ADI Part 2 Test: Everything You Need to Know

This is where you’ll need to demonstrate that your own driving is at the standard expected of somebody preparing to teach other people.

ADI Part 2 isn’t simply another learner driving test. The standard expected is higher, and you’ll be assessed on everything from your control of the car and road awareness to manoeuvres, independent driving and vehicle safety knowledge.

The test takes around one hour, and you’ll need to finish with no more than six driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults to pass.

In this guide, we’ll explain what happens during the ADI Part 2 test, how you’re assessed, common areas to work on, how much the test costs and what happens after you pass.

What Is the ADI Part 2 Test?

The ADI Part 2 test is the second of three tests you need to pass to qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor.

The three stages are:

• ADI Part 1 – theory and hazard perception
• ADI Part 2 – driving ability
• ADI Part 3 – instructional ability

You must pass ADI Part 1 before you can take Part 2.

While Part 1 tests your knowledge, Part 2 is about putting safe, controlled and well-planned driving into practice.

If you’re still preparing for the first stage, read our ADI Part 1 Test guide.

What Does the ADI Part 2 Test Involve?

There are five main parts to the ADI Part 2 practical test:

1. an eyesight check
2. ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
3. general driving ability
4. manoeuvres
5. independent driving

The complete test takes around one hour.

You’ll drive in different road and traffic conditions and will be expected to demonstrate a high standard of vehicle control, planning, observation and judgement throughout.

What Happens During the ADI Part 2 Eyesight Check?

Your test begins with an eyesight check.

You’ll need to read a vehicle number plate from:

• 27 metres for a vehicle with a new-style number plate, or
• 27.5 metres for a vehicle with an old-style number plate.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight requirement, you’ll need to use them during the test.

Failing the eyesight check means failing ADI Part 2, and importantly, it still counts as one of your three permitted Part 2 attempts.

What Are the ADI Part 2 ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ Questions?

You’ll be asked five vehicle safety questions during ADI Part 2.

These are split into:

• three ‘tell me’ questions before you start driving
• two ‘show me’ questions while you’re driving

The questions assess whether you understand how to carry out basic vehicle safety tasks.

For example, a ‘show me’ question could require you to demonstrate how you would operate a particular control safely while driving.

You’ll receive a driving fault for each question you answer incorrectly.

If you answer all five incorrectly, you’ll receive a serious fault. You can also receive a serious fault if you lose control of the vehicle while responding to a ‘show me’ question.

So while these questions might seem like a small part of the test, they’re worth preparing for properly.

What Standard of Driving Is Expected in ADI Part 2?

This is where Part 2 goes beyond simply proving that you can drive.

You’re working towards becoming somebody who teaches safe driving, so the examiner will expect a high standard throughout the test.

You’ll need to demonstrate:

• expert handling of the vehicle controls
• correct road procedure
• anticipation of what other road users may do
• appropriate action when situations develop
• good judgement of distance, speed and timing
• consideration for the safety and convenience of other road users
• environmentally responsible driving

Your route can include a variety of road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

What Manoeuvres Are in the ADI Part 2 Test?

During the test, the examiner will ask you to complete two reversing exercises.

These can be selected from:

• parallel parking at the side of the road
• reversing into a parking bay and driving out
• driving into a parking bay and reversing out
• pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for around two car lengths and safely rejoining traffic

The aim isn’t simply to get the vehicle into the correct position.

Your observations, control, accuracy and awareness of what’s happening around you all matter.

Practising manoeuvres in different locations and conditions can help make your technique more consistent rather than relying on a routine that only works in one particular situation.

How Does Independent Driving Work in ADI Part 2?

You’ll spend around 20 minutes driving independently.

The examiner will ask you to follow either:

• directions from a sat nav, or
• traffic signs.

If you’re asked to use a sat nav, the examiner will provide and set it up for you. You won’t use your own device.

Taking a wrong turn doesn’t automatically mean you’ve made a driving fault.

