Manage your approved driving instructor (ADI) registration

Renew your ADI registration and get a new criminal records check

    The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

    You’re responsible for keeping your approved driving instructor (ADI) certificate up to date. You must display it in the passenger-side edge of the front windscreen of your car when you give driving lessons.

    You can be prosecuted for using an invalid certificate or one that’s not yours.

    Renew your registration

    You must renew your ADI registration every 4 years if you want to continue being an ADI.

    You need a criminal records check before you renew your registration. This can take several weeks.

    Email your name and ADI number to dsa@tmgcrb.co.uk for details of how to apply for the criminal records check. You can’t use this service if you’ve:

    • 5 or more penalty points
    • points you haven’t reported to DVSA
    • a non-motoring offence

    In any of these cases contact DVSA for advice on how to apply.

    DVSA criminal records team
    Telephone: 0121 556 5570
    Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
    Find out about call charges

    Change of name or contact details

    You must update your ADI registration within 7 days if you change your name or address.

    Cautions or convictions

    You must tell DVSA in writing within 7 days if you get any caution or conviction. This includes:

    • being ‘bound over’
    • having your name entered in the sex offenders’ register
    • being banned from working with children

    Approved Driving Instructor Registrar

    Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

    The Axis Building

    112 Upper Parliament Street

    Nottingham

    NG1 6LP

    Lost or stolen ADI certificates

    You must tell the police straight away if your ADI certificate is stolen. They’ll give you a crime reference number – give this to DVSA.

    Tell DVSA straight away if you lose the certificate.

    DVSA ADI helpline
    adireg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
    Telephone: 0300 200 1122
    Monday to Friday, 8am to 12pm
    Find out about call charges

    DVSA will send you a new certificate if you give proof that the original has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

    You’ll have to either:

    • give DVSA permission to use the photo from your photocard driving licence
    • send a recent passport-style photograph to DVSA

    You must pay £3 if you can’t give DVSA a crime reference number.

    You must send your old certificate to DVSA if you find it after getting a new one.

    If you stop giving driving lessons

    You must tell DVSA if you stop giving driving lessons because you want to leave the ADI register. Send your ADI certificate with a letter to DVSA.

    Approved Driving Instructor Registrar

    Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

    The Axis Building

    112 Upper Parliament Street

    Nottingham

    NG1 6LP

    You won’t get a refund if you have any time left on your registration, unless you’re leaving the register for health reasons. You’ll need to give medical proof to be considered for a refund.

    There’s a different process to manage your ADI registration in Northern Ireland.