ADI Part 3 Test: How to Book It, Costs and How to Pass

ADI Part 3 is the final test on the way to becoming a driving instructor. You can book it once you’ve passed ADI Part 2, it costs £111, and it’s built around a 45-minute lesson you give to a real pupil.

ADI Part 1 tested your knowledge and Part 2 tested your driving. Part 3 tests your teaching. The examiner sits in on a lesson and marks how well you plan it, keep your pupil safe and help them learn.

It has the lowest pass rate of the three tests, but with the right training and plenty of teaching practice, it’s very achievable. Below, we cover how to book Part 3, what happens on the day, how you’re marked and how to give yourself the best chance of passing.

What is the ADI Part 3 test?

The ADI Part 3 test is a test of your ability to teach. It’s the last of three tests you need to pass to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), after the Part 1 theory test and the Part 2 driving test.

By this stage, you’ve already proved you know your stuff and can drive to a high standard. Part 3 is about showing you can pass that on to someone else. The examiner wants to see you give a safe, well-planned lesson that’s built around what your pupil needs, which DVSA calls being ‘client-centred’.

What does the ADI Part 3 test involve?

In the Part 3 test, you give a driving lesson of around 45 minutes to one of your pupils while a DVSA examiner watches. You plan the lesson, run it and help your pupil reflect on it afterwards.

How the lesson runs

• Start of the lesson: agree the goals with your pupil and talk through how you’ll manage risk between you. This should take no more than three minutes.
• The main part: your pupil drives for around 40 minutes. You can stop safely at any point if you need to give them feedback straight away.
• End of the lesson: give your pupil up to three minutes to reflect on how they did.

You can’t spend the whole lesson on a manoeuvre, but you can include a short recap of one you’ve taught before.

Your pupil

Your pupil can be a partly trained learner, a fully trained learner or a full licence holder. A partly trained learner needs to be able to drive for 40 minutes without stopping often.

Your pupil can’t be an ADI, or someone who’s also preparing for their own Part 3 test. Turn up without a pupil and the test won’t go ahead.

What you’re marked on

The examiner marks you on 17 areas of competence, grouped into three categories:

• Lesson planning: did you find out what your pupil needed and plan the lesson around it?
• Risk management: did you keep your pupil, yourself and other road users safe, and make clear who’s responsible for what?
• Teaching and learning strategies: did you teach in a way that suited your pupil, give useful feedback and help them learn for themselves?

All 17 competencies are listed on the Part 3 test report form, which you can find through GOV.UK’s guide to the test. It’s worth getting to know it well before your test, because it shows exactly what the examiner is looking for.

What is the ADI Part 3 pass mark?

To pass Part 3, you need a score of at least 31 out of 51. Each of the 17 competencies is scored from 0 to 3, and your scores are added up to give your total and your grade.

There are two ways to fail automatically, whatever your total:

• you score 7 or less in the risk management category
• the examiner has to stop the lesson because you’ve put yourself or someone else in danger

That’s why risk management matters so much. You can teach brilliantly and still fail if safety slips.

How long is the ADI Part 3 test?

The lesson itself lasts around 45 minutes, with your pupil driving for about 40 of those. Allow extra time at the test centre for checks before you start and for the examiner’s feedback afterwards, and arrive with time to spare.

How to book your ADI Part 3 test

You book Part 3 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 2.

Who can book ADI Part 3?

You can book Part 3 once you’ve passed Part 2. You don’t need a trainee licence to book it, although many trainees choose to get one first for the teaching practice. More on that below.

How do I book ADI Part 3?

1. Pass your Part 2 driving ability test.
2. Get your Part 3 training and teaching practice in, with or without a trainee licence.
3. Check with your trainer that you’re ready.
4. Line up a pupil and a suitable car for the day.
5. Go to the GOV.UK booking service and choose the Part 3 test.
6. Pick your test centre and a date, then pay the £111 fee and keep your confirmation email.

How much does ADI Part 3 cost?

Part 3 costs £111. You pay the same each time you take it, so a resit is another £111. Once you pass, there’s a £300 fee to register as an ADI and get your first certificate.

