Please take a look at the Government web site on how to be an ADI.
Part 1
of the approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying process is the theory test. Before you can take the test, you’ll need to have completed a criminal record check and been allocated a Personnel Reference Number (PRN) by the ADI registrar.
This test is in two parts:
- the multiple choice part
- the hazard perception part.
so, the multiple choice is a question bank of 100 randomly selected questions from the highway code. These questions are randomly selected into 4 branded groups, whilst you must pass with an overall pass of 85% in all 4 of these groups which means that a pass of 84% in one group and 100% in the other 3 will result in a fail!
Preparing for the multiple choice testIn the multiple choice test, you’ll need to show your knowledge of
- The Highway Code.
- the rules of the road.
- instructional techniques.
The ADI theory test needs a higher standard of knowledge than the learner theory test because you’ll need a more thorough understanding of these topics so you can teach them to your pupils.
Preparing for your ADI theory test will help you to understand what your pupils will be going through as they prepare for their test. Think about how you find the process and what you find helpful so you can use this to support your pupils in the future.
The multiple choice test covers the following topics in four ‘bands’.
- road procedure.
- traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge.
- driving test, disabilities and law.
- publications and instructional techniques.
Tips for helping you learn There are lots of tricks you can use to help you learn what you’ll need to know for your test. Here are a few ideas.
- Link what you’re learning to your own experiences: for example, think about where you’ve seen an example of a road sign and use this to help you remember what the sign means.
- Use mnemonics: these are sayings or stories that help you remember something – for example, ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ reminds you of the colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
- Practise the question formats: as well as knowing all the information, you’ll also need to know how the questions are asked in the test. Use the practice test and the self-assessment questions in The Official DVSA Theory Test for Approved Driving Instructors. Plan your study: set yourself some timelines and targets. This will help you to see your progress and make sure you haven’t missed anything. Plan to do your studying somewhere you won’t be disturbed and at a time when you’re fully awake.
- Get help: use friends, family, your instructor or your colleagues from work to ask questions and share driving experiences.
Use the
stopping distances game
and
road sign quiz
to help you practise too.
It might be a while since you did any studying so allow yourself plenty of time to find out what works best for you.
Preparing for the hazard perception testFor the hazard perception side, you have to view 14 video clips you are required to pass with a minimum of 57 out of 75 (85%) each clip has a scoring window of when a hazard develops on the screen, scoring 5-0. 1 video clip has two scoring points so you need to watch carefully. These clips are now CGI generated and of a very good quality however, you will need to practice this as it is a lot different on a computer than in real life. Practice on a computer change settings to ADI as these are harder than a learner's hazard perception test.
This part of the test checks you can recognise and respond to hazards that
could
happen while you’re driving. Being out on the road with your trainer will help you prepare for this part. There’s also ‘The Official DVSA Guide to Hazard Perception', an interactive DVD that will help you learn to recognise hazards, know what to do when you see a hazard and practise for the test.
Your knowledge will need to vary and cover not just the highway code, but road signs, recommended books for this learning cycle are:
- Highway code.
- DVSA Driving.
- DVSA learning to drive (this is so you can see what a learner has to be able to do) know your traffic signs and a good quality DVD rom best is by focus multimedia (the current year is needed, as past years are not up to date questions)
Congratulations once you have passed this exam (you can take this as many times as you like but if this is multiple times question yourself have you studied enough, do you have all the background knowledge or road regulations, traffic, highway code).You now have 2 years to pass the next 2 exams, unfortunately, you now have just 3 attempts at part 2 and 3 if you fail either 3 times you have to wait for your 2-year window to expire and go throughout all again.
Part 2
- You're driving ability!
Once you have passed part 1 you have to take the Driving test again, this is to a very high standard, you cannot make more than 6 driver faults, compared to a learner pupil who can make as much as 15 driver faults. Remember you only have 3 attempts at this test. So the best way we can describe this is 'faultless' whilst you may have been driving for many years, it is quite common for people to go on 'autopilot' (same journey, same junctions, same hazards) in fact as a driver you probably will have become complacent in your driving abilities as for most of the general driving public.
