ADI Part 2 — Driving Ability

There are five parts to the ADI Part 2 test:

1. An eyesight check
2. ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
3. General driving ability
4. Manoeuvres
5. Independent driving

The test takes around one hour.

At the start of the test, you must read a vehicle number plate from:

• 27 metres for a new-style number plate
• 27.5 metres for an old-style number plate

If you do not pass the eyesight check, you will fail Part 2 and the test will count as one of your three permitted attempts.

You will be asked five vehicle safety questions during Part 2:

• 3 ‘tell me’ questions before you start driving
• 2 ‘show me’ questions while you are driving

You will receive a driving fault for each incorrect answer. Answering all five questions incorrectly results in a serious fault. Losing control of the car while answering a ‘show me’ question can also result in a serious fault.

These questions can include modern vehicle controls. For example, one of the current DVSA ‘show me’ questions asks you to demonstrate how you would operate the cruise control when it is safe to do so.

This is another reason Part 2 preparation should go beyond simply memorising answers. You need to understand how to use the vehicle and its features appropriately while maintaining safe control.

See the current ADI Part 2 ‘show me, tell me’ questions on GOV.UK

Part 2 requires you to demonstrate a high standard of driving across varying road and traffic conditions. During the test you will need to demonstrate:

• Expert handling of the controls
• Correct road procedure
• Anticipation of the actions of other road users and appropriate response
• Sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
• Consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users
• Environmentally friendly driving

Where possible, the drive will include motorways or dual carriageways. You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Part 2 should not be approached simply as a learner driving test with fewer faults allowed. Preparation should develop a consistently high standard of driving together with an understanding of the decisions being made and why they are appropriate.

During the test, the examiner will ask you to complete two reversing exercises. These will be selected from:

• Parallel parking at the side of the road
• Reversing into a parking bay and driving out
• Driving into a parking bay and reversing out
• Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for around two car lengths and rejoining traffic

You will also drive independently for about 20 minutes by following either directions from a sat nav or traffic signs. The examiner provides and sets up the sat nav when one is used.

There are three types of fault:

Driving fault — a fault that is not potentially dangerous, although repeatedly making the same fault could become a serious fault.

Serious fault — something potentially dangerous.

Dangerous fault — a fault involving actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property.

To pass ADI Part 2 you must make:

• No more than 6 driving faults
• No serious faults
• No dangerous faults

If you fail your first or second attempt, you can book Part 2 again and pay the test fee again. You are allowed a maximum of three attempts at Part 2.

If you fail Part 2 three times, you have to retake and pass ADI Part 1 before you can attempt Part 2 again. You must wait until two years have passed from the date you originally passed Part 1 before you can take Part 1 again.

This makes developing a consistent driving standard before taking Part 2 particularly important.

You need to provide a suitable car for your Part 2 test. You can use your own car if it meets the current DVSA requirements. An Instruct IQ trainer's vehicle may also be available for training or the test, depending on the trainer and location.

The car used for Part 2 must meet DVSA requirements. These currently include:

• No warning lights showing
• Legal, undamaged tyres and no space-saver spare tyre fitted
• Roadworthy condition
• An extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
• A passenger seatbelt
• A passenger head restraint for the examiner — slip-on types are not allowed
• Capable of reaching at least 62mph
• An mph speedometer
• Four wheels and compliance with the relevant maximum authorised mass requirements

If you use your own car, it must also:

• Be taxed
• Have a current MOT if it is over 3 years old
• Be insured specifically for use on an ADI Part 2 test

Your own car does not need to have dual controls. The test can be cancelled and you can lose your fee if the vehicle does not meet the requirements.

Check the current DVSA vehicle requirements for ADI Part 2

Using a hire car

You can take ADI Part 2 in a hire car, but it must be fitted with dual controls and meet all the other DVSA vehicle requirements.

Make sure the vehicle is appropriately insured for the ADI Part 2 test and that its use complies with the hire provider's terms.

Manual or automatic

If you hold a full manual driving licence, you can take ADI Part 2 in either a manual or automatic car.

Taking Part 2 in an automatic car does not restrict you to teaching automatic lessons once you qualify. A manual licence holder can train people in both manual and automatic cars when qualified.

Part 2 preparation should develop more than the ability to produce a test-standard drive.

The aim is to develop conscious competence: being able to drive to a high standard while understanding what you are doing, why you are doing it and the factors influencing your decisions.

This builds on the knowledge developed through ADI Part 1 — Theory Test. Rather than leaving that knowledge in the theory test, Part 2 gives you the opportunity to apply it practically to your own driving.

It also begins looking ahead to Part 3. As a future driving instructor, understanding your own decisions and actions becomes important when you need to help somebody else develop their driving.

The PDI School includes Part 2 development content and AI tools that can support reflection, knowledge and understanding away from the car. Online training can also support parts of your development.

However, Part 2 is a practical driving assessment, so preparation should include in-car development. This might include assessment of your current driving, demonstration drives, role play, discussion and practical development with a trainer.

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