What matters is how you drive.

If you realise you’ve gone the wrong way but continue safely, the examiner can help you return to the correct route. A problem only arises if your driving while dealing with the situation results in a fault.

That’s a useful mindset for Part 2 generally: don’t allow one small mistake to distract you from the rest of your drive.

How Many Faults Can You Get on ADI Part 2?

To pass ADI Part 2, you must finish the test with:

• no more than six driving faults
• no serious faults
• no dangerous faults

A driving fault isn’t considered potentially dangerous on its own, although repeatedly making the same mistake can become a serious fault.

A serious fault is something potentially dangerous.

A dangerous fault involves actual danger to you, the examiner, another road user or property.

This six-fault limit is one reason Part 2 requires a very consistent drive.

What Are Common ADI Part 2 Fails?

There isn’t one single mistake that causes people to fail ADI Part 2.

Instead, preparation should focus on removing inconsistencies across the whole drive.

Areas worth paying particular attention to during training include:

• effective observations before changing speed or direction
• mirror use and acting appropriately on what you’ve seen
• planning early when approaching junctions and hazards
• maintaining suitable speed for the conditions
• positioning correctly on different types of road
• keeping good control during manoeuvres
• making safe, well-judged decisions around other road users
• responding to road signs and markings early enough
• remaining calm if you make a minor mistake

The important distinction is that Part 2 isn’t about trying to produce a ‘perfect’ drive.

It’s about demonstrating a consistently safe, controlled and well-planned standard of driving while staying within the permitted fault threshold.

How Hard Is It to Pass ADI Part 2?

ADI Part 2 can feel challenging because you’re being assessed as a future driving professional rather than as a learner trying to earn their first licence.

For many trainees, one of the biggest adjustments is removing driving habits that have developed over years of everyday driving.

You may already be a confident driver, but confidence and test readiness aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Part 2 preparation gives you the opportunity to look closely at your observations, planning, positioning, control and decision-making and bring them up to the standard expected during the test.

That’s why professional training can be valuable even for somebody who has been driving for many years.

How Should You Prepare for the ADI Part 2 Test?

The best preparation isn’t simply driving more miles. It’s practising with a clear purpose.

Your training should help you identify where your current driving differs from the standard expected on Part 2.

That can include working on:

• vehicle control
• effective observation
• planning and anticipation
• speed and positioning
• junctions and roundabouts
• meeting and passing traffic
• manoeuvres
• independent driving
• vehicle safety questions

As your test gets closer, completing longer periods of driving at the required standard can help you develop the consistency you’ll need on test day.

How Does Pass N Go Help You Prepare for ADI Part 2?

Pass N Go’s Driving Instructor Training programme includes 10 hours of ADI Part 2 training.

The aim is to help you understand the standard required, identify areas that need improvement and develop a more consistent approach to your driving.

Our wider training programme also includes Part 2 Investment Matching as part of the support available to trainees.

Part 2 is only one stage of the journey, so your training sits within a structured pathway through Parts 1, 2 and 3.

You can explore the complete qualification process through our Instructor Training Command Centre.

How Much Does ADI Part 2 Cost?

The current DVSA fee for the ADI Part 2 test is £111.

If you don’t pass and need another attempt, you’ll have to pay the full test fee again.

This fee is separate from the cost of your driving instructor training.

For a full breakdown of training, test and registration costs, read our guide to the cost of becoming a driving instructor.

How Many Attempts Do You Get at ADI Part 2?

You have a maximum of three attempts to pass ADI Part 2 within your qualification process.

If you don’t pass on your first or second attempt, you can book another test and pay the test fee again.

The third attempt is more significant.

If you fail ADI Part 2 three times, you’ll need to take and pass ADI Part 1 again before starting another attempt at the qualification process.

You also have to wait until two years have passed from the date you originally passed Part 1 before you can take Part 1 again.

This makes proper preparation for Part 2 particularly important. There’s no need to rush into an attempt simply because you’ve passed Part 1.

