The hardest part of becoming a driving instructor | What is the ADI part 3?

Training to become a driving instructor takes a rather long time. It took me around 12 months and I had a wife who cracked the whip a lot! It also takes quite a significant sum of money to fund and it can become difficult to figure out which direction to take. The final test is also a real challenge with a pass rate of around 36%. Luckily you get 3 attempts so by the law of averages most should pass by the 3rd attempt.

TO become a qualified driving instructor you need to jump through 3 BIG HOOPS!
The first is the theory test which is similar to the standard driving theory but more questions and requires a higher pass mark.
The second is an advanced personal driving test. This again is similar to the standard driving test but 60 minutes and requires more maneuvers so basically more advanced.
For part 1 and part 2 you can do these on your own without any communication with a driving instructor or driving school.
The final hurdle is the real deal! This is like the Tug Of War in Squid Games sort of deal!
Part 3
Similar to part 1 and 2 you only get 3 attempts and if you fail after the 3rd attempt you have to start over from part 1 again. You can only start over however after 2 years since first applying to become an ADI. So main point being get some training and experience from an ADI trainer.
Now there are 2 directions you can take after completing part 2. The first being applying for the PDI training badge(pink badge) but for this you will need to have had 40 hours of training with a approved driving instructor and you will need a sponsor. But this will then allow you to begin charging for lessons allowing you to survive during the rest of your training. And you could easily be teaching 100+ hours to students before you are even ready enough for your first attempt at the part 3.
The 2nd option is to not apply for the pink badge meaning you do not need to pay for 40 hours of training and you don't need a sponsor. You cannot however charge for driving lessons and you will still need a hell of a lot of experience behind you. So probably not the best option but that's just my humble opinion.

You can tell the difference between a Approved driving instructor(ADI) and a Potential Driving Instructor(PDI) by the colour of there badge. PDI is Pink badge while the ADI is a Green Badge. This should be displayed in there teaching vehicle at all times while they are charging for lessons.

PDI
So the pink PDI badge costs £140 to apply for. You will also need 20 hours of extra training after revising your badge which you will have to agree to while applying.
Now you have your badge its time to start LEVELING UP. To do this you need experience and a lot of it. Start trying to find students that want to learn to drive. Some might be less inclined to learn with you being a trainee but this is one of your key selling points. You have the latest and greatest knowledge that is fresh and untainted by years of staleness. You also have the option of makes your driving lessons cheaper while you train which is what I did.
Remembers your pink badge is only valid for 6 months so you really want to have passed your part 3 in that time if possible other wise lessons will have to be free again after that period. How 2 Drive also talks about this a lot in there videos which are well worth a watch.

[JoshRamwell]

Morning Beautiful People! Apologise for the delay. I have been trying to make some updates and changes to improve the value i'm giving out. We are nearly ready and back in business. If you enjoyed this please don't forget to like and subscribe!😀🙌

[VICKSTER]

I went with a instructor who held a pdi badge and didn't once regret it he was brilliant and very professional as well as friendly also got me through my anxiety issues I had from the start of my lessons with him. He also asked me if I would be his pupil for his Adi test to which I agreed and even the examiner mentioned that I was a safe driver and i would pass in no time. Didn't expect to get any feedback from him as he was there to test my instructor not me lol. My instructor passed with flying colours that day and I then went on to pass 1st time myself I couldn't of faulted my instructor at all and highly recommend him. Some people don't realise these private pdi instructors are just as good because they need alot of training to be able to teach us :) another brilliant video Joshua 👌

[daveboytrotter]

Just love your videos Josh, I'm studying for my Part 1 I think I might have dropped a clanger but I'm financially committed now. I may well take yor advice later on. Thank you for your HONEST views. Please keep up the excellent posts.

[thatperson]

Totally agree with the comments about the large companies and the lack of interest. My AA trainer didn't even ask if I'd passed when i took my part 3 in my own car. He was also based an hour away from where I live and so booking lessons in was often difficult. Questions sent to him were often ignored. Once I'd passed though and spoken with the AA, they were very receptive towards me but I'm afraid, it was time to say goodbye.

