You can book your approved driving instructor ( ADI ) part 2 test when you’ve passed your ADI part 1 test . It’s the second of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI . It’s a test of your driving ability. The ADI part 2 test works differently in Northern Ireland . To pass the test you must be able to: drive safely in different road and traffic conditions show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test. You can find driving instructor training if you need help to prepare for the test. Only take your test when you can do everything without instruction. Change or check your test details You can change the date of your test after you’ve booked. You can check the details if you’ve lost the email confirmation you were sent when you booked your test.

What to take to your test

You must bring: your UK driving licence a suitable car Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you. Your driving licence You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours before your test. This could take up to 15 days to arrive. If you do not have a photocard licence Bring a valid passport and your paper licence. If you have a licence from Northern Ireland Bring the Northern Ireland photocard and paper counterpart.

Rules for the car you use

Your car must: have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light have no tyre damage and meet the legal tread depth on each tyre - you must not have a space-saver spare tyre fitted be roadworthy be fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner be fitted with a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed) be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer have 4 wheels and meet the maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) limit Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if your car does not meet the rules. Tax and insurance Your car must: be taxed have a current MOT (if it’s over 3 years old) be insured for an ADI part 2 test (check with your insurance company) Cleaning your car You should tidy your car before your test. This includes removing any rubbish or unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats. Your car must be smoke-free - this means you cannot smoke in it just before or during the test. Dashcams and other cameras You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it: faces outside of the car and does not film the inside does not record audio from inside the car Vehicle features You can use a car with: an electronic parking brake hill-start assist cruise control speed limiters parking sensors and cameras lane assist blind spot monitoring traffic sign recognition If your car has the following features, you cannot use them during the test: self-parking Tesla autopilot your own sat nav Manual and automatic cars If you have a manual licence, you can take the test in either a manual or automatic car. You’ll be able to train people in both types of car when you’ve qualified. If you have an automatic licence, you must take the test in an automatic car. You’ll only be able to train people in an automatic car when you’ve qualified. Tinted windows Your windscreen and front side windows must follow the rules for tinted vehicle windows . There are no rules for rear windows, but your test may be cancelled if they are too dark for the examiner to see clearly. Dual controls If you’re using your own car, it does not need to have dual controls. Hire cars You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules. Cars you cannot use Some cars cannot be used in the test because they do not give the examiner all-round vision. You cannot use the following: any panel van (cars without rear seats or rear side windows) any left-hand drive car any convertible Smart Fortwo (2-door) Toyota iQ There might be other cars that you cannot use. This is because not every model has been used in a test before, and some may not give the examiner all-round vision. Check if your car can be used before booking a test You can check if your car can be used by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ). Always check if you want to use a coupe (a car with a fixed roof, two doors and a sloping rear). DVSA driving test enquiries customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 200 1122 Webchat Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm Find out about call charges

What happens during the test

There are 5 parts to the approved driving instructor ( ADI ) part 2 test: an eyesight check ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions general driving ability manoeuvres independent driving How long the test lasts The test takes around one hour. The eyesight test You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of: 27 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC. You’ll fail the test if you do not pass the eyesight test. It will count as one of the 3 attempts you’re allowed at the ADI part 2 test. ‘Show me, tell me’ questions You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions . These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks. You’ll be asked: 3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving 2 ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers You’ll get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give. You’ll get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions. Your general driving ability You’ll have to show the examiner all of the following: expert handling of the controls use of correct road procedure anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action sound judgement of distance, speed and timing consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users driving in an environmentally-friendly manner You’ll drive in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible. You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop. Reversing your vehicle The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises: parallel park at the side of the road reverse into a parking bay and drive out drive into a parking bay and reverse out pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic Independent driving You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either: directions from a sat nav traffic signs The examiner will tell you which you have to do. Following directions from a sat nav The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you. You cannot follow directions from your own sat nav during the test. Going off the route Your test result will not be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do. If you cannot see traffic signs If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one. If you make mistakes during your test You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious. Your driving examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

