How do I become a
Driving Instructor
How do I become a
Driving Instructor
Can you become a Driving Instructor without any assistance?
Yes is the answer to that question, However!
Would I personally recommend it?
No!
But in truth, yes you can complete the whole process from start to finish on your own.
You will have to be over the age of 21 and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years, and have not been banned from driving (disqualified) in the last 4 years.
Your application can be refused if:-
You have been banned from driving.
5 or more penalty points on your licence.
Been convicted of any motoring offences.
Your application is unlikely to be accepted if you have been:-
Convicted of a sexual, violent, financial or drug related crime.
Or banned from working with children.
There are 5 main stages to becoming a Driving Instructor.
A DBS check, The Part 1 test, Part 2 test and Part 3 test, applying for your first ADI badge.
With the right amount of time spent on this subject, it should be easy for most experienced drivers to pass their Part 1 test with ease.
But remember! you are going to be an expert in the field of driver tuition, so you NEED TO KNOW YOUR STUFF!
By just having a quick browse through a Highway Code book, you are NOT going to learn enough.
They are load of excellent books out there that will assist you in becoming the best of the best, and your pupil's are going to be relying on you to know your stuff. If you fail to prepare for the very first test, it's HIGHLY likely that you're doomed for failure for the Parts 2 and 3.
Just take a look at our shop page to give you some idea of the books you really should be studying to get yourself to a high standard of knowledge before attempting to take your Part 1 test.
Know this information inside out, it's going to make you a great instructor the more you know.
We ALL believe we are excellent drivers, and that's why we are considering becoming a driving instructor, True?
My advice, book a lesson with a qualified instructor.
You might just find you're not as good as you really think you are.
Ensure you express to the instructor that you want them to "pull you to bits on your quality of drive" if it is necessary for them to do so.
We ALL have our flaws, and these MUST be rectified before taking the Part 2 test.
You need to be capable of showing an examiner that you are an expert driver and that what you do during your test will show that you have all the capabilities of transferring that expert drive on to a learner driver.
If you're not checking your mirrors, placing on signals at the correct time or at all, are not carrying out good lane discipline, using gears effectively, being able to park a car safely and with control etc etc, then an examiner will not believe you have the skills to pass on the correct knowledge to a learner and therefore WILL NOT pass your test.
Have you taught a family member in the past to drive?
Did you think you were really good at it and that's why you want to become an instructor?
Well this is probably where you're going to have your eyes opened regarding the industry.
The Part 3 is the hardest of the three tests to pass. You'll need to understand the National Standard for Driver and rider training inside out and know how to deliver lessons based on a client centered learning method.
Understand how to spot faults and rectify them, teach all different learning abilities, in all aspects of driving to create a safe for life driver.
The lessons will need to be structured to suit your pupil and in a manner that learning takes place in a safe environment.
This does NOT come easy to all.
There are 17 competencies that Must be addressed throughout all your lessons and these are the competencies that the examiner will be marking you on. If you have no previous teaching experience, I would highly recommend that you get expert training in this area.
Spotting faults and ensuring that you keep yourself, your pupil and everyone else around you safe during every lesson takes time to learn. And it's not just a case of learning them, it's about spotting a lot of it before it happens. The vast majority of learners will make the same mistakes during their learning schedule, so as an instructor you will, over time begin to gain a skill to see the faults happen before they happen, but you'll want to be able to gain a knowledge of those faults well before you start taking pupils out. If you don't you are probably going to find your initial months quite a challenge and potential put yourself and your pupil's at risk.
You'll need to grow your ability to not only instruct, but to be driving yourself without actually being in the driver's seat, as you will need to be two steps ahead of your learner ALL the time, and you'll also be needing to be watching your pupil and their actions while your doing all of the above. This is mentally tiring if not physically. But if you have not had expert training, you'll be firefighting from day one.
Should you find an Ordit trainer?
Some will argue that Ordit trainers are the best, but I disagree totally with that. There are some exceptional trainers out there who go way above and beyond what an Ordit trainer will offer you. But DO YOUR RESEARCH! Not all trainers are equal!
