Learn online, one unit at a time
Each award has 13 short units. You have six months to finish each unit, and two years for the whole award. No rush.
Driving instructor training · UK
Become a driving instructor.We’ll show you the way.
IDEA trains new driving instructors across the UK. Start with free study guides for ADI Parts 1, 2 and 3. Add paid question practice with PDI Portal. Explore our Qualifications Scotland (QS) credit-rated awards, with online study and in-car training through partner driving schools.
Four stages. One road.
Start with free study. Go as far as you like.
- Learn
Free study hub
Read free study guides for ADI Parts 1, 2 and 3. Learn about theory, driving and teaching. Question practice and mock tests are available separately in the paid PDI Portal.
Start studying free - Qualify
Level 5: Introduction to Driving Education Award
Your first award. 13 short units at SCQF Level 5, worth 25 credit points. You take it through a partner driving school, online and in a real car.
Explore Level 5 - Lead
Level 8: Diploma for Teaching the IDEA
For instructors who go on to train new instructors. 13 units at SCQF Level 8, worth 17 credit points. £1,999, or spread the cost over 3, 6 or 12 months.
Explore Level 8 - Partner
Join the partner network
Teach IDEA courses through your own driving school. For trainers who hold the Level 8 diploma.
Partner with IDEA
SCQF is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. It shows the level of each award and how much study it holds.
How training works
Three simple rules of the road.
Train in a real car
Your in-car training happens with an approved partner driving school near you.
Get a certificate anyone can check
Every certificate has its own serial number. Anyone can type it into our site and see that it is real.
Study and coaching assistant
Ask IDEA. Your study and coaching partner.
Ask IDEA helps you study for the three ADI tests. It coaches you too: plan a lesson, work through a problem, or practise your teaching on a pretend learner. Every answer comes from our free study hub, and you can see where it came from.
- Study help for all three ADI tests
- Coaching: lesson plans, problems and roleplay practice
- Shows where each answer came from
Live workshops on Zoom.
See what is coming up and book your place.
Proof, not promises
Qualifications Scotland (QS) credit-rated awards
Qualifications Scotland (QS) replaced SQA on 1 February 2026. Both IDEA awards were credit-rated by SQA in April 2025. They sit on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
SCQF 5
Level 5
Introduction to Driving Education Award
- LevelSCQF Level 5
- Credit points25
- Credit-ratedApril 2025
SCQF 8
Level 8
Diploma for Teaching the Introduction to Driving Education Award
- LevelSCQF Level 8
- Credit points17
- Credit-ratedApril 2025
Our study material is DVSA-aligned. The DVSA is the UK government agency for driving tests and driving instructors.
10 approved partner schools.
You train in a real car with a partner driving school near you.
- J. Brian SmithAyrshire & Dumfries
- Hsp Driving AcademyLeicester
- Co ActiveSouth East London
- Driving Skills AcademyNorthampton
- Lloyds Driver TrainingPortsmouth
- Valley SchoolSouth & Mid Wales
- SmartlearnerCoventry
- Y2LearnHinckley
- Lesson PlusNottingham
- LLPWorksop
Start today. The first stage is free.
The study hub is free for everyone. You do not even need an account. See how far the road takes you.