Test of Ability to Instruct DVSA ADI Part 3

Test of Ability to Instruct DVSA ADI Part 3

The DVSA ADI Part 3 Test lasts about 1 hour, and an examiner sits in the back seat of the car, observing the candidate give a driving lesson.

The prospective driving instructor taking DVSA ADI Part 3 is delivering a real driving lesson to a person that they have chosen, and would have previously had a conversation with, regarding the goals of the lesson to be conducted.

Candidates are being assessed for their teaching ability.

The pupil used for the DVSA ADI Part 3 does not have to be a provisional licence holder preparing for a driving test.
The pupil can be either a provisional driving licence holder, or a full driving licence holder, or a foreign driving licence holder, provided they are legally entitled to drive in the UK.

The only people that you are not allowed to use as a pupil for a DVSA ADI Part 3 is a qualified driving instructor, or someone that has passed DVSA ADI Part 2, The Test of Driving Ability.

When a full licence holder is used as the pupil it is important that a real driving lesson is delivered, suitable for the pupil's real driving ability.
Any attempt by the pupil to role play a learner driver, or to simulate driving errors, will almost certainly result in a failed exam.

How The Test of Ability to Instruct DVSA ADI Part 3 is Assessed and Marked

The examiner will be considering questions relating to 17 different competencies and giving a mark from zero to three in relation to each question.

• 0 - no evidence of competence
• 1 - a few elements of competence demonstrated
• 2 - competence demonstrated in most elements
• 3 - competence demonstrated in all elements

The questions that the examiner is considering are:

Lesson Planning

• Did the trainer identify the pupil's learning goals and needs?
• Was the agreed lesson structure appropriate for the pupil's experience and ability?
• Were the practice areas suitable?
• Was the lesson plan adapted, when appropriate, to help the pupil work towards their learning goals?

Risk Management

• Did the trainer ensure that the pupil fully understood how the responsibility for risk would be shared?
• Were directions and instructions given to the pupil clear and given in good time?
• Was the trainer aware of the surroundings and the pupil's actions?
• Was any verbal or physical intervention by the trainer timely and appropriate?
• Was sufficient feedback given to help the pupil understand any potentially safety critical incidents?

Teaching and Learning Strategies

• Was the teaching style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability?
• Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning?
• Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes?
• Was the technical information given comprehensive, appropriate and accurate?
• Was the pupil given appropriate and timely feedback during the session?
• Were the pupil’s queries followed up and answered?
• Did the trainer maintain an appropriate, non-discriminatory manner throughout the session?
• At the end of the session - was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?

By marking these 17 competencies from 0 to 3 at the end of the lesson the examiner will have a mark out of 51

• A score of 0 to 30 is a Fail
  • Described as:
    • Unsatisfactory Performance

• A score of 31 to 42 is a Grade B
  • Described as:
    • Sufficient competence demonstrated to permit entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors

• A score of 43 to 51 is a Grade A
  • Described as:
    • A high overall standard of instruction demonstrated

Pages in the DVSA ADI Part 3 Explained Section of the Driving Instructor Trainers website:

Sections of the Driving Instructor Trainers Website: