To be able to train to become a driving instructor you must be able to say yes to the following

Having said yes then you must pass the following 3 exams

Part 1 - Theory plus Hazard Perception Test exam cost £80

The Part 1 test is made up of two parts; the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part. You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test. If you pass one part and fail the other you will fail the whole test, and you will need to take both parts again

Multiple Choice

Before the test starts you will be given instructions on how the test works but basically it is delivered using a touch screen computer and mouse. You can also choose to go through a practice session of the multiple choice questions to get used to the way the test works. At the end of the practice session the real test will begin.

A question and a choice of answers options will appear onscreen and you have to select the correct answer or answers to the question by touching the screen or using the mouse. Some questions may require more than one answer. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test. You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 questions that will be split into four bands which will be:

The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 85% -that is 85 questions answered correctly. However, you must reach a minimum 80% (20 out of 25) in each of the four bands. It is therefore possible for you to get an overall mark of 85% or above but still fail the examination because you have not gained the minimum of 80% in one of the bands.

After you have completed this part you can choose to have a break of up to three minutes before the hazard perception part starts.

Hazard Perception

To start you will be shown a short tutorial video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

You will be presented with a series of 14 video clips which feature every day road scenes, in each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards. To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development by clicking a button on the mouse. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five.

The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 57 out of 75.

The Part 1 test comprises of a touch-screen computer based theory test consisting of 100 multi-choice questions.

Part 2 - Driving Ability Test exam cost £99

The practical test of driving ability consists of tests of eyesight, safety questions and driving technique. The test will last for about one hour. You must pass all parts of the test at the same time. You must pass within 3 attempts

The eyesight test

You must be able to read in good daylight with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn, a motor vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures:

79 millimetres in height and 50 millimetres wide at a distance of 26.5 metres or 79 millimetres in height and 57 millimetres wide at a distance of 27.5 metres

PLEASE NOTE If you do not pass the eyesight test, you will not be allowed to take the driving ability element. The test will be marked as a fail and will count towards your three attempts.

Safety questions

Your examiner will ask you to describe how to perform a check on the condition and safety of three components of the vehicle and demonstrate an actual check on the condition of a further two components which will be chosen from the following list: tyres, steering, brakes, lights, reflectors, direction indicators, audible warning device and the liquids used in the braking system, steering system, engine or elsewhere in the vehicle as a coolant, lubricant, cleaner or otherwise. 

Test of driving ability

The test of driving ability is an advanced driving test and a very high standard of competence is required. You must show that you have a thorough knowledge of the principles of good driving and road safety and that you can apply them. You must satisfy the examiner on all or any of the following subjects:

expert handling of the controls, use of correct road procedure, anticipation of the actions of other road users and the taking of appropriate action, sound judgement of distance, speed and timing, consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users

The routes used for the test will cover a range of road and traffic conditions, including urban and rural conditions.

You must show the ability to perform any or all of the following manoeuvres including all three of the reversing exercises:

move away straight ahead or at an angle, overtake, meet or cross the path of other vehicles and take an appropriate course without undue hesitancy, turn left-hand and right-hand corners correctly without undue hesitancy, stop the vehicle in an emergency, drive the vehicle in reverse gear and whilst doing so enter limited openings to the right and to the left, taking effective all round observation, turn the vehicle to face in the opposite direction by the use of forward and reverse gears taking effective all-round observation, then either of reverse park the vehicle into the space behind a parked car, within the space of about two car lengths and close to and parallel with the kerb, taking effective all round observation, or reverse park into a parking bay, with due regard for other vehicles or pedestrians, while taking effective all-round observation

Part 3 - Teaching Ability Test exam cost £99

The test is in two parts, with the examiner who will take on the role of a pupil and each of which lasts about half an hour. You must pass both parts on the same test.

You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and ability by giving practical driving instruction firstly to a pupil who is a beginner, or a learner driver with limited driving knowledge, and then a pupil who is about test standard. The examiner will explain everything to you at the time including where he would like you to go during the test.

The instruction you give should be tailored to the time available and to the standard of the ‘pupil’ being role-played by the examiner. You will probably find it helpful to establish the depth of the ‘pupil’s’ knowledge in each phase, by asking questions and observing the ‘pupil’s’ performance as you would with a real pupil you had not meet before.

You will be assessed in the method, clarity, adequacy and correctness of instruction given, the observation, analysis and correction of faults committed by the pupil, and your general manner.

You will be expected to maintain control of the lesson, be patient and tactful and give encouragement to the ‘pupil’ at all times. What is assessed is the relevance of the instruction for the ability of the pupil and to the particular conditions on the road on the day of the test.

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