Trainee badge vs going straight to Part 3

Before stepping into Part 3, you have a decision to make: take out a trainee licence and teach while you train, or go straight to the test. Understanding both options lets you choose with clarity, confidence and strategy.

The trainee licence (PDI badge)

The trainee licence, often called the pink badge, costs £140 and is valid for 6 months. It allows you to teach learners and earn while you train under supervision. The benefits are practical: a supply of learners, ongoing support and structured guidance.

A word of caution: this badge is a training tool, not a qualification. Passing Part 3 requires more than helping learners pass. You need to demonstrate your ability to deliver structured, safe and reflective instruction.

Before you can apply

The training requirement comes first, not after the badge arrives. To apply you must:

• Have passed Part 1 within the last 2 years and passed Part 2.
• Have had at least 40 hours of training from a qualified ADI in providing driving instruction, at least 10 hours of it in a car, recorded on the ADI 21T instructor training declaration form.
• Be eligible to take the Part 3 test.

Choose your option — and you only choose once

At the point of applying you pick one of two routes, and you cannot change to the other afterwards:

• Option 1 — supervision. Your sponsoring ADI supervises 20% of all the lessons you give while you hold the licence. You both keep and sign the ADI 21S supervision record, which goes to DVSA.
• Option 2 — extra training. At least 20 hours of extra training on the topics in the training programme, of which at least 25% must be practical in-car training. It must be done within 3 months of getting the licence and before you book your Part 3 test, and is declared to DVSA on the instructor training declaration form.

Talk this through with your sponsor before you commit. Option 1 suits someone teaching a full diary; option 2 suits someone who wants the obligation over with early. Picking wrong is not recoverable.

Rules while you hold it

• Display the licence on the nearside edge of the front windscreen while instructing.
• You may advertise your own services — but you must describe yourself as a "trainee driving instructor", name your training establishment, and give only the establishment's contact details, not your own. You must not make it seem that you are fully qualified, and you must not use "PDI" or "potential driving instructor" in advertising, because the public does not understand the terms. The school must follow exactly the same rules when advertising you.
• You can only give instruction from the establishment shown on the licence. Working independently is not permitted.
• Changing schools means a fresh application, though there is no extra fee and you can keep teaching while you wait.
• You cannot legally accept payment for lessons unless you hold the trainee badge (or are a full ADI). You may charge to cover costs such as insurance and the vehicle.

The registrar can withdraw the licence if you break these rules, if it was issued in error or fraudulently, or if you fail three Part 3 attempts.

Going straight to the Part 3 test

The alternative is to skip the pink badge and book the test after your initial training. You will need to:

• Provide your own pupil, either a learner or a full licence holder
• Have valid insurance and a suitable vehicle
• Take no payment for lessons, which is illegal without a licence

This route suits candidates with a supportive friend or family member to practise with, and it avoids the trainee badge costs and obligations.

Comparing the two routes

Whichever route you choose, the next step is the same: booking your ADI Part 3 test, covered in the next topic.