If the idea of getting maximum use of your licence and making a living from driving appeals, then it’s good to know there are more opportunities than the obvious ones of driving a van, taxi, minibus or being a chauffeur.
Indeed, that bread and butter life skill you’ve learnt having spent hours taking driving lessons and preparing for the driving theory test could pay off quite literally. Maybe a bit of glamour awaits behind the wheel?
Here are some unusual and specialised jobs.
1. Racing engineer
Maybe not just driving in that knowledge of racing cars is required, but testing the car is definitely a major part of the job. The racing engineer is the link between the mechanics and the driver.
Based on feedback from the driver and telemetry data from the car, the racing engineer will communicate with the mechanics to ensure the car is set up in the ideal way.
A strong automotive and mechanical background would be essential, and it’s the classic ‘working your way through the ranks’ route to the job.
2. Fire brigade driving instructor
Someone has to teach firemen and women to drive the fire engines, so this variation on being a driving instructor is certainly an overlooked job.
The route to this profession would be via truck driving, passing the HGV license and joining the fire brigade perhaps as a fireman to start with. If you display good teaching attributes - being able to communicate without becoming flustered being two basics - this niche career could be ideal and rewarding.
3. Military driving
Aside from the time-honoured Land Rover, military driving could see you driving huge trucks, tank transporters and cranes amongst others. One ex-military driver ended up being licensed to drive no less than 26 different classes of vehicle.
The work could of course include driving heavy vehicles in combat zones, so a degree of risk is part of the job but it’s a vital role.
Obviously a route to these jobs is joining the military and then training as an LGV driver. The roles usually include taking responsibility for the daily maintenance of whatever vehicle you would be driving.
4. Safety car driver (motor racing)
You’ll likely need some track experience for driving safety cars on the motor racing circuits of the world, but not necessarily at the highest level of the sport.
The safety car maintains safe track conditions in situations where an incident isn’t severe enough to suspend the race. The safety car slows the racing cars down and they have to form a queue behind it when it comes onto the track. Through a combination of flashing lights, the safety car indicates when the racing cars have to follow it and when they are free to resume racing. What better way to experience an ‘inside track’ on motorsports.
5. Factory test driver
Manufacturers require knowledgeable drivers on their testing teams to evaluate cars as they’re being developed. If you’ve ever seen ‘spy’ photos in car magazines of new models, sometimes disguised with false body panels and a camouflage-style paint job, a qualified tester is behind the wheel.
Testing a car like this isn’t just ‘taking it for a spin’, it’s proper evaluation of various aspects and providing feedback for the development team and using sophisticated on-board testing equipment.
As a result, to even stand a chance of landing a job like this eventually you’ll likely require qualifications in automotive engineering or a related field. You’d likely start with a more mundane position before working up to test driver status. You have to earn it, but what better position to feed your love of all things car-related?
