Driving Instructor Training

ADI Driving Instructor Training in Swindon

Julie Murphy's Driving School prides themselves in providing high quality ADI Driving Instructor Training. We offer Driving Instructor training at a very competitive price with fully qualified Instructors.  We can also offer sponsorship if this is something you are interested in. If you want to find out more about becoming a Driving Instructor or enquire about training please complete the form below and we will come back to you.

If you want to work as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in Britain, you'll need to be registered on the Driving Standards Agency's ADI register. The only exception to this is if you hold a trainee licence to give instruction, issued by the ADI Registrar.

Once registered, an ADI may work for a motoring school, or become self employed. Some ADIs choose to take additional qualifications so that they can train fleet drivers or potential driving instructors.

This guide will give you an introduction into what it's like being an ADI and the tests you'll need to take to qualify.

What is an Approved Driving Instructor?

An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is someone who has passed all three parts of the ADI qualifying test and is currently registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

The three qualifying tests are:

• theory test - part one
• test of driving ability - part two
• test of instructional ability - part three

If you want to become an ADI, you will need to apply to the ADI Registrar to start the qualifying tests. You will also need to have an enhanced criminal record check before applying to start the qualifying process. When approved DSA will send you a letter allowing you to take your theory test.

After you have passed the driving ability assessment, you can apply for a trainee licence to help you prepare for the test of instructional ability. This allows you to be legally paid for giving driving instruction, but you should not see it as an alternative to registering as an ADI.

Once registered you are required to attend regular check tests. These are to satisfy the ADI Registrar that you still meet the DSA's standards for ability and fitness to give instruction.

ADIs must also have further criminal record checks when they apply to renew their four-yearly registration or rejoin the ADI register.

Deciding whether driving instruction is the right career for you

As an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), your job will involve mixing with all sorts of people. You will need good people skills, patience and understanding, as well as:

• a thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of driving
• an ability to teach
• awareness of changes in the statutory regulations that govern the content and conduct of driving tests - as well as driving instruction
• an ability to provide a professional service to people from diverse backgrounds
• business sense

The nature of the job means that you may have to work unsociable hours to fit in with your customers' needs.

You will be responsible for your own safety, that of your pupils and other road users. This requires a high level of concentration throughout your working day.

You might consider starting your own driving school. Having to run your own business in an effective and efficient manner will put extra demands on you and may extend your working day. You will generally need to recruit your own customers and will be working in competition with other ADIs. How busy you are and how much you earn will depend on your own ability to market your skills.

You should consider that following a career in driving instruction can be difficult. The qualifying process is tough, the pass rate is low and it can be expensive. The qualifying process will usually take many months to complete.

The benefits of becoming a fully qualified instructor are:

• you can be self employed
• you can choose what hours you work
• if you are successful you can generate a reasonable income
• the job can be very satisfying, because you will be starting new drivers on the road to safe and enjoyable motoring

Responsibilities of an Approved Driving Instructor

An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) has a very important role to fulfil. This goes beyond just teaching someone to drive a car in order to pass their driving test. You will be responsible for teaching a life skill - instilling high standards of driving and behaviour into new drivers.

As an ADI, you will be expected to show:

• high regard for all aspects of road safety
• a high standard of driving and instructional ability
• a professional approach to your customers
• a responsible attitude to your pupils and profession
• you are a 'fit and proper' person

If you have a criminal record, or are convicted of a motoring or non-motoring offence (which includes fixed penalty offences or cautions), either while registered as an ADI or when you apply for registration, you must notify the ADI Registrar. The ADI Registrar will then make a decision about your continued registration.

The register of Approved Driving Instructors

The register of Approved Driving Instructors (the register) was set up to maintain and improve the standard of car driving instruction available to the general public.

The register aims to ensure that the public can expect an acceptable standard of tuition from registered driving instructors. It is administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

This Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge, either money or monies worth, for giving driving instruction, unless:

• their name is on the register
• they hold a trainee licence to give instruction, issued by the ADI Registrar

Once your initial application to start the ADI qualifying process has been accepted, you'll be given a Personal Reference Number (PRN). This PRN will stay the same throughout your career and you should quote it in all correspondence with the DSA. You'll also need your PRN if you book your ADI qualifying tests online.

The ADI Registrar

The ADI Registrar can:

• Refuse someone admission to - or the right to remain on - the register if they fail to meet the requirements.
• Remove an ADI from the register in certain circumstances. For example where a person has failed to meet the 'fit and proper' requirement. This would apply if the ADI has been convicted of a motoring or non-motoring offence. It could also be where their professional conduct has brought the register into disrepute, or they have either failed or refused to attend a check test.
• Refuse re-admission to a person who was previously removed for any of these reasons.

