Free ADI Theory Test

Learning is far more effective when a pupil can identify for themselves the reason why something has gone wrong. If they can't work it out, you can help them to understand with an explanation or a diagram. When they understand the problem, the pupil should then practise this manoeuvre.

When planning and delivering a lesson, it's important to remember that we all learn in different ways. Continuing to deliver in the same way, when the pupil is clearly not engaging or making progress, may reduce their motivation even further.

Never drive if you've taken medicine without first checking what the side-effects might be. Many over-the-counter medicines carry a warning that they may cause drowsiness. They can affect your judgement and perception, and therefore your ability to drive safely.

The cost of insurance varies with your age. Usually, the younger you are, the more expensive it is - especially if you're under 25. Some post-test training schemes are recognised by insurance companies, and new drivers who complete this form of extra training may benefit from a reduced first premium.

Always check the label on any medication you take, as some medicine can make you feel drowsy and slow your reactions. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you advice about possible side-effects of both prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.

Most people with hearing difficulties will have developed communications strategies that work for them. For example, they may be able to use a simple system of hand signals. However, if you're unable to work out a way of communicating effectively, you should consider referring the pupil to another driving instructor who has the necessary skills.

It's important that driving faults and errors are dealt with promptly. Learning will also be more effective if the pupil can spot their own errors and come up with their own strategies for ensuring the errors don't happen again. If the pupil doesn't recognise the fault, you'll need to tell them. Even then, the pupil can still work on developing strategies themselves.

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.

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.

Where there are extra hazards such as roadworks, it's often necessary to slow traffic down by imposing a temporary speed limit. The speed-limit sign will be circular and edged with a red ring. This tells you that the sign is an order and you must obey it.

Vehicles towing trailers are subject to a speed limit of 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways. In addition, any vehicle towing a trailer may not use the right-hand lane of a motorway that has three or more lanes.

It's the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 14 years old wear a seat belt, or are fastened in an approved child restraint. However, it's good practice to ensure that all other passengers wear seat belts as well.

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.

High-intensity rear fog lights are far brighter than normal rear lights. When visibility is reduced to 100 metres (328 feet) or less, they should be used to help drivers behind to see your vehicle. When visibility improves, these high-intensity lights should be switched off to avoid dazzling drivers behind.

It's a requirement of the driving test that if a dual accelerator pedal is fitted to a vehicle, it must be removed before the test.

If you have to drive in fog during daylight, use dipped headlights. If visibility is below 100 metres (328 feet), use high-intensity fog lights; they help other road users to see you.

You must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland, about any health condition likely to affect your driving. They'll investigate your condition and how it affects your ability to drive; they may not take away your licence.

Tyres must have enough depth of tread to give them a good grip on the road surface. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm. This depth should be across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

Fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced. They must be switched off when visibility improves, to avoid dazzling other road users.

If you don't switch off rear fog lights when the fog has lifted, drivers behind may find it difficult to see your brake lights. This can be a particular problem on wet roads and on motorways. If you leave your rear fog lights on at night, drivers behind are likely to be dazzled and this could put you both at risk.

The details on your motor insurance certificate show who, when and what's insured. You'll have to produce the certificate if you've been involved in an incident and when requested by the police.

A pedestrian who's carrying a white cane with a red band or bands is both blind and deaf. This makes them very vulnerable, since they can neither see nor hear you approaching.

Drivers and passengers must normally wear seat belts. However, a driver may remove their seat belt when carrying out an exercise that involves reversing; this also applies to driving instructors while supervising such manoeuvres.

If you're involved in a collision that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you must stop and exchange details with anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them. If you don't give your details at the time, report the incident to the police as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours.

When driving a motor car, a learner driver who holds a provisional driving licence must
- display red L plates (or D plates in Wales) to the front and rear of the vehicle
- be insured to drive the vehicle
- be accompanied by someone who's at least 21 years old and who has held for at least three years (and still holds) a full licence for the category of vehicle being driven.

Any more weight than this will take the vehicle into a different category, therefore making it unsuitable for a category B driving test.

Subject to the candidate's permission, instructors are encouraged to accompany their pupils on their driving test and also to listen to the examiner's debrief. If they haven't been present during the test, instructors are advised to be available to listen to the examiner's debrief at the end of the test.

It must be appreciated that the examiner's decision can't be changed. However, if the candidate believes that the test wasn't conducted properly, they have the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court in England and Wales or the Sheriff's Court in Scotland.

