One platform for the whole ADI journey
Pass Stage 1 with 1,000 questions and weighted mocks, then carry the Stage 2 and Stage 3 guides with you.
Theory
One hundred questions in ninety minutes, across five separately scored sections.
- 100 questions · 90 minutes
- Five sections, each with its own pass mark
- 41 Prometric centres
1,000 practice questions · 30 timed mocks
Driving
Textbook driving over a 25–30 km route, marked across nineteen categories.
- 25–30 km route, in your own car
- 19 assessment categories
- 13 RSA test centres
Stage 2 preparation guide
Teaching
30 min
30 min
Two half-hour phases. The examiner role-plays your pupil; teaching is what is marked.
- Two phases, ~30 minutes each
- The examiner role-plays your pupil
- Results in 10 working days
Pedagogy bank · Stage 3 guide
Take the whole journey with you — download the app.
Exam details as reported by the RSA · Built on the Irish syllabus, not the UK DVSA test · 88 questions free, no card requiredWhat an ADI actually is
The job behind the exams — the register, the law, and why the work exists.
ADI stands for Approved Driving Instructor — an instructor on the Road Safety Authority’s official register. Registration is a legal requirement: in Ireland you cannot charge for driving instruction without being on the ADI register.
The distinction matters. Anyone aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for three or more years can sit beside a learner informally — but they can never charge a fee for it. Only registered ADIs can accept payment for instruction, and only ADIs can deliver the 12 mandatory Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons every learner must complete before their driving test. That requirement is the engine of the profession: the day-to-day work is EDT lessons, pre-test preparation and refresher lessons, mostly self-employed and mostly on your own schedule.
The register is maintained by the RSA, and staying on it is part of the job: registration renews every two years and instructors sit periodic check tests to show their teaching still meets the standard. Around 2,600 ADIs currently serve the whole country. For what the working week really looks like, see a typical instructor’s day or the full guide to what an ADI is.
Do you qualify? The full checklist
Five eligibility rules the RSA sets before any exam is booked — no degree, no age limit, no classroom hours.
Clear all five and the three-stage exam opens up — each rule is explained, with the documents you need, in the full requirements guide.
Full detail — including foreign-qualification exemptions — in the requirements guide. Not sure the career itself would suit you? Take the two-minute self-check on our career guide.
Eligibility rules as published by the RSA at the time of writing — confirm current requirements at rsa.ie.Irish Exams Irish Syllabus
Three stages, one register — and why UK prep and one-exam apps don’t get you there.
The problem
UK “ADI theory” sites test DVSA law — the wrong exam, in the wrong country.
Three exams, three different skills — theory, then driving, then teaching.
A 24-month clock from your Stage 1 pass, and six months between each stage.
Every attempt is paid again — €150 for Stage 1, €200 each for Stages 2 and 3.
With PassADI
Built on the Irish RSA syllabus, written by a working Irish driving instructor.
One platform for all three: 1,000 questions and mocks, then the Stage 2 and 3 guides.
A clear map of the whole route, so no stage ends up stalled waiting on the last.
Sit mocks until the pass mark is routine; one retake costs more than a year of Premium.
New here? Start with the answers
Everything a would-be instructor asks first — answered straight, with the detail one click away.
An Approved Driving Instructor — RSA-registered, and legally required for anyone teaching driving for payment in Ireland. Around 2,600 serve the whole country.
A full licence held 2+ years, residence in Ireland, tax clearance and Garda vetting. No degree, no age limit — the licence rule is the gate.
From €800 in RSA fees if you pass everything first time — €150 of it rides on Stage 1 every attempt. Run your own number on the calculator.
Three tests, in order, all within 24 months of passing Stage 1. Most people qualify in 6–12 months — the theory exam sets the pace.
The road to the register
Seven steps from first curiosity to earning instructor — and where PassADI carries you.
Know what an ADI does
The register, EDT lessons and working week — understand the role clearly before committing to the qualification process.
Know what an ADI does
The register, EDT lessons and working week — understand the role clearly before committing to the qualification process.
Clear the requirements
Licence held 2+ years, tax clearance and Garda vetting — then complete your application and get your Prometric eligibility number.
