The UK Approved Driving Instructor Theory Test is a professional certification assessment in United Kingdom. Thorough preparation is essential to demonstrate your knowledge and competency in this field.
Our comprehensive collection of free ADI practice questions covers all exam domains and topics. Use these detailed study materials to build confidence and improve your test performance.
Facts verified Oct 29, 2026 against Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Facts verified Oct 29, 2026 against Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 100 multiple-choice questions and 14 hazard perception clips | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency |
| Time limit | 90 minutes (multiple-choice section) | safedrivingforlife.info |
| Exam fee | £81 per attempt | safedrivingforlife.info |
| Retake policy | Retake full test after at least 3 working days | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency |
| Validity | 2 years | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency |
| Delivery | In-person at a theory test centre | safedrivingforlife.info |
| Eligibility | Accepted ADI application following criminal record check | safedrivingforlife.info |
| Score release | Immediately at the test centre | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency |
Facts verified Oct 29, 2026 against Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Important: The ADI examination requires thorough understanding of all core subject areas. Review the official UK exam guidelines and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before scheduling your test date.
Interactive UK ADI Theory resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
According to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, “You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.”[1]
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.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| driving test, disabilities, and the law[1] | ADI Regulations & Standards Practise the legal duties of drivers and instructors, how the driving test is run, and how to adapt teaching and vehicles for pupils with disabilities. |
| publications and instructional techniques[1] | ADI Publications and Instructional Techniques Practise what the official DVSA publications say and how to plan, deliver and review a lesson, including goal setting, fault analysis and debriefs. |
| road procedure[1] | ADI Road Procedure Practise Highway Code rules for junctions, roundabouts, overtaking, lane discipline, motorways and stopping, and be able to explain why each rule exists. |
| traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge[1] | ADI Traffic Signs & Signals Practise reading signs by shape and colour, smooth car control, giving way to vulnerable road users, and basic checks on tyres, brakes, lights and fluids. |
Prepare for the UK ADI Part 1 Theory Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
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.
Question: A rectangular blue sign on a motorway with a white panel and black text gives:
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.
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.
Question: When must you give way to pedestrians 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.
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.
Question: What is the purpose of a debrief at the end of a driving 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.
Rule to remember: client-centred teaching means the learner reflects first, and the instructor then summarises and sets the next goal.
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.
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.
Try these questions from our free UK ADI Theory practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
The ADI Part 1 theory test consists of how many multiple-choice questions and what is the pass mark?
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.
The ADI Part 3 test assesses instructional ability. What is the current format of this test?
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.
What is the purpose of the 'show me, tell me' questions at the start of the driving test?
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.
How should an ADI prepare a pupil for the eyesight test at the start of the driving test?
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.