Guidance

What's involved in being a driving instructor

Your responsibilities as an approved driving instructor (ADI) teaching people to drive a car, your suitability for the job, and how to qualify.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
17 February 2018
Last updated
2120 NovemberJuly 20222023 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Approved driving instructor (ADI) register guide

Ref: ADI14

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Details

This guide tells you what you must know about:

  • your responsibilities as an ADI
  • the qualification and registration process
  • the role and powers of the ADI Registrar and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

You have to declare you’ve read this guide when you apply to become an ADI.

Published 17 February 2018
Last updated 2120 NovemberJuly 20222023 + show all updates

  1. Updated section 2.4 (Being a ‘fit and proper’ person) to add information about how DVSA investigates complaints.

  2. Updated the address to write to DVSA to complain about driving instructor training in section 3.1 (train to become an ADI).

  3. Updated section 5.6 (Take ADI standards checks) to make it clear you must take a standards check when you're asked to by DVSA.

  4. Updated section 6 (Renew your ADI registration or re-register) to make it clear that if you do not re-register within 12 months of your ADI registration expiring, you need to start the process of becoming a driving instructor again.

  5. Updated section 2.5 (Having a criminal record check) to make it clear you cannot apply to become an approved driving instructor if you've been banned from driving in the last 4 years. Updated section 7.2 (Being removed from the ADI register) to make it clear that you will have the opportunity to provide evidence if the ADI Registrar intends to remove you from the ADI register.

  6. Updated the DVSA special test grades, which have changed from A to D, to gold, silver, bronze and fail.

  7. First published.