Best way to train to become an ADI

sonic-head100

Hi All,

Just passed the ADI part 1, and trying to decide the best way to train for stage 2 & 3. Seen a few posts saying it can cost up to 3.5K, which is a lot of money these days .......

Anyway would like to hear some advice and recommendations from people who have completed the 3 stages and how they did it

Thanks,

brian076

Most of us who've passed the ADI so far have already worked as instructors, so while we needed to put some effort into passing the 3 parts it wasn't as if we were starting from scratch.

Be very careful about signing up for any course without first checking it out in detail, because although all trainers have to be approved by the RSA, there will be big differences in quality and cost of training.

Have you given much thought about actually working as an instructor? Things are quite tough at the moment and it's no different to most other industries at this time. For most instructors business has decreased substantially over the past year as people are not spending money on lessons.

It's possible that in the future the Government may introduce compulsory lessons, but this is unlikely to happen within the next 12 to 18 months.

If you're just starting off, you will be very lucky to earn in excess of €20k in the first year, so go in with your eyes open.

sonic-head100

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the info, you raise a couple of very good point. Initially I plan to start part-time and try to build up a good reputation locally. For this reason I don't want to (And can't afford to) get caught up in a expensive franchise arrangement.

I've already contacted a number of training organisations which I've found on the web, a few do claim crazy potential incomes so I've already crossed them off the list. I've also come across a couple of ADI's that provide training, my gut feeling is this may be the better option for me so will be contacting them shortly hopefully after this I will be able to make a decision

Anyway really appreciate your input

thanks,

brian076

That's a sensible way of doing it and the best of luck to you. As a suggestion for the Part 2 which as you know is the driving test, if you were to contact or perhaps if you know an ADI in your area, I'm sure they'd take you out for an hour at the cost of a normal driving lesson, and give you some feedback as to what you'd need to work on in order to pass the test.

For the Part 3 I'd highly recommend the website www.aditraining.tv which is run by a guy called Blaine Walsh for UK trainees. I actually used this site myself and found it really good. It costs about €20 for a month to access all his training videos and it'll give you an idea as to what's involved in Part 3. You can actually access the site and watch some of the videos for free before committing to anything.

I've PM'd you my mobile & feel free to give me a call at anytime if you need more info.

DriveSkill

Hi,

I'd completely agree with everything that Brian076 has said.

Preparation for the part 2 is definitely possible with the help of an existing ADI approved instructor and taking lessons, it is essentially an extended version of the normal driving test (some additional maneouvers like parallel parking, right-hand reverse) but with stricter marking criteria in order to pass. If you have ever done any advanced driving (IAM etc) then it is essentially the same.

Once you pass part 2 you have the option of getting a 'Trainee License' from the RSA which allows you to give lessons under some conditions - i.e. you need to have a fully qualified ADI sponsor you and I think 20% of your lessons must be supervised by the ADI.

The trainee license is designed to give you some teaching experience before the Part 3. This part is the most difficult I think if you have not been an instructor before. The examiner will make mistakes which you have to correctly identify, diagnose, and then correct it. There is also significant time pressure in this part as each section is only 30 mins. The videos that Brian mentioned will definitely help and there is lots of other information on the web and DVDs on Ebay etc. What I've seen up to now is all UK based but it 99% applicable to the Irish test.

The RSA are bringing in the approval scheme for the training organisations so if you are going for dedicated training ensure the place is RSA approved. They will then follow as specific syallabus and must meet certain conditions etc. I'm not sure if any of these new approval schemes prevent the individual ADI instructor offering lessons to help people prepare for the ADI exams - I assume not but to be honest I dont really know.

Final point, if its possible for you to go part-time initally it is definitely a good move. Prices for lessons are dropping, lots of 'special offers' being given and generally business is quieter than it would have been. As a new instructor it will take time to become established, also if you were operating as a 'Trainee' I would imagine the prices would need to be lower again than a full ADI although I dont really know how that scheme will really work in practice.

Good good with it and feel free to post or PM if you have specific questions.

tormented

Hi Sonic-Head100,

Have just pm'd you, thanks:)

sonic-head100

Thanks everyone for your replies, all very helpful, I've found a local ADI to put me through the ropes for the part2 & hopefully the part 3

Special thanks to Brian, for the link to Blaine Walsh's website ( www.aditraining.tv), excellent site.

Richie15

I know you have to have your full licence two years before you can accompany a learner, but can you begin the ADI exams before then? How do you get started? You need a permit number before you can apply for the Stage 1, how do you get that?

MascotDec85

Richie15 wrote: »

I know you have to have your full licence two years before you can accompany a learner, but can you begin the ADI exams before then? How do you get started? You need a permit number before you can apply for the Stage 1, how do you get that?

No.
To become an ADI now you have to apply to the RSA.

You need to complete a Garda Criminal Bureau Check. Once this done and you have paid €150 for your Stage 1 Test you will be given a reference number (this is your number through all stages). You apply to sit the Stage 1 test.

On passing that you then apply for Stage 2 and so on til you've passed Stage 3.

Test fees are: Stage 1 - €150, Stage 2 & 3 - €200 each.

After you pass Stage 3 you receive your Permit after enclosing a Tax Clearance Cert and a €250 registration fee

I've recently qualified

Richie15

I'll be waiting a while so. Thanks, and congratulations on qualifying!

MascotDec85

Richie15 wrote: »

I'll be waiting a while so. Thanks, and congratulations on qualifying!

Cheers mate