Cross stickers if approached by volunteers at traffic lights. That’s something I’ve inherited from my dad.

(jn)