How to become a driving instructor in the UK - a step by step guide

If you want to become a driving instructor here's a step by step guide to help you all the way through.

Check if I am eligible to become a driving instructor

The very first thing you need to do is check to see if you are eligible to become a driving instructor. Essentially, the legal requirements include:-

You need to have held your license for a minimum of three (3) years
Your license needs to be in the category that you intend to teach in
You cannot have five (5) or more points on your driving license
You must be over 21 years of age
You must be able to read a license plate from 90 feet away (wearing glasses to do this is fine)
You must have not been convicted of a sexual, violent, financial or drug-related crime or have been banned from working with children

If you meet the pre-requisites so far and you are eligible you then need to apply for a criminal record check by applying for a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start the application Apply for a DBS check

Apply to become a driving instructor

Now you can apply to become a driving instructor

How do I train to be a driving instructor?

Once approved you will then need to take three (3) separate tests from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). There are three (3) tests that you will need to pass:

Part 1: Theory Test
Part 2: Practical Driving Test
Part 3: Instructional Ability Test

ADI Part 1 Theory Test - 2021

You can book and check the price of the ADI part 1 theory test here.

The approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test is a theory test. Before booking the ADI Part 1 exam the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must have accepted you first to start the qualifying process.

Part one (1) of the ADI qualification process comprises two (2) separate tests

Multiple-choice theory questions
Hazard perception

The tests are laid out in much the same way as the learner driver theory exam. You must pass both tests at the same time to pass. The theory test is formatted thus: -

How many questions are in the theory test?

100 multiple-choice questions

How long is an ADI theory test?

90 minutes

What is the pass mark for ADI theory test?

Pass mark is 85%
Pass a minimum of 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories

For the multiple-choice theory test, you must study each section extensively because you need to score at least 80% in each category to pass. You cannot get 20 out of 25 in 3 categories and then a lower mark in the remaining section. In this case you would fail the test. So you need a minimum overall score of 85% but a minimum 20 out of 25 (i.e. 80%) in all four (4) categories.

The theory test checks your knowledge of: -

The Highway Code
general road safety
driving techniques
basic first aid knowledge
the theory of instructing a pupil.

Hazard Perception test

You must score 57 points out of a possible 75.

The hazard perception tests your driving awareness skills which are crucial if you want to be a competent driving instructor.

The hazard perception test consists of: -

14 video clips that feature everyday road scenes (you need to spot the hazard in each clip)
13 video clips include one (1) developing hazard
One (1) video clip contains two (2) developing hazards
You receive 5 points for correctly identifying a hazard.

A developing hazard is something that may cause you to take some action like a change of speed or direction.

The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher you score. So, for example, when you first see a parked car which isn’t doing anything. As you get closer to it and you notice its right-hand indicator starting to flash. The hazard is now developing and a response at this point is required for you to score points. You won’t score anything for a video clip if you click continuously or in a pattern.

How do you pass the ADI hazard perception test

You can pass first time the hazard perception by watching this DVD-ROM learning aid - The official DVSA guide to hazard perception DVD-ROM (Theory Test)

What is the pass rate for ADI part 1

The pass rate for the ADI part 1 is around half.

How many attempts can I make at ADI part 1 test

If you do not pass the theory test first time, you can retake it without delay and as many times as you like until you do pass. However, with the other ADI tests part two (2) and three (3), you are limited to a maximum of three (3) attempts.

ADI Part 1 Test Result

If you pass ADI Part 1, you’ll get a pass certificate letter which you'll need later when you book and take the ADI Part 2 test.
After passing ADI Part 1 test, you now have two (2) years to qualify as an ADI otherwise you’ll need to re-take the ADI part 1 test again.

ADI part 1 training material

The following books are the minimum official DVSA recommended reading list for those wanting to qualify as ADI's. This home study pack is all the study material which the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests you learn to help you prepare for the ADI qualifying examinations. This is the official material upon which the ADI part 1 questions are based on.

Official Recommended Books to pass ADI part 1

The following DVDs are included in this pack:

Further Recommended Reading

Additionally, the following books are NOT essential to pass ADI part 1, but are widely recommended reading for trainee ADI's: -

Most ADI training schools offer a mix of classroom-based teacher led learning with home-based study. If truth be told, you can buy the books yourself and study ADI part 1 at home in your spare time.