Likewise, should you go with a franchise?
No, I don't believe it is necessary, however that being said, it is what you want to get out of it.
Do you want to potentially be tied into a company for a franchise period (ALWAYS READ THE SMALL PRINT)
don't let BIG FIGURES PULL YOU IN.
Lot's of BIG BRAND Franchises offer the big bucks £50,000 upwards, but to be honest, these big bucks are not your take home profit, you'll have overheads such as franchise fees, fuel, repair and maintenance costs, tax, national insurance and all the other overheads that come with it, and to earn that sort of money, a vast majority of it will be going to the big brand franchises for their fees. This will mean that for every working week of the year, you are going to have to be working a certain amount of lessons every week just to pay thier fees before you start earning any of your own money. This tends to lead to instructors working all the hours god gave just to earn a living. YOU WILL GET BURNT OUT!
And if you are burnt out you will not be supplying quality lessons to your pupils.
Possibly consider going down the path of a small franchise route with a little family run business near you, there are some really good ones all around the UK that will give you good back up when needed, will offer you a good amount of pupils to keep you busy and don't cost the earth for you to make a living.
That being said, if you have no intention of going down the path of a pink trainee licence once you have passed your Part 2, you can go on to take your Part 3 without any training( still not advised) but you could pay for Part 3 training without signing up to any franchise. You can just turn up for a Part 3 having had no formal training at all (risky for sure, but not impossible to pass)
The benefit of applying for a Pink licence is that you'll have 6 months to have taken on some learners and gained "real life training" while on the job and you'll be paid while you are giving that tuition. To do this though, you WILL have to have a sponsor. That can be any driving school, but check whether they are happy to just supply training ( it may be slightly more expensive for just training) or whether they will want you to sign a contract with them for the privilege of being with their company. The timespan of that contract may vary from company to company. What you CANNOT do while you are with them is advertise yourself as a Driving Instructor in your own right. All your clients should come through your sponsor directly. And should anyone ask whether you are a trainee or fully qualified, you must make them aware that you are a trainee instructor.
No matter what path you choose to take, just do some homework first. Get recommendations and get as much experience as you can prior to taking all the tests.
This is the process as described by the Government.:-
1. Introduction
You have to declare you’ve read this guide when you apply to become an approved driving instructor (ADI). It tells you everything you must know about:
Your responsibilities as an ADI.
The qualification and registration process.
The role and powers of the ADI Registrar and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
2. Driving instructors: rules and responsibilities
2.1 Legal requirements
To accompany a learner driver, you must:
Be 21 or over.
Be qualified to drive the same category of vehicle you’re supervising them in.
Have had a full licence for that category for at least 3 years.
To legally charge anyone money (or monies worth) for driving instruction in a car, you must either:
Be on the ADI register.
Have a trainee driving instructor licence.
It’s illegal to charge someone for driving lessons if you’re not qualified and registered, or if you do not have a trainee driving instructor licence.
2.2 Responsibilities
When you’re giving driving lessons, you’re responsible for your own safety, that of your pupil and other road users.
You have to show a:
High regard for all aspects of road safety.
High standard of driving and instructional ability.
Professional approach to your customers.
Responsible attitude to your pupils and profession.
You must display your ADI registration certificate (commonly known as an ‘ADI badge’) or trainee licence while giving paid instruction.
2.3 How ADIs are regulated
When you qualify, your name is added to the register of ADIs.
The ADI Registrar is responsible for the ADI register. The Registrar works for DVSA.
The ADI Registrar can:
Refuse to let you join the register or stay on it if you do not meet the registration rules.
Remove you from the register in certain circumstances.
Refuse to let you rejoin if you were previously removed from the register.
The ADI Registrar acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport when they:
Ask you to give information to register or stay on the register.
Make decisions about your registration.
2.4 Being a ‘fit and proper’ person
You must be a ‘fit and proper’ person to be an ADI.
ADIs are in a position of considerable trust.
