Driver Instructor Training Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need, and how will I know if I will make it?

You do not need any academic qualifications, but you do need to satisfy the entry requirements with regards to your licence and penalty points.

You must meet the following criteria:

• You must hold a full and unrestricted UK or European Union (EU) European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted driving licence. If you hold an automatic licence, you can only teach in an automatic.
• You must be at least 21 years of age and held a full licence for at least 3 years.
• You must not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the previous four years.
• You must be a fit and proper person to have your name entered on the Register of Driving Instructors - all motoring and non-motoring convictions will be taken into account.
• You must pass the Register Qualifying Examination and pay the appropriate fees
• You must be prepared to make a substantial commitment of your time, effort and money.
• If you wish to start the qualifying process, you must undertake an enhanced level criminal record check before sitting the theory test. In addition, you will not be able to qualify as a driving instructor if:
  • you have any endorsements (including disqualifications or more than 5 fixed penalty points) on your driving licence
  • You've not held a full UK or European driving licence for four out of the last six years.

We look for people who are outgoing, friendly and have good people skills. ProScot also offer all PDI’s a 60 to 90 minute training and assessment session (covering presentation, driving and instructional skills) which gives you the opportunity to see if this would be right career for you prior to booking onto one of our instructor training courses. We are very confident you will pass, the national average pass rate for all three parts of the qualifying exam is 18%, ProScot has a pass rate of over 98% for all three parts. ProScot put our reputation on the line if you take out a trainee licence and fail to pass ProScot will refund all your training fees!

What's the maximum number of points I can have on my licence?

You should have no more than 5 penalty points, although the Registrar will consider each application individually in cases where there are more (usually up to a maximum of 6).

How do you find a good training organisation? Why do some say ORDIT and others don’t?

Unfortunately, many people have wasted their time and money by training with very poor instructor training organisations with nothing to show for their money and efforts. Many are simply driving instructors themselves having a go at it. Do not confuse an ORDIT Trainer with a driving instructor they are totally different jobs and require totally different skills. Many trainers do not have a proper selection process and it can be usually no more than a chat or a drive around the block, the main criteria for selection being that you have the money to pay for the course! High-pressure sales tactics with so-called "offers" are all used to entice you. Make sure they are at least authorised and assessed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and are on the ORDIT Register (Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers). Check out facilities, trainers, speak to those who have trained with the organisation or are currently training with them. Don’t simply trust the sales pitch and the glossy literature. Most of all find out exactly what you get for your money. How many of your hours are in classroom, or e-learning watching videos etc as opposed to in car? What is the training ratio 1:1 or 2:1 or 3:1, some offer up to 50% of Part 3 training as E-Learning!

Do they offer refunds for training not undertaken? What happens if you fail? They should encourage you to speak to past and current course attendees. This will soon let you know if quality training backs up the glossy marketing.

Where does the Driving Instructor training take place?

ProScot's training is available in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. We use the Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline test centres for both Part 2 & Part 3 tests. Although we can train further afield if required and by arrangement.

Why are your training courses so much cheaper than others?

ProScot have much lower overheads for starters, we also don’t look at instructor training as our core business to make huge sums of money from like many of the large national companies. 80% of the PDI’s they train fail to qualify! They make lots of money from letting PDI’s down who part with thousands of pounds each year. We in contrast select and train up only a small number of quality people each year, to replace those who might retire or leave the industry or ProScot.

We look for those who have the potential to be great instructors and will hopefully want to join our team. We then provide them with the best training and ongoing support available. We don’t want the costs of training to be a barrier to that. We also don’t look to make money from the instructor training, but rather to cover our costs. Our success as a driving school relies on professional driving instructors joining us. To then deliver a quality service to back up our promises to our learners, whilst paying a franchise to ProScot for the ongoing support that ensures their success and ProScot’s.

What is the pass rate?

The national pass rate is very low with an overall pass rate for all 3 parts of less than 18%. Nationally for every five PDI’s that start the journey only one will qualify! ProScot have a pass rate of just over 98% for all 3 parts. Only three people have failed to qualify since 1999, ProScot put this down to sensible selection process, and the excellent training and support available through one of the UK’s highest qualified ORDIT Trainers.

Can I train around work commitments?

Yes, ProScot offer a flexible training option. We can also offer training in the evenings and at the weekends. This style of training creates a non-intensive approach.

Can I train intensively?

Yes, ProScot can offer training as intensively as you can handle. We can train you in as short as 8 days. Two days for your Part 2 training and six days for your Part 3 training. You can also spread your training out over a longer period to suit your availability.

What exams do you have to pass to be a Driving Instructor?

