Meet Einar Guðmann – Driving Instructor at Ekill Driving School
There are few instructors who carry as much warmth, humility, and genuine presence as Einar Guðmann Örnólfsson. Born in Akranes and raised on Sigmundarstaðir in Þverárhlíð, he brings both roots and life experience to his teaching—reflected clearly in his style: grounded, calm, patient, and always with a generous dose of humor.
Outside of work, Einar is a dedicated family man—husband, father, and father-in-law. He also manages a sheep farm with the same care and pride he brings to everything he takes on. It comes as no surprise that sheep are both his livelihood and his hobby—though music with the men’s choir and playing basketball with the “Old Boys” also give him tremendous joy. On a well-earned weekend off, he is happiest enjoying good food and spending time with his family, and nothing lifts his mood faster than the song „Ég ætla að brosa“ by Nýdönsk.
Ask him about his favorite food and the answer comes instantly: breaded lamb chops—a true Icelandic classic. If he could travel anywhere in the world, he would choose Yellowstone, telling us much about his love of nature, quiet landscapes, and vast, dramatic scenery.
Einar is cheerful, quick to laugh, and effortlessly sees the funny side of things. Over the years he has collected a treasure trove of humorous moments connected to driving, cars, and teaching. Twice he has even had the “privilege,” as he puts it, of showing students exactly what it’s like when a truck breaks down in busy Reykjavík intersections.
Teaching came to him naturally. His father-in-law was a driving instructor, and Einar had long enjoyed helping others learn. Throughout his career he has learned much about himself—especially that it is a strength not to know everything, but to be able to draw on the shared wisdom of colleagues. This humility, combined with maturity and calmness, is exactly what makes him the kind of instructor students remember.
What Einar does best is precisely what matters most in driver education: meeting people from all walks of life and all ages, supporting them, and guiding them toward confidence and independence behind the wheel. He also emphasizes how important his coworkers are—an essential part of his wellbeing at work.
When asked which qualities matter most for a driving instructor, his answer is concise:
“Patience.”
And if anyone understands patience, it is a man who teaches both car and truck driving—while also running a sheep farm on the side.
Einar envisions the future of driver education much as it is today, but with increased use of simulators to better prepare learners before they head out onto real roads. His advice to new instructors is beautifully simple:
“Smile and enjoy it.”
Because as Einar himself says:
“Life is too short to be bored.”
It is this very joy for life, combined with steadiness and genuine kindness, that makes Einar such a remarkable instructor and a remarkable human being—and we at Ekill are truly fortunate to have him as part of our team.