BECOME A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Ready for a career that puts you in the driving seat?
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Becoming a driving instructor is about more than teaching people how to pass their test. It’s about helping people gain confidence, independence and the freedom to go wherever life takes them.

Enjoy a career with flexibility
Meet new people every day
Build skills and grow your own business
Make a real difference to your pupils’ lives
Turn your passion for driving into a rewarding career

Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, a career change or greater control over your working life, becoming a driving instructor could be the road ahead.

Pre Qualification & Application

To start your training as a PDI (Driving Instructor) you must meet the following criteria requirements set out by the DVSA - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. You must: 
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• Be at least 21 years old
• Have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years 
​• You will also be required to carry out a Criminal Record Check (CRB)

The Process 

You will need to have your CRB Approved first, this can be carried out online using the following link. 

https://www.gov.uk/criminal-record-check-become-driving-instructor 
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On the form you will need to submit the DVSA organisation details 

• Organisation PIN
• Secret word axis 
• Organisation name DVSA - PDI (PO)
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You must apply for an updated CRB even if you have recently had one carried out. 

Once the application form has been completed online you will be required to prove your identity. This can be simply processed at a post office that offers CRB and ID verification service and will cost around £6.
You will be required to provide 3 original forms of identification, copies will not be accepted. For example this could be: 

1. Your driving licence 
2. A bank statement that is less than 3 months old
3. A utility bill that is less than 3 months old 
4. Your passport 
5. Council tax bill

You will also need to have your printed application form with you.
​Postal applications checks at the post office are available for a small extra fee. 

GET YOUR CRB CHECK HERE

ADI Application

Once you have received your criminal records check, you will be required to apply to be a driving instructor. When applying you will need the following information: 

• Your full diving licence number
•  The details of any driving disqualifications, which includes any motoring and non motoring offences 

The application form can be found online on the Government website, use the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-become-a-driving-instructor 

You can have your application refused by the ADI registrar concludes that you’re not suitable to become a driving instructor, which would be for the following reasons:

• Banned from driving 
• If you have 6 or more points on your licence 
• Any convictions for a non motoring offence 
• Have a criminal record 

If the offence was minor and was a long time ago, we have been known on occasions for this to be taken into account and a positive outcome can be achieved. 

ADI APPLICATION form

Part 1 

The (ADI) Part 1 test is a theory test that takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete with two test modules within the time frame. 
Multiple Choice Questions: 
You will be asked 100 questions in total, 25 will be in each of the following categorise: 

• Road Procedure 
• Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrian and mechanical knowledge 
• The driving test, disabilities and the law 
• Publications and instructional techniques 
A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Leaving a question: 
You can flag questions that you want to come back to later. 
Changing your answer: 
You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point. 
When you have finished: 
You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You don’t have to use the full 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before you start the hazard perception test. 

The hazard perception test: 
You will be shown a video clip explaining how the test will work. It is very similar to the learner hazard perception test that you may have taken as a new driver only with a little more required.  
After this you will be shown 14 videos that show everyday road scenes, 13 of these clips will have one developing hazard but one of the clips will feature 2 developing hazards. 
You get points for recognising developing hazards giving a maximum of 75 available points. You will need 75 points to pass this section of your test. 

What is a ‘developing hazard?’
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction. For example, a car is parked at the side of the road and isn’t doing anything. It wouldn’t cause you to take action, so its not a developing hazard. When you get closer, the cars right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You’d need to slow down, so its now a developing hazard. 

How the scoring works: 
You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard. 
To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop. 
You don’t lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you won’t score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern. 
You only get one attempt at each clip. You can’t review or change your response. 

Pass mark and test result:    
You will get your result at the test centre after taking the test. You must pass both parts to pass the overall test. 
To pass the multiple-choice part, you must get both: 
•  An overall score of at least 85 out of 100
• At least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories of questions 

You’ll fail if you get an overall score 85 or higher, but don’t score high enough in each of the 4 categories. 
To pass the hazard perception part, you need to score at least 57 points out of 75. 

When you pass: 
You’ll get a pass certificate letter if you pass the test. You’ll need this when you book and take your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test. Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must qualify as an ADI in that time; otherwise you’ll have to start the application process again. 

Should you fail: 
You will get a letter at the test centre. It will tell you which parts you didn’t score enough points on so you know what to practice. You must book and take the full test again.  You will have to wait 3 working days before you can take the test again.  
You must pass both parts in the same sitting in order to pass the part 1 exam. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test. 

