Become a Driving Instructor

To become a Driving Instructor, you must register with the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Check you are eligible on the DVSA website

Requirements

You should be at least 21 years of age.

Have held a UK manual driving licence for at least 3 years. You should have at least 4 years of driving experience before entering the ADI register.
You should not have been disqualified from driving in the last 4 years before joining the ADI register.
You should have no more than 6 penalty points on your licence.
You should be fit and healthy – this is quite vague, so if you’re unsure, ask during the application stage.
Complete and pass a DBS check, which has to be renewed every 4 years.

What Next

⭐️ Check if you can become a Driving Instructor

⭐️ Apply for your DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)

⭐️ If you meet these requirements the next step is to register to become an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor)

Part 1

You can book your approved Driving Instructor (ADI) part 1 test when your application to start the ADI qualifying process has been accepted.

It’s the first of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI. It’s a theory test.

There are 2 parts to the test:

multiple-choice questions
hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

What Next

Congratulations for passing part 1 🎉

⭐️ Get some driving practice (Seek help form a trainer)

⭐️ Book your part 2 test

Part 2

Now you can book your approved Driving Instructor (ADI) part 2 Car test

It’s the second of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.

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

The test takes around one hour.

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

What Next

Congratulations for passing part 2 🎉

⭐️ Get some teaching practice (Seek help form a trainer)

⭐️ Consider using a Training Licence

⭐️ Book your part 3 test

Part 3

Now you can book your approved Driving Instructor (ADI) part 3 Instructor test

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner will watch you giving a client-centred driving lesson to one of your pupils for about 45 minutes.

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

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.