The Register was set up in the interests of road safety to maintain and improve the standards of a car driving instruction available to the general public. It ensures that the public can rely on an acceptable minimum standard of tuition from registered driving instructors.

 It is administrated by the DSA under the provision of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge (either money or money’s worth) for instruction in driving a motor car unless their name is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors or they hold a trainee’s ‘Licence to give instruction’ issued by the Registrar.

 The first step to becoming a qualified driving instructor is to apply for registration. The ADI starter pack, ‘Your Road to Becoming a Driving Instructor’, which can be ordered from the DSA, contains the ADI 14 information booklet and ADI 3 application form. Two character references are required, and you will need to obtain a criminal record disclosure before you submit your application. The DSA website and the starter pack explain how having a criminal record will not necessarily bar anyone from being accepted as a Potential Driving Instructor.

 To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) you must:

·       Hold a full UK or European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence; any EU/EEA licence must be exchanged for a GB licence which can be obtained from the DVLA.

·       Have held it for a total of at least four of the past six years prior to entering the Register after qualifying. A foreign driving licence, an automatic car licence or a provisional licence held after passing the driving test, all count towards the four years.

·       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 spent and unspent convictions, motoring and non-motoring will be taken into account when your suitability to be entered on the Register is assessed. This includes fixed penalty notices such as speeding.

·       The decision rests with the Registrar, who will take into account any motoring convictions acquired in the last six years and/ or your criminal record, if any. Any motoring offence(s) which result in current endorsements totalling five penalty points or more will be looked at closely and could result in an application be refused.

·       Pass the two qualifying practical exams within two years of passing the theory and hazard perception tests.

·       Apply for registration within 12 months of passing the final part of the examination.

In addition, the law states that you cannot accompany a person learning to drive unless you have held a full UK or EU/EEA driving licence for three years and are 21 or over.

The Driving Instructor course consists of 3 parts:

PART 1 – ADI THEORY TEST

The test for prospective driving instructor’s calls for a higher standard of knowledge than that expected of a learner driver.  The test is carried out in two parts – multiple choice section and a hazard perception part – which are taken at the same sitting.

PART 2 – DRIVING ABILITY

Part 2 consists of an eyesight test and a test of your ability to drive to a very high standard. It will prove whether or not you have a thorough understanding of good safe driving techniques, and that you can also demonstrate them.

THE TEST

The practical test of driving ability consists of tests both eyesight and driving techniques. If you wish, your trainer may accompany you on the test. The test lasts for about one hour. You must pass both parts of the test at the same attempt.

The Eyesight Test: You must be able to read in good daylight, with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn, a motor vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures:

·         79mm in height and 50mm wide at a distance of 26.5m

·         79mm in height and 57mm wide at a distance of 27.5m

If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be able to take the driving test element. The test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.

Test of driving techniques: This test is far more difficult than the learner test. It is of an advanced nature and very high standard of competence is required. You must show that you have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety and that you can apply them in practice.

At the start of the test you will be asked questions on basic vehicle safety, based on Show me/Tell me format.

In particular you must satisfy the examiner on all the following subjects:

·         Expert handling of the controls.

·         Use of correct road procedure.

·         Anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action.

·         Sound judgement of distance, speed and timing.

·         Consideration of the convenience and safety of other road users.

·         Driving in an environmentally friendly manner.

PART 3 – ABILITY TO INSTRUCT

This test measures your ability to give effective instruction is generally considered the most difficult of the three qualifying tests. Candidates are advised to be well prepared before attempting the test, as they are limited to three attempts. 

THE TEST

For each of the roles the examiner will select a test which will include a present combination of two of the exercises listed below.

·         Safety precautions on entering the car and explanation of the controls.

·         Moving off and marking normal stops.

·         Reversing and reversing into limited openings on the right or left

·         Turning the vehicle round in the road to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears.

·         Parking close to the kerb, using forward and reverse gears.

·         How to make an emergency stop and practical instruction in the use of mirrors.

·         Approaching and turning corners

·         Judgement of speed, making progress and general road positioning

·         Dealing with road junctions.

·         Dealing with crossroads.

·         Dealing with pedestrian crossings and giving correct signals in a clear and unmistakable manner by indicator and     by arm.

·         Overtaking, meeting and crossing the paths of other road users, allowing adequate clearance.

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