Clear the requirements
Licence held 2+ years, tax clearance and Garda vetting — then complete your application and get your Prometric eligibility number.
Pass Stage 1 with PassADI
Work through 1,000 questions and 30 weighted mocks until the pass mark feels routine. This is where PassADI helps most.
Pass Stage 1 with PassADI
Work through 1,000 questions and 30 weighted mocks until the pass mark feels routine. This is where PassADI helps most.
Pass the driving test
Demonstrate textbook driving over 25–30 km in your own car. Use our guides to keep the theory fresh while you prepare.
Pass the driving test
Demonstrate textbook driving over 25–30 km in your own car. Use our guides to keep the theory fresh while you prepare.
Teach early — optional
Apply for the €50 six-month trainee licence after Stage 2. Earn while preparing, with at least 20% of lessons supervised.
Teach early — optional
Apply for the €50 six-month trainee licence after Stage 2. Earn while preparing, with at least 20% of lessons supervised.
Pass the instruction test
Complete two 30-minute phases: teach a beginner, then a test-standard pupil. Build teaching skills early with the pedagogy bank.
Pass the instruction test
Complete two 30-minute phases: teach a beginner, then a test-standard pupil. Build teaching skills early with the pedagogy bank.
Join the ADI register
Pay €250, receive your permit and start your career. Industry sources put earnings around €35,000–€43,000 a year once qualified.
Join the ADI register
Pay €250, receive your permit and start your career. Industry sources put earnings around €35,000–€43,000 a year once qualified.
Plan the clock — and what comes after
The deadlines that shape the journey, and what being on the register actually asks of you
Planning the clock
After you register
24 months, hard deadline.Every stage must be finished within 24 months of passing Stage 1 — miss it and you begin the whole process again.
Your permit travels with you.The photo permit is issued within about 20 working days of registering, and must be displayed whenever you teach.
6–12 months is typical.Candidates who study consistently and book their tests promptly usually qualify comfortably inside a single year.
Your first check test comes early.The RSA observes a normal lesson within a year, then periodically. Our check test guide covers all 16 competencies.
Book Stage 3 early.Appointments are reported to take six to twelve weeks to come up — late booking is how good candidates lose the clock.
Registration renews every two years.€250 per renewal keeps you on the register — budget it as a running cost rather than an unexpected expense.
The trainee licence buys time and income.An optional six-month licence after Stage 2 lets you teach, and earn, while you prepare for the Stage 3 test.
Then the real work: building a client base.Rates, expenses, tax and take-home pay are all covered in running your own driving school business.
Insurance is now a test requirement.Since 9 March 2026 the examiner must be insured to drive your car at Stage 3 — arrange open-driving cover early.
The car becomes work equipment.Dual controls, hire-and-reward cover and negligent-tuition insurance are all part of teaching legally and safely.
What the qualification costs
Every fee on the path itemised — RSA exams, training, materials — plus a calculator for the honest version, the one where retakes happen. Confirm current fees at rsa.ie.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RSA fees | ||
| Stage 1 theory test | €150 | per attempt, paid to Prometric |
| Stage 2 practical driving test | €200 | per attempt |
| Stage 3 instruction test | €200 | per attempt |
| ADI registration | €250 | one-time, then €250 renewal every two years |
| Trainee instructor licence (optional) | €50 | six months, after passing Stage 2 |
| Training | ||
| Professional Stage 2 & 3 training | up to ~€2,500 | typical for a comprehensive ~60-hour course; third-party schools, prices vary widely |
| Stage 1 preparation | €0 | suits self-study — free RSA materials plus question practice |
| Materials | ||
| Study books & resources | up to €100 | 1–2 comprehensive guidebooks is plenty |
| Mandatory minimum | €800 | first-time pass at every stage, no paid training |
| Typical all-in estimate* | ~€3,400 | with professional training, materials and possible retakes |
Every stage fee is per attempt. Retakes are the one line item preparation can delete — a single Stage 1 retake costs more than most candidates would ever spend on study materials.
Calculate your investment
Adjust the values to estimate your total based on your circumstances.
