An ADI is a qualified driving instructor (Approved Driving Instructor) with a green badge in their windscreen.
A PDI is a trainee (Potential Driving Instructor) with a pink badge in their windscreen.
Whilst there are many fine PDI’s, who go on to become good ADI’s, the pass rate to become a driving instructor is very low and therefore many do not qualify.
Part 3 is the final part of the ADI qualifying exams and is often regarded as the most difficult part to pass. The reputation of the part 3 test can be backed up by the pass rate which is around 30 percent.
Many people are unaware they are being taught by a PDI.
I have only had two students who have come to me from another instructor with a test booked, and have been the standard required to take the driving test.
All the others have, after an assessment drive, postponed their test, and taken tuition to bring them up to standard.
If you have passed your theory test, then you have every right to book your driving test.
However, if your driving is not up to standard when we near the test date, we will discuss options, which would most likely be postpone the test or take it in your own vehicle.
This is for two reasons:
Firstly, the examiner will expect me to only bring test ready students, and as they are an observer and not an instructor, it is dangerous to the examiner, the general public and also yourself to not be a safe and competent driver.
Secondly, if I were to take an unprepared candidate to test, I would be asked to explain why.
And there is no excuse to bring someone for test who isn’t safe.
I have had instructors I have never seen or spoken to (so they do not know my capabilities or experience) contact me to take on students, often for a fee.
This is because when some instructors are full, they will often “sell” the new student to less busy instructors (for either an ongoing fee or a one off commision). You may begiven an instructor who is less busy because they don’t have a lot of recommendations, or they may be a trainee.
If you see my car and get in touch for lessons, I will be the one to deliver them.
If you get in touch from a recommendation, I will be the one to teach you.
If I am full, and you don’t want to wait, I will help you choose a driving school, free of charge.
The average learner needs 20 hours of practice to pass the driving test, in addition to 45 hours of driving lessons. This is only an average though and shouldn’t be something you feel you have to compare yourself to.
You will often hear incredible stories from friends & family of how few lessons they passed in.
The one I hear most is that XXX passed in 8 lessons.
Don’t let this discourage you, there may be some exaggeration in some of these tales.
I recommend Halifax or Huddersfield, which are both nice steady areas both having plus and minus points.
Huddersfield has a more reliable test centre with more staff.
Halifax is smaller, and over the last 12 months or so has had a real problem with availability of examiners due to closure and illness. Waiting list times for Halifax can be quite long.
I always discourage the two test centres in Bradford (Heaton and Thornberry), as they have low national pass rates partly due to the added hazards of a high number of uninsured drivers and a lot of inconsiderate parking.
Steeton driving test centre is a really good option. It’s a large test centre with good availability and I use this often.
Although it is some distance away. It does need some practice as it has roundabouts on the 70mph dual carriageway and an incredible amount of of yellow boxes.
Whichever test centre you choose, we will practice in other test areas for greater breadth of knowledge, and more varied environments.
You can take your theory test when you are in possession of your provisional driving licence and when you are at least 17 years of age. You may have received your provisional driving licence at 16 years of age, but you are only permitted to book the theory test from your 17th birthday onward.
Of course if you are eager to pass the theory test which will leave the practical driving test open to be booked, you can study for the theory test before you are 17 years of age.
If you revise for your theory and book the test on your 17th birthday, there will be no hold ups when you are ready to book your practical..
I have had a number of students delay their theory test, only to find they arrive at a situation where they are test ready, but unable to book a test because they haven’t passed their theory.
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