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Book a block“He really has opened my eyes to the whole Part 3 test. I highly recommend AK as a driving instructor trainer.”
Ben L. — trainee ADIADI Standards Check training in Brighton & Hove.
Practical ADI Standards Check preparation — one-to-one support, mock checks and honest feedback for instructors in Brighton, Hove and Burgess Hill.
Not a driving test — a teaching assessment.
As an Approved Driving Instructor, a Standards Check assesses how effectively and safely you teach a pupil during a real lesson, not simply your own driving ability.
Usually every four years.
The DVSA says you'll usually have a Standards Check every 4 years — but it can be triggered earlier based on how your pupils perform in their driving tests.
Booking & cost
You'll get a letter from DVSA when you need to book. Booking is done online, and there's currently no charge for taking the check itself.
The 4 indicators DVSA monitors.
If you bring 5 or more pupils for car driving tests in a rolling 12-month period, DVSA tracks 4 pieces of data from those tests — every test centre you've used, counted from the test where your ADI badge is in the windscreen.
| Indicator (rolling 12 months) | Trigger point |
|---|---|
| Average number of driving faults per test | 6 or more |
| Average number of serious faults per test | 0.55 or more |
| % of tests where the examiner took physical action for safety | 10% or more |
| Overall pupil pass rate | 55% or lower |
The key rule: 3 of 4 triggers
If your data crosses the trigger point for 3 or more of these 4 indicators, DVSA will write to ask you to book a Standards Check — even if your last check was less than 4 years ago. Meeting fewer than 3 doesn't guarantee you won't be asked, but makes it less likely outside your normal 4-year cycle.
A simple example
Imagine an instructor took pupils for 30 tests over the year, with a combined 255 driving faults (an average of 8.5 per test — above the trigger), 17 serious faults (0.57 average — above the trigger), physical intervention in 3 of the 30 tests (10% — meets the trigger), and 18 passes out of 30 (a 60% pass rate — below the trigger threshold of 55%, so this one isn't met). That's 3 of the 4 indicators triggered, so DVSA would write asking for a Standards Check to be booked.
What happens during the check.
Discuss the lesson — up to 3 minutes
Establish what your pupil wants to achieve and discuss how you'll approach risk management together.
Deliver the lesson — around 40 minutes
Your pupil drives for most of the lesson. You can't spend the whole time teaching a manoeuvre, though a short recap of one taught previously is fine. You may stop safely to give immediate feedback if needed.
Pupil reflection — up to 3 minutes
Give your pupil a short opportunity to reflect on their own performance at the end of the lesson.
Feedback & result — around 15 minutes
The examiner discusses your performance and gives you your grade. You can bring a trainer or mentor, but they can't take part in the lesson.
What to bring to your check.
You must take your ADI registration certificate, a suitable pupil, and a car that meets the DVSA requirements.
DVSA also maintains a list of vehicles currently subject to safety recalls that can't be used without proof the work has been done — always check the latest GOV.UK guidance for your specific vehicle before the day.
17 competencies, 3 categories.
Each competency is scored 0–3. All 17 are listed on the official ADI Standards Check report form, which the examiner fills in during your check.
Lesson planning
Planning a lesson around the pupil's own goals, needs and current ability, with a clear purpose and suitable learning opportunities.
Risk management
Identifying and managing developing risks while still allowing the pupil to learn — with appropriate communication and timely intervention.
Teaching & learning
Helping the pupil understand, make decisions and develop independence — communication, coaching, questioning, feedback and adapting to the individual.
Understanding client-centred learning.
Client-centred learning doesn't mean you stop giving instructions — it means involving the pupil in their own learning whenever it's safe and appropriate.
The second approach encourages the pupil to observe, assess and explain their own thinking. There are still situations where a clear instruction is exactly what's needed — good instruction is about knowing when to explain, when to question, when to coach, and when to intervene.
Risk management in detail.
Safety must remain central to the lesson. You need to demonstrate that you can recognise developing hazards, anticipate what may happen next, and respond appropriately.
Automatic fail conditions
You'll automatically fail if you score 7 or less in the risk management category, or if the examiner stops the lesson because you've put yourself or someone else in danger — regardless of how strong the rest of the lesson was.
Lesson planning for the check.
A strong plan gives the lesson direction while still allowing you to adapt to the pupil and the road situation.
Coaching, questioning & feedback.
The purpose of questioning isn't to show the examiner you know how to ask questions — it's to help the pupil think.
How the check is scored.
Each of the 17 competencies is scored 0–3, added up to a total out of 51.
