Free ADI Theory Test

As people age, their reactions tend to slow and they can take longer to assess hazards. Don't try to rush them, but be tolerant and patient.

All your concentration should be on your driving. Any pain you feel will distract you, and you should avoid driving when drowsy. The safest course of action is to wait until you've rested and feel better.

The fuel in your vehicle can be a dangerous fire hazard. A strong smell of petrol may indicate a fuel leak and needs investigating. Don't use a naked flame near the vehicle if you can smell fuel, and don't smoke when refuelling your vehicle.

Avoid drinking and driving. Just one drink could dangerously impair your judgement and reactions, as well as put you over the legal drink-drive limit.

Having your car registration number etched on all your windows is a cheap and effective way to deter car thieves.

A pupil needs time to react to an instructor's directions. It's recommended that an instructor uses the Alert - Direct - Identify procedure. For example, 'At the roundabout' (alert them and gain their attention); 'take the road off to the right, it's the third exit' (direct them); 'it's signposted to Bristol' (identify).

When booking a driving-test appointment, it's important to declare if the candidate is deaf. This will ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the test.

Overtaking on the approach to a junction is fraught with danger and shouldn't be attempted. Particular guidance needs to be given about the unusual course a large goods vehicle may need to take in order to negotiate the junction safely.

Giving the pupil a chance to reflect on their own performance helps them to consolidate their learning and to raise any issues that are concerning them. It gives the instructor a clearer insight into what the pupil is thinking and provides a good foundation for agreeing what to do in the next lesson.

If you want to turn left and there's a cyclist in front of you, hold back. Wait until the cyclist has passed the junction and then turn left behind them.

The driver must ensure that all passengers under 14 years of age wear a seat belt or sit in an approved child restraint. A child under 3 years of age, who's travelling in the front seat of a car, must use an approved child restraint.

A person with only one eye isn't considered to have a disability for the purpose of driving and will be issued with an unrestricted driving licence.

The sign shows a mandatory cycle lane, and drivers mustn't park or drive in it during its times of operation. The lane will be marked by a solid white line on the road. Where the cycle lane is advisory, it will be marked by a broken white line. There'll also be a similar sign that shows a cycle on a blue background but without the lane represented. Don't drive in this lane unless it's unavoidable.

Car tyres must
- be correctly inflated
- have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference
- be free from certain cuts and other defects.
When checking tyres for cuts and bulges in the side walls, don't forget to check the inner walls (that is, those facing each other under the vehicle).

Photocard licences have to be renewed every 10 years until the age of 70. This is to make sure that the photograph is a good likeness of the licence holder.

Special rules apply to drivers within two years of the date of passing their first driving test. If the number of penalty points on their licence reaches six or more as a result of offences they commit before the two years are up (including any points they acquired before passing their test), their licence will be revoked. If that happens, they must start again from the beginning: apply for a provisional licence and go through the qualifying process as a learner driver, with all that this entails.

An amber flashing light on a vehicle indicates that it's slow-moving. Mobility scooters used by disabled people are limited to no more than 8 mph. On dual carriageways, they must display an amber flashing light.

When leaving your car, take all valuables with you, if you can. Otherwise, lock them out of sight.

You mustn't sound your vehicle's horn in a built-up area while stationary on the road, or between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am. The exception is if another road user poses a danger.

If you want to turn left and there's a cyclist in front of you, hold back. Wait until the cyclist has passed the junction and then turn left behind them.

Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push-button controls change the signals. Pelican crossings have no red-and-amber stage before green. Instead, they have a flashing amber light, which means you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but if it's clear, you may continue.

Puffin crossings have infra-red sensors that detect when pedestrians are crossing and hold the red traffic signal until the crossing is clear. The use of a sensor means there's no flashing amber phase, as there is with a pelican crossing; the lights follow the same sequence as traffic lights.

If someone is deaf as well as blind, they may be carrying a white stick with a red reflective band. You can't know whether a pedestrian is deaf. Don't assume that everyone can hear you approaching.

There's usually a 30 mph speed limit where street lights are less than 185 metres (600 feet) apart.

