Apply for your first approved driving instructor (ADI) badge

Apply for your first approved driving instructor (ADI) badge online. You’ll need to have passed the ADI part 3 test within the last 12 months.

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Before you start

It costs £300. You’ll need a debit or credit card to pay.

The online service is available from 6am to 11:30pm.

Photocard driving licence

If you have a photocard driving licence you’ll need:

  • your online user ID from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
  • your password
  • your driving licence number (if you’re giving DVSA permission to use your photocard photo)

Paper driving licence

If you have an old-style paper driving licence you’ll also need:

  • to print the final screen and send it to DVSA
  • a passport-sized photo with your ADI personal reference number written on the back

Your user ID and password

Your user ID can be found on all letters sent to you by DVSA. It’s not the same as your ADI personal reference number.

Request your user ID from DVSA if you do not know what it is. You’ll need your driving licence number.

Rules for passwords

You cannot use any of your 5 previously used passwords.

Your password must be at least 9 characters long. It must include at least 3 of these 4 types of characters:

  • uppercase characters, for example A B C
  • lowercase characters, for example a b c
  • numeric digits, for example 1 2 3
  • special characters, for example £ % &

Help with your application

Email DVSA if you have any problems applying online.

DVSA\
[email protected]

There’s a different process to apply for your first ADI badge in Northern Ireland.

Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

    1. Check if the role is right for you on the Safe Driving for Life website
    2. Check you're eligible to become a driving instructor
    3. Find out about the skills and knowledge you need

  2. Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor

    You must get a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to start your application, even if you already have one.

    1. Get a DBS check £8.22

    You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.

    1. Read about driving instructor responsibilities
    1. Start your application

  3. Step 3 Get a trainer

    Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.

    1. Find driving instructor training courses

  4. Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

    1. Revise and practise for your test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a theory test centre
    4. Book your test £81

    Once you've passed the theory test, you must pass the other parts of the test within 2 years or you'll have to start the whole process again.

  5. Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  6. Step 6 Get practice teaching

    If you’ve passed ADI part 2 you have the option to apply for a 6 month trainee licence to get experience teaching students.

    1. Find out about trainee instructor licences
    2. Apply for a trainee instructor licence £140

  7. Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  8. Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor

    Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.

    1. You are currently viewing: Register for your first ADI certificate £300

    When you have your certificate you can start charging for lessons. You can either:

    You'll have at least one standards check every 4 years. You also need to renew your registration and get a new DBS check every 4 years.

    1. Find out about ADI standards checks
    2. Renew your registration £300
    3. Improve your skills as an instructor