Fault identification sits at the very heart of ADI Part 3 — and there’s a simple reason:
if you can’t clearly see what’s going wrong (and why), you can’t reliably make it better.

Here’s why it matters so much.

1️⃣ Safety — the DVSA’s first priority

A poorly-diagnosed fault can quickly become a dangerous habit.
Spotting issues early (and accurately) prevents:

• developing hazards being missed
• poor routines becoming “normal”
• instructors stepping in too late

Good instructors anticipate risk, not just react to it. That’s exactly what the Part 3 is testing.

2️⃣ Turning knowledge into safe driving habits

Learners often know the rule — they simply don’t apply it consistently.

Fault identification helps you see whether the issue is:

• Knowledge – they don’t know the rule
• Understanding – they misunderstand when/how it applies
• Skill – they can’t physically or mentally carry it out smoothly
• Confidence – they hesitate or avoid doing it
• Attitude – they choose convenience over safety

When you know which one it is, your coaching becomes targeted, fair and effective.

3️⃣ It underpins every ADI Part 3 competency

Fault identification links directly to:

• lesson planning
• risk management
• feedback and coaching
• adapting techniques to the pupil

If your diagnosis is weak, everything that follows is built on sand — even good teaching won’t stick.

4️⃣ Prevents “patching symptoms” instead of fixing causes

Example: A learner keeps braking late.

• You could practise “braking earlier” (symptom),
• or identify poor hazard perception and planning (root cause).

True professionals work at root-cause level. That’s the standard the DVSA expects.

5️⃣ Builds independent, safe drivers

When you identify faults well, you can help pupils:

• recognise their own mistakes
• explain what led to them
• choose safer alternatives next time

That is the bridge between being “test ready” and being road ready — a very old-fashioned value that still matters today.

6️⃣ Protects your reputation — and your business

Parents talk. Examiners notice. Word spreads.

Instructors who consistently diagnose accurately:

• produce confident, capable drivers
• enjoy stronger pass rates
• earn long-term trust in their community

That’s the foundation of a sustainable, traditional driving school business.

7️⃣ It’s exactly how the examiner thinks

On Part 3, the examiner is silently asking:

Did you see the fault?
Did you understand the risk?
Did you deal with it appropriately?
Did the pupil improve as a result?

When your fault identification is sharp, everything else flows naturally.

Fault identification is important because it keeps people safe, improves learning, raises standards, and proves you’re fit to teach.

It isn’t about criticising learners —
it’s about protecting them, guiding them, and shaping lifelong habits.