Stage 1 attempts (€150 each)
1
Stage 2 attempts (€200 each)
1
Stage 3 attempts (€200 each)
1
Training & materials budget
€1000
€1,800
The Full Picture
What the investment returns, what qualifying costs after, and the questions everyone asks.
The typical ADI earns between €35,000 (Glassdoor) and €43,000 (ERI) per year, with SalaryExpert reporting €40,000 as the midpoint. Entry-level instructors (1–3 years) earn approximately €29,627 while building a client base; senior instructors (8+ years) earn up to €48,741 (SalaryExpert). Hourly rates run €25–35 regionally — Galway, Limerick, Waterford — and €35–45 in Dublin (Indeed.ie, 2025).
At an average salary of €35,000, the outlay is recoverable in a matter of weeks of full-time work — barely more than a week if you kept costs near the €800 minimum, around five on the full ~€3,400 budget — making this one of the most affordable career changes available. Explore why the ADI career is worth it or running your own driving school business.
The mandatory RSA minimum is €800 — €550 in exam fees plus €250 registration — assuming a first-time pass at every stage and no paid training. Most candidates budget around €3,400 all-in once professional Stage 2 and 3 training, study materials, possible retake fees and the optional trainee licence are included.
Professional Stage 2 and Stage 3 training typically costs anywhere up to around €2,500 for a comprehensive course of roughly 60 hours, and prices vary widely between schools. Be cautious of quotes at €3,000 or more — much of that premium often goes to business overheads rather than the quality of your training. The PassADI platform is self-serve exam preparation, so compare in-car training quotes independently.
It may be, for self-employed individuals. Once registered as a sole trader, qualifying business expenses can typically be offset against income — but tax rules are specific to individual circumstances, so consult a qualified tax advisor for personalised guidance.
ADI registration renewal: €250 every two years. Set by the RSA — required to remain on the ADI register.
Driving instructor insurance: annual, varies. A specialist product — get broker quotes, as cost depends on provider, location and experience.
Vehicle dual controls: one-time installation. Required for teaching. Installation cost varies by vehicle make and model.
Fuel and maintenance: ongoing. A significant running cost — fuel-efficient vehicles are common in the profession.
Tax: self-employed sole trader. 20% standard rate on the first €44,000 and 40% above, Class S PRSI at 4.35% from October 2026, plus USC. The Earned Income Tax Credit is worth up to €2,000 (Citizens Information / Revenue.ie).
See running your own driving school for detailed business planning.
Usually not — the Stage 1 theory exam covers road rules, teaching methodology and road safety, topics well suited to self-study with free RSA materials and guidebooks costing €100 or less. Our quiz library — 1,000 practice questions and 30 mock exams across the five RSA sections — starts with six quizzes free.
€50 for a six-month licence, available once only after you pass Stage 2. It lets you teach — and earn — while preparing for Stage 3, provided at least 20% of your lessons are supervised by a fully qualified ADI. For many candidates it pays for itself in the first week.
Is it worth it?
1 : 2,000
instructor-to-learner ratio16 wks
reported average test wait60,000+
hit by the 2026 permit cap€250 / 2yrs
to renew — and build onAround 2,600 ADIs serve all 26 counties against 140,000+ learner permit holders. Earnings estimates vary by source and region — what’s certain is the qualification renews cheaply and is yours to build on. (Market figures as industry-reported — verify before relying on them.) Run your own numbers: estimate your take-home pay on the business guide.
Where the qualification takes you
One register entry, four common working models. PassADI is exam prep — we don’t place instructors or partner with schools; this is simply the map.
Whichever model you choose, demand is built in: every learner in Ireland must complete 12 mandatory EDT lessons, and only registered ADIs can deliver them. That requirement keeps qualified instructors needed in every county. Each model is compared in detail in the what-is-an-ADI guide.
Five Real Questions From the Bank
No signup, no card — answer each one, then see your result and the corrections
Questions that trained real instructors. Now yours
PassADI began as in-person ADI question banks. Every question has been tested on real trainees first.
Written by a working instructor
Every question written and refined by a working Irish driving instructor — not a content farm.
