Contents 

Topics covered here...click a link to go to the section you want (but it's best to read the whole lot!)

• Wannabe Driving Instructors Reality Check
• Is There A National Shortage Of Qualified Driving Instructors?
• How Much Do Driving Instructors Get Paid?
• So, You Want To Become A Driving Instructor?
• The Register Of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI)
• Legal Requirements For Being A Driving Instructor
• Skills Needed To Become A Driving Instructor
• Approved Driving Instructor Qualifying Exams - What You Should Know
• ADI Qualifying Exams - Part One
• ADI Qualifying Exams - Part Two
• ADI Qualifying Exams - Part Three
• How To Start The Process Of Becoming A Driving Instructor - Applying To Join The Register
• How To Get Driving Instructor Training
• Driving Instructor TV & Newspaper Adverts & Training Company Sales Patter/Hard Sell Techniques - Is What They Claim True?
• Driving Instructor Training Courses - What To Look Out For & How To Find A Good One!
• Reviews Of Driving Instructor Training Companies
• What's The Difference Between An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) And a Potential Driving Instructor (PDI)?
• Should I Take Out A Trainee Licence After Passing Part Two?
• What Happens After I Pass Part Three?
• Driving Instructors Online Store
• Driver Training Blog
• Driving Instructor Blog
• Other Websites Offering Guidance On Becoming A Driving Instructor
• Online Advice Forums For Those Wanting To Become A Driving Instructor
• Driving Instructor Comments/Questions

Driving Instruction For Dummies? 

Don't try and buy it...it's not a real book - just a graphic image I made!...

Wannabe Driving Instructors Reality Check 

6 important things you should know about driving instruction...

1) Qualifying as a driving instructor isn't easy
There are three HARD exams to pass separately within a two year time limit. Do not under-estimate the difficulty of these exams (especially Part Three). You will need to study and to take practical training.

There are limits on how many times you can fail exams too - you get as many goes as you need at Part One, but a maximum of only three attempts at both Part Two and Part Three...if you fail Part Two three times, you have to start all over again...if you pass Part Two and then fail Part Three three times, you have to start all over again...from the very beginning.

If you do not pass Parts Two and Three of the qualifying exams within two years from the date you pass Part One, you will have to start all over again.

2) Trying to become a driving instructor isn't cheap
Amongst the things you will have to pay for are the following;

* the ADI Starter Pack (£5.00 plus a further £6.00 if you want the answer booket for the question bank)
* practical training and/or training materials for Part One (costs of training & materials vary depending on what you choose)
* fee for the Part One Test £80.00 - this is payable again if you fail an attempt
* practical training and training materials for Part Two (costs vary)
* fee for the Part Two Test £99.00 - this is payable again if you fail an attempt
* when you pass the Part Two test you can then apply for a trainee licence (PDI licence) if you wish. The cost of a trainee licence is currently £125.00
* practical training and training materials for Part Three (costs vary)
* fee for the Part Three Test £99.00 - this is payable again if you fail an attempt
* when you pass Part 3 you then have to apply to join the register as an ADI and receive your ADI licence. This costs £300.00 and you will have to pay to renew your ADI registration every four years.
It can cost thousands of pounds to train to be an ADI depending on how you go about it and how much training you need.

3) Training as a driving instructor isn't quick
Forget any ideas of getting from zero to ADI in a few weeks...it will take you between 6 months to two years...at least...

4) Working as a driving instructor is not going to make you rich quickly ...if at all...
Driving instructors don't get a regular steady weekly wage or a monthly salary because they are not employees, so if you are used to knowing how much money you're going to get every week or every month, you'll need to be able to adapt to the uncertainty of being self-employed.

The amount any driving instructor earns depends on how much work they can get and how many hours they are prepared to work.

The fees that your pupils pay you are not your disposable income. You will be self-employed (hardly any driving instructors are employees of a company) and responsible for running your own business and paying your own tax, national insurance and business expenses. You must have some idea of how to run your own business and the responsibilities involved.

Pupils will not appear out of thin air and you will need some means of sourcing work and/or advertising yourself. This will cost money.

It takes time and effort to get a full diary of pupils and you may find that work is very sporadic in the early days and your income is accordingly low...unfortunately a low income does not go hand in hand with low expenses...

It takes even more time and effort to get a good enough reputation so that happy pupils recommend you to others.

In some areas of the country, there is simply not enough work available for the number of driving instructors in those areas.

5) Driving instructors have to work hard... and they have to work "anti-social" hours
Teaching someone to drive requires a great deal of concentration and mental effort. It is not just about sitting in a car all day, chatting to your pupils while driving round enjoying the view...you must be alert and "on the ball" at all times. This can be exhausting.

Some pupils can be VERY challenging...and the job can be VERY stressful...

You will find yourself with "dead-time", i.e the time taken to travel from one pupil to the next. Unless you teach in a big city or town where pupils are located geographically close together, you may find yourself travelling quite long distances throughout the day, criss-crossing the area you operate in. This can make for a long day...and you will not get paid anything for the time you spend travelling.

You can only work when your pupils are available...so if they are available at 7:00am or 9:00pm, that's when you will be working.

You must be prepared to work on work-related tasks when you are not physically out on the road teaching, e.g your accounts, "paperwork", phone calls to pupils, keeping your car clean and well maintained etc...all this is done in your "free time".

6) There are few "perks" in being a driving instructor
No paid holidays, no sick pay, no company pension, no Christmas bonus, no healthcare schemes, no staff discounts, no coffee breaks, no staff canteen, no 9 to 5 Monday to Friday routine, no fancy job titles and very little "prestige"...

...but the joy on the face of a pupil who has just passed their test does kind of make up for it...a bit!

Read on to find out everything else you need to know before you decide that trying to become a driving instructor is right for you...

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Is There A National Shortage Of Qualified Driving Instructors? 

The simple and truthful answer is NO !!!!!!!!!

How Much Do Driving Instructors Get Paid? 

Can a driving instructor earn £30,000?

So, You Want To Become A Driving Instructor? 

Advice on becoming a driving instructor - a "warts and all" look at the the driving instruction industry and what it takes to be a good driving instructor...

Excellent, "gloves off" advice written by an ADI who talks an enormous amount of sense (no, not me!...but I do strongly advise you to read it...)

So You Want To Become A Qualified Driving Instructor - Articles section, Findleys Driving School

Things that you should know and consider carefully before setting out to become a qualified driving instructor!




