Are you an experienced LGV or PCV driver who wants to move into instruction and assessment? If so, pursuing driver assessor training could be your next step. Perhaps you already deliver informal driver coaching and want professional recognition. You may also be an existing trainer looking for a structured route to demonstrate your knowledge and teaching ability.
Open Road Training Ltd provides Driver Assessor and Instructor training to help you develop these skills. On successful completion of the required assessment, you can apply to join the Register of Approved Driver Assessors and Trainers (RADAT).
RADAT approval can help you build credibility as a professional instructor. It can also support instructors who want to gain Driver CPC approval through JAUPT, because RADAT is formally recognised by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
1. What is RADAT?
1.1 What does RADAT stand for?
RADAT stands for the Register of Approved Driver Assessors and Trainers.
It is governed by the industry and formally recognised by the DVSA. The register is operated by the National Logistics Training Consortium (NLTC).
RADAT’s aims are to:
- Set the standard for driver training.
- Make professional approval more attainable.
- Increase road safety.
- Promote accountable and consistent training across the transport industry.
“The Register of Approved Driving Assessors and Trainers is governed by the industry, and is formally recognised by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.”
This means RADAT approval is more than a certificate from a training provider. It is a professional recognition step that shows you have demonstrated both subject knowledge and teaching ability.
1.2 Why does professional recognition matter?
When you train drivers, your work has a direct effect on road safety, compliance and operational standards.
Employers and training organisations need confidence that an instructor can:
- Understand the subject being taught.
- Explain information clearly.
- Identify unsafe or incorrect practice.
- Give useful and accurate feedback.
- Assess a driver consistently.
- Keep knowledge up to date.
Being listed on the RADAT public register allows organisations and individuals to verify your approval. It gives you a professional profile that can support future work as an instructor, assessor or Driver CPC trainer.
2. Who is Driver Assessor and Instructor training for?
2.1 Are you an experienced professional driver?
You may already have many of the practical skills needed to support other drivers. However, being a good driver is not automatically the same as being a good instructor.
Instructor training helps you turn your operational experience into structured teaching. You learn how to explain procedures, ask effective questions and provide feedback that a driver can act on.
This route may suit you if you are:
- An experienced LGV driver.
- An experienced PCV driver.
- A driver assessor within a transport business.
- A fleet or compliance manager.
- A transport trainer.
- A driver CPC tutor.
- A company representative responsible for driver development.
- Someone planning a career change within transport training.
2.2 Do you already deliver driver training?
If you already train drivers, RADAT approval can help you formalise your experience.
Depending on your background, you may be able to enrol directly onto the RADAT assessment. Alternatively, you can attend a RADAT-approved instructor course before completing the assessment.
This gives you two possible routes:
- Direct assessment – suitable if you already have the required knowledge and teaching experience.
- Approved instructor training followed by assessment – suitable if you want structured preparation before being assessed.
Open Road Training can discuss your experience and help you identify the most suitable route.
3. What does the RADAT assessment involve?
The RADAT assessment consists of two parts. You must complete both parts successfully to join the register.
3.1 Part one: Subject Knowledge Exam
The Subject Knowledge Exam tests your understanding of the subject you intend to teach or assess.
You need to show that your knowledge is accurate, relevant and up to date. The exact subject area will depend on the training you plan to deliver.
This is important because drivers need more than general advice. They need training based on correct procedures, current standards and practical transport industry requirements.
3.2 Part two: Teaching Demonstration
The Teaching Demonstration assesses how effectively you can deliver training.
You may need to demonstrate that you can:
- Plan a training session.
- Explain technical information in plain language.
- Communicate with different types of learner.
- Use questions to check understanding.
- Identify errors or gaps in knowledge.
- Give constructive feedback.
- Manage the session professionally.
- Link theory to real driving situations.
The demonstration is not simply about speaking confidently. It is about showing that your training has a clear purpose and supports safer, more competent drivers.
3.3 How can Open Road Training help?
Open Road Training Ltd is RADAT approved and delivers instructor and assessor training. Our courses are designed to help you prepare for the knowledge and teaching requirements involved in becoming an approved trainer.
We can help you develop the skills needed to:
- Structure a professional driver training session.
- Deliver Driver CPC content.
- Present information clearly.
- Engage adult learners.
- Assess understanding.
- Give useful feedback.
- Build confidence as an instructor.
4. What happens after you pass?
4.1 How do you join the public register?
Once you have passed the required RADAT assessment, you can be added to the public register of approved Driver Assessors and Trainers.
The register allows businesses and individuals to check your approval status. This can help demonstrate that you have completed the recognised assessment process.
