The Road Safety Authority

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the agency responsible for conducting all theory and practical driving tests in the Republic of Ireland, and has responsibility for maintaining the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs).

As from the 1st August 2009, it is illegal for anyone to charge for driving tuition unless their name is on the Register of ADIs. In order to become an ADI, you will need to pass the RSA ADI qualifying examination and meet certain minimum legal requirements. Namely you must:

1. Hold a full IRISH or EEA unrestricted car driving licence;

2. Have held your licence for at least 2 years prior to entering the Register after qualifying;

3. Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the 4 years prior to being entered in the Register;

4. Be a ‘fit and proper’ person to have your name entered on the Register. All convictions, motoring or non-motoring still in force will be taken into account by the RSA before allowing you on the Register, and from experience we know that anyone with 6 or more points on their licence within the last 2 years prior to entry on the Register is likely to be rejected. You now also need to apply for a Criminal Record Bureau check as part of this process.

Please also note that on the Stage 2 driving test you must be able to take rear observations by looking around when reversing without heavy dependency on the mirrors. So if you have minimal neck movement this will need to be checked before you start, since you are not allowed additional mirrors as on the ordinary driving test.

The ADI qualifying examination

The RSA ADI qualifying examination is in three Stages:

Stage 1 : Theory

Consists of a multiple-choice test.

Stage 2 : Driving

Consists of a practical driving test up to 2 hours long.

Stage 3: Instructional ability

Consists of a practical test of the ability to instruct.

Once you have passed Stage 1 you are required to undertake and pass the two remaining parts within two years. You are permitted an unlimited number of attempts at for all Stages.

Waiting time for Stage 1 is minimal; however, because you need to pass a Criminal Record Bureau check first, the Stage 1 test cannot be taken for about 6 to 8 weeks. Waiting time for a Stage 2 or Stage 3 test appointment is also about 6 to 8 weeks, consequently, the exam process itself from start to finish is about 18 to 24 weeks assuming there are no other delays. This is why intensive training for Stage 1, 2 or 3 is unsuitable and why it is better to spread out the training over several weeks on a part-time basis with studying and practice in between.

Stage 1: Theory

Multiple choice section
This section tests your knowledge of the Rules of the Road and other instructional matters via a Personal Computer and lasts for 90 minutes. You are asked 100 questions with optional voice over. For each question four answers are shown on the screen and you are required to select the answer you think is correct. To pass you are required to answer 85 questions correctly overall (including 20 within each of the 4 subject groups tested, also known as bands). The RSA provides a full list of all the questions and associated answers used so that training companies can incorporate them into their revision programmes.

Stage 2: Driving

The Stage 2 driving test closely resembles the current car-driving test for learners in format and content. The duration of the test is longer, to allow you to undertake all the set manoeuvres and you are expected to perform to a higher standard. Unlike the L test you are only permitted a maximum of 5 minor driving faults and what constitutes a minor driving fault may be more harshly assessed.

Stage 3: Instructional ability

The Stage 3 test requires you to give two half-hour driving lessons on subjects chosen by the examiner. The examiner plays the role of a pupil and whilst in that role he or she tests your ability as an instructor by asking questions and making mistakes. In particular, the examiner will expect you to explain the objectives of the lesson (i.e. what you hope to achieve) and give a briefing where required, provide appropriate verbal support while on the move to aid the learning process and to identify and deal with any faults that might occur. Your performance for each lesson will be marked on a points system, 60 points and above being a pass. Therefore the minimum you need to pass Stage 3 is 60%.