Driver licensing and other requirements for becoming an Approved Driving Instructor

You will be accepted onto the register of Approved Driving Instructors if you:

• have 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
• have not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the register
• are a 'fit and proper' person to have your name entered in the register

If you hold an EU/EEA licence, you must exchange this either for a GB licence or a Community Licence. You can download application form D9 for a GB counterpart licence from the Directgov website (PDF, 350K).

A foreign driving licence, an automatic car driving licence or a provisional licence held after passing the driving test all count towards the four years.

The law also states that to accompany a person learning to drive you must have held a full UK or EU/EEA driving licence in the same class of vehicle for three years and be aged 21 or over.

A full licence issued in another country will count towards this three-year period, provided it is accepted under the 'exchange' scheme. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has published a leaflet giving more details about this.

Download information about driving licences from the DVLA website (PDF, 515K).

The 'fit and proper' criteria

You won't be entered in the ADI register unless you can show the ADI Registrar that you are a 'fit and proper' person.

All offences will be taken into account when the ADI Registrar assesses your suitability to be entered in the register. This includes fixed penalty offences such as speeding.

The ADI Registrar will take into account any motoring convictions and/or your criminal record.

If you have committed any motoring offence(s) resulting in endorsements totalling five penalty points or more being recorded on your licence, the ADI Registrar will consider this carefully and may decide to refuse your registration.

What you'll need to do to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor

If your application to start the qualifying process and join the Approved Driving Instructor register (the register)as a Potential Driving Instructor is successful, you will need to prepare for the qualifying examination.

The qualifying process is not easy, and the pass rates are low.

In 2010-11, the pass rates for each of the three qualifying tests were:

*Part 3 results accuracy level 88.9 per cent as at 10 May 2011.

You may find it difficult to pass if you do not receive any professional training. Most people train with a driving school or an organisation specialising in this area. You should check with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) that your application to start the qualifying process will be accepted before committing yourself to a training course.

The Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) qualifying tests

The qualifying examination is in three parts:

• theory (part one) - a multiple choice section and a video-based hazard perception section
• driving ability (part two) - an eyesight test followed by a practical test of driving technique
• instructional ability (part three) - a practical test of your ability to instruct

You must pass all three parts of the examination in this order and must complete the whole examination within two years of passing the theory test (part one). This will ensure that your training is structured and that the information gained from studying for the theory test is still relevant when you qualify. The two-year period cannot be extended for any reason.

There is no limit to the number of attempts you may have at the part one test.

You are only allowed three attempts at each of the practical tests - parts two and three. If you do not pass in the three attempts, you must wait until the end of your two-year period before you can start again, beginning with part one.

The qualifying tests are very demanding. You should not apply until you are thoroughly prepared.

How long you'll have to wait to take your test after you apply

The DSA aims to provide a theory test for 95 per cent of candidates within two weeks of their preferred date, and a practical test within three weeks of an application being received.

When planning your training and potential test dates you should be aware that waiting times will sometimes be longer.

After the two-year period has expired

The part three test can be taken provided the ADI Registrar receives a valid application for the instructional ability test (part three) from you, before the two year period has expired.

Once that appointment has been made, you won't be allowed to change the date unless in exceptional circumstances, and you are only allowed to have one application lodged with the ADI Registrar at any one time. If you pass that test, the ADI Registrar will treat this as if you had done so within the two-year period.

Once you have passed the third part of the examination - the instructional assessment - you must apply to join the register within 12 months. If you fail to do so, you will have to start the qualifying process again.

The cost of becoming an Approved Driving Instructor

Training costs can vary. You should contact several Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) training providers to compare costs and decide which course offers the best value for your personal circumstances.

In addition to the cost of any training, you will need to pay a fee to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) for every attempt you make at each of the three parts of the ADI qualifying examination. A fee will also need to be paid if you want to apply for a trainee licence after passing the second test.

Once you have passed all three parts of the examination, you must pay a registration fee to have your name entered on the ADI register. You will also have to pay for the renewal of your registration every four years.

For details of all these fees, see our guide on fees for driving instructors, motorcycle trainers and taxi drivers.

Refunds

If you cannot keep an appointment for any part of the qualifying examination, your fee will be refunded by the DSA provided you give them enough notice. You'll be told the minimum notice you need to give when you make your booking.

You won't be able to claim a refund if you do not give enough notice, or if the examination does not take place or is not completed because of a fault with your vehicle, or something else which is your responsibility.

If you accept a short notice booking with an appointment date within the usual cancellation period, you won't be entitled to a refund if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Tests which are cancelled do not count towards your three attempts.