The ADI Registrar protects the image of the register and maintains the public’s confidence in the ADI industry.
What ‘fit and proper’ means.
The law says you must be a ‘fit and proper’ person, but does not define what it means.
The ADI Registrar interprets it as the personal and professional standards, conduct or behaviour that could be unacceptable in the eyes of the public and other ADIs.
It’s not possible to be definitive about what’s classed as ‘fit and proper’. There has to be some discretion to take into account the circumstances of each case.
The ADI Registrar makes an assessment of the risk you’re likely to pose to the public.
Personal conduct
When deciding if you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person, DVSA will check if you have:
Any motoring or non-motoring cautions, convictions or fixed penalty notices.
Been disqualified from driving.
Any court proceedings pending against you.
Been banned or barred from working with children under 18 years of age.
Had any substantiated complaints of inappropriate behaviour or misconduct.
Had any substantiated complaints for financially inappropriate or fraudulent activity.
Sources of information
This information comes from a number of sources, including:
Application forms and information you give.
DVLA records (to find out if you have any motoring offences)
Enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Reports from the police or barring information from DBS.
Complaints made to DVSA by the public.
The ADI Registrar is allowed to get other information during your registration period that they reasonably need. This includes:
DVLA reports of motoring convictions.
Information from the police about allegations and motoring or criminal cautions or convictions.
Information from complainants, including successful applications to a court or bank to reclaim money that had been paid for driving lessons that were not provided or refunded.
Code of practice
DVSA and the driving instruction industry have an agreed voluntary code of practice on professional standards and business practices.
It gives a summary of the conduct and behaviours that DVSA and the public expect from an ADI.
How DVSA investigates complaints
DVSA will appoint investigators to review any complaints of serious inappropriate behaviour or misconduct.
As part of this process, you may be interviewed to allow you to respond directly to any allegations.
2.5 Having a criminal record check
You’ll have a criminal record check when you apply to become an ADI, and each time you apply to renew your ADI registration.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily stop you from becoming an ADI.
You could be committing a criminal offence if you try to work as an ADI if you’re banned or barred from working with children under 18.
Factors taken into account
Before reaching a decision on whether you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person, the risk you’re likely to pose to pupils is assessed by considering factors like:
Whether the caution, conviction or other information revealed is relevant to the ADI role.
The seriousness of any offence.
The circumstances surrounding an offence and the explanation.
The length of time since the offence occurred and if it’s ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Whether there’s a pattern of offending behaviour.
Whether the circumstances have changed since the offending behaviour.
Each case is considered on an individual basis.
The ADI Registrar will write to you giving you the opportunity to explain your circumstances before making a final decision.
Offences where it’s unlikely you’re ‘fit and proper’
There are some situations where it’s unlikely that:
Applications to start the qualification process or registration would be accepted.
You’d be allowed to continue to use a trainee licence.
You’d be allowed to remain on the register once qualified.
These include both motoring and non-motoring offences.
Motoring offences
You cannot apply to become an ADI if you’ve been banned (disqualified) from driving in the last 4 years.
It’s also unlikely that you’ll be classed as a ‘fit and proper’ person if you’ve been found guilty of:
Driving whilst disqualified.
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Dangerous driving.
Driving without due care and attention.
Failing to stop after an accident.
Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver.
Driving without insurance.
Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone.
Excessive speeding.
Many of these offences will result in 6 or more penalty points being put on your driving licence.
The ADI Registrar has refused applications or removed an ADI from the register when they’ve had 5 or more penalty points within the last 3 years under the ‘totting up’ rules.
Non-motoring offences
You’re unlikely to be ‘fit and proper’ if you’ve been cautioned for or convicted of:
Sexual assault - in particular, offences involving pupils.
Making, possessing or distributing indecent or pornographic images.
An offence of a sexual nature involving children.
Perverting the course of justice.
Assault.
Possession or supply of drugs.
Fraud - in particular, offences involving illegal driving instruction.
Theft - in particular, offences involving the theft of tuition fees.
You’re also unlikely to be ‘fit and proper’ if you have:
Any court judgements against you for failing to provide lessons for which you have been paid.
