Driving Instructor Training Course. Launch your new career

The second part of the examination is a practical driving test designed to evaluate your driving ability.

Potential driving instructors must pass their theory test before moving onto part 2.

You must complete this test within two years of passing your theory test.

The instructional ability test evaluates your ability to instruct a student. This is the final test in the process.

Students must pass both part 1 and 2 before moving onto the instructional ability test.

You must complete this test within two years of passing your theory test.

The DVSA will issue you with what is, in effect, a provisional license to ‘teach for reward’. This means that you can join RED as a potential driving instructor (PDI) and begin giving actual lessons. This is an extremely effective way of honing your skills in instructional ability ahead of your part three test. It also means that you start to make a living as a driving instructor. Your trainee licence is valid for six months, and you will continue to receive 20 hours of in-car training on a one-to-one basis from a RED trainer prior to your part three test. On passing the test you can apply to be added to the DVSA register of approved driving instructors. The majority of trainees take this route.

A small number of RED trainees choose to continue their training until test-ready without the use of a trainee licence.

The part 3 test of instructional ability is approximately one-hour long. A DVSA examiner will watch you delivering a client centred driving lesson to one of your customers. This can be a learner or a full licence holder. The examiner will be looking for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training. You are only permitted three attempts at the part 2 and part 3 tests, so it is very important to choose the right school when deciding to train as a driving instructor.