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Can I be a driving instructor if I have a criminal record?

When I was younger, I made some bad decisions and received a conviction for breaking and entering. Since then, I haven’t had any criminal offenses. I want to become a driving instructor, but I’m not sure if my criminal record will prohibit me from doing so. Can I still become a driving instructor if I’ve been convicted of a crime?

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Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
When you apply, the driving school, high school, or state will run a criminal background check. In most cases, felonies will prohibit you from becoming a driving instructor. So, you’ll need to find out if the charge was a felony or a misdemeanor to determine if you can be a driving instructor despite having a criminal record.
In most states, breaking and entering is a misdemeanor if it wasn’t in the act of a burglary. However, this charge becomes a felony if you were breaking and entering to commit a burglary. Check your own records to see whether you were charged with a felony or misdemeanor.
If you have only a misdemeanor charge, you’re likely eligible to become a driving instructor—although the final decision is up to your employer. If you have a felony, you probably won’t be able to gain employment as a driving instructor. But it doesn’t hurt to apply anyway if you really want to become an instructor.
Whether you land the job or not, you can help other drivers—and yourself—by spreading the word about
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