Category: Become a driving instructor

1. ADI Part 3 Commentary Driving

   Posted on 6:00am Friday 9th Jan 2026

   Commentary driving is a vital requirement for passing part 3 - Without it you WILL NOT PASS.

2. ADI Part 3 update from DVSA

   Posted on 6:00pm Wednesday 16th Mar 2022

   Updates on ADI part 3 tests and standards checks

   DVSA has reviewed changes made to ADI part 3 test and standards checks.

   Keeping the current changes

   DVSA is keeping part 3 and standards check at 45 minutes across Great Britain. Tests carried out during the pandemic have shown that it gives enough time for instructors to properly demonstrate all of the required competences and use appropriate instructional techniques.

   There is no evidence that the shortened test has resulted in any detriment to standards. 

   Feedback from examiners carrying out the tests is that the shorter period has led to a more focused assessment.

   DVSA will also continue to ask that your pupil who you bring to these tests must be at least partly trained. 

   This is because beginner lessons tend to have a greater proportion of stationary instruction, and we need to be able to assess the instructor’s ability to control the lesson in a moving environment.

   Allowing trainers to sit in on tests

   Trainers are allowed to sit in on ADI part 3 and standards checks in England and are encouraged to do so.

   It is still not possible for ADI trainers to sit in on ADI part 3 and standards checks in Wales or Scotland as only essential car sharing can be undertaken under the Scottish and Welsh Government’s current guidance.

   We will keep this under review.

3. DVSA announces driving test changes from March 1st

   Posted on 7:00pm Monday 28th Feb 2022

   Driver testing services – lifting of COVID-19 driving test restrictions

   We are lifting COVID-19 restrictions affecting driving and theory tests in England from Tuesday 1 March in line with the government announcement that English restrictions ended on 24 February. The changes in England are: • face coverings will be a personal choice for practical and theory test candidates and examiners • driving tests will no longer end early unless the candidate’s driving is so poor it is a risk to their safety and that of other road users - in line with the pre-COVID-19 policy • instructors and accompanying drivers are able to sit in on driving tests • you no longer have to self isolate if you have COVID-19, but we encourage you to rearrange your test if you feel unwell for any reason You need to make your pupils aware of these forthcoming changes, especially if you have made their practical test booking for them. The current driving and theory tests safety measures in Scotland and Wales remain in place and we will let you know of any changes. DVSA guidance on GOV.UK will be updated shortly.   Face coverings Your pupil will have personal choice on whether they want to wear a face covering on their driving or theory test from 1 March in England. Candidates will no longer have to let us know if they cannot wear a face covering in advance of their driving test from 1 March. This also applies to bookings you make on behalf of your pupils. Our driving examiners can also make a personal choice to wear a face covering if they wish. Face coverings continue to be a personal choice for you and your pupils during driving lessons in England. Ending driving tests early From 1 March, our driving examiners will no longer end tests early and they can continue after a candidate has committed a serious or dangerous fault to give them the full-test experience. Tests will only be terminated early if the driving examiner assesses that the candidate’s driving is so poor it risks their safety and that of other road users. This is in line with our pre-COVID-19 policy. ADIs sitting in on tests We are lifting the restriction on ADIs and accompanying drivers to sit in on a driving test from 1 March. This means that driving examiners will ask your pupil if they want someone to: sit in the back of the car during the test be with them for the result and feedback ADI standards checks and ADI part 2 tests The lifting of restrictions for wearing face coverings on tests from 1 March also includes ADI part 2 tests and ADI standards checks. Standards checks will continue to last for 40 minutes. Clean vehicles We will no longer be cancelling driving tests if the inside of a vehicle is not clean. However, we continue to encourage you to clean and tidy the inside of your vehicle when presenting it for a driving test in line with good hygiene. It will be optional for examiners to wipe down surfaces in test vehicles or ventilate these vehicles during tests. Pupils testing positive for COVID-19 We encourage candidates testing positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days before their driving test not to attend their test to reduce the spread of the virus. You or your pupil should email us at [email protected] with the subject title ‘COVID-19 short notice cancellation’ to rearrange their test. You or your pupil will need to include the following information in the email: their driving licence number their driving test booking reference number We will then contact you or your pupil to help rearrange the test. Your pupil will not have to pay again.   Taking rapid lateral flow tests Until 1 April, we continue to ask your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home. Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test. Thank you for your support We know this has been a very challenging period for the driver and rider training industry. The changes we have made to our services have had an impact across the industry but you have shown resilience, supported our colleagues and responded positively to our engagement. We want to thank you for taking the necessary action to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, and protect our colleagues.

