You must fulfil the following legal requirements:

• Hold a full UK or European Union (EU/European Economic Area (EEA) unrestricted car driving licence
• Have held it for a total of at least four out of the past six years prior to entering the Register after qualifying
• Not have been disqualified from driving at any time in the four years prior to being entered in the Register
• Be a "fit and proper" person to have your name entered in the Register: All convictions, motoring and non-motoring, will be taken into account when they assess your suitability to be entered on the Register. From Spring 2007 applicants will be required to have an enhanced level criminal record check. The information from this check will be used by the DSA to assess the suitability of persons applying for inclusion on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.
• Pass the two qualifying practical examinations within two years of passing the theory examination
• Apply for registration within 12 months of passing the final part of the examination.

Criminal Record Checks...

The DSA introduced criminal record checks for Potential Driving Instructors and Approved Driving Instructors in Spring 2007.

The DVSA uses the services of the Criminal Records Bureau to obtain criminal record disclosures for individuals normally resident in England and Wales, and of Disclosure Scotland for individuals normally resident in Scotland