In the following sections, we'll be looking at what's involved in becoming a driving instructor - the legal requirements, skills needed, the 3 qualifying exams, the ADI Register and driving instructor training...

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The Register Of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) 

In order to trade and accept money for giving driving tuition you MUST be on the Register Of Approved Driving Instructors...more about how to actually get listed on the Register later, for now, you just need to know about it's existence!

The Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) was set up in the interests of road safety in order to maintain and improve the standard of car driving instruction available to the general public.

It also ensures that the public can expect an acceptable standard of tuition from those registered as driving instructors. It is administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), an Executive Agency of the Department of Transport, under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

This Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge (either money or monies worth) for instruction in driving a motorcar unless:

* their name is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors

* they hold a trainee's "Licence to give instruction" issued by the Registrar

The legal requirements are contained in The Road Traffic Act 1988 and The Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005.

Source: Transport Office - Introduction To Becoming A Driving Instructor

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Legal Requirements For Being A Driving Instructor 

What the law says you must and must not do (or be) before you can try to become a driving instructor...

When applying to become a driving instructor, you must fulfill the following legal requirements:

You must;

* Be over 21 years of age

* hold a full UK or European Union (EU/European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence

* have held that licence 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 the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) assess suitability to be entered on the Register. You will be 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 click here to view the DSA statement on the suitability of ex-offenders to apply to join or remain on the register of Approved Driving Instructors (document in PDF format)

* Pass three examinations - (one theory, one practical test of driving ability and one practical test of instructional ability) - the two qualifying practical examinations must be passed within two years of passing the theory examination

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

*Read a number plate at a distance of 27.5 metres or 26.5 metres depending on the width of the lettering (with glasses if normally worn for driving)

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Skills Needed To Become A Driving Instructor 

Personal qualities required for driving instruction...

Just because you know how to drive doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to teach others how to do it!

It's not as easy as sitting next to someone and telling them when to switch on their indicators, brake, change gear or turn left...there's a great deal more to it than that!

On their website, The Transport Office state the following ..."Approved Driving Instructors require a high standard of driving ability and a sound knowledge of the subjects related to teaching others to drive and must be able to apply these abilities.

Teaching others to drive includes being knowledgeable about:

* how to teach

* how people learn

* how to assess the performance of others

* communication

* interpersonal skills

In addition to the skills listed by The Transport Office, you'll need to possess all of the following personal qualities too;

* be articulate - you MUST be able to express yourself verbally both clearly and concisely. You need to be able to give easily understandable instructions very quickly. Driving instruction is NOT a job for those who like to waffle or for those who cannot get their point across to others. Additionally, you must be able to speak English fluently - if someone cannot understand what you are saying, either because your command of English is poor or because they cannot understand your accent, it can lead to stressful and even dangerous situations...

* patience - not everyone "gets it" first time...or even second time...or even third time...or...

* understanding - you need to be able to understand the needs and feelings of your pupils - being able to interpret "body language" is important too...

* calmness and self-control - you will frequently find yourself in stressful and difficult situations, but you must be able to deal with this like an adult and like the Professional you should be. Driving instruction is NOT the right career for those prone to losing their temper or getting stressed...

* reliability - your pupils pay you to turn up on time and to give them your attention and professional expertise for the whole of their alloted lesson. There are lots of driving instructors out there and if you can't or won't be reliable, your pupils will soon find an instructor that will...

* diplomacy - tact and diplomacy will keep your pupil diary full...bluntly telling the pupil "That turn in the road was absolute rubbish..don't you listen to a word I say?" won't...

* a sense of humour - humour diffuses stress and helps pupils (and you) relax...lessons that are enjoyable and fun are more effective too...

*an open mind - as a driving instructor you will know very little about any of your pupils before they get into your car for the first time. If you have a tendency to harbour prejudices or irrational dislikes about any sector of society, you should consider a different career before you offend someone...

* honesty - your pupils will be paying you large sums of money. Take care of it and keep proper accounts...

* business acumen - you will more than likely be self-employed, either on a franchise or working as a sole trader. You must have some grasp of what is involved in running your own business and be prepared to find out if you do not...

* be prepared to study (a lot) and self-motivate - both when you train and even after you qualify. Good driving instructors keep up to date with training methods, legislation and gain additional qualifications (the latter, also known as Continuous Professional Development or CPD, is likely to be made mandatory by the DSA for all ADI's as part of their 4 yearly re-registration process)

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Approved Driving Instructor Qualifying Exams - What You Should Know 

There's 3 of them...and they aren't easy by any means...

Again taken straight from "the horses mouth" of the Transport Office's website, here's what The Transport Office has to say about the ADI qualification process - to the point and brutally honest (unlike the TV and newspaper adverts...);

"The qualification examination is in three parts:

* a computer based theory test

* a practical test of your driving ability

* a practical test of your ability to instruct

You must take and pass all three parts of the examination in this order and you must complete the whole examination within two years of passing the theory test. If you are unable to complete the examinations within this time you must start again from the beginning and pass each part again. You can take the theory test as many times as you want but you are only allowed a maximum of three attempts at each of the practical tests within each two year qualification period. Additionally, you cannot start the qualifying process again until two years has passed since you last passed your theory test.

Most people undertake training with an organisation which specialises in this field and we would recommend that you do so. This is not a legal requirement and you can apply for the examinations without having undertaken formal training. However, you may find it difficult to pass if you don't. The qualifying process is not easy, and the pass rates are not high.

The pass rates for each of the three parts of the examination in 2006/2007 were:

Theory test (part 1): 49%

Test of driving ability (part 2): 45%

Test of instructional ability (part 3): 28%

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) recently featured an article on their website written by Professor Peter Russell which looks at "...the increasingly immoral practice of taking money to train PDIs without a 'snowball's chance in hell' of passing their qualifying exams...". It makes for very interesting reading and points out the startling truth that "...Fewer than five out of every hundred starters manage to make it to the end...". You can read the article in full by clicking the following link; Driving Instructors Association article - "Money For Cold Hope"

Let's go into a little more depth and look at what's involved in each of the three parts of the exam process in the next three sections...

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ADI Qualifying Exams - Part One 

The Theory and Hazard Perception Test For Driving Instructors - details of what's involved, where you can take it, how many times you can take it and cost...

Part One - The Theory and Hazard Perception Test

YOU MUST PASS BOTH THE MULTIPLE CHOICE AND HAZARD PERCEPTION PARTS AT THE SAME TIME. If you pass one part and fail the other, you will have to take both parts of the test again.

