Tests to Become a Driving Instructor
Part 1 :
Part 1 is the theory side of things. The way the qualification process is set up is to remind the trainee instructor of what their learners will have to go through. You will be doing pretty much the same as your learner but with some important additions and to a higher standard. Your learner will only have 50 questions to answer, but you will have 100.
Time spent here doing the background reading will be time well spent. At Driving-Pro Limited we use the Phil Hurst course along with Theory Test Pro. In addition a trainer will be there to guide you through.
The driving test has neither the time or the facilities to test all of the national syllabus of learning to drive. So what the theory test does is to try to ensure that you have the knowledge that covers it all.
You can have as many attempts as you like to pass this exam. But bear in mind you will be paying for the privilege of sitting it each time. Our advice to you is do the mock tests and make sure you pass this first time. As a Driving-Pro Limited trainee you will be given the support to do this.
You will be immediately told after the test if you have passed or failed this. You need a minimum of 85% on the questions and 57 out of 75 on the hazard perception.
Your pass certificate will last 2 years from the date that you passed. You must qualify as an ADI in this time or have to repeat the process.
Click here to: Book my ADI Part 1 Test
- Cost is £81
- You have unlimited attempts
Part 2 :
The Part 2 test is very similar to an ordinary driving test but done to a much higher standard:
- You will have to read a number plate at 26.5 metres rather than the 20.5 for the ordinary test
- There will be 5 “Show Me Tell Me” as opposed to the 2 on the learner test
- Your driving will be to a much higher standard and where possible will include some motorway which is not tested on the normal test
- You will have 2 reversing manoeuvres rather than the 1 for the learner test
- The independent drive will be the same
- An ordinary driving test is between 38-40 minutes your Part 2 will be about 1 hour in length
Same as with the learner test any serious or dangerous fault will result in a fail. You will only be allowed 6 minor faults on your Part 2, but a learner is allowed 15 over a shorter time frame.
If all this seems a tall order remember that we are experts at getting people through the Part 2. We do this with our practical driver training package, consisting of five modules of two hours each and a lot of hard work and effort on your part.
It’s very important that you practise what you have been learning with the trainer. Your driving needs to be second nature and of the right standard.
You can at this point either go straight for an ADI Part 3 Test or a trainee instructor licence. It is highly unlikely that a person with no previous experience would be able to take and pass a Part 3 without any experience of training pupils.
Because of this people always go for the trainee licence. Historically people have gone straight to the Part 3 and passed. But the method of assessment has changed now and requires a real pupil. Previously the examiner would have conducted the test using role play.
Click here to: Book my ADI Part 2 Test
- The cost will be £111
- Maximum of 3 attempts
Trainee License :
Having passed your Part 2 you are now eligible to apply for a 6 month trainee licence in order to get experience of teaching pupils. Before you can do this you must complete at least 40 hours training of which at least 10 hours must be done in car. Your trainer will be recording this on a form known as the ADI 21T.
At Driving-Pro Limited we do at least 28 hours one to one in the car with homework on top. Most of our trainees find this a very intense but rewarding process which sets them up nicely for working with real pupils. You are advised to check how much in car training is included in your course and if it is one to one.
Apply for Apply for Trainee Licence
- Cost will be £140
- Trainee Licence: Owner/Manager Declaration
- Always starts on a Monday
- You are now on a 6 month countdown
Teaching Practice:
Once you apply for and receive your trainee licence you have 6 months and 3 attempts to pass your Part 3. This allows you to gain experience but also to charge for lessons to cover the costs of your vehicle and insurance.
You will need some sort of sponsor as your next part of your training needs to be overseen. The conditions of the licence are that you can not advertise yourself as an instructor. It also means that you can not set up on your own.
You are allowed to change schools but you must notify The DVSA and you will be given a new licence. No fee will be charged and you can still give lessons while you wait for the new licence.
You have 2 choices here:
- Additional Training
- Supervision
Your choice of which will be decided by your circumstances. If you only intend to work part time leading up to taking and passing The Part 3, supervision may well be your best option. However if you intend to work full time as a driving instructor on a trainee licence the Additional Training option is probably best. Once you have chosen you can not change your mind.
Additional Training:
This is the preferred option as it gives you the practice of working with the pupils and hence the experience. You will be required to take at least 20 more hours of additional training of which 25% must be in car. This training must be completed within the first 3 months (13 weeks). Your trainer will be using the following form ADI 21 AT.
Driving-Pro trainees will always get a full 20 hours in car training.
Supervision:
This option could work if you were only doing a small amount of work part time. Its down side is not enough practice with actual pupils. Another problem is if your hours are going up you need to find a trainer who has the time to sit in the back with you.
The form your trainer will use for this is ADI 21 S
Part 3:
This is the final part of the qualifying process to become an ADI. Currently you will need to book this as soon as you have passed your Part 2. Discuss with your trainer what is required and sort out a pupil. It would be very prudent to also have a reserve pupil in case your main one is unable to attend.
Your pupil can be a:
- Part trained learner
- Fully trained learner
- Full licence holder
Your pupil cannot be a
- Complete beginner
- ADI
- PDI
You will be marked in 3 areas:
- Lesson planning
- Risk management
- Teaching and learning strategies
The lesson will last about 45 minutes. The pupil should be driving for 40 minutes of that. At the start of the lesson about 3 minutes discussing goals and risk management. then at the end about 3 minutes getting your pupil to reflect on what they have done.
Click here to: Book my ADI Part 3 Test
- Cost £111
- A total of 3 attempts
Failing Part 3:
If this was your first attempt you will be allowed another 2 attempts at trying to pass. You will have to pay for a new test each time you take it.
If when you applied for your trainee licence you choose Additional Training you will have to do at least 5 more hours in car training before you retake the test. If you choose supervision, that must continue.
You must pass Part 3 within 2 years of your passing Part 1.
Passing Part 3:
Congratulations! You are now one of us and can apply for your full ADI badge. When you have your badge you will then be allowed to take learners on the Motorway in a dual controlled car.
Follow this link ADI Badge:
- Cost £300
- Renewed every 4 years
