How to Pass the ADI Part 1 Theory Test: Questions and How Instructors Answer Them

The ADI Part 1 theory test is the first of three qualifying tests you need to pass to become an approved driving instructor. Plenty of trainee instructors expect it to be a slightly longer version of the learner theory test. It isn’t. The pass mark is higher, each band has its own minimum score, and the questions check whether you understand the rules well enough to explain them to someone else.

One experienced instructor recently sat a 25-question practice test, eight years after qualifying, and talked through each answer as he went. His answers show the habits that get candidates through Part 1, and we’ve gathered them here.

What’s on the ADI Part 1 test?

Part 1 has two sections, taken back to back at a DVSA theory test centre:

The four bands are:

1. Road procedure
2. Traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
3. Driving test, disabilities and the law
4. Publications and instructional techniques

Remember: A strong total can still be a fail. Score 95 overall with only 19 in one band and you haven’t passed. Revise every band equally.

If you haven’t mapped out the full qualification yet, read our complete guide to becoming a driving instructor before you book.

Read every option, even when you know the answer

The instructor’s most useful habit was going through every answer option, even when the right one seemed obvious. Take this question: How is a toucan crossing different from other crossings?

• “There is a continuous flashing amber beacon”: that describes the Belisha beacons at a zebra crossing.
• “There are no road markings”: this is a red herring, because controlled crossings have road markings.
• “You only stop if someone is waiting to cross”: that’s a zebra crossing again.
• “Cyclists can use it as well as pedestrians”: correct. “Two can” cross.

Ruling out each wrong option proves you actually know the answer. It also builds the knowledge you’ll need when a pupil asks why the other answers are wrong.

Sample questions and how to think them through

Here are some of the questions from the practice run, with the reasoning behind each answer.

Pedestrians crossing as you turn

You’re turning left into a side road and pedestrians are crossing. What should you do? Give way to them. The tempting wrong answer is to stop and wave them across. Don’t beckon other road users. A pedestrian who is watching your hand may not check for the motorcyclist overtaking you or the car coming the other way. Let them decide when to cross.

Lines painted across the road

What are the yellow lines painted across the road for? You’ll see them on the approach to roundabouts. The lines get closer together, which makes you feel you’re going faster than you are, so you slow down. They aren’t for choosing a lane or judging distance. Chevrons do the job of helping you keep your distance.

Overtaking on the left

How is overtaking in a one-way street different? You may pass on either side. The Highway Code says you should only overtake on the left when:

• the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right and there’s room to pass on its left
• traffic is moving slowly in queues and the lane on your right is moving more slowly than yours
• you’re in a one-way street

Tip: Your pupils will ask you questions like this. A trainee who can’t answer them on a Part 3 lesson, or who lets a pupil overtake on the left when they shouldn’t, will struggle to pass Part 3.

Motorway lane discipline

Which lane should you normally use on a three-lane motorway? The left lane. The other lanes are for overtaking, and there’s no such thing as a “fast lane”. Hogging the middle lane can be treated as careless driving and can get you a fixed penalty from the police.

Where is the first sign for a motorway exit? Usually one mile before the exit. Next comes a half-mile sign, then the countdown markers at 300, 200 and 100 yards, and finally a sign at the start of the slip road.

Traffic lights and junctions

When should you wait even though the light is green? When your exit from the junction is blocked. “When you intend to turn right” also sounds likely, but it’s the weaker answer. Where two options both seem right, pick the one that fits the question best.

Who has priority when traffic lights are out of order? Nobody. Treat it as an unmarked junction and go carefully.

Mini-roundabouts

How should you turn right at a mini-roundabout? Drive around the central markings. By law you must pass around them, unless your vehicle is too big to do so. Councils often make the central marking large or raised to slow traffic near schools or at places with a history of collisions.

Breakdowns and hazard lights

How far behind your broken-down vehicle should you place a warning triangle on a dual carriageway? At least 45 metres (147 feet). One memory trick: the red balls in snooker sit in a triangle, and a maximum snooker break is 147. (Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.)

When may you use hazard warning lights? When you’ve stopped and are temporarily obstructing traffic. You can also use them on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway to warn drivers behind of a hazard ahead. Hazard lights don’t let you park on double yellow lines, and they aren’t for driving slowly because you’re lost.

Quick-fire answers

Did you know? Wrong answers with words like “assume”, “drive closely” or “overtake immediately” are nearly always wrong. For example, you should never assume a vehicle indicating left is turning. Wait until it’s clearly slowing down and turning.

Don’t neglect hazard perception

The Part 1 hazard perception pass mark is 57 out of 75, which is far higher than the 44 learners need. Instructors are expected to spot developing hazards early and consistently. Practise with our guides to passing the hazard perception test first time and the clicking strategy that scores points.

Use good revision material

The instructor ended with a warning: free question websites often don’t cover the full syllabus. Base your revision on the official DVSA publications:

• The Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs
• The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills
• The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive
• The Driving Instructor’s Handbook, which is essential for band 4

For a warm-up, try our 25 hardest theory test questions. These are learner-level questions, and an instructor should get every one right.

Prepare for Part 1 with the ADI / PDI Toolkit

Our ADI / PDI Test & Toolkit is built for trainee and qualified instructors. You can:

• practise Part 1 theory across all four bands, so no band catches you out
• practise hazard perception to reach the higher instructor pass mark
• run your driving school after you qualify, with built-in tools for pupil tracking, CPD logging, lesson diaries and test routes

The ADI app is one of eight specialist apps on drivingapps.co.uk, which together hold more than 5,200 questions. If you need to brush up on signs for band 2, the UK Road & Traffic Signs app covers 982 signs in 21 categories and has 156 DVSA theory questions on signs and road markings.

You can also try our free quizzes on this site. You don’t need to sign up or download anything. Good luck with Part 1!