The Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 3 test is a test of your ability to instruct pupils. It’s the last of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.
 

Overview

 
A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiner will watch you give a client-centred driving lesson lasting about an hour to one of your pupils.
 
Your pupil can be a learner or a full licence holder. They can’t be an ADI or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test.
 
You can take your trainer or mentor with you, but they can’t take part in the lesson.
 
The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

 

How you will be marked

 
You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

  • lesson planning
  • risk management
  • teaching and learning strategies

 
The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI part 3 test report form, which the examiner will fill in at the end of your test.

You’ll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test, and what your grade will be.
 

Test result

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

You’ll get your grade, along with your completed ADI part 3 test report form.
 
Total score

0-30: Your performance is unsatisfactory, and you won’t join the ADI register – Grade – FAIL

31-42: You’ll be allowed to join the ADI register – Grade B

43-51: You have shown a high standard of instruction and you’ll be allowed to join the ADI register – Grade A
 
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

When you pass:


When you pass the ADI Part 3 test you can apply for your first ADI badge.
 

The Examiner’s Supervisor

 
The examiner’s supervisor may attend the test too.
They will be watching the examiner’s performance only and won’t have comment or assess how you’re tested or affect your result.
 

Cost

 
You have 3 attempts at this test. Should you fail the 3rd attempt, you will have to wait for the 2 year period to end (that started when you passed Part 1) and sit Part 1 again.
 
You must pay the DVSA £111 for this test.
 
Once you have qualified, you can apply for your ‘ADI Licence’ (otherwise known as your ‘Green Badge’). You must pay the DVSA £300 for this.
 

DVSA Video

 

Sorry, the DVSA video is due to change soon (so the DVSA tell us!)

Next - Training

Now that we have covered the 3 tests, we now want to cover the training to prepare you for the 3 tests.


If you are thinking of becoming a driving instructor then I can't rate SmartDriving highly enough.

The training system is excellent the virtual classrooms are enjoyable and very informative and Andrew and the team are always available to answer any queries, not matter how trivial.

Top Team who assisted me greatly in obtaining my ADI Licence.

Richard Hart

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