How do I qualify?
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There are 3 Tests to take
ADI PART 1 - Theory/Hazard perception Test
ADI PART 2 - Practical Driving Test
ADI PART 3 - Instructional ability Test
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ADI PART 1, THEORY and HAZARD PERCEPTION
Multiple-choice questions
The questions in the theory test are based on:
Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.
You can buy them online or from most high street bookshops.
Hazard perception test
Buy the official guide to hazard perception for your PC or Mac to learn hazard perception skills and then test them.
You can buy it online or from most high street bookshops.
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Multiple-choice questions
You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.
Before the test starts you’ll get:
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instructions on how the test works
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the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens
How the test works
There are 25 questions in each of these 4 categories:
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road procedure
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traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
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driving test, disabilities, and the law
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publications and instructional techniques
A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.
Leaving a question
You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.
Changing your answers
You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.
When you’ve finished
You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You don’t have to use the full 1 hour and 30 minutes.
You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.
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Hazard perception test
Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.
You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:
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feature everyday road scenes
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contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
What a ‘developing hazard’ is
A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.
ExampleA car is parked at the side of the road and isn’t doing anything. It wouldn’t cause you to take action, so it’s not a developing hazard.
When you get closer, the car’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You’d need to slow down, so it’s now a developing hazard.
How the scoring works
You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.
To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.
You don’t lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you won’t score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.
You only get one attempt at each clip. You can’t review or change your responses.
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ADI PART 2 - Practical Driving Test
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There are 5 parts to the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test:
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an eyesight check
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‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
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general driving ability
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manoeuvres
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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:
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26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
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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 at 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:
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3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving
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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:
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expert handling of the controls
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use of correct road procedure
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anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action
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sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
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consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users
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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:
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parallel park at the side of the road
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reverse into a parking bay and drive out
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drive into a parking bay and reverse out
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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:
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directions from a sat nav
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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.
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Faults and test result
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
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a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
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a serious fault - something potentially dangerous
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a driving fault - this isn’t potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault
Pass mark
You’ll pass your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test if you make:
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no more than 6 driving faults
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no serious or dangerous faults
If you pass your test
The examiner will:
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tell you what faults you made, if any
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give you a pass certificate
You can then either:
A trainee driving instructor licence can help you prepare for the ADI part 3 test.
If you don’t pass
The examiner will tell you what faults you made.
You can take the test again if you fail at either your first or second attempt.
You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
Failing the third attempt
You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times.
You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again.
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ADI PART 3 - Instructional ability test
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What happens during the test
A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a client-centred driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your pupils.
The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.
Your pupil
Your pupil can be a learner or a full licence holder.
They can’t be an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test.
You can take your trainer or mentor with you, but they can’t take part in the lesson.
What you’ll be marked on
You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:
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lesson planning
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risk management
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teaching and learning strategies
The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI part 3 test report form, which the examiner will fill in at the end of your test.
You’ll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test, and what your grade will be.
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Your test result
After you give the lesson, the examiner will discuss your performance and give you your result.
You’ll get your grade, along with your completed approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test report form.
Total scoreGradeDescription
0-30FailYour performance is unsatisfactory, and you won’t join the ADI register
31-42Grade BYou’ll be allowed to join the ADI register
43-51Grade AYou have shown a high standard of instruction and you’ll be allowed to join the ADIregister
You’ll automatically fail if:
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you get a score of 7 or less in the ‘risk management’ category
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the examiner stops the lesson because you’ve put yourself or someone else in danger
If you pass
You can apply for your first ADI badge if you pass the ADI part 3 test.
You must apply within 12 months of passing the test, or you’ll have to pass all 3 qualifying tests again.
If you don’t pass
You can take the test again if you fail the first or second attempt. You must book the next attempt within 2 years of passing your ADI part 1 test.
Failing the third attempt
You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test and ADI part 2 test again if you fail the ADI part 3 test at your third attempt.
You must wait 2 years from when you originally passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again.
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