How Much Does It Cost to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK?
9th September 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK?
If you’re thinking about becoming a driving instructor, you’ve probably already looked at some of the potential benefits of the career. But eventually you get to the practical question: how much is this actually going to cost me?
And that’s worth knowing before you commit.
You might be considering training alongside your current job, saving towards a career change or simply trying to work out whether becoming an instructor makes financial sense for you.
The slightly frustrating answer is that there isn’t one single price.
You’ll need to think about your driving instructor training, the three ADI qualifying tests, your criminal record check and your first ADI registration. Depending on the route you take, you may also choose to apply for a trainee driving instructor licence.
There can also be additional costs if you need to retake a test or want extra training before another attempt.
So, let’s break down what you could actually need to budget for.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Driving Instructor?
Your final cost will depend on the training provider you choose, whether you pass each ADI test first time and whether you decide to use the trainee licence route.
At Pass N Go, our Driving Instructor Training programme costs £1,499.
You’ll then need to budget for the official costs involved in qualifying and registering as an Approved Driving Instructor.
Driving instructor qualification costs at a glance
- Pass N Go Driving Instructor Training: £1,499
- Criminal record check: £5.40
- ADI Part 1 test: £81
- ADI Part 2 test: £111
- ADI Part 3 test: £111
- First ADI registration: £300
- Optional trainee driving instructor licence: £140
Based on those figures, somebody completing the Pass N Go training programme and passing all three ADI tests first time would have listed costs of £2,107.40, excluding the optional trainee licence and any other individual expenses.
If you also applied for the £140 trainee licence, those listed costs would come to £2,247.40.
That’s a much more useful figure to have in mind than simply looking at the price of a training course.
It isn’t a guarantee of exactly what you’ll spend, though. Everyone’s journey is slightly different. Retests, additional training and the route you take through the qualification can all change the final amount.
The DVSA sets the official ADI test and registration fees, while individual training providers set their own course prices.
You can check the latest ADI fees on GOV.UK before you start.
How Much Does Driving Instructor Training Cost?
Training is likely to be one of the biggest parts of your initial investment.
But we’d be careful about choosing a training provider based purely on whichever number is lowest.
Imagine you’ve found two driving instructor courses. One is noticeably cheaper than the other.
At first glance, the decision might seem obvious.
But then you discover the cheaper course includes fewer training hours, less support or doesn’t include something you assumed it did. Suddenly, you’re not comparing like for like.
That’s why we’d always recommend looking at what you’re actually getting for your money.
At Pass N Go, our Driving Instructor Training programme costs £1,499 and includes:
- 10 hours of Part 1 training
- 10 hours of Part 2 training
- 40 hours of Part 3 training
- Structured support throughout your training journey
- Flexible payment options
You’re preparing for three very different assessments, from theory and hazard perception to demonstrating your driving ability and eventually teaching somebody else.
What should you compare when looking at course prices?
Before committing to a driving instructor training course, ask:
- How many hours of training are included?
- Does the programme prepare me for all three ADI tests?
- What learning resources will I have access to?
- What support is available between training sessions?
- Could I need to pay separately for additional training?
- Are flexible payment options available?
A career change is a significant investment. Knowing the headline price matters, but knowing what you’re getting for that price matters even more.
How Much Do the ADI Tests Cost?
To qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor in Great Britain, you’ll need to pass three qualifying tests.
The test fees are separate from what you pay for your instructor training.
If you pass all three first time, the current test fees come to £303 in total.
ADI Part 1 – £81
ADI Part 1 is the theory stage of the qualification.
It tests your knowledge of subjects including road procedure, traffic signs, driving law and instructional techniques, alongside hazard perception.
The current test fee is £81.
ADI Part 2 – £111
Once you’ve passed Part 1, you can progress towards ADI Part 2.
This is your driving ability test. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate that your own driving is at the standard expected from someone preparing to teach other people.
The current test fee is £111.
ADI Part 3 – £111
Part 3 is where things become very different.
Being able to drive well yourself is one skill. Being able to sit beside somebody else, spot what’s going wrong, manage risk and explain how they can improve is another.
ADI Part 3 assesses that instructional ability.
The current test fee is £111.
For the official qualification charges, check the latest ADI fees published on GOV.UK.
