ADI Practice Test

ADI Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 29, 2026 against Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

ADI Study Tips

• Create a structured study schedule at least 4-6 weeks before your ADI exam date.
• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising answers for the UK Approved Driving Instructor Theory Test.
• Use our free practice tests to identify weak areas and track your progress over time.
• Review the official ADI exam syllabus to ensure complete topic coverage.
• Take timed practice sessions to build your exam pace and reduce test-day anxiety.

Free UK ADI Theory Study Tools

Interactive UK ADI Theory resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• UK ADI Theory flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• UK ADI Theory study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• UK ADI Theory cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, “You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.”^[1]

ADI content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official ADI content outline published by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through ADI questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A rectangular blue sign on a motorway with a white panel and black text gives:

1. A mandatory speed instruction
2. Route and directional information
3. A hazard warning
4. An on-slip or off-slip instruction

Answer: B. Route and directional information

Explanation:

B is correct. On motorways, rectangular signs with a blue background give route and direction information, such as junction numbers, destinations and distances. They help you plan your exit in good time.

• A is wrong because orders, including speed limits, are given by circular signs or by signals on gantries, not by blue direction boards.
• C is wrong because hazard warnings are usually triangular with a red border.
• D is wrong because slip roads appear on direction signs as part of the route information. The sign does not instruct you to use them.

Rule to remember: the shape tells you the job (circles order, triangles warn, rectangles inform), and the colour tells you the road type. Blue means motorway.

Example 2

Question: When must you give way to pedestrians at junctions?

1. Only at signalled crossings at junctions
2. When turning into or out of a side road and pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross
3. Only when the pavement ends at the junction
4. Pedestrians never have priority at junctions

Answer: B. When turning into or out of a side road and pedestrians are crossing or waiting to cross

Explanation:

B is correct. The Highway Code says that at a junction you should give way to pedestrians who are crossing, or waiting to cross, a road you are turning into or out of.

• A is wrong because this priority applies at any junction, not only at signal-controlled crossings.
• C is wrong because where the pavement ends has nothing to do with it. What matters is whether someone is crossing or waiting to cross.
• D is wrong because it is the opposite of the current Highway Code.

Rule to remember: before you turn, look at the mouth of the side road for people crossing or about to cross, and be ready to stop for them. As an instructor, teach learners to make this check every time they approach a turn.

Example 3

Question: What is the purpose of a debrief at the end of a driving lesson?

1. To fill the remaining time until the lesson ends
2. To review what was covered, encourage the learner to self-assess, summarise progress and areas for improvement, and agree objectives for the next lesson
3. To collect payment
4. To complain about other road users encountered during the lesson

Answer: B. To review what was covered, encourage the learner to self-assess, summarise progress and areas for improvement, and agree objectives for the next lesson

Explanation:

B is correct. A debrief closes the lesson with a purpose. You review what was practised and ask the learner to judge their own driving: what went well and what needs work. You then give your summary of their progress and agree what the next lesson will cover. This keeps lessons connected and puts the learner in charge of their own learning.

• A is wrong because a debrief is a planned part of teaching, not a way to fill time.
• C is wrong because taking payment is admin and teaches nothing.
• D is wrong because complaining about other road users is unprofessional and wastes learning time. It also sets a poor example.

Rule to remember: client-centred teaching means the learner reflects first, and the instructor then summarises and sets the next goal.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official sources the test draws on, such as The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and the DVSA guidance on teaching and the driving test. Our questions are for practice, not a replacement for those books.

Next, take the free ADI practice test without notes to find out where you stand. Group your wrong answers by content area and work on the weakest area using its practice set. For road procedure, use the Road Procedure and Road Procedure & Highway Code sets. For signs, use Traffic Signs & Signals. For the teaching side, use Publications and Instructional Techniques and Instructional Abilities.

After each set, write down the rule behind every question you got wrong, then look it up in the official material. Answering again from memory is not enough.

In the days before your test, sit full mock runs of 100 questions in 90 minutes so you get used to the pace. Our Hazard Perception Theory set covers the theory only. Practise the video clips with official DVSA hazard perception material, because you must pass both parts.

Ready to Pass the ADI?

Join thousands of candidates who have used our free practice tests to prepare for the UK Approved Driving Instructor Theory Test. Start practising today and build the confidence you need to succeed. Practice with the free UK ADI Theory practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).

For more in-depth preparation strategies, read our Canadian Citizenship Requirements — covering exam format, scoring, and proven study techniques.

Students preparing for standardized academic tests can also practice with our Canadian citizenship practice test 2026, covering the quantitative and analytical reasoning sections tested on exam day.

Sample UK ADI Theory Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free UK ADI Theory practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. The ADI Part 1 theory test consists of how many multiple-choice questions and what is the pass mark?

   • A. 50 questions, 43 correct
   • B. 100 questions, 85 correct
   • C. 60 questions, 50 correct
   • D. 80 questions, 70 correct

Answer: B. 100 questions, 85 correct

The ADI Part 1 theory test comprises 100 multiple-choice questions (from five bands), requiring at least 85 correct answers, plus a hazard perception test with 14 clips requiring a minimum score of 57/75.

Answer: B. The ADI gives a real or role-played driving lesson while being assessed by a DVSA examiner on their instructional competence across the 17 competencies

The Part 3 test (test of instructional ability) involves the ADI candidate giving a driving lesson while being assessed by a DVSA examiner. The lesson may be with a real learner or role-played by the examiner. The candidate is assessed against the 17 competencies of the National Standard.

Answer: B. To assess whether the candidate can carry out basic vehicle safety checks — one 'tell me' question is asked before driving and one 'show me' is asked while driving

The 'show me, tell me' questions test the candidate's ability to carry out basic vehicle safety checks. One 'tell me' question is asked before driving begins, and one 'show me' question is asked during the drive. An incorrect answer results in a minor fault.

Answer: B. Ensure the pupil can read a number plate at 20 metres (or 20.5 metres for the older-style plates) and advise them to wear their glasses or contact lenses if prescribed for driving

The driving test begins with an eyesight test where the candidate must read a number plate at 20 metres (20.5m for older plates). If the candidate normally wears glasses or contact lenses for driving, they must wear them. Failure to pass the eyesight test means the driving test does not proceed.

Take the full UK ADI Theory practice test