4. Whats it like to be a driving instructor with a difficult pupil?

   Posted on 8:00pm Sunday 29th Aug 2021

   That’s a very good question there is no doubting it is one of the most challenging aspects to become a driving instructor

   When a pupil is either unresponsive or just being difficult you have to try your best to just rise above it after all the reality is, that you are trying to help them to gain a driving license and to get their freedom by being able to drive.

   You are fully aware Learning to drive is an expensive undertaking and that you want to save them money and get them to test standard as quickly as possible, after all who wants to be waiting months and months and months to get to Driving test standard?

   The fact that you don’t want to listen to your instructor, or the most annoying part, is when they think they know more than you and as a result they feel they don’t have to do what you’re asking them.

   Recently we had a pupil who quite outwardly stated to their driving instructor that they didn’t like to be told what to do, well in that case why come to learn with the driving instructor if you don’t want anybody telling what you need to do?

   You’re paying us to teach you to drive and to hopefully if you follow what we tell you, pass your driving test first time, so how do you expect this to happen if you don’t like being told what you need to do it?

   So part of your role as a driving instructor is to try and reach an agreement with the pupil, in the fact of the way you teach, you’re trying to make your pupil bring the answers out for themselves by means of coaching rather than instruction.

   Also to take into account is that the pupil may not be trying to be difficult, but, may just be having a bad day or have things on their mind.

   Either way you grin and bear it and just keep thinking that tomorrow is a brand new day!

    

5. Latest DVSA Driving Test News July 2021

   Posted on 6:00am Friday 16th Jul 2021

   LATEST UPDATE FROM DVSA

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   Driver testing services: step 4 of the roadmap

   Following the government’s announcement setting out plans to move to step 4 of the roadmap in England on 19 July, we want to explain what these changes mean to driver testing services in England and how these will affect you and your pupils.

    

   Driving lessons: keeping yourself and others safe

    

   There is still a risk you could catch or pass on the virus, even if you are fully vaccinated.

    

   You are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the risks.

    While no situation is risk free, there are actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us.

    Wearing a face covering

    COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

   The government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed spaces.

    So we still recommend you and your pupils wearing a face covering during a driving lesson.

    Fresh air

    When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs, talks or breathes, they release droplets and aerosols which can be breathed in by another person. Fresh air blows away these particles, reducing the chances of COVID-19 spreading.

    

   The more fresh air you let into your vehicle, the less likely a person is to inhale infectious particles.

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   Driving tests

    Taking rapid lateral flow tests

    From 19 July, we will continue to encourage your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test in the 48 hours before their driving test

   Face coverings

    From 19 July we will continue to expect you and your pupils to wear a face covering when you come for driving tests,unless you or your pupil have a good reason not to, such as:

    • having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering

   • putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress

    Your pupil must tell us if they have a good reason not to wear a face covering when they book their test –

    

   if you have made the booking on behalf of your pupil you will need to do this if required.

    

   Your pupil’s test will not take place without a face covering if they do not tell us ahead of their test.

    If your pupil makes a dangerous or serious fault on test

    From 19 July if your pupil makes a serious or dangerous fault, which means they’ve failed their test, the driving examiner will still direct them back to the driving test centre, where the test will end.

    

   This is to minimise the amount of time they need to spend in the vehicle.

    We will keep this measure under review.

    

   Car cleanliness and fresh air

   The car used for the test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test.

   Any combination of windows can be opened. Your pupils should wear clothing suitable for the weather.

   Allowing instructors to sit in on driving tests

    As part of our measures, we stopped allowing you to sit in on driving tests.

    As social distancing measures are relaxed on 19 July, we'll review this measure and consider when you will be able to safely sit in on driving tests again.

    We will let know as soon as there is an update on this.

   Test centre waiting rooms

    In general, the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is higher:

   • in crowded spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious

   • in enclosed indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air

   We encourage you to keep your distance and wear face coverings in our waiting areas to help reduce the spread of the virus.

    

   Some of our waiting rooms will need to remain closed because they are located in:

   • shared buildings where the landlord is not allowing public access

   • rooms with no ventilation

    

   We will continue to work with our local facilities team and landlords at these sites and will let you know when we are in a position to reopen them.