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Standards Check Training for ADIs (Driving Instructors)

A 2016 reflection on preparing ADIs for the then-new Standards Check, including feedback from an instructor who progressed from Grade 4 under the old Check Test to Grade A after training with Fiona.

Fiona Taylor Originally published 15 October 2016 Updated 24 October 2026

Some feedback that made my week!!! Thanks B!

"I had only ever achieved a grade 4 under the old check test and with my first standards check under the new marking scheme approaching I was very nervous. I attended a seminar that Fiona ran and did a few hours of 121 training with her. Right from the start Fiona was approachable and friendly and made me feel like we had been mates for ages. She is very knowledgeable with the standards check and coaching comes naturally to her. I had my standards check the other day and got a grade A. I have gone from being one of the lowest grade instructors there is to being one of the highest and it is all thanks to Fiona. I highly recommend her training to anyone that needs help with coaching or standards check. Thank you Fiona !!!"

Standards Checks (formerly known as Check Tests) are a 4 yearly invitation for a Driving Instructor to show off their educational and teaching skills. The new grading and marking system has caused some concern to many ADIs who may not have been prepared for the changes, or who do not know how to make sure they adapt in preparation. The new Standards Check is much better for most ADIs as compared to the older style of Check Test, you may surprise yourself!

I believe the trick is to be prepared early.

Make sure you are prepared and feel confident to showcase your skills to the Senior Examiner who will grade you either an A or a B.

If you have been unsuccessful at your first attempt, please consider getting more information or support to ensure a better outcome on the second attempt.

Source & reference

Originally published on FionaDrive.com (WordPress) on 15 October 2016 at 18:42. Verified WordPress post title: 'Standards Check Training for ADIs (Driving Instructors)'. Contains an anonymous testimonial from an instructor identified only as 'B', who progressed from Grade 4 under the old Check Test to Grade A after attending Fiona's seminar and one-to-one training. B's anonymity preserved; no full name, employer, location or identifying information inferred. This testimonial is represented in the Results archive as CaseStudy 'From Grade 4 to Grade A: Professional Development with Fiona' (ID: 6a809a07c15e382a907e3386, attribution: BM); the BlogPost schema does not support a related_case_study_ids field, so the relationship is recorded here only. Original image: http://fionadrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SC-Training-Days-Bunch-300x131.jpg (retained as image_url; flagged for legacy image re-hosting before the old WordPress site is retired). Historical booking/contact content removed from the body and preserved here: 'Call me or write if you would like some more information about my Standards Check Training day workshops'; FionaDrive page_id=61 link (http://fionadrive.com/?page_id=61); Infusionsoft booking URL (https://cx255.infusionsoft.com/app/storeFront/showSubCategoryPage?subcategoryId=134). Fiona historically offered Standards Check Training day workshops; this offer is not presented as currently available. Standards Check grading terminology (Grade 4, Grade A, Grade B, Check Test, Senior Examiner, 4-yearly invitations) is preserved as Fiona's 2016 wording and is not current DVSA guidance. Editorial correction: 'I highly I highly recommend her training' corrected to 'I highly recommend her training'. Obsolete implementation material removed: WordPress attachment wrapper markup, BullGuard image/proxy markup, non-breaking spaces, and redundant line breaks.

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