Introduction to becoming a driving instructor
- Skills required
- Legal requirements
- Qualifying
- How can I obtain training?
- Applying to become an approved driving instructor
- Emergency Control Certificates for Disabled Instructors
- How to get a starter pack and theory test book
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:
• their name is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors
• they hold a trainee's "Licence to give instruction" issued by the Registrar
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 others to drive includes being knowledgeable about:
• how to teach
• how people learn
• how to assess the performance of others
• communication
• interpersonal skills
Legal requirements
When applying to become a driving instructor, you must fulfill the following legal requirements:
• hold a full UK or European Union (EU/European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence
• have held it for a total of at least four out of the past six years prior to entering the Register after qualifying
• not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the Register
• be a “fit and proper” person to have your name entered in the Register. All convictions, motoring and non-motoring, will be taken into account when we assess your suitability to be entered on the Register. You will be required to have an enhanced level criminal record check. The information from this check will be used by us to assess the suitability of persons applying for inclusion on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. To help you decide if any conviction you may have could affect any application you might make, you can find the link to our statement on the suitability of ex-offenders in the related items box.
• Pass the two qualifying practical examinations within two years of passing the theory examination
• Apply for registration within 12 months of passing the final part of the examination.
Qualifying
The qualification examination is in three parts:
• a computer based theory test
• a practical test of your driving ability
• a practical test of your ability to instruct
You must take and pass all three parts of the examination in this order and you must complete the whole examination within two years of passing the theory test. If you are unable to complete the examinations within this time you must start again from the beginning and pass each part again. You can take the theory test as many times as you want but you are only allowed a maximum of three attempts at each of the practical tests within each two year qualification period. Additionally, you cannot start the qualifying process again until two years has passed since you last passed your theory test.
Most people undertake training with an organisation which specialises in this field and we would recommend that you do so. This is not a legal requirement and you can apply for the examinations without having undertaken formal training. However, you may find it difficult to pass if you don’t. The qualifying process is not easy, and the pass rates are not high.
The pass rates for each of the three parts of the examination in 2006/2007 were:
Theory test (part 1): 49%
Test of driving ability (part 2): 45%
Test of instructional ability (part 3): 28%
How can I obtain training?
You may already be taking a course with an ADI trainer, but included with the starter pack, you will receive a copy of the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT). This is a list of establishments and trainers who offer both training for those who want to become an ADI and retraining for those who feel they require it. The establishments on the list have satisfied the inspection criteria set by the driver training industry and DSA.
Applying to become an approved driving instructor
If you decide to embark on this career, your first step to becoming a Potential Driving Instructor is to apply online using the link below
Apply to become a Driving Instructor online
or by completing the application form enclosed in the starter pack. You can use the links below to download an application form and a copy of the Notes for Guidance.
Download an ADI3 application form
ADI 3 online notes for guidance
You will need to obtain your criminal record check before submitting your application. Information about how to do this is available on the Criminal Record Checks section of this website. You will also need to provide details of two people who know you well and will be prepared to vouch for you when approached by the Registrar.
It should not be assumed that acceptance is an automatic process. New applications can be refused by the Registrar if they do not meet the necessary legal requirements.
Emergency Control Certificates for Disabled Instructors
The Road Traffic (Driving Instruction by Disabled Persons) Act 1993 came into effect on 9 September, 1996 making provision to enable persons with a physical disability to be authorised to become driving instructors. It is only open to drivers whose driving licence is restricted to automatics because of a disability. In order to apply to become an Instructor, applicants must first obtain a certificate which verifies their ability to take control of the tuition vehicle when necessary.
The Training and Development Centre at Cardington will take over the responsibility for the assessments leading to the issue of the Emergency Control Certificates (ECC) previously carried out by The Mobility Advice and Vehicle (MAVIS) with effect from April.
The assessment consists of seven exercises each of which is designed to test the Potential Instructors ability to take control of the vehicle as and when relevant in the interest of safety. The test will be carried out in an adapted car which has been transferred from MAVIS into the Cardington fleet.
To apply for an Emergency Control assessment application form. The candidate will contact:
Instructor Services & Registration Team (ADI) The Axis Building |
The completed application form should be sent to:
Emergency Control Certificate Assessor The Training & Development Centre Paul Waller Ave Off Harrowden Lane Cardington Bedfordshire MK 44 3ST |
Tel 01234 744000 Fax 01234 74401 |
On receipt of application a member of the Cardington team will contact the candidate to arrange the earliest convenient date and time. This will be confirmed in writing.
Cardington will carry out the assessment, issue the result and debrief. A successful candidate will be issued with an Emergency Control Certificate (ECC) which is a pre-condition to qualify in the restricted category of Approved Driving Instructors.
A copy of the ECC should then be submitted to Instructor Services & Registration Team (ADI) in Nottingham with the application for registration.
How to get a starter pack and theory test book
A starter pack is available from DSA. This includes an explanatory booklet which gives full details of the ADI Register and qualification process, an Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT) and application form. A book giving the multiple choice questions and answers, as well as information to help you understand the answers, is also available.
To order a starter pack and/or theory test question book please call the ADI order line number with your credit or debit card details. The ADI Starter pack currently costs £5.00.
The theory test question books are available at £6.00 each.
Alternatively send a cheque or postal order made payable to the 'Driving Standards Agency' to:
Instructor Services & Registration Team, (ADI), The Axis Building, |
Page last updated: 18/04/2008