Approved driving instructor (ADI) standards check

Skip contents

Your standards check result

After you give the lesson, the examiner will discuss your performance and give you your result.

You’ll get your grade and completed ADI standards check report by email at the end of the test.

Total score Grade Description
0-30 Fail Your performance is unsatisfactory
31-42 Grade B You’ll stay on the approved driving instructors (ADI) register
43-51 Grade A You have shown a high standard of instruction and you’ll stay on the ADI register

You’ll automatically fail if:

  • you get a score of 7 or less in the ‘risk management’ category
  • the examiner stops the lesson because you’ve put yourself or someone else in danger

If you fail the standards check

You’ll have up to 2 more attempts to pass the standards check.

If you fail 3 times:

  • you’ll be removed from the approved driving instructors (ADI) register
  • you’ll have to retake the ADI tests to join the ADI register again

Complain about your ADI standards check

You can check if your examiner followed the regulations by reading the guidance on making an appeal to a court about your driving test.

If you can prove that your driving examiner did not follow the regulations, you can complain to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

If DVSA agrees with your complaint, you may be able to take another standards check. Your original result cannot be changed.

It is free to complain to the DVSA.

If DVSA does not agree with your complaint you may be able to appeal to a court instead. 

Appeal against your ADI standards check

You can make an appeal to a court if you can prove that the driving examiner did not follow the law when they carried out your ADI standards check.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

    1. Check if the role is right for you on the Safe Driving for Life website
    2. Check you're eligible to become a driving instructor
    3. Find out about the skills and knowledge you need

  2. 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

  3. Step 3 Get a trainer

    Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.

    1. Find driving instructor training courses

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

    1. Revise and practise for your test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a theory test centre
    4. Book your test £81

    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.

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

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  6. 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

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

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  8. 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:

    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.

    1. Find out about ADI standards checks
    2. Renew your registration £300
    3. Improve your skills as an instructor