Before anyone can charge for driving lessons in Great Britain they must be a registered approved driving instructor (ADI) or hold a trainee licence, and the route runs through three qualifying tests. This article covers the first two, which test theory and the instructor’s own driving, using the GOV.UK pages from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The tests work differently in Northern Ireland. Fees and rules change, so the figures are those shown on GOV.UK when read, and the third test is covered in the guide to the ADI Part 3 test. This is general information.
Part 1: the multiple-choice questions
The Part 1 test has two parts that are booked and taken as a single test, and both must be passed. In the multiple-choice section, candidates have 1 hour 30 minutes to answer 100 questions, 25 in each of four categories: road procedure; traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge; driving test, disabilities and the law; and publications and instructional techniques. Candidates can flag questions to return to, change answers at any time and finish early. A break of up to 3 minutes is allowed before the hazard perception section.
Part 1: hazard perception and the pass mark
The hazard perception section shows 14 video clips of everyday road scenes, each with at least one developing hazard, and one clip has two. A developing hazard is something that would cause the driver to take action, such as changing speed or direction. Candidates can score up to 5 points for each hazard, depending on how early they respond, and each clip is shown only once. Clicking continuously or in a pattern scores nothing, though there is no penalty for a wrong click.
To pass the multiple-choice section, a candidate needs at least 85 out of 100 overall and at least 20 out of 25 in each of the four categories. A high overall score does not pass if one category falls short. The hazard perception pass mark is at least 57 points out of 75. The candidate gets the result at the test centre, and a failure means taking the full test again after waiting at least 3 working days. A pass certificate number lasts 2 years, within which the person must qualify as an ADI.
Part 2: the driving ability test
Part 2 tests driving ability and takes around an hour. It has five elements: an eyesight check, “show me, tell me” safety questions, general driving ability, manoeuvres and independent driving. The eyesight check requires reading a number plate from 27 metres for a new-style plate or 27.5 metres for an old-style plate, and failing it counts as one of the three attempts allowed. There are five vehicle safety questions: three “tell me” questions before driving and two “show me” questions while driving, each wrong answer earning a driving fault. Getting all five wrong is a serious fault.
General driving covers expert handling of the controls, correct road procedure, anticipation, sound judgement of distance, speed and timing, consideration for other road users and environmentally friendly driving. The examiner asks for two reversing exercises from a list of four: parallel parking at the side of the road, reversing into a parking bay and driving out, driving into a bay and reversing out, and pulling up on the right, reversing for around two car lengths and rejoining the traffic. Independent driving lasts about 20 minutes following either a sat nav provided by the examiner or traffic signs. The same style of question is explained for learners in the guide to show me, tell me questions.
Part 2: faults, attempts and appeals
A candidate passes Part 2 with no more than 6 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults. After a pass, the examiner provides the driving test report and the candidate can book Part 3 or apply for a trainee licence, as covered in the guide to trainee licences. A candidate who fails a third attempt has to retake and pass Part 1 again, and must wait 2 years from when Part 1 was first passed. An appeal is possible only on proof that the examiner did not follow the law: a complaint to DVSA first, then a court appeal within 6 months in England and Wales or 21 days in Scotland. A successful appeal does not change the result but may bring a refund or free retest.
The car and what it means for learners
The car must have no warning lights, no tyre damage and legal tread, an extra interior rear-view mirror, a passenger seatbelt and a non-slip-on passenger head restraint, and be able to reach 62mph with an mph speedometer. Own cars need not have dual controls for this test. The licence rule is useful to learners: a candidate with a manual licence can test in a manual or automatic and train in both afterwards, but one with an automatic licence must test in an automatic and will only be able to train people in an automatic car. That is relevant when choosing between types of lesson, as covered in the guide to manual and automatic lessons. The step-by-step guide lists fees of £81 for Part 1 and £111 for Part 2. See also the guide to becoming an approved driving instructor.
The bottom line
ADI Part 1 requires 85 out of 100 on the multiple-choice questions with at least 20 out of 25 in each category, plus 57 out of 75 on hazard perception. Part 2 is a roughly hour-long driving test with an eyesight check, vehicle safety questions, manoeuvres and about 20 minutes of independent driving, passed with no more than 6 driving faults and none serious or dangerous. Three failed attempts at Part 2 send a candidate back to Part 1. These rules apply to Great Britain, and the GOV.UK pages should be checked for current fees.
Sources
- Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test: multiple-choice questions, hazard perception test, pass mark and result (gov.uk)
- Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test: what happens during the test, faults and test result, rules for the car you use (gov.uk)
- Become a car driving instructor: step by step (gov.uk)