[Travelnortherners]

Brilliant Video Josh, I’m about to start the process of becoming an ADI so at some point will be signing up. Really enjoying the videos keep them coming 👍

[jadelouisetidman]

Wahooo! Thanks Josh…..perfect start to the weekend

[fjqhecb]

Thanks for the video josh👍🏻helps people to make decision to attempt to become a driving instructor🤞🏻

[Tommy_]

Hi Josh,
Hope you don't mind me adding some corrections.
The part 2 is not an advanced test. It's not even the most difficult test the DVSA do!
Your two years starts when you pass the part 1, not when you apply.
You are still a PDI whether you apply for a trainee badge or not.
Although some of the larger companies may treat you like a number, not all do.
I deliver training for a national company (not one named in your list) and they treat all of their trainees very well. You can't please everyone but they do make the effort to try!
If looking for a trainer, please look for a grade A ORDIT trainer, as the standards should be higher than your average trainer.
Thanks for the video 👍

[twillsJKZ]

Hi josh, been binging your videos as I look I to becoming a ADI. Little confused, are you saying any driving instructor can teach you how to become an ADI? Instead of going down the route of training with a big company ie RED, AA etc…

[coachgordonso]

Good evening Josh, thank you for this informative video. Quick question for you: IF I took the PDI pink badge route and got a sponsor, will that independent ADI tie me down to a contract after I pass? Will I need to represent that ADI driving school? And once I pass can I become independent myself?

[BeNy-]

Hi Josh great video, I've currently just finished my 40 hours training with RED, and stuck at this crossroad of, do i get the pink badge or go it alone.... There the only 2 options i have with RED. RED have a lot of expensive admin fees and start up costs, then the weekly costs for a car from them to practise on the pink badge. Then the extra costs they take per hour for your teaching. So its kind of put me off doing the pink badge all together. But theres alot of positives to stick with RED as well, but its difficult working a full time job around it. I still dont feel ready to do my part 3, I've not booked it yet because i'm still undecided, RED keep pushing me to do my pink badge, but i do get i do get the impression i'm just another cash cow for them and they dont really care if i pass or not alongs if theyve had there money from me. and i dont like the idea of going with someone else as i paid alot of money to RED for the training. I'm a little bit stuck. I have 3 attemps for the part 3 so maybe i'm being too concerned on making a right decision on whats best for me and just need to get on with it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[constantint]

Hope that my question will be seen, what are the numbers? Get a car, (newer car, not any car)leasing or similar, get an insurance, others costs involved, to a total of? Alternative around 1k /month all paid for plus pupil, correct?

[E.M]

Can I ask how much it cost you in training from passing part 1 to passing part 3? Also what was your part 3 pass mark and grade? Did you pass all your tests first time? Thanks Josh

[Mavsterzzz]

Hi.. nice video but could u please break down the part 2 .. options.. 20% supervision of lessons or 20 hours extra training as its not as clear as can u charge and train and gives lessons on either with a pdi license.thanks

[MNS]

For pink badge do we need 40 Hours training from special ADI trainer or normal driving instructor?
Thank you for sharing your experience

[thomasrayuk]

Can we go direct to the part 3 test after doing pt 1 and pt 2 without having to do 40 hours worth of training? I have years of LGV instruction experience and would pay a local ADI for some part 3 lessons to get up to scratch.

[abrentiefred]

Can I get the link to purchase diving instructor theory test and hazard perception

[samnguyen]

Hi. To become an ADI we have to pass part 1/2/3 tests ???
I know that part 1 is Theory test . So what are part 2/3 ????
Thanks

[MMo-dq]

Hi great video, i need to apply for pdi licence, i would like to know, can any adi sponsor me or i must need to join driving school who will sponsor me.
Thanks.

[abshaar]

Hi josh, can you give me the name of the app to purchase for the theory test please or can i buy it from you. Can we contact you for the training as well