The Complete Guide to Becoming a Driving Instructor [ADI]
The Complete Guide: How to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK – A Step-by-Step Journey for PDIs Starting your journey to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) might seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into clear, manageable steps makes the process much more straightforward. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every stage of the qualification process, from initial eligibility checks to earning your first lesson fees as a fully qualified instructor as well as links to the important websites etc.
Before You Begin: Meeting the Basic Requirements
Before you can even start the application process, you need to ensure you meet the DVSA’s basic eligibility criteria: Age and Experience Requirements:
– You must be at least 21 years old (you can apply 6 months before your 21st birthday)
– You must have held a full UK or EU/EEA driving licence for at least 3 years (again, you can apply 6 months before the 3-year anniversary)
– You must not have been banned from driving in the last 4 years.
Criminal Record Requirements:
The DVSA operates under ‘fit and proper person’ rules, which means your application may be refused if you have:
– Been banned from driving- 5 or more penalty points on your licence
– Been convicted of any non-motoring offences
– Been convicted of sexual, violent, financial or drug-related crimes
– Been banned from working with children
If you have an automatic licence, you can only teach automatic lessons.
If you have a disability, you may need to take an additional assessment.
Step 1: Get Your DBS Check
Even if you already have a DBS check for another purpose, you must apply for a brand new Enhanced DBS check specifically for driving instructor purposes. This costs around £8 and is required to show you’re legally allowed to work with the public, including children and vulnerable adults.You can apply online through the GOV.UK website. Keep your reference number safe as you’ll need it for your next application.
https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-become-driving-instructor
Proving your identity
When you’ve finished the online application, you must give proof of your identity. You can do this at a Post Office offering the ‘CRB and ID verification service’. You’ll need to take a printed page from your online application with barcodes on it and 3 original forms of ID (not copies).
These can be:
your passport
your driving licence
A utility bill that’s less than 3 months old
A bank statement that’s less than 3 months old
The service costs £8.22.
Step 2: Apply to the DVSA
Once you receive your DBS check results (assuming they don’t prevent you from proceeding), you can apply to join the ADI register through the DVSA. This application costs £140. During this process, you’ll receive a Personal Reference Number (PRN) which you’ll need for booking your tests.
You must agree to the responsibilities outlined in the ADI register guide before submitting your application.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-become-a-driving-instructor#content
Step 3: Find a Qualified Trainer
While it’s not legally required, it’s highly recommended to work with a DVSA-approved driving instructor trainer to prepare for the three qualifying tests. Most people find it extremely difficult to pass these tests without professional training. Training costs vary significantly depending on the provider and package you choose, typically ranging from £1,500 to £4,500. Some schools offer payment plans or ‘earn as you learn’ schemes. Be aware that some driving schools hide hidden costs from PDIs, the PDI social media forums are full of PDIs who are frustrated, unhappy, feel not supported and some very angry about what they have signed up to. Some of the companies offer very little face to face training and PDIs get lost in online training. Do your own due diligence, read the small print, cheap is not always the most efficient way of training make sure you budget for quality training.
The Three Qualifying Tests:
Your Path to ADI Status Step 4:
Part 1: Theory and Hazard Perception Test Cost: £81
Duration: 90 minutes for theory, plus hazard perception
Pass Requirements: 85 out of 100 overall, plus minimum 20 out of 25 in each of the four categories
This test is similar to a learner’s theory test but much more challenging. It covers:
– The Highway Code
– Traffic signs
– Driving techniques
– Road safety
– Basic first aid
– Theory of instruction
The hazard perception section includes 14 video clips (one with two hazards), and you need to score 57 out of 75 points to pass.
Book here
https://www.gov.uk/book-your-instructor-theory-test
Key Point:
You can retake Part 1 as many times as needed, but once you pass, you have only 2 years to complete Parts 2 and 3, or you’ll need to start the entire process again.
DVSA Essential reading for Part one study
-The official highway code
-Know your traffic signs
-Driving the essential skills
-The driving instructors handbook
-Practical teaching skills for driving instructors
-The National standards for driving cars and light vans.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-standard-for-driving-cars-and-light-vans-category-b
-The National standards for driver and rider training
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-standard-for-driver-and-rider-training
Part one is often looked at as just an obstacle to get over but it’s the foundation of the PDI training that underpins everything. Don’t just learn the answers from popular theory apps, sure it might be enough to get you through but that’s not what part one is designed for and will cause you problems further down the line.
