The ADI Part 3 test is the final qualifying test you must pass to become a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor.
It assesses your ability to plan and deliver a safe, effective and client-centred driving lesson to a real pupil.
During the test, a DVSA examiner will observe you delivering a lesson for approximately 45 minutes.
Your pupil can be a learner driver or a full licence holder, but they cannot be an ADI or someone preparing to take the ADI Part 3 test.
You can take your trainer or mentor with you, but they cannot take part in the lesson.
The examiner assesses your performance against the National Standard for Driver and Rider Training.
During your ADI Part 3 test, the examiner will assess you across 17 areas of competence, grouped into three main categories:
1. Lesson Planning
How effectively you identify your pupil's needs, agree suitable lesson goals and structure the lesson around their ability and development.
2. Risk Management
How effectively you identify, manage and respond to risks while maintaining a safe learning environment.
3. Teaching & Learning Strategies
How effectively you communicate, coach, adapt your teaching and help the pupil understand and develop their driving.
Each of the 17 competencies is scored from 0 to 3, giving a maximum possible score of 51.
The examiner records the assessment on the official ADI Part 3 test report form.
The ADI Part 3 test is based around a real, client-centred driving lesson with one of your pupils.
At the beginning of the lesson
Discuss the lesson goals and how responsibility for risk will be managed. DVSA says this should take no more than approximately 3 minutes.
During the lesson
Your pupil should spend approximately 40 minutes driving. You should deliver a natural lesson based on their needs, adapting your coaching and instruction as the lesson develops.
You can stop safely during the lesson when necessary to give immediate feedback or discuss an important learning point.
You should not spend the entire lesson teaching a manoeuvre, although you can include a short recap of a manoeuvre previously taught.
At the end of the lesson
Give your pupil an opportunity to reflect on their performance. DVSA says this should take no more than approximately 3 minutes.
Throughout the test, the examiner is looking for evidence that you meet the National Standard for Driver and Rider Training.
Your total score determines your result:
0–30 points — Fail
You will need to take the ADI Part 3 test again.
31–42 points — Grade B (Pass)
You have demonstrated a sufficient level of competence to qualify.
43–51 points — Grade A (Pass)
You have demonstrated a high level of competence.
You will automatically fail if:
You score 7 or less in the Risk Management category, or
The examiner stops the lesson because you have put yourself, your pupil, the examiner or another road user in danger.
These thresholds and automatic-fail conditions are the current DVSA rules.
If you fail your first or second attempt, you can book another ADI Part 3 test, provided you remain within the qualifying time limit.
If you are using a trainee driving instructor licence and chose the additional training option, you must complete 5 hours of extra training before retaking Part 3.
If you fail your third attempt, you must stop giving paid driving lessons immediately and your trainee licence becomes invalid.
You will need to restart the qualification process by taking ADI Part 1 and Part 2 again. You cannot retake Part 1 until 2 years have passed from the date you originally passed it.
DVSA currently confirms these rules.
Once you pass the ADI Part 3 test, you can apply to join the Register of Approved Driving Instructors and receive your first ADI certificate, commonly known as the green badge.
You must apply to register within 12 months of passing your ADI Part 3 test.
Once registered, you can work as a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor and charge pupils for driving lessons.
On some ADI Part 3 tests, the examiner may be accompanied by a supervising examiner as part of DVSA's quality assurance process.
Their role is to observe the examiner and help ensure that DVSA assessment standards are being applied consistently.
If this happens on your test, do not let the additional person distract you. Continue delivering a normal, client-centred lesson focused on your pupil.
If your trainer or mentor also intends to accompany you and the test is scheduled for examiner supervision, the supervising examiner will decide whether the supervision can go ahead.
This is normal DVSA quality-assurance practice and does not change the standard you are expected to demonstrate on your Part 3 test. gov.com
The current DVSA fee for the ADI Part 3 test is £111.
You have a maximum of 3 attempts to pass the ADI Part 3 test.
You must pass both ADI Part 2 and ADI Part 3 within 2 years of passing ADI Part 1. If you do not qualify within this period, you will need to restart the qualifying process.
After passing Part 3, you can apply to join the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. The current fee for your first ADI certificate (green badge) is £300.
Important: DVSA fees and rules can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK information before booking or applying.
Before attending your ADI Part 3 test, make sure you have everything required for the assessment.
You will need:
Your driving licence
A suitable pupil for the client-centred lesson
A suitable car that meets DVSA requirements
Appropriate insurance covering the vehicle for an ADI Part 3 test
Your car must be roadworthy and meet DVSA test requirements. This includes having an additional interior rear-view mirror for the examiner, a passenger seatbelt and head restraint, legal tyres, no warning lights showing and the appropriate tax, MOT and insurance.
If your vehicle does not meet the requirements, your test can be cancelled and you may have to pay again.
DVSA also has specific rules concerning dashcams, hire cars and vehicles affected by safety recalls.
Passing Part 3 is about more than knowing what the 17 competencies are. You need to demonstrate that you can adapt your teaching to the pupil, manage risk effectively and create a client-centred learning environment.
Aceway provides ADI Part 3 training and development for candidates preparing for their first attempt, as well as additional support for PDIs who have previously been unsuccessful.
Training is led by an ORDIT-registered instructor trainer and can be tailored around your current experience and areas for development.
Lesson Planning
1. Did the trainer identify the pupil’s learning goals and needs?
2.Was the agreed lesson structure appropriate for the pupil’s experience and ability?
3. Were the practice areas suitable?
4.Was the lesson plan adapted, when appropriate, to help the pupil work towards their learning goals?
Risk Management
5.Did the trainer ensure the pupil understood how responsibility for risk would be shared?
6.Were directions and instructions clear and given in good time?
7.Was the trainer aware of the surroundings and the pupil’s actions?
8.Was any verbal or physical intervention timely and appropriate?
9.Was sufficient feedback given to help the pupil understand any potential safety-critical incidents?
Teaching & Learning Strategies
10.Was the teaching and learning style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability?
11.Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning?
12.Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes?
13.Was technical information comprehensive, appropriate and accurate?
14.Was appropriate and timely feedback given during the session?
15.Were the pupil’s questions followed up and answered?
16.Did the trainer maintain an appropriate non-discriminatory manner throughout the session?
17.At the end of the session, was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?
These correspond to the official DVSA Part 3 assessment areas.
ADI Part 3 is not about memorising scripts or putting on a performance for the examiner. It is about demonstrating that you can deliver a safe, effective and client-centred lesson that responds to the needs of the pupil in front of you.
At Aceway, your 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.
Training can be adapted around your current ability, previous training and areas requiring further development.
Whether you are preparing for your first Part 3 attempt, training while using a PDI trainee licence, or need support after an unsuccessful attempt, the aim is to develop the skills you need to become a competent driving instructor — not simply teach you how to pass a test.
Whether you're preparing for your first 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.
Driving Instructor Training in Birmingham
📍 Aceway Driving School – Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
🕒 Opening Hours:
Mon–Fri: 9:30AM–8PM
Sat–Sun: 10:30AM–1PM
📞 Phone/WhatsApp: 07914 578436
📧 Email: [email protected]
Copyright by Aceway Driving School 2004-2026 l Terms and Condition