Become a Driving Instructor

In order for you to begin training to become a driving instructor you must meet a certain criteria as set by the DVSA - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

You must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years.
• You will also be required to carry out a Criminal Record Check (CRB)

The Process

Firstly you will need to have your CRB can be carried out online at https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-become-driving-instructor

On the form you will need to submit the DVDSA organisation details

• Organisation PIN 105205.
• Secret word axis
• Organisation name DVSA - PDI (PO)

You must apply for an updated CRB even if you have recently had one carried out.

Once that you have filled out your online application you will be required prove your identity. This can be simply processed at a post office that offers the 'CRB and ID verification' service and will cost you £6.

You will be required to provide 3 original forms of identification, copies will not be accepted.

For example this could be:

1. Your driving licence
2. A bank statement that is less than 3 months old
3. A utility bill that is less than 3 months old
4. Your passport
5. Council tax bill

You will also need to have your printed application form with you.

Postal applications checks at the post office are available for a small extra fee.

ADI application

Now that you have received your criminal records check, you will be required to apply to be a driving instructor.

When applying you will need:

• Your full driving licence number
• The details of any driving disqualifications, which includes any motoring and non motoring offences

The application form can be found on line on the Government website - https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-become-a-driving-instructor

You could find that you have your application refused should the ADI registrar conclude that you're not suitable to become a driving instructor, which would be for the following reasons:

• You've have been banned from driving
• If You have 6 or more points on your licence
• Or you have any convictions for a non motoring offence
• Have a criminal record.

However, if an offence was minor and was a long time ago, we have been known on occasion for this to be taken in to account and a positive outcome can be achieved.

The (ADI) Part 1 test is a theory test that takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete and has within this the test two modules:

Multiple Choice Questions:

You will be asked 100 questions in total, 25 will be in each of the following categories:

• Road procedure
• Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
• The driving test, disabilities, and the law
• Publications and instructional techniques

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Leaving a question

You can 'flag' questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you have finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you've answered all of the questions. You don't have to use the full 1 hour and 30 minutes.

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

The Hazard Perception Test:

You will at first be shown a video clip explaining how the test will work. It is very similar to the learner hazard perception test that you may have taken as a new driver only with a little more required.

After this you will be shown 14 videos that show everyday road scenes, 13 of these clips will have one developing hazard but one of the clips will feature 2 developing hazards.

You get points for recognising developing hazards giving a maximum of 75 available points. You will need 57 points to pass this section of your test.

What is a 'developing hazard?'

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

For example, a car is parked at the side of the road and isn't doing anything. It wouldn't cause you to take action, so it's not a developing hazard. When you get closer, the car's right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You'd need to slow down, so it's now a developing hazard.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You don't lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you won't score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You can't review or change your responses.

Pass mark and test result

You will get your 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 don't 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.

When you pass

You'll get a pass certificate letter if you pass the test. You'll need this when you book and take your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test.

Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must qualify as an ADI in that time; otherwise you'll have to start the application process again.

Should you fail

You will get a letter at the test centre. It will tell you which parts you didn't score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You must book and take the full test again.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before you can take the test again.

You must pass both parts in the same sitting in order to pass the Part 1 exam. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test.

When you pass your Part 1 exam you have 2 years available to qualify as an ADI. If you take longer than the 2 years you will need to take your Part 1 exam again.

What to take to your test

You must bring:

• Your UK driving licence
• Your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 pass certificate

What happens during the test

There are 5 parts to the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test:

• An eyesight check
• 'Show me', 'tell me' vehicle safety questions
• General driving ability
• Manoeuvres
• Independent driving

The Part 2 test takes approximately one hour and has with it;

The eyesight test

You'll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 26.5 metres with a new style number plate. If you use glasses or contact lenses you must use them during the whole test if you need to use them to read the number plate.

Vehicle Safety Questions

Within this section of your test you will be required to answer 5 questions

• 3 'Tell Me' questions at the start of your test
• 2 'Show me' questions' while you are driving

You will need to 'Show' the examiner and 'Tell' the examiner precisely how to carry out specific vehicle checks. You receive a fault for any questions that you get wrong with a serious fault and fail your test should you answer all 5 questions incorrectly.

Test of driving ability

On this part of your test you will be driving in various road conditions that including Motorways, dual carriageways along with changes in traffic levels.

The examiner on your test will be looking for the following:

• Expert handling of the controls
• Ability to anticipate what other road users are doing and take appropriate actions.
• Correct road procedures
• Ability to judge speed, distance and timing
• Environmentally friendly driving
• Consideration and convenience of other road users

Manoeuvres

Just like on the new driver test you must show you are able to conduct a range of various driving manoeuvres. However, unlike the learner test, these manoeuvres are much more extensive and you will be required to carry out a selection of the following:

• Parallel Park at the side of the road
• Reverse in to a parking bay
• Forward bay park
• Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths and then re-join the traffic
• Emergency Stop
• Move off straight ahead or at an angle

Independent driving

On this part of your test you will need to demonstrate that you can drive independently.

You will achieve this via a twenty-minute drive where you will be instructed to either follow traffic signs, or a series of directions from a satellite navigation system within the car provided by the examiner and set up for you.

Manual and automatic cars

If you have a manual licence, you can take the test in either a manual or automatic car. You'll be able to train people in both types of car when you've qualified.

