Driving Instructor Training
Becoming an approved driving instructor (ADI) can be a very rewarding career: you will help people learn important skills in life.
This job involves working with different types of people so you also need good skills such as patience and understanding, thorough knowledge of driving theory and practice, the ability to teach, being aware of changing rules in driving tests, and driving instruction and last but not least. is a business instinct.
Student drivers often want to adjust their learning time between school and working hours so you may have to work odd hours to suit their needs.
You will also need to make sure that you are eligible to apply to become a driving instructor.
How to become an ADI
First, you must register with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become an ADI. To do this, you must provide details about your current driver’s license including driving offenses.
Criminal record check
Before you can apply to become an ADI, you must undergo a criminal record check. For this you will need a criminal record disclosure number.
Next Steps
When you’ve been accepted to start the qualifying process, you can start your driving instructor training towards the three ADI tests.
Part 1: theory test
Part 2: practical driving test
Part 3: instructional ability test.
You’ll have to pass the tests in this order and you must pass them within a two-year period before you can join the ADI register.
List of materials for ADI training participants:
Part 1:
The Official DVSA Theory Test for Approved Driving Instructors DVD-ROM
The Official Highway Code
Know Your Traffic Signs
The Driving Instructor’s Handbook
The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills
The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception DVD
The Official DVSA Theory Test for Approved Driving Instructors pack
Parts 2 and 3:
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive
Practical Teaching Skills for Driving Instructors
Roadcraft: The Police Driver’s Handbook
Find an ADI training course
You don’t need to take any training before taking the ADI test, but it will likely be difficult for you to pass the ADI test without specialist training. This training not only prepares you to take exams, it will also teach you some of the practices of how to become a driving instructor including managing a diary and retaining your students.
You can find driving instructors on the GOV.UK website. This site lists the names of instructors who are registered on the DVSA Official List of Driving Instructor Trainers (ORDITs). The instructors on this list have been tested to ensure they meet minimum standards.
How much does it cost to become an ADI?
Your training costs will depend on the coach you choose and how long the course is. There is also a fee for each of the three tests
If you fail one of the tests, then you have to pay the full amount if you wish to take another test (Test fee comes all together as a package).
After passing the ADI qualification test, you must pay a fee to join the ADI register, get a trainee license, and renew your registration every 4 years.