You must pass three exams:

• Part 1 is the theory test, lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes covering both multiple choice and hazard perception (unlimited attempts)
• Part 2 is the driving test, again lasting approximately 1 hour. You must have no serious or dangerous faults and commit no more than 6 minor driving faults (maximum 3 attempts)
• Part 3 is the instructional part, again lasting approximately 1 hour. (During Covid restrictions this was reduced to 45 minutes). You will be tested with a real pupil and will be expected to deliver a real lesson (hence the advantage of a trainee licence, you take in one of your own pupils). The lesson should be appropriate to the pupils needs and the lesson should demonstrate a full understanding and application of the 17 key areas for assessment. Your pupil can be a partly trained learner a fully trained learner or a full licence holder. Your pupil cannot be a learner who has just started learning to drive or an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test. You’ll be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories: 1. Lesson planning 2. Risk management 3. Teaching and learning strategies

The 17 areas of competence are listed in the ADI part 3 test report form, which the examiner will fill in at the end of your test. You’ll get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to work out if you’ve passed the test and what your grade will be. A score of less than 31 results in an unsatisfactory performance and a fail. A score of 31 to 42 demonstrates a sufficient competence to permit entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors is results in a Grade B pass. A score of 43 to 51 demonstrates a high overall standard of instruction and permits entry to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. If you score 7 or less in the Risk Management section, the instructional ability will be deemed substandard and results in a fail. Also, if the examiner believes your behaviour is placing you, the pupil or any third party in immediate danger they may stop the examination and record an immediate fail.

You need to demonstrate an appropriate level of instruction/coaching to suit the needs of the pupil and work towards trying to achieve the lesson goal. You are required to identify, analyse, and work towards rectifying driver faults or areas for development. In other words, you need to demonstrate that you are improving the "pupil" during the lesson whilst offering value for money and managing any risk situations. Like the part 2 test you have a maximum of 3 attempts. If you fail on your 3rd and final attempt for Part 2 or Part 3 you must wait for a 2-year period from the date of passing your theory test before starting the whole process all over again. Part 3 must be passed within a 2-year period of passing Part I.

How long does it take to train?

It depends upon your time commitment and whether you pass your exams first time. Let's assume you took a semi - intensive approach, with about 4 to 8 training hours per week. It takes approximately 2 weeks to study and prepare for Part I and get your disclosure and pass Part 1. Part 2 takes about 10 to 16 hours on average so this will take about 2 - 4 weeks. Part 3 takes about 40 hours on average, so this will account for about 5 - 10 weeks. By the time you factor in time delay for test dates this approach would take about 3 - 6 months. Someone doing approximately 2 hours per week could expect to take approximately 9 - 12 months or longer. Our Intensive course enables you to be out on a trainee licence earning money and real experience in less than 1 month. Most of our PDI’s pass on either their first or second attempt at Part 3. This means you could be a fully qualified ADI in less than 3 to 4 months.

Is the training done one to one or in a group?

ProScot offer both options. One to one enables us to give maximum attention to each student and to provide training to suit their individual needs around work commitments. This is available on our flexible training option.

ProScot also offer group training through our intensive and semi-intensive courses. These courses have the benefit of keeping costs down to a minimum whilst also offering the advantage of the shared learning experience and support of their fellow trainees. This is a particularly popular method with the police, armed forces etc.

What are the qualifications of ProScot’s ORDIT Trainer?

Your trainer is amongst the highest qualified in the industry and holds the following qualifications:

• Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers (ORDIT)
• DVSA ADI (Approved Driving Instructor). Grade - A (51/51. The highest grade).
• John was formerly a Grade 6 Driving Instructor, the highest grade under the old system (less than 3% of ADI's were Grade 6).
• DVSA CMI (Certified Motorcycle Instructor CBT1/DAS).
• DVSA Fleet Registered Trainer providing assessment and training to company car drivers.
• DVSA RPTMT (Register of Post Test Motorcycle Trainers).
• DVSA Cardington Special Test with an 'A' Grade (this is the highest recognised standard of driving within the DVSA).
• The BTEC level 4 Professional Award in Coaching for Driver Development.
• Diploma in Driving Instruction (Dip DI.)
• RoSPA Diploma in Advanced Instruction (Dip RoADA.)
• DIAmond Advanced Instructor.
• DIA Special Test Holder
• DIAmond Advanced Drivers and MasterDrivers certificate.
• DIAmond Examiner.
• City & Guilds 7331 Instructional Techniques
• SVQ D32, D33 & D34 skills and assessor modules
• BSc (Hon) Electrical & Electronic Engineering

What is a Trainee Licence?