When should I book ADI Part 3?

Book when your trainer says you’re ready, and when you’re comfortable planning and running a full lesson on your own.

Watch the deadline, though. You need to pass Parts 2 and 3 within two years of passing Part 1. If you’re on a trainee licence, it lasts six months, so plan your test date around that too. Test waiting times vary by area, so check your local centre’s availability early.

What car can I use for ADI Part 3?

You can use your own car or a taxi or private hire vehicle. A hire car is fine too, as long as it has dual controls. Whichever you use, it must:

• be taxed, roadworthy and have a current MOT if it’s over three years old
• be insured for a Part 3 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, plus a passenger seatbelt and head restraint for the examiner
• be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

The car should be tidy and smoke-free. If it doesn’t meet the rules, your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again, so check the full car rules on GOV.UK before you book.

If you have a manual licence, you can take the test in a manual or an automatic. If you have an automatic licence, you’ll need to take it in an automatic, and you’ll only be able to teach in automatics once you qualify.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a pupil, a suitable car and your trainee instructor licence. If you don’t have a trainee licence, bring your UK driving licence or passport instead. Forget any of these and your test will be cancelled, and you won’t get your money back.

Can I change or cancel my ADI Part 3 test?

Yes. You can change the date 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.

Training for ADI Part 3

After passing Part 2, you’ll train with a qualified instructor to build your teaching skills. This covers how to plan lessons, manage risk, and use teaching and learning strategies that suit different pupils. Planning driving lessons properly is a big part of it.

Working on a trainee (PDI) licence

Once you’ve passed Part 2, you can apply for a trainee driving instructor licence, often called a PDI licence. It costs £140 and 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 Part 3 training with a qualified ADI before you can get one.

You don’t have to get a trainee licence. You can go straight to Part 3 if you’d rather. But time with real learners is the best Part 3 practice there is. You’ll learn to adapt your teaching to different pupils, which is exactly what the examiner wants to see.

With a Bill Plant PDI trainee franchise, you’ll have pupils to teach and our team behind you while you do it. Your trainer can help you decide which route suits you.

How to pass ADI Part 3

Passing Part 3 comes down to giving a safe, well-planned lesson that’s clearly built around your pupil. Here’s how to get there:

• Plan around your pupil, not a script. Find out what they want to work on before you start, and set goals together. A lesson that fits the pupil scores far better than a perfect plan they don’t need.
• Make risk management clear from the start. Agree who’s responsible for what, like when you’ll use the dual controls. Then keep an eye out for hazards and step in early when needed.
• Ask more, tell less. Good questions help your pupil think for themselves. Firing out instructions does the opposite.
• Adapt as you go. If something isn’t working, change your approach. The examiner wants to see you respond to your pupil, not stick rigidly to the plan.
• Give feedback that helps. Be specific and honest, and stop safely if your pupil needs it straight away.
• Leave time to reflect. Use the last few minutes to help your pupil think about what went well and what to work on next.
• Stay calm if things go wrong. Lessons rarely go perfectly. Handling the unexpected well can actually work in your favour.

Common mistakes in ADI Part 3

• Over-instructing. Talking your pupil through every move leaves no room for them to learn.
• Sticking to a rigid plan. Not responding to how your pupil is doing costs marks.
• Missing hazards. Failing to spot or act on risks early enough is one of the biggest reasons people fail.
• No clear goal. Jumping between topics makes the lesson feel unfocused.

Prepare like it’s the real thing

Get as much teaching practice as you can, whether that’s with real pupils on a trainee licence or role-play with your trainer. Learn the roads around your test centre so you can plan a sensible route. And study the test report form, so you know exactly what the examiner is marking. For more ideas, see our top tips for passing your driving instructor test.

What is the ADI Part 3 pass rate?

The Part 3 pass rate was 27.8% in the year ending March 2026, the lowest of the three ADI tests (DVSA ADI test data). That reflects how different teaching is from driving well. With proper training and plenty of practice with real pupils, it’s very manageable.

What happens if you fail ADI Part 3?

