The Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an executive agency of the Department of Transport. In respect to
driver training the agency is responsible for conducting all theory and practical driving tests in Great Britain and
has the responsibility for maintaining the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and the Official Register
of Driving Instructor Trainers (ORDIT).
It is illegal for anyone to charge for driving tuition unless their name is on the Register of ADIs or they are
licenced as part of the Trainee Licence scheme. To become an ADI you need to pass the DVSA ADI qualifying
examination and meet certain minimum legal requirements. You must:
1. Hold a full UK or EEA unrestricted car driving licence;
2. Be aged 21. You can start the qualifying process 6 months before your 21st birthday. You must have had your full
licence for at least 3 years to supervise a learner driver.
3. Have held your licence for at least 2.5 years prior to entering the Register after qualifying;
4. Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the 4 years prior to being entered in the Register;
5. Be a ‘fit and proper’ person to have your name entered in the Register. All convictions, motoring or
non-motoring still in force will be taken into account by the DVSA before allowing you on the Register and from
experience we know that anyone with 6 or more points on their licence within the last 4 years prior to entry on the
Register is likely to be rejected. You will need to apply for a DBS check as part of this process.
Remember the DVSA are the sole decision maker on who can and who can't train to become a driving instructor.
You should also ensure you can read a number plate in good daylight at a distance of 27.5 metres or 26.5 metres
depending on the width of the lettering (with glasses if normally worn for driving) as this will be checked on Part
2 of the qualifying examination. On the normal driving test you need only read a number plate at 20.5 metres or 20
metres depending on the width of the lettering.
Please also note that on the Part 2 driving test you must be able to take rear observations by looking round when
reversing without heavy dependency on the mirrors. So if you have minimal neck movement this will need to be checked
before you start, since you are not allowed additional mirrors as on the ordinary driving test.
Keith
Having completed parts one and two of my ADI training with another large national driving school, I found myself struggling with part three and decided that a change of school would be a good option. I approached several schools, including the one that never stops advertising but I felt that LDC appeared to be the most professional: they actually wanted to interview me before taking my application forward!
Consequently, I travelled to head office in Pontefract and met Bob Morton. After a very enjoyable interview, I was offered a franchise, subject to passing part three.
My tutor for the part three training was Richard Clarke who was a revelation. His teaching style was professional, confidence building and utterly supportive and I duly qualified as an ADI.
As I meet and speak to more and more ADI's, I am convinced that the LDC franchise is probably one of the best there is. The head office staff are always helpful, friendly and above all totally professional. They are clearly committed to "the cause"!
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Alex
I trained with LDC and have been operating on a franchise for over 2 years, which helped me to become established, and to fill my diary quicker than if I had been independent.
After looking at several training companies LDC's training seem to best suite my needs. From day 1 I realised that the training was designed to help you pass part 3 and not just the individual stages. Part 1 was a long period as I was working full time and taking 2 young children to and from school, so I was able to really go at my own pace. Part 2 training was excellent and prepared me well to be able to pass 1st time and with only 3 minors.
Part 3 is where LDC come into their own the training was intense but exceptionally well delivered and tailored to suite me as an individual, not one size fits all. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to take the test and be successful at the 1st attempt.
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Cath
When I began to think about starting a family I realised that a Monday to Friday 9-5 office job wasn't the best option when it came to childcare (and I was bored with being stuck in an office as well!) so started looking into changing career - something with more flexible hours was what I wanted. That's when I came across being a driving instructor and training with LDC was my best move.
Training to be a driving instructor is hard work (I nearly had a heart attack when the training box turned up - it was huge!) but the LDC package is done in a way that makes it fun! I remember reading some of the theory notes and the way it's written there are comments in that are exactly the thoughts that go through your mind - I lost count of the number of times I burst out laughing because it was "so true". The part 2 and 3 training was great too. I'll never forget some of the examples of possible pupil behaviour that my trainer Les came up with - "dodge the kangaroos" was the best!!
The support both during the training and once you've qualified is fabulous - the induction course has loads of information to take in but you'll have a great laugh with some of Bob's stories! Everyone is so friendly and helpful - you feel like part of the family. Even though you're running your own business, you don't feel as if you're on your own at all so you have the best of both worlds.
Now I've given my first few lessons, being a driving instructor is even better than I thought it would be. I wish I'd done it sooner.
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