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Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

Approved driving instructor (ADI) standards check

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What to take to your standards check

You must take:

  • your approved driving instructor (ADI) registration certificate
  • a pupil
  • a car that meets the requirements

Your pupil

Your pupil can be a:

  • partly trained learner
  • fully trained learner
  • full licence holder

If you bring a partly trained learner, they should be able to drive for 40 minutes without frequently stopping.

Your pupil cannot be an ADI or someone who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test.

Car requirements

The car you use for your standards check must:

  • not have any warning lights on showing safety issues with the car (like the airbag warning light)
  • have no tyre damage and meet the legal tread depth on each tyre - you must not have a space-saver spare tyre fitted
  • be roadworthy
  • be fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror for your use
  • be fitted with L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear if your pupil is a learner
  • be fitted with a rear passenger seatbelt and head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed)
  • be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer (not just an extra display or smartphone app)
  • have 4 wheels and meet the maximum authorised mass (MAM) limit

The MAM is the limit on how much the car can weigh when it’s loaded. It’ll be in the car’s handbook.

You cannot use:

  • a soft-top convertible
  • a car with only two seats in the back – it must have three full-size rear seats

Your standards check will be cancelled if your car does not meet the requirements. Another appointment will be booked for you.

You can be removed from the ADI register if you keep bringing a car that does not meet the requirements.

Tax and insurance

You can take the standards check in:

  • your own car
  • a taxi
  • a private hire vehicle

If you’re using your own car

Your car must:

  • be taxed
  • have a current MOT (if it’s over 3 years old)
  • be insured for an ADI part 3 test (check with your insurance company)

If you’re using a taxi or private hire vehicle

It must:

  • be taxed
  • have a current MOT (or a certificate of compliance if you are a licensed taxi driver)
  • be insured for an ADI part 3 test (check with your insurance company)

You can use either a physical or digital copy of a certificate of compliance. 

If the learner is not a licensed taxi driver the car must have a valid MOT. You cannot use a certificate of compliance.

Cleaning your car

You should tidy your car before your standards check. This includes removing any rubbish or unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats.

Your car must be smoke-free - this means you cannot smoke in it just before or during the standards check.

Dashcams and other cameras

You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

  • faces outside of the car and does not film the inside
  • does not record audio from inside the car

Vehicle features

You can use a car with:

  • an electronic parking brake
  • hill-start assist
  • cruise control
  • speed limiters
  • parking sensors and cameras
  • lane assist
  • blind spot monitoring
  • traffic sign recognition

You can also use a car with the following features, but cannot use these features during the standards check:

  • self-parking
  • Tesla autopilot

Hire cars

You can take your standards check in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Manual and automatic cars

If you have a manual licence, you can use a manual or automatic car.

If you have an automatic licence, you must use an automatic car. This is because you can only train people in an automatic car.

Bad weather

You should call the standards check bookings team as soon as you can on the day of your standards check if there’s bad weather. Ask to speak to the ADI examiner.

If nobody answers the phone, and the conditions in your area are not looking too bad, it’s likely that the examiners are:

  • checking the local roads to see if driving tests can go ahead
  • taking driving tests because the conditions are suitable

However, this is not a guarantee that your standards check will go ahead.

You should tell the standards check bookings team if your check is cancelled - they’ll make a new appointment.

ADI standards check booking team
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
WhatsApp (message only, no calls): +44 (0)1908 787001
Webchat
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Cars with known safety faults

You cannot use one of the cars shown in the table unless you have proof that it’s safe. This is because these cars have been recalled for a safety reason.

You must bring the proof that it’s safe with you when you take your standards check.

Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date
Citroen C3 Airbag Vehicles built between 2009 and 2016 20 Jun 2025
Citroen C4 Airbag Vehicles built between 2 February 2010 and 20 May 2018 7 August 2025
Citroen DS3 Airbag Vehicles built between 2009 and 2016 20 Jun 2025
Citroen DS4 Airbag Vehicles built between 2 February 2010 and 20 May 2018 7 August 2025
Citroen DS5 Airbag Vehicles built between 2 February 2010 and 20 May 2018 7 August 2025
DS Automobiles DS3 Airbag Some vehicles built between 2016 and 2019 20 Jun 2025

Proof you need to bring to your standards check

Check if your car is recalled or has been fixed before your standards check using Citroen’s online vehicle recall service.

You’ll need your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). It’s usually at the bottom of the windscreen on the driver’s side.

The examiner will also check this online before your standards check starts.

If the examiner cannot check online, you’ll need to bring proof that says one of the following:

  • the car was recalled and the recall work has been done

  • the car was recalled but did not need any work to be done

  • the car was not part of the recall

The proof must be either:

  • the recall letter or safety notice, stamped by the manufacturer or dealer

  • on official or headed notepaper from the manufacturer or a dealer

  • a screenshot from the online vehicle recall service

Your standards check will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you do not bring the right proof.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

    1. Check if the role is right for you on the Safe Driving for Life website
    2. Check you're eligible to become a driving instructor
    3. Find out about the skills and knowledge you need

  2. Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor

    You must get a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to start your application, even if you already have one.

    1. Get a DBS check

    You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.

    1. Read about driving instructor responsibilities
    1. Start your application

  3. Step 3 Get a trainer

    Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.

    1. Find driving instructor training courses

  4. Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

    1. Revise and practise for your test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a theory test centre
    4. Book your test £81

    Once you've passed the theory test, you must pass the other parts of the test within 2 years or you'll have to start the whole process again.

  5. Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  6. Step 6 Get practice teaching

    If you’ve passed ADI part 2 you have the option to apply for a 6 month trainee licence to get experience teaching students.

    1. Find out about trainee instructor licences
    2. Apply for a trainee instructor licence £140

  7. Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  8. Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor

    Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.

    1. Register for your first ADI certificate £300

    When you have your certificate you can start charging for lessons. You can either:

    You'll have at least one standards check every 4 years. You also need to renew your registration and get a new DBS check every 4 years.

    1. Find out about ADI standards checks
    2. Renew your registration £300
    3. Improve your skills as an instructor