ADI Part 3 Goals and Needs in Wet Weather
Teaching Goals & Needs in Wet Weather
Teaching Goals & Needs in Wet Weather
When the Sky Opens, So Does the Real Lesson
After nearly half a year of dry roads, the great British autumn has finally arrived — and with it, the inevitable downpours. For most drivers, it’s an inconvenience. For driving instructors, it’s a masterclass waiting to happen.
Wet weather changes everything — grip, braking, visibility, and pupil confidence. But here’s the twist: when the heavens open, it’s not just your pupil being tested.
“Wet weather doesn’t just test your pupil — it tests you. If you can’t set the right goals for their needs, you’ll fail Part 3 before the wipers have even started.”
When the rain starts mid lesson
When the rain starts Mid lesson
Imagine this: your pupil’s driving smoothly, the plan’s going to schedule — and then the rain hits.
First step? Find out what you’re working with.
Ask:
“Have you driven in the rain before?”
“Do you know what to do when visibility drops?”
“What should we check before moving off again?”
ADI Part 3 Goals and Needs in wet weather
If the answer is yes, explore further. Are the headlights and demister already on? Do they realise reduced visibility makes it harder to spot pedestrians — or that pedestrians themselves might be distracted, heads down under umbrellas?
If the answer is no, take control. Pull over safely and explain that you’re adapting the lesson to suit the new conditions. That’s good teaching — showing awareness and flexibility in real time.
Lesson Goal: Drive Safely in Wet Weather
Lesson Goal: Drive Safely in Wet Weather
Before you dive into instruction, identify the gaps.
“Alright, Chris — it’s really tipping it down now. Have you driven in this before? What’s the first thing we need to do to stay safe?”
By asking questions, you involve the pupil in their own learning — exactly what examiners want to see during an ADI Part 3 test.
Visibility & Control: See and Be Seen
Visibility & Control: See and Be Seen
Visibility is everything.
Before anything else, focus on how to keep the screen clear and the car visible.
Talk through:
Demister controls: Do they know how to use them effectively?
Airflow settings: Can they tell the difference between fresh air and recirculate (and that recirculate will fog up the glass fast)?
Air conditioning: Do they know it helps clear mist, even with the heat on?
Wipers: Do they understand the settings — and that automatic wipers don’t always get it right?
Headlights: Remind them that automatic lights don’t always activate in dull daylight, meaning no rear lights in spray.
Setting goals when raining
Goal: “Be confident managing wipers, demisters, and lights to maintain visibility without losing focus on traffic.”
“It’s not about pressing buttons — it’s about understanding why visibility control matters.”
That’s what an examiner wants to see: diagnosis, not direction.
Common Wet-Weather Faults and the Goals That Fix Them using KUSC
Common Wet-Weather Faults and the Goals That Fix Them
1. Speed
Pupils often continue driving as if the tarmac were dry.
Need: Awareness that wet roads double stopping distances.
Goal: “By the end of this drive, you’ll adapt your speed to match wet conditions, leaving enough space to stop safely.”
If you simply say slow down, you’ll miss the mark. Explain why. The examiner’s looking for the reasoning behind your goal, not just the instruction.
Common Wet-Weather Faults and the Goals That Fix Them using KUSC
2. Following Distance
Spray and glare reduce visibility.
Need: Knowledge of safe following gaps.
Goal: “You’ll maintain at least double the normal following distance in rain, and even more at higher speeds.”
It’s simple — but only effective if the pupil understands why that space matters.
Common Wet-Weather Faults and the Goals That Fix Them - Using KUSC
3. Confidence & Decision-Making
This one’s less technical, more psychological. Some pupils crawl nervously, hesitate at junctions, or freeze when spray blinds them.
Need: Reassurance and structured practice.
Goal: “You’ll build confidence approaching wet-weather junctions, maintaining steady progress even with reduced visibility.”
If you don’t frame the goal around confidence, you’ll miss the pupil’s true need — and the examiner will spot it instantly.
The Rain Is an Opportunity
The Rain Is an Opportunity
When the rain starts to fall, don’t dread it — use it.
Wet weather is your chance to demonstrate professionalism, adaptability, and clarity under pressure.
Because when it comes to Goals & Needs, rain isn’t the problem.
It’s the opportunity to show you truly understand the art of instruction.
“Next time the rain comes down, don’t see it as a setback. See it as your moment to shine — because the best instructors don’t wait for perfect weather.”