Using Pecodo Alongside Your ADI Training
Not every part of becoming a driving instructor happens while you’re sitting in a training car.
There will be things you want to go back over in your own time, whether that’s preparing for theory, developing your driving knowledge or getting your head around the teaching side of the job.
That’s where online learning can be useful alongside your practical training.
Pecodo’s ADI learning platform provides learning content covering all three stages of the qualification:
- ADI Part 1: theory and hazard perception
- ADI Part 2: driving ability
- ADI Part 3: instructional ability
The benefit is being able to revisit topics away from your practical sessions instead of trying to remember everything from one training session to the next.
Online learning doesn’t replace the practical side of becoming an instructor. It supports it.
Your practical training is where you develop and apply your skills. Pecodo gives you somewhere to continue learning between those sessions.
What Other Costs Are There When Becoming a Driving Instructor?
The course and the three ADI tests aren’t the only things you’ll need to consider.
There are a few other costs that can become part of your journey.
Criminal record check – £5.40
You’ll need to complete a new criminal record check when applying to become an Approved Driving Instructor, even if you’ve previously had one for something else.
The current application fee is £5.40.
If you can’t verify your identity online and need to use the Post Office identity verification service, there can be an additional charge.
You can check the latest information through the official GOV.UK driving instructor criminal record check guidance.
First ADI registration – £300
Passing Part 3 feels like the finish line, but there’s one more important cost to remember.
Once you’ve qualified, you’ll need to register as an Approved Driving Instructor before you can start charging for lessons as a fully qualified ADI.
The current first registration fee is £300.
Optional trainee driving instructor licence – £140
After passing Part 2, some trainees choose to gain practical teaching experience before taking Part 3.
If you’re eligible, you may be able to apply for a six-month trainee driving instructor licence.
The current fee is £140.
It’s optional, so don’t automatically add £140 to your budget without first understanding whether the trainee licence route is right for you.
You can read the official trainee driving instructor licence guidance on GOV.UK.
What Happens to the Cost If You Don’t Pass First Time?
This is where one person’s total cost can start looking very different from somebody else’s.
The £303 we’ve mentioned for the three ADI tests assumes you pass each one first time.
If you don’t, you’ll need to pay the relevant test fee again.
For example, another attempt at Part 2 would mean another £111 test fee.
Not passing first time can be frustrating, particularly when you’ve already invested time and money into getting that far. But booking another test immediately isn’t always the best answer.
Sometimes a little more preparation or additional training can be more worthwhile than rushing straight into another attempt and paying the test fee again.
That’s why we’d avoid treating ADI training as a race to get through three tests as quickly as possible.
The goal is to arrive at each test properly prepared.
And ultimately, you’re not only training to pass an assessment. You’re preparing to sit beside real learners who will rely on you to help them become safe and confident drivers.
Can You Pay for Driving Instructor Training in Instalments?
If you’re looking at instructor training while still working your current job, £1,499 isn’t a small amount of money to find overnight.
You might have rent or a mortgage, bills and other commitments to think about before putting money into a career change.
That’s why it’s worth looking at how you’ll pay for your training rather than only asking how much the course costs.
Pass N Go offers a flexible payment option for our Driving Instructor Training programme.
You can get started with a £347 deposit, followed by 12 monthly payments of £96.
This can make the cost of training easier to plan around your existing financial commitments, particularly if you’re hoping to train alongside your current job rather than making your career change all at once.
Once your course deposit has been paid, the Pass N Go team will process your booking and arrange your payment plan.
Pay your £347 Driving Instructor Training deposit.
Before getting started, make sure you understand:
- The total price of your training
- Your £347 initial deposit
- The 12 monthly payments of £96
- What’s included in the course
- Which DVSA fees you’ll need to pay separately
Being able to spread the cost means you don’t necessarily have to find the full training fee upfront. More importantly, you’ll know what you’re committing to before you begin your journey towards becoming a driving instructor.
Can You Get Government-Funded Driving Instructor Training?
You may come across driving instructor courses advertised with funding or financial support.
Whether funding is available can depend on your circumstances, where you live and the schemes available at the time.
If you’re considering a funded training opportunity, look carefully at what is actually included.
Does it only cover the training? Are the ADI test fees included? What about registration? Are there conditions attached?
Don’t assume that “funded” automatically means every cost involved in becoming an instructor will be paid for.
