Driving Instructor

Instructor Training

Train to become an Approved Driving Instructor(ADI)

To become a fully qualified ADI you need to pass three parts of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) qualifying examination. The DSA is the Government body setup to control driving tuition in the UK. By law to give driving instruction in the UK for money or monies worth you have to pass this exam. Other qualifications such as NVQ or BTEC in driving instruction, for example, are not considered adequate and do not entitle you to operate as a driving instructor in the UK or anywhere else in Europe.

How Long Will it Take

Because the ADI examination is structured into three parts it inevitably takes a few months to qualify. However, if you train with a driving school such as G&M Driving Centre you are allowed to operate and earn money as a trainee driving instructor after you have passed the second part of the exam. This enables you to get up to a maximum of six months practical experience in preparation for the third part of the exam as a trainee instructor. However, it is not essential that you do this, you can wait until you have passed all three parts of this exam before you take up your guaranteed position within our company.

Qualifying Exams

The Driving Standards Agency recommend that you take a proper training course before you take each part of the qualifying exams.

Part One - Theory Test

This is a classroom or home study with 15 mock exams. The theory test is composed of 100 multiple choice questions on various motoring and instructional matters to test your knowledge. The test requires you to have a full knowledge of driving, the mechanics of the car, learning people with disabilities and various learning techniques.

Each question has three answers, only one of which is correct. To pass, you need to select 85 correct answers overall, including 20 within each of the four subject groups. We would suggest that Part One should take no more that 3 - 6 weeks allowing for two hours per day study. When you are ready we will suggest the appropriate test centre and commence with the second stage.

Part Two - Driving Test

This part of training is designed to demonstrate and teach you the standard of driving required for the practical exam. You will be able to identify and correct any bad driving faults you may have and developed and increase your ability to drive at a very high standard. We will comment on your style of driving, offer our assistance with constant reminders of how to deal with particular events and suggest practical exercises you need to complete to develop the necessary driving skills to pass this test.

The driving test is very similar in format to the current L test for learner drivers, but longer and of a higher standard. The test is around 1 hour long and includes both town and motorway/dual carriageway driving where you must exercise skill and control. It also includes the manoeuvres of turn in the road (3 point turn), reversing around both a left and right corner and reverse parking manoeuvres. You will also be required to carry out an emergency stop at high speed (this varies but usually above 30 mph). During the test you are only allowed to make 6 minor driving faults. Serious or dangerous faults automatically result in test failure (as with the L test). The examiner wants to see that you can put into practice what you are about to teach. Being able to demonstrate how to do it correctly is also a valid teaching technique.

This test will require preparation but can be minimised to between 5 and 20 hours depending on your previous standard of driving. Most candidates use their own car, which we have no objection to, providing the vehicle is in reasonable condition.

Part Three - The Ability to Instruct

You will find that the test of your instructional ability will be the hardest of all of the tests and although you will not like to here this it is where most people fail to pass. This test demands most work and preparation and can be the most frustrating as it requires you to transfer your knowledge to a learner driver.

The test requires you to give two half-hour driving lessons on subjects chosen by the examiner. The examiner plays the role of a pupil and while in that role he or she tests your ability as an instructor by asking questions and making mistakes. In particular, the examiner would expect you to explain the objectives of the lesson and give a briefing where required, provide appropriate verbal support while on the move to aid the learning process and to identify and deal with any significant faults that might occur.

You can prepare for this test in association with our trainee licence. You would be working for us and putting training into practice with real live pupils, or you can simply work through the training programme and prepare for the exam without hands-on experience. You will need approximately 15 two-hour sessions of training to meet the desired standard.