The ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) Part 2 test is the second of three tests you need to pass to become a qualified driving instructor in the UK. It’s a practical test of your driving ability. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

What is it?

• It’s a practical driving test to assess if your driving standard is high enough to teach others.
  
   
• You need to have passed the ADI Part 1 (theory) test before you can take Part 2.

What does the test involve?

The test typically lasts about one hour and includes the following elements:

1. Eyesight Check: You’ll need to read a number plate from a distance of:

   • 27 metres for new-style number plates.
   • 27.5 metres for old-style number plates. If you need glasses or contact lenses to do this, you must wear them throughout the test. Failing the eyesight test means an immediate fail.

2. ‘Show me, tell me’ Vehicle Safety Questions: You’ll be asked 5 questions:

   • 3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of the test (you explain how you’d carry out a safety check).
     
      
   • 2 ‘show me’ questions while driving (you demonstrate how to carry out a safety check). Each incorrect answer will result in a driving fault. Answering all 5 incorrectly, or losing control of the car while answering a ‘show me’ question, will result in a serious fault and test failure.
     
      
      

3. General Driving Ability: The examiner will assess your ability to drive safely and competently in various road and traffic conditions. This includes:

   • Expert handling of vehicle controls.
     
      
   • Using correct road procedures.
   • Anticipating other road users’ actions and reacting appropriately.
     
      
   • Sound judgment of distance, speed, and timing.
     
      
   • Consideration for the safety and convenience of other road users.
   • Driving in an environmentally friendly manner. You may drive on various roads, including dual carriageways or motorways where possible. You might also be asked to perform an emergency stop.
     
      

4. Manoeuvres: You’ll be asked to perform two of the following manoeuvres:

   • Parallel park at the side of the road.
   • Reverse into a parking bay and drive out.
   • Drive into a parking bay and reverse out.
   • Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around two car lengths, and rejoin the traffic. The standard expected for these manoeuvres is much higher than in the standard driving test.
     
      

5. Independent Driving: This will last for about 20 minutes. You’ll have to drive either by following:

   • Directions from a sat nav (provided by the examiner).
   • Traffic signs. You won’t be penalised for taking a wrong turning during this section unless you make a driving fault.

Marking and Pass/Fail:

• You can make no more than 6 driving faults and still pass.
  
   
• One or more serious or dangerous faults will result in a failure.
• A dangerous fault will cause the test to be stopped immediately.
  
   

What happens after the test?

• If you pass, you’ll get a letter with your result and details on how to apply for the ADI Part 3 test.
  
   
• If you fail, the examiner will give you feedback on areas for improvement. You can retake the test, but you only have 3 attempts in total from when you passed your Part 1 test. If you fail three times, you have to wait 2 years from the date you passed Part 1 before you can restart the process.
  
   

Key Tips for Success:

• Get professional training: A qualified ADI trainer can help you reach the required high standard of driving.
  
   
• Practice extensively: Ensure you are comfortable and proficient in all aspects of the test.
• Understand the marking system: Know the difference between driving faults and serious/dangerous faults.
  
   
• Familiarise yourself with test routes (or the general area): While you won’t know the exact route, being comfortable with the local roads helps.
• Stay calm and focused: Nerves can impact your driving. Try to remain composed throughout the test.
  
   
• Use your mirrors effectively: Frequent and correct mirror checks are crucial.
• Maintain good vehicle control: Smooth and precise handling is expected.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of road procedure and the Highway Code.

This is the final hurdle to becoming a qualified driving instructor, and it assesses your ability to teach someone to drive.

What is it?

• It’s a practical test of your instructional ability. You’ll be in the driving seat acting as the instructor, and the examiner will role-play as a pupil.
  
   
• You need to have passed both the ADI Part 1 (theory) and Part 2 (driving ability) tests before you can take Part 3.

What does the test involve?

The test lasts for about an hour and involves you giving a driving lesson to the examiner, who will be playing the role of a pupil with varying levels of experience.

