Do you want to become a driving instructor? If you have had a full driving licence for over 3 years, and less than 5 penalty points, and haven’t committed any serious offences, then you can consider driving instruction as a potential career. The qualification process appears longwinded and arduous, but it usually requires just 60 hours of training over the course of a few months.
Becoming an official Approved Driving Instructor requires passing three tests:
- Theory test
- Driving ability test
- Instructional ability test
The Theory Test:
This test is divided into four sections with 25 questions. Applicants have to achieve 20/25 or more to pass each section, and an overall score of 85/100 or more. Theory test questions vary from driving safety questions to instructor knowledge. Booking the test costs £81 with the DVSA, and once you’ve passed it (you can try as many times as you like), you have two years to pass the two practical tests. The questions are slightly more thorough and challenging than the regular theory test, and you will need to know road procedure, driving test law, and signs and signals inside-out.
Driving Ability Test:
This is a practical driving test to assess your driving ability and competence. This is a very challenging test, and you are allowed three attempts in the two years from your theory test pass (you have to wait for the two years to pass before commencing the process again if you fail three times). It includes sections on vehicle control, safe driving techniques, manoeuvres, and independent driving, so that you can demonstrate driving competence in a range of different road and traffic conditions, and that you know the Highway Code by the way you drive.
Instructional Ability Test:
This test measures your ability to teach other people how to drive. You will be assessed on lesson planning, risk management, and teaching strategy, and is the last test you need to pass to become an ADI Approved Instructor. The examiner will watch you give a driving lesson to one of your pupils, to ensure you meet the National Standard required for driver training. The marking is divided into 17 sectors which you are marked from 0 to 3 (giving a maximum score of 51). You need 31 to pass at Grade B level, and 43 to pass at Grade A level. Both grades permit you to be a full driving instructor, but your pupil can ask if you passed at Grade A or Grade B.
Passing the final test will require some practice in training students, and you can apply for a trainee instructor licence through the DVSA. With ALG, you will be fully trained and supervised as you commence your instructor training, so you can rest assured that every aspect of your instructional training will be taken care of.
Contact ALG to have an initial chat about training to become a driving instructor.