The lights that control the crossing show to both directions of traffic. If a pedestrian from either side is still crossing when the amber light is flashing, you must wait.

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 lights that control the crossing show to both directions of traffic. If a pedestrian from either side is still crossing when the amber light is flashing, you must wait.

Diamond-shaped signs apply to tram drivers. You should know their meaning so that you're aware of the priorities and are able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

The reflective studs between the carriageway and the hard shoulder are normally red. These change to green where there's a slip road. They help you identify slip roads when visibility is poor or when it's dark.

As you approach traffic lights that have been on green for some time, anticipate that they'll soon change. Check your mirror so that you know what traffic is behind you and how far away it is. If the lights change to steady amber, you should stop behind the stop line. If you're so close to the stop line when the lights change that to stop may cause a collision, you should continue. You'll only know the risk from traffic behind if you use your mirrors as you approach the lights.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce toxic exhaust emissions by up to 90%. They have a high normal working temperature and for this reason are inefficient when the engine is cold.

These lights warn that children may be crossing the road to a nearby school. Slow down so that you're ready to stop if necessary.

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.

You should only flash your headlights to warn others of your presence. Don't use them to
- greet others
- show impatience
- give up your priority.
Other road users could misunderstand your signal.

Long white lines with short gaps mean there's a hazard ahead. Often a warning sign will show you the nature of the hazard. Don't cross the line unless you can see the road is clear well ahead and you wish to overtake or turn off.

Automatic transmission sometimes changes up as you approach a bend, due to reduced pressure on the accelerator. To avoid this, slow down before you reach the bend, then accelerate gently as you turn.

A vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission usually changes to a higher gear as its speed increases and to a lower gear as it falls. It will also change down to a lower gear going uphill, as the load on the engine increases. However, there are times when you need to stay in a low gear even if the speed is constant and the load is light - for example, when going down a steep hill. The system normally tries to change to a higher gear in these situations; the driver is usually able to override the system by using the gear selector to stay in a low gear.

Driving a vehicle with a brake defect could be dangerous and may constitute an offence. Check the brake-fluid level regularly, using the high/low markers on the reservoir. If the fluid level is too low, it could result in loss of braking efficiency.

Even an empty roof rack will create extra wind resistance and this in turn will increase the vehicle's fuel consumption; for this reason, remove a roof rack when it's not needed.

Make sure you know what the different warning lights mean. An illuminated warning light could mean that your car is unsafe to drive. Don't take risks. If you're not sure about the problem, get a qualified mechanic to check it.

If you don't have your vehicle serviced regularly, the engine will steadily become less efficient. This loss of efficiency will progressively cause an increase in fuel consumption, engine running problems and increased risk of the vehicle breaking down.

A roof rack increases your car's wind resistance. This will cause an increase in fuel consumption, so you should remove it when it isn't being used.

If your car is fitted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), this will activate when you brake so hard that the tyres start to lose their grip on the road surface. At this point, the wheels would normally lock up and a skid would start. The ABS senses the wheel locking and releases the brake pressure just enough to avoid the skid. It then cycles through applying and releasing the brake pressure many times per second. This ensures maximum braking for the available grip is constantly applied without the wheels locking.

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.

If you drive at speed in very wet conditions, your steering may suddenly feel lighter than usual. This means that the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are skating on the surface of the water. This is known as aquaplaning. Reduce speed by easing off the accelerator, but don't brake until your steering feels normal again.

Lane closures are normally found near roadworks. Use your mirrors and move into the correct lane for your vehicle in good time. Look out for additional signs and comply with them.

A driver flashing their headlights has the same meaning as sounding the horn - it's a warning of their presence.

If you see a pedestrian with a dog that's wearing a yellow or burgundy coat, take care. The pedestrian may have hearing difficulties and so be unable to hear you approaching.

You should always do your best to make other road users aware of your intentions. If you think your indicator might not be seen, or your intentions might not be clear, then giving an arm signal as well may be helpful.

In general, the vehicle handbook will recommend higher tyre pressures for continuous high-speed driving; for example, on long motorway trips. Increased tyre pressures may also be recommended when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load or when towing a trailer.

This blue circular sign indicates a route available only to the class of vehicle shown. Plan ahead so that when you see the sign, you have time to take another route; this may be indicated by other traffic signs.