Step 5: Part 2: Driving Ability Test
Cost: £111
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Maximum Attempts: 3
This advanced practical driving test evaluates your driving to a professional standard – much higher than a standard driving test.
The test includes:
– Eyesight check
– ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
– General driving ability assessment
– Advanced manoeuvres
– Independent driving section
Pass Requirements:
No more than 6 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
Important:
If you fail Part 2 three times, you must restart the entire qualification process and cannot reapply for 2 years.
Again there seems to be a general lack of appreciation as to how important the part two test is. I’ve had a few PDIs recently who are looking for part three training but have no road knowledge or understanding of rules ( how they pass part 2 is a mystery) it’s essential to take training for part two, find a recommended trainer and during this training you will start to see what part three is all about.
Vital info about the part two test you should know
Book part two test here
https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test
Step 6 The Trainee Licence Option:
Start Earning While Training After passing Part 2, you have an excellent opportunity to gain real teaching experience through a trainee licence (also called a PDI licence or ‘pink badge’).
Requirements for Trainee Licence:
– Passed Parts 1 and 2
– Completed at least 40 hours of Part 3 training with a qualified ADI and have the training signed off using form ADI 21T
Be sponsored by a driving school You can only go on a pink licence if your 40 hours was completed in the previous 6 months. Anything before that means you will have to redo the training.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63e64649d3bf7f05b743c588/ADI-21T.pdf
-Cost: £140
Duration: 6 months
Benefits of the Trainee Route:
– Start earning money while completing your training
– Gain valuable real-world teaching experience
– Build confidence before your Part 3 test
– Develop relationships with pupils you might use for your Part 3 test
Ongoing Requirements:
You must receive an additional 20 hours of Part 3 training during your trainee licence period, with at least 5 hours being practical in-car training within the first 3 months
Step 7:Part 3: Instructional Ability Test
Cost: £111
Duration: 45 minutes of observed lesson
Maximum Attempts: 3
This final test assesses your ability to teach effectively. A DVSA examiner will observe you conducting a real driving lesson with an actual pupil (who can be a learner or full licence holder, but not another ADI or PDI).
What You Need to Provide:
– A suitable dual-control car insured and road worthy
– A pupil for the lesson
– Your lesson plan and route
It would be a good idea to bring your learners training record so far, some examiners will ask for it most don’t.
Assessment Areas:
– Lesson planning and preparation
– Risk management and safety
– Teaching and learning techniques
– Communication skills
– Ability to identify and correct faults
This all based on 17 competencies
Lesson Planning
1.Did the trainer identify the pupil’s learning goals and needs?
2. Was the agreed lesson structure appropriate for the pupil’s experience and ability?
3. Were the practice areas suitable?
4. Was the lesson plan adapted, when appropriate, to help the pupil work toward their learning goals?
Risk Assessment
5. Did the trainer ensure that the pupil fully understood how the responsibility for risk would be shared?
6. Were directions and instructions given to the pupil clear and given in good time?
7. Was the trainer aware of the surroundings and the pupil’s actions?
8. Was any verbal or physical intervention by the trainer timely and appropriate?
9. Was sufficient feedback given to help the pupil understand and potential safety critical incidents?
Teaching and Learning Strategies
10. Was the teaching style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability?
11. Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning?
12. Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes?
13. Was the technical information given comprehensive, appropriate and accurate?
14. Was the pupil given appropriate and timely feedback during the session?
15. Were the pupil’s queries followed up and answered?
16. Did the trainer maintain an appropriate non-discriminatory manner throughout the session?
17. At the end of the session – was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?
The examiner will assess your ability on the 17 competencies with each graded 0-3
No evidence – 0
Demonstrated in a few elements – 1
Demonstrated in most elements – 2
Demonstrated in all elements – 3
All instructors, ADI and PDI, have to score over 30 points to obtain a pass.
31 – 42 points results in a Grade B pass.
43 – 51 points results in a Grade A Pass
A score of 7 or less in the risk management results in an automatic fail despite the final score on all competencies combined.