If you fail Part 3, the examiner will talk you through your performance and you’ll get your test report by email. You can take it again, and you get three attempts in total. Each resit must be booked within two years of passing Part 1, and costs £111.

If you’re on a trainee licence and chose the extra training option when you applied, you’ll need to do five more hours of training before your retest.

Fail a third time and you must stop giving paid lessons straight away, and any trainee licence becomes invalid. You’ll then need to retake and pass Parts 1 and 2, and you can only retake Part 1 once two years have passed since you first passed it.

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 3?

Congratulations, you’ve passed all three tests. You’ll get your grade and test report by email at the end of the test.

Next, you need to apply for your first ADI certificate, which costs £300. Apply within 12 months of passing, or you’ll have to pass all three tests again. Once you have your certificate, you’re a fully qualified driving instructor and can start charging for lessons, whether that’s by setting up on your own or joining a driving school franchise.

As an ADI, you’ll have at least one standards check every four years, and you’ll renew your registration every four years too.

Driving instructor training with Bill Plant Driving School

Part 3 is where everything comes together. It’s the toughest of the three tests, and the one where expert coaching and real teaching experience make the biggest difference.

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 help you plan and run lessons to Part 3 standard, and with a PDI trainee franchise, you’ll get real pupils to practise with and support from our team along the way.

Ready to start? Explore our driving instructor training courses and take the next step towards a new career.

FAQs about the ADI Part 3 test

How do I book ADI Part 3?

You book Part 3 through the official GOV.UK driving test booking service, once you’ve passed Part 2. You’ll choose your test centre and date, then pay the £111 fee. Avoid unofficial booking sites, as they can charge more. You’ll also need to arrange a pupil and a suitable car.

Do I need a trainee licence to book ADI Part 3?

No. You can book Part 3 as soon as you’ve passed Part 2, with or without a trainee licence. Many trainees still choose to get one, because six months of teaching real pupils is the best practice you can get before the test.

How much does the ADI Part 3 test cost?

The Part 3 test costs £111, paid when you book on GOV.UK. You pay the same for every attempt. Once you pass, you’ll also pay £300 to register as an ADI. You could lose your test fee if you cancel at short notice or turn up without the right things.

When should I book my ADI Part 3 test?

Book your Part 3 test when your trainer says you’re ready to plan and run a full lesson on your own. Keep the deadline in mind, though. You must pass Parts 2 and 3 within two years of passing Part 1, and a trainee licence only lasts six months.

How long is the ADI Part 3 test?

The Part 3 test is built around a lesson of about 45 minutes, with your pupil driving for around 40 of them. You’ll spend up to three minutes agreeing goals at the start and up to three minutes on reflection at the end. Allow extra time for checks and feedback.

What score do you need to pass ADI Part 3?

You need at least 31 out of 51 to pass Part 3. A score of 31 to 42 is a Grade B, and 43 to 51 is a Grade A. You’ll fail automatically if you score 7 or less on risk management, or if the examiner has to stop the lesson for safety.

Do you need a real pupil for ADI Part 3?

Yes, you need to bring a pupil to your Part 3 test. They can be a partly trained learner, a fully trained learner or a full licence holder. They can’t be an ADI or someone preparing for their own Part 3 test. Without a pupil, your test won’t go ahead.

What car can I use for ADI Part 3?

You can use your own car, a taxi or private hire vehicle, or a hire car with dual controls for Part 3. It must be taxed, roadworthy, insured for the test and fitted with an extra rear-view mirror for the examiner. If it doesn’t meet the rules, your test will be cancelled.

How many attempts do you get at ADI Part 3?

You get three attempts at Part 3, all within two years of passing Part 1. If you fail a third time, you must stop giving paid lessons straight away. You’ll then need to retake Parts 1 and 2, once two years have passed since you first passed Part 1.

What happens after you pass ADI Part 3?

After you pass Part 3, you can apply for your first ADI certificate, which costs £300. You must apply within 12 months, or you’ll have to retake all three tests. Once you have it, you’re a fully qualified driving instructor and can start charging for lessons.