The Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 2 test is a test of your driving ability. It’s the second of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.

 

There are 5 parts to the test:

• an eyesight check
• ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• general driving ability
• manoeuvres
• independent driving

 

To pass the test you must be able to:

• drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
• show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive

 

The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test.

You’ll need to take:

• your UK driving licence. If you don’t have a photocard licence, bring a valid passport and your paper licence
• your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 pass certificate
• a suitable car – See the DVSA’s advice on the the car

 
Your test will be cancelled and you won’t get your money back if you don’t take the right things with you

 

You’ll be asked to read a number plate from a distance of:

• 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate*
• 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

(*New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, eg AB51 ABC.)

 
You are allowed to use glasses or contact lenses if you need them to read the number plate, but then you must use them during the whole test.

 
You’ll fail the test if you don’t pass the eyesight test. It will count as 1 of the 3 attempts at the ADI part 2 test.

You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. These test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.
 

You’ll be asked:

• 3 ‘tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving
• 2 ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

 

You’ll get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give.
 
You’ll get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions.

You must demonstrate you have a thorough understanding of good, safe driving techniques.

During the test, you will  show the examiner all of the following:

• expert handling of the controls
• use of correct road procedure
• anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action
• sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
• consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users
• driving in an environmentally friendly manner

 

You will also drive in a variety of road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.
 
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• reverse into a parking bay and drive out
• drive into a parking bay and reverse out
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

For a period of about 10 minutes, you will have to drive without instructions or directions from the examiner. You will have to follow either:
 

• traffic signs
• a series of directions given to you before you set off

 
The examiner will tell you which you have to do.

 
Following directions from a sat nav:
 
The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.

You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test.
 

Going off the route:
 
Your test result won’t be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it.

The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do.
 
If you can’t see traffic signs:
 
If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
 
If you make mistakes during your test:
 
You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:
 

• a dangerous fault is one that involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• a serious fault is one could potentially be dangerous
• a driving fault is not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault a number of times it could become a serious fault

 
You’ll pass the test if you make no more than 6 driving faults and/or no serious or dangerous faults.

The examiner’s supervisor may attend the test too.
They will be watching the examiner’s performance only and won’t have comment or assess how you’re tested or affect your result.

You have 3 attempts at this test. Should you fail the 3rd attempt, you will have to wait for the 2 year period to end (that started when you passed Part 1) and sit Part 1 again.

 

You must pay the DVSA £111 for this test.

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