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Approved Driving Instructor

Regulators
  • Department for Infrastructure
  • Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland
Nations
  • Northern Ireland
Sectors
  • Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Department for Infrastructure
Address

Clarence Court
10 - 18 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GB

Phone number
+44 (0)2890 540 540

Primary regulator

Address

County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3HS

Phone number
+44 (0)300 200 7861

Regulation

Regulation summary

Once Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) have successfully passed the ADI qualifying tests they are required to register with the Department for Infrastructure Approved Instructors register. Renewal of an ADI licence is required every four years.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

Provide driving instruction for hire or reward.

Protected titles

Approved Driving Instructor


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you must carry out three qualifying tests, in order.
- Part one, which tests your theory knowledge,
- Part two, which tests your driving ability and fitness and
- Part three, which tests your ability to instruct learner drivers.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

If you hold an ADI licence in an EU country, you can get this transferred to a NI licence if you are resident in NI.

Other overseas professionals need to pass the three tests as listed above.
More information can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how-become-approved-driving-instructor-adi

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how-become-approved-driving-instructor-adi#toc-9

Registration

Registration requirements

After passing all three tests, you may apply to have your name added to the Department for Infrastructure ADI register by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Agency.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Instruction) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Title of relevant act or charter

The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.