What is needed to become an Instructor

The Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) was set up in the interests of road safety in order to maintain and improve the standard of car driving instruction available to the general public.

It also ensures that the public can expect an acceptable standard of tuition from those registered as driving instructors. It is administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), an Executive Agency of the Department of Transport, under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

This Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge (either money or monies worth) for instruction in driving a motorcar unless:

The legal requirements are contained in The Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005.

Skills Required

Approved driving instructors require a high standard of driving ability and a sound knowledge of the subjects related to teaching others to drive and must be able to apply these abilities. Teaching people to drive includes being knowledgeable about:

Qualifying

The qualification examination is in 3 parts

The required standard must be reached in all 3 parts of the examination in this order and within 2 years from the time of passing the theory test. Failure to complete the examinations within this time will result in the whole qualifying process to be started again. The theory test can be taken as many times as necessary to pass. Only 3 attempts at each of the practical test within the 2-year qualification period are permitted.


Applying to become an Approved Driving Instructor

The first step is to complete an application form enclosed in a starter pack supplied by the DSA and submitted to the Registrar who will decide if it will be accepted.

Two character references from two people, who know you well and will be prepared to vouch for the entrant if or when approached by the registrar, must be enclosed with the application.

The Theory Test (Part 1)

The theory test is made up of two parts, 100 multiple choice questions and a hazard perception test. The multiple choice part is delivered using a touch screen computer or mouse and the hazard perception part records your responses through the use of computer mouse button. Both the qualifying standards for the theory test and hazard perception test must reached at the same sitting. Fail one and both tests will be have to be retaken.

Multiple Choice

A time length of 90 minutes is given to answer a total of 100 A question with 4 possible answers will appear on screen with one or more answers to be selected. The purpose of the banding is to ensure the candidate has a comprehensive knowledge of the whole syllabus. The pass mark for the theory test is 85% (85 questions answered correctly) but a minimum of 80% (20 correct answers out of 25) in all four bands must be reached to pass the theory part of the test.

Hazard Perception Test

14 video clips which feature at least one developing hazard in every day road scenes delivered in video form on a computer screen from which a score will be made according to the candidates responses. One of the 14 clips will feature 2 developing hazards. Responding to a developing hazard during its early part of development will achieve a high score. The scoring range is from 5(highest) to 0 (lowest). Only one chance is given to respond to each video clip.

The pass mark for the hazard perception test is 57 out of 75.

At the End of the Test

The candidate may leave the examination room when the test is over, but once left, cannot re-enter. The result will be given by the test centre staff.

The Practical Test of Driving Ability (Part 2)

This consists of tests of eyesight, safety questions and driving technique. The test lasts for approximately 1hour. A pass mark of no more than 6 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults must be recorded. There are only 3 attempts allowed to pass this test.

The Eyesight Test

The candidate must be able to read (with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn) a vehicle registration plate containing letters and figures;

79 mm in height and 50mm wide (new style no. plate) at a distance of 26.5 metres

Or

79 mm in height and 57mm wide (old style no. plate) at a distance of 27.5 metres

Failure of the eyesight test means the test will not be conducted, marked as a fail and count towards the 3 attempts.

Safety Questions

The candidate will be asked to describe how to perform a check on the condition and safety of three components of a vehicle and demonstrate an actual check on the condition of a further two components.

Test Of Driving Ability

This is an advanced driving test and a high standard of competence is required. A thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety must be shown. The examiner must be satisfied on the following subjects:

The test will be conducted on roads which carry heavy and/or fast moving traffic, urban and rural roads.

The candidate must also show the ability to perform the following manoeuvres:

Reverse the vehicle into a parking bay, with due regard to other vehicles or pedestrians, taking all round effective observation

ADI Trainee License

Once the first two parts of the qualification process is passed, the candidate can apply for a *trainee license to help gain experience instructing pupils to drive.

* conditions apply

The Ability To Instruct Practical Test (Part 3)

The object of this test is to assess the quality of instruction and the ability to pass knowledge on to pupils. The test is in two parts:

The examiner will play the part of the pupil.

Both parts must be passed on the same test to pass the whole examination.

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