Advance Drive is the only training provider in the west of Ireland Approved to deliver ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) training.

Become an Instructor

Interested in becoming an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor)? If you’re looking for a flexible rewarding career with great job satisfaction, then working as a Driving Instructor might be right for you.

ADI Train the Trainer RSA Approval

To become an ADI you must be:

Person of good character (RSA Garda vetting process)
Be tax compliant (valid tax clearance certificate)
Hold a full driving licence for the category in which you wish to give instruction for at least two years

You will need to pass three RSA ADI exams:

Stage 1 – ADI Driver theory test
Stage 2 – Advanced practical driving test
Stage 3 – Instructional ability test

RSA ADI exam fees:

Stage 1 – €150
Stage 2 – €200
Stage 3 – €200
Registration (initial and every two years) – €250

After passing all three exams you will be a qualified ADI, you will also receive a FETAC Level 6 award for driving instruction.

If you have any questions on the process or feel you have what it takes to be a great instructor email philip@advancedrive.com for information on courses.

`Testimonials`

I am delighted that I passed my category D1 mini-bus test today (09/02/16). I can't praise Dezzie in Advance Drive enough for his excellent tutoring. He had me thoroughly prepared & fully ready for my test. He put me at ease & gave me confidence. Thanks Dezzie. I also passed my BE jeep & trailer test & my Category C rigid test in the last few years after receiving lessons from Advance Drive. I would highly recommend Advance Drive to those looking for driving lessons in any vehicle category.
February 9, 2016Brian Mullins

I went to Advance Drive for mini bus lessons and thankfully passed my test last Tuesday. I got held up on taking my test as Covid just came in when I had started with the lessons. I found Mike in the earlier lessons I took to be very good & helpfull and in the last few lessons I took with Gerry Burke I found him also very good & helpfull. I would strongly recommend them both if you want to sign up with Advance Drive. Aoife on reception is most helpfull in scheduling your lessons.
April 5, 2022Galway

Today, at the age of 43, I at last passed my driving test; doing so, on my first attempt. After years of hesitancy, and a belief I wasn't capable of driving well, the skills, ability and professionalism exhibited by my driving instructor - Noel Nee, at all times ensured that I was more than capable and ready to achieve my full category B driving license. In no small way, it was the enthusiasm, patience, exacting dedication to excellence, humility, and his earnest sense of putting the learner first that allowed me advance with confidence to the position of executing my test, and further passing with a confidence I thought I did not own. Since my initial lesson with Noel, I was always greeted with optimism, calm, and a capacity to teach that at all times remained with me, and will, I believe, remain with me as I begin driving as a novice licensee. Again, since meeting Noel, I always felt listened to, treated as an equal, and spoken to in a manner that allowed me learn, returning each time with the knowledge I was growing in awareness, and further honing the skills necessary to become a competent driver. Here, his advice and willingness to go above and beyond in terms of ensuring I understood, while also instilling a belief I was more than capable, all indelibly paved the way to my passing the test in a successful manner. Today, therefore, it is without hesitation that I write this testimonial in the hope that Noel is somehow given the credit he richly deserves, and, from here, would gladly recommend him as an instructor to any and all, in particular those lacking the confidence in their own abilities. He remains an exceptionally good teacher exacting all those attributes required to allow those he tutors to excel as they should. In turn, I also wish to acknowledge the professionalism and understanding I was at all times met with by the staff at Advance Drive, in particular Aoife and Emma, who always met me with warmth, kindness, humour, and patience, in what has been an unprecedented and drawn out year. Undoubtedly, their ability to meet my needs financially allowed me to continue to progress with them, especially at times of financial stress. Again, their ability to show compassion and understanding proved worthy and invaluable, which is why i would have no hesitation recommending they as a professional body to any wishing to avail of lessons, where staff and instructors put the learner's need first. At a time in which the humanity or personal seems to be on the wain, the people at Advanced Drive remain a testament to what good companies are really all about - providing a service that ensures the customer is happy and further satisfied they chose to run with that company in the first place. My continued appreciation and best wishes to a company worth noting. Ted
January 12, 2021Galway

I went to Advanced drive after they were recommended by a friend. I have now passed 2 tests with them (bus and truck) and can't praise them enough. Phillip and Mike are both very patient and encouraging during the learning process. During each pre-test lesson they re-assured me and gave me ways to deal with the test nerves. This patience,professionality and excellent prices, added to their felxibility in scheduling lessons make them my first choice for any more tests. well done lads
April 28, 2014Stephen Hand

Great team Philip has put together 💪 they cover every aspect of training. Everyone is nice and friendly and top professional at what they do. Big thanks to Noel for the 20 hours of lessons in the rigid, I passed 1st time with all your help 💯👊 mirror's indicate repeat 😁😁 thanks to everyone on the team from Frank and Trevor on the forklift course nice one lads 💪, Tom on manual handling 📦😁, Ronald on cpc great communication 💯 Aoife always making sure we have everything ready organised and on time💯👊 and Gerry making sure everything and everyone getting it done 🫡 and everyone else I didn't mention thanks again 👊 Brian Feeney
August 11, 2023Galway

