Qualification Procedure

Anyone can become a driving instructor, you do not need any formal qualifications, nor do you need to meet any specific criteria, other than being a fit and proper person as described below.

The minimum requirements as set out by the Driving Standards Agency to become an A.D.I (Approved Driving Instructor) are as follows:

You must be able to answer yes to the following:

1. Do you hold a full UK or EU unrestricted car-driving license?
2. Have you held the license for a minimum of 4 years? (You can start to prepare for the examinations before this, but cannot be entered onto the register until you have held your full license for 4 years)
3. Are you a ‘fit and proper person’ to have your name entered onto the register? (Any convictions for any offence will be taken into account)
4. Are you committed enough to pass the 3 strict register qualifying examinations. (Be under no illusions you must be fully committed to pass these exams)
5. Are you able to read a number plate from a distance of 27.5 metres (90ft?)

And be able to answer no to the following:

1. Have you been disqualified from driving at anytime in the 4 years prior to being entered onto the register?
2. Have you got any penalty points on your license? Penalty points will be taken into consideration when applying to be entered onto the register, you should have no more than 5 as this may prohibit entry onto the register (Although any penalty points may be due for removal at some stage in the future, it would be preferable to have zero points and keep it this way!)

If you satisfy the criteria:

1. Its one of the few jobs you don’t need any formal qualifications to begin with, as long as you answered yes to the first 4 questions and no to the next 2
2. Be your own boss and work the hours you want, part or full time to suit yourself (nearly all instructors are self-employed)
3. It can be a very satisfying job, nothing beats the thrill of a pupil passing their test, or a client on a driving course taking on board your advice and as a result driving safer.
4.  It can be very rewarding financially, a good instructor will always have a full diary and make a good living
5.  You can pick when to take your holidays although most instructors are usually too busy!
6.  You will in effect have a ‘company car ’whether you operate on a franchise, or lease or buy your own, you need to have a relatively new modern car for your training and this is also available for private use, but you will not be taxed as with a ‘real company car’.

All in all it can be a very rewarding profession and a variety of opportunities exist for further professional development (you don’t just have to teach learners) a few of which are listed below:

1. Training people in preparation for advanced motorists tests such as Iam’s, dia, diamond and Rospa
2. Examining clients on the above test’s
3. Delivering fleet driver training on courses where employers have sent their employees to gain professional driver training.
4. Delivering training on speed awareness courses or national driver improvement scheme courses.
5. Refresher or motorway tuition for people who already have their license
6. Pass plus courses
7. DSA Examiners

The qualification procedure is structured into three parts:

• Theory
• Driving ability
• Instructional ability

Each part must be passed before you can book the next test, for example part 2 must be passed before you are able to book part 3. You have two years from the date you passed your theory to complete the qualification procedure. You are also limited to a maximum of three attempts at the part 2 and 3 tests. If you failed a third attempt, you would have to wait two years from the theory pass date and start the whole procedure again including applying for the register.

Please visit www.dsa.gov.uk for more information and the ‘ADI 14 pack’. This pack is the first stage in the procedure to become a Driving Instructor.

You must go through an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check as part of the procedure enabling you to enter the register. It is here where any previous convictions are taken into account.

For example previous drink/drive convictions do not mean you cannot become a Driving Instructor; it will depend on offences and timescales passed since these offences.

Theory Test

This test is conducted at various centres throughout the United Kingdom. These are the same test centres used by provisional licence holders; they have a similar theory test to pass. The test contains a series of hazard perception clips and a multiple choice examination. Both parts must be passed to be successful.

Driving Ability test

This test is conducted at various centers throughout the United Kingdom. These are the same test centres used by provisional licence holders, however not all test centres conduct the part 2. Learners have a similar driving test to pass, and it is marked in the same way. However the ‘part 2’ is over a more demanding route for a longer time period and is assessed to a more advanced nature. The test lasts approximately 1 hour.

Instructional Ability test

This test is conducted at various centres throughout the United Kingdom. These are the same test centres used by provisional licence holders, however not all driving test centres conduct the part 3.
The test lasts 1 hour and assesses your ability to instruct drivers of differing levels. The test is conducted using ‘role play’.

Please see Excelsior training syllabus for a comprehensive description of our training regime. Our training regime is the best, and this is proven in the 100% pass rate. To become an instructor though will be hard work, from you and us.