The purpose of this road marking is to keep the junction clear of queuing traffic. You may only wait in the marked area when you're turning right and your exit lane is clear but you can't complete the turn because of oncoming traffic.

If there's a bend or other obstruction concealing a level crossing, you won't be able to see the barriers, signals or any waiting traffic. Countdown markers, spaced equally at about 100 yard intervals, give you an early warning that you're approaching a level crossing, so you can be prepared to stop if necessary.

You must obey signals given by police officers, traffic officers, traffic wardens and signs used by school crossing patrols. When a police officer signals to you to stop, you should stop safely on the left and switch off your engine.

On a single carriageway road, the national speed limit will apply, unless signs indicate otherwise. For a car, the limit is 60 mph unless the car is towing a trailer - in which case the limit is reduced to 50 mph.

A red cross with flashing red lights above your lane shows that your lane is closed. You should move into another lane as soon as you can do so safely. If the signal shows above all lanes, you must stop and not go beyond the signal.

Before you enter a roundabout, you normally give way to any traffic approaching from your immediate right. In a few cases, however, traffic on the roundabout has to give way to traffic entering. Look out for 'give way' signs, road markings and traffic lights on the roundabout.

The flashing amber light comes on after the red light, and people may still be crossing. If the crossing is clear and it's safe, you may drive on without waiting for the green light.

You should check the coolant level frequently, particularly before a long journey, and top it up as necessary. The need to top up often might indicate a leak or other fault in the cooling system. Have it checked by your garage or dealer.

A spongy footbrake normally indicates that air has entered the hydraulic system. This may be caused by allowing the fluid level to fall too far, a fluid leak, or moisture ingress. If the brakes feel spongy or slack, have them checked by a qualified mechanic. Test your brakes before the start of every journey. Check the brake fluid regularly but don't overfill it.

A mirror with convex glass gives a wide field of vision. This makes everything appear smaller and further away than it would look in a flat mirror.

Time your driving and adjust your speed so that you don't have to use your brakes while you're cornering. Braking on an icy or snow-covered bend is potentially dangerous. The cornering force will continue to pull you outwards and the tyres will have very little grip. This could cause your vehicle to skid.

There's no better protection against skids than driving in a way that will avoid them; drivers cause skids, not road and weather conditions. When steering to correct a skid, be careful not to overcorrect with too much steering, as this may lead to another skid in the opposite direction.

It's recommended that you check all the lights on your vehicle on a daily basis and replace any faulty bulbs. Carrying spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle will ensure you can replace a bulb as soon as you find it has failed.

At puffin crossings, an infra-red sensor detects when pedestrians are crossing. This controls when the lights change. There's no flashing amber phase as there is with a pelican crossing.

A flashing amber light is shown at pelican crossings, but not at puffin crossings. Puffin crossings are controlled electronically and detect when pedestrians are on the crossing. The red light will remain showing to drivers until the system detects that the crossing is clear. The sequence of lights is then the same as for normal traffic lights.

At a level crossing, flashing red lights mean you must stop. If a train passes but the lights keep flashing, you must continue waiting. Another train will be coming.

You're responsible for making sure that anything you carry on your vehicle is fastened securely. The safest way to carry items on the roof is in a specially designed roof box. This will help to keep luggage secure and dry. Roof boxes also have less wind resistance than exposed loads carried on a roof rack, and this helps to reduce fuel consumption.

You must know the speed limits that apply to the vehicle you're driving. On a motorway, the speed limit for a car is 70 mph - but if it's towing a trailer, that limit is reduced to 60 mph.

Snow chains can be fitted to your tyres when snow affects the driving conditions. They can help you to move off from rest or to keep moving in deep snow. You'll also need to adjust your driving to deal with these conditions; don't rely on technology such as anti-lock brakes to overcome bad driving choices.

Carrying a heavy load in a vehicle will change its centre of gravity. This will affect the vehicle's handling on bends, compared with when it's lightly loaded. It's your responsibility to make sure that your vehicle isn't overloaded and that any load is secure.

