Part 1 of 6 — Thinking of Becoming a Driving Instructor?
What becoming an Approved Driving Instructor actually involves
If you are considering becoming a driving instructor in Great Britain, the sensible starting point is to treat it as a professional training and business decision, rather than simply a way to earn money while driving.
There is a genuine opportunity to build a rewarding career here, but the quality of your training, your financial planning and the business model you choose will make a substantial difference to how that career turns out. This first article sets out what the qualification itself involves.
The DVSA qualification route
To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in Great Britain, you must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the DVSA’s three-part qualification process.
| Part | What it assesses |
|---|---|
| Part 1: Theory and hazard perception | Your knowledge of road safety, driving theory and hazard perception. |
| Part 2: Driving ability | Your standard of driving, including independent driving and manoeuvres. |
| Part 3: Instructional ability | Your ability to deliver effective, client-centred driving instruction. |
Before you commit
Confirm the current DVSA eligibility requirements before paying a deposit to any training provider. Requirements and processes are reviewed from time to time, so check the position directly with DVSA rather than relying on what a training advert tells you.
Passing all three parts qualifies you to work as an ADI, but it is worth being clear from the outset that qualifying and becoming a genuinely competent instructor are not quite the same thing — a theme this series will return to.
In the next article, I will look at what I consider the most important decision in the whole process: choosing the right trainer.
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