Approved Driving Instructors: the basics
Deciding whether driving instruction is the right career for you
As an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), your job will involve mixing with all sorts of people. You will need good people skills, patience and understanding, as well as:
- a thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of driving
- an ability to teach
- awareness of changes in the statutory regulations that govern the content and conduct of driving tests - as well as driving instruction
- an ability to provide a professional service to people from diverse backgrounds
- business sense
The nature of the job means that you may have to work unsociable hours to fit in with your customers' needs.
You will be responsible for your own safety, that of your pupils and other road users. This requires a high level of concentration throughout your working day.
You might consider starting your own driving school. Having to run your own business in an effective and efficient manner will put extra demands on you and may extend your working day. You will generally need to recruit your own customers and will be working in competition with other ADIs. How busy you are and how much you earn will depend on your own ability to market your skills.
You should consider that following a career in driving instruction can be difficult. The qualifying process is tough, the pass rate is low and it can be expensive. The qualifying process will usually take many months to complete.
The benefits of becoming a fully qualified instructor are:
- you can be self employed
- you can choose what hours you work
- if you are successful you can generate a reasonable income
- the job can be very satisfying, because you will be starting new drivers on the road to safe and enjoyable motoring
The ADI Starter Pack
A starter pack is available from DSA. This includes an explanatory booklet which gives full details of the ADI Register and qualification process, an Official Register of Driving Instructor Training and application form. A book giving the multiple choice questions and answers, as well as information to help you understand the answers, is also available.
To order a starter pack please call the DSA ADI Service Line on Tel 0300 200 1122 with your credit or debit card details. The ADI Starter Pack currently costs £5.00.
The theory test question books are available at £6.00 each.
Alternatively send a cheque or postal order made payable to the "Driving Standards Agency" to:
Driving Standards Agency
P.O. Box 280
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Subjects covered in this guide
- Introduction
- What is an Approved Driving Instructor?
- Deciding whether driving instruction is the right career for you
- Responsibilities of an Approved Driving Instructor
- The Register of Approved Driving Instructors
- Driver licensing and other legal requirements for becoming an Approved Driving Instructor
- What you'll need to do to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor
- What does it cost to train as an Approved Driving Instructor?
