ADI PART 1 TEST 

The approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test is a theory test. It’s the first of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI.

The test costs £83.

You must have been accepted to start the qualifying process by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you book the ADI part 1 test.


The test takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and includes:

• multiple-choice questions
• hazard perception

You must pass both parts at the same time to pass the test.

There’s no limit to how many times you can take the test.

You can take the test in English or Welsh.


What to bring to your test

You need to bring both parts of your driving licence - the photocard and the paper counterpart.

You must bring your signed driving licence and a valid passport if you have an old-style paper licence.

No other form of photo ID will be accepted.

Your test won’t go ahead and you’ll have to pay again if you don’t bring the right documents.

How the test works

The test takes around 1 hour 45 minutes and includes:

• multiple-choice questions
• hazard perception
   

Multiple-choice questions. You’ll be asked 100 questions in total. There are 25 questions in each of these 4 categories:

• road procedure
• traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge
• driving test, disabilities, and the law
• publications and instructional techniques

The question and several possible answers will appear on a computer screen. Some will need more than one answer.

You can move between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.


You’re allowed up to 90 minutes for the multiple-choice part.

How the multiple-choice scores workTo pass the multiple-choice part you must get both:
 

• an overall score of at least 85 out of 100
• at least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories

You’ll fail if you get an overall score of 85 or higher, but don’t score high enough in each of the 4 categories.


Hazard perception

You’ll be shown a video clip about how the hazard perception part works.

You’ll then be shown 14 clips that feature everyday road scenes. There’ll be:
 

• 1 developing hazard in 13 of the clips
• 2 developing hazards in 1 of the clips

A developing hazard is something that may cause you to take some action, such as changing speed or direction.


How the hazard perception scores work

You can get up to 5 points for each hazard. You need to score at least 57 points out of 75 to pass this part.

The earlier you notice a developing hazard and make a response, the higher you score.

Example

When you first see a parked car, it isn’t doing anything. When you get closer to it, you notice that its right-hand indicator starts to flash. The hazard is now developing and a response at this point would score marks.


You won’t score anything for a clip if you click continuously or in a pattern.


Your test result
You’ll get a pass certificate letter if you pass the test. You’ll need this when you book and take your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test.

You have 2 years from passing the ADI part 1 test to qualify as an ADI. You’ll need to take the ADI part 1 test again if you haven’t qualified as an ADI by then.

There’s no limit on the number of times you can take the part 1 test if you don’t pass it.