Been placed on the sex offenders register.
Been banned or barred from working with children under 18 years of age.
Protecting your criminal record check data.
Information on a criminal record certificate is only seen by DVSA staff who need to see it as part of the suitability assessment process.
They have:
Been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences.
Received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders,
such as the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
3. Becoming a driving instructor
You must meet the legal requirements to start the qualifying process.
The process you have to follow will depend on your situation.
Before you start, use the driving instructor suitability assessment to find out:
What it’s like being an ADI.
Whether you’re suitable for this kind of work.
Your level of understanding of driving theory and practice.
Check if you can become an ADI and how to qualify.
3.1 Train to become an ADI
You can use books and software from DVSA to help you qualify. They’re also available from most high street and online book shops.
Take a training course
Many organisations offer training to become a driving instructor.
You can find training provided by people who have joined the DVSA voluntary official register of driving instructor training (ORDIT).
Find driving instructor training.
Complain about training
Complain to the training organisation if you’re not happy with the standard of training you’ve received.
Write to DVSA if you cannot settle matters with them yourself.
ORDIT Secretary
DVSA
1 Unity Square
Nottingham
NG2 1AY
3.2 Take the qualifying tests
The 3 qualifying tests make sure that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.
You must have booked the ADI part 3 test within 2 years of passing the ADI part 1 test. You have to restart the process if you do not qualify by then.
Test name, Type of test, and Limits at taking the test
ADI part 1 test Theory test Unlimited attempts
ADI part 2 test Driving ability 3 attempts
ADI part 3 test Instructional ability 3 attempts
You have to restart the process if you use up all your attempts. You have to wait until 2 years after you passed the ADI part 1 test before you can start the process again.
3.3 Trainee driving instructor licence
You can apply for a trainee driving instructor licence after you pass the ADI part 2 test.
This allows you to get 6 months experience of providing on-road instruction before your ADI part 3 test.
The ADI Registrar can refuse your application for a trainee licence if you’re not a ‘fit and proper’ person.
Getting another trainee licence
You can apply for another trainee licence when it expires. You can do this if you feel you have not had the full benefit out of it.
You’ll need to give evidence to support the reason.
It’s unlikely you’ll get another licence just to give you more time to pass the ADI part 3 test.
Tell DVSA if you stop using your trainee licence. This will count in your favour if you need to apply for another licence.
The ADI Registrar has refused applications for another trainee licence when the applicant had not reasonably attempted the ADI part 3 test during the 6-month period covered by their previous licence.
4. Register as an ADI
You can register as an ADI when you’ve passed all 3 qualifying tests. You must register within one year of passing the ADI part 3 test.
You’re then allowed to:
Call yourself a ‘Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (Car)’
Charge money (or monies worth) for giving driving instruction
Apply for permission to use DVSA logos to show you’re approved
Register to have your details shown on the GOV.UK service to find driving schools, lessons and instructors
Your registration will last for 4 years.
5. When you’re an ADI
You’ll be training drivers to meet the national standard for driving cars and light vans. It sets out the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to be a safe and responsible car or van driver.
You can use the learning to drive syllabus as a way of teaching people the skills, knowledge and understanding.
5.1 Salary
How busy you are and how much you earn will depend on your ability to market your skills. You’ll generally be in competition with other ADIs.
Your salary will be reduced by running costs such as fuel and tyres.
Working for a franchise.
You may need to pay franchise fees if you work for a franchise.
Running your own driving school.
You can start your own driving school. You need to set up as a sole trader to do this.
You’ll need to provide your own dual-control car that meets the rules to be used for driving tests and pay for repairs and insurance.
5.2 Book and take your pupils for their driving tests
Your pupils can either book their tests themselves, or you can book them.
You can use services to:
Book and manage driving tests for your pupils.
Book and manage theory tests for your pupils.
You can sit in and observe your pupils’ driving tests but you cannot take any part in the test and you must follow certain rules.
There are different rules for filming or recording a driving test.
