Apologies - I am fully booked at the moment for new learner drivers (August/September 2026)
PDI Support
Trainee Instructor (PDI) support
Observation sessions to boost your ADI/PDI instruction skills
Support with Part 2 and Part 3 ADI Tests Available
★★★★★
Our Help
Supporting your journey to becoming a qualified driving instructor (ADI).
Training for the ADI qualifications can be challenging, with a number of different approaches to learning and development. During your training, PDIs will encounter a wide range of opinions, ideas and teaching techniques, some of which may contradict one another. This can understandably lead to frustration and confusion.
When I was completing my own training, one thing that I felt was particularly missing was the opportunity to sit in and observe fully qualified instructors delivering an actual driving lesson. Alternatives are often used, such as 'role play' or having the PDI themselves being observed. These are good strategies to learn but there is significant value in seeing an experienced instructor put their knowledge and teaching skills into practice with a real learner.
Coming from a school-teaching background, I appreciate the importance of learning through observation. Watching someone experienced actually deliver a lesson provides an opportunity to see how they communicate with learners, manage different situations, structure a lesson and adapt their teaching to meet the learner's needs.
SDS Driving Academy offers PDIs the opportunity to observe a fully qualified instructor delivering lessons. This can be a valuable addition to your Part 3 preparation, providing you with practical insight that can support and enhance the skills you are developing with your Part 3 trainer.
The observation sessions are designed to complement, rather than replace, your existing Part 3 training, giving you another perspective and helping you build a broader understanding of effective driving instruction.
Lesson Observations to assist with ADI Part 3
Our Part 3 training is designed to support trainee driving instructors in preparing for the ADI (Part 3) Instructional Ability Test. We offer the opportunity to observe real driving lessons delivered by a fully qualified ADI, giving you valuable insight into how instructors plan and structure lessons, communicate with learners, identify and respond to faults, and adapt their teaching to meet individual needs. Each observation is followed by a discussion to review what was seen, answer questions and identify key learning points. This practical experience is designed to help you develop your understanding of effective instructional techniques and build the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to prepare for your Part 3 test.
Part 2 Training - Preparing for your ADI Part 2 Test
Our Part 2 training is designed to help trainee driving instructors prepare confidently for their ADI Part 2 test. Training focuses on developing a high standard of driving, including vehicle control, road awareness, anticipation, planning and safe decision-making, while ensuring you are familiar with the standards expected by the examiner. Sessions are tailored to your individual needs, with practical guidance and constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement and help you develop the consistency and confidence required to give yourself the best possible chance of passing your Part 2 test. Training takes place in the vehicle you are likely to use for your test, helping you become fully comfortable and familiar with it before test day.
FAQs
What are lesson observations?
The observation is a structured opportunity to watch a fully qualified driving instructor deliver a real driving lesson. It allows you to see how the instructor manages the lesson, communicates with the learner, maintains safety, and adapts their teaching to meet the learner’s individual needs. Following the observation, a brief discussion will take place to reflect on what was seen and identify key learning points. A record of the observation and discussion will then be completed and retained in your training file as evidence of your learning and development.
How much do they cost?
Do you sponsor trainee licenses?
Who can I contact for help?
Please contact Steve using the button above 'Contact for a chat' or on the 'Contact' page
Part 2 Training – £80
Part 2 training costs £80 and includes 90 minutes of practical driving tuition, followed by written feedback. The training will take place in the PDI’s own vehicle, which should be the vehicle they are likely to use when taking their ADI Part 2 test. This provides an opportunity to develop the required driving skills in the vehicle they are familiar with and intend to use for the test, while receiving professional guidance and feedback on areas for further development.
Part 3 Lesson Observations – £35 per hour
Part 3 observations cost £35 per hour. Most observations will involve watching a 90- or 120-minute driving lesson delivered by a fully qualified driving instructor. The observation provides an opportunity to see effective teaching and coaching techniques in a real lesson environment and to consider how the instructor manages the learner, safety, communication and lesson structure. Following the observation, there will be a 15–20 minute discussion to review the lesson, discuss what was observed, answer questions and support the PDI’s learning and development.
At the current time, SDS Driving academy are not sponsoring Trainee Licenses. Our services are to support PDI's with their training for the part 2 test and Part 3 test through observations of real lessons.
Am I committing to anything?
There is no commitment at all. This is a 'pay as you go' service. You use SDS driving academy as much or as little as you please.