Whats involved in becoming a driving instructor

You can not beat the feeling when someone that has never driven before passes their driving test, first time and you were the one that helped them achieve that goal, there is nothing like it!

Driving instruction is such a rewarding job, now more than ever people need to be able to drive, it could be that a driving licence will help them get that new job, it could be that they want the extra freedom that comes from driving or it might be because they want to be able to take the kids out to new and exciting places at the weekends and holidays.

No matter what the reason is, people choose to learn to drive every day, so if you would like to have the satisfaction of helping someone achieve their goal of getting a driving licence read on.

So you want to become a driving instructor.

DirectDrive Driving School is not only one of the South’s leading driving schools for learner drivers we also teach people like you to become driving instructors through Tri-Coaching Instructor Training.

Training to become a driving instructor is something you can do in an intense period of time or you can do your training around your current job, we offer flexible programmes to allow you to train at times that suit you.

Training to become a driving instructor has three parts, below we will give a brief overview of the three parts click on the links for more information.

Part 1

As with learner drivers, training to become a driving instructor you will need to pass a theory and hazard perception test, the difference here is that for the multiple-choice part there are 100 questions instead of the learner tests 50 questions, also both tests have a higher pass mark. 

Part 2

This part is similar to the learner driving test with the exception that you are only allowed 6 minor fault instead of the 15 minor faults that a learner can have, also with this test of your driving ability you will be required to drive on the motorway and to complete all the manoeuvres instead of just one which is standard with the learner test. 

Part 3

Finally to become a driving instructor you will need to complete part 3, which is a test of your teaching skills. Part 3 has two phases one teaching someone something new to them and the second building on training that someone already has had in the past. Both phases are completed with the examiner playing the role of the pupil. 

To find out more contact us using the below form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

You will  have to complete a 3 part examination within 2 years to become an Approved Driving Instructor ADI

Multiple Choice 

Before the test starts you will be given full instructions on how the test works and have the chance to do a practice test to ensure that you are familiar with the layout.For each question four answer options will appear on screen – you simply need to select the one you think is correct. Some questions may require more than one answer. 

You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test. 

You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 questions which are split into four bands, each containing 25 questions:

• Road procedure 
• Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge 
• driving test, disabilities, law 
• publications, instructional techniques

The purpose of the banding is to ensure candidates have a comprehensive knowledge across the whole syllabus.

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 85% -that is 85 questions answered correctly. 

However, you must reach a minimum of 20 out of 25 in each of the four bands. 

It is therefore possible for you to get an overall mark of 85% or above but still fail the examination because you have not gained the minimum in one of the bands.

Once you have completed the Multiple Choice section of the test, you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the Hazard Perception section starts.

At the end of the test

At the end of the Hazard Perception test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions. 

You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. 

The survey questions do not affect the result of the test.

What happens during the Part 2 test

There are 5 parts to the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test: an eyesight check‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions general driving ability manoeuvres independent driving

How long the test lasts

The test takes around one hour. The eyesight test

You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail the test if you don’t pass the eyesight test. It will count as one of the 3 attempts you’re allowed for the ADI part 2 test.

Show me, tell me’ questions

You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.

You’ll be asked:

3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving

2 ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

You’ll get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give. You’ll get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions.

Your general driving ability

You’ll have to show the examiner all of the following:

expert handling of the controls use of correct road procedure anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action sound judgement of distance, speed and timing consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users driving in an environmentally-friendly manner

You’ll drive in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Reversing your vehicle

The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises:

parallel park at the side of the road reverse into a parking bay and drive out drive into a parking bay and reverse out pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic Independent driving

You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

directions from a sat nav 

traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to do.

Following directions from a sat nav

The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.

You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test. Going off the route

Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning unless you make a fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do. 

If you can’t see traffic signs

If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one. 

If you make mistakes during your test

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious. The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.