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A Guide to ADI Grades

The Driving Standards Agency [DSA] uses a 6-point grading system, where Grades 1 to 3 are unacceptable, and 4 to 6 acceptable.

When PDIs pass Part III and can apply for their coveted "Green Badge", their performances for each "Phase" of their Part III Test are similarly graded;
and each "Phase" must reach at least Grade 4 standard.

Newly-qualified ADIs, however, remain ungraded until they have their " Educational Visit"  [click for some guidance on this]   which should be within their first year of trading as an ADI.
Thus, even if a PDI gains "6-6" at Part III, they remain an ungraded ADI.

Part III gets you used to the grading system, but it is not a test aimed at giving you an ADI Grade.
Thus the candidate who may gain a 4-6 in their Phases is neither a "Grade 4 Instructor" nor a "Grade Sixer"!

Here are the definitions of the Grades : statistics are based on figures kindly supplied by the DSA from 4th May 2011, based on 47,071 ADIs at their last Check Test.


Grade 6. Very Good - 2,834 ADIs - [ 6.02% ]
The highest standard with no significant weaknesses.

Grade 5. Good - 15,768 ADIs - [ 33.49% ]
Only minor deficiencies.

Grade 4. Adequate - 24,529 ADIs - [ 52.11% ]
Some shortcomings that need attention.

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The only statistics published on the unacceptable Grades [3,2,1] come from 1st March 2011 when there were 46,821 ADIs, so the percentages are based on this slightly higher figure.
The worrying thing is that in that short time, there are now fewer top grade ADIs from fewer ADIs - [previously 2845].

Grade 3. Inadequate - 303 ADIs - [ 0.65% ]
Unacceptable shortcomings in technique and/or behaviour.

Grade 2. Poor - 54 ADIs - [ 0.12% ]
Numerous deficiencies such as inaccuracies, errors, serious omissions and/or faults in manner.

Grade 1. Bad - 0 ADIs - [ 0.0% ]
Instruction is grossly wrong, potentially or actually dangerous and/or serious shortcomings in attitude and approach.

• Awaiting Grading following their first Check Test - 3,449 ADIs [ 7.37% ]