To become a driving instructor, also known as an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) you will first have to:
- Hold a full British or Northern Ireland unrestricted car driving licence
- Have held it for a total of four out of the past six years prior to entering the ADI Register after qualifying
- Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the Register
- Be a fit and proper person to have your name entered in the Register
- Pass the Register qualifying exam
- Apply for registration within 12 months of passing Part 3 of the ADI exam.
All new entrants now have to have a criminal records check. Having a criminal record won’t automatically bar you from becoming an ADI. The DVSA look at various factors when assessing how suitable an applicant is.
These factors include:
- The seriousness of the offence and its relevance to the safety of customers
- The length of the time since the offence
- Whether the offence was part of a history of offending, or just a one-off
- Whether the applicant’s circumstances have changed since the offence was committed, making re-offending less likely
- The degree of remorse, or otherwise, expressed by the applicant