Theory Test
This is a computer touch screen test of 100 multiple choice questions banded into 4 main areas as follows;
1)Road procedures
2)Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge
3) The driving test; disabilities, traffic law
4) Publications and instructional techniques

The overall pass mark for the test is 85%. However, you must reach a minimum mark of 80% in each of the 4 subject areas. Therefore you must get at least 20 out of 25 in each band - for example, a score of 25, 25, 25 and 19 would give you 94% but you would fail the test as you had not scored over 20 in each band.

You are allowed 90 minutes for this part of the test.

Hazard Perception Test
After a break of up to three minutes, you must then complete a Hazard Perception test consisting of 14 video clips shown on the same computer you used for the multiple choice part. This part of the test will start automatically three minutes after the multiple choice is finished or sooner if you don't want to wait. Each video clip is approximately one minute in length.


The 14 clips will contain 15 "developing hazards".
As the potential hazard develops into one requiring you to change speed or direction, you will have a limited "time window" in which to react by clicking the mouse. For each hazard you can score a maximum 5 points going down to zero depending on how quickly you react within the "time window".

In order to pass the Hazard Perception element of the Part One test you must score 57 or more out of a possible 75.

The Hazard Perception part of the test lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Your Theory Test pass certificate is valid for TWO YEARS from the date you pass. You must pass Parts 2 and 3 of the ADI qualifying exams within that two year period, or you will have to start the qualification process all over again from the beginning.

How Much Does It Cost To Take The Part One Test?
The cost of the Part One test is currently £80.00
NOTE: The DSA Business Plan 2008/2009 has outlined proposals to increase this fee to £90.00 in 2009

How Many Attempts Do I Get?
You are allowed unlimted attempts at this examination.

Where Can I Take The Part One Test?
The test is carried out by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Driving Standards Agency at around 160 theory test centres throughout the Country.

You can choose to take your test at whichever test centre you like!

Click the following link to see the full list of UK Theory Test Centres; Theory Test Centres

Do I Need Professional Training To Get To The Standard Required For The Part One Test?

Driving Test Success All Tests 2007/2008 Edition
(PC/DVD ROM)

No. The Part One test is very similar to the Theory Test that learner drivers take (the multiple choice part has double the amount of questions and the topics covered are extended to include areas relevant to driving instruction, but the Hazard Perception part is exactly the same).

The DSA will supply you with the entire question bank anyway as part of the ADI Starter Pack (ADI14) and they also very kindly allow you to buy a booklet from them which contains all the answers. You should not rely on learning all the answers by heart though, as you will need a thorough knowledge and understanding of The Highway Code and other relevant publications which will help you with the rest of your training and you will certainly need some kind of commercial software to help you practice for the Hazard Perception part of the test.

The Official DSA Complete Theory Test Kit:
Valid for Tests Taken from 4th September
(Driving Skills)

What you don't need is to pay a training company several hundreds of pounds for what turns out to be home study materials which you could source yourself for between £10 to £50 depending on what you choose. To see a link to suitable, reasonably priced Part One study materials read further down this section.

Study Materials For Part One
Click here for more examples of suggested Part One study materials

Booking A Part One Test
The test is booked by contacting the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

You will need;
1) A valid, signed UK provisional driving licence
2) A valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

Online Booking - Information Pages and link to Online Test Booking Service

Phone Booking - You can book a theory test over the phone using the numbers below, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm except on Bank Holidays.
Theory test booking line - 0300 200 1122
Welsh language booking line - 0300 200 1133
Minicom booking line - 0300 200 1166
Fax booking line - 0300 200 1177

Further Details About Part One
Further details can be found in the starter pack brochure ADI 14 (see section below).

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ADI Qualifying Exams - Part Two 

The Test Of Driving Ability For Driving Instructors - details of what's involved, where you can take it, how many times you can take it and cost...

Part Two - The practical test of driving ability consists of tests of eyesight, safety questions and driving technique. The test will last for about one hour. You must pass all parts of the test at the same time.

You must first demonstrate 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. If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be allowed to take the driving ability element. The test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.

If the eyesight test is successfully completed, you will then be asked a series of vehicle safety questions by the examiner. Click here to see the complete list of vehicle safety questions and answers.

The practical driving test then commences lasting for approximately one hour.

You must drive to an advanced standard, making no more than 6 minor driving faults within the test (as a comparison, learner drivers can make up to 15 driving faults in the learner driver test which only lasts for around 40 minutes).

How Much Does It Cost To Take The Part Two Test?
The cost of the Part Two test is currently £99.00

How Many Attempts At Part Two Do I Get?
You are allowed three attempts within two years from the date the Part One was passed.

Where Can I Take The Part Two Test?
The test is carried out by the Driving Standards Agency at various test centres throughout the country.

You can choose to take your test at whichever test centre you like!

Click the following link to see the full list of UK Practical Test Centres; Practical Test Centres

Do I Need Professional Training To Get To The Standard Required For The Part Two Test?
You need to demonstrate that you can drive to an advanced level, so some kind of professional training is sensible. You don't necessarily need any "specialist" training as an "ordinary" ADI can probably help you as they should be driving to that sort of standard themselves and should know from their own experience what is required! However, you might feel happier with a specialist trainer, but be aware they may well charge more...

The Official DSA Guide to Driving:
The Essential Skills

Additionally, it is advisable to invest in a copy of "The Official DSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills" as this book describes the methods and style of driving you will be required to demonstrate on your Part Two test and throughout your career as a driving instructor. You can buy this book for less than £15 - see the link immediately below for other suitable training materials for Part Two.

Study Materials For Part Two
Click here for Part Two study materials

Booking A Part Two Test
The test is booked by contacting the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

You will need;
1) A valid, signed UK provisional driving licence
2) Your Theory Test Pass Certificate number
3) A valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

Online Booking - Link to Online Test Booking Service

Phone Booking - You can book a practical test over the phone using the numbers below, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm except on Bank Holidays.
Test booking line - 0300 200 1122
Welsh language booking line - 0300 200 1133
Minicom booking line - 0300 200 1144
Fax booking line - 0300 200 1155

Further Details About Part Two
Further details can be found in the starter pack brochure ADI 14 (see section below).

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ADI Qualifying Exams - Part Three 

The Test Of Instructional Ability For Driving Instructors - details of what's involved, where you can take it, how many times you can take it and cost...

Part Three - you will be tested on the quality of your instruction and your ability to pass your knowledge on to pupils. The test is in two parts, each of which lasts about half an hour. You must pass both parts on the same test.

You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and ability by giving practical driving instruction to the examiner who will first take on the role of a pupil who is a beginner, or a learner driver with limited driving knowledge, and then a pupil who is about test standard.

Full details of what is involved in all of the "Pre-Set Tests (PST's)" for Part Three can be found on the Transport Office website here

How Much Does It Cost To Take The Part Three Test?
The cost of the Part Three test is currently £99.00
NOTE: The DSA Business Plan 2008/2009 has outlined proposals to increase this fee to £112.00 in 2009

How Many Attempts Do I Get?
You are allowed three attempts within two years from the date the Part One was passed.

Where Can I Take The Part Three Test?
The test is carried out by the Driving Standards Agency at various test centres throughout the country.

You can choose to take your test at whichever test centre you like!

Click the following link to see the full list of UK Practical Test Centres; Practical Test Centres

Do I Need Professional Training To Get To The Standard Required For The Part Three Test?

Practical Teaching Skills for Driving Instructors:
A Training Manual for the ADI Examination and the Check Test

YES! You cannot skimp on training for this part. You need professional training and lots of it.

There are very good study materials you can buy which can help a great deal, but they should be used to supplement training by a good ADI Part Three trainer.

The best way of finding a good trainer is to ask other ADI's for recommendations, so you could try contacting ADI's in your area - or if you don't want to do that, have a look at some of the helpful driver training forums on the internet and ask for advice there - Online Advice Forums For Those Wanting To Become A Driving Instructor




Study Materials For Part Three

The Driving Instructor's Handbook

Click here for more Part Three study materials

Booking A Part Three Test
The test is booked by contacting the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

You will need;
1) A valid, signed UK provisional driving licence
2) Your Theory Test Pass Certificate number
3) A valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

Online Booking - Link to Online Test Booking Service

Phone Booking - You can book a practical test over the phone using the numbers below, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm except on Bank Holidays.
Test booking line - 0300 200 1122
Welsh language booking line - 0300 200 1133
Minicom booking line - 0300 200 1144
Fax booking line - 0300 200 1155

Further Details About Part Three
Further details can be found in the starter pack brochure ADI 14 (see section below).

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How To Start The Process Of Becoming A Driving Instructor - Applying To Join The Register 

OK...if you've got through the last 9 sections without being put off, the next step is to apply for acceptance onto the all-important Register - you can't proceed any further with training or exams unless you're accepted as suitable to join...

Having (hopefully) read all the previous sections here, you now fully understand what the Register Of Approved Driving Instructors is, what the legal requirements are for those wishing to become driving instructors, the skills and personal qualities that are required in order to be a driving instructor, that there are three separate qualifying examinations that are by no means straightforward and the fact that less than 5% of those who apply to commence driving instructor training actually manage to successfully qualify by passing all three qualifying exams...if not, or if you are in any doubt, please go back and read the previous sections again, as from this point in the process onwards, your ambition to become a driving instructor is going to start costing you money...

OK then, assuming you're happy with all the requirements, what do you do next?

You can't simply start studying and book an appointment to take the Part One Theory & Hazard Perception exam as you won't be able to book a Part One test unless you have been accepted by the DSA as a suitable person to begin the ADI qualification process.

The first thing you have to do is to apply to the Driving Standards Agency to get your name put on the Register...

Applying to join the ADI Register is a 3 part process;

1) First order an ADI Starter Pack (ADI14) from the DSA. You will have to pay for this

In the pack you will receive:
* a booklet which gives full details of the ADI register and explains the process of becoming a driving instructor and the three driving instructor tests that you have to pass,
* the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT),
* the ADI question bank (a book containing all of the questions used in the ADI Part One test)
* an application form (ADI 3).

The pack costs £5.00 and is available from the Driving Standards Agency by using any of the following methods:
Phone: 0870 121 4202 (you will need a credit or debit card with you when you call)
Post: Send a cheque or postal order made payable to the "Driving Standards Agency" (enclose a letter asking for the ADI Starter Pack!) to:
Instructor Services & Registration Team (ADI)
Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot St
Nottingham
NG1 5GU

2) Once you have received and read the pack and decided that being a driving instructor is for you, you must next obtain your enhanced level criminal record check (also known as a "disclosure"). You must obtain your criminal record check before submitting your application.

A disclosure pack can be obtained by calling Capita Recruitment Vetting Service (the contractor working on behalf of the DSA) on 0870 850 2455. A form will then be sent to you which you fill in and return. The form is then checked and forwarded to the Criminal Records Bureau (England & Wales) or the Disclosure Scotland (Scotland!). A criminal record report (disclosure) will be sent to you a few weeks later and a copy to the contractor, who will then forward it to the DSA (phew...this is complicated isn't it!)...you can then go on to the last and final step...

3) Complete the application form (ADI 3) supplied in the starter pack and send it to the Registrar - if you don't put your Criminal Record disclosure reference nuumber on it, it won't be accepted - this is why you have to wait intil the disclosure process is complete.

You will also have to provide two character references from people who know you well and who would be prepared to vouch for you if contacted by the Registrar.

Then you sit back and wait to see if you're accepted onto the register and given permission to start the qualification process by applying for the Part One exam...

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How To Get Driving Instructor Training 

A veritable minefield...tread very carefully if you value your wallet...

The most important thing you must know before you go any further is this...training driving instructors is BIG BUSINESS...before you invest time and money into becoming a driving instructor it is important that you are able to distinguish between those organisations who genuinely want to recruit you and those who simply want to enrol you onto an expensive driving instructor course...

Up until fairly recently, ordinary driving schools did virtually all the instructor training in the UK and there were only a few small independent instructor training organisations.

However since then, seeing a niche in the market and the potential to make lots of money, a number of large instructor training companies have sprung up and as the demand for training learner drivers has fallen (yes, I said "fallen"...consider that statement carefully), more and more "ordinary" driving schools have started to offer instructor training as well as (and occasionally instead of) their traditional role of training learner drivers .

The big driving instructor training companies advertise extensively on the TV and in the national and local press telling a somewhat warped and biased version of what is involved in becoming a driving instructor, what it's like to work as a driving instructor and the money that can be earned...I wouldn't go so far as to say it's all lies...it's more that they look at reality through a particularly heavily rose-tinted pair of highly magnified glasses...

