Want to become a Driving Instructor? (ADI)


Introduction


To become a Driving Instructor you must be at least 21 years of age. You must also have held a full UK 

driving license for a minimum of three and a half years.

If you want to work as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in Britain, you'll need to be registered on the 

Driving Standards Agency's (DSA) Register of ADIs. The only exception to this is if you hold a trainee licence 

to give instruction - issued by the ADI Registrar. 


You'll also need to pass a CRB check, where any previous criminal convictions will be considered by the DSA 

and they may not allow you to hold an ADI licence.

Once registered, an ADI may franchise with a motoring school, or start up on your own - either way you 

would be self-employed.

Some ADIs choose to take additional qualifications so that they can train drivers of large goods vehicles, 

or fleet drivers.


The ADI qualifying tests
The qualifying examination is in three parts:
(Part one) Theory - a multiple choice section and a video-based hazard perception section 
(Part two) Driving ability - an eyesight test followed by a practical test of driving technique.
(Part three) Instructional ability - a practical test of your ability to instruct.

The 60 minute test will involve two sections, where the DSA examiner 'role-plays' two different learner driver characters. 
30 minutes of a "learner" with basic ability, where you need to teach them a new aspect of driving, followed by another 30 minutes where the examiner acts like a pupil almost at test standard, where you have to identify 

and fix any driving faults.
You will be graded between 1 and 6 in both sections, where you will require to obtain a grade of at least 4 

out of 6 in both sections, in order to pass and therefore qualify as an ADI.


Criminal Record Bureau

  • whether your conviction is relevant
  • the seriousness of the offence
  • the length of time since the offence occurred
  • whether there is a pattern of offending behaviour
  • the circumstances surrounding the offence and any explanation or defence
  • serious
  • violent
  • sexual
  • financial
  • drug
Summary

The theory test calls for a higher standard of knowledge than that expected of a learner driver, so you'll 

need to prepare thoroughly.

In fact, you'll need to answer 85 questions correctly out of 100, and 57 out of 75 on the video-based hazard perception test, as with the current learner driver version, you will need to pass both theory and hazard 

perception sections in the same test, on the same day.


The ADI part two test assesses whether you can drive while showing a high level of competency and 

confidence. The test also covers vehicle safety. After passing the ADI part two test, you can start 

preparing for the final part of the ADI qualifying exam - the test of instructional ability. You can also 

choose to apply for a trainee licence so you can instruct pupils after passing the part two test. 

To pass this test - similar to the learner driver test - you'll need to avoid any serious or dangerous 

(major) faults during the 60 minute test.  You will also need to keep your minor driving faults to a maximum 

of 6.

We will conduct Mock Tests during your training, which allow you to experience a realistic test environment, 

so you'll be confident on the big day.


To stand the best chance of passing, you'll need to be thoroughly prepared. You have only three attempts, 

which means good preparation is essential.


The 'ability to instruct' test covers three main key subject areas:

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) uses the services of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to obtain 

criminal record disclosures which DSA uses to assess the suitability of people applying for inclusion on the

Register of Approved Driving Instructors. DSA will consider the various factors related to any offences and convictions, and the circumstances surrounding them.


This means that if you do have a criminal record, you may still be able to become an Approved Driving 

Instructor (ADI). In order to judge whether or not you are 'fit and proper' to join the ADI Register, the DSA 

will assess the risk that you're likely to pose to your pupils. They will consider factors such as:

However, your application is unlikely to be successful - regardless of when the offences were committed - 

if you have been convicted of any of the following offences:

The DSA is also unlikely to accept applications if your name is - or has been - on the Sex Offenders' Register, 

or if you are or have been banned or barred from working with children.

You must pass all three parts of the examination in this order and must complete the whole examination within

two years of passing the theory test (part one). This will ensure that your training is structured and that the information gained from studying for the theory test is still relevant when you qualify. There is no limit to the 

number of attempts you may have at the part one test.

You are only allowed three attempts at each of the practical tests - parts two and three. If you do not pass

in the three attempts, you must wait until the end of your two-year period before you can start again, 

beginning with part one. 

You WILL enjoy the financial benefits and the freedom of being your own boss;

but as you'll be self-employed - even if you franchise with a driving school - you still need to 

be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and patient.