Become a driving instructor. Be your own boss.

Swap the 9-to-5 for your own hours and your own prices. Train with My Four Wheels, pass the three DVSA tests, then run your bookings and payments on Orbit for free.

  • 2 years

    to pass Parts 2 and 3 after Part 1

  • £603

    DVSA test and registration fees

  • 44,000+

    ADIs on the DVSA register

Start your journey freeOr try a free 10-minute taste of ADI training
  • Free account
  • No card needed
  • Part 1 practice included

Your route to qualified

DVSA fees · GOV.UK
  1. 1

    Part 1 · Theory test

    100 questions plus hazard perception

    £81
  2. 2

    Part 2 · Driving ability

    About an hour of advanced driving

    £111
  3. 3

    Trainee licenceOptional

    Teach pupils for payment while you train

    £140
  4. 4

    Part 3 · Teaching ability

    Teach a real pupil while an examiner watches

    £111

  5. Qualified ADI

    Run your diary, bookings and payments on Orbit, free

    £300
My Four Wheels

Training and trainee licence sponsorship from My Four Wheels, an established driving school.

Why it adds up

  • Earn before you qualify

    Once you pass Parts 1 and 2, a trainee licence lets you teach pupils for payment while you prepare for Part 3.

  • A driving school in your corner

    My Four Wheels, an established driving school, delivers your training and can sponsor your trainee licence.

  • Free for instructors

    Orbit runs your diary, online booking, card payments and HMRC tax for free, with no subscription. Learners pay a booking fee when they pay by card through Orbit.

Overview

The ADI qualification at a glance

To become a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor, you must pass three separate tests - known as Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 - administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). How long it takes varies with how quickly you train and how often test slots are available, but once you pass Part 1 you have 2 years to pass Parts 2 and 3.

After passing Part 2, you can apply for a trainee licence, which lasts 6 months and lets you charge for lessons while you get teaching experience before Part 3. You choose either to be supervised for 20% of your lessons or to do at least 20 hours of extra training while you hold it.

The DVSA fees for the three tests and your first ADI registration come to £603 in total - £81 for Part 1, £111 each for Parts 2 and 3, and £300 to register - plus £140 if you take a trainee licence. Training costs vary by provider. Once qualified, you set your own prices and hours, so what you earn depends on how much you teach and what you charge.

The Journey

The 4 stages of ADI qualification

Click any stage for a detailed breakdown of what to expect and how to prepare.

Part 1

Theory Test

1

A 100-question multiple-choice exam covering everything a professional instructor needs to know about road safety, traffic law, and driving theory.

  • 4 categories of 25 questions: road procedure; traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge; driving test, disabilities and the law; publications and instructional techniques
  • Pass mark is 85 out of 100, with at least 20 out of 25 in each category
  • Hazard perception part in the same test: pass mark 57 out of 75
  • If you fail, you can rebook for at least 3 working days later
Full Part 1 guide

ADI Part 1 practice questions and mock test, no sign-up needed

Practise Part 1 free

Part 2

Driving Ability Test

2

A driving test of around one hour where you must show that your own driving is of a high standard before you can teach others.

  • Around one hour, in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible
  • Examiner assesses vehicle control, observation, and anticipation
  • Pass with no more than 6 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults
  • Up to 3 attempts allowed within the qualification window
Full Part 2 guide

Log your training sessions and monitor progress toward test readiness

Track your progress

Part 3

Instructional Ability Test

3

Teach one of your own pupils while a DVSA examiner observes your technique. You are assessed on 17 competencies across three areas.

  • 17 DVSA competencies: lesson planning, risk management, teaching and learning strategies
  • You bring your own pupil: a learner or a full licence holder
  • Examiner scores each competency as 0, 1, 2, or 3
  • Up to 3 attempts allowed within the qualification window
Full Part 3 guide

Orbit's standards check prep mirrors the 17 DVSA competencies

Standards check prep

Trainee Licence

Start Teaching Before Part 3

4

You do not have to wait until you pass Part 3 to start teaching. A trainee licence lets you charge for lessons while you prepare for Part 3, either supervised for 20% of your lessons or with at least 20 hours of extra training.

  • Available after passing Parts 1 and 2
  • Requires a sponsoring ADI
  • At least 40 hours of training from a qualified ADI before you apply
  • Licence lasts 6 months; DVSA is unlikely to grant another just to give you more time for Part 3
Trainee licence guide

Manage your pupils, lessons and finances from day one

Get started free

Worried about the cost of training?

Training costs vary by provider, on top of £603 in DVSA test and registration fees. There are several ways to fund it - from payment plans to DWP support and Armed Forces learning credits.

Funding options

By Location

Become a driving instructor near you

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View all 631+ locations

Ready to start your ADI journey?

Create your free account to practise Part 1, log your training hours and find a trainer. Once you qualify, run your diary, payments and tax on Orbit, free.

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