As a pupil, what do you know about what goes on for your Instructor before arriving at your door. Here at A Pass 4 U, we thought we would offer a little insight into what goes on in a typical day.
A driving instructors day can begin and end at any time – it just depends on the Pupil’s needs on their list. So if you are an early starter, or a late finisher. There will be someone around who can meet your needs. Ask when you call A Pass 4 U, if there is anything specific you need to check out.
Before leaving the house, the driving instructor will check the pupil list that he has for that day. What you will normally find is that the Instructor after finishing training and starting his practice will develop and insight and ability to work his lessons around the locations of his pupils – keeping the closer places together. Although, it doesn’t always work this way. Sometimes he or she will be driving from one side of the town or to another village or town to arrive at the next lesson.
The first thing your driving instructor normally does is walk round the training vehicle, checking lights, tyres, indicators and depending on the season, checking if the car needs coolant or windscreen wash. When you’re learning to drive, these are important aspects of keeping the vehicle roadworthy and safe for a learner driver to take lessons in.
Leaving the house, the instructor will be on their way to the next appointment. Arriving with enough time to ready the lesson plan.
As an Instructor, they will review with the pupil what happened during the last lesson and depending on where you are at in the training. You may need to carry on with what you have done before, to clarify and ensure you thoroughly understand what you are doing, then incorporate that fully into your driving and to ensure you as a pupil, have the most effective and efficient lesson for your money.
At the end of the lesson – instructor with the pupil, will recap what has been learnt and how they are feeling. Their thoughts opinions and needs will be addressed by the driving instructor, ready to take forward to their next lesson.
Depending on how many pupils the driving instructor has booked in and spaced throughout the day, will then enable him to work out when and where he is going to have a break. Sometimes the driving hour overruns as pupil and instructor discuss what is ongoing in the lesson but always in the forefront of their mind will be the importance on being at the next lesson on time or slightly early. No one pupil is more important than another. The Driving Instructor has had to attend a rigorous learning and testing process before being allowed to teach.
A Driving Instructor has to attend three different stages of learning to be able to teach Pupils to drive.
The approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test is a theory test. It’s the first of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.
The test costs £90.
You must have been accepted to start the qualifying process by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you book the ADI part 1 test.
The test takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and includes:
- multiple-choice questions
- hazard perception
You must pass both parts at the same time to pass the test.
There’s no limit to how many times you can take the test.
You can take the test in English or Welsh.
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.
The test costs £111.
You must pass the ADI part 1 test before you book the ADIpart 2 test.
The test takes around 1 hour and includes:
- an eyesight test
- vehicle safety questions
- a test of your driving ability
You can find driving instructor training if you need help to prepare for the test.
The ADI part 2 test works differently in Northern Ireland.
The approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test is a test of your ability to instruct pupils. It’s the last of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.
The test costs £111.
You must pass the ADI part 2 test before you book the ADIpart 3 test.
The test takes around one hour and includes an assessment of:
- core competencies
- instructional techniques
- instructor characteristics
The examiner will assess these by playing the role of 2 different pupils.
You can find driving instructor training if you need help to prepare for the test.
You can apply for your first ADI badge and join the ADI register when you pass the test.
The ADI part 3 test works differently in Northern Ireland.
The Driving Instructor vehicle must be inspected before beginning to provide lessons for pupils.
3. Rules for the car you use
The car you use must:
- be taxed, insured and have a valid MOT if it needs one
- be a saloon, hatchback or estate car in good working condition – you can’t use a convertible
- have working seat belts
- be able to reach the normal performance for vehicles of its type
- have right-hand steering
- have an easily adjustable seat with a head restraint for a forward-facing front passenger
- have an adjustable interior rear-view mirror that the examiner can use
- have manual transmission
- not display L plates – or D plates in Wales
- not be fitted with a ‘space saver’ tyre for the test
- be checked and fixed if it has a known safety fault
During their break, the driving instructor will build in time: to return calls from pupils re-arranging or cancelling lessons. Calling potential customers. Dealing with buying and having fitted new tyres. Checking with A Pass 4 U, to deal with inquires – questions about birthday specials, intensive courses and updating paperwork. Before returning to the task of teaching the next pupil to drive.
At the end of the day – does a driving instructor really have, an end of the day? – they will once again be returning calls and working bookings, before finally switching off, to chill out and chow down.
Before it all starts again.
Image source: Dawn Sajn / Flickr