The total score alone doesn't decide the outcome — the risk management auto-fail conditions above still apply regardless of your total.
What happens if you fail.
A failed Standards Check doesn't mean the end of your ADI career.
Up to 2 more attempts
You'll have up to 2 further attempts to pass. If you fail 3 times in total, you'll be removed from the ADI register and need to retake the full ADI qualifying tests to rejoin.
Complaints & appeals
It's free to complain to DVSA if you believe the examiner didn't follow the regulations — your original result can't be changed, but you may be offered another check. You can also appeal to a court on the same grounds.
Mock ADI Standards Checks.
A mock session gives you a chance to deliver a lesson while receiving focused observation and feedback — it's not a prediction of your official grade, but an opportunity to identify what to work on.
Teaching roundabouts.
Roundabouts show how a lesson can develop progressively — always adapted to the real pupil and road conditions.
Introduction
Discuss the pupil's experience and agree what they want to improve.
Guided practice
Help the pupil recognise lane position, signs, traffic flow and safe gaps.
Coaching
Use appropriate questions to encourage the pupil to analyse situations themselves.
Greater independence
Let the pupil take more responsibility as their ability develops.
Feedback
Discuss what worked, what needs improvement, and what to try next time.
Preparing for your check.
A better lesson starts with honest self-review.
After each lesson, it's worth asking yourself:
Reflective practice isn't about criticising yourself — it's about identifying practical ways to improve your teaching.
Why choose AK Automatic?
We help you become a more effective, confident instructor — not just rehearse an assessment.
One-to-one support
Training focused on your individual instructional skills and development needs.
Practical in-car coaching
Work on your teaching skills during real lessons, not just in theory.
Mock Standards Checks
Practise assessment-style lessons and identify areas needing further work.
Client-centred teaching
Develop techniques that encourage pupils to think and take responsibility for their learning.
Risk management
Improve your ability to recognise, communicate and manage developing hazards.
Reflective practice
Learn to analyse your own lessons and identify opportunities for improvement.
ADI Standards Check training in Brighton.
Still qualifying? We also offer ADI Part 2 and ADI Part 3 training.
Training can take account of urban driving, busy junctions, roundabouts, residential roads and local test-centre-area knowledge where relevant — though the focus always stays on developing your instructional ability, not simply memorising a route.
Congratulations to Mr Sam.
We're pleased to celebrate Mr Sam, who successfully passed his ADI Standards Check with support from AK Automatic Driving School.
Every instructor's starting point is different, so this should be read as one genuine learner experience — not a promise of a particular result for every trainee.
Professional development doesn't stop there.
Passing a Standards Check is an important milestone, but a strong instructor keeps improving how they communicate, coach, manage risk and adapt to different pupils throughout their career. Our aim isn't simply to help you prepare for an assessment — it's to help you reflect on your teaching and keep developing as an instructor.
Always check GOV.UK for the official Standards Check requirements
AK Automatic Driving School UK is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with the DVSA or GOV.UK.
For the latest official rules, the full indicators and triggers, and the Standards Check report form, always refer directly to GOV.UK.
Standards Check, answered.
It's a DVSA assessment of an Approved Driving Instructor's continuing ability to teach. You deliver a client-centred driving lesson while an examiner observes your instruction.
The observed lesson is around 45 minutes — up to 3 minutes of opening discussion, about 40 minutes of pupil driving, and a short reflection period. The examiner then discusses your performance and result with you, which takes around 15 more minutes.
17, grouped under lesson planning, risk management, and teaching and learning strategies.
31–42 gives Grade B (a pass). 43–51 gives Grade A (a high standard). 0–30 is a fail.
Yes. You automatically fail if your risk management score is 7 or less, or if the examiner stops the lesson because you've put yourself or someone else in danger.
Usually every 4 years, although DVSA may require one sooner if your pupils' driving test results trigger 3 or more of the 4 monitored indicators (see the full details above).
Yes — assessment-style practice with observation and feedback focused on your instructional development.
Yes — DVSA allows you to bring a trainer or mentor, although they can't take part in the lesson itself.
Your pupil can be a partly trained learner, fully trained learner, or full licence holder — but not an ADI or someone preparing for ADI Part 3.
Yes — the current DVSA booking service states there's no charge to take the check itself.
You'll be removed from the ADI register and need to retake the full ADI qualifying tests to rejoin.
You don't need to rely on guesswork.
With focused practice, constructive feedback and a clear understanding of the assessment, you can identify where your instructional skills need further development — AK Automatic Driving School, serving Brighton, Hove, Burgess Hill and West Sussex.