Becoming a Driving Instructor
Being an approved driving instructor (ADI) can be a very rewarding career: you’ll help people to learn an important skill for life. The job involves working with all sorts of people so you’ll need good people skills as well as patience and understanding, a thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of driving, an ability to teach and awareness of changes in the regulations for driving tests, as well as driving instruction.
How to apply
First you’ll need to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become an ADI. To do this you’ll need to give details about your current driving licence including any driving offences. You’ll also need a criminal records disclosure number.
- You must have held a full driving licence for at least 4 years.
- You must not have more than 6 points on your driving licence.
Next steps
When you’ve been accepted to start the qualifying process, you can start your training towards the three ADI tests.
The Three exams you have to take!
Part 1 – Theory and Hazard Perception Test
The theory test – This is split into 4 categories and you have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions. There are 25 questions in each of these 4 categories, and these are:
- road procedure
- traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
- driving test, disabilities, and the law
- publications and instructional techniques
Hazard Perception Test – Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works. You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:
- feature everyday road scenes
- contain at least one developing hazard – but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
What a ‘developing hazard’ is
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
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.
Part 2 Practical Driving 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
How long does the test last?
The test takes around 1 hour.
The eyesight test – You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:
- 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
- 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC. You’ll fail the test if you don’t pass the eyesight test. It will count as one of the 3 attempts you’re allowed at the ADI part 2 test.
‘Show me, tell me’ questions
You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.
You’ll be asked:
- 3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving
- 2 ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers
You’ll get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give.
You’ll get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions.
Your general driving ability – You’ll have to show the examiner all of the following:
- expert handling of the controls
- use of correct road procedure
- anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action
- sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
- consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users
- driving in an environmentally-friendly manner
- You’ll drive in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.
- You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop
Reversing your vehicle – The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises:
- parallel park at the side of the road
- reverse into a parking bay and drive out
- drive into a parking bay and reverse out
- pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
Independent Driving – You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:
- directions from a sat nav
- traffic signs
The examiner will tell you which you have to do.
Following directions from a sat nav – The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you. You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test. Going off the route – Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do.
If you can’t see traffic signs – If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
If you make mistakes during your test – You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious. The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.
Part 3 Instructional Ability 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 and rider 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.
We offer training packages that will guide you successfully through this process and on the road to a successful career as a driving instructor.
