AQW 36825/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department has given any consideration to removing the two-year restriction on reapplying for the Approved Driving Instructor qualification in Northern Ireland after three failed attempts, given that no such restriction exists in Great Britain.
Asked by Eóin Tennyson MLA on 4 December 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 4 December 2025
- Answer due by
- 19 December 2025
- Answered
- 16 December 202512 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) both here and in Britain, an applicant must carry out three qualifying tests. Part 1 tests their theory knowledge, Part 2 tests their driving ability and fitness to drive and Part 3 tests their ability to instruct learner drivers.
In both jurisdictions where a candidate has failed one or more parts of the qualification process there is a two-year restriction on them re-applying to become an ADI. However, how this restriction is applied differs slightly between here and Britain.
The Part 1 (theory test) element of the ADI qualification is the only element of our process that differs from that in Britain and it also impacts when they can restart the process.
In Britain, applicants can have unlimited attempts at the theory test (Part 1) element of the qualifying tests and applicants must pass Parts 2 and 3 within two years of passing Part 1. If they fail Part 2 or Part 3 three times, or if their two-year validity on Part 1 expires, the applicant must restart the entire process. However, before they can restart at Part 1 they must wait until 2 years have passed since they previously passed Part 1.
However, here an applicant has a maximum of three attempts at each element (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3). If they fail any element three times, or their Part 1 two-year validity expires, they must restart the process. Restarting here means the applicant must wait for two years after they first sat their Part 1.
Road safety continues to be of paramount importance for my Department, and I am committed to working proactively to make our roads safer for everyone. As my resources are limited, I will continue to focus them on interventions where evidence shows they will have the greatest impact.