ADI Part 3

ADI instructional ability test: preparation and booking

Preparing for your test

If you have a trainee driving instructor licence, get as much practice teaching pupils as possible. Some driving schools will help trainee driving instructors gain practice and then give them a job as an ADI when they’ve passed the Part 3 test.

Whether you have a trainee driving instructor licence or not, it’s a good idea to take some training from a driving instructor trainer. You can find driving instructor trainers on GOV.UK.

There is also a list of recommended resources on our Becoming an approved driving instructor page.

Booking your Part 3 test

It’s best to book your test using the official site, GOV.UK. If you use an unofficial site, you might pay more than you need to or you may not get a booking at all.

You can find your nearest test centre at GOV.UK.

You can also use GOV.UK if you need to change the test date or centre or cancel your test.

For more information about what happens on the day of the test, visit GOV.UK.

If you fail

You can take the test again if you fail it at your first or second attempt. If you fail the test a third time, you’ll have to retake and pass the theory test (ADI Part 1) before you can retake the driving ability test and the instructional ability test again. You’ll have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI Part 1 test before you can take it again.

If you pass

Congratulations! You can now apply for your first approved driving instructor badge and join the ADI register, which costs £300. Apply for your ADI badge online at GOV.UK.

You must apply for your badge within 12 months of passing the Part 3 test, otherwise you’ll have to pass all 3 qualifying tests again.

You’ll need to display your ADI badge whenever you’re teaching someone to drive.

Register now