Become An Instructor - The Legal Requirements

Are you in a position to be an Instructor?

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) administers the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. All driving instructors in the UK must be registered with the DSA and have passed all of the qualifying examinations before they can teach anyone for money or 'money's worth'. Before you can apply to have your name entered onto the register you must also satisfy certain legal minimum requirements. The main requirements to teach people to drive for a living are set out below. The first two requirements must be met in order to apply for the qualifying examination

You must have held a full UK driving licence for a continuous period of at least four years

Note: Your licence period must be continuous. After any disqualification the period of four years starts again. If you currently have more than 6 penalty points it is possible that your application will be refused. If you are unsure if you will meet the requirements you will need to apply for the first qualifying exam. Fees are refunded if you are declined, check with the DSA for details

You must be a 'fit and proper person'

This relates to criminal convictions not spent under the rehabilitation of offenders act. Each application is dealt with on an individual basis. Contact the Driving Standards Agency for advice. You don’t have to declare spent convictions

You must pass a three-part examination set and administered by the DSA

The examination consists of theory, driving and practical teaching ability. The exams are taken on separate occasions, and there are usually significant waiting times between tests.
Your name must be on the official register of driving instructors or you must be licensed on a temporary teaching permit (The Trainee Licence) by the DSA

To be entered in the Register of Approved Driving Instructors you must pass all three parts of the Qualifying examination within a two-year time period, starting from the day you pass part one, and have paid the requisite registration fee. To be licensed you must pass the first two parts of the qualifying examination, sign a declaration that you have met the statutory training requirements and pay the requisite fee

ADIT Team