BOOK NOW

Instructor Training

Driving Instructor Training

Become a Driving Instructor, you must…

1. Disclosure- CRB-criminal records bureau check carried out by the DVSA. This is an enhanced disclosure check that the DVSA carry out themselves about you, and it can take from anything between two and 12 weeks obtain.

View Enhanced Disclosure Check

You will have to take your driving license passport and two utility bills and your forms to be scanned by the approved post office on the DVSA list.

2. Once you receive your disclosure, you then can go to the Dvsa website and click on the link become a driving instructor and complete the registration form as you will need your disclosure number in order to register.

Become a Driving Instructor

3. Once you register with all the relevant information required, the Dvsa will then send you an email with your personal reference number ( PRN number)

This will be your personal reference number for the rest of your driving career as a driving instructor with the DVSA.

Become a Driving Instructor Today

Name(Required)
Address(Required)

THE REGISTER OF APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTORS

The Register was set up in the interests of road safety to maintain and improve the standards of a car driving instruction available to the general public. It ensures that the public can rely on an acceptable minimum standard of tuition from registered driving instructors.

 It is administrated by the DSA under the provision of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge (either money or money’s worth) for instruction in driving a motor car unless their name is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors or they hold a trainee’s ‘Licence to give instruction’ issued by the Registrar.

 The first step to becoming a qualified driving instructor is to apply for registration. The ADI starter pack, ‘Your Road to Becoming a Driving Instructor’, which can be ordered from the DSA, contains the ADI 14 information booklet and ADI 3 application form. Two character references are required, and you will need to obtain a criminal record disclosure before you submit your application. The DSA website and the starter pack explain how having a criminal record will not necessarily bar anyone from being accepted as a Potential Driving Instructor.

 To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) you must:
  • Hold a full UK or European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence; any EU/EEA licence must be exchanged for a GB licence which can be obtained from the DVLA.
  • Have held it for a total of at least four of the past six years prior to entering the Register after qualifying. A foreign driving licence, an automatic car licence or a provisional licence held after passing the driving test, all count towards the four years.
  • Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the Register.
  • Be a ‘fit and proper person’ to have your name entered in the Register. All spent and unspent convictions, motoring and non-motoring will be taken into account when your suitability to be entered on the Register is assessed. This includes fixed penalty notices such as speeding.
  • The decision rests with the Registrar, who will take into account any motoring convictions acquired in the last six years and/ or your criminal record, if any. Any motoring offence(s) which result in current endorsements totalling five penalty points or more will be looked at closely and could result in an application be refused.
  • Pass the two qualifying practical exams within two years of passing the theory and hazard perception tests.
  • Apply for registration within 12 months of passing the final part of the examination.

In addition, the law states that you cannot accompany a person learning to drive unless you have held a full UK or EU/EEA driving licence for three years and are 21 or over.The Driving Instructor course consists of 3 parts:

PART 1 – ADI THEORY TEST

The test for prospective driving instructor’s calls for a higher standard of knowledge than that expected of a learner driver.  The test is carried out in two parts – multiple choice section and a hazard perception part – which are taken at the same sitting.

  • There there will be 100 questions and 90 minutes to completed the test.
  • The ADI Part 1 theory test is split into four bands, each covering a different aspect of driving and driver training:
  • Band 1: Road procedure
  • Band 2: Traffic signs and signals, car controls, pedestrians, and mechanical knowledge
  • Band 3: Driving test, disabilities, and the law
  • Band 4: Publications and instructional techniques
To pass the ADI Part 1 theory test, you must: 
  • Achieve a minimum score of 20 out of 25 in each band 
  • Achieve an overall mark of 85%
  • Pass the hazard perception test, which includes 14 video clips and requires a score of 57 out of 75 
You must take your UK photocard driving licence to the test. If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, you must bring both the photocard and paper counterpart licence. 
 

Pass mark and test result

You’ll get the result at the test centre after taking the test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.
To pass the multiple-choice part, you must get both:
  • an overall score of at least 85 out of 100
  • at least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories of questions
You’ll fail if you get an overall score of 85 or higher, but do not score high enough in each of the 4 categories.
To pass the hazard perception part, you need to score at least 57 points out of 75.
 
If you pass
You’ll get a pass certificate letter if you pass the test.
You’ll need this when you book and take you Part 2 test.

