Six Points
The six points below link to information outlining the requirements which must be fulfilled in addition to the examinations, to become an ADI
1. Licence Regulations
You must have held a licence to drive cars for a period of four years out of the previous six years. The four years must be continuous. An EEC licence can count towards this period as can some other countries; further information on the countries that can exchange their licences for UK ones can be obtained from the DVLA . An automatic licence can also count towards the total.
2. Character References
Two character references must be provided when you make your application to the register. These references must not be from relatives or partners. They must be from two people who have a reasonable knowledge of your character. The DSA make spot checks on the references provided.
3. Fit and Proper Person
Any offence and conviction will be taken into account when considering your suitability to be entered on the register. These offences do not only refer to motoring offences and convictions. These offences must still be in force; not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
4. Age Limit
Legislation dictates that you must be over twenty-one and hold a correct licence for the vehicle for a period of three years before you can accompany a person learning to drive. There is no upper age limit.
5. Disabled Applicants
Disabled people can apply to enter the Register. An application can be made to provide driving tuition in automatic cars only. This is only available to drivers whose licence is restricted to automatics because of disability. The qualifying examinations will be exactly the same as outlined on the 'Examinations' page.
An 'Emergency Control Certificate' must be obtained before a disabled candidate can apply for Part One. Information on how to obtain this certificate can be obtained from MAVIS at Crowthorne, Berkshire.
There is more information concerning the fitting of additional controls to the passenger side on the booklet 'Your Road to Becoming an ADI'. An additional point is that your disability must not affect your ability to turn and look directly out of the rear window when reversing the vehicle. The use of mirrors is not acceptable for this purpose.
6. General Advice
Claims made about earnings and guaranteed jobs should be met with caution. Nearly all driving instructors are self-employed either with their own driving school or franchised to a larger driving school.
If you are asked to pay the full fee in advance, be very sure as to exactly what you are paying for, especially as the amount of training you will receive and the location/duration of the course. Is the course given to you individually or will there be another trainee in the car with you.
Seek impartial advice. Try to talk to individuals who have recently taken driving instructor courses, or are currently on them, or speak to the trade associations - contact details can be found under Trade Associations and Professional bodies in the Yellow Pages. You may also contact the Driving Standards Agency directly. Some companies deliver in car training to several trainees at once.
Be wary of claims about FAST-TRACK training and qualification. You are tied to the Driving Standards Agency waiting times for examinations. Six to nine months is a sensible time-scale if you have no other working commitments.
If the claims sound too good to be true. They probably are!!!