Becoming a Qualified Driving Instructor in the UK

Becoming an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) requires a substantial commitment of your time, effort and money. It is important that you do not make this commitment without very careful consideration of what your training establishment is offering you.
The following notes outline the requirements for becoming an ADI and are summarized from the Driving Standards Agency booklet ADI14 ‘Your Road to Becoming an Approved Driving Instructor’. You are strongly advised to read this booklet thoroughly before committing yourself to a course with any training establishment.
Eligibility to Become an Instructor
Not everyone can apply to become an ADI. To do so you must satisfy the following requirements;
• You must hold a full and unrestricted UK or European Union (EU) European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted driving license
• You must have held this license for a total of four out of the past six years prior to entering the Register after qualifying.
• You must not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to entering the Register.
• You must be a fit and proper person to have your name entered on the Register. All motoring and non-motoring convictions will be taken into account.
• You must pass the Register Qualifying Examination and pay the appropriate fees.
Prerequisites
No formal academic qualifications are needed to become a driving instructor, but individuals must be registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or licensed trainee for car instruction. The minimum age is 21.
Before starting training they must:
• have held a full UK or Northern Ireland driving license for four out of the last six years
• not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the last four years
• be a fit and proper person - all convictions, including motoring convictions will be taken into account
• pass the ADI qualifying exam.