Requirements for Becoming a Driving Instructor

To become a driving instructor, you must first fulfill the regulations outset by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). These regulations are as follows:

• Have held a full manual or automatic driving licence for at least three years in the same category that you intend on teaching. If your licence is to drive automatic cars only, you can teach people to drive in an automatic car and not a manual.
• You must be 21 years of age or older.
• You must be able to read a vehicle licence plate from a distance of 90 feet (27.5 m). You can wear glasses or contact lenses if necessary.
• You must complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

If you fulfill these requirements, you can apply to become a driving instructor. During the application process, you’ll be asked for:

• Your driving licence number.
• Your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure Number and the date it was produced. To become a driving instructor, you must have got the CRB within the last 6 months.
• Any details of motoring or non-motoring offences, disqualifications from driving or any court cases being brought against you. See below for details.

From between 4 to 6 weeks, the DVSA will write back to you to either confirm whether your application has been granted or refused. They may also write to you if they have any questions they need to ask in regards to the application. If successful, you’ll be provided with a personal reference number (PRN). You can use this number to book your first test – the ADI Part 1 (theory test).

Driving Instructor Application Refused

Further requirements to becoming a driving instructor dictate that you should not have certain motoring, non-motoring offences or penalty points as follows. The ADI Registrar may refuse your application if:

• You have certain motoring offences that include:
  • Being disqualified from driving within the last 4 years.
  • Driving whilst disqualified
  • Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
  • Dangerous driving
  • Driving without insurance
  • Driving without due care and attention
  • Failing to stop after an accident
  • Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver
  • Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone
  • Excessive speeding
• You have 5 or more penalty points on your licence. The ADI Registrar uses a ‘totting up’ system for penalty points. Driving instructor applications may be refused when a person has 5 or more penalty points within the last 3 years.
• You’ve been convicted of any non-motoring offences that include:
  • sexual assault.
  • Making, possessing or distributing indecent or pornographic images.
  • An offence of a sexual nature involving children.
  • Perverting the course of justice.
  • Assault.
  • Possession or supply of drugs.
  • Fraud. This includes the offence of illegal driving instruction.
  • Theft.