The Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 2 test is a test of your driving ability. It’s the second of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.
 

Overview

There are 5 parts to the test:

  • an eyesight check
  • ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
  • general driving ability
  • manoeuvres
  • independent driving

 

To pass the test you must be able to:
 

  • drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
  • show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive

 
The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test.

What you need for the Test

 
You’ll need to take:

  • your UK driving licence. If you don’t have a photocard licence, bring a valid passport and your paper licence.
  • your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 pass certificate
  • a suitable car – See the DVSA’s advice on the the car

 
Your test will be cancelled and you won’t get your money back if you don’t take the right things with you.
 

The Eyesight Test

 
You’ll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate*
  • 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
  • (*New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, eg AB51 ABC.)

 
You are allowed to use glasses or contact lenses if you need them to read the number plate, but then you must use them during the whole test.
 
You’ll fail the test if you don’t pass the eyesight test. It will count as 1 of the 3 attempts at the ADI part 2 test.
 

Vehicle Safety Questions

 
You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.
 
You’ll be asked:

  • 3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving
  • 2 ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

 
You’ll get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give.
 
You’ll get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions.

Driving

 
You must demonstrate you have a thorough understanding of good, safe driving techniques.

During the test, you will  show the examiner all of the following:

  • expert handling of the controls
  • use of correct road procedure
  • anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action
  • sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
  • consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users
  • driving in an environmentally friendly manner

 
You will also drive in a variety of road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.
 
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
 

Reversing your vehicle

 
The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises:

  • parallel park at the side of the road
  • reverse into a parking bay and drive out
  • drive into a parking bay and reverse out
  • pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

 

Independent Driving

 
For a period of about 20 minutes, you will have to drive without instructions or directions from the examiner. You will have to follow either:

  • traffic signs
  • directions from a sat nav
  •  
    The examiner will tell you which you have to do.

 
Following directions from a sat nav
 
The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.
 
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test.
 
Going off the route
 
Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it.
 
The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do.
 
If you can’t see traffic signs
 
If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
 
If you make mistakes during your test
 

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.
 
The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.
 

The Test Result

 
There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:

  • a dangerous fault is one that involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
  • a serious fault is one could potentially be dangerous
  • a driving fault is not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault a number of times it could become a serious fault

 
You will pass the test if you make no more than 6 driving faults and/or no serious or dangerous faults.
 

Ther 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.

DVSA Video

 

The DVSA have yet to replace this video. It will due soon (they say!)


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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