The Register of Approved Driving Instructors
The Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) was set up to maintain and improve the standard of car driving instruction available to the general public.
The Register aims to ensure that the public can expect an acceptable standard of tuition from registered driving instructors. It is administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
This Act makes it illegal for anyone to charge, either money or monies worth, for giving driving instruction, unless their name is on the ADI Register or they hold a trainee licence to give instruction, issued by the Registrar.
Registration lasts for four years and costs £300. You will need to pay the same fee to extend your registration for a further four years.
Once your initial application to join the ADI Register has been accepted, you'll be given a Personal Reference Number. This will stay the same throughout your career and you should quote it in all correspondence with the DSA. You'll also need this number should you book your ADI qualifying tests online.
What powers does the ADI Registrar have?
The Registrar can:
- Refuse someone admission to - or the right to remain on - the Register if they fail to meet the legal requirements.
- Remove an ADI from the Register in certain circumstances, eg where a person has failed to meet the 'fit and proper' requirement - usually because the ADI has been convicted of a motoring or non-motoring offence. It could also be where their professional conduct has brought the Register into disrepute, or they have either failed or refused to attend a check test.
- Refuse re-admission to a person who was previously removed for any of these reasons.
What is an Approved Driving Instructor?
An Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is someone who has passed all three parts of the ADI qualifying test and is currently registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
Once registered, a ADI must also pass special tests - 'check tests' - at certain intervals. These are to satisfy the registrar that the ADI still meets the DSA's standards for ability and fitness to give instruction.
Take check tests to maintain your Approved Driving Instructor registration
When does an Approved Driving Instructor need to take check tests and what's involved?
As a registered Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you may have to take a check test at any time during your period of registration.
When you take a check test, your instructional ability will be assessed and graded by a suitably trained examiner according to the standards laid down by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
You will be given a grading at the end of the test - grade one being the lowest grade and grade six the highest. If you get grade three or lower, you will usually be asked to retake the check test.
Check tests are designed to make sure that proper standards of driving instruction are maintained. The tests normally take place during normal working hours from Mondays to Fridays. The test lasts for about an hour, with a 15 minute debrief afterwards. You should bring your ADI certificate with you.
How check tests are carried out
A check test usually involves the examiner assessing your instructional ability by watching a lesson you give to a real pupil. If you don't have a pupil available, you may give instruction to someone who holds a full driving licence, but you will need to make your level of instruction right for their ability. You can't use another ADI as your pupil.
If you can't get a pupil for the check test, the examiner can act as the pupil and carry out a role-play check test.
The check test is a chance for you to show your ability to instruct pupils and to get professional guidance on where you could improve.
If you fail to attend a check test
All registered ADIs are legally obliged to take check tests when they are asked. Not having a pupil, not working as an ADI and not having a car are unacceptable reasons for failing to attend a check test.
If you do not attend when invited, the Registrar will require you to attend on a given date. If you fail to do so - without good reason - you could be removed from the ADI Register.
What Happy Hour can do for you
At Happy Hour Training Services we specialise in instructor training and retraining approved ADI who are struggling with the fast moving changes of our industry. If you require training to upgrade your skills for teaching in this pressurised industry or need assistance for your check test, why not come and speak to one of our consultants who will assess your ability and structure your training programme to improve your skills.