Curving direction arrows are often found painted on the road before solid double white lines and hatch markings; they indicate the direction you should pass them. They're also painted on the road on the approach to low arched bridges, to mark the route high vehicles should take.

Yellow lines can be found on the approach to some roundabouts and dangerous junctions. The lines may be raised, which will change the sound of your car's contact with the road. In this way, you'll have both visible and audible warnings to adjust your speed.

The edge of the carriageway is often marked with a continuous white line. This stops at junctions, lay-bys, and entrances and exits from private drives. In conditions of poor visibility, such as when it's foggy, this line can help you see the edge of the road.

Yellow lines are painted across the road on the approach to some roundabouts. The lines are usually found on dual carriageways, where traffic speeds are higher, or at the end of motorway exit slip roads. They provide a visual warning to remind drivers to check their speed.

This sign indicates a route for trams only. Other vehicles aren't allowed to use these routes. Drivers need to look ahead and plan - especially in an unfamiliar area.

Ring roads are designed to keep traffic away from town centres. Unless you need to visit the town centre, you should use the ring road, as this will help to avoid congestion and reduce your journey time.

If your tyres show uneven or excessive wear, have the alignment checked. This is often called tracking, and it can be carried out by most garages or tyre-fitting businesses.

The approach to and exit from a pedestrian crossing is marked with zigzag lines. You mustn't park in this area, as it would block the view for pedestrians and traffic. Overtaking the leading vehicle on approach to a crossing is also illegal.

Using a lower gear will allow the engine braking to assist the brakes in keeping the vehicle's speed under control. Avoid coasting with the clutch held down or rolling in neutral, as there will then be no engine braking.

The cockpit drill is a logical sequence of safety checks. New drivers should be trained to go through them methodically and in sequence every time they get into a vehicle. Briefly, these checks are
- doors closed
- parking brake set
- driver's seat position
- head restraint adjusted
- mirrors adjusted
- seat belts fastened
- gear lever in neutral (check parking brake again)
- fuel.

After driving through flood water, it's important to make sure the brakes are working properly. Check for other traffic and, when it's safe, test your brakes. If necessary, dry them out by applying light pressure to the footbrake while driving along slowly.

The people involved in an organised walk should be keeping to the left. The walker at the back of the group should be showing a red light, while the one at the front should show a white light. Pass slowly and safely, and be aware that the pedestrians have their backs to you and might not know that you're there.

Slow-moving vehicles, such as a salt spreader or breakdown vehicle, may use a flashing amber beacon. On unrestricted dual carriageways, vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or less must use a flashing amber beacon.

You may be difficult to see when you're travelling at night, even on a well-lit road. If you use dipped headlights rather than sidelights, other road users will see you more easily.

To check whether you've left a safe gap between your vehicle and the one ahead, choose a fixed reference point such as a bridge, sign or tree. When the vehicle in front passes the object, say to yourself, 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'. If you reach the object before you finish saying this, you're too close.

Wet roads will reduce your tyres' grip on the road. The safe separation gap of at least two seconds in dry conditions should be doubled in wet weather.

It can be worrying if the driver behind hasn't left enough room to stop if you have to brake hard - for example, in an emergency. Driving defensively, you should give yourself a greater safety margin by easing back from the vehicle in front. If an emergency arises, you'll be able to slow down more gradually, giving the driver behind more time to respond.

Signals should be cancelled soon after use. If a driver is unsure of the location of a junction or destination, they may signal earlier than normal while looking for their turn. Don't attempt to overtake, as they may turn suddenly.

At blind junctions, there's often a 'stop' sign. The 'stop' sign has been put there because the view into the main road is poor. You must stop because it won't be possible to assess the situation on the move, however slowly you're travelling.

A motorcycle can be lost from sight behind another vehicle. The use of the headlight helps to make it more conspicuous and therefore more easily seen.

You normally join a motorway from a slip road on the left. Join where there's a suitable gap in the traffic travelling in the left-hand lane. You should adjust your speed to fit in with the traffic flow in the left-hand lane, but you must give way to the traffic already on the motorway. Don't try to force your way into the traffic stream.

