Becoming an ADI...
Discussion
I am considering this avenue at the moment and am keen to hear experiences / information from those that have done this recently.
I don't know the feasibility of making this into a full time career but my long term vision would be to offer private ADI sessions / lessons to the public, with the emphasis being on how to exploit the full potential of a performance vehicle on the road using advanced driving techniques but within the confines of the law. I appreciate it may take some time to build up the teaching experience and client base required, but I am keen to explore the possibility.
I currently have no DSA qualifications, but I come from a police background with the Met. During 18 years with them I served 10 in Traffic and as such I have numerous driving and motorcycle qualifications, all of which I have kept all documentation and certificates for. Currently my full time role revolves around advising on police pursuits, driver policy and developing tactical resolutions to all manner of police related circumstances.
This idea is dipping my toe in the water of a whole new world, so I am willing to be told forget it, or it won't work, as I am aware that there are a lot of ADI's already practicing. I am just hoping that I can offer something extra with the experience I have behind me and wonder whether this is something I can really develop.
My rough plan would be:
- Sharpen my current skills up to a standard I would expect to sell myself and pass all relevant DSA / ADI tests to a high level
- Allocate a mentor, a local ADI or other contact who can guide me through the required process
- Attain relevant DSA qualifications ( DSA tutor? / ADI / Rospa Diploma / IAM / whatever else my research leads me to )
- Record and submit small series of videos (3) ?of me driving with commentary, (low performance car, high performance car and emergency driving )
- Create a website profiling me, what I want to offer, and my background
- Commence work, with a view to taking a career break if and when things pick up to allow this
- Look to further develop myself in role, mainly around track driving as this is the one area of driving I cannot purport to be an expert on and would want to attain this experience achieve my vision
This may be complete bonkers, and if so tell me. It is just something I have been thinking about this week. I have considered and been offered a few chances over the years to enter the world of driving school at Hendon, but, the Mon to Fri aspect as well as the 4 hours a day travelling make it a practical impossibility. Also, do you have to become a DSA tutor first and get some teaching under your belt prior to becoming an ADI or can you get straight into it?
Thanks in advance
I don't know the feasibility of making this into a full time career but my long term vision would be to offer private ADI sessions / lessons to the public, with the emphasis being on how to exploit the full potential of a performance vehicle on the road using advanced driving techniques but within the confines of the law. I appreciate it may take some time to build up the teaching experience and client base required, but I am keen to explore the possibility.
I currently have no DSA qualifications, but I come from a police background with the Met. During 18 years with them I served 10 in Traffic and as such I have numerous driving and motorcycle qualifications, all of which I have kept all documentation and certificates for. Currently my full time role revolves around advising on police pursuits, driver policy and developing tactical resolutions to all manner of police related circumstances.
This idea is dipping my toe in the water of a whole new world, so I am willing to be told forget it, or it won't work, as I am aware that there are a lot of ADI's already practicing. I am just hoping that I can offer something extra with the experience I have behind me and wonder whether this is something I can really develop.
My rough plan would be:
- Sharpen my current skills up to a standard I would expect to sell myself and pass all relevant DSA / ADI tests to a high level
- Allocate a mentor, a local ADI or other contact who can guide me through the required process
- Attain relevant DSA qualifications ( DSA tutor? / ADI / Rospa Diploma / IAM / whatever else my research leads me to )
- Record and submit small series of videos (3) ?of me driving with commentary, (low performance car, high performance car and emergency driving )
- Create a website profiling me, what I want to offer, and my background
- Commence work, with a view to taking a career break if and when things pick up to allow this
- Look to further develop myself in role, mainly around track driving as this is the one area of driving I cannot purport to be an expert on and would want to attain this experience achieve my vision
This may be complete bonkers, and if so tell me. It is just something I have been thinking about this week. I have considered and been offered a few chances over the years to enter the world of driving school at Hendon, but, the Mon to Fri aspect as well as the 4 hours a day travelling make it a practical impossibility. Also, do you have to become a DSA tutor first and get some teaching under your belt prior to becoming an ADI or can you get straight into it?
Thanks in advance
Having just done some online research I have spotted the flaw in my assumptions already. I thought ADI was Advanced Driving Instructor - now realise that is "Approved". I am not finding much in the way of info for Advanced Driving Instruction hence I presume this is monopolised by companies such as Diamond or organisations like the HPC e.t.c.
