This is what being an instructor is all about. You have established you know the theory and can drive to a high standard. Now its time to answer the big question, can you instruct and pass your knowledge on to someone else. Even with effective training being an ADI is not for everyone. For those who would make good instructors, without effective training you will almost certainly fail.

The Test

The test will last about an hour and you will be required to give 2 half-hour lessons. In the first lesson the examiner will play the part of a beginner or partly trained driver. In the second lesson he will play the part of a person approaching test standard. You must pass both halves during the same test. The examiner can choose from 10 pre set tests (PST’s). These are set out below.

Note, for PST's 1 & 2 you will drive to a training area use this time constructively. For all other PST's the examiner will drive.

B=Beginner. PT=Part trained. T=Trained.

1. Safety precautions on entering the car and explanation of the controls

2. Moving off and making normal stops.

3. Driving the vehicle backwards and while so doing entering limited openings to the right or to the left.

4. Turning the vehicle round in the road to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears.

5. Parking close to the kerb, using reverse gear.

6. Practical instructions in the use of the mirrors, making an emergency stop.

7. Approaching and turning corners.

8. Judgement of speed and general road positioning.

9. Dealing with road junctions.

10. Dealing with crossroads.

11. Meeting, crossing the path of, overtaking other vehicles, allowing adequate clearance for other road users and anticipation. (Choose two subjects plus anticipation).

12. Dealing with pedestrian crossings. Giving appropriate signals in a clear and unmistakable manner. (This is all signals and not just those at pedestrian crossings.

The Examiner will mark all of the following areas, these fall into 4 categories. This should indicate the amount of work a good lesson requires. (PDI, Potential driving instructor)

• Column A - Main content of lesson
• Column B - Core Competencies Instructional techniques Instructor characteristics

Main content of the lesson

The three columns headed 'Not Covered, Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory' record the instructor's response to the pupil's progress, in other words the instruction given on each individual item relevant to the subject heading. These boxes show the individual key parts of the lesson subject.

Core Competencies

Faults - Identified

This covers the ability of the instructor to clearly identify all the important faults committed by the pupil that require correction as part of an effective instructional process. This ability is expected to cover all aspects of control of the car and procedure on the road at all times.

Fault Analysis

This covers the ability, having identified a fault, to accurately analyse the cause and offer an analysis as appropriate. It covers inaccurate, incomplete or omitted fault analysis.

Remedial Action

This relates to offering constructive and appropriate action/advice to remedy a fault/error that has been identified and analysed.

Instructional techniques

Level of Instruction

Relates to the match (or lack of it) between the level of instruction and the level of ability of the pupil.

Planning

Covers the planned and actual sequence of instruction/activity together with the appropriateness and effectiveness of teaching methods used taking due account of the difficulty/complexity of the content covered and progress of pupil.

Control of the lesson

Deals with the overall control of the lesson and the interaction processes within it. It includes the allocation of time between training activities and methods used such as the distribution between theory and practice.

Communication

Is concerned with pupil's understanding of instruction, appropriateness of language, use of jargon (with or without explanation). Includes the ability to adapt and to use language and terminology likely to be familiar to the particular pupil and not to overload them with over-technical and complex explanations.

Question and answer technique

At appropriate points during the lesson the PDI should preferably ask questions that contribute towards realising the objectives of the lesson. Ideally the questions should be simply worded, well defined, reasonable and relevant. There is a need for questions that are thought provoking and challenging as well as ones that simply test a pupil's memory. In addition the PDI should encourage the pupil to ask questions at appropriate time.

Feedback/encouragement

Providing feedback and encouragement to the pupil relating to their performance. Praise, confirmation, reinforcement for effort/progress/ achievement. Correction/information when errors/faults occur. Encouraging the pupil is part of any teaching skill. The pupil needs to know when they have done something well and when they have not.

Instructors use of the controls

The controls (steering, indicators, brakes etc.) should only be used when necessary and the pupil should be told when and why they have been used.

Instructor characteristics

Attitude and approach to pupil

Is concerned with the skills used by the PDI to create a relaxed, but supportive learning environment. It is not to be used as a measure of the personality characteristics of the PDI, but as a measure of how effective he is in establishing and maintaining rapport and creating the right atmosphere for learning to take place. Any unnecessary physical contact with the pupil will be reflected in the marking.

Part 3 Myth

From the areas the Supervising Examiner marks you should be in no doubt about how well prepared you must be. This is further complicated by the fact that for any given phase of any PST the SE can vary the type of pupil being played. This is a reflection of the real world; no 2 pupils are the same in every respect. You may hear stories that you cant pass here or the SE’s are unrealistic in the way they act. I have found no such problems. The SE’s are playing learners they will only do what you tell them or allow them to do. Remember you are supposed to be in control if you are not the SE will not crash the car, a learner will. Part 3 is not easy however if you have what it takes and are well prepared you should have few problems. Part 3 TrainingThe full part 3 course will be held over 7 days, and will include a lesson on the day of your test. The course will cover all aspects of teaching someone to drive. These skills are essential to being both a good ADI and to pass the part 3. Pre course you will be given a part 3 guide covering the main points of each PST. The course will start with lesson planning and develop the individual skill necessary to deliver a good lesson and assess the performance of a pupil. It will cover all areas marked on a Part 3. Particular emphasis will be placed on dealing with the core competencies. These skills are fundamental to teaching someone to drive. Once all the necessary skills have been developed they will be brought together by you planing and delivering the individual lessons required for Part 3.

Note: the more work you can do at home the more benefit you will get from in car training I.E preparing lessons and practicing briefings.

I thought I had passed

If you have taken any part of the qualifying exams, particularly part 3 and failed, it could have been for a number of reasons. If however you did exactly what you had been taught and you thought you had passed, this suggests a problem. The first is insufficient training the second and most common is incorrect training. With insufficient training you should have at least had an idea your performance was not up to standard. With incorrect training or training that does not teach what is required, you will probably end up thinking you have passed. While some trainers here are doing a good job it is a sad fact that much of the training available in Northern Ireland falls into one or both of the categories mentioned above. This point is clearly illustrated by people who have taken part 3 recovery courses. The most common comment I have heard has been "I now know why I failed".

Part 3 Help\Recovery

These courses are aimed at; those who have had training and either realised it was not enough or of the correct standard and those who have failed the part 3 and who now know the training they received was incorrect. The training will be based on a format mutually agreed at the start. The amount of training you require can be worked out after an initial half-day assessment.

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