Register of Approved Driving Instructors
To be entered on the Register of Approved
Driving Instructors one must:
- Hold a full UK or European Union (EU/European
Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving license
- Have held it for a total of at least
four out of the past six years prior to entering the Register after
qualifying
- Not have been disqualified from driving
at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the Register
- Be a “fit and proper” person; all
convictions are taken into account when entering your name on the
register, and enhanced level criminal record check is required
- Pass two qualifying practical
examinations within two years of passing the theory examination
- Apply for registration within 12 months
of passing the final part of the examination.
Qualifying
The qualification examination is in three
parts:
• a computer based theory test
• a practical test of your driving ability
• a practical test of your ability to
instruct
Part 1 is the Theory Test which
consists of a multiple choice test of 100 questions split into four bands as
well as a Hazard Perception Test. To pass, the candidate must achieve a pass
mark of at least 85% in the multiple choice element and answer at least 80%
of the questions correctly in each band. While a candidate may achieve over
80% overall they may still fail if they do not answer 80% correctly in any
one band. The pass mark for the Hazard Perception Test is 57 out of 75.
Part 2 is a test of the candidate's
eyesight and driving ability which lasts for one hour covering many types of
roads and conditions. A high level of competence is required and all
manoeuvres are tested.
Part 3 is a test of instructional
ability and lasts for one hour which is broken into two phases. In phase
one, the examiner plays a "beginner" pupil and expects to be instructed
accordingly. For the second phase, the examiner plays a pupil of about test
standard—a pupil who failed the test, or a full licence holder. To pass, the
candidates must achieve at least a grade 4 in each. Parts 2 and 3 must be
passed within two years of the successful part 1 attempt. In addition to
this, parts 2 and 3 are limited to three attempts in any two year period. If
you do not qualify in this two year period you must re-apply and re-take all
the examinations.
An instructor must display proof they are
legally allowed to accept pay for driving training. They must:
- Display a green badge in the left side
of the windscreen of the training vehicle showing their photo, name and
confirming their entry on the Register.
- Display a red/pink badge as a licensed
trainee instructor provided they have passed their part 2 and have
undergone a minimum amount of training. This licence is only valid for six
months and is designed to give prospective instructor valuable experience
for their part 3 examination.
Also, qualified instructors must undergo a
test of 'Continued Ability and Fitness to Give Instruction' (Check Test) at
regular intervals to remain on the register. Instructors who fail to do so
may be removed from the register.The Check Test involves a supervising
examiner sitting in the back seat of a normal driving lesson to ensure the
instructor maintains the required standard of teaching. If the instructor
cannot provide a student the examiner will perform a role play.
Instructors are rated according to this
Check Test as Grade 1 to Grade 6; where 6 is the highest, 4 (the pass mark)
is competent, 3 and below are varying fail grades.
The DSA is currently undergoing a
consultative process to improve training, testing, and a driving for life
programme. The consultation includes an improved driving test, improved
learning process, better information about instructors, and improved
instructor training and to introduce further options for learning and
qualifications. More information: DSA Learning to Drive Consultation
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