How to become a Driving Instructor

This process generally takes around 6-12 months. This can all be done around your current employment, so you don’t need to change jobs until you have qualified. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to pass your ADI training but everyone at Passfaster will be there to support you along the way. At the end of the process, you’ll reap the benefits of being able to choose when, where and how often you work and how much you earn. Here is an overview of what you need to do and in what order, you must complete each process until you can apply for the next on.

What do I need to become an ADI?

A full British or Northern Ireland car driving licence.
You must have held this licence for a total of (at least) 3 years out of the six years prior to entering the register after your qualification. If you have held an automatic licence, a foreign driving licence or a provisional licence these all count towards your 3 years that are required.

A clean driving licence – this means having not been disqualified from driving at any time during the 3 years before entering the register.
You must be fit and proper to be entered into the register.

1. You will need to obtain a DBS (you will need a new one even if you already have one with your current employment). You can do that here: https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-become-driving-instructor
   organisation PIN 105205 secret word axis organisation name DVSA – PDI (PO)

2. Apply to the DVSA (must have DVSA DBS to do this). You can do that here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-become-a-driving-instructor
   
   
3. Part 1 ADI Theory test
   
   

After your application is approved you can apply for part 1 test. More information here: https://www.gov.uk/adi-part-1-test

The test takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and taken on a computer and includes, multiple choose theory questions and hazard perception clips. You’ll be asked 100 questions in total. There are 25 questions in each category. To pass the multiple-choice part you must get both: an overall score of at least 85 out of 100 and at least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories.

Hazard Perception Test, you’ll be shown a video clip about how the hazard perception part works. You’ll then be shown 14 clips that feature everyday road scenes. You can get up to 5 points for each hazard. You need to score at least 57 points out of 75 to pass this part.

You must pass both parts at the same time to pass the test. There’s no limit to how many times you can take the test.

4. Part 2 Driving Test
   
   

Once you have passed Part 1 You can apply for Part 2 more information here https://www.gov.uk/adi-part-2-test

The test takes around one hour and is a test of you driving ability, It is very similar to a standard driving test but you must be at a much higher standard than a normal pupil as you will be asked to drive on the motorway, complete all manoeuvres and can only obtain 6 minor faults. You must be properly prepared. You will also have your eyesight checked and be asked vehicle safety questions. You are only allowed 3 attempts at this part of the test.

5. Part 3 Test of instructional ability

After you have passed part 2 you can apply for Part 3 more information here: https://www.gov.uk/adi-part-3-test

A DVSA examiner will watch you giving a client-centred driving lesson to one of your pupils for about 45 minutes. At the start of the lesson, discuss the goals for the lesson and risk management with your pupil. This should take no more than 3 minutes. Your pupil must drive for at least 40 minutes of the lesson. You cannot spend the whole lesson teaching a manoeuvre, but you can include a short recap of one you’ve taught in a previous lesson. At the end of the lesson, give your pupil no more than 3 minutes to reflect on their performance. The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

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.

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

A trainee licence:

• helps you get experience instructing pupils to drive so you can prepare for the ADI part 3 test.
• lasts for 6 months.

You can charge for lessons to cover the cost of things like your insurance and vehicle costs.

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 a qualified ADI in providing driving instruction (at least 10 of which were done in a car), recorded on the ADI 21T declaration form.
• are eligible to take the ADI part 3 test.

You must pass Part 2 and 3 within 2 years of passing part 1. Once you have passed all 3 test you are allowed to charge money for driving tuition.