Look on any of the internet forums devoted to driver training/driving instruction and you'll read numerous cases of disillusioned and unhappy people who have been taken in by the sharp sales patter and flattery used by some of these companies to induce people to sign up for driving instructor training courses (here are some links to some helpful driver training industry forums;
Driver Training Today - Forums
UK Driving Instructors Confederation - Forums
ADI Forum
2Pass - Becoming An ADI Forum

That's not to say that these instructor training companies are doing anything legally wrong...they DO provide training and many people DO qualify as ADI's with them...but sadly, there are very many unhappy and disillusioned people out there who feel that the difference between what they were told in the sales patter and the reality is very, very different...

In the next section, I'll be looking at dispelling some of the myths perpetuated in the adverts...

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Driving Instructor TV & Newspaper Adverts & Training Company Sales Patter/Hard Sell Techniques - Is What They Claim True? 

Being economical with the truth, versus reality...here's what's really behind the spin and the promises...

"All you need is a driving licence and you're ready to start your training"......well if you've read even a little of what's further up the page, you'll know it's a lot more complicated than that...
if you haven't read my words of wisdom ;) please do...they could save you a lot of money, stress and even heartache...
and they don't mention that you'll also need somewhere in the region of £2000 to £4000 to pay for the training course...

"It's easy to become a driving instructor" -
this makes me SO ANGRY...it's not easy to become a driving instructor. It's difficult...very difficult in fact and many people underestimate how hard it is to their cost, in terms of money, time and broken dreams...

"There's a shortage of driving instructors" - whoa...stop right there. Lies, lies, lies.
THERE IS NOT A SHORTAGE OF DRIVING INSTRUCTORS - if anything there's a surplus. There are over 44,000 (that's forty four THOUSAND) people currently on the ADI register with approximately another 20,000 at various stages in the qualification process...hardly a shortage is it?
There was a steady fall in the birth rate from the late 1980's onwards and that has meant there are less 17 to 25 year olds (the age group that comprises most learner drivers) needing driving lessons. Combine this with the endless churning out of new instructors generated by these training companies and it's made a bad situation a whole lot worse...In some areas of the country even established driving instructors with good reputations and years of experience struggle for enough work and many driving schools and instructors have gone out of business...if you don't believe me, do some research on the internet or look at some of the driver training industry forums I've linked to elsewhere on this page for the sad truth...(here's a link to recent messageboard discussion from July 2008 to give you an example of what I mean - UK DIC forum topic - Throwing In The Towel).

"You can work the hours that suit you" - sure you can..and it's a very appealing idea - BUT remember that pupils may not necessarily be available to suit your convenience...they have lives and committments too...you MUST be realistic and understand that driving instructors (with very few exceptions) work what many people consider to be "anti-social" hours, i.e, early mornings, late into the evening and at weekends, because that's when pupils are available for lessons...

"You'll get a 'guaranteed placement' with a driving school" - this one is a bit naughty. Having a 'guaranteed placement' sounds great doesn't it? They're "guaranteeing" you a job aren't they? Well, no, that's not strictly true I'm afraid. You need to understand that hardly ANY driving instructors are EMPLOYED by a driving school on a salaried basis. Nearly all driving instructors are self-employed (I'd guess at least 98%) - some work on their own as independent ADI's (usually "one-man/woman bands" working solo and handling all their own advertising, pupil enquiries, phone calls, vehicle costs and so on), or alternatively take out a FRANCHISE with a driving school (which means paying a fee on a weekly or monthly basis to a driving school in exchange for which they allow you to conduct business using their name and company logos/livery, source pupils for you, handle advertising, provide some kind of office/admin service and often provide a vehicle). So what a 'guaranteed placement' actually means, is that the training company will arrange for you to take out a franchise with a driving school (either their own if they have one or another independent driving school local-ish to you) - and, as I've described above,
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS - AND SOME FRANCHISE FEES ESPECIALLY WITH THE "MARKET LEADERS" ARE VERY HIGH INDEED. Franchise fees can vary widely from under £50.00 per week for an independant local school probably not supplying a vehicle, to a jaw-dropping amount in excess of £350.00 a week from one of the Big Schools of Motoring ...and furthermore, you have to pay your franchise fee whether you earn that amount in a week or not (and when you start out, it takes quite some time to build up a good pupil base and a reputation)...doesn't sound quite the same now does it?...

"...earn up to £30,000 a year" - this is the bit that really stands out in people's minds. MONEY. £30,000 sounds great and for some people it's the kind of money they can only dream of...it may surprise you that I am not going to immediately say "Nonsense, you can't earn £30,000 a year as a driving instructor". You can earn £30,000 a year as a driving instructor...BUT surprise, surprise, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you start planning how to spend all the money you think you'll be earning when you qualify...first remember that they are not talking about £30,000 disposable income. Driving Instructors are usually self-employed, so that magic figure of £30,000 is before tax, national insurance, vehicle costs, petrol costs, maintenance costs, car insurance, membership fees for professional bodies, advertising costs, franchise fees and a whole lot more. As I've said, driving instructors are rarely salaried employees, so no-one's going to be handing you a nice pay cheque at the end of every month with your tax, NI and company pension deducted for you. You earn according to how much work you do and if you don't work or can't get work, you earn less...or nothing. You will also have to work very, very hard to earn anything like £30,000. Driving lesson fees vary throughout the country, but using a realistic figure of £22.00 per hour and assuming 4 weeks holiday a year, you need to work about 28.5 hours a week at that rate in order to earn just over £30,000 in a year. Doesn't sound too bad...but remember that you won't be working a 9 to 5 type job to make those 28.5 hours a week. You'll be doing them to fit in with the availablity of your pupils, so you'll probably be working during the evening and at weekends when all your friends and family are doing other things...and then there's the travelling time between lessons. Unless you live in a big city, you'll spend as much time travelling between your pupils, spread out over what might be a large geographical radius, as you do teaching...so a 28.5 hour working week in terms of hours you are actually receiving payment for, becomes a 48.5 hour week when you add in all the travelling time (that you don't get paid for)...

"Be your own boss" - yes, it's nice - but it carries responsibilities. You'll need to have some grasp of how to run your own self-employed business (even if you take out a franchise, you'll still need to sort out your own finances, tax, national insurance etc). You'll need to be organised, forward thinking and prepared to work even after you've finished teaching for the day updating your pupil records, keeping your accounts, managing your diary, dealing with anything your pupils need that cannot be covered while you're on the road, making and returning phone calls and 101 other things that no-one else will do for you, but which nevertheless have to be done. As I said, it's not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job where you can opt to leave your work worries behind when you go through the door at the end of the working day...you also get no "perks" when you're self-employed such as paid holidays, sick pay or a pension etc...

