When learning to drive it is often a good idea to combine professional tuition for a qualified driving instructor with private tuition from a family member. This will ensure that you learn the skills of driving safely along with building your confidence when behind the wheel.
By law, the only people who can accept monetary payment for driving tuition and individuals who are listed on the DSA register of approved driving instructors.
Professional driving instructors will have the DSA qualification ‘Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor’, also known as ‘ADIs’.
In order to pass the ADI qualification, driving instructors must successfully pass a series of challenging theory and practical driving tests. In order to remain on the DSA register, driving instructors are regularly checked by a DSA supervising examiner who will ensure that their tuition remains at a satisfactory level.
You will notice your driving instructor’s ADI certificate displayed in the left-hand corner of their windscreen. The green ADI certificate will display the following information on your driving instructor:
- A photograph of the driving instructor
- Their ADI number
- The date of issue and expiry of the ADI certificate
In some cases you may have a driving instructor who displays a red triangular certificate. The red certificate means that the instructor is a ‘licensed trainee driving instructor’, and is part-qualified. A red certificate instructor can use the trainee badge in order to gain teaching experience before completing the final part of their examinations.
It is often a good idea to find a qualified driving instructor from word of mouth. As around with your friends and family for a recommendation of a school or individual with a high pass rate and a good reputation.
