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 ADI part 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.

You must bring these to your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test:

• your pass certificate letter from the ADI part 1 test
• your valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence
• a suitable car

You need to bring both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart.

You must take your signed driving licence and a valid passport if you have an old-style paper licence.

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

Your test will be cancelled and you'll lose your fee if your car doesn't meet the rules.

Using a hire car

You can use a hire car for your test if it's fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Using an automatic car

You can use a car with automatic transmission if:

• you have a driving licence that means you can drive only automatic vehicles, eg because you have a disability
• you're looking for qualification in this special category of approved driving instructor - you’ll need to bring your emergency control certificate

You get your emergency control certificate when you take the emergency control assessment at the start of the qualifying process.

The approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test includes:

• an eyesight test
• vehicle safety questions
• a test of your driving ability

The eyesight test

You’ll have 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 must use glasses or contact lenses during the whole test if you need them to read the number plate.

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

Vehicle safety questions

You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions. These are also known as ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

The examiner will ask you:

• 3 ‘show me’ questions where you’ll have to show them how you’d carry out the vehicle checks
• 2 ‘tell me’ questions where you’ll have to explain how you’d carry out the vehicle checks

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.

Driving ability

You’ll have to 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'll drive in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.

Manoeuvres

You must be able to carry out all of the following manoeuvres:

• move away straight ahead or at an angle
• overtake, meet or cross the path of other vehicles
• turn left-hand and right-hand corners
• stop the vehicle as if you’re in an emergency
• drive in reverse and enter limited openings to the right and left
• reverse-park the vehicle into the space behind a parked car
• reverse-park into a parking bay
• turn the vehicle to face in the opposite direction using forward and reverse gears

Independent driving

You'll have to drive without turn-by-turn directions from the examiner for around 10 minutes. You’ll have to follow either:

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

The examiner’s supervisor

The examiner’s supervisor may come along as well. They will be watching the examiner’s performance and won't have a say in how you're tested or in your result.

There are 3 types of faults that can be marked:

• a dangerous fault - involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property
• a serious fault - could potentially be dangerous
• a driving fault - not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault

Pass mark

You'll pass the test if you make:

• no more than 6 driving faults
• no serious or dangerous faults

If you pass you can either:

• book your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test
• apply for a trainee driving instructor licence

A trainee driving instructor licence can help you prepare for the ADI part 3 test.

Failing the first or second attempt

You can take the test again if you fail the test at either your first or second attempt.

Failing the third attempt

You have to retake and pass the ADI part 1 test again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times.

You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again.