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Make the Right Pick: Why Choosing a PDI or an ADI has Key Differences?

October 22, 2025 | 11:39 am

Are you searching for the best driving school to learn driving skills? If you are likely to make the right move, then do not get enticed by the flashy websites on the internet. Moreover, it can be a hard choice to find the best Driving Instructors in Oxford from top driving schools. However, the right move while choosing a PDI and ADI is certainly a difficult task.

In this blog, we will delve deep into various reasons to choose a PDI or ADI. Those who do not have any clue will come to know about major facts about PDI and ADI, like any other individual who has spent many years in the driving business.

PDI Vs ADI: Know more about the key differences

The PDIs and ADIs are separated by one key difference. One of the driving instructors is fully qualified and is a DVSA-approved instructor. The other driving instructors are in their training period.

ADI is also referred to as an Approved Driving Instructor, which means they have completed all three tests that are required to qualify as a professional driving instructor. These 3 tests include the driving theory test, the practical driving test and the test to check instructional ability. The driving instructors are pretty much part of the ADI register and have earned the spot by clearing all three 3 tests with flying colours. The ADI status of the instructor can be identified by the green badges that are displayed on the car’s windscreen. These ADIs often run their own business independently or work in a driving school.

PDI, also called a Potential Driving Instructor, refers to an individual who has applied to become an ADI. Moreover, they have been accepted and are going through the training process to become an ADI. If these individuals can offer driving lessons, this means they have already cleared parts 1 and 2 of the qualification procedure. Moreover, they must have also completed a minimum of 40 hours of training. When all these boxes are ticked, one can apply for the pink badge and start providing tuition by charging money. However, PDIs can only work in a reputable driving school and do not have the permission to work independently.

Who is a better choice between PDI and ADI?-Get the answer here

This is a million-dollar question that might cross the minds of many learner drivers. However, several factors must be considered to get an answer from this meaty debate without getting stuck. For all money, choosing an ADI seems to be the better choice as these driving instructors already have the training and experience.

Let us have a quick look at some of those factors that determine which one, ADI or PDI, is a better choice.

  • Budget considerations

Before learning to drive, one must decide how much it costs to master the skills. However, the cost will depend on the various factors, including location and time taken to clear the test. Moreover, choosing the right Driving Instructors Oxford also has a big role to play.

Lower rates are charged by an average PDI compared to an average ADI, as the former has not cleared the test.

  • Timeframe to pass

PDIs who have a pink badge can only teach learner drivers for a period of 6 months. They must clear part 3 of the qualification test within 6 months, or after that, to pass the test, and they will get 3 attempts to get over the finish line. However, if they fail, there is no way out, and the learner driver has to go back to the beginning of the training. This can leave the learner driver high and dry.

Some learner drivers can take more than 6 months to learn the skills of driving. Moreover, the learners do not know how many months are left with the PDI during which they can teach them. As they have no information regarding this while they sign up with a PDI, it can turn out to be a wrong move. Once a strict time limit is added to the learning experience, it begins to put a lot of pressure on the learner driver right from the word go. Therefore, the learning experience can turn out to be a stressful affair. Therefore, those who want to avoid hitting a snag and getting in a spot of bother can choose an ADI and resist them to plump for a PDI.

How can driving instructors shape your driving journey?

Those who want to get test-ready quickly can choose a PDI. However, as the driving journey of each individual differs, this is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Therefore, several questions need to be asked before choosing the right driving instructors.

  • What amount of practice is needed over and above the driving lessons?

According to recommendations provided by DVSA, a learner driver must spend more time behind the wheel. They must be guided by close family members and friends who have a provisional license and can supervise the learner driver. This will make sure that the learner driver can choose a PDI and build on their experience, expanding on the lessons.

  • How much driving experience do you have?

Those who are fairly competent drivers can just polish up the skills they have. The learner can work with a PDI and save ample fortunes. However, for beginners, it is not a good idea to learn the skills of driving from a PDI who is just a trainee. Driving is a complex skill to master, and one must learn it from someone who has proven instructional ability, like an ADI and not someone who is solely trained like a PDI.

  • Do you feel jittery behind the wheel?

Before getting the pink badge, the PDIs must agree to go for lessons, 20% of which are supervised. Or else, 20 more hours of training are needed to go for the pink badge. If the PDI agrees to the first condition, the learner driver feels relaxed as they have the instructor by their side while driving. However, some learners might get more nervous if an extra pair of eyes is always watching them during the driving lesson.

Pros and cons of choosing a PDI

Pros

  • Provide affordable lessons compared to ADIs.
  • They might have an enthusiastic attitude as they are new to the role of an instructor. Moreover, they are eager to qualify.
  • The driving knowledge passed on to the learner drivers is pretty much fresh in their minds as they are in the training phase.

Cons

  • Do not have the same experience as that of the ADIs.
  • Their license is valid for teaching learner drivers for only 6 months at a time. Therefore, the learner driver has a time frame of 6 months for the learning experience.
  • PDIs are not able to provide a variety when it comes to teaching style.
  • No official proof of being a competent teacher.
  • PDIs are unable to pass the 3rd test most of the time.

Pros and cons of choosing an ADI

Pros

  • The ADI status is testimony to the fact that these professionals have proven teaching ability. Moreover, they have enough experience with various learner drivers.
  • These professional driving instructors have gone through various rigorous checks and tests regularly.
  • The validity of the green badge is for 4 years. This allows the learner driver to get guidance from the same instructor while they master the driving skills.
  • The ADIs are highly experienced and have in-depth knowledge of the local test routes. Moreover, they also provide insider tips to learner drivers about the test centres in the nearby locations.

Cons

  • The learner drivers might find that they have to compete with others to find a lesson slot once they choose an ADI.
  • Choosing an ADI is a costly affair as they charge more than a PDI once the learner driver enrols for a lesson.

Final Lines

Are you at a fix while choosing the best Driving Instructors in Oxford? You have come to the right place. We at Drive Professional Driving School are one of the best Driving Schools in Oxford.

Our professional driving instructors help the learner driver navigate through the challenges of the driving lessons easily.

 If you are looking for a cost-effective option to learn driving, feel free to choose a PDI.

Those who are looking for steadier support and professional maturity can choose the best ADI.

Why wait? Don’t forget to book an appointment whenever you see fit.

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