Overview of Instructor Training

The Training

To become a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (car) you will need to take & pass three tests:

ADI Part One: The Theory Test

For the hazard perception test there are no separate versions for different vehicles, each vehicle category takes the same test, however the pass mark is different for different categories of tests.

Multiple choice Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works.

You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the layout of the test. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and four answer options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer to the question by touching the screen or using the mouse. Some questions may require more than one answer. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test. You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 questions that will be split into four bands which will be: road procedure traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians, mechanical knowledge driving test, disabilities, law publications, instructional techniques The purpose of the banding is to ensure candidates have a comprehensive knowledge across the whole syllabus.

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 85% -that is 85 questions answered correctly. However, you must reach a minimum 80% (20 out of 25) in each of the four bands. It is therefore possible for you to get an overall mark of 85% or above but still fail the examination because you have not gained the minimum of 80% in one of the bands.

After the multiple choice part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Hazard perception After the break you will then be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

The hazard perception part is also delivered on a computer but you respond by clicking a button on the mouse. You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five. You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.

The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 57 out of 75.

At the end of the hazard perception part of the theory test you will be invited to answer a number of customer survey questions. You do not have to answer the questions if you do not want to, and any information given is anonymous and confidential. The survey questions do not affect the result of the test.

When you have finished the test you may leave the examination room. Once you have left the room, you will not be allowed to enter it again. You will then be given your result by the test centre staff.

ADI Part Two: Driving Ability

The practical test of driving ability consists of tests of eyesight, safety questions and driving technique. The test will last for about one hour. You must pass all parts of the test at the same time.

The eyesight test You must be able to read in good daylight with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn, a motor vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures: • 79 millimetres in height and 50 millimetres wide at a distance of 26.5 metres or • 79 millimetres in height and 57 millimetres wide at a distance of 27.5 metres If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be allowed to take the driving ability element. The test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.

Safety questions As from the 10 August 2005 your examiner will ask you to describe how to perform a check on the condition and safety of three components of the vehicle and demonstrate an actual check on the condition of a further two components.

The components will be chosen from the following list: tyres, steering, brakes, lights, reflectors, direction indicators, audible warning device and the liquids used in the braking system, steering system, engine or elsewhere in the vehicle as a coolant, lubricant, cleaner or otherwise.

Download a copy of the ADI part two safety questions Test of driving ability The test of driving ability is an advanced driving test and a very high standard of competence is required. You must show that you have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety and that you can apply them. You must satisfy the examiner on all or any of the following subjects: • expert handling of the controls • use of correct road procedure • anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action • sound judgement of distance, speed and timing • consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users The routes used for the test will include roads which may carry heavy and/or fast moving traffic; they will also cover a range of road and traffic conditions, including urban and rural conditions.

What else must I be able to do in order to pass? You must show the ability to perform any or all of the following manoeuvres including all three of the reversing exercises: • move away straight ahead or at an angle • overtake, meet or cross the path of other vehicles and take an appropriate course without undue hesitancy • turn left-hand and right-hand corners correctly without undue hesitancy • stop the vehicle in an emergency • drive the vehicle in reverse gear and whilst doing so enter limited openings to the right and to the left, taking effective all round observation • turn the vehicle to face in the opposite direction by the use of forward and reverse gears taking effective all-round observation • reverse park the vehicle into the space behind a parked car, within the space of about two car lengths and close to and parallel with the kerb, taking effective all round observation or • reverse park into a parking bay, with due regard for other vehicles or pedestrians, while taking effective all-round observation The test vehicle It is your responsibility to provide a car which is properly taxed and insured. It must be a saloon car or hatchback/estate car in good working condition and with seat belts in working order. It must be capable of the normal performance of vehicles of its type with a manual transmission, right-hand steering, a readily adjustable seat with a head restraint for a forward facing front passenger, and an adjustable interior rear view mirror for use by the examiner. The car must not display L plates.

If your vehicle does not meet the above requirements, it will not be possible to carry out the test.

ADI Part Three: The Test of your Ability to give Instruction

Insurance The exercises How will I be assessed? Booking the part three test Registering as an Approved Driving Instructor The object of this test is to assess the quality of your instruction and your ability to pass your knowledge on to pupils. The test is in two parts, each of which lasts about half an hour. You must pass both parts on the same test.

You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and ability by giving practical driving instruction to the examiner who will first take on the role of a pupil who is a beginner, or a learner driver with limited driving knowledge, and then a pupil who is about test standard. The examiner will explain everything to you at the time.

Insurance Your insurance must cover, for the time during which the examiner is driving, any liability that the examiner may have for all third party and damage risks and for liability to any passenger, including any official passenger. Your insurance should cover any Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiner. The insurance cover should not name a specific examiner as the driver because we cannot guarantee that a particular examiner will conduct the test.

We cannot accept responsibility for risks not covered by insurance, including the loss of any no-claims bonus or the cost of repairing any minor damage. If either the car itself or the insurance does not meet with these requirements, the test will not be conducted and the fee will be forfeited.

DSA is aware that insurance companies sometimes ask for certain information about examiners. It is the Agency’s policy for data protection and security reasons not to disclose personal information about examiners. However, in exceptional circumstances, the examiner will provide you with their name and confirm that they are over 25 years old on the morning of the test, but no further personal details will be made available.

The exercises For each of the two roles the examiner will choose one of the exercises given below as the basis of the instruction: • safety precautions on entering the car and explanation of the controls • moving off and making normal stops • reversing and reversing into limited openings to the right or left • turning the vehicle round in the road to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears • parking close to the kerb, using forward and reverse gears • how to make an emergency stop and practical instruction in the use of mirrors • approaching and turning corners • judgement of speed, making progress and general road positioning • dealing with road junctions • dealing with crossroads • dealing with pedestrian crossings and giving correct signals in a clear and unmistakable manner • overtaking, meeting and crossing the path of other road users, allowing adequate clearance The instruction you give should be tailored to the time available and to the standard of the ‘pupil’ being role-played by the examiner. You will probably find it helpful to establish the depth of the ‘pupil’s’ knowledge in each phase, by asking questions and observing the ‘pupil’s’ performance as you would with a real pupil you had not taught before.

How will I be assessed? In assessing your performance, the examiner will take into account: • the method, clarity, adequacy and correctness of instruction given • the observation, analysis and correction of faults committed by the pupil • your general manner You will be expected to maintain control of the lesson, be patient and tactful and give encouragement to the ‘pupil’ at all times. What is assessed is the relevance of the instruction for the ability of the pupil and to the particular conditions on the road on the day of the test.

Booking the part three test After you have passed your part two test you can then book your part three test of instructional ability online, over the phone using the national booking number.