You can book your ADI part two (2) test, which is the practical portion of the exam once you have passed your part one (1) theory test. After passing the part one (1) test, the clock starts ticking and you must have booked the ADI part 3 test within 2 years, otherwise you'll have to restart the process.

ADI theory test practice

To pass the ADI Part 1 Theory test first time, use our revision study guide. The mock exam multiple-choice questions have the answers highlighted

What to bring to your ADI Part 1 test

Take with you to the ADI Part 1 test both parts of your driving licence

Photo card
Paper counterpart

If you still have the old-style paper licence take with you

Signed driving licence
Valid passport

No other form of photo ID will be accepted. If you do not have the correct ID your test won’t go ahead and you’ll have to pay again.

ADI Part 2 - Practical Driving Test

You can book and check the price of the ADI Part 2 test here.

The second part is an advanced practical driving test in which you will be expected to demonstrate a professional level of driving ability with a DVSA examiner.

Driving schools can provide you with study material for the test, but the main training usually starts with an initial assessment, after which you will be issued with a comprehensive report documenting any aspects of your driving ability that fall below the very high standard required. This will prove invaluable at the early stage as you will know in which areas you need to focus on and practice in your own vehicle in order to raise your standard between training sessions. The part two (2) training itself generally involves a minimum of typically 10-12 hours of one-to-one practical in-car training with an accredited DVSA instructor in a tuition vehicle to assess and continually improve your driving standard.

ADI Part 2 Test

Once you're up to speed driving the DVSA way you'll be put forward for the test which lasts around one (1) hour and includes an eye test, along with general vehicle maintenance questions. Your drive will need to be of a very high standard.

ADI Part 2 Practical Driving Exam consists of: -

Eyesight test
Vehicle safety questions
a test of your driving ability

Eyesight Test Requirements

You must take an eyesight test to ensure you can read a number plate – 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate and 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate.

'Show Me, Tell Me' Vehicle Safety Questions

During the ADI Part 2 Test the examiner will ask you a series of five (5) vehicle safety questions - 2 ‘show me’ and 3 ‘tell me’ - from a list of 22 possible 'show me, tell me' questions.

3 ‘Tell Me’ questions (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
2 ‘Show Me’ questions (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving

If you become an ADI, these are the same questions that you will be asking your students. You will get a minor fault for providing a wrong answer, and you will get a major fault for losing control of the vehicle when you are answering the show me questions.

Driving Ability

This is the most important part of the test and you must be able to demonstrate all of the following:

Skilled handling of vehicle controls
Understand and demonstrate correct lane discipline and road procedures
Ability to anticipate and plan for potential hazards
Ability to consider all road users
Correct judgment of speed
Eco friendly driving
Be able to cope with all traffic conditions and situations
You might be asked to perform an emergency stop

Reversing Manoeuvres

You will need to be able to demonstrate your manoeuvre capabilities with expert precision because you will be teaching these same manoeuvres to your learners. Your test examiner will ask you to do two of the following manoeuvres.

Reverse parking into a bay
Drive into a parking bay and reverse out of the bay
Parallel parking
Stop on the right side of the road and reverse for two car lengths then rejoin traffic
Pull up next to a car and reverse into the space to the rear of the car. You need to be able to stop near the curb and within two car lengths of the car

To pass, you need to be able to demonstrate expertise and the ability to maintain all around observation and consideration to other drivers and pedestrians.

When the test is over, you will be given your test score. If the examiner gives you less than 5 minors and no major fault, you would have passed part 2 of the driving instructor test. You can now take part 3, the teaching ability test.

Only around half will pass first time the ADI part two (2) practical driving test.

Note: You can only take the ADI part 2 test three (3) times. If you fail all 3 tests, you cannot take another test until 2 years have passed. The 2 years is counted from the date you passed your theory test.

Note: If you use your own vehicle for the test, it’s crucial to inform your insurance company as cover for driving tests are not normally included and additional coverage will need to be taken. Not all insurance companies will agree to this cover in which case you would then need to hire a vehicle to conduct the test.

What to bring to your ADI Part 2 test

You must bring and present:

your ADI Part 1 test pass certificate letter
your valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence
a suitable car
Both parts of your driving licence - photo card + paper counterpart.

If you have an old-style paper driving licence, you must take your signed driving licence and a valid passport.