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Driving Instructor Training Courses - What To Look Out For & How To Find A Good One! 

What is ORDIT, how to find a driving instructor training organisation, paying for training, cost of driving instructor training, driving instructor training materials

You won't get very far in researching how to go about getting Driving Instructor training without coming across the acronym "ORDIT" or seeing this logo -

What is ORDIT?
ORDIT stands for The Official Register of Driving Instructor Training
The objective of ORDIT is to establish and maintain acceptable standards of driving instructor training. The Register is run by the Driving Standards Agency.
What the DSA say about ORDIT
ORDIT Directory - directory of trainers who are ORDIT registered.
The Undercover ADI - ORDIT. What Does It Really Mean?

Does an organisation offering Driving Instructor training have to be on the ORDIT register?
No. ORDIT is a voluntary register and at the present time there is no legal requirement to be ORDIT registered needed to train someone wishing to become a Driving Instructor.

How Do I Find A Good Training Company?,
There are literally hundreds of organisations large and small, offering driving instructor training, so take your time and do your research thoroughly.
It's a sensible idea to read some reviews of instructor training companies (if available) before making a decision to approach them. You can find lots of helpful first hand experiences of driving instructor training companies by clicking on the following link; Reviews Of Driving Instructor Training Companies

BEWARE - some companies (the big ones) may use "high pressure" selling techniques to persuade you to sign up for their instructor training course. Be very wary of being invited for "an interview" or "open day" where you may find yourself flattered and assured that you are "exactly the sort of person they are looking for" etc! You may be told that there is a "discount" or offered some other incentive to make a quick decision and sign up on the day...PLEASE THINK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU DO THIS...it's best to give yourself time to think about what's been offered and check it out before agreeing to something you may regret...

Here's a link to a helpful mini-tutorial by the UK Driving Instructors Confederation on how to choose a trainer - Tutorial: Choosing a trainer and other frequent questions

How Much Does Driving Instructor Training Cost?
Fees vary.
Some companies offer Pay-as-You-Go-Training, so you pay for the training you require as and when you need it.
Other companies have set course fees and may require payment for the entire course in advance (which can often mean asking you for amounts in the region of between £2000 and £4000). Some of the latter companies also will not give any form of refund should you change your mind and decide to stop training for any reason. Always check whether a refund or partial refund is available and avoid companies that won't give them.

Is There Any Way Of Keeping Costs Down?
To an extent, yes.

The Official DSA Complete Theory Test Kit:
Valid for Tests Taken from 4th September
(Driving Skills)

Certainly for the Part One (Theory and Hazard Perception Test), most people don't need any "formal" training and can study for this part themselves using the wide variety of books, DVD's and software available commercially.

In my experience, having done this myself successfully, perfectly suitable training materials can be bought for under £30.00, plus the cost of the ADI Starter Pack (which includes the entire ADI multiple choice questions and answers. Then all you have to do is put the time in to study and pay the fee for Part One...(click here to see a list of suitable Part One study materials).

The total cost of getting through Part One training (including the test fee) need therefore be no more than £110.00 or so depending on which study materials you choose.....I have seen instructor training companies advertising Part One training for £500 or more...I can't begin to imagine how they justify that - OK so they may offer some kind of personal contact to discuss any queries or difficullties, but let's be brutally honest here, if you can't organise yourself to study for and pass Part One by yourself, you probably don't have the skills or committment to get through the rest of your training and should seriously consider whether you're cut out for everything that being an ADI involves...harsh perhaps, but sadly true...





Part Two (Test Of Driving Ability) Part 2 requires an advanced level of driving.

The Official DSA Guide to Driving:
The Essential Skills

Most good ADI's can get you to the standard required as that's the standard they have achieved themselves, so you may be able to get away with not using a specialist training organisation (who usually charge higher fees) for this part.

Additionally, you can click here to see suggested study materials that can help you with Part Two - at the very least, you'll definitely need to get hold of a copy of "The Official DSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills", as this book describes the methods and style of driving you will be required to demonstrate on your Part Two test and it will be essential throughout your career as a driving instructor!




Part Three (Test Of Instructional Ability)

The Driving Instructor's Handbook

For Part 3 you really do need a competent ADI trainer.

Part 3 is by far, the hardest part of the qualification process to get through and skimping on good quality training for this part is likely to end in disappointment and additional expense in the long run.

There are also several other excellent books available that can supplement what you learn from your Part Three instructor. Click here for further details

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Reviews Of Driving Instructor Training Companies 

Reviews of just about every major driving instructor training organisation in the UK (and several smaller ones) - written by people who have actually used them!

YOU ARE VERY STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE REVIEWS CONTAINED IN THESE LINKS AND DO PLENTY OF YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE EMBARKING ON ANY AGREEMENT WITH A TRAINING PROVIDER

Driver Training Today - Instructor Training Company Reviews (detailed list of instructor training companies plus reviews)

Driver Training Today - Driving Instructor Training Company Reviews (detailed list of instructor training companies plus reviews)

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - The Instructor College?

Forum topic - "The Instructor College?"

Driver Training Today - Instructor College

Forum topic - "Instructor College"

Gumtree - Be aware of it - The Instructor College -TIC

Forum topic - "Be aware of it - The Instructor College -TIC"

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - Systematic UK

Forum topic - "systematic uk"

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - every hopeful for a way out of my contract (Systematic UK)

Forum topic - "every hopeful for a way out of my contract (re: Systematic UK)"

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - franchise rip offs - warning! (Systematic UK)

Forum topic - "franchise rip offs - warning! (re: Systematic UK)"

Driver Training Today - Becoming a driving instructor (The Instructor College, Let's Drive, Red, Passmasters)

Forum topic - "Becoming a driving instructor" (re: The Instructor College, Let's Drive, Red, Passmasters)

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - This sounds like a good job! (Surepass)

Forum topic - "This sounds like a good job!" (re: Surepass)

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - LOOKING FOR A GOOD TRAINER. HELP!! (The Instructor College, Learner Driver Training Centres, LDC, ADIT/Weelz, Passmasters)

Forum topic - "LOOKING FOR A GOOD TRAINER. HELP!!" (re: The Instructor College, Learner Driver Training Centres, LDC, ADIT/Weelz, Passmasters)

Driver Training Today - help please (4wheelz

Forum topic - "help please" (re: 4wheelz Dudley, West Midlands)

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - which training / franchise? (various instructor training companies)

Forum topic - "which training / franchise?" (re: various instructor training companies)

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What's The Difference Between An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) And a Potential Driving Instructor (PDI)? 