When you pass the part 1 exam you have 2 years available to qualify as an ADI. If you take longer than 2 years you will need to take your part 1 exam again. 

PART 2

What to take to your test:
You must bring: 

• Your UK driving licence 
• Your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 pass certificate. 
What happens during the test: 
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 part 2 test takes approximately one hour and has with it; 
The eyesight test:
You’ll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 26.5 metres with a new style number plate. If you use glasses or contact lenses you must use them during the whole test if you need to use them to read the number plate. 
Vehicle Safety Questions: 
Within this section of your test you will be required to answer 5 questions 
‘Tell Me’ questions at the start of your test
 'Show Me’ questions while you are driving 

You will need to ‘Show’ the examiner and ‘Tell’ the examiner precisely how to carry out specific vehicle checks. You receive a fault for any questions that you get wrong with a serious fault and fail your test  should you answer all 5 questions incorrectly. 

Test of driving ability: 
On this part of your test you will be driving in various road conditions that include Motorways, Dual Carriageways along with changes in traffic levels. The examiner on your test will be looking for the following: 

• Expert handling of the controls 
• Ability to anticipate what other road users are doing and take appropriate actions 
• Correct road procedures 
• Ability to judge speed, distance and timing 
• Environmentally friendly driving 
• Consideration and convenience of other road users 

Manoeuvres: 
Just like on the new driver test you must show you are able to conduct a range of various driving manoeuvres. However, unlike the learner test, these manoeuvres are much more extensive and you will be required to carry out a selection of the following: 

• Parallel Park at the side of the road 
• Reverse into a parking bay
• Forward bay park
• Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths and then re-join the traffic 
• Emergency Stop
• Move off straight ahead or at an angle

Independent driving: 
On this part of your test you will need to demonstrate that you can drive independently. You will achieve this via a twenty-minute drive where you will be instructed to either follow traffic signs, or a series of directions from a satellite navigation system within the car provided by the examiner and set up for you.

Manual and Automatic Cars:
If you have a manual licence, you can take the test in either a manual or automatic car. You’ll be able to train people in both types of car when you’ve qualified. If you have an automatic licence, you must take the test in an automatic car. You’ll only be able to train people in an automatic car when you’ve qualified. 
Fault and Test Result:
There are 3 types of faults you can make: 

• A dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property 
• A serious fault - something potentially dangerous 
• A driving faults - this isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault

Pass Mark:
You’ll pass your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test if you make: 

• No more than 6 driving faults 
• No serious or dangerous faults 
If you pass your test: 
The examiner will: 

• Tell you what faults you made, if any
• Give you a pass certificate 
You can then either: 
• Book your ADI part 3 test
• Apply for a trainee driving instructor licence 

If you don’t pass:  
The examiner will tell you what faults you made. You can take the test again if you fail at either your first or second attempt. You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away. 

Failing the third attempt: 
You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times. You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 before you can take it again. 

Part 3

Once you have successfully completed what has become known as Part 1 and 2 test, it is now that you will then be able to take the part 3 test. This one-hour test includes an assessment of:

• Lesson Planning 
• Risk Management 
.• Teaching and Learning Strategies 

Your examiner will test your teaching skills by observing a “live” lesson given by you with a real pupil. 


What to take to your test: 
You must bring: 

• Your UK driving licence 
• A suitable car
• A pupil 

You should also bring a log of the training you’ve been doing to qualify as an approved driving instructor (ADI).

You car must: 

• Be taxed 
• Be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)
• Be roadworthy and have a current MOT (if its over 3 years old) 
• Be a saloon, hatchback or estate car in good working condition - you can’t use a convertible 
• Have full-size rear seats 
• Have no warning lights showing, for example, the ABS warning light 
• Have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre 1.6mm you can’t have a space-saver spare tyre fitted
• Be smoke free - this means you can’t smoke in it just before or during the test
• Be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer 
•  Have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500kg

What happens during the test: 
A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a ‘client centred’ driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your pupils. The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standards of driver training. 


Your Pupil: 
Your pupil can be a learner or a full licence holder.  They can’t be an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test. You can take your trainer or mentor with you, but they can’t take part in the lesson. 

What you’ll be marked on:
You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories: 

• Lesson Planning 
• Risk Management 
•  Teaching and Learning Strategies 

The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI part 3 report form which the examiner will fill in at the end of your test. 
The score you will receive is from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competences, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test and what your grade will be. 