Important: If you fail Part 3 three times, you must restart the entire qualification process and cannot reapply for 2 years.
The pass mark for part 3 hovers around 35% nationally, it is absolutely essential that you get professional training for this, there are PDIs attempting this with no formal training this will usually result in a fail.
Book part three test here
https://www.gov.uk/adi-part-3-test
Step 8: Register as a Fully Qualified ADI
Once you’ve passed all three parts, you must register as an ADI within 12 months. The first ADI certificate (your ‘green badge’) costs £300.At this point, you’re legally qualified to charge for driving lessons and can either:- Join an established driving school as a franchisee- Set up your own independent driving instruction business
Ongoing Professional Requirements
Standards Checks: Every 4 years (or more frequently if your pupils’ pass rates trigger DVSA attention), you must undergo an ADI Standards Check. This involves a DVSA examiner observing a 45-minute lesson and costs nothing. You need to score at least 31 out of 51 to pass.
Registration Renewal:
Every 4 years, you must:
– Renew your ADI registration
– Get a new DBS check (£8.22 for basic disclosure)
– Complete any required continuing professional development
Timeline and Investment Summary
Typical Timeline:
6-24 months from start to full qualification- Intensive courses: 4-8 weeks to trainee licence- Part-time study: Up to 12 months
Please note that at time of writing test times could be up to 6 months and for part three you will be put on a waiting list.
It’s all a bit of a lottery with waiting times, many PDIs are choosing to travel to test centres further away especially for part two tests. For part three it is essential you take this in an area that you know very well, due to the time limitations and route planning.
Total Investment in training :
– DVSA fees: approx £600 minimum (assuming first-time passes)
– Training costs: £1,500-£4,500 depending on provider
– Total estimated cost: £2,100-£5,100 these are just estimates.
There are also franchise fees or car leasing fees to consider these vary hugely but can be very costly
Earning Potential:
Once qualified, driving instructors typically earn:
– £24-£50 per hour depending on location and experience
– £30,000-£40,000+ annually for full-time instructors
– The more hours you put in the more you can earn, be aware the quality of teaching declines the longer you work, it’s human nature you are not a machine. Many experience burn out, don’t try to do too much in one day especially when you are new to the role, take that from the one who made this mistake, me.
Key Success Tips
Choose Your Training Provider Wisely:
Look for DVSA-approved trainers with good pass rates and comprehensive support packages.
Prepare Thoroughly: Each test builds on the previous one, so solid preparation at each stage is crucial for success.
Plan Your Route Carefully for Part 3
: The trainee licence route offers the best preparation for Part 3, allowing you to gain real teaching experience while earning money. Remember you can not advertise except through your sponsor and it must be made clear that you are a trainee.
Budget for Retakes:
While nobody plans to fail, budget for potential retake fees as most people don’t pass every test first time.
Consider Your Long-term Goals:
Think about whether you want to work independently or with a franchise, as this might influence your training choice and business preparation.
The Reality Check
Becoming a driving instructor requires significant time, financial investment, and dedication. However, it offers excellent career flexibility, the satisfaction of helping others achieve independence, and good earning potential for those who commit to building their business effectively.The process is designed to ensure only competent, safe, and effective instructors reach full qualification. While challenging, thousands successfully complete this journey every year and go on to build rewarding careers in driver education.
Remember, this isn’t just about passing tests – you’re preparing to take responsibility for teaching one of life’s most important skills. The rigorous qualification process ensures you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and professionalism needed to help your future pupils become safe, confident drivers.
Remember the hourly rate doesn’t take in time and travel between lessons and there can be a lot of other costs to consider such as fuel, car lease, franchise, car maintenance and what happens when you are sick.
The price of driving lessons is starting to fall again, waiting lists are getting shorter and there is a mass influx of PDIs coming onto the register every week. Do your research.
I personally have enjoyed 20 years so far in a very rewarding career. I struggled to qualify but since then I’ve invested in myself, kept up my continuous professional development and become a highly qualified instructor who trains learners, ADIs, PDIs, advanced drivers and Emergency response to the NHS and private ambulance services. The green badge can open up all kinds of possibilities
For more info about being a driving instructor in Kent call 07738274033
We can have a chat over a coffee and see what we can offer for you.
Woody
Prices were correct at time of writing