Because of this factor, we have identified in our years of expertise that all potential PDI candidates will require remedial training before doing their part 2 test.
We can not quote a specific amount of hours, as this comes down to your habits, ability, and learning abilities.
For your part 2 test, you will need to be totally alert to all that's going on around you, how you use the gas, brake, gears, mirrors, speed, junctions, roundabouts, motorways (yes, providing one is nearby, and is a short motorway drive can be part of your part 2 test) these are to name just a few points. The many things you are taught as a learner, have not been forgotten, just you don't see the need, or doesn't cause a problem, so you may not drive the correct way, can you remember what a blind spot is?
We will work with you to bring your driving abilities back to the high test standard you were taught to help you succeed in your part 2 test.
Part 3
- You're teaching ability
Your part three test is to show to the examiner you have the ability and can teach a person to drive. (This is separate training from your part 2 test, part 2 training is Not part of the 40 hours) You will be required to identify faults and correct them, ask questions for the pupil to answer. You will have to be training for a mandatory 40 hours recorded part 3 training with a training provider/sponsor such as our selves at BubbLe Driving School (Teaching a learner at different levels complete beginner, intermediate or at test standard require different approaches by you as the instructor, a common fail result for a part 3 teaching exam is over instructing the learner in this test. You only have three attempts to pass this test.
Once 40 hours have been completed you can apply to go on a trainee license, PDI badge, this means you will be able to teach learners for reward (Earn as you learn), you will need to complete an additional 20 hours in the 1st 12 weeks of your PDI license starting and book in your 1st attempt at the part 3 exam. The best way to succeed in passing your part three test is to apply for your PDI badge. Whilst you are out teaching during your PDI badge duration, you are developing your teaching skills and working with a trainer to home in on them for your part three test. It's not easy, and it can be very challenging but very rewarding as you progress day by day, week by week, so we advise you not to try and rush through.
We can provide all the required training from start to finish, as well as be on hand for any questions you have with the training and reports and general questions to, we can set you up working on a trainee license and be your sponsor during this period. To date, we maintain the highest success rate of 100% qualification since the very first-day BubbLe Driving School was set up with over half our team being trained by ourselves.
Alex MacArthur - 2021
I've worked with Bubble Driving School for 3 years when i first joined, then i left on to other things and have rejoined them years later, but i had to leave again due to family issues, but again rejoined for a 3rd time back in may 2018.
Russ trained me way back 13 years ago, and the trainee even back then was superb. Russ and Jennie were attentive to detail, and really helped me be the professional person i am now.
I have more than enjoyed working with both Russ, Jennie, and Tim very much. They are all very supportive and will always make the time to listen to you and help in which ever way they! Jennie and Russ work very hard to promote the company and have been very successful in doing this over the last few months, but also keeping us involved in decisions and taking on board any concerns or ideas we have.
The franchise is very reasonable and suits my needs, the car designs are good fun, which does reflect with the instructors that work with Bubble, they are a great bunch of people to work with, and it makes doing what can be a lonely job much easier! They even have their own dedicated chat group to me for issues, but also a very supportive team group for all to help guide and have a laugh too.
During the pandemic, Russell went above and beyond with me and everyone in the bubble family, They worked with us all on devising a safe COVID-19 policy that would protect myself and my family as well as the bubble clients.
You were a huge part of me getting through my part 3 on my pink license, any trainee would greatly benefit from you and Bubble's help. It is a good company to train with and work with, with consistent work and it is great being part of such a wonderful team.
Marcus Sheppard
I chose to train with Bubble after talking to another qualified instructor who franchises with them.
I liked that you can take the course at your own pace so you can do as much private practice as you need between sessions. Bubble has multiple ADI trainers so you have the option of lessons with different instructors if you want to see different teaching styles. I found this useful in developing my own style.