The ADI Grades: 
• 0 - 3 unsatisfactory performance (FAIL)
• 31- 42 Sufficient competence demonstrated to permit entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (GRADE B)
• 43 - 51 A high overall standard of instruction demonstrated (GRADE A) 

What happens during the test: 
A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Examiner will watch you deliver a client centred driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your chosen pupils. The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standards for driver training. 

If you fail the ADI Part 3 test or you don’t book it in time: 
If you fail the test, you must do 5 hours of extra training before your next attempt.  You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the part 1 test and start the whole process again with a new CRB check. 

If you don’t book the test within 3 months of getting your licence, you must take 5 hours of extra training before you book the test. 

You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the part1 test and start the whole process again stating with a new CRB check.

Trainee Driving Licence

You can apply for a trainee driving instructor licence after you pass the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test. 
​With SkyDrive Driving Academy a trainee licence: 

• Helps you get experience instructing pupils to drive so you can prepare for the ADI part 3 test  
• Allows you to get paid for giving instruction so that you can earn whilst you learn 
• Lasts for 6 months 

Who can apply: 
You can apply for a trainee licence if you: 

• Have passed your ADI part 1 test in the last 2 years 
• Have passed the ADI part 2 test
• Have had at least 40 hours of training from a qualified ADI in providing driving instruction, recorded on the ADI 21T declaration form
• Are eligible to take the ADI part 3 test

Extra Training: 
Whilst you are on a trainee licence you have to do at least 20 hours go extra training in the topics in the training programme. 

You must both: 
• Do the training before you book the ADI part 3 test
• Book the test within 3 months of getting your trainee licence 
At least 25% of the training must be practical in - car training. The training must be recorded on the instructor training declaration form. 

You must send the form to the DVSA before the end of the 3 months, or the day after you book your ADI part 3 test, whichever comes first; 

Approved Driving Instructor Registrar 
Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency 
The Axis Building 
112 Upper Parliament Street 
Nottingham 
NG1 6LP

SkyDrive Driving Academy will assist, organise and submit all the required paperwork and carry out all the administration for you whilst you are teaching on a trainee licence. 

If you fail the ADI part 3 or you don’t book it in time: 
If you fail the test, you must do 5 hours of extra training before your next attempt. 

You have 3 attempts to pass the test and if you fail your third and final attempt then you will need to wait 2 years from the date that you passed the part 1 test and start the whole process again starting with a new CRB check. 

It you don’t book the test within the 3 months of getting your licence, you must take 5 hours of extra training before you book the test. 
Each time you do 5 hours of extra training, record it on a new instructor training declaration form. 

Rules for using your trainee licence: 
You must: 

• Be a ‘fit and proper’ person
• Get the required amount of supervision or extra training while your licence is till valid 
• Make sure your advertising doesn’t make it seem like you’re a fully qualified instructor 

Displaying your licence: 
You must display your trainee licence on the nearside edge of the front windscreen of your car while you give driving lessons. 

Where you work: 
Your trainee licence shows the name and address of your training establishment. You can only give instruction from there, so you can’t work independently, e.g. setting up your own school. 

Changing your driving school: 
You must apply for a new trainee licence if you leave a driving school and join a new one. There’s no fee for doing this. SkyDrive Driving Academy will assist, organise and submit all the required paperwork and carry out all of the administration when you change schools whilst on a trainee licence. 
DVSA will send you a new licence showing the details of your new school. You should send your old licence to the DVSA as soon as you get the new one.  You can still give driving lessons while you wait for you new licence.  

SkyDrive Driving Academy Instructor Training Prices

Part 2 Training 10 Hours £450

Part 3 Training 40 Hours £1800
(DVSA Requirement for Pink Licence)

Validation 30 Hours £1350

(20 hours required by the DVSA in the first 3 months, then 10 spread out over the rest of the pink licence for CPD and test planning.) 
(SkyDrive Driving Academy will contribute £1000 towards the Validation Hours.)

Total Cost £3600

Full Part 2/3 and Validation paid in one instalment would be £3400.
Just Part 3 and Validation paid in one instalment would be £3000.

To pay monthly it would be 10 x £350 per month (£300 for just part 3 and validation) paid a minimum of 1 week in advance of 1st session. 

Weekly would be £90 per week paid a minimum of 1 week in advance.
(Refunds available for any while months remaining) 

Additional sessions at any level would be £90 per 2 hours. 

Each section can be paid separately at full price. 

Standard cancellation policy would apply that all cancellations made within 48 hours would be chargeable and would be subject to being rebooked at a cost of £90 per 2 hours if they are part of the required DVSA amounts on either part 3 or validation.