Part 3 Of The Driving Instructors Exam: Instructional Ability

The test is a practical test that lasts about an hour. A specially qualified senior DVSA Examiner will take you through the test and mark you. It is designed to test whether you can pass on your knowledge to students with different levels of ability through your practical teaching skills.

There are two parts to the test. In part 1, you have to teach a learner with limited driving skills; and in part 2 you have to make an assessment and give remedial instruction to either a learner who is at test standard or a qualified driver who is undergoing driver development training.

The test relies on role-play. An actual learner and qualified driver play no actual role in the test. Instead the Examiner will describe each pupil to you and then role-play the character. You will then need to adapt your instruction to suit the personality and level of ability of that particular student.

During the test you will be assessed under the following headings:

• Core competencies
• Instructional techniques
• Instructor characteristics

These are sub-divided into the following categories:

Core competencies

• Identification of faults
• Fault analysis
• Remedial action

Instructional techniques

• Level of instruction
• Planning
• Control of lesson
• Communication
• Question and answer techniques
• Feedback and encouragement
• Instructor’s use of controls

Instructor characteristics

• Attitude
• Approach to pupil

The maximum grade attainable in each is six and you must attain a grade of at least four in each in order to pass the exam.