Driver Vehicle Standards Agency
How the scheme works
By law, you have to be an approved driving instructor (ADI) to charge money for driving instruction in a car.
You do not need an extra qualification if you also want to train driving instructors. However, you can join the voluntary official register of driving instructor training (ORDIT).
Its run by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Joining it lets you:
- prove you meet the DVSA standard to provide high-quality training
- advertise yourself as a DVSA ORDIT trainer
- have your details added to the GOV.UK service to find driving instructor training courses
Eligibility
To become an ORDIT trainer, you must:
- be an ADI
- have got a grade A at your latest ADI standards check (a grade A from your ADI part 3 test does not count)
When you apply to become an ORDIT trainer, DVSA will check youre suitable by looking at the data they hold on:
- pupils you brought for a car driving test
- instructors you brought for ADI tests
If DVSA does not think you are suitable, they will tell you why and what you need to do before you apply again
If DVSA decides you are suitable, you will then need to pass an assessment of your training skills with DVSA.
Prepare for your assessment
Study these documents on GOV.UK:
- the national standard for driver and rider training
- the national standard for driving cars and light vans
- the learning to drive a car syllabus
You can also use books and software to help you prepare for your assessment:
- The Highway Code
- Know your traffic signs
- Driving - the essential skills
- the official theory test for approved driving instructors pack
- the Driving Instructors Handbook
Get a trainer
Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the assessment.
Find driving instructor training courses and check if the trainer provides training to help you qualify.
Book the qualifying assessment
Read and agree the .
Download and fill in the application form.
Send the form to DVSA with the 151.20 assessment fee (which includes VAT). You can pay by:
- debit or credit card
- cheque or postal order made payable to DVSA
DVSA ORDIT team
ordit@dvsa.gov.uk
ORDIT Team
DVSA
1 Unity Square
Nottingham
NG2 1AY
What happens next
Before your assessment, a DVSA ADI examiner will call you to arrange a date and time for a 30-minute phone call. They will ask you to send copies of training records that you have completed with your trainees and other relevant documents. These can be:
- scans of paper copies
- digital records
Your training records should include:
- your name
- your personal reference number (PRN)
- name of your organisation
- name of the trainee
- date, time, location and duration of a training session
- subject matter
- your appraisal of the session
- the trainees feedback and reflections on the session
- signatures by you and trainee
During the 30-minute call, the examiner will assess your training records and give you feedback. If your training records are satisfactory, the examiner will arrange your practical assessment and confirm the time, date and location.
You will not be able to take the practical assessment until the examiner is satisfied with the standard of your records.
Practical assessment
The practical assessment lasts up to 1 hour 30 minutes. This includes:
- a short time at the start where the examiner will ask you about the trainee youve brought with you
- around one hour where you give a training session to your trainee
- 15 minutes at the end where the examiner will give you your result and feedback
You will need to act as the learner driver during your assessment. You will need to simulate faults where appropriate for your trainee to correct. You cannot bring a real learner driver for your trainee to instruct.
What to take to your assessment
You need to take:
- your ADI