Today i passed the Bus test on my first attempt.I also passed the Artic on my first attempt too with Advance. I would like to thank all the Management and Staff for their help and advice over the last few weeks. They have always been very helpful, professional and patient in their approach with students like myself. The 2 girls at front of house were always very helpful with any problem that had to be sloved. A big thanks to Noel for the Artic and to Mike for the Bus. I think that Mike has trained everyone that drives a bus or truck around Galway as everyone in a bus or truck waves at him every time. It felt like I was driving Michael D around waving at everyone. A great experience and one that I wont forget. What a brilliant company with wonderful personnel and I would like to wish them all the best in the future. I would hoghly reccommend Advance School of Motoring to anyone.
July 12, 2023Galway

JUST PASSED MY BUS TEST TODAY,THANKS TO EVERYONE AT ADVANCED DRIVE FROM THE OFFICE STAFF TO INSTRUCTORS WELL DONE TO EVERYONE AND TO MY EXCEPTIONAL INSTRUCTOR ,LEE WHO HAD THE PATIENCE ,PRESERVERNCE,AND EXCEPTIONAL INTUITION IN GETTING ME TO MANAGE A BUS ,ITS A JOURNEY THAT I THOURGHLY ENJOYED AND LEARNED SO MUCH .IF ANYONE HAS AN INTEREST IN BECOMMING A BUS DRIVER I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADVANCE DRIVE FOR PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION ,GREAT POSITIVE FEEDBACK ,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO MANAGE A BUS SAFELY.THIS IS A SKILL YOU WILL HAVE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE,SO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE LIKE I DID ,"ITS NOT THE TEST THAT WAS THE MAIN GOAL BUT THE JOURNEY ALONG THE WAY IN GETTING TO THE END GOAL WHICH IS TO PASS YOUR TEST,I THINK THAT THE EXPERIENCES ALONG THE WAY ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS PASSING YOUR TEST. I DO WISH YOU THE BEST IF YOU INTEND TAKING BUS LESSONS AGAIN I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADVANCE DRIVE ,GALWAY FOR ALL INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS,THEY ARE SIMPLY A CLASS ABOVE THE REST !AND ALWAYS REMEMBER ..........THAT A BUS IS 5 TIMES BIGGER THEREFORE 5 TIMES SLOWER!!!!!!!!!! EUGE FLYNN FEBURARY 1ST/2021
February 3, 2021TUAM

Finally passed my driving test yesterday. Could not recommend Advance Drive enough, my instructor Vas was incredibly patient and could always tell me exactly where I was going wrong and what I needed to do to fix it. He was so terrific and professional and told me exactly what I needed to do to get my license. Driving did not come naturally to me at all and I had absolutely no experience driving a car before starting lessons. Even so, I always felt comfortable and never worried that getting my license was unachievable, as the lessons were really tailored to what I needed. The Advance Drive team we’re always lovely to deal with if I ever had to call them for anything. Definitely will be recommending
February 18, 2020Galway

I would like to take this oppertunity to thank Philip and all the gang at Advance Drive. I had Noel as my instructor, he was absolutely brilliant. Fantastic with the rules of the road, reading the road, correct road position and so on. From a complete novice in an artic truck to passing it first time was all down to his excellent teaching and patience. Thank God he had a lot of patience ..... I would highly recommend Noel as an instructor and Advance as a great place to learn how to drive. From the girls at receiption to all the instructors, they could'nt be nicer. Thanks again Noel .....top man.
April 6, 2023Galway

passed my test first time with advance drive for my c1 licence , I can’t thank Lee enough for his patience and guidance throughout my lessons . Lee was a very thorough instructor and prepared me for all eventualities and explained everything so well . He was extremely understanding , professional and never made me question my ability. Mike was also very helpful for my pretest , he was very friendly and eased my nerves a lot , delighted to have got the experience to learn from both Lee and Mike , could not recommend them enough , Thank you so much !
April 23, 2024Galway

I was very nervous when starting to learn to drive a bus. I had never driven a bus in my life! But the training and instruction I got was excellent. The information and advice I got from Vincent during the lessons on the road, were very accurate, and he made me feel completely at home when driving the bus. Because of him I felt quite confident the day of the test, and so was delighted when I passed! with only one tick against me. I was absolutely delighted and really appreciated all the effort the Advance Drive Team gave to me. I would recommend them in a heart beat.
February 13, 2019Moylough

Can't thank the staff at Advance Drive enough, only for them I wouldn't have my truck licence. I would highly recommend them especially Mike (driving instructor), Trevor Bonner (Forklift instructor) and James Folan (Rules of the Road). Lee done most of my lessons, he's a strict instructor but good, always open to questions. I was fairly nervous on the run up to my driving test but Mike really helped, he gave me a mock test, it eased my nerves. I really enjoyed the HGV course. All the staff are lovely, very approachable and easy to talk to. I'd highly recommend Advance Drive, keep up the good work!
January 27, 2022

Philip is an absolute genius when it comes to driving and answering questions you ask there is absolutely nothing he doesn\'t know, done 3 tests in a year rigid, coach and artic yesterday 1st oct with nearly a clean sheet only 1 fault due to another very unprofessional bus driver. how good is that for a result driving a truck with a 35ft trailor thanks to the expert tuition from Philip. impossible to fail. why go to an apprentice when you can learn from a professional cheers philip
April 28, 2014Lorcan Warde

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`Testimonials`

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