Pass with Purdy's Driving School - Instructor Training
Do you have what it takes to be a Driving Instructor?
- Patience
- Good sense of humour
- Professional but approachable
- Good communication skills
As well as the natural skills listed above you will need to meet a certain criteria before you can begin the qualifying process.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
You must:
- Hold a full UK license or EU, EEC unrestricted car driving license.
- Have held it for a least four out of the past six years prior to entering the register after qualifying.
- Must not have been disqualified from driving anytime in the four years prior to being entered in the register.
- Be a fit and proper person to have your name entered in the register. All convictions, motoring and non-motoring will be taken into account when the DSA assess your suitability to be entered on the register. From spring 2007 applicants are required to have an enhanced level criminal record check. The information from this check will be used to assess the suitability of persons applying for inclusion on the register of A.D.I’s.
- Pass the two qualifying practical exams within two years of passing the theory and hazard perception exam.
- Apply within twelve months of passing the final part of the exam.
THE QUALIFYING PROCESS
The qualifying process is made up of three exams. The first is known as part one. Part one is an A.D.I Theory and Hazard Perception test. The second exam, part two is a test of your driving ability. The final exam, part three is the test of teaching ability. You are allowed three attempts at part two and three. Attempts at part one are unlimited. If you fail three attempts at part two or three then you must wait until the two years have lapsed since you passed your Theory exam and apply again and start the process at the beginning.
THEORY TEST (PART ONE)
There are two parts to the test, the theory questions and then the Hazard Perception.
This test is done on a computer, you will use a mouse button to select your answer in the multiple choice part and click for a potentially developing hazard in the hazard perception.
You must pass both parts of the test on the same occasion or you will be required to re-take both parts.
Before the test begins there will be onscreen instructions for your guidance. You will be offered the option of a practice session before you start the real thing.
The pass mark for the multiple choice element is 85%. You must also achieve a minimum of 80% in each category. You could get an overall mark of 85% or more and still fail if you do not achieve this.
Ensure that you read the questions carefully, some are worded in a very similar fashion or require more than one answer. As you progress through the test you have the option of flagging questions you are not sure about and coming back to them later in the exam. You are given ninety minutes to answer one hundred questions.
The questions are grouped in four categories:
- Road Procedure.
- Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge.
- Driving test, disabilities and law.
- Publications and instructional technique
The reason for using this system is to ensure a good level of knowledge throughout all categories. After you have completed the multiple choice part of the exam ,you will be offered a short break before starting the hazard perception test.
The same as the multiple choice part, you will be shown a short video tutorial on how to tackle the hazard perception part of the exam.
You will be shown fourteen video clips containing at least one developing hazard. One of the clips will contain two developing hazards.
You will be marked a score depending on how quickly you recognise the developing hazard and click. The pass mark is 57 out of 75.
At the end of the test you may be asked to complete a short customer service survey. You do not have to. If you opt out it will not affect your result. Once you have left the exam room you will not be allowed to re-enter. The test centre staff will give you your result shortly afterwards.
TEST OF DRIVING ABILITY (PART TWO)
Before you get in the car the examiner will carry out an eyesight test. You will be asked to read in good daylight (using glasses or contact lenses if you require them) a number plate made up of letters and numbers of:
- 79 millimetres in height and 50 millimetres wide and at a distance of 26.5 meters.
or
- 79 millimetres in height and 57 millimetres wide and at a distance of 27.5 meters.
If you fail the eyesight test the test is abandoned and counts as one of your three attempts.
After passing the eyesight test you will be asked five safety questions. For each question you answer incorrectly you will receive a driver fault, if you answer all five incorrectly you will automatically fail the test of driving ability. Please see the Show Me Page
A very high standard of driving ability is required to pass this test. You must display that you have a very good knowledge of safe driving principles and more importantly that you can apply them on the move.
You may be tested on the following subjects:
- Expert handling of the controls.
- Correct use of road procedure.
- Anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action.
