The Difference Between an ADI and a PDI Driving Instructor?
Training courses
To become a fully qualified driving instructor you need to take three tests, this has been set for over 20 years by the DVSA, the three tests are a:-
1. Theory test
2. Advanced driving test
3. Instructional test (ability to teach)
The part three changed in 2017
Without going into too much detail, the DVSA changed the part three instructional test: -
A. Before 2017 a DVSA examiner would role play and pretend to be a student,
that meant you could become a fully qualified instructor with no teaching
experience; pass the test and the next day you could be teaching a learner. The instructor had no teaching knowledge and now teach with no structure.
B. From 2017 you now have to take ether a fully qualified driver or a
learner student to the test. Yes, you can bring a full licence holder but you are not gaining any real experience on how to structure lessons.
The journey so far of a PDI
Before applying for a (pink) trainee driving instructor's ., your trainee instructor will of already have had knowledge on and passed: -
1. Passed their theory and hazard perception test
2. Passed an advanced driving test
3. Taken no less than 40 hours driving instructor training with a trainer/sponsor.
As you can see becoming a PDI is a very expensive route but is necessary to become successful as they need to: -
- Train 40 hours with their sponsor (40X£40)
- Adapt their vehicle £650
- Change their driving insurance (£700)
However, this is a necessary out lay for a trainee (PDI) to have the opportunity to teach you to drive and help you to pass your driving test. Choosing a trainee can be an advantage as they will be knowledgeable with all up to date changes in the driving test and the highway code, you could say they may or may not be more up to date than a fully qualified driving instructor.
Booking one of our (trainee) instructors
When you book in with us, we will discuss with you if the instructor will be a (PDI) trainee driving instructor or a (ADI) qualified driving instructor, so it will be your choice if you accept the trainee or not.
If you are already with a driving instructor and looking to change schools, do you know if they are a "fully qualified driving instructor" or "a trainee driving instructor (PDI)"?
How can you find out?
In all instructors’ training vehicle, you will visually see ether a green or pink badge that will be displayed in the passenger’s front window. The PDI (Potential Driving Instructors) badge is pink and an ADI (fully qualified driving instructor) badge is green.
The green or pink (licence) badge
The licence from the DVSA allows PDI’ & ADI’s teach learner driver's legally by law. Is it illegal to accept any payment, including money for fuel, when you’re supervising someone who’s learning to drive. So, if your current instructor is not displaying a badge in their training vehicle, by law you should not be paying them for the driving lesson.
Trainee pink licence
A pink trainee licence is the only way a (PDI) trainee driving instructor can get experience teaching learner drivers to drive. Appling for a pink trainee licence is through the DVSA (driving and vehicle standards agency). This pink licence only lasts only for 6 months and in this time the trainee driving instructor will gain the experience on teaching students to drive and get you through your driving tests.
Sponsoring a trainee
The only way to apply for a pink trainee licence is through sponsorship through an established driving school or by an independent driving instructor. Then the trainee driving instructor (PDI) can then teach under the school/instructor’s name to gain valuable experience. With the new changes from the DVSA we believe this will ensure higher standards of driving instructors.
Compulsory training
At 1st Choice driving a trainee driving instructor will only be allowed to apply for a pink licence and teach after a minimum of 40 hours in car training (NO ZOOM TRAINING only 100% in-car training with a 1st Choice trainer).
Booking a driving lesson with us
When you book driving lessons with one of our (PDI'S) trainee driving instructor we will offer you ether
1. £5 discount on the current hourly rate.
2. 1.5-hour lesson for the current rate of £40.
We do this as we appreciate our trainee is in training but ultimately what matters most is that you take lessons with a knowledgeable driving instructor and allow us to get through your driving test, so please enquire today to get booked in