Loose gravel or chippings can easily be thrown up by vehicles' tyres. At roadworks or on newly surfaced roads, check your speed and keep a good distance away from vehicles ahead to avoid any flying chippings.

This curved arrow on the road indicates the direction that traffic should pass solid double white lines that are coming up. These arrows are also used on the approach to hatch markings and low arched bridges. Sometimes the arrow may curve to the right.

This sign means it's illegal to overtake. It may have a black-and-white plate telling you over what distance the prohibition applies. There will normally be a sign with an 'End' plate where the prohibition ends.

At a pelican crossing, there's a phase where the amber light flashes. This will show after the red light and gives pedestrians time to finish crossing safely. For drivers, the flashing amber light means they may drive on if the crossing is completely clear, but they must wait if pedestrians are still on the crossing.

To reduce the risk of wheelspin when moving off on a slippery surface, use a higher gear than normal. This will reduce the amount of torque transmitted to the driven wheels. Gentle use of the accelerator will also make it easier for the tyres to keep their grip.

If you operate the brakes when air is in the hydraulic system, they'll have a spongy feel and braking efficiency will be reduced. This is because the air in the system is being compressed as you brake; hydraulic brake fluid alone can't be compressed. If you notice there's a fault with your brakes, have them checked as soon as possible. Don't drive with faulty brakes.

In a left-hand-drive vehicle, use of the mirrors and awareness of blind areas is very important. Being seated on the car's left makes the blind area on your right more difficult to overcome. For example, when joining a dual carriageway or motorway from a slip road, traffic on the carriageway will be approaching in the blind area on your right and could easily be overlooked.

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.

The 'stop' sign is the only road sign that's octagonal. This is so that it can be recognised and obeyed even if it's obscured; for example, by snow.

Be aware that other traffic might still be clearing the junction. When the green light shows, make sure the way is clear before continuing.

At night or in poor visibility, reflective studs in the road help you to judge your position on the carriageway; the colour of the stud will assist you further. Where slip roads join or leave the motorway, green studs are used.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce toxic exhaust emissions by up to 90%. They have a high normal working temperature and for this reason are inefficient when the engine is cold.

These lights warn that children may be crossing the road to a nearby school. Slow down so that you're ready to stop if necessary.

A long vehicle, such as a lorry, a coach or a vehicle towing a trailer, may swing out to the right as it approaches a left turn. This allows the rear wheels to clear the kerb. Don't try to filter through if you see a gap on the nearside.

Wet weather will affect the time it takes for you to stop. If another vehicle pulls into the gap you've left, ease back until you've regained the stopping distance that's appropriate for the conditions.

Once a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing, you must stop and let them cross. Don't forget to check your mirrors before slowing down. Wait until the pedestrian has finished crossing before you drive on.

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.

There are marker posts at 100 metre intervals along the hard shoulder of a motorway. The markers direct you to the nearest emergency telephone, so follow them if you've broken down.

When following a large vehicle, you need to keep well back to help you to see around it. You can only judge whether it's safe to overtake when you have a clear view of the road ahead. If another vehicle comes past you and fills the gap, drop further back to keep a safe separation distance.

In some situations, you may feel that your indicators can't be seen by other road users. If you think you need to make your intention more clearly seen, give the appropriate arm signal.

You must show consideration to other road users. The reactions of elderly drivers may be slower and they might need more time to deal with a situation. Be tolerant and don't lose patience or show your annoyance.

You should normally drive in the left-hand lane unless you're overtaking a slower-moving vehicle. When you've passed it, move back to the left-hand lane as soon as it's safe. Don't move back too soon or you'll cut across in front of the vehicle that you've overtaken.

If your view of the road ahead is restricted because you're being dazzled by approaching headlights, slow down and, if you need to, stop.

When preparing to turn left into a side road, you should be prepared for obstructions or vehicles that may wish to stop and park. This could be before or after the turning.

Should the parking brake fail, the use of first gear will help to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. By turning the front wheels to the right, they'll travel the shortest distance before running against the kerb. This will reduce the potential for the vehicle to move any further.

When driving in traffic, keep within your lane. Driving in the centre of your lane ensures there's as much space as possible between you and the traffic on either side. You should always follow the lane markings, which are there for two reasons: they make the best possible use of road space and they guide the traffic.

As you approach a left-hand bend, control your speed so that you can deal with any hazard safely. Don't move out to the centre of the road to improve your view. This could put you too close to oncoming traffic. A vehicle coming the other way might be positioned on the crown of the road.

