How to Become a Driving Instructor? Complete Guide
Driving is not kid's play. Many people struggle to learn confident driving. In such cases, driving instructors play a critical role in refining driving skills or teaching them from scratch. It is one of the most challenging jobs as it requires full-time focus and attention to detail and risks the safety of the student and the instructor’s life.
A driving instructor helps his students to become safe and efficient drivers by ensuring:
Rigorous preparation for their driving test
Rules and tips for vehicle’s and driver’s safety
Thorough understanding and practising the traffic rules
Survival techniques in the case of emergencies
Theoretical knowledge about the function of different parts of the vehicle.
Becoming a driving instructor is not easy, as it requires rigorous testing and procedures to get approved by the Driving and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA). It’s a step-by-step procedure, and we are here to guide you in a full-fledged manner!
Step 1: Check the Eligibility
Before starting, you must know the general criteria set by the government that are essential to meet to begin your journey of becoming a driving instructor.
Your age should be over 21.
Valid driving lessons for at least 3 years without motor convictions.
News Disclosure and Barring Service check before submitting your application
You can further check it on the DVSA website to check your eligibility.
Step 2: Hire A Trainer
Although that’s not a requirement, we recommend you seek professional help before attempting the ADI test. It’s a tough test, and many drivers, including experts, get confused at least once. It's better to get prepared than to get caught off-guard.
If you are thinking of taking the ADI test and becoming a reliable driving instructor, join Hartlane Driving School for in-depth preparation for the test.
Step 3: ADI Test
The ADI Test consists of 3 parts.
PART 1: Theory Test
Theory test, as evident from its name, consist of theoretical knowledge about driving. It may cost you around £81. For the test, you must bring your UK photocard driving lesson, and in the case of North Ireland, bring your photocard and paper counterpart licence.
The test consists of two portions:
Multiple Choice Questions
The MCQs cover questions relevant to the topics: Driving Instructor’s Handbook, essential skills for driving, highway codes, traffic signs, and the official theory test.
Hazard Perception Test
To clear this part, you require at least a 76% score. The hazard perception test is the trickier part and requires good reflexes. In this test, you are shown up to 14 videos related to everyday road scenes, and you need to point out developing hazards ASAP using the mouse. For each pinpointing, you get a 5 score.
PART 2: Driving Ability Test
This part is more costly and costs around £111. You must take care that your vehicle must comply with DVSA rules. In case it doesn’t, you can’t proceed further, and the fees will not be refundable. The next is a one-hour-long test that consists of 5 steps:
Manoeuvres
Eye-sight check
General driving ability
Vehicle safety questions
Independent driving
In order to clear ADI part 2, you must not have more than 6 driving mistakes. The mistakes must not be the basic and most important ones!
Important Note:
You must clear the test within the first two attempts. Otherwise, you have to wait for 2 years after giving ADI part 1 to give the second phase of the test.
You can apply for a voluntary Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency special test if you are already an approved driving instructor. The test will help you polish your driving skills to the next level!
PART 3: Instructional Ability Test
This test is one of the hardest barriers to clear. According to the statistics given by DVSA in 2022-23 the passing ratio is just 35.3%! It is an hour-long test that examines your competence and check your pedagogy skills. The test costs around £111. For this test you are marked according to how you instruct your pupil while you are being observed by the examiner from the back seat.
Step 4: Choose Your Direction
Once your training is complete, you are left with two options:
Become a Licenced Driver
Complete all your DVSA qualification tests, including theory and hazard perception tests, driving ability tests, followed by instructional ability tests.
Become a Trainee Driving Instructor
DVSA Trainee Instructor Licence Scheme allows you to deliver real learner lessons in a BSM car to increase your teaching experience before you take the third test i.e. instructional ability test.
If you are looking for a driving school in beds, bucks, and Herts, then consider Hartlane Driving School. From driver instructor training to mock tests, intensive driving courses, automated and manual driving lessons, pass plus, motorway driving, and other services, we guide you on levels and ensure to yield productive results, great drivers, and independent journeys!