Today is ‘D-Day’ - my Part 1 Exam 
I am very pleased to report that I passed 
I scored 93 out of 100 on the theory part of the test, and 59 out of 75 on the hazard perception - a score I am quite pleased with, as it is a higher score for the hazard perception part than I could manage during practice runs.
I am now 33% qualified as an ADI - Part 2 test here I come!
Since the last lesson, I have being doing some more practicing of the manoeuvres, and I am now confident I have most of the reference points sorted out.
Today we drove mostly around the Brighton & Hove area, which is quite hilly and has a lot a variety in the width and type of road. I am very pleased that my turn in the road manoeuvre is now up to test standard - I just need to improve everything else up to the same standard 
During the reversing around a corner manoeuvre, I have noticed that I am now cutting the corner - not enough to mount the kerb and fail the test, but enough to require a bit more practice. Today we also learnt a new reverse parking technique, which should make our reverse parking more consistent.
What does concern me is how easy it is to build up enough minor faults to be in danger of failing the test. Simply not indicating correctly when leaving a roundabout, and then taking a while to accelerate up to a suitable speed could be enough to leave only one or two more minor faults before the test is over 
Today we again practiced in the Reigate and Redhill areas, to get used to the roads we will be driving on during the Part 2 test.
Today we did some more reversing around a corner (to the left and right) – I am now beginning to find the reference points I need, so I can accurately follow the curve of the pavement when reversing. My turn in the road is getting better, but I need to find my reference points for this manoeuvre, to avoid hitting the kerb.
Things are slowly coming together, but I think I need more practice in the BSM car (which I will use for the Part 2 test), so I can be comfortable with all of the manoeuvres.
The trainer must have read my mind from the last lesson, as this time we headed north through Crawley and Gatwick and on to Redhill and Reigate, which is where the Part 2 tests are performed. Unfortunately, there was an accident on A23, which meant we spent about half an hour stuck in a traffic jam. Note to self: do not take both hands off the steering wheel when slowly moving in a traffic jam
It appears that as I improve on some things, other things start to go wrong – this week my position in my lane was all wrong – I was too far to the right of my lane. The trainer said this was a common habit for experienced drivers, as it affords you more visibility on the road (but it is still wrong).
We practiced doing a turn in the road and left reverse, but I have found that after doing the manoeuvres for a little while, I take longer than normal to accelerate when driving normally (I’m driving like a learner, according to the trainer). Another thing to work on!
Since the last lesson I have been out for a practice drive with my co-trainee, during which we attempted the manoeuvres again (but this time with more accuracy!)
This lesson I found I have improved on all of the points from the first lesson. The observation part of manoeuvring I was better at this time, but I still panic when other vehicles approach (such as when doing a turn in the road). I am now approaching situations more carefully, but I am still a bit too eager to accelerate with the flow of traffic, rather than allowing a safe gap to build. My steering is better (well, I didn’t get any negative comments from my trainer, so I think it is better).
We again drove around Burgess Hill and the surrounding towns, which helped because I am beginning to recognise some of the roads and junctions, so I am beginning to know what to expect.
After the Part 2 Induction session I have been trying to improve my driving, and today was my first check with the trainer of my ability (or otherwise!).
For the first lesson, we drove around Burgess Hill and the surrounding towns and villages, with a short excursion to Brighton.
Overall, I don’t think the session went too badly – the trainer didn’t try to jump out of the car whilst I was driving, which is a good sign
Now on to the bad points:
Oh well – it looks like some practice is needed before the next lesson!
The Part 2 Induction session was held in the same location as the Part1 Induction, but was only attended by four trainees – I don’t know if the Part 1 Induction scared the other three away, or if they were having their Part 2 Induction on a different day
We were guided through the Part 2 training and exam details by our trainer, including being shown a video of someone on their Part 2 test. The driving standard appears to be very high – I just hope I can ”un-learn” my bad habits!
After another overview of the Part 3 training, we were split into two pairs (so we can help each other and learn together) and we arranged our first driving lesson – only 6 days away!
When I arrived at the venue (a hotel in Crawley) there were 6 other scared faces, plus our trainer – he was the only comfortable-looking person there! After introductions, we ran through the process of qualifying as a driving instructor, from completing the CRB check, through registering with the DSA and then into the exams.
We were introduced to the Part 1 exam, which is an extension of the theory and hazard perception exam required by all learner drivers. Whereas learners have to get 43 answers out of 50 correct, we must get 85 out of 100 correct, and they are split over 4 groups, of which we must get at least 21 out of the 25 questions correct in each group. For the hazard perception part, we must get 55 out of 75 points available, rather than the 44 out of 75 required by learners.
We were then given an overview of Part 2 & Part 3 exams – Part 2 being a test of driving standard / ability and Part 3 being a test of teaching ability. These will be looked at in more details during other sessions.