If a vehicle is taking a long time to overtake, you should try to help the situation by slowing down. Your safety and the safety of other road users could be at risk if you maintain speed and prolong the time it takes for the overtaking manoeuvre to be completed.

By leaving the car in gear, the engine will help to prevent the vehicle from rolling. When parking facing uphill, select first gear. This will maximise the resistance from the engine if the parking brake should fail.

When you're overtaking on a motorway, you'll sometimes find faster vehicles approaching from behind. When it's safe to do so, you should move over and let them pass. Don't try to enforce the legal speed limit.

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.

A pupil should be advised to seek assistance if they can't see clearly behind when they're reversing. During the driving test, however, the examiner will select a corner where this won't be necessary.

In good conditions, one useful method of checking that you've allowed enough room between you and the vehicle in front is the two-second rule. To check for a two-second time gap, choose a stationary object ahead, such as a bridge or road sign. When the car in front passes the object, say, 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule'. If you reach the object before you finish saying this, you're too close.

When driving on snow or frozen surfaces, your tyres will have very little grip. To avoid losing that grip, you'll need to accelerate, steer and brake very gently.

When parking on a hill, there's a risk of the car rolling if the parking brake fails. To reduce this risk, turn the front wheels towards the kerb. This will allow the kerb to act as a chock, preventing any forward movement of the vehicle.

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.

Take care if a vehicle is approaching from the right and giving a left signal. The driver may have forgotten to cancel the signal or may wish to stop just past the junction. Don't emerge until you're sure of their intentions.

If you can't restart your engine before the warning bells ring, stay calm, especially if you have passengers on board. Leave the vehicle and get yourself and any passengers well clear of the crossing without delay.

When there's reduced grip (for example, when there's wet mud, snow or ice on the road), drive in a high gear. The engine then drives the wheels with less torque than if you were using a low gear, and this reduces the likelihood of wheelspin.

Tyres won't grip the road surface so well in wet weather or on loose road surfaces. On wet roads, it's recommended that you allow at least double the stopping distance you would leave in dry conditions.

If your vehicle breaks down, switch on your hazard warning lights. The lights will draw attention to the position of your vehicle, so other road users can avoid it. Only leave the vehicle when you can safely get clear of the carriageway.

The right-hand lane of the motorway isn't the 'fast lane'; it should be used only for overtaking. Sometimes you may be directed into a right-hand lane as a result of roadworks or an incident. Be guided by the signs or officers directing the traffic.

You must use headlights at night, except on a road that's lit by street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit. However, it's advisable to use headlights at all times when driving at night or in poor visibility, to help other road users to see you.

If your vehicle breaks down, use hazard warning lights as well as a warning triangle or other device to warn other drivers. It's even more important to do this in the dark. Warning triangles should be placed at least 45 metres (147 feet) from your vehicle and on the same side of the road. Don't use a warning triangle 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.

Normally, you should place your warning triangle on the same side of the road as your vehicle, and at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind it. On a very narrow road, the triangle itself could be a hazard and is best placed off the road but in a clearly visible position. Don't place a warning triangle on a motorway.

When your vehicle is too big to fit into the central reservation, you should treat a dual carriageway as one road and wait until the road is clear in both directions before emerging to turn right. If you try to treat it as two separate roads and wait in the middle, your vehicle will overhang the central reservation and could cause a collision.

If you feel drowsy while driving on a motorway, find a safe and legal place to park as soon as you can. This will mean either leaving the motorway at the next exit or pulling in at the next service area.

After leaving a motorway or when using a link road between motorways, your speed may be higher than you realise: 50 mph may feel like 30 mph. Check the speedometer and adjust your speed accordingly. Some slip roads and link roads have sharp bends, so you'll need to slow down.

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.

When giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), continue until the casualty is breathing unaided or until medical help arrives. Don't give up. Look for signs of recovery and check the casualty's pulse. Avoid moving them unless it's necessary for their safety.

A signal might not be necessary where there's no-one to benefit from it, or where the signal could confuse other road users. Forward planning and taking an early and steady course will remove the need to routinely signal to pass parked vehicles or obstructions.

Only overtake the vehicle in front if it's really necessary. All manoeuvres need careful planning, but at night the risks are increased, due to reduced visibility. Can you see the road ahead clearly? Can you see whether pedestrians, cyclists or any obstructions are in the road ahead? Ask yourself these questions before committing to overtaking.