More control over your time
As an instructor you can shape your working week around the hours and days that suit you.
WHY BECOME A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR?
A career built around people and flexibility.
Driving instruction can give you more control over how you work, while helping people achieve something that can genuinely change their independence and opportunities.
Work with real people
Every pupil is different. The job combines driving, coaching, communication and problem solving.
Build something of your own
Once qualified, you can choose how you want to work and develop your career as your experience grows.
ANOTHER ROUTE
Looking for the full Andrew’s Driving School instructor training
route?
Andrew’s Driving School is our main instructor training programme, with structured support through the ADI qualification and the option of joining the driving school after qualifying.
Explore instructor training with Andrew’s Driving School →
CHOOSING YOUR TRAINING ROUTE
You have more choice than you might think.
Becoming a driving instructor does not mean you have to sign up to a large training package or commit to a franchise from day one. Understanding your options first can help you choose a route that suits you.
Can I become a driving instructor independently?
Yes. You do not have to commit to a driving school franchise in order to qualify as an ADI.
You can choose your own trainer, work through the three qualifying tests and decide what you want to do once you are fully qualified.
There is one important exception: if you choose to teach for payment on a trainee licence, you must work through the training establishment shown on that licence. You cannot set up independently while using a trainee licence.
Do I have to join a driving school or franchise?
No. Once you have passed Parts 1, 2 and 3 and joined the ADI register, you can choose how you want to work.
You might join an established driving school, take a franchise, work independently under your own name or change route later as your business develops.
Training and your eventual business choice do not have to be bundled together from the beginning.
How do I choose a driving instructor trainer?
Look for somebody who can explain the qualification clearly, assess where you are now and adapt the training around what you actually need.
ORDIT is the DVSA's official register of driving instructor training. An ORDIT-registered trainer has demonstrated that they meet the DVSA standard for providing instructor training.
Just as importantly, speak to the trainer before committing. You need to be comfortable with how they teach, how feedback is given and what support is available between sessions.
Do I need to buy a full training course?
You do not have to buy a large Parts 1–3 package simply because you have decided to become an instructor.
Some people prefer a complete structured programme. Others prefer to train stage by stage and only pay for the support they need at that point in the qualification.
If you later choose the trainee licence route, there are specific DVSA training requirements. You must have completed at least 40 hours of training in providing driving instruction before applying for the licence.
Can I train while keeping my current job?
For many people, yes. Instructor training does not have to mean giving up your existing job on day one.
Part 1 revision can be fitted around work, while Part 2 and Part 3 training can be planned around your availability and how quickly you want to progress.
The important thing is to have a realistic plan once you pass Part 1, because that is when your two-year qualification period begins.
When should I take ADI Part 1?
Passing Part 1 starts the two-year period in which you need to complete Parts 2 and 3.
That means there can be an advantage in understanding your training plan before rushing to take the theory test. You want enough time afterwards for Part 2 training, Part 3 development and possible test delays or retakes.
Read the ADI Part 1 guide →Should I use a trainee licence or go straight to Part 3?
There is no single answer that suits everybody.
A six-month trainee licence can give you valuable experience teaching real pupils and allows you to charge for lessons while preparing for Part 3.
But it also comes with training, supervision and operating requirements. If you already have enough teaching experience and are close to Part 3 standard, going directly towards the test may make more sense.
This is one of the decisions worth discussing with your trainer rather than treating the trainee licence as an automatic next step.
Read about the trainee licence and two-year rule →What happens once I qualify?
Passing Part 3 completes the three qualifying tests, but you still need to join the Approved Driving Instructor register before working as a fully qualified ADI.
You currently have 12 months after passing Part 3 to apply for your first ADI certificate.
Once registered, you can join a driving school or set up your own business and work independently.
Qualification is really the beginning of the career. From there you can build your own pupil base, develop your teaching and decide what sort of instructor business you want to create.
THE TRAINEE LICENCE ROUTE
Learn to teach with real pupils.
After passing Part 2, some trainees choose to apply for a trainee driving instructor licence so they can gain practical teaching experience before taking Part 3.
It is not the right route for everyone, and it should not be treated as a shortcut to Part 3. Marcus can talk you through how the trainee licence works, what training is involved and whether it makes sense for your situation.
Ask Marcus About Trainee Licences
A TYPICAL ROUTE
1
Pass ADI Part 2
Reach the required driving standard first.
2
Complete your training
Develop the instructional skills needed to teach safely and effectively.
3
Gain pupil experience
Put your training into practice while continuing to develop with support.
4
Prepare for Part 3
Use your experience to build towards the final instructional ability test.
TRAIN WITH MARCUS
You won’t be passed from trainer to trainer.
If you train with me, I’ll know where you started, what we’ve worked on and what still needs attention.
That continuity matters. Part 2 and Part 3 training work best when the feedback from one session feeds directly into the next rather than starting again with somebody different each time.
Personal one-to-one training
Sessions shaped around your current ability rather than a
fixed script.
Honest feedback
Clear explanations of what is working and what needs changing.
Support through the process
Help with the qualification journey as well as the practical
training itself.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Start with a conversation.
Tell Marcus where you are now and what you’re thinking about. You don’t need to know which package or training route you need before getting in touch.