ADI Part 3 Guide: What to Expect

The process of becoming an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) can seem daunting, but we’re here to help! We’ll give you a step-by-step guide to completing Part 3 of the ADI qualification. By the end, you’ll be one step closer to your goal of becoming a qualified driving instructor.

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ADI Part 3

What’s in the ADI Part 3?

Part 3 of the ADI qualification is a practical test that assesses your ability to teach pupils effectively. The test lasts for approximately an hour and comprises of a real lesson given to a pupil under supervision from a DVSA examiner.
In this test your pupil will drive. You’ll be sat in the front passenger seat and will be giving instruction, much the same as a normal lesson. The examiner will sit in the back and you’ll also be able to bring along your trainer for some moral support if you want to. But just to be clear, they won’t be able to assist you during the test.

Taking the ADI Part 3 test

On the day of your test, make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early so that you have time to relax and calm your nerves. Remember, the examiner is there to help you succeed—not fail!
Once you begin, firstly you’ll need to give your examiner a run-through of your lesson plan. Next up is to introduce them to your pupil and explain the purpose of the lesson to the pupil, noting that they’re not under examination, it’s you.
Next up is conducting the lesson, try and think of it as just another lesson with a pupil. But it is worth knowing what you’ll be marked on and keep those areas at the front of mind.

What happens after the exam?

Once the lesson is finished, you’ll give your pupil their feedback before getting your result and any observations from the examiner.
Along the same lines as the ADI Part 2, you have three attempts at passing but failing all 3 will lead to you having to restart your ADI, so make sure you’re confident in your ability before taking it!

FAST TRACK

FAST TRACK: SPEED UP YOUR TRAINING AND START EARNING FASTER

Looking to become a driving instructor and start earning as fast as possible? Joining our fast track programme could be perfect for you. With RED you can earn as you qualify on a Trainee Licence and our flexible fast track option gives you the option to speed things up and help to fit the training in with your busy schedule

Our qualified RED Trainers provide up to 80 hours of specialist training, and our fast track option is delivered at the same price as our classic route, with the benefit of being able to get a 100% refund on your training costs when you become a RED Driving Instructor.

Give us a call or complete the enquiry form to find out more about our fast track programme and RED Driving Instructor training NOW.

Pete Chiston had to say “The fast track training was very intense and a lot to take in over three days however the follow up support from my in car trainer David was great and tailored to meet my very hands on approach to learning, this in combination with the office support has meant that the process although at points very challenging was still a positive overall experience.”

ADI Part 3

How is the ADI Part 3 test marked?

During the test, the examiner will mark you on 17 areas of competence that sit within three different categories:

Lesson planning
Risk management
Teaching and learning strategies

You will be scored from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 areas, meaning you can grab up to 51 possible points for a top score.

Pass: To pass you need to score between upwards of 31 points, leaving you around 20 marks that you’re able to drop. If you score upwards of 43 points, you’ll be given a Grade A which although doesn’t have any extra benefits on passing, let’s you know that you aced the test and gives you some bragging rights.

Fail: If you score 30 points or less, unfortunately this counts as a fail and you’ll need to register to take this test again. It’s also worth noting that if you score less than 7 in the risk management category, you’ll automatically fail. So make sure you’re conducting your lesson as safely as possible.

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Preparing for the ADI Part 3 test

The best way to prepare for Part 3 is to get as much experience teaching real pupils as possible. This will give you the opportunity to put into practice all the theory you’ve learned in Parts 1 and 2, as well as giving you a chance to get used to being in the driver’s seat when teaching.

Learning with RED

When learning with RED, you’ll be given the option to 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 additional training, most of which is in-car 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.

When you feel like you’re ready, it’s time to book your test. You can do this by calling the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). Once your test is booked, make sure to do a mock lesson with an experienced instructor trainer so that you know what to expect on test day.

If you’re interested in finding out more, feel free to give us a call or enquire online and we’ll be more than happy to help answer any questions that you may have.