- Sound judgment of distance, speed and time.
- Consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users.
The routes used may cover all types of road and traffic conditions including rural routes and motorway. As well as the driving element of the test you must also prove yourself to be an expert in manoeuvring the vehicle and may be asked to carry out any or all of the following reversing exercises:
- Reverse into an opening on the left or right whilst taking effective all round observation.
- Turn the vehicle in the road using forward and reverse gears whilst taking effective all round observation.
- Reverse the vehicle into a space behind a parked car within the space of about two car lengths, close and parallel to kerb and take effective all round observation.
- Reverse in to a parking bay with consideration for other road users and take effective all round observation.
For the test you will need to provide an appropriate vehicle. It must be in full working order, properly taxed and insured (you will be asked to sign a declaration to confirm this) and the seat belts must be in working order. It must be a saloon or hatchback/estate car. The vehicle must be of normal performance for a vehicle of its type. It must have a manual transmission, right hand steering, an adjustable seat with a head and neck restraint for a forward facing front passenger, and a rear view mirror for the examiner to use. The vehicle must not display L plates.
Visit our useful links page to book your part 2 or 3 test.
TEST OF INSTRUCTIONAL ABILITY (PART THREE)
This test is designed to assess the quality of your practical instruction and your ability to pass your knowledge and skills on to your student.
The test is made up of two parts – phase one and phase two. Both phases last half an hour. You must pass both phases in order to pass your test of instructional ability.
The examiner will ‘role-play’ students of different levels of ability for each phase of the exam. In phase one the examiner will role-play a beginner. In phase two a student of test standard or a full license holder.
The examiner will explain how the test works and give you a word picture so that you can decide what and how you will teach that particular student.
There are ten pre-set tests, they are as follows:
- Safety precautions upon entering the vehicle and explanation of controls.
- Moving off and making normal stops.
- Reversing and reversing into limited openings to the left or right.
- Turning the vehicle in the road to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears.
- How to make an emergency stop plus practical instruction on use of mirrors.
- Approaching and turning corners.
- Judgment of speed, making progress and general road progress.
- Dealing with road junctions.
- Dealing with pedestrian crossings and giving correct signals in a clear and unmistakable manner.
- Overtaking, meeting and crossing the path of other road users plus allowing adequate clearance.
Your instruction should be tailored to the time limits and the ability of student. You should assess the students ability by asking questions to establish their depth of knowledge as you would with any student.
While the examiner is role-playing he or she will also be assessing your performance. He/ she will be looking for several factors including that the information you pass on is factual and correct. He/she will be looking that the teaching methods you use are effective. They will also be looking at your observation of them as a student and how you correct any faults they make. The examiner will also be looking at your manner generally.
You must keep control of your lesson. Tact, patience and encouragement are other important skills you must display. As long as your tuition matches the ability of the student and the conditions on the day you should pass.
After you pass the part three test you must apply to join the register of approved driving instructors within a year or your qualification becomes invalid and you would have to begin the process again.
COURSE FEES
We can structure your training around your personal commitments.
We offer 2hr sessions, half days, full days and even a week if you are in a hurry!
- Pay as you go: £30/hour.
- Part 1: £120 (cost of study material). If you require additional help this will be charged at our hourly rate.
- Part 2: £780 (minimum 30 hours training).
- Part 3: £1040 (minimum 40 hours training).
- Complete course: £1800.
You will also be required to pay to sit your exams. Current fees are:
- Part 1: £90
- Part 2: £111
- Part 3: £111
TRAINEE LICENSE
There may also be opening for you to earn as you learn by going out on a trainee license. These are limited and will be on a first come first served basis.
WORKING AS AN ADI
After completing your training you may be offered an opportunity to become a Pass with Purdy’s Franchise holder.
The support continues even after you have qualified with continued professional development and check test training.
After you have qualified, we will provide you with training to develop your business and marketing skills, after all you will be running your own franchise!
Contact us now for further information