ADI? PDI? What's the difference?

Fully qualified instructors are called Approved Driving Instructors (ADI's)
Trainee driving instructors are called Potential Driving Instructors (PDI's)

If they wish, a PDI can apply for a short-term licence to give driving tuition for money after they have passed the second part (ADI Part Two - Test Of Driving Ability) of the three qualifying exams. This licence is only granted for a six month period (but in some special circimstances can occasionally be extended for a longer time period by the DSA).

For more about the Trainee (PDI) licence, see the section, Should I Take Out A Trainee Licence After Passing Part Two? .

A fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) must display their licence (green octagon) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.

If the instructor is a trainee (Potential Driving Instructor/PDI), they must display their licence (pink triangle) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.

It is illegal for anyone other than a DSA licenced driving instructor to give driving instruction in exchange for money.

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Should I Take Out A Trainee Licence After Passing Part Two? 

Trainee licence, pink badge, pinkie...is it worth it?

After you pass Part Two you may be tempted (or "persuaded") to pay for a trainee licence (colloquially known in the driver training industry as a pink badge, pink licence, "going on a pink" or a pinkie!) so that you can start to give tuition to pupils and receive payment for doing so.



There are some conditions you need to be aware of;

* Before you can apply for a licence you must receive 40 hours of instructional training with a qualified ADI and at least 25% of this must be in-car training.
* The trainee licence is only valid for 6 months (although in certain circumstances the DSA can extend this period, but don't bank on it). This means that you must take and pass your Part Three test within that time.
* Within the first 3 months of your trainee licence being issued, you must receive a further 20 hours of instructional training with a qualified ADI

You cannot however, advertise yourself as a qualified driving instructor, so don't rush off and set up your own driving school or put up cards in your local post office or make a website...unless you make it clear that you are a trainee.

How Much Does A Trainee Licence Cost?
You have to pay for a trainee licence. The current cost is £125.00, payable to the DSA. NOTE: The DSA Business Plan 2008/2009 has outlined proposals to increase this fee to £150.00 in 2009

Will Taking Out A Trainee Licence Help Me Pass Part Three?
You'd be forgiven for thinking that taking out a trainee licence makes a lot of sense as you'll get valuable experience which surely must help you when training for Part Three, but research has shown that there is very little difference in Part Three pass rates between those who have taken out a trainee licence and those who haven't. You'll find lots of interesting information and data related to this fact (and the Trainee Licence in general) in this report from the website of the Department For Transport

Also, many PDI's get so absorbed (or in many cases, bogged down) with the realities of teaching real pupils that they have little time or energy left to actually do "proper" Part Three training as they're too busy/tired/stressed, so a trainee licence can actually be counter-productive...

It's one thing teaching a few pupils to drive in your spare time while still allowing yourself sufficient time to concentrate on YOUR own training needs, and another matter to take on too many pupils in order to start earning some money...an awful lot of people get a bit carried away with the "prestige" of being able to give driving lessons and forget that that they're still in training themselves...

Taking Out A Trainee Licence Is A Good Way Of Getting Some Of The Money Back I've Paid Out For Training Isn't It?
Remember that while you are allowed to charge money for giving driving tuition when you hold a trainee licence, you are not allowed to advertise yourself as a qualified driving instructor - you must make it clear that you are a trainee - and that fact can put potential pupils off. Without any paying pupils you won't recoup anything, so you need some way of sourcing pupils who will pay you to teach them. Many PDI's on trainee licences take out franchises with sponsoring driving schools. The school may or may not decide to tell the pupils they pass on, that the instructor they are referring them to is a trainee, which can lead to problems if the pupil is unhappy with this.

Many PDI's find that they are suddenly "thrown into the deep end" and expected to teach pupils with little or no support. In turn, pupils will object if they feel that the instructor doesn't seem to know what they are doing.

Always be clear about what support and supervision you will be getting if you take out a PDI licence.

More info about trainee licences can be found at the following link; The Transport Office - Becoming A Driving Instructor - After The ADI Part Two Test

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What Happens After I Pass Part Three? 

You're finally a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), that's what! But what should you do next?

Congratulations, you're finally an ADI (at last)!



Registering As An ADI
After you pass the Part 3 test you can apply to join the Register. You cannot give paid instruction unless you are registered, unless you still have a valid trainee licence.

You must apply within your one year of passing your Part 3 test or your qualification will become invalid and you would have to apply to start the qualifying process again.

Either use the form you were given by the examiner when you passed or apply to register as an Approved Driving Instructor online at Driving Instructor Online Services

Once registered, you will be sent your green ADI licence which you must display in the windscreen of your vehicle at all times whilst giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.

Will It Cost Me Anything To Register As An ADI?
Yet again, there is a charge for the privilege, this time it will cost £300.00.

How Long Will My ADI Registration Last?
Your registration will last four years, then you will have to undergo another Criminal Record Check and pay the registration fee again.

As of 01 April 2008 the ADI registration fee is £300 for 4 years on the ADI Register and the sum covers the CRB check so you don't have to pay an additional fee for that.

Is That IT?.. Am I Qualified For Life Now?
No!...In each four year registration period you will also have to undergo at least one "check-test" on the quality of your instruction. This will be performed by a senior grade driving examiner (SEADI) and will consist of the SEADI either observing you during a lesson with a pupil or if you prefer, the SEADI can "role-play" the part of a pupil for you to teach (similar to the Part Three test).

The first check test is often referred to an an "educational" check test and is usually carried out roughly 6 months or so after you qualify.

You will have to undergo periodic check-tests as long as you are a registered ADI. The frequency between check-tests depends on the grade you achieved on the previous check-test - generally speaking, the higher the grade achieved, the longer the interval between checks. You must however, achieve a grade 4 or above.

If you don't get a standard grade 4 at your check-test, then you will be asked to take another check-test within a certain time limit. These are:
* grade 3 - further check-test with six months
* grade 2 - further check-test within two months
* grade 1 - further check-test within a month

If you're given a grade 1 after three check-tests, you will be formally told that you will be struck off the ADI Register.

How Do I Start Work As A Driving Instructor?
Either take out a franchise with a driving school (easiest option while you find your feet), or start up on your own.

If you choose the former, check all terms and conditions associated with the franchise very carefully and don't sign anything until you fully understand what is provided and the responsibilities both you and the franchisor have.