Faults and test result

There are 3 types of faults you can make: a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property a serious fault - something potentially dangerous a driving fault - this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault Pass mark You’ll pass your approved driving instructor ( ADI ) part 2 test if you make: no more than 6 driving faults no serious or dangerous faults If you pass your test The examiner will: tell you what faults you made, if any give you a copy of the driving test report You can then either: book your ADI part 3 test apply for a trainee driving instructor licence A trainee driving instructor licence can help you prepare for the ADI part 3 test . If you do not pass The examiner will tell you what faults you made. You can take the test again if you fail at either your first or second attempt. You have to pay again to book another test. Failing the third attempt You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times. You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again. Appeal your ADI part 2 test You can appeal your test if you can prove that your examiner did not follow the law. Read the guidance on appealing your test to check if your examiner followed the law . If you have proof they did not follow the law you can complain to the Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) If DVSA agrees with your complaint, your test result cannot be changed but you might get a refund or a free retest. If DVSA does not agree with your complaint you may be able to appeal to a court instead. Appeal your test to a court You can appeal if you can prove that your examiner did not follow the law when they carried out your test. Your test result cannot be changed, but you might get a refund or a free retest if your appeal is successful. You might have to pay significant legal costs if your appeal is unsuccessful. You’ll need to appeal within: 6 months of your test in England and Wales 21 days of your test in Scotland Check if you can appeal .

If your test is cancelled or there's bad weather

Your driving test can be cancelled or stopped because of bad weather, problems with your car, or for other reasons. Bad weather Driving tests are not carried out in dangerous weather conditions, such as when the roads are icy or if there’s flooding, thick fog or high winds. Call your test centre if there are any of these conditions on the day of your test. The phone number for the test centre is on your booking confirmation email. If your test cannot go ahead The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) will: automatically book the next available date for your test send you the details within 3 working days - it can take up to 7 days if there’s a long period of bad weather You can change the date you’re given if it’s not suitable. You cannot claim for any out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled because of bad weather. Problems with you or your car You’ll have to book another test and pay again if your test cannot be completed because of a problem with: you, for example, if you feel unwell while taking your test your car, for example, if it breaks down during the test or does not meet the rules to be used If your test is cancelled for another reason Sometimes DVSA has to cancel tests for other reasons, for example, if the examiner is unwell. You’ll be sent a new date for your test if this happens. You can change the date if it’s not suitable. You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA cancels your test at short notice.

Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test

Booking your test

You can book your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test when you’ve passed your ADI part 1 test.

It’s the second of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI. It’s a test of your driving ability.

The ADI part 2 test works differently in Northern Ireland.

To pass the test you must be able to:

drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive

The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test.

You can find driving instructor training if you need help to prepare for the test.

Only take your test when you can do everything without instruction.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your test after you’ve booked.

You can check the details if you’ve lost the email confirmation you were sent when you booked your test.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor
Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor
You must get a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to start your application, even if you already have one.
1. Get a DBS check £8.22
You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.
1. Read about driving instructor responsibilities
1. Start your application
Step 3 Get a trainer
Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.
1. Find driving instructor training courses
Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)
Once you've passed the theory test, you must pass the other parts of the test within 2 years or you'll have to start the whole process again.
Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)
Step 6 Get practice teaching
If you’ve passed ADI part 2 you have the option to apply for a 6 month trainee licence to get experience teaching students.
1. Find out about trainee instructor licences
2. Apply for a trainee instructor licence £140
Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)
Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor
Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.
1. Register for your first ADI certificate £300
When you have your certificate you can start charging for lessons. You can either:
- join a driving school
- set up your own business
You'll have at least one standards check every 4 years. You also need to renew your registration and get a new DBS check every 4 years.

Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test

Booking your test

Change or check your test details

Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor

Step 3 Get a trainer

Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

Step 6 Get practice teaching

Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor

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Approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test

Booking your test

Change or check your test details

Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

Step 1: Check if you can become an instructor

Step 2: Apply to become a driving instructor

Step 3: Get a trainer

Step 4: Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

Step 5: Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

Step 6: Get practice teaching

Step 7: Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

Step 8: Register and start working as an instructor

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor

Step 3 Get a trainer

Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

Step 6 Get practice teaching

Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor