Instructional Ability
Prepare for the final stage of the ADI qualification process with structured coaching, real-lesson practice and client-centred training.
The final step towards your green badge
Part 3 assesses how effectively you can plan, manage and deliver a real driving lesson while helping the pupil make measurable progress.
Plan the lesson
Identify the pupil’s needs and choose a suitable route and level of support.
Manage risk
Keep the lesson safe while using timely prompts, intervention and explanation.
Help the pupil learn
Use questions, feedback and coaching techniques that match the pupil’s needs.
Three key assessment categories
During the 45-minute lesson, the examiner marks 17 competencies across lesson planning, risk management and teaching and learning.
Lesson Planning
The examiner looks at whether you identified the pupil’s needs, chose a suitable route and adapted the plan when faults occurred.
- Correct lesson level
- Suitable route and goals
- Clear structure and focus
- Adaptation when needed
Risk Management
The examiner wants to see that you maintained safety, gave timely instructions and took control when necessary.
- Clear safety responsibilities
- Timely verbal support
- Appropriate intervention
- Effective incident review
Teaching and Learning
Your teaching should match the pupil’s needs, involve them in the learning and produce visible progress during the lesson.
- Useful questioning
- Timely feedback
- Appropriate teaching style
- Evidence of pupil learning
What will they see from the back seat?
On test day, the examiner sits in the back as a quiet observer. They are not assessing your driving. They are assessing how you manage the lesson and help the pupil learn.
The strongest lessons look safe, calm and purposeful. The pupil is involved in decisions, encouraged to think and supported at the right level.
What should be visible to the examiner?
Pupil needs identified
The lesson focus clearly matches the pupil’s current ability and development needs.
Correct level of instruction
Your support is neither too much nor too little for the pupil at that moment.
Suitable route choice
The roads and situations selected allow the pupil to work on the agreed goal safely.
Lesson plan adapted
You respond to performance and change the lesson when evidence shows it is needed.
Risk actively managed
Safety remains clear throughout, including timely prompts and intervention.
Incidents reviewed
Safety-critical events are explained at the right time and converted into learning.
Make the learning visible
Ask purposeful questions
Use questions that help the pupil analyse situations and reach their own conclusions.
Give timely feedback
Recognise success, correct faults and explain why improvements matter.
Adapt your style
Change the level of explanation, prompting or independence to suit the pupil.
Check understanding
Make sure the pupil’s questions are answered and that learning has genuinely taken place.
You are currently at Step 3
Part 3 coaching built around real lessons
Training focuses on practical lesson planning, risk management and client-centred teaching so you can demonstrate the required competencies naturally on test day.
- Real lesson planning and adaptation
- Prompting and support levels
- Risk management and intervention
- Questioning and reflective coaching
- Mock Part 3 assessment and feedback
ADI Part 3 FAQs
How long is the ADI Part 3 lesson?
The assessed lesson lasts 45 minutes.
How many competencies are assessed?
The examiner marks 17 competencies across lesson planning, risk management and teaching and learning.
Does the examiner assess my driving?
No. The examiner observes your instruction from the back seat and assesses how safely and effectively you manage the lesson.
What is client-centred learning?
Client-centred learning involves the pupil in the lesson through questions, reflection and shared decision-making rather than relying only on instructor-led explanation.
Can I teach on a trainee licence before passing Part 3?
Eligible trainees may apply for a trainee licence and gain real teaching experience while preparing for Part 3.
Ready to prepare for your ADI Part 3?
Build the lesson-planning, risk-management and coaching skills needed to demonstrate a safe and effective real lesson.