Detailed guide: Guide to the approved driving instructor (ADI) register

Updated: Added information about the ADI job preview tool and the check test being replaced by the standards check.

About this guide

When you’re applying to become an ADI, you have to declare that you’ve read this guide. This includes all of the pages that are linked from it.

This guide tells you everything you must know about:

the qualification and registration process
the role and powers of the ADI Registrar
the role of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
Driving instruction: the law

To legally charge anyone (either money or monies worth) for driving instruction in a car you must either:

be on the ADI register
have a trainee’s ‘licence to give instruction’ issued by the ADI Registrar

The full legal requirements are in these acts and regulations:

The Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended)
The Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005 (as amended)
Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act 2009
The Driving Instruction (Compensation Scheme) Regulations 2012
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996

You can read the legislation if you want to, but you don’t have to in order to become an ADI.

ADI Registrar: role and powers

The ADI Registrar is responsible for DSA’s ADI register and can:

refuse to let you join or stay on the register if you don’t meet the registration rules
remove you from the register in certain circumstances
refuse readmission to you if you were previously removed for any of the above reasons

The ADI Registrar is acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport when they:

ask you to give information to register or stay on the register
make decisions about your registration
Responsibilities of an ADI

You’ll be responsible for your own safety, that of your pupil and other road users.

You’ll be expected to show:

a high regard for all aspects of road safety
a high standard of driving and instructional ability
a professional approach to your customers
a responsible attitude to your pupils and profession
that you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person
‘Fit and proper’ criteria

When deciding if you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person, DSA will check to see if you have:

had any motoring or non-motoring cautions or convictions
been disqualified from driving
any court proceedings pending against you
any penalty points on your licence

You could be committing a criminal offence if you seek to work as an ADI if you’re banned or barred from working with children under 18.

Start the qualifying process

You must meet certain rules if you want to start qualifying to become an ADI. The process you have to follow will depend on your situation.

Find out if you can become an ADI and how to apply

You can use the ADI job preview tool to find out:

what it means to be a ADI

whether you’re suitable for this kind of work
your level of understanding of driving theory and practice
Train to become an ADI

There are many organisations that offer training to become a driving instructor.

There is no statutory scheme governing the training of driving instructors, but DSA administers the voluntary Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT).

Find driving instructor training on ORDIT

You can download a copy of the
ORDIT terms and conditions
(PDF, 101KB, 8 pages)
that trainers agree to.

Complaints about ORDIT training

You should complain to the training organisation if you’re not happy with the standard of training you’ve received. You can write to DSA if you aren’t able to settle matters with them yourself.

ORDIT Secretary

Driving Standards Agency

The Axis Building

112 Upper Parliament Street

Nottingham

NG1 6LP

Learning materials

DSA produces learning materials that will help you to qualify as an ADI.

You can buy these from The Stationery Office (TSO) and most high street and online book shops.

Buy official learning materials from TSO

Take the qualifying tests

You must:

pass 3 qualifying tests to become an ADI

complete the qualifying process within 2 years of passing the ADI part 1 test

You’re only allowed 3 attempts at each of the ADI part 2 and part 3 tests. You’ll have to restart the process if you use up all your attempts or if it’s more than 2 years since you passed the ADI part 1 test.

You have to wait until 2 years after you passed the ADI part 1 test before you can start the process again.

ADI part 1 test

ADI part 1 - theory test

Read about the ADI part 1 test

ADI part 2 test

ADI part 2 test

Read about the ADI part 2 test

ADI part 3 test

ADI part 3 test

Read about the ADI part 3 test

Trainee driving instructor licence

You can apply for a trainee driving instructor licence after you pass the ADI part 2 test.

A trainee licence:

helps you get experience instructing pupils to drive so you can prepare for the ADI part 3 test
allows you to get paid for giving instruction
lasts for 6 months

You can apply for another trainee licence when your first runs out. You can do this if you feel you haven’t had the full benefit out it.

If you stop using your trainee licence you should tell DSA, this will count in your favour if you need to apply for a further licence.

It’s unlikely that you’ll get another licence just to give you more time to pass the ADI part 3 test.

Read the rules about the trainee licence

Register as an ADI

You can register as an ADI when you’ve passed all 3 qualifying tests. You must register within 1 year of passing the ADI part 3 test.

You’re then allowed to:

call yourself a ‘Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (Car)’
charge either money or monies worth for giving driving instruction

Your registration will last for 4 years.

Apply for your first ADI badge

When you’re an ADI

How busy you are and how much you earn will depend on your own ability to market your skills. You’ll generally be in competition with other ADIs.

Run your own driving school

You can start your own driving school. You’ll need to set up as a sole trader to do this.

Professional standards

DSA and the driving instruction industry have an agreed voluntary code of practice which you can sign up to.

Manage your ADI registration

You’re responsible for your ADI certificate including renewing it and keeping your registration up to date.

You must tell DSA in writing within 7 days if you get any caution or conviction. This includes:

being ‘bound over’
having your name entered in the sex offenders’ register
being banned or barred from working with children
any motoring or non-motoring offence, including penalty points

Read about how to manage your registration

You must also update your ADI registration within 7 days if any of the following change:

your name
your permanent home or business address

Update your ADI registration

Take ADI check tests

During your period of registration you must take a test of ‘continued ability and fitness to give instruction’ - commonly known as a check test.

You can be removed from the ADI register if you:

don’t attend your check test
don’t reach an acceptable standard

Read about how ADI check tests work

The check test will be replaced by the ADI standards check on 7 April 2014.

Renew your ADI registration or re-register

You’re responsible for renewing your ADI registration every 4 years.

You must get a criminal record disclosure check before you renew your registration or re-register. You must also still be a fit and proper person.

You can re-register as an ADI if your registration ran out in the last 12 months.

Renew your ADI registration

Appeal a registration decision

You can appeal to the transport tribunal if you disagree with a decision that the ADI Registrar has made about your registration.

Read about how to make an appeal

You can read summaries of decisions that have been made on appeals to see if it’s likely that your appeal will be successful.

Being suspended as an ADI

Your ADI registration can be suspended if the ADI Registrar thinks you pose a significant threat to public safety.

You can’t get paid for giving driving instruction if you’re suspended.

Read about your rights if your registration is suspended

Online services

DSA has a range of online services for ADIs. These services are available from 6am to midnight, 7 days a week:

apply to become a driving instructor
apply for a trainee driving instructor licence
apply for your first ADI badge
update your ADI registration
Pass Plus services
renew your ADI registration

You can also use these services to book and manage tests for your pupils:

book, change and cancel theory tests for your pupils
book, change and cancel practical driving tests for your pupils
Further information

You should check the sections on teaching people to drive and driving instruction and tests if you need more information.

You can contact DSA if you can’t find the answer to your question.

Email: adireg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk