Many PDIs believe that knowing the 17 competencies means they’re ready for Part 3.
In reality, most unsuccessful attempts aren’t due to a lack of knowledge. They’re because that knowledge isn’t yet being applied consistently during a real lesson.
Part 3 isn’t about reciting the competencies. It’s about demonstrating them naturally while responding to your pupil’s needs, managing risk and helping learning take place.
Become the Instructor First
One principle sits at the heart of my training:
Become the instructor first. Passing Part 3 is the outcome.
If your focus is on ticking boxes, your lesson can become staged and reactive. Instead, focus on delivering a lesson that genuinely develops your pupil. When you do that well, the competencies become visible.
Three Skills That Make the Difference
1. Observe Learning, Not Just Driving
Don’t just identify what the pupil did wrong—understand why it happened.
The best instructional decisions come from recognising what the pupil is thinking, not simply correcting the mistake.
2. Manage Risk Proactively
Strong risk management isn’t about frequent interventions. It’s about anticipating risk, agreeing the right level of support and creating opportunities for safe learning.
Be proactive rather than reactive.
3. Coach Thinking, Not Just Actions
Good coaching helps pupils think for themselves.
Questions such as “What influenced your decision?” or “What could you do differently next time?”encourage reflection and build independent drivers.
Examiner Insight
A DVSA ADI Examiner isn’t looking for a perfect lesson.
They’re looking for evidence that you can:
- identify the pupil’s learning needs
- adapt your teaching appropriately
- manage risk consistently
- encourage meaningful learning, not dependency
The lesson doesn’t need to be flawless. Your instructional decisions need to make sense.
Ready for Part 3?
If you’re preparing for Part 3, focus on developing the skills of an effective instructor rather than simply passing an assessment.
My one-to-one Part 3 development sessions are designed to help you build confidence, refine your instructional decision-making and demonstrate the standards the DVSA are looking for.
Book a Part 3 development session and become the instructor who is ready to pass—not just the trainee hoping to.
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