What Is the ADI Part 2 Test?
The ADI Part 2 test is the driving ability test you must pass as part of the process of becoming a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor.
The test lasts around one hour and assesses whether you can demonstrate a high standard of safe, controlled and professional driving.
There are 5 parts to the test:
1. Eyesight check
2. ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
3. General driving ability
4. Manoeuvres
5. Independent driving
During the test, you will need to demonstrate expert control of the vehicle, good road procedure, anticipation and planning, sound judgement and consideration for other road users.
The standard expected is higher than an ordinary learner driving test because you are demonstrating the driving ability expected of a future driving instructor.
You must bring:
Your driving licence
Bring your UK driving licence with you to the test.
If you do not have a photocard licence, you will need to take a valid passport and your paper driving licence.
A suitable car
You must provide a car that meets the DVSA requirements for an ADI Part 2 test.
Your test can be cancelled without a refund if you do not bring the correct documents or your car does not meet the required standard.
You must provide a suitable car for your ADI Part 2 test.
Your car must:
-be roadworthy and in good working order
-be taxed
-have a current MOT if required
-be insured for an ADI Part 2 test
-have right-hand steering
-have a suitable front passenger seat with a seatbelt and head restraint
-have an additional interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
A soft-top or cabriolet is not acceptable for the ADI Part 2 test.
You should also make sure there are no vehicle problems that could prevent the examiner from safely conducting the test.
If your car does not meet the requirements, your test may not go ahead and you may have to book and pay again.
At the beginning of your ADI Part 2 test, you must demonstrate that your eyesight meets the required standard.
You will be asked to read a vehicle number plate from:
27 metres — for a vehicle with a new-style number plate
27.5 metres — for a vehicle with an old-style number plate
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, for example AB51 ABC.
You may wear glasses or contact lenses if you need them to meet the eyesight standard.
If you fail the eyesight test, you will fail the ADI Part 2 test, and it will count as one of your three permitted Part 2 attempts.
During your ADI Part 2 test, the examiner will ask you 5 vehicle safety questions to check that you understand basic vehicle safety and can operate the vehicle safely.
3 ‘Tell Me’ Questions
These are asked at the beginning of the test, before you start driving. You will explain how you would carry out a particular vehicle safety check.
2 ‘Show Me’ Questions
These are asked while you are driving. You will need to demonstrate how you would safely operate a vehicle control when the examiner asks you to do so.
You will receive one driving fault for each incorrect answer.
You will receive a serious fault and fail the test if you:
answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or
lose control of the vehicle while carrying out a ‘show me’ task.
ADI Part 2 requires a much higher standard of driving than simply being able to drive safely. You need to demonstrate expert control, effective observation, anticipation and planning, sound judgement and professional roadcraft consistently throughout the test.
At Aceway, ADI Part 2 training is tailored around your current driving ability and the areas that need development.
Training is led by Ali Shahraki, an ORDIT-registered instructor trainer, Grade A ADI and Diamond Advanced Examiner with over 20 years of experience in driver and instructor training.
The aim is not simply to practise test routes or manoeuvres. We work on developing the high standard of driving expected from a future professional driving instructor.
DVSA itself states that candidates should only take Part 2 when they can demonstrate the required driving standard without instruction.
Need more advanced or specialist driving development?
During the ADI Part 2 test, you must demonstrate a high standard of driving ability in a variety of road and traffic conditions.
The examiner will assess whether you demonstrate:
Expert handling of the controls
You should use the vehicle controls smoothly, accurately and confidently.
Correct road procedure
Your positioning, signalling, observations and use of speed should be appropriate for the situation.
Anticipation and planning
You should identify developing situations early, anticipate the actions of other road users and take appropriate action.
Sound judgement
You must demonstrate good judgement of distance, speed and timing.
Consideration for other road users
Your driving should show awareness of both the safety and convenience of others.
Environmentally responsible driving
You should demonstrate an efficient driving style where appropriate.
You will drive in a range of road and traffic conditions. This can include motorways or dual carriageways where possible.
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
This reflects the areas DVSA currently assesses during the general-driving part of the ADI Part 2 test.
During your ADI Part 2 test, the examiner will ask you to complete 2 of the following 4 reversing exercises:
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 2 car lengths, and safely rejoin the traffic
You should demonstrate accurate observations, effective control and good judgement throughout each exercise.
The examiner is assessing your overall driving performance, so the manoeuvres should be completed safely and to the high standard expected of a future driving instructor.
During the ADI Part 2 test, you will drive independently for approximately 20 minutes.
The examiner will ask you to follow either:
Directions from a sat nav
The examiner will provide and set up the sat nav for you. You cannot use your own sat nav for this part of the test.
Traffic signs
Alternatively, the examiner may ask you to follow traffic signs towards a particular destination.
If you take a wrong turning, it will not affect your result unless you make a driving fault while doing so.
If you cannot see a traffic sign clearly, for example because it is obscured, the examiner will give you directions until you can continue following the route.
The purpose is to assess whether you can drive safely and make appropriate decisions independently, rather than whether you can memorise or perfectly follow a route.
During your test, the examiner can record three types of fault:
Driving fault
A fault that is not potentially dangerous. However, repeatedly making the same driving fault may result in it being assessed as serious.
Serious fault
A fault that is potentially dangerous.
Dangerous fault
A fault involving actual danger to you, the examiner, another road user or property.
To pass the ADI Part 2 test, you must:
✓ Make no more than 6 driving faults
✓ Make no serious faults
✓ Make no dangerous faults
If you make 7 or more driving faults, or receive one serious or dangerous fault, you will fail the test.
If you make a mistake, the test does not necessarily stop. The examiner will normally only stop the test if they consider your driving to be a danger to other road users.
If you pass, the examiner will explain any faults you made and give you a copy of your driving test report.
You can then move forward with your instructor training and either:
Apply for a trainee driving instructor licence to gain experience teaching pupils, or
Continue preparing for and book your ADI Part 3 test when you are ready.
What Happens If You Fail the ADI Part 2 Test?
If you fail your first or second attempt, you can book another Part 2 test. You will need to pay the test fee again.
You are allowed a maximum of 3 attempts at ADI Part 2.
If you fail your third attempt, you must retake and pass ADI Part 1 before you can attempt Part 2 again.
You cannot retake Part 1 until 2 years have passed from the date you originally passed it.
PASSED PART 2?
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT TEST?
The current DVSA fee for the ADI Part 2 test is £111.
You must pass both the ADI Part 2 and ADI Part 3 tests within 2 years of passing your ADI Part 1 test.
This means it is important to plan your training and test attempts carefully rather than leaving Part 2 and Part 3 until close to the end of your qualifying period.
DVSA fees and rules can change, so always check the latest official information before booking your test.
Whether you're preparing for your first Part 2 attempt or need additional support after a previous attempt, tell us where you are in your instructor-training journey and we'll help you identify the most suitable next step.
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Driving Instructor Training in Birmingham
📍 Aceway Driving School – Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
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