PART 2 – DRIVING ABILITY

  • The practical test of driving ability consists of tests both eyesight and driving techniques. If you wish, your trainer may accompany you on the test. The test lasts for approximately one hour.
  • Eyesight Test- You must be able to read in good daylight, with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn, a motor vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures:
  • 79mm in height and 50mm wide at a distance of 26.5m
  • 79mm in height and 57mm wide at a distance of 27.5m
  • If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be able to take the driving test element. The test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.
  • You will be expected to demonstrate Highway Code Knowledge and driving skills at an expert standard. The test lasts for approximately an hour.
  • You will be asked show me tell me questions approximately 4/5- if you fail any of these, it will count as a minor faults
  • Drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
  • Expert handling of the controls.
  • Use of correct road procedure.
  • Anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action.
  • Sound judgement of distance, speed and timing.
  • Consideration of the convenience and safety of other road users.
  • Driving in an environmentally friendly manner.
  • You are allowed 6 driving faults- no serious or dangerous faults
You will be told at the end of your test whether you have passed or failed

PART 3 – ABILITY TO INSTRUCT

It’s the last of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI. It’s a test of your ability to teach pupils/ a qualified driver

The third and final test before qualifying as a driving instructor is the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 3 test. During this test, you’ll be supervised by an examiner, who will assess you on your ability to teach a pupil.

ADI Part 3 Test

The ADI Part 3 instructional ability test comprises a real lesson given to a pupil under supervision. It’s roughly an hour long. You’ll be assessed on your competence in passing on knowledge and giving instruction to pupils.

The pupil in question will be one you supply yourself. They can either be a real learner or full licence holder, but cannot themselves be a qualified ADI.

What you need for the Test

In addition to the pupil, you need to supply your own car on the day of the test. You also need a full, valid driving licence. For those taking the test in Northern Ireland, you need both the photocard and the paper counterpart. If you don’t have a photocard licence, take a current passport.
Your ADI Part 2 pass certificate.
 
Your pupil will drive.
You’ll be sat in the front passenger seat, giving instruction.
The examiner will sit in the back.

You can also bring your own mentor or trainer if you want to, if you want some moral support. They won’t be able to contribute to the lesson though.

What kind of car do I need to bring to the test

The car needs to meet several criteria, and there are certain cars you shouldn’t use. You can read a full list of requirements for the car here. But generally speaking, it should be an estate, saloon or hatchback.
It cannot be a convertible.
It also needs full-sized back seats, with properly working seatbelts.
It should also be taxed and roadworthy, with a valid MOT if it’s over three years old.
The car needs to display L-plates, or optional D-plates if the test is being taken in Wales. You should also make sure that your insurance covers driving tests.
It’s important that the car meets all requirements, as otherwise the test will be discontinued, and you’ll lose your fee.
The test can be taken in an automatic transmission vehicle.
The ability to teach manual or automatic is defined by your current driving licence.
If you currently hold a licence to operate a manual transmission vehicle, you will still be able to teach pupils interested in both manual and automatic transmission.

If you only hold an automatic licence, you will only be able to teach pupils in an automatic vehicle.

What’s in the ADI Part 3 test itself

To begin with, you give your examiner a runthrough of your lesson plan. Then they’ll be introduced to the pupil. You then explain the purpose of the lesson to the pupil, noting that it’s you that’s under examination, not them. It’s also worth asking them if there’s anything in particular they’d like to cover in the lesson.
From there on in, you should conduct a lesson as normal.
A key criteria you’re being assessed on is risk management, so it’s vital that the lesson is conducted as safely as possible.
If you put yourself or anybody else in danger or potential danger, the test will be stopped immediately and you’ll fail.
For this reason, you should pay close attention to your surroundings and other road users’ actions at all times.
At the end of the lesson, you give your pupil their feedback.

Then you’ll be left alone with the examiner, who will give you your result, and any observations they may have on the lesson.

How is the ADI Part 3 test marked

During the test, the examiner will mark you on 17 areas of competence, across three categories:
● Lesson planning
● Risk management
● Teaching and learning strategies
 
You will be scored from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, meaning there are 51 possible points up for grabs. This is how the scores are broken down:
Total score Grade Description 0-30 -Fail
This means your performance isn’t up to the required standard, and you won’t join the ADI register.
 
31-42 – Grade B

This is a pass, and you get to join the ADI register.

43-51 -Grade A
You’ve aced the test, and you get to join the ADI register.
 

If you score less than 7 in the risk management category, this will also mean you’ll fail.

What happens next when I pass the ADI Part 3

Well Done!!
You’re now fully qualified Driving Instructor!
All you need to do now is apply for your ADI badge.
You have 12 months to do this, so it’s best to do so straight away.
If the 12 months elapse, you’ll have to pass all three tests again.