What are the grade boundaries?

Per DVSA guidance: 0–30 is a fail, 31–42 is grade B, and 43–51 is grade A. A grade A or B both mean you keep your registration; a fail leads to a further check and, ultimately, removal from the register.

Why did I fail with a total over 31?

A score of 7 or less in the risk management section is an automatic fail whatever your total. The examiner also fails you if they had to stop the lesson because someone was put in immediate danger.

Is this the real DVSA marking?

The 17 competencies and the scoring rules mirror the DVSA ADI Part 3 / Standards Check report form. The grade you get here is a practice estimate for self-assessment or training — only a DVSA examiner can give a real result.

How often do I take a Standards Check?

Normally once every four years, or sooner if the DVSA has concerns. Newly qualified ADIs usually get their first check within the first two years.

Free tool

ADI Standards Check score grader

Score a practice Standards Check against the DVSA grade boundaries.

Mark each of the 17 competencies from 0 to 3 the way a DVSA examiner would. This adds up your total, works out the grade, and flags the risk-management rule that fails you regardless of the total.

Lesson planning

1. Did the trainer identify the pupil’s learning goals and needs? 2. Was the agreed lesson structure appropriate for the pupil’s experience and ability? 3. Were the practice areas suitable? 4. Was the lesson plan adapted, when appropriate, to help the pupil work towards their learning goals?

Section score —

Risk management

5. Did the trainer ensure the pupil fully understood how responsibility for risk would be shared? 6. Were directions and instructions given to the pupil clear and given in good time? 7. Was the trainer aware of the surroundings and the pupil’s actions? 8. Was any verbal or physical intervention by the trainer timely and appropriate? 9. Was sufficient feedback given to help the pupil understand any potential safety-critical incidents?

Section score —

Teaching & learning strategies

10. Was the teaching and learning style suited to the pupil’s learning style and current ability? 11. Was the pupil encouraged to analyse problems and take responsibility for their learning? 12. Were opportunities and examples used to clarify learning outcomes? 13. Was the technical information given comprehensive, appropriate and accurate? 14. Was the pupil given appropriate and timely feedback during the session? 15. Were the pupil’s queries followed up and answered? 16. Did the trainer maintain an appropriate, non-discriminatory manner throughout the session? 17. At the end of the session, was the pupil encouraged to reflect on their own performance?

Section score —

The examiner had to stop the lesson because someone was put in immediate danger

Total score

— / 51

—

Lesson planning: — / 12
Risk management: — / 15
Teaching & learning: — / 24

How this is worked out

Each of the 17 competencies is scored 0 to 3: 0 no evidence, 1 a few elements, 2 most elements, 3 all elements. That gives a maximum of 51.

The competencies sit in three areas — lesson planning (4), risk management (5) and teaching & learning strategies (8).

Grade by total, per DVSA guidance: 0–30 fail, 31–42 grade B, 43–51 grade A.

Automatic fail, whatever the total: a risk management score of 7 or less, or the examiner having to stop the lesson because someone was put in immediate danger.

Once you’re marking real lessons, Lesson Diary keeps DVSA-style progress notes and works out what the diary is worth.

Common questions

What are the grade boundaries?: Per DVSA guidance: 0–30 is a fail, 31–42 is grade B, and 43–51 is grade A. A grade A or B both mean you keep your registration; a fail leads to a further check and, ultimately, removal from the register.
Why did I fail with a total over 31?: A score of 7 or less in the risk management section is an automatic fail whatever your total. The examiner also fails you if they had to stop the lesson because someone was put in immediate danger.
Is this the real DVSA marking?: The 17 competencies and the scoring rules mirror the DVSA ADI Part 3 / Standards Check report form. The grade you get here is a practice estimate for self-assessment or training — only a DVSA examiner can give a real result.
How often do I take a Standards Check?: Normally once every four years, or sooner if the DVSA has concerns. Newly qualified ADIs usually get their first check within the first two years.

Practice tool only. The competencies and rules follow the DVSA ADI Part 3 / Standards Check report form, but grade boundaries and criteria can change — check the current DVSA guidance, and remember only a DVSA examiner can give a real result.

Do the maths once a year, not every lesson

Lesson Diary keeps your lesson income and expenses logged all year and exports them ready for your Self Assessment. It never takes a cut of your lesson money — a flat £9.99 a month, free for 7 days.

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