5.3 Register to teach Pass Plus
Pass Plus is a practical training course that takes at least 6 hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely.
It can be taken at any time although it should be most useful to new drivers in the year after passing their test.
You must register to teach Pass Plus. You do not need to take any extra training or tests to teach it.
5.4 Professional standards and skills
DVSA encourages you to join ADI associations and organisations so your interests are properly represented in talks. Each organisation has its own terms and conditions.
You can sign up to the voluntary code of practice agreed by DVSA and the driving instruction industry.
Develop your professional skills
DVSA encourages you to take continuing professional development (CPD). This is voluntary development to keep your skills up to date.
You decide how you do it and pay any costs involved.
Take the DVSA special test for instructors
You can take the voluntary DVSA special test to test your driving skills to the highest standard.
At the end of the test, you’ll get a grade gold, silver, bronze or fail. You can use it when you advertise your services.
5.5 Manage your ADI registration
You’re responsible for your ADI registration, including renewing it and keeping your registration up to date.
You must write to the ADI Registrar within 7 days if you get a caution or conviction. This includes:
Getting a binding over order (being ‘bound over’).
Having your name entered in the sex offenders register.
Being banned or barred from working with children.
Any motoring or non-motoring offence, including penalty points.
Read about how to manage your registration.
You must update your ADI registration within 7 days if your name or permanent home or business address change.
5.6 Take ADI standards checks
You must take and pass a ADI standards check when you’re asked to by DVSA.
The purpose of the check is to make sure you have kept up your standard of instruction.
The ADI Registrar will write to you to tell you when you have to take one.
You can be removed from the ADI register if you:
Fail to meet the required standards.
Fail to attend the standards check when required.
Refuse to take the standards check.
6. Renew your ADI registration or re-register
6.1 Renew your ADI registration
You’re responsible for renewing your ADI registration every 4 years. You must still be a ‘fit and proper’ person.
Get a criminal records check. You must do this before you renew your registration - it normally takes around 3 months but can sometimes take longer.
Renew your ADI registration.
6.2 Re-register as an ADI if your registration has expired
You can re-register as an ADI if your registration ran out in the last 12 months. You must still be a ‘fit and proper’ person.
Get a criminal records check. You must do this before you apply to re-register - it normally takes around 3 months but can sometimes take longer.
Apply to re-register as an ADI.
If your ADI registration ran out more than 12 months ago, you need to start the process to become a driving instructor again.
7. Being suspended or removed as an ADI
7.1 Being removed from the ADI register
You’ll get a letter from the ADI Registrar if they intend to remove you from the ADI register. You’ll have the opportunity to respond and give them any supporting evidence.
The ADI Registrar will look at all the facts of the case and will make a final decision. You’ll get a letter to tell you about the decision.
Usually, your name will not be removed from the register until 28 days after the date of the letter. This lets you appeal against the decision.
Your name will be removed from the register if you do not appeal.
Immediate removal process.
The ADI Registrar can also use the immediate removal process where you’ll be told that your name will be removed from the register within 14 days, unless:
You appeal to the General Regulatory Chamber within 10 days of the date of the removal letter.
Your appeal is upheld.
7.2 Having your registration suspended
The ADI Registrar can suspend your ADI registration immediately if they think you pose a significant threat to public safety.
You cannot get paid for giving driving instruction while you’re suspended.
8. Appeal a registration decision
You can appeal to the General Regulatory Chamber if you disagree with a decision the ADI Registrar makes about your registration.
9. Keeping up to date
You should sign up to get email alerts from DVSA on issues affecting ADIs, including things like:
Changes to the driving test.
New services for ADIs.
Changes to driving test centres in your area.
DVSA runs the Despatch blog for driver and rider trainers, which gives official advice and information for you.
You could miss out on important information if you do not sign up for email alerts and the Despatch blog.
You can also follow DVSA on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
10. Fees and costs
ADI test and registration fees are set by DVSA - fees for driving instructor training vary and are set by training organisations.
Driving test costs for your pupils are also set by DVSA.