What Happens If You Fail ADI Part 2?

If you don’t pass, the examiner will tell you which faults were recorded during your test.

Use that feedback constructively.

Rather than simply booking another test and hoping for a different result, look at where the faults occurred and whether there’s a pattern behind them.

For example, several different faults could stem from one underlying issue such as late planning or ineffective observation.

Working on the cause rather than just the individual mistake can make your next attempt stronger.

What Happens After You Pass ADI Part 2?

Passing Part 2 means you’ve completed the driving ability stage of the qualification.

You can then move towards ADI Part 3, which assesses your ability to teach.

You also have the option of applying for a six-month trainee driving instructor licence.

A trainee licence can give you experience teaching pupils while you continue preparing for Part 3, provided you meet the relevant requirements.

This is where the journey starts moving from demonstrating your own driving ability towards developing your skills as an instructor.

Is ADI Part 2 Harder Than Part 1?

Part 1 and Part 2 assess completely different skills.

Part 1 tests your theoretical knowledge and hazard perception, whereas Part 2 assesses how you actually drive.

Some trainees naturally feel more comfortable with theory. Others prefer demonstrating their skills practically.

Rather than thinking about which test is harder, it can be more useful to treat them as two different stages requiring different preparation.

If you want to revisit the previous stage, our ADI Part 1 guide explains the theory test in detail.

How Does ADI Part 2 Fit Into the Qualification Timeline?

Remember that passing Part 1 starts an important clock.

You need to pass Parts 2 and 3 within two years of passing ADI Part 1. Otherwise, you’ll have to start the qualification process again.

That doesn’t mean rushing through your training. It means planning your training and test attempts carefully so you’ve got enough time to develop your skills properly.

We’ve broken the full journey down in our How Long Does It Take to Become a Driving Instructor? guide.

ADI Part 2 FAQs

What does Part 2 of the ADI test involve?

ADI Part 2 includes an eyesight check, five ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions, an assessment of your general driving ability, two reversing exercises and around 20 minutes of independent driving.

How hard is it to pass ADI Part 2?

The standard is higher than the ordinary learner driving test because you’re preparing to become a professional instructor. You’ll need to demonstrate consistent vehicle control, observation, planning and judgement throughout the test.

What are common ADI Part 2 fails?

Faults can occur in many areas of the test. During training, it’s particularly important to work on observations, planning, speed, positioning, junctions, manoeuvres and decision-making so that your driving is consistently at the required standard.

How many faults can you get on ADI Part 2?

You can make no more than six driving faults. You cannot make any serious or dangerous faults.

How much does ADI Part 2 cost?

The current DVSA fee for the ADI Part 2 test is £111. You’ll need to pay the full fee again if you need another attempt.

How long does the ADI Part 2 test take?

The complete ADI Part 2 test takes around one hour.

How many attempts do you get at ADI Part 2?

You get three attempts. If you fail your third attempt, you’ll need to retake Part 1, but you must wait until two years have passed since you originally passed Part 1 before taking it again.

What happens after passing ADI Part 2?

You can continue towards ADI Part 3. You may also be able to apply for a six-month trainee driving instructor licence to gain experience teaching pupils while preparing for Part 3.

Continue Your Driving Instructor Research

• How to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK
• ADI Part 1 Test: Everything You Need to Know
• How Long Does It Take to Become a Driving Instructor?
• How Much Does It Cost to Become a Driving Instructor?
• How Much Do Driving Instructors Earn in the UK?
• Is Becoming a Driving Instructor Worth It?
• Instructor Training Command Centre

Ready to Prepare for ADI Part 2?

Part 2 is your opportunity to develop your driving from everyday experience into the consistent standard expected of a future instructor.

With Pass N Go, you’ll have structured Part 2 training and support as you work through the ADI qualification.

Explore our Driving Instructor Training programme to see what’s included and how we can support you through Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Explore Driving Instructor Training