IA Driving Instructor exam-day guide
IA Driving Instructor · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring your current, in-date driving licence
You will normally be asked to show the licence you hold and drive under. If you hold a photocard licence, bring the photocard; if you still hold a paper-only licence, bring that document. Check with your test provider whether a counterpart or share code is also required, because the exact document set is set by the provider.
Bring a second form of photo ID if the provider requires it
Some providers ask for proof of identity beyond the driving licence. The acceptable documents and whether a second ID is needed at all vary, so confirm the list with the provider before the day. needs_review
Bring proof of your ADI qualifying or trainee status if instructed
You may be asked to evidence that you are on the approved instructor pathway (for example a trainee licence or confirmation letter). Whether this is checked on the day is provider-specific; confirm with the provider what to bring.
Bring your appointment confirmation and reference number
Have the booking confirmation, test reference, and the test centre address and arrival time to hand, ideally printed and on your phone. This avoids delays at reception and helps if you are redirected to a different bay or room.
Confirm the vehicle requirements and bring the right car
The practical assessment typically involves demonstrating your instruction using a suitable tuition vehicle. Check with the provider what category of car, insurance cover, and any dual-control or signage requirements apply, and confirm who supplies the vehicle.
Check the vehicle is roadworthy and presentable
Before you travel, check tyres (including the spare if carried), lights, fluids, mirrors, seat belts, and that the car is clean and fuelled or charged. A vehicle defect can delay or void the assessment, so treat this as a hard pre-check.
Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive
If your licence records a vision condition, you must be able to meet the driving vision standard on the day. Bring your usual correction and a spare pair if you have one.
Plan your route and arrive early
Aim to arrive with time to spare, allowing for traffic and parking. Late arrival can mean the slot is lost or shortened; the exact cut-off is provider policy, so confirm it in advance.
Re-read the assessment criteria and your lesson-planning notes
Refresh the structure you will use to plan and deliver instruction, the core competencies being observed, and how you will give feedback and manage risk. Keep notes brief so you are not reading during the test.
Prepare a short, clear introduction for your role-play pupil
Practise how you will open a lesson: confirm goals, check the pupil's experience, agree a route or focus, and set ground rules. A confident, structured start sets the tone for the observed instruction.
Leave prohibited items behind or secured
Phones, smart watches, and recording devices are commonly restricted during assessments. The exact rules vary; confirm with the provider what must be switched off or stored, and where.
Have a backup contact and payment method
Carry a phone (subject to test rules), a payment card for parking or fuel, and a contact number for the test centre in case of delay or breakdown. This is practical insurance, not a formal requirement.
Plan the day
Re-read the assessment standard and the competencies you will be judged on. Build two or three model lesson plans covering different pupil profiles (novice, experienced but rusty, test-ready) and rehearse the briefing, the on-road phase, and the debrief aloud. Check the vehicle thoroughly and book any service or tyre fix now. Confirm the test time, address, parking, and the exact ID and vehicle requirements with the provider, including any items you were unsure about.
Do a light review only: key safety phrases, the structure of a lesson, and how you will give developmental feedback. Prepare your bag with licence, ID, confirmation, glasses, and notes. Check the weather and traffic forecast and plan your departure time with a buffer. Get a normal night's sleep and avoid cramming new material. Confirm the car is fuelled or charged and clean.
Eat properly, arrive early, and use the waiting time to settle rather than to study. Do a final walk-round of the car: tyres, lights, mirrors, seat belts, and cleanliness. Have documents ready in one folder. Switch off or secure devices as instructed, and take a few minutes to compose yourself before the assessor greets you.
Introduce yourself clearly, confirm the format and any ground rules, and treat the assessor as an observer rather than a pupil. Structure your instruction: set the goal, explain the why, demonstrate or guide, then review. Narrate your risk management and give specific, timely feedback. Stay calm if the role-play pupil makes errors, and manage the situation safely. Keep to time and leave room for a short debrief.
Ask for and note the outcome and any feedback. If you did not meet the standard, ask what the resit process and waiting period are, and confirm fees and availability with the provider. Record what you would do differently while it is fresh.
Rules to check
Bring the identity and licensing documents the provider specifies, and confirm the exact list in advance; do not assume the driving licence alone is sufficient.
Arrive by the stated time. Late arrival may result in the assessment not going ahead or being shortened; the cut-off and any refund policy are provider-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Follow all instructions from the assessor and test centre staff, including where to park, which bay to use, and any restrictions on phones or recording devices.
You are being assessed on your instruction, not on your own driving alone: demonstrate clear communication, risk management, and developmental feedback throughout.
Breaks and the total duration of the assessment vary; if you have a health or access need, request reasonable adjustments from the provider well before the test day.
Do not attempt to record the assessment or use unauthorised aids unless the provider has explicitly permitted it in writing.
If the vehicle is found unroadworthy or does not meet the required specification, the assessment may not proceed; check the requirements with the provider beforehand.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the awarding or regulatory body; ask the provider for the current standard and how results and resits are handled rather than relying on second-hand accounts.