Step 3: Teaching Ability

ADI Part 3: Instructional Ability

The final step to your Green Badge. We coach you to become a top-tier instructor, showing you how to manage real lessons and help pupils succeed.

The Test Criteria
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
ON A TRAINEE LICENCE
Driving Instructor Teaching Ability Training

What the Examiner Looks For

During your 45-minute lesson, you are marked on 17 competencies across these 3 categories:

Lesson Planning

Did you identify the pupil's needs? Was the route suitable? Did you adapt the plan when faults occurred?

Risk Management

Did you maintain safety? Were your verbal instructions timely? Did you take control when necessary?

Teaching & Learning

Was your teaching style effective? Did you give good feedback? Did the pupil actually learn?

The Examiner's
Perspective

Watching from the back

On the day of your ADI Part 3, the examiner sits in the back seat as a quiet observer while the pupil drives. They’re not assessing your driving, they’re assessing your instruction. They want to see a safe, well-managed lesson where the pupil is involved in the learning and you coach rather than take control. Ask yourself: if the examiner is scoring those 17 competencies from the back, what will they see you doing to earn the marks?

Planning & Safety

  • ✅ Did the examiner see you correctly identify the pupil's learning needs?
  • ✅ Is it obvious that you are instructing at the correct level?
  • ✅ Is the route visibly suitable for the pupil's ability?
  • ✅ Did you adapt the lesson plan in response to the pupil's performance?
  • ✅ Are you clearly minimising risk throughout the session?
  • ✅ Has the pupil been made aware of their responsibilities?
  • ✅ Did you clearly explain any safety-critical incidents at the time, or review them with the pupil once it was safe?

Teaching Ability

  • ✅ Is the pupil's progress evident to the observer?
  • ✅ Are your verbal instructions clear enough for the back seat to hear?
  • ✅ Are you asking questions that encourage the pupil to think?
  • ✅ Is your feedback timely and constructive?
  • ✅ Does your teaching style visibly match the pupil's needs?
  • ✅ Are you ensuring all the pupil's questions are fully addressed?
Master Trainer Tip: Remember, the examiner is looking for "Client-Centred Learning." This means the lesson is a two-way conversation between you and your pupil, not a lecture from the front seat.

Ready to Become an Instructor?

Start your journey today. Fill out our enquiry form to receive a full info pack and book a free meeting.