Check the eligibility criteria, terms and exactly which costs you’ll be responsible for before committing.
Can You Become a Driving Instructor for Free?
You might also see offers for “free driving instructor training”.
That sounds appealing, particularly when you’re looking at the costs we’ve broken down above.
But we’d always recommend looking beyond the word free.
There are official costs involved in qualifying and registering as an ADI, so even if somebody offers training without an upfront course fee, that doesn’t necessarily mean your entire journey will cost nothing.
Before signing up for an offer advertised as free, ask:
- Which parts of the training are actually included?
- Who pays the ADI test fees?
- Is ADI registration included?
- Are there franchise or employment commitments?
- What happens if you leave the programme?
- Could you be required to repay any costs?
A free headline isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You just need to understand what’s behind it before making your decision.
Is Driving Instructor Training Worth the Cost?
This is where the numbers stop giving you the whole answer.
£1,499 for training, plus the costs involved in qualifying and registering, is a significant investment.
For one person, it could be exactly the career change they’ve been looking for. For somebody else, it might not suit the way they want to work.
Think about what you’re investing in.
You’re training towards a professional qualification and potentially a completely different working life.
Driving instruction involves meeting different people, helping learners through something they might initially find difficult and watching their confidence develop over time.
It can also mean having more control over when you work.
But there are responsibilities too. You’ll be working with learners of different abilities and personalities, managing risk on the road and running your working day professionally.
So don’t decide whether driving instructor training is worth it based purely on the £1,499 course price.
Ask yourself whether the career at the other end of the training is something you genuinely want.
If you’re still working that out, read our How to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK guide for a complete look at the qualification journey.
Start Your Driving Instructor Training with Pass N Go
When you’re comparing driving instructor course prices, don’t make your decision from one number alone.
Look at what you’re getting for your investment, how much training is included and what support you’ll have while you’re working towards each stage of the qualification.
Pass N Go’s Driving Instructor Training programme costs £1,499 and includes:
- 10 hours of Part 1 training
- 10 hours of Part 2 training
- 40 hours of Part 3 training
- Structured support throughout your training journey
- Flexible payment options
You’ll also be able to use Pecodo’s online ADI learning resources alongside your training to continue learning between practical sessions.
If you’ve reached this point because you’re seriously considering a career change, you now have a much clearer idea of the costs involved.
The next question is whether you’re ready to start working towards becoming an Approved Driving Instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Instructor Training Costs
How much does it cost to become a driving instructor?
The total depends on your training provider, whether you pass each ADI test first time and whether you choose the trainee licence route. Pass N Go’s Driving Instructor Training programme costs £1,499, while the official qualification and registration costs are paid separately.
How much do the three ADI tests cost?
ADI Part 1 currently costs £81, Part 2 costs £111 and Part 3 costs £111. That’s £303 in test fees if you pass all three first time.
How much does ADI registration cost?
Your first Approved Driving Instructor registration currently costs £300.
How much is a trainee driving instructor licence?
The optional six-month trainee driving instructor licence currently costs £140.
Do I have to pay again if I fail an ADI test?
Yes. If you need another attempt at an ADI qualifying test, you’ll need to pay the applicable test fee again.
How much is Pass N Go Driving Instructor Training?
Pass N Go’s Driving Instructor Training programme costs £1,499 and includes training across ADI Parts 1, 2 and 3.
Can I pay for driving instructor training in instalments?
Pass N Go offers flexible payment options for its Driving Instructor Training programme. Check the current training information to see which payment arrangement is suitable for you.
Continue Learning
Knowing how much training costs is important, but it’s only one part of deciding whether becoming a driving instructor is right for you.
Read our How to Become a Driving Instructor in the UK guide for a complete walkthrough of the qualification process.
We’re also building more guides covering:
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Driving Instructor?
- How Much Do Driving Instructors Earn in the UK?
- Is Becoming a Driving Instructor Worth It?
Together, these guides will help you understand the training, investment and career before deciding whether it’s the right move for you.
Ready to Invest in a New Career?
Changing careers is a big decision.
Knowing the costs upfront means you can make that decision with a clearer idea of what you’re committing to rather than going into the process blind.
If driving instruction feels like the direction you want to take, explore Pass N Go’s training programme and find out what your route towards becoming an Approved Driving Instructor could look like.