01
Proven on real trainees
The bank grew out of years of in-person ADI courses. It taught real candidates before it reached you.
02
Mapped to the RSA syllabus
Independent practice material organised by the official Stage 1 categories — not learner-app filler.
03
Reviewed, not abandoned
Questions flagged by real trainees are reviewed and corrected continuously — the bank improves every cycle.
04
Get Your Free ADI Starter Kit
Become an Approved Driving Instructor in Ireland — free, online.
Built for the current exam cycle — weighted like the real paper.
Every question is tagged to the five RSA sections, and the 30 mock exams mirror the real 100-question weighting.
What’s inside the starter kit
Five things you’ll have open in your browser within the next minute — no email to wait for, no PDF to download.
Full three-stage qualification roadmap with timelines
ADI cost breakdown — €800 minimum
The five exam sections and their pass marks, explained
88 free practice questions plus the free study guides
Earning potential and career outlook for ADIs
Get your free starter kit
Takes 30 seconds1,000
Questions in the bankAll 3
Stages covered30
Weighted mock examsAsk Before. Answered Straight
The learner test is 40 questions for new drivers. Stage 1 is 100 questions in 90 minutes covering instruction theory, test procedure and professional-level rules of the road — a different exam entirely.
No. PassADI is independent practice material written for the RSA Stage 1 syllabus — we are not affiliated with the RSA, and you book the real exam at theorytest.ie as normal.
Six full quizzes are free, forever. Premium is €9.99/month for all 1,000 questions, every mock exam, explanations and revision tools — the exam itself costs €150 per attempt.
You wait out the resit period and pay €150 again. Sitting our mocks until you consistently clear the pass mark is the cheapest insurance there is.
Most providers focus on Stages 2 and 3 and expect you to self-study the theory. PassADI is that self-study — and if you train with us in person, Premium is included.
Through the official channel at theorytest.ie. PassADI is where you prepare; the RSA is where you sit it.
Most candidates give it a few focused weeks. The reliable signal: when you consistently clear the pass mark on full timed mocks, you are ready to book.
Yes — it works on phone, tablet and laptop, and picks up exactly where you left off. A dedicated iOS and Android app is on the way.
Yes, in one click, and you keep access until the end of the billing period. The six free quizzes stay free either way.
No. Six full quizzes — 88 questions — stay free forever, no card required.
Approved Driving Instructor: an instructor on the RSA’s official register. Anyone aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for three or more years can accompany a learner informally, but charging for instruction — including the 12 mandatory EDT lessons — is legal only for registered ADIs.
Not automatically barred. Serious convictions — fraud, violent or drug offences — are disqualifying, but the RSA assesses every other case individually on its merits.
No. You must be normally resident in Ireland with a valid address and PPSN, hold your full licence for 2+ years, and clear tax clearance and Garda vetting — but citizenship itself is not a requirement.
You have 24 months from passing Stage 1 to complete Stages 2 and 3, and most consistent candidates qualify in 6–12 months. Stage 3 appointments are reported to take 6–12 weeks to come up, so book early rather than racing the deadline.
An optional €50, six-month licence available after passing Stage 2. It lets you teach — and earn — while preparing for Stage 3, with at least 20% of your lessons supervised by a fully qualified ADI.
Possibly not. Holders of an equivalent foreign qualification — the UK ADI register, for example — may be granted partial or full exemptions from some or all stages. The RSA assesses equivalence case by case and applications go through the RSA — confirm your position with them before planning around it.
Since 9 March 2026 you must show the RSA examiner is insured to drive your car during the Stage 3 test — open-driving or equivalent cover. Arrange it with your insurer well before the test date.
Stage 1 runs at Prometric test centres nationwide (commonly cited at 41). Stages 2 and 3 use 13 RSA centres — Athlone, Cork, Dundalk, Finglas, Galway, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, Rathgar, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford — with motorcycle (category A) tests at Finglas, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford only. Confirm locations at rsa.ie.
The instructors who pass first time practise like it’s the real thing
Practise on your phone between lessons — the six free quizzes, every mock and your progress, all in the app.