Now I'm instructing on a provisional licence and preparing for my final exam. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of setting my own hours and the one-on-one teaching environment. The best part is the satisfaction when pupils pass, knowing you have helped them acquire an important life skill. BubbLe driving school are now pleased to say Marcus in now a fully quailified ADI.
Sarah Blandford
My husband Chris, has been working with BubbLe for a good few years now, and I decided to also follow in his foot steps and become a driving instructor. I had training with Alex, and I was very nervous as I wasn’t too sure what the training would involve.
Alex made me feel comfortable and challenged me when I asked to be challenged. She got me to do the briefings first and to see how I would explain it and then she would give feedback on it and then show me how she would do the briefings so I could see the difference. There was points in the training where I felt I was hitting a brick wall, but Alex assured me that it is a lot to take in and do but I would get it with practice and confidence.
We laughed at the silly mistakes I was making, but she made clear what the implications would be if the instructions weren’t clear or if I didn’t step in. Near to the end I started to build my confidence with instructing and have the coinfindance in my teaching abilities. I was on a PDI badge as the trainers say, the earn as you learn part, and I was with clients as well as advancing my training all building to my part 3 test to be fully qualified ADI, and thanks to Bubble and me being a PDI, i fully qualified November 2019 on my first attempt on my part 3 exam. I now thoroughly love my new job. Thanks Alex and BubbLe, defiantly worth the risk, and its paid off, all my training done in 7 months and at my own pace too.
Daniel Ashmead
I recently passed my part 3 exam and I’m now a fully qualified ADI. The course was very rewarding but challenging. You will need to put in the time and effort to get the best results.
The whole experience has been very good Bubble are very friendly and professional. Both Russ and Alex made the training enjoyable, informative and easy to follow. They are very helpful, professional and very knowledgeable. They give great advice and feedback. Working on a couple of things at a time, so not to overload my brain. They are always there to offer advice and any help you need, even outside the training hours.
I would certainly recommend the training to anyone who wishes to pursue a career as a driving instructor. Bubble are more like a family, couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of people.
I really enjoy the job it gives me great flexibility and I enjoy a very healthy work life balance. You get to meet new people and give them the skills in driving for the rest of their lives. There is nothing better than helping someone and seeing them achieve their goals and pass the driving test. Complete job satisfaction.
Hassan Syed
The instructors who trained me at Bubble Driving School, namely Russell and Richard were exceptional, I cannot rate them more highly. Their guidance was invaluable leading up to the part 3 exam. They were able to quickly identify my wrongdoings and give me sound advice of how to improve, even when I struggled they showed great patience which I learnt is a vital virtue to have as an instructor. I highly recommend to anyone looking to become an ADI to use Bubble Driving School. They also worked around my availability for my training. And being on a pay as you go basis after buying the course material books, I was really pleased and didn't felt rushed or pressured. This has now been the best career decission I have ever made.
Daniel Malik
I have found training with Bubble Driving School as a great experience that prepared me well for a new role and career change from being a head chef.
It was very easy to organize and schedule training sessions with Richard and Russell who were flexible with the limited time I had whilst working my full-time job in the interim of training.
They did show a lot of engagement, patience, and passion as well as we're sharing a lot of tips and advice from their huge experience as instructors.
I have been put in various situations and various ways of reaching and dealing with different needs of pupils.
I have already recommended Bubble to one of the new PDI under training Lukasz.
Also, I have an opportunity to talk and compare my training to the one that my wife received years ago elsewhere, yes my wife is also an instructor with BubbLe too, and based on that I think I have received a lot more me-focused one to one training.
Plus the never-ending possibility to ask for advice nowadays,
Job so far I have found great, sometimes challenging experience but immense satisfaction.
I do enjoy teaching people a lifetime skill and it brings great joy and satisfaction to see their progress and them passing their practical test
Rob Stokes:
Russ and Jennie have been incredibly supportive and the training for my part 3, has been fantastic. I am so glad that I decided to change my career, and that I chose Bubble Driving School
I f you would like to learn more about becoming a Driving Instructor please complete our
ADI Enquiry Form
here and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.