If you have an automatic licence, you must take the test in an automatic car. You'll only be able to train people in an automatic car when you've qualified.

Faults and test result

There are 3 types of faults you can make:

• A dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• A serious fault - something potentially dangerous
• A driving fault - this isn't potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault

Pass mark

You'll pass your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test if you make:

• No more than 6 driving faults
• No serious or dangerous faults

If you pass your test

The examiner will:

• Tell you what faults you made, if any
• Give you a pass certificate

You can then either:

• Book your ADI Part 3 test
• Apply for a trainee driving instructor licence

If you don't pass

The examiner will tell you what faults you made.

You can take the test again if you fail at either your first or second attempt.

You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.

Failing the third attempt

You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times.

You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again

Once that you have successfully completed what has become known as Parts 1 and 2 test, it is now that you will then be able to take your Part 3 test.

This one-hour test includes an assessment of:

• Lesson Planning
• Risk Management
• Teaching and Learning Strategies

Your examiner will test your teaching skill by observing a "live" lesson given by you with a real pupil.

What to take to your test

You must bring:

• Your UK driving licence
• A suitable car
• A pupil

You should also bring a log of the training you've been doing to qualify as an approved driving instructor (ADI).

Your car must:

Be taxed

Be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)

Be roadworthy and have a current MOT (if it's over 3 years old)

Be a saloon, hatchback or estate car in good working condition - you can't use a convertible

Have full-size rear seats

Have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light

Have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre - you can't have a space-saver spare tyre fitted

Be smoke-free - this means you can't smoke in it just before or during the test

Be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

Have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg

What happens during the test

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a 'client centred' driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your pupils.

The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standards of driver training.

Your pupil

Your pupil can be a learner or a full licence holder.

They can't be an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test.

You can take your trainer or mentor with you, but they can't take part in the lesson.

What you'll be marked on

You'll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

• Lesson planning
• Risk management
• Teaching and learning strategies

The 17 areas of competence are listed in the 'ADI part 3 test report form', which the examiner will fill in at the end of your test.

You'll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you've passed the test and what your grade will be.

The ADI Grades

• 0 - 30 Unsatisfactory Performance ……… …………………... FAIL
• 31-42 Sufficient competence demonstrate to permit entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors……….GRADE B
• 43-51 A high overall standard of instruction demonstrated…GRADE A

What happens during the test

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a client-centred driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your pupils. The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver training.

If you fail the ADI part 3 test or you don't book it in time

If you fail the test, you must do 5 hours of extra training before your next attempt.

You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the Part1 test and start the whole process again starting with a new CRB check.

If you don't book the test within 3 months of getting your licence, you must take 5 hours of extra training before you book the test.

You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the Part1 test and start the whole process again starting with a new CRB check.

You can apply for a trainee driving instructor licence after you pass the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test.

With Prime Driving School a trainee licence:

• Helps you get experience instructing pupils to drive so you can prepare for the ADI part 3 test
• Allows you to get paid for giving instruction so that you can earn whilst you learn
• Lasts for 6 months

Who can apply

You can apply for a trainee licence if you:

• Have passed your ADI part 1 test in the last 2 years
• Have passed the ADI part 2 test
• Have had at least 40 hours of training from our qualified ADI in providing driving instruction, recorded on the ADI 21T declaration form
• Are eligible to take the ADI part 3 test

Extra training

Whilst you are on a trainee licence you have to do at least 20 hours of extra training in the topics in the training programme.

You must both:

• Do the training before you book the ADI part 3 test
• Book the test within 3 months of getting your trainee licence

At least 25% of the training must be practical in-car training.

The training must be recorded on the instructor training declaration form.

You must send the form to DVSA before the end of the 3 months, or the day after you book your ADI part 3 test, whichever comes first to;

Approved Driving Instructor Registrar
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
The Axis Building
112 Upper Parliament Street
Nottingham
NG1 6LP

Prime Driving School will assist, organise and submit all the required paperwork and carry out all of the administration for you whilst you are teaching on a trainee licence.

If you fail the ADI part 3 test or you don't book it in time

If you fail the test, you must do 5 hours of extra training before your next attempt.

You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the Part1 test and start the whole process again starting with a new CRB check.

If you don't book the test within 3 months of getting your licence, you must take 5 hours of extra training before you book the test.

Each time you do 5 hours of extra training, record it on a new instructor training declaration form.

Rules for using your trainee licence

You must:

• Be a 'fit and proper' person
• Get the required amount of supervision or extra training while your licence is still valid
• Make sure your advertising doesn't make it seem like you're a fully qualified instructor

Displaying your licence

You must display your trainee licence on the nearside edge of the front windscreen of your car while you give driving lessons.

Where you work

Your trainee licence shows the name and address of your training establishment. You can only give instruction from there, so you can't work independently, e.g. by setting up your own school.

Changing your driving school

You must apply for a new trainee licence if you leave a driving school and join a new one. There's no fee for doing this. Prime Driving School will assist, organise and submit all the required paperwork and carry out all of the administration when you change schools whilst on a trainee licence.

DVSA will send you a new licence showing the details of your new school. You should send your old licence to DVSA as soon as you get the new one.

You can still give driving lessons while you wait for your new licence.