A gear change and a new life
PAUL CAFFERATA has been a driving instructor for almost 11 years. The 57- year- old had been working in t he music business f or 30 years before retraining as a driving instructor to supplement his income.
However, he preferred his new career in the passenger seat and it ended up as his full-time job.
Mr Cafferata, who trained with a local driving school in Neasden near his home in Willesden Green, North-West London, joined AA Driving School seven years ago, and now he teaches other instructors as well as learner drivers. He also runs speed awareness courses through AA DriveTech.
‘I started out in a band and when that fell apart, I worked for various record labels,’ he says.
‘I was doing publishing, press and all sorts of things while managing bands. I’ve always been self-employed, and once I got a deal for a band I got a lot of money. But in between there were times when I had no money at all, and I was looking for a back-up.
‘One of the things I like about teaching people to drive is that you can choose when to work, and it can fit around whatever else you’re doing. I enjoyed being a driving instructor and over time it became my main way to earn a living. I get more of a buzz out of it than I did dealing with bands because people really appreciate it. It’s a brilliant feeling when my pupils pass their driving test.’
An AA spokeswoman says: ‘If you’re great with people and get a buzz from seeing others learn, you could make a great driving instructor.’
The AA offers a driving instructor training programme and range of franchise options for qualified instructors from £97 a week.
Visit theaa.com/driving-school or call 0800 587 0086.