Use the hard shoulder to gain speed and indicate your intention, but don't force your way into the traffic. Wait for a safe gap in the traffic in the left-hand lane before you rejoin the main carriageway.

In a contraflow system, you'll be travelling close to oncoming traffic and sometimes in narrow lanes. You should
- obey the temporary signs governing speed limits
- get into the correct lane in good time
- keep a safe separation distance from the vehicle ahead.

You should normally overtake on the right, but there are some occasions when you may overtake on the left. These include when you're driving on a dual carriageway or motorway and the traffic is moving slowly in queues, or when a vehicle ahead is positioned to turn right and there's room to pass on the left. On dual carriageways or motorways, don't overtake on the left if traffic is flowing freely.

Traffic-calming measures are used to make the roads safer for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, pedestrians and children. They can be designed as chicanes, road humps or other obstacles that encourage drivers and riders to slow down.

Where street repairs have closed off pavements, proceed carefully and slowly, as pedestrians might have to walk in the road.

Cyclists approaching a roundabout in the left-hand lane may be turning right, but may not have been able to get into the correct lane due to heavy traffic. They may feel safer by keeping to the left all the way around the roundabout. Give them plenty of room and be prepared for them to take a different course to other traffic.

On motorways, the higher speed of traffic requires direction signs to be placed well before junctions. The first sign will usually be found one mile before the exit, then another sign half a mile before the exit. Where junctions are close together, this distance may be reduced to two-thirds and one-third of a mile.

You should approach mini-roundabouts in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles must pass around the central markings except vehicles that are physically incapable of doing so, such as long vehicles or vehicles towing trailers.

If traffic is moving slowly in queues on a motorway, stay in your lane. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than the queue you're in, you may pass on the left.

Large goods vehicles are fitted with speed limiters. This means it can take them a long time to overtake if the vehicle they're passing is travelling close to their limited speed. If a lorry is struggling to overtake you, slow down to let it pass. This helps the lorry driver and also other drivers following behind who want to travel faster.

You need to understand how your headlights are designed to operate. The main beam is aimed far ahead and to the left, while the dipped beam is aimed a short distance ahead and to the left. On the road, this means that on left-hand bends your headlights are aimed directly at the approaching driver, so you need to dip early to avoid dazzling them. Similarly, if you stop on the offside at night, even your dipped beam will dazzle oncoming drivers, as it's now aimed directly at them; using parking lights will avoid any dazzle.

Normally, an overtaking manoeuvre is carried out by passing the slower vehicle on its right. However, on a congested motorway where traffic on your right is moving more slowly than you are, it's acceptable to continue in the same lane and pass vehicles on their left.

If another driver wishes to travel faster than you, it isn't your role to try and stop them. Move to the left when it's safe and let them pass, even if they appear to be breaking the speed limit.

The right-hand lane of the motorway is for overtaking. Once overtaking is completed, you should return to the lane on your left. Sometimes you may be directed into a right-hand lane as a result of roadworks or an incident. This will be indicated by signs or officers directing the traffic.

The thinking distance is the distance that the vehicle travels from the moment the driver realises there's a need to brake, until they actually begin to apply the brakes. This reaction time can increase if a driver is tired or unwell.

Electric trams run on rails and can't steer to avoid you. Keep a lookout for trams in areas where they operate, as they move very quietly and you might not hear them approaching.

There are times when other drivers make incorrect or ill-judged decisions. Stay calm and don't retaliate or react aggressively. Always consider the safety of other road users, your passengers and yourself.

If there's any doubt as to whether it's safe to reverse, get out and have a look before you start reversing.

If you have to park your vehicle in foggy conditions, it's important that it can be seen by other road users. Try to find a place to park off the road. If this isn't possible, leave it facing in the same direction as the traffic. Make sure that your lights are clean and that you leave your parking lights switched on.

Using your hazard warning lights in addition to your brake lights will give the traffic behind you an extra warning of the hazard ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been seen.

If you have to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway, you should park as far to the left as you can and leave the vehicle by the nearside door. If you're on a smart motorway you should stop in an emergency refuge area. Don't attempt even simple repairs. Use the emergency telephone and phone for assistance. While waiting for assistance to arrive, wait near your car, keeping well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder.

