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Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step
Guidance

National standard for driver and rider training

What you must be able to do and what you must know and understand to provide training to drivers and riders.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published:
31 October 2011
Last updated:
20 November 2020
Show all updates

  1. Added HTML version of National Standard for driver and rider training.

  2. Added information about the increased considerations that need to be taken when driving in bad weather, using sat nav systems, responsibilities of accompanying drivers, and updated references of ‘Driving Standards Agency’ to ‘Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’.

  3. Added a webpage version of the 'National standard for driver and rider training'.

  4. First published.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

National standard for driver and rider training

HTML

National standard for driver and rider training

Ref: DVSA/NS/DRT

PDF, 597 KB, 33 pages

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Details

The standard is for people who provide training to drivers of cars, light vans, and mopeds and motorcycles.

It tells you what you must be able to do to provide training.

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you have:

  • questions about the standard
  • ideas about how it could be improved
  • evidence to make the standard stronger

DVSA national driver and rider standards

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This page is Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

    1. Check if the role is right for you on the Safe Driving for Life website
    2. Check you're eligible to become a driving instructor
    3. You are currently viewing: Find out about the skills and knowledge you need

  2. Step 2 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.

    1. Get a DBS check

    You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.

    1. Read about driving instructor responsibilities
    1. Start your application

  3. Step 3 Get a trainer

    Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.

    1. Find driving instructor training courses

  4. Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

    1. Revise and practise for your test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a theory test centre
    4. 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.

  5. Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  6. Step 6 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.

    1. Find out about trainee instructor licences
    2. Apply for a trainee instructor licence £140

  7. Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  8. Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor

    Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.

    1. Register for your first ADI certificate £300

    When you have your certificate you can start charging for lessons. You can either:

    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.

    1. Find out about ADI standards checks
    2. Renew your registration £300
    3. Improve your skills as an instructor