Become a Driving Instructor
Have you been contemplating a career as a driving instructor, whether motivated by a desire for a career change or the need to retrain? Perhaps you're looking for a new beginning with exciting opportunities, or you’ve recently faced redundancy and are eager to embark on a different career path. This information might just assist you in determining if a career as a driving instructor is the right fit for you.
No L's Driving School stands as a premier driving school in Bristol, boasting over 20 years of experience. Our dedicated team of professional instructors is committed to fostering success for every student.
No L's offers comprehensive ADI training designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful career as a driving instructor. If you're interested in enhancing your abilities and would like to book ADI training, please click the button below to request a call back from our team. We look forward to helping you embark on this exciting journey!
Become a car driving instructor: step by step.
You must become an approved driving instructor (ADI) if you want to charge people for lessons.
Check if you can become an instructor
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.
You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.
Read about driving instructor responsibilities
Get a trainer
Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.
Find driving instructor training courses
No L's offer driving instructor training - please contact us here.
Take the theory test (ADI part 1)
Revise and practise for your test
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.
Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)
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.
Find out about trainee instructor licences
Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)
Register and start working as an instructor
Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.
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.
Find out about ADI standards checks
Renew your registration — £300
Improve your skills as an instructor
Rules for using your trainee licence
You must:
Be a ‘fit and proper’ person. Get the required amount of supervision or extra training while your licence is still valid.
Displaying your licence.
You must display your trainee licence on the nearside edge of the front windscreen of your car while you give driving lessons.
Where you train.
Your trainee licence shows the name and address of your training establishment. You can only give instruction from there, so you cannot work independently, such as by setting up your own school.
You must not advertise yourself as an instructor.
Any advertising your training establishment does must not make it seem like you’re a fully qualified instructor.
Changing your driving school
You must apply for a new trainee licence if you leave a driving school and join a new one. There’s no fee for doing this.
DVSA will send you a new licence showing the details of your new school. You should send your old licence to DVSA as soon as you get the new one.
You can still give driving lessons while you wait for your new licence.
When trainee licences can be taken away
The ADI registrar can take your trainee licence away before it runs out if:
- You break any of the rules for having a trainee licence
- The licence was issued by mistake or gained by fraud
- You fail 3 attempts at the ADI part 3 test
Not using your trainee licence
You should return your trainee licence to DVSA if you are not using it, for example because of a long period of illness.
You will not get a refund, but DVSA will know that you have not had full use of the licence. This will be a factor in deciding whether to give you another licence in future.
Lost or stolen licence
You should tell the police straight away if your licence is lost or stolen. They will give you a crime reference number.
You’ll have to pay £3 if you lose your licence or cannot give DVSA a crime reference number.
To get a replacement, email DVSA with the following:
- The crime reference number
- Your permission that DVSA can use your photocard driving licence photo or a previous photo they have on record
Approved Driving Instructor Registrar padi@dvsa.gov.uk.
DVSA will contact you to tell you how to pay.