A trainee licence or trainee badge allows you to give paid for instruction once you have completed a minimum of 40 hours of Part 3 training and have successfully passed Part I and Part 2. A Pink badge signifies a Trainee, and a fully qualified instructor has a green badge. The Trainee badge is valid for 6 months and enables the instructor to gain vital experience with real pupils. Previously in the old-style Part 3 test where the examiner simply role played a student and created specific known faults within the two pre-set tests, it was not necessary to go onto a trainee licence. The training and the Part 3 test were well aligned, and it was easy to simulate the role play and faults during training. At the time ProScot did not feel the option was right for everyone. It was easy to feel more pressured to pass if you had given up full time employment, or worse still you were trying to do it part time whilst trying to hold down a full-time job. It was also very easy to pick up a style of instruction with real pupils, which would not have helped you to demonstrate a satisfactory style of instruction for the Part 3 test. For starters the examiner role played lots of faults in two 30-minute lessons. Real lessons tend to be 1 or 2 hours typically and the intensity of fault ID, analysis and remedial action was far less intensive than the Part 3 role play style exam.  However, that’s all changed now, with the new Part 3 test being brought in line with the Standards Check for fully qualified ADI’s. This means you are required to sit your Part 3 test with a real pupil for a 1-hour lesson (during covid restrictions this was reduced to 45 minutes). It would be very difficult to pass the Part 3 test now without the use of a Trainee Licence. For this reason, ProScot now fully support and encourage PDI’s to take out a trainee licence.

Can I go on a Trainee badge?

Yes, absolutely ProScot feel and agree that extra "real life" experience will help you to develop your instructional and coaching skills and to be able to put your training into practice with real pupils. You also have the benefit of being able to learn while you learn. Our PDI’s typically earn over £40k in their first year with ProScot. (Based on current lesson prices 2022).

What support is given to me on the Trainee badge?

On a trainee badge you are required to receive an additional 20 hours of support training within a 12-week period of going on the badge, or before the date of your first attempt at Part 3. Alternatively, 20% of your lessons must be observed by your trainer with effective feedback and help given (ProScot prefer the former and give an additional 20 Hours of further development training).

Do I have to join ProScot?

No, however most students realise that ProScot is one of the most professional driving schools around. The support package offered and extremely competitive franchise package available have ensured that almost everyone who has trained with us has chosen to join and stay with us. Some instructors however fancy having a go at being sole traders and running their own driving school, ProScot provide help, advice, and support for those who wish to choose that route.

Does ProScot have opportunities to join them as an instructor?

Yes. ProScot is the largest and most successful driving school in the Fife area, our instructors are always kept busy, with the majority of their hours made up Monday to Friday 8:00am till 5:30pm. ProScot always have students on waiting lists and as a result need to continually recruit new instructors to meet the demand. ProScot have a need for both male and female instructors and because we train our own PDI's we know that they will meet our own high exacting standards. We would also like to extend our driving school to all areas of Scotland and look forward to training PDI's from out with the Fife area.

What hours would I need to work as an instructor?

It depends, ProScot instructors can specify the time the place and the location of their pupils. This ensures that they only work where they want when they want. They can also take as many pupils as they can handle. Many sole traders must take what they can get when and where they can get it. This can often mean making themselves available 7 days a week or working lots of evenings and weekends in 'out of areas' just to earn a living. Most ProScot instructors aim to average between 35 and 40 hours per week over the course of a year, some work more than this some choose to work less. It is a fact that some instructors do work less than 20 hours per week however they are usually with a poor franchise or struggle as sole traders.

Will I be able to earn a living as an instructor? How much can I expect to earn?

If you were a ProScot Senior instructor and worked 35 hours of lessons per week, averaged over 48 weeks with 4 weeks holiday you would earn over £50k* per annum after paying for fuel, franchise, and car plus maintenance insurance etc.

A Senior Instructor working a 40-hour week averaged over 46 weeks with 6 weeks holiday with ProScot gives earnings in excess of £60k* per annum on our Flexible-24 franchise after paying for fuel and franchise and car plus maintenance insurance etc.

Our PDI’s on a Trainee licence typically earn over £40k* with ProScot in their first year.

You can work as many hours as you want, ProScot will supply as much work as you can handle: our instructors are amongst the highest earners in the industry. *(Figures correct 2022)

What areas can I work in?

ProScot currently cover all of Fife and Dundee City. Due to increased demand for our lessons ProScot continue to train and recruit instructors.

If I join ProScot on a franchise how long do I need to stay with them?

This depends on your terms and conditions and which training course and franchise option you have chosen. We offer a heavily subsidised training package as a “ProScot partner” and all your training fees are fully refunded as a franchise credit if you agree to stay with ProScot for two years once qualified. You can leave with as little as 1 months’ notice if you decide not to train using our subsidised Partner training offer and pay our standard training rates. It is testimony to how good the franchise and support is at ProScot, almost everyone who trains with us, join us, and stay with us. We can discuss your various options.

Can you tell me about how a ProScot franchise works and how much it costs?

ProScot offer very flexible franchise options to suit our instructors, the level of support and the franchise option selected, such as with or without a car, your experience, grade and how many pupils you require from us each year determines the cost of the franchise. Our Franchise is flexible it grows with you, the less pupils and less support you need the cheaper your franchise becomes. The best way to find out more is to contact our office directly.