The Rules for your car that you intend to use

The car you use must:

be taxed, insured and have a valid MOT, if needed
be a saloon, hatchback or estate car in good working condition - you can’t use a convertible
have working seat belts
be able to reach the normal performance for vehicles of its type
have right-hand steering
have an easily adjustable seat with a head restraint for a forward-facing front passenger
have an adjustable interior rear-view mirror that the examiner can use
have manual transmission
not display L plates - or D plates in Wales
not be fitted with a ‘space saver’ tyre for the test
be checked and fixed if it has a known safety fault

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if your car doesn’t meet the rules.

Using a hire car

You can use a hire car for your test if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Using an automatic car

You can use a car with automatic transmission if:

you have a driving licence that means you can only drive automatic vehicles, e.g. because you have a disability
you’re looking for qualification in this special category of approved driving instructor - you’ll need to bring your emergency control certificate

You get your emergency control certificate when you take the emergency control assessment at the start of the qualifying process.

ADI Training Part 3 - Instructional Ability Test

The final stage checks your instructional ability, preparing you to be able to pass on your driving skills to others. Proving that you can teach driving skills to someone else.

The ADI part three (3) training course will generally consist of a minimum of 40 hours of tuition in a structured manner.

After passing ADI training part 2 you can actually now apply for a trainee driving instructor licence, providing you have completed at least the 40 hours of training with a qualified ADI, which can provide you with the opportunity to start receiving some remuneration which will help you subsidize the cost of the ADI part 3 training, which is the expensive part.

Some driving schools can provide you with the required training hours with an ADI in order to help you meet the minimum requirements to qualify for a trainee licence.

So with this opportunity to 'teach for reward', ADI training part three (3) actually offers two (2) routes to the test. You can decide to take a trainee licence, and get paid to teach, or continue solely with the one-to-one part 3 training with an ADI.

- Trainee Driving Instructor Licence

After passing ADI training part two (2), and having done 40 hours of training with a qualified ADI, you can apply for a Trainee Driving Instructor licence.

The DVSA will issue you with a provisional 'trainee' license to ‘teach for reward’ which is valid for six (6) months. This means that you can join a driving school as a potential driving instructor (PDI) and begin to give actual lessons, and start to make a living as a driving instructor. This is an opportunity for you to hone your skills in instructional ability ahead of your part three (3) test.

During this time you will typically continue to receive a minimum of 20 hours in-car training on a one-to-one basis from a trainer prior to your part three (3) test.

- Direct ADI route

There are a minority of trainees, however, who will choose to continue their one-to-one training with a trainer until they feel test-ready, without the use of a trainee licence.

Which route you choose is entirely dependent on how you feel about it. Some people consider the best way of gathering and developing instructor skills is by taking regular one-to-one sessions at a time and pace that they feel comfortable with. This can allow for short, intensive bursts of training activity followed by periods of reflection - want went well, what could have been done better. While others would prefer instructor-led training right up until the test. The choice is yours.

ADI Part 3 Test

The ADI part three (3) test of instructional ability is approximately one (1) hour long.

A DVSA examiner will watch you delivering an actual customer-centered driving lesson to a customer. This can be a learner or a full licence holder. The examiner will be looking for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

You are only permitted three (3) attempts at both the part two (2) and part three (3) tests.

After passing ADI training part 3

After passing your ADI part three (3) test you can apply to be added to the DVSA approved driving instructor (ADI) register guide, which is the route most trainees adopt.

How long does it take to train to be a Driving Instructor?

Typically the process of training to become an approved driving instructor can take 6 - 12 months. The time to qualification just depends on the trainee and how much effort you put in as everyone learns at different paces and their financial resources, time, lifestyle and commitment can all play a part in how quickly it will take to complete.

After qualification, franchise or go it alone

The big question once you qualify as an instructor is: -

Do I join a franchise, or
Do I go solo

Here's the pro's and con's to consider for both

Solo

As a new instructor, you may experience some difficulty in attracting new pupils without many reviews and recommendations.
You may be forced to work at much lower rates due to your lack of attraction.
The pressures of running a business outside instruction may weigh heavy on you. This can include accounting, advertisements, clerical tasks, accounting and filing self assessment tax returns.

Franchise

There are fixed costs that must be paid each month
The franchise will provide you with the pupils

Which cars are best for Driving Instructing

Which car?

Which cars are best for driving instructing? We'll be commenting on this soon.

Is it best to buy or rent a car?

A famous billionaire once said “If it appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, rent it”. When it comes to choosing whether or not to lease or buy a car. We will answer this soon.

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How to become a driving instructor - a step by step guide