ADI Part 2 Test: How to Book It, What to Expect and How to Pass

ADI Part 2 is the advanced driving test you take on the way to becoming a driving instructor. You can book it once you’ve passed ADI Part 1, it costs £111, and it takes around an hour. Think of it as your normal driving test, with the bar raised a long way. The examiner wants to see expert, confident driving that’s safe enough to teach others from. Pass it and you’re one step from ADI Part 3, the final test. Below, we cover how to book ADI Part 2, what happens on the day, the pass mark and how to give yourself the best chance of passing.

What is the ADI Part 2 test?

The ADI Part 2 test is a test of your driving ability. It’s the second of three tests you need to pass to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), sitting between the Part 1 theory test and the Part 3 test of your teaching. To pass, you need to drive safely in all kinds of road and traffic conditions, and show you know The Highway Code by the way you drive. The standard is much higher than a learner’s test. You’re not proving you can drive. You’re proving you can drive well enough for others to learn from you.

What does the ADI Part 2 test involve?

The Part 2 test has five parts: an eyesight check, ‘show me, tell me’ questions, general driving, manoeuvres and independent driving. The format will feel familiar, because it’s close to the practical test you’ll soon be preparing your own pupils for.

Eyesight check

You’ll need to read a number plate from 27 metres for a new-style plate, or 27.5 metres for an old-style one. New-style plates start with two letters followed by two numbers, like AB51 ABC. Fail the eyesight check and the test ends there. It also counts as one of your three attempts, so wear your glasses or contact lenses if you need them.

‘Show me, tell me’ questions

The examiner will ask you five vehicle safety questions:

• three ‘tell me’ questions before you set off, where you explain how you’d carry out a safety check
• two ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving, like washing the windscreen using the car’s controls

Each wrong answer is a driving fault. Get all five wrong, or lose control of the car while answering a ‘show me’ question, and it’s a serious fault and a fail.

General driving

This is the main part of the test. You’ll drive in a range of road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible. The examiner is looking for:

• expert handling of the controls
• correct road procedure
• good anticipation of other road users, and the right response
• sound judgement of distance, speed and timing
• consideration for the safety and convenience of others
• smooth, eco-friendly driving

You might also be asked to do an emergency stop.

Manoeuvres

You’ll be asked to do two of these four exercises:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• reverse into a parking bay and drive out
• drive into a parking bay and reverse out
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse about two car lengths, then re-join traffic

Independent driving

For around 20 minutes, you’ll drive by following either a sat nav or traffic signs. The examiner will tell you which, and they’ll provide and set up the sat nav. You can’t use your own. Take a wrong turn and it won’t affect your result, as long as you don’t make a fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on route.

What is the ADI Part 2 pass mark?

To pass Part 2, you can make no more than six driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults. One serious or dangerous fault is enough to fail. There are three types of fault:

• Driving fault (minor): not dangerous on its own, but repeat it and it can become a serious fault. Stalling at a red light is a common example.
• Serious fault: something potentially dangerous, like pulling out of a junction without proper observation.
• Dangerous fault: actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property, like changing lanes without checking your blind spot and making another driver brake or swerve.

You also need to pass the eyesight check and get through the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

How long is the ADI Part 2 test?

The Part 2 test takes around one hour. That doesn’t include time waiting at the test centre, so arrive with time to spare. Miss your slot and you could lose your fee and have to book again.

How to book your ADI Part 2 test

You book Part 2 on GOV.UK, using the same service as the standard driving test. It costs £111 and you can book as soon as you’ve passed Part 1.

Who can book ADI Part 2?

You can book Part 2 once you’ve passed Part 1. You’ll also need a full, valid UK driving licence.

How do I book ADI Part 2?

1. Pass your Part 1 theory test.
2. Check with your trainer that you’re ready. More on this below.
3. Make sure you have a suitable car. It can be your own, but it has to meet DVSA’s rules.
4. Go to the GOV.UK booking service and choose the Part 2 test.
5. Pick your test centre and a date that works.
6. Pay the £111 fee and keep your confirmation email.

How much does ADI Part 2 cost?

Part 2 costs £111. That’s the same every time you take it, so a resit is another £111. Preparing properly the first time is the cheapest option.

When should I book ADI Part 2?

Book when your trainer says you’re ready, not before. DVSA’s advice is to only take the test when you can do everything without instruction. If you’re still being talked through manoeuvres or junctions, you’re not there yet. Keep an eye on the clock, though. Once you’ve passed Part 1, you have two years to pass Parts 2 and 3. Miss that window and you’ll have to start the whole process again, so don’t leave booking until the last minute. Test waiting times vary by area, so check your local centre’s availability early.

What car can I use for ADI Part 2?

You can use your own car, a hire car with dual controls, or a taxi or private hire vehicle. Whichever you choose, it must:

• be taxed, roadworthy and have a current MOT if it’s over three years old
• be insured for a Part 2 test (check with your insurer)
• have no warning lights showing and legal tyres, with no space-saver spare fitted
• have an extra rear-view mirror for the examiner, plus a passenger seatbelt and head restraint
• be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

Some cars can’t be used at all, including convertibles, left-hand drive cars and panel vans. If your car doesn’t meet the rules, your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again. Check the full car rules on GOV.UK before you book. Your own car doesn’t need dual controls. And if you have a manual licence, you can take the test in a manual or an automatic.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your full UK driving licence and a car that meets the rules above.

Can I change or cancel my ADI Part 2 test?