1. Briefing: The examiner will start by explaining the format of the test and ask you about your lesson plan. You’ll need to state the lesson subject and your objectives.

2. The Lesson: You will then deliver a driving lesson lasting around 45 minutes. The examiner will act as a pupil, making typical learner driver errors or showing areas where they need guidance. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to:

   • Identify the pupil’s learning needs: Recognize their strengths and weaknesses.
   • Plan and structure the lesson: Have a clear objective and a logical way to teach it.
   • Provide clear and concise instructions: Communicate effectively.
   • Give demonstrations (if appropriate): Show the pupil how to do something correctly.
   • Provide feedback and encouragement: Help the pupil learn from their mistakes and build confidence.
   • Adapt your teaching style: Respond to the pupil’s progress and adjust your approach as needed.
   • Ensure safety: Maintain a safe learning environment at all times.

3. Fault Identification and Analysis: The examiner will be looking at how well you identify, analyze, and correct any faults the “pupil” makes.

Assessment and Marking:

The examiner will assess you against a set of performance criteria, focusing on three main areas:

• Lesson Planning: How well you planned the lesson to meet the pupil’s needs.
• Risk Management: How effectively you ensured the safety of the pupil and other road users.
• Teaching and Learning Strategies: How well you communicated, provided feedback, and helped the pupil learn.

For each of these areas, the examiner will mark you as either:

• Competent: Meeting the required standard.
• Not yet competent: Not meeting the required standard.

To pass, you need to achieve an overall grade of competent. The examiner will record any weaknesses during the lesson.

Pass/Fail:

• If you are assessed as ‘competent’ overall, you pass the Part 3 test.
• If you are assessed as ‘not yet competent’ overall, you fail.

What happens after the test?

• If you pass, you can apply to become a fully qualified ADI and will receive your ADI certificate.
• If you fail, the examiner will give you detailed feedback on the areas where you need to improve. You can retake the test, but like Part 2, there’s a limit on the number of attempts (usually 3 in total for Part 3, following your Part 1 pass).
  
   

Key Tips for Success:

• Thorough preparation: Understand the performance criteria and practice delivering lessons.
• Effective communication: Be clear, concise, and patient with your instructions.
• Pupil-centred approach: Focus on the “pupil’s” needs and learning style.
• Strong safety awareness: Always prioritize safety during the lesson.
• Realistic lesson planning: Choose a topic you are comfortable teaching and that can be covered within the test time.
• Practice role-playing: Get experience teaching different scenarios to someone who can give you feedback.

After passing your ADI Part 2 test, you have the option to apply for a trainee licence. This allows you to gain practical experience by giving driving lessons to real pupils for payment while you prepare for your ADI Part 3 test.

When you apply for a trainee licence, you need to choose one of two options regarding further training:

1. Supervision: You agree to be supervised by your sponsoring Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) for at least 20% of all the lessons you give while holding the trainee licence. Records of these supervised lessons must be kept.

2. Extra Training: You commit to undertaking at least 20 hours of extra training from a qualified ADI.

It sounds like you’re asking about the second option. Here’s what you need to know about that 20 hours of extra training:

• Requirement: If you choose the extra training option (instead of supervision), you must complete at least 20 hours of training in the topics covered in the ADI Part 3 test syllabus.
• Timing: This 20 hours of extra training needs to be completed within the first three months of getting your trainee licence or before you take your ADI Part 3 test, whichever comes first.
• In-car element: At least 25% of this 20 hours of training must be practical, in-car training.
• Recording the training: This training must be recorded on the official “Instructor Training Declaration” form (ADI 21AT). Both you and your trainer need to sign it.
• Submitting the form: You must send this completed ADI 21AT form to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) as soon as you’ve completed the training. If you don’t send it, the DVSA can revoke your trainee licence.

In summary, if you opt for the extra training route with your trainee licence, you need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of additional training with a qualified ADI within the specified timeframe, with at least 5 hours being in-car. This is to further develop your instructional skills before attempting the ADI Part 3 test.