If you choose the latter, remember that it will take quite some time for you to gain a reputation, so you will need a means of sourcing pupils. Advertising can be very expensive and some forms of advertising can be hit and miss...think carefully about what forms of advertising are likely to be effective in the area you live in...

You will also have to get yourself a vehicle suitable for tuition purposes and to register as self-employed with the Inland Revenue.

Think about how you are going to handle your accounts and finances and consider taking some form of training if you are unsure how to do this. The Inland Revenue can be of great help in this matter and even run training sessions for small businesses. Contact your local Inland Revenue office for details.

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Driving Instructors Online Store 

Buy theory and training materials for the ADI Parts 1, 2 & 3 tests online...

Driving Instructors Online Store - For All Your ADI Part 1, Part 2 And Part 3 Learning Aids And Study Materials

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Driver Training Blog 

My blog...

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Driving Instructor Blog 

Good advice from an ADI who tells it like it is!...(no, it's not me...no idea who this person is but he/she talks a LOT of sense...)

Driving Instructor Training - advice from the Undercover ADI: Who should become a driving instructor?

Driving Instructor Training - advice from the Undercover ADI. The off-duty driving instructor blog.
Find out the (inconvenient!) truth about driving instructor training, driving lessons, and the driver training industry.

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Other Websites Offering Guidance On Becoming A Driving Instructor 

Become an ADI

Become an ADI

Driving Instructors Association - the truth about becoming a driving instructor

DIA - the truth about becoming a driving instructor

UK Driving Instructors Confederation

What does it take to be an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)? Here are a few things you should consider before 'taking the plunge...

Driving Instructor Training Wanadrive - The Driving School Site

Seen the TV adverts from The Instructor College? Many people are attracted to become a Driving Instructor by promises of a high income, flexible hours and a comfortable way of life. Whilst there are many benefits in becoming a Driving Instructor, there are pitfalls...

The Driving Instructor - Feeling Undervalued?

Comments from ADIs about how they see their jobs and their experiences of how ADI's are regarded by others...

Advanced Driving UK :: Career change - Becoming A Driving Instructor

Advice for those considering a change of career

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Online Advice Forums For Those Wanting To Become A Driving Instructor 

Lots of helpful advice from people with first hand experience...

Driving instructor training Forum

Discussion, information and advice all aspects of driving instructor training. Post questions and get answers from other PDI's, instructor trainers and qualified ADI's.

ADI Forum - Thinking of becoming a driving instructor?

Thinking of becoming a driving instructor?

2Pass Forums - Becoming an ADI

Becoming an ADI

Instructor training company reviews

Instructor training company reviews - reviews of several driving instructor training companies.Please be responsible about what you post. If you had a bad experience then by all means tell us what happened, but do so responsibly. This section is not about defaming any company

ADI Parts 1 and 2

ADI Parts 1 and 2 - share your success/delayed success of parts 1 and 2 ADI tests and any other issues relating to these two tests

Trainee Licence

Do you have any queries relating specifically to the Trainee Licence granted to PDIs? If so, then please post here.

ADI Part 3

ADI Part 3 - share your success/delayed success stories and write ups here, and any other issues relating to this test.

Pre-Set Tests (PSTs)

Pre-Set Tests (PSTs) - got a problem with a specific PST? Help and advice available to anything PST related

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - PDI Chat

A Forum for Potential Driving Instructors to exchange ideas and ask for help

Driving Schools Directory - Forums

PDI Surgery - advice on all aspects of becoming a driving instructor

THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR - PDI announcements

Hints and tips on becoming an ADI and passing the qualifying exams.

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Driving Instructor Comments/Questions 

Ask what you like here...or put me right if I've got something wrong...or suggest that I add something if you feel I've left something out...no promises though!

PLEASE KEEP COMMENTS RELEVANT TO THE TOPIC OF DRIVING INSTRUCTION - THIS PAGE IS INTENDED AS AN ADVICE RESOURCE, NOT AN OUTLET FOR IRRELEVANT PRODUCT PROMOTION OR SPAM

I WELCOME AND ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE ALL RELEVANT COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK, BUT SPAM WILL BE DELETED PDQ...SO PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME BY POSTING IT!

Many thanks for your co-operation, CDT :)

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CDT @ Amn Pls see Transport Office -Introduction To Becoming A Driving Instructor for full details of the legal requirements. If in any doubt, use the contact details provided on that website to ask a direct question Posted April 17, 2008

Amn

i am not a British nationality holder. i hold indefinite stay in UK though. have held my licence for 8 years. can i still become an instructor?

Posted April 17, 2008

<a href="http://www.driving-schools-directory.co.uk/intensive-driving-courses.asp">Intensive Driving Course</a>

What an excellant Lens - one of the best I have seen and full of great information. Well done CDT!
Mark

Posted April 12, 2008

D Mckiernan ADI

excellent web Site First class Report very factual excellent advice. keep it up to date I'm going to read it all again.

Posted April 10, 2008

BeyondDriving Very good lens CDT - I can recommend anyone thinking of becoming an instructor to look carefully at the information on here. This is a realistic view of the industry - good and bad. Posted April 05, 2008

alt

great site, fantastic info. a credit to you.

Posted April 01, 2008

VandADI

I am sure this informative lens will be of great benefit to anyone wishing to embark on ADI training.

Posted March 30, 2008

James Smith

Great Web site very informitive true and a eye opener for any up and comming ADI or PDI wish I had found this Web site 2 Years ago and saved myself £3000 carry on the GREAT work . I only have been a ADI for 3 mths but can relate to every word you have said . Once again GREAT work and keep it going.

Posted March 20, 2008

The Undercover ADI

Very good lens with some excellent information. I'm so glad there's more of us putting the information out there.

Carry on the good work.

Posted March 15, 2008

CDT Thanks Serpico :) If anyone from Driver Training Today reads this page and wants to suggest any amendments or make any comments that they don't want to publish via this contact form, I post as "Loopy Lou"on there and can be contacted by PM via my profile page :) Posted March 14, 2008

Serpico

I've been an ADI for twelve years now and can vouch for just about every word of this feature. Excellent advice.

Posted March 14, 2008

SemperFidelis This is about a thorough as lenses get. Looks like you have every aspect covered about UK driving instruction. Nice work. Blessed by a Squid Angel today! :o) Posted March 14, 2008

Squidoo Driver Training Group 

If you have any connection with the UK driver training industry, check out this group and join us!

Learning to drive in the UK Headquarters