16/08/2026
🚗 “WHY WON’T AN INSTRUCTOR JUST TAKE ME TO TEST IN THEIR CAR?” 🚗
We get asked this more often than you’d think — especially when someone’s own instructor or car suddenly isn’t available.
The simple answer is: because we’re putting our own professional licence on the line too. Not just our car.
When we take a pupil to test, the examiner records details including the instructor’s ADI badge number and the vehicle registration, and our pupils’ test results contribute to the information the DVSA holds about our performance.
So if we haven’t taught you, we simply don’t know your driving standard.
We don’t know your observations, judgement, control, decision-making or how you react under pressure. A quick hour before your test isn’t enough for us to confidently put our name, car and professional reputation behind your driving.
And there can be consequences for us.
If concerns are raised about an instructor’s standards, they can be called for a DVSA standards check — an assessment of our ability to teach safely and effectively.
An ADI has limited attempts to demonstrate the required standard, and ultimately our registration as a driving instructor can be at risk if we repeatedly fail to meet it.
That registration is our livelihood. It’s what legally allows us to provide paid driving tuition.
So when an instructor says they won’t simply lend their car or take someone they’ve never taught to test, they’re not being awkward or trying to make you spend more money.
They’re protecting their pupil, the examiner, other road users, their car, their professional standards and their livelihood.
We want you to pass — but more importantly, we need to know you’re safe enough to deserve that licence. 🚦💙
Optimus Drive — safe drivers for life, not just test day.
