When you started looking into become a driving instructor, you probably had a rough idea of what an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) does. Maybe since doing more research you now have a clearer idea. It is important that you fully understand the roll of an ADI, as well as what the process of qualification involves before starting any training. Maybe you are feeling apprehensive about the process. We are not going to lie to you and tell you it’s an easy process. However, if you approach the training in the correct way then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be successful, and many of our trainees have passed all three stages on the first attempt, and you’ll see that in our training testimonials (LINK). It should be an interesting and enjoyable experience, and we are here to support you throughout. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, then please do contact us. Please do be weary of cheap training deals and “fast track” ADI training courses. Unfortunately, the national ADI pass rate is unnecessarily low, and sadly that is often down to the standard or type of training provided, as well as trainees not fully understanding the process before paying for courses and starting to train.

To qualify as an ADI you must go through three stages of tests. You can take the Part 1 test

as many times as needed to pass, although it will cost you £99 (as at April 2024) a time, so it’s not worth taking it unless you are fully prepared. The Part 2 and Part 3 tests are limited to three attempts each, and you must pass all three tests within two years of passing Part 1. If you fail Part 2 or Part 3 three times you will have to wait for the two-year anniversary of passing Part 1, and start the process again. If you do not pass Part 3 within those 2 years you will also have to start the process again.

There are two sections to the Part 1 test, a multiple-choice section, and hazard perception. To achieve a pass both sections must be passed together.

The theory is an advanced theory test, different to the learner theory test. You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 multiple choice question, with 25 questions on each of these four key subject categories:

• road procedure
• traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
• driving test, disabilities, and the law
• publications and instructional techniques

To achieve a pass mark in the multiple-choice section you must score 85% overall, but also score at least 20% in each of the four categories.

Once you have completed the multiple-choice section you will move straight onto the hazard perception, with up to a 3-minute break if you want it.

For the hazard perception you will watch 14 short video clips. Each clip will contain at least 1 developing hazard, and one clip will have 2 developing hazards. Meaning that you will see a total of 15 developing hazards. Each hazard is worth a maximum of 5 points, and the sooner you click to acknowledge that you’ve spotted the hazard to more you score.  Therefore, you have a maximum achievable score of 75, and you must score 57 to pass. This is the same test that learners sit with their theory test, however they only need to score 44 to pass.

This is the test of your driving ability, and the format of the test is very similar to that of a normal driving test, although to a much higher standard, where you will be expected to demonstrate expert handling of the car and road procedure, with a few key differences to a learner test:

• The Part 2 will last for around an hour, whereas the learner driving test is only 40 minutes 
• At Part 2 you are only allowed to commit no more than 6 driver faults, whereas the learner test allows for 15! You are not permitted to commit and serious or dangerous faults.
• You will be asked to read a vehicle number plate at 26.5 metres, whereas the learner test is 20 meters.
• You will be asked 5 safety “show me, tell me” questions, whereas a learner is only asked 2 questions.

Similarly, to the learner test, you will be asked to perform two reversing exercises, possibly an emergency stop, and around 20 minutes of independent driving either following road signs or a sat nav.

The route chosen by the examiner will incorporate as many varying road types as possible including rural and urban roads, if possible dual carriageways and motorways if the location allows.

This is the final part of the ADI qualification process, as tests your ability as an instructor, based upon the guidelines set out in the National Standards for driver and rider training. A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a client-centred driving lesson lasting about 45 minutes to one of your pupils, and the examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training. There are 17 areas of competence that they are looking for, and these are broken down into 3 key categories:

• Lesson planning
• Risk management
• Teaching and learning strategies

The examiner will score you on the 17 areas of competence listed within the ADI part 3 test report form at the end of the test.

You’ll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test, and what your grade will be.

• Score 0-30 is a Fail
• Score 31-42 is a Grade B Pass
• Score 43-51 is a Grade A Pass

You will automatically fail if you score less than 7 out of a possible 15 in the Risk Management section, or the examiner feels the need to stop the test because you have put you or someone else in danger.