Trainee driving instructor licence
Once you have completed 40 hours of training with your dedicated instructor, you may consider applying for a trainee driving instructor licence. Since the Part 3 test changed from examiner role play to an actual lesson with a pupil, the need for a trainee licence has increased.
It’s quite rare that someone training for Part 3 will attempt to take the Part 3 without going onto a trainee licence.
At driveJohnson’s, we won’t hard-sell you a trainee licence, the choice is yours, and it’s often a conversation for you and your trainer to decide what is in your best interests.
Benefits of a trainee licence
- You can practise what you are learning on real-life pupils
- You can earn a living for a short time, which can fund your training as well as act as an income
- Often pupils create very natural/subtle faults subconsciously; this provides an opportunity for practice that an ADI trainer will find hard to replicate
- You can see if you like the job before making any major long term commitments
Down sides of a trainee licence
- Often trainees work too many hours, don’t practise Part 3 teaching methods and create poor habits, which results in the need for more training
- The trainee licence is valid for six months, so you should aim to pass your Part 3 before it expires
- Many driving schools charge a high franchise but do not provide enough pupils to pay for the franchise, resulting in debts and increased pressure to pass the Part 3
Cost of a trainee licence
The cost of a trainee licence is £140, which should be paid directly to the DVSA by card, cheque or postal order.
How to apply
You will need to complete the Instructor Training Declaration 21T form with your driveJohnson’s trainer.
You will also need to complete the Application for a Trainee Licence ADI 3L form; this should be completed by both the PDI trainee and the instructor trainer together. If you are coming from another training provider to driveJohnson’s – don’t worry; we can walk you through the training form process.
Can you apply for a second trainee licence?
Yes, you can. You should have a valid reason when applying for a second/third trainee licence.
The objective of the trainee licence is for the PDI to obtain experience and practice to increase the chances of passing the Part 3 test in the eyes of the DVSA.
In the circumstances such as Covid-19, the DVSA have given out second trainee licences very freely and easily. Outside of world catastrophes/pandemics, the PDI would usually be required to explain their reasons for needing a second/third trainee licence.
There are many valid reasons to exercise the need for another trainee licence. If you need another trainee licence, our training manager will be happy to help and advise you.
Ongoing training whilst on the trainee licence
You should speak to your trainer and decide which compulsory training options benefit you:
- Additional 20 hours ADI instructor training.
- 20 hours of supervised training where your trainer would sit in the back of your lessons, observe and provide feedback, etc.
Option 1 is the most flexible option to choose. The type of additional training you decide to take is limitless, from supervised training, role play, online training, webinars, attending a course conducted by a qualified instructor, and more.
Option 2 will limit your training to just supervised; this is where your trainer sits in the back of your lessons and observes your teaching.
Does driveJohnson’s offer a trainee licence?
Yes, we do. However, we are mindful of how many PDI’s we take on in certain areas. Our business model is very different to most national driving schools; rather than tying you into a 24-month contract, we offer just four weeks notice to leave. So, for this reason, we can’t overpopulate the same town/cities with too many instructors; otherwise, we upset our existing instructors, and we don’t want to do that.
Please feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be honest about how much we can help and manage your requirements. With just four weeks notice leave us, we have to be honest; otherwise, our business model isn’t sustainable.
Do we offer a trainee licence to PDIs who are not training with driveJohnson’s?
Yes, we do. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation chat about your requirements/needs. We’ve taken on many trainee’s who’ve trained with an alternative training provider outside of driveJohnson’s, and it has worked well for both parties.
The benefits of choosing driveJohnson’s for your training/PDI licence are:
- We won’t tie you into a long term agreement initially nor when you qualify.
- Some driving schools will sponsor you whilst you are on the trainee licence; however, you are automatically contracted to stay with them for 12/18/24 months when you qualify.
Interested in a PDI Franchise or working with us after your Part 3?
We offer an extremely fair and well-priced franchise for all areas across the UK, with no long tie ins. Visit our driving instructor franchise page for more information.
If you would like to find out how many extra pupils we have available in your area, please visit our Pupil/Area Checker.