Yes. You can change the date or centre, or cancel, through GOV.UK. Do it as early as you can, because short notice can mean losing your fee. If you lose your confirmation email, you can check your test details on GOV.UK too.

How to pass ADI Part 2

Passing Part 2 comes down to driving at a consistently high standard for a full hour, with no lapses. Here’s how to get there:

• Drive like you’re always being assessed. You’ll be judged far more strictly than a learner, so every drive in the run-up should be controlled and confident.
• Stay focused for the whole test. One serious or dangerous fault is a fail, so a single lapse in the last five minutes counts just as much as one at the start.
• Practise your manoeuvres until they’re boring. You only need to do two on the day, but you won’t know which two.
• Build your hazard awareness. Spot risks early and respond in good time. It shows the examiner you’re actively safe, not just reacting.
• Learn the area around your test centre. Driving the local roads beforehand means fewer surprises on the day.
• Revise the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. They’re easy marks to lose. DVSA publishes the full list, so there’s no reason to be caught out.

The biggest difference most trainees make is proper coaching from an experienced trainer. Our driving instructor training courses are built to get your driving to Part 2 standard, and to tell you honestly when you’re ready to book.

What is the ADI Part 2 pass rate?

The Part 2 pass rate was around 55.3% in the year ending March 2026, the highest of the three ADI tests (DVSA ADI test data). Put another way, nearly half of candidates still don’t pass, so it’s worth taking seriously. With the right practice, it’s very achievable.

What happens if you fail ADI Part 2?

If you fail Part 2, the examiner will tell you which faults you made, and you can book again. You get three attempts in total, and you pay £111 each time. Fail a third time and you’ll need to retake and pass Part 1 before you can carry on. You can only do that once two years have passed since you first passed Part 1, so a third fail can set you back a long way. That’s the best reason to book only when you’re genuinely ready. If you think the examiner didn’t follow the law during your test, you can appeal. A successful appeal won’t change your result, but you might get a refund or a free retest.

What happens after you pass ADI Part 2?

Once you pass Part 2, the examiner will give you a copy of your test report. You can then either book Part 3 or apply for a trainee driving instructor licence (often called a PDI licence). A trainee licence lets you teach real pupils for six months, and earn money as a trainee instructor, while you prepare for Part 3. You’ll need at least 40 hours of training with a qualified ADI first. It’s the best practice for Part 3 you can get, and with a Bill Plant PDI trainee franchise, you’ll have our team behind you while you do it.

Driving instructor training with Bill Plant Driving School

Part 2 is where you prove your driving is good enough to teach from. Getting there on your own is possible, but expert coaching makes it a lot more likely you’ll pass first time, and saves you £111 resits. As National Driving School of the Year for three years running, with over 1,000 instructors across the UK, we know exactly what each stage of qualifying takes. Our trainers will get your driving to Part 2 standard and tell you straight when you’re ready to book. And with a Bill Plant-sponsored PDI licence, you’ll get an extra 20 hours of training for free, and support from our team on the way to Part 3. Ready to start? Explore our driving instructor training courses and take the next step towards a new career.

FAQs about the ADI Part 2 test

How do I book ADI Part 2?

You book Part 2 through the official GOV.UK driving test booking service, once you’ve passed Part 1. You’ll choose your test centre and date, then pay the £111 fee. Avoid unofficial booking sites, as they can charge more.

Can I book ADI Part 2 before passing Part 1?

No. You can only book Part 2 once you’ve passed your Part 1 theory test. After that, you have two years to pass both Part 2 and Part 3. If you don’t, you’ll have to start the whole qualifying process again from Part 1.

How much does the ADI Part 2 test cost?

The Part 2 test costs £111, paid when you book on GOV.UK. You pay the same fee for every attempt, so if you need a resit, it’s another £111. You could also lose your fee if you cancel at short notice, miss your test or turn up in a car that doesn’t meet the rules.

When should I book my ADI Part 2 test?

Book your Part 2 test when your trainer says you’re ready and you can drive without any instruction. Don’t leave it too late, though. You need to pass Parts 2 and 3 within two years of passing Part 1, and waiting times vary by test centre.

How many attempts do you get at ADI Part 2?

You get three attempts at Part 2. A failed eyesight check counts as one of them. If you fail three times, you’ll need to retake Part 1, but only once two years have passed since you first passed it. That’s why it pays to book only when you’re ready.

Can I use my own car for ADI Part 2?

Yes, you can use your own car for Part 2, as long as it meets DVSA’s rules. It must be taxed, roadworthy, insured for the test and fitted with an extra rear-view mirror for the examiner. It doesn’t need dual controls. Convertibles and left-hand drive cars aren’t allowed.

What is the eyesight test for ADI Part 2?

For the Part 2 eyesight test, you’ll read a number plate from 27 metres for a new-style plate, or 27.5 metres for an old-style plate. If you can’t, you’ll fail the test there and then, and it counts as one of your three attempts.

What are serious faults on ADI Part 2?

A serious fault is something potentially dangerous, like emerging from a junction without proper observation. Just one serious fault means you fail Part 2. A dangerous fault, which involves actual danger to someone or something, is also an automatic fail. You’re allowed up to six minor driving faults.

What happens if I go off route during independent driving?

Going off route during the independent driving part of Part 2 won’t affect your result, as long as you don’t make a driving fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on track. If a sign is covered, by trees for example, they’ll give you directions instead.

How hard is ADI Part 2?

Part 2 is challenging because the standard is much higher than a normal driving test. That said, it has the highest pass rate of the three ADI tests, at around 55%. With good training and plenty of practice at test standard, it’s very achievable.