So you may, or may not have thought at some point I could be a driving instructor. In this post we will outline some of the variables of becoming a driving instructor along with some benefits.
Criteria
You must be 21 years of age or over and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years.
If you have had a disqualification from driving or have more than 6 penalty points on your licence you must contact the DVSA and they may consider your application, however if you have not received a disqualification or have less than 6 penalty points you can apply to become a driving instructor.
The first step
To become an approved driving instructor the first port of call is to gain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (previously CRB checks) for driving instructors. The company the DVSA use is www.tmgcrb.co.uk and will have all relevant information and methods to apply within.
There are 3 qualifying tests to become an approved driving instructor (ADI). You must complete these tests within a 2 year period of passing the first exam.
Part 1
This exam consists of a multiple choice theory test and a hazard perception test. You will need to pass both if these in the same exam sitting to qualify. You are given 90 minutes to answer 100 questions and the pass mark is currently 85% overall. (you must reach a minimum of 80% correct in both parts of the exam.) The second part on the exam is a bundle of 14 hazard perception clips from which you will have to identify a developing hazard from this you will be scored on how fast you spot the hazard. The points you receive for each hazard range from 1 – 5 5 being the higher mark. To pass this test you must reach 57 points out of the total 75 available. You will not have to wait for your results, you will be given them after your test at the test center.
Part 2
This is your practical driving test where you will need to showcase yourself as a competent driver. You will need to supply a road worthy vehicle with an additional rear view mirror for the examiner. On the day you will have to read a number plate at a minimum of 27.5 meter’s. The examiner will ask you a series of show me tell me questions before you start the driving test. The driving test will last for approximately 1 hour and includes 4 maneuvers to include, turning in the road, left and right reverse and reverse parking. On the test you will need to perform an emergency stop.
The maximum minor driver faults allowed are 6 any more than this and you will automatically fail. At the end of your part 2 test you will be offered a debrief that will explain all your faults that occurred on the test and ways to improve. Once you have passed your part 2 test you will then be available to apply for a 6 months trainee licence.
Part 3 ADI Test
This exam is all about testing your ability to instruct. The examiner will play the role of a normal student learning to drive. The exam is split into 2 stages. The first stage the examiner can take the role of a complete beginner or a part trainer learner driver and will choose a subject matter on which you are expected to teach. You are expected to identify faults and provide a remedy and a necessary analyst.
Roughly half way through the exam the examiner will stop you and explain he or she will now be a student at the trained stage or a full licence holder, you must try to remember from this point on the examiner is a different pupil from the first stage. At the end of the exam the examiner will need to fill in all the relevant paperwork and assessment of your exam. This will normally take 10 minutes or so. once you have passed your part 3 exam you can then apply for your fully qualified ADI badge.
I hope this has been helpful and answered some of your questions on becoming a driving instructor. If you do have any further questions feel free to get in touch.