Driving Instructor Training – Parts 1 and 2

Driving Instructor Traininf for future ADI's. Parts 1 and 2.

The instructor training process is in three parts. Each of which you have 3 attempts in which to pass before you must start the application process again – but only once a year has passed since you last applied.

It begins with a theory test. This follows the same format as the provisional licence holder test of multiple choice questions and a hazard perception, however you have 100 questions to battle through instead of 50. You will encounter some questions that are slightly harder than those found in the learner theory exam but as long as you have done sufficient revision it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

The second part is the hazard perception which consists of 14 video clips where you must click the mouse when you see a potential hazard, and again when it starts to develop. The most points you can achieve per clip is 5. This gradually diminishes the later you spot the hazard. The reason you click twice per clip in just in case you initially clicked too early the first time. So you would click when you think you see the hazard, and then again a second or two later as it ‘develops’.

If you’re training with a company they should provide you with all the necessary material, practice tests, and support. If you’re going in it alone at this stage, a good few reads of the highway code and use of some sort of theory package would suffice.

The test will be taken on a touch screen computer, with headphones available if required and you find out your result straight away at reception.

Once the theory is complete and passed your next step is the practical driving test. This again follows  similar pattern to the learner driver practical test with a few tweeks. As you would imagine they are looking for a far higher standard of driving.

The test will last for an hour in which time you will be required to complete two manoeuvres, the controlled stop, a couple of the ‘show me / tell me’ questions and possibly a stint on the motorway. In this time you must not acquire any more than 5 minor faults, and of course no serious or dangerous faults.

Again if you are training with a company they will provide you with all the support and training you need to ensure you’re ready. If you are not then it will be worth sourcing out a local driving instructor for a few lessons, which I would highly recommend. You may well already be a good, competent and safe driver but you may not be aware of or following the correct rules and procedures, in the right order. The examiner will be looking at your driving from the point of view you will be teaching your learners to drive the same, so if your driving isn’t up to scratch then you won’t be teaching your learners correctly.

Any local instructor will be able to help as they would have been through it all before and the routines and procedures are the same as what would be taught to a learner.

The test will still be nerve racking and you would be very surprised at how many fail. Last time I looked the pass rate was only 52% - and this is full licence holders wanting to be instructors failing THEIR driving tests! Take your time and don’t rush.

Once passed you then have 2 out of the three tests behind you and the finishing line is in sight.

You now have a decision to make. Do you go for a ‘pink badge’ and get some teaching experience, or head straight for the test after you have completed the necessary training hours?

Jason Vines, Vines Driving School, dedicated to professionalism and improving road safety. We cover Driving Lessons in Sutton and Driving Lessons in Guildford and all the surrounding area.

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