Your Road to Becoming a Driving Instructor
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It controls the entry qualifications and examinations for those wishing to have their name entered on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI's). The DSA has inspected the DRM Instructor Training College and placed it on the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT).
The following are the Driving Standards Agency's Legal Requirements for people wishing to become driving instructors -
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. From Spring 2007 applicants are required to have an enhanced level criminal record check. The information from this check will be used by the DSA 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, download the DSA Suitability Policy Statement [Word Doc]
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.
(For full details, see the DSA booklet ADI 14, available at your DRM Centre or visit the Becoming a Driving Instructor page on the govenrment's Transport Office web site [opens in a new window]
The Qualifying Exam
The ADI qualifying exam comes in three parts:
Part One
The Theory and Hazard Perception Test.
This is a computer touch screen test of 100 multiple choice questions and a computerised DVD Hazard Perception test.
Part Two
The practical test of your Eyesight and Driving Ability.
At the start you must show that you can read a car number plate from a distance of 26.5 metres for the new style plate (or 27.5 metres for the old style). The practical test then lasts for one hour and you must drive to an advanced standard making no more than six minor errors.
Part Three
The practical test of your Instructional Ability.
This test consists of two half hour phases, in which you have to give the examiner two of the twenty possible driving lessons, the first phase is where the 'pupil' is at a beginners level, the second at a more advanced level.
- You may attempt the Part One of the exam as many times as you need.
- You may attempt the Part Two of the exam three times
- You may attempt the Part Three of the exam three times. (DRM advise that, if you do not pass the Part Three at the first attempt, you apply for a Trainee Licence and start teaching DRM pupils to drive. This is done under the supervision of your tutor and is a great help in increasing your teaching skills and confidence, thus bringing you success at your next attempt at the exam.)
- You must pass your Part Three within two years of passing your Part One.
For more Official Government information click here.
- The Formula for Success