Yes, so seems. Which kind of leaves just ADI as an option. I am not sure this is going to scratch the itch I have to be honest and the pay will be worse potentially than my current. Not much worse though.
Hendon instructors are not DSA unless they go through the process whilst they are there, some obviously do. But they are just in house instructors at the end of the day..
Hendon instructors are not DSA unless they go through the process whilst they are there, some obviously do. But they are just in house instructors at the end of the day..
I haven't made any moves yet, but the idea I had when I typed this up seems unachievable. What I want to do is just too niche, and I am more interested in the concept of exploiting the best from a performance car in a public road environment. This is something that people will already go to Rospa / HPC for so why would they bother with me. This is why I thought some demo videos could be key to success, but as has been said, the demand is very limited for this sort of thing, and the overheads to achieve it seem high.
Driving instruction to DSA standard doesn't really excite me to be honest. I am still thinking about it, but it seems an awful lot of hard work for less money / safety net than I currently have,
Driving instruction to DSA standard doesn't really excite me to be honest. I am still thinking about it, but it seems an awful lot of hard work for less money / safety net than I currently have,
vonhosen said:
Dizeee
You need to get a lot of training, qualifications & experience.
My advice would be bite the bullet & get a job at Hendon. I know it may not be ideal commuting, or what you really want to do etc ( & I don't know how long you've got to do before you can get at the pension), but you'll be getting paid whilst you acquire all of the above & they are crying out for people.
Being an ADI really is a more realistic proposition for you post retirement, you'll have income for periods where work is lean. You are also pigeonholing yourself with 'on road performance cars'. There is enough work to be had without having to teach learners & you'll find it much easier & lucrative with the experience/qualifications that Hendon will give you. Even if you can't stick it until pension time, I'd still say you would be best doing it for 5 years & re-evaluating your position. I know 5 years sounds like a long time now but it will pass quickly & you will get a lot of experience as well as get a lot of courses/training for yourself in that time.
Opportunities are easier & more numerous in other 'advanced driver training' areas than your chosen pigeon hole.
Thanks for the advice - I have over the years accumulated some contacts and on a few occasions have been offered to go up there, however, the same issue always presents itself. It is 2 hours 10 mins each way, which equates to 4.5 hours travelling a day. This elongates a 5 day week to full days of 14/15 hours. This leaves me no options to work around my wife's shifts. It also almost removes my ability to do overtime on my days off, something I currently do a huge amount of as I am on 12 hour shifts. So I would be working much longer hours for less money, not being able to pull my weight with the kids, more tired and I am sure more miserable. You need to get a lot of training, qualifications & experience.
My advice would be bite the bullet & get a job at Hendon. I know it may not be ideal commuting, or what you really want to do etc ( & I don't know how long you've got to do before you can get at the pension), but you'll be getting paid whilst you acquire all of the above & they are crying out for people.
Being an ADI really is a more realistic proposition for you post retirement, you'll have income for periods where work is lean. You are also pigeonholing yourself with 'on road performance cars'. There is enough work to be had without having to teach learners & you'll find it much easier & lucrative with the experience/qualifications that Hendon will give you. Even if you can't stick it until pension time, I'd still say you would be best doing it for 5 years & re-evaluating your position. I know 5 years sounds like a long time now but it will pass quickly & you will get a lot of experience as well as get a lot of courses/training for yourself in that time.
Opportunities are easier & more numerous in other 'advanced driver training' areas than your chosen pigeon hole.
Edited by vonhosen on Tuesday 4th December 07:36
Yes it may be worth it in terms of achieving the end goal of becoming more experienced in teaching, and more contacted, but, it is too much personal disruption for my liking. The possible reward would simply not justify the effort. I am also in the very fortunate position currently where I have an amazing work life balance. I am at home a lot, with a very flexible role that works around me, I answer to nobody, with zero stress, and am able to work regular extra hours/days in a low stress environment to rake in good overtime. You just can't put a price on that so for now I am staying put.
Training is only ever destined to move North of Hendon too so further away from me. Even Sidcup is as much of a pain to get to, I literally could not live further away from both training centres.
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