FREEPHONE 0800 756 5591
Are you thinking of becoming a Driving Instructor?
Whenever you are starting out on a new venture, such a career as a driving instructor, it’s important to gain as much information as possible.
We hope the list of frequently asked questions below will be of help to you. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
Welcome to our FAQ's section.
Please click on the left to learn more about becoming an
Approved Driving Instructor.
What opportunities are available after I pass my exam?
Your starting point is to ensure that you have a driving instructor career path that is appropriate for you, this could be working for a driving school, setting up your own school or even moving direct into Fleet Training.
Be aware that 'job promises' are not necessarily a good guide to choosing a training
provider -
Other places: There are plenty of vacancies in the industry who are always advertising for qualified instructors.
Getting work once you are qualified driving instructor is easy ... Get the wrong
training and you won't qualify -
How long will it take me to train and qualify?
This depends on how much time you have free and how much practice you are prepared to put in. It is important to develop good habits and get sufficient practice – this will take time.
Some companies claim that you can qualify in around three months – while this is theoretically possible it is extremely rare. The industry average is probably nearer fifteen months. We estimate that following our programme, subject to exam waiting lists, you will qualify within six to nine months.
How will I know if I can pass the exam?
Our initial training/and assessment 'try out' meetings will help you to decide whether
the job is right for you -
Of course, we will give you the benefit of our experience to help ensure that you make a decision that is 100% right for you. If there are any doubts about your aptitude or potential ability we will highlight them early on.
On a slightly selfish note -
Can I train around my current job?
This is an ideal opportunity to start a new career without giving up your current job.
Although you will have to take some time during a working week, this is limited – around twelve days in total. The rest of the study and practice can be done at your own pace and in your own time.
Are there enough jobs for driving instructors?
You only have to look around to see busy driving instructors. New potential clients appear every week when they reach 17 years old. 15 years ago the average time to pass the L test was around 20 hours. This has now increased to around 45 hours.
On top of this there is the Pass Plus scheme for newly qualified drivers – another
potential six to eight hours of lessons. As standards continue to increase, people
will need more lessons -
But it doesn't stop there.
There is fleet driver training, taxi training, mini-
In all areas you will find successful and unsuccessful instructors – those who survive on cheap lesson prices and those who sell quality at a premium price.
Driver Training UK can arrange an assessment to advise on whether you are suited
for the job -
But don’t some companies guarantee a job at the end of the training?
Do not be misled. No one, despite the claims and ‘job placement offers’ made by many companies, can guarantee clients after you have qualified – by ‘job’ they simply mean a place within their driving school (where you pay a weekly fee to hire their vehicle and pay for office services).
In most cases you could get this whether you trained with them or not! Also, no one
can guarantee that you will qualify (including ourselves). If anyone claims otherwise,
they are being untruthful. Offers that you can repeat the course until you pass should
set alarm bells ringing -
Some companies are now offering 'guaranteed business' but again this can be a bit misleading and does not mean the same as 'guaranteed minimum income'. If the business consists of low price special offer driving lessons you will make very little money.
Will I need a dual controlled car for my test?
No, dual-
We usually suggest that you use your trainer's vehicles for the exams-
Published data from the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) shows that the pass rate overall for the UK is around 28% for the final part of the examination.
There are a couple of reasons for such appallingly low figures;
First: some companies accept anyone for training, regardless of their aptitude or suitability for the job.
Second: many companies (including large national companies) use unskilled, untrained and inexperienced trainers.
Our Trainers are Grade 5 & 6 ADI’s.
£2100
Training around present commitments
which can be financed by instalments and will include:
• Preparation for Part One Theory & Hazard Perception examination
• In-
• In car training for Part Three Teaching Ability examination
• Essential course materials listed below:-
• Study Packs
• The Highway Code TSO
• Hazard Perception CD ROM Focus
• DSA "ADI Starter Pack" TSO
• DSA "ADI Theory Test Question Bank" TSO
OR
£2350
Training intensively, which will include:
• Preparation for Part One Theory & Hazard Perception examination
• Intensive Training for the Part Two Driving Ability examination
• Intensive training for Part Three Teaching Ability examination
• Essential course materials listed below:-
• Study Packs
• The Highway Code TSO
• Hazard Perception CD ROM Focus
• DSA "ADI Starter Pack" TSO
• DSA "ADI Theory Test Question Bank" TSO
(In other areas training costs may vary due to travelling & subsistence expenses).
If you want to be an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and have your name entered on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors you must:
• Hold a full UK or European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence.
• Have held it for a total of at least 4 out of the past 6 years prior to entering the register after qualifying, but: A foreign driving licence, an automatic car driving licence or a provisional licence held after passing the driving test, all count towards the 4 years;
• Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the 4 years prior to being entered in the Register;
• Be a fit and proper person to have your name entered in the Register. All convictions, including motoring offences, still in force (ie not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) will be taken into account when your suitability to be entered in the Register is assessed; and
• Pass the Register qualifying exam and register within 12 months of doing so.
In addition you should be aware that you cannot accompany a person to drive unless you have held a full UK or EU/EEA driving licence for three years and must be 21 or more. • A foreign full licence will count towards this three year period but it must be a foreign licence that is accepted under the 'exchange scheme' For more details of the exchange system you should read Section four of the DVLA booklet D100 "What you need to know about driving licences" available at most post offices.
Under the rules of the Road Traffic Act of 1988 it is illegal for anyone to charge (either money or monies worth) for instruction in driving a motor car unless:
• Their name is on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors: or
• They hold an Approved Trainee Licence issued by the Registrar.
The exact legal requirements are given in the Road Traffic Act 1988, and the regulations under that Act, particularly The Motor Cars [Driving Instruction] Regulations 1989.
The qualifying examination is in 3 parts:-
• Part 1: Theory Test & Hazard Perception Test
• Part 2: Practical Driving Test
• Part 3: Practical test of your Ability to Teach
You must take and pass all 3 parts of the exam in this order and must complete the whole exam within 2 years of passing the theory test.
You are allowed 3 attempts at each of the practical tests. Failure at a 3rd attempt at either will mean you must wait 2 years from the date of passing Part 1, before you can recommence training.
Driving Licence, Photographic proof of Identity and proof of Signature must be taken to all 3 examinations.