How to become

an

 Approved Driving Instructor

Anyone who wants to become an Approved Driving Instructor (A.D.I.) must have held a full car driving licence for at least 4 years, with no disqualifications.  You must be a fit and proper person with no criminal convictions.  Before you can give instruction for a fee or reward you must be registered with the DVA in N.I. or DSA in G.B.

To qualify as an ADI you have to sit three stringent examinations. 

The first or "Part One" exam consists of a computer based multiple choice written examination. And a hazard perception test.

DVA fees Part 1 exam £72.00

The second or "Part Two" exam consists of a driving test similar to an advanced test which you sit in your own or your trainers vehicle.

DVA fees Part 2 exam £130.00

The third or "Part Three" exam consists of a test of your instructional abilities, which again you sit in your own or your trainers vehicle.

DVA fees Part 3 exam £138.00

TRAINING:

Training to become an Approved Driving Instructor will require a lot of hard work and commitment for both you and your trainer. However with dedication and the correct training you can pass all three exams and earn a good living as an ADI.

Other DVA fees N.I.

Trainee PDI licence - six months - £120.00

Qualified ADI licence - four years -  £240.00

 The ADI Exams

PART ONE:

The multiple choice part is split into four bands with 25 questions in each band:

Band 1 – Road procedure.

Band 2 – Traffic signs and signals.

Band 3 – The law; The driving test; Disabilities.

Band 4 – Instructional techniques; Publications.

The pass mark is a minimum of 80% in each band with an overall minimum of 85%.

The hazard perception part follows on after completion of the multiple choice section.

Basically this is a computer game consisting of fourteen driving clips shown on screen, the candidate must spot developing hazards and click the mouse within a five second time frame of the hazard developing to gain up to five points.

Thirteen of the fourteen clips contain one hazard with one clip containing two.

The pass mark for a prospective ADI at the time of writing is 57.

You have three attempts in which to pass, should you fail all three you will have to wait two years before applying again.

Should you pass you will then be eligible to apply for the second or “Part Two” examination.

PART TWO:

The part two exam application is on the reverse of your part one pass certificate.

The examination is an advanced driving test which will be conducted by a Supervising Examiner (SE) from the DVTA/DSA.

These tests are carried out in Northern Ireland from either the Balmoral or Londonderry driving test centres.

You will have to supply a vehicle which meets the required specifications for the examination.

A high standard of driving is required for this exam which again comes in two sections, the eyesight and the driving ability section.

Eyesight: You must be able to read in good daylight a number plate with letters of 79.4 millimetres high from a distance of 27.5 metres.

Driving Test:

The test of driving ability lasts for approximately 75 minutes and is of an advanced nature, it will normally include motorways, dual carriageways as well as built up areas.

You will be expected to drive in a brisk, business like manner, safely and within the law, though not in the manner of a learner driver.

You will also be expected to carry out all of the manoeuvres that may be asked of a learner driver and answer 5 questions relating to vehicle safety.

During this test the SE will be looking for any driving faults in the following categories:

Driving Fault: Minor faults such as omitting a mirror check. More than 6 of these (maximum of two in any one marking box) will result in a fail.

Serious Fault: A serious fault could be cutting onto the other side of the road when turning right at a junction. One of these faults will result in a fail.

Dangerous Fault: A dangerous fault could be cutting onto the other side of the road when turning right at a junction, causing another road user to take action.

One of these faults will result in a fail.

At the end of the test the SE will inform you of the result and give you a copy of the marking sheet, you will be offered a de-brief.

If you have passed you will then be eligible to apply for the third or “Part Three” examination.

You have three attempts in which to pass, should you fail all three you will have to wait two years before applying to sit the first part again.

Should you pass you will then be eligible to apply for the third or “Part Three” examination.

You may also at this stage, subject to conditions, apply for a trainee licence.

PART THREE:

The part three application is on the reverse of your part two pass certificate. The examination is a test of your instructional ability and lasts for one hour.

You need to supply a suitable vehicle, though not a pupil. The SE will role play the part of a pupil to test you and assess your ability.

The test is again in two parts or phases, each of which lasts for approximately 30 minutes; both phases must be passed at the same time.

In each phase you will be asked to give a practical demonstration of your knowledge and ability in giving instruction. Phase one will be with a “pupil” at the beginner or partly trained stage with limited knowledge.

Phase two will follow on immediately after completing phase one and will be with a pupil at trained or test standard, you must be able to differentiate and teach accordingly.

In G.B.you will be given the result about 30 minutes after the exam, in Northern Ireland the result will be posted to you within a couple of days.

Once again three attempts are allowed and should you fail all three you will have to wait two years from your part one date before starting again.

If you pass you are then able to apply for an ADI licence which will be subject to security checks before being issued, at present the cost in N.I. is £240.00.