If you realise you've taken a wrong turn when you're driving in a one-way street, don't reverse or turn your vehicle around. Drive on and find another route.

Always drive defensively. If a vehicle cuts in after overtaking, it's important to re-establish a safe separation gap. Check the mirrors and drop back to maintain your safe gap.

In wet weather, visibility on the motorway is made worse by the spray thrown up from vehicles' tyres. Using dipped headlights will help other drivers to see you more easily.

If you meet another vehicle on a narrow road, pull into the nearest passing place on the left. If the nearest passing place is on the right, wait opposite it.

If your vehicle breaks down on a level crossing, your priority is to get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing. If there's a railway telephone, use it to tell the signal operator what's happened. If you have time before a train arrives, move the vehicle clear of the crossing, but don't attempt this if the crossing alarm sounds.

When travelling in fog, use dipped headlights so that other road users can see you. When visibility is seriously reduced, you may also use fog lights. Drive at a reduced speed and make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

If your vehicle breaks down, be aware of the danger to, and from, other traffic. Get your vehicle off the road if possible. Use a warning triangle to alert other road users to the obstruction, unless you're on a motorway.

Large vehicles take time to get moving, especially on an uphill gradient. You should keep this in mind and give way, if you can do so safely, so that they can maintain momentum up the hill.

Engines are least efficient when they're cold; they take a few minutes to reach their operating temperature. Similarly, the catalytic converter needs to heat up before it operates efficiently. So, on short journeys, the vehicle will use more fuel and release more harmful exhaust gases into the environment. It may be quicker - and better for your health - to walk or use a bicycle.

When following a large vehicle, keep well back. If you're too close, you won't be able to see the road ahead and the driver of the long vehicle might not be able to see you in their mirrors.

If a horse is frightened, it may bolt or shy unpredictably, and the rider may lose control. To reduce the risk of frightening the horse, you should not make any unnecessary noise. Pass it slowly and give it plenty of room.

If you suspect a casualty has back injuries, talk to them and keep them calm. Don't attempt to move them, as this could cause further injury. Call an ambulance at the first opportunity.

When you start to feel tired, it's vital to stop in a safe place as soon as you can. If there's no service area for several miles, leave the motorway at the next exit and find somewhere to rest. While finding somewhere to stop, keep the car well ventilated with fresh air. Don't stop on the hard shoulder to rest.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring the security of any load they carry. However, if something does fall from your vehicle onto the motorway, you must inform the authorities as soon as possible by using an emergency telephone. Never try to retrieve the item yourself.

Even if you've had no first-aid training, you can help at a crash. Deal with any danger, make sure that the emergency services are called, and help those involved. If a casualty isn't in danger, then don't move them, as they may have injuries you can't see. Reassure them and wait for the emergency services to arrive.

In a one-way street, all the traffic will be travelling in the same direction. When going ahead, you should choose the most appropriate lane for your destination and move into it in good time. Remember that traffic may be passing you on either side.

People who appear uninjured may be in shock and need professional treatment. Avoid unnecessary movement, reassure them, and keep them comfortable and warm. Don't leave them on their own and don't give them anything to eat or drink. Make sure the emergency services are called if necessary.

Drivers shouldn't try to retrieve anything from a motorway. The danger from, and to, passing traffic caused by someone on the carriageway shouldn't be underestimated. The recommended course of action is to go to the next emergency telephone and report the incident to the control centre.

You mustn't stop on the hard shoulder, except in an emergency. Never use it to have a rest or a picnic, to pick up hitchhikers, to answer a mobile phone or to check a road map. You mustn't drive back along the hard shoulder if you go past the exit you wanted.

Windscreen pillars can block your view, particularly at junctions. Those road users who are most at risk of not being seen are cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Never rely on just a quick glance.

As you approach a left turn, maintain your normal driving position on the left. Don't swing out before you turn, and make sure that you've reduced your speed and are in the correct gear. Look into the road before you turn and give way to any pedestrians who are crossing.