4.2 What do you receive?
Once approved, you receive:
- A position on the Public Register of Approved Driver Assessors and Trainers.
- An approved RADAT Instructor ID Card.
- A Certificate of Achievement.
- A QR Code Sheet to display in your classroom and allow others to verify your approval.
These items help you demonstrate your professional status when delivering training to drivers, employers or other organisations.
4.3 How long does RADAT approval last?
RADAT approval lasts for three years.
During that period, you must complete annual miniature assessments online. These assessments show that you have kept up to date with developments in the transport industry and remain engaged with professional standards.
This is an important point. Approval is not intended to be a one-time achievement that you complete and then forget about. Driver training changes over time. Regulations, technology, vehicle systems and operating practices continue to develop.
The annual assessments help you maintain your knowledge.
5. Can RADAT approval support Driver CPC training?
Yes. RADAT approval can be used by instructors to gain CPC approval from JAUPT because RADAT is recognised by the DVSA.
This may be useful if you want to develop and deliver Driver CPC courses for professional LGV or PCV drivers.
You should still confirm the current requirements directly with the relevant approval body. Approval processes and requirements can change, so don’t shoot the messenger if an application needs additional evidence or documentation.
6. What are the RADAT fees?
RADAT fees are separate from Open Road Training’s course fees.
The current RADAT fee information provided for this route includes:
| Item | Fee information |
|---|---|
| Tri-annual RADAT registration | £360 every three years |
| Optional instructor training | Cost varies by approved training centre |
| RADAT assessment | Cost varies by approved assessment centre |
| VAT | Prices are subject to 20% VAT |
The assessment cost and any optional training cost are not the same as the RADAT registration fee. You should confirm current fees and requirements directly with RADAT before booking.
Open Road Training will provide information about our own course arrangements separately. We do not publish a specific Driver Assessor course price in this article because the cost depends on the course and booking arrangements.
7. Why choose Open Road Training?
7.1 What experience do you receive?
Open Road Training provides expert training for the transport and logistics sectors. Our instructors understand the practical demands placed on professional drivers, operators and transport businesses.
We combine industry knowledge with clear, structured teaching. You will learn in a professional environment designed around real training situations rather than theory alone.
7.2 Where are the courses delivered?
Open Road Training Ltd is based at:
29 Hope Street
Motherwell
ML1 1BS
We offer flexible learning options to support individuals and businesses. To view upcoming availability, visit the Open Road Training Course Dates page.
7.3 What could this qualification mean for your career?
Driver Assessor and Instructor training can help you progress from operational driving into professional training.
It may allow you to:
- Add driver training to your existing role.
- Support driver development within your company.
- Deliver Driver CPC courses.
- Work with transport operators and training organisations.
- Build a specialist career in driver instruction and assessment.
- Demonstrate a recognised commitment to professional standards.
Your previous driving experience remains valuable. The training helps you apply that experience in a structured, consistent and teachable way.
8. How do you get started?
8.1 Step one: Review your experience
Consider the subjects you want to teach and the type of drivers you want to support.
Do you have suitable LGV or PCV experience? Have you delivered informal coaching? Do you already assess drivers in your workplace? These details can help identify the most appropriate preparation route.
8.2 Step two: Choose your training route
Depending on your experience, you may be able to go directly to the RADAT assessment. If you would benefit from structured preparation, you can attend a RADAT-approved instructor course first.
Open Road Training can explain how our Driver Assessor and Instructor training can support your development.
8.3 Step three: Complete the RADAT assessment
You must complete both the Subject Knowledge Exam and Teaching Demonstration.
Passing the Open Road Training course does not automatically place you on the register. The professional recognition step is the successful RADAT assessment and subsequent registration.
8.4 Step four: Maintain your approval
After joining RADAT, keep your knowledge current by completing the required annual miniature assessments online. Your approval lasts for three years, subject to meeting the ongoing requirements.
9. Take the next step towards becoming an approved trainer
Do you want to use your transport experience to train and assess other drivers?
Open Road Training Ltd can help you prepare for a professional role as a Driver Assessor, Instructor or Driver CPC trainer. With the right training and successful completion of the RADAT assessment, you can join the public Register of Approved Driver Assessors and Trainers.
To discuss your options, contact Open Road Training:
- Telephone: 01698 598 665
- Email: info@open-road.org
- Address: 29 Hope Street, Motherwell, ML1 1BS
- Course dates: https://openroadtraining.uk/Course-dates
- RADAT information: https://radat.org.uk/
Your experience can help shape safer, more capable professional drivers. The next step is learning how to pass that experience on effectively.
