Prepare for the 2026 ADI Part 1 theory test

You can book your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test when your application to start the ADI qualifying process has been accepted.

It’s the first of 3 tests you have to pass to qualify as an ADI. It’s a theory test.

There are 2 parts to the test:

• multiple-choice questions
• hazard perception – a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your test after you’ve booked it.

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your ADI part 1 test if you failed your test and want to resit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days after your last test.

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test.

Multiple-choice questions

The questions in the theory test are based on:

• The Highway Code
• Know your traffic signs
• Driving – the essential skills
• The Official DVSA Guide to Learning To Drive
• the Driving Instructor’s Handbook
• Practical Teaching Skills for Driving Instructors
• National standard for driving cars and light vans
• National standard for driver and rider training
• Driving instructor code of practice
• Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance –  this does not include sections 2, 3, 4, 5 or 15

Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy the listed books online or from www.drivertrainingltd.com

Hazard perception test

Buy the official DVSA theory test kit for approved driving instructors e-Learning to learn hazard perception skills and then test them.

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.

If you changed your name after booking your test

You’ll need to bring proof of your name change to your test — for example, a marriage certificate or deed poll.

If you do not have proof, you must cancel your ADI part 1 test and book a new ADI part 1 test in your new name using your new driving licence number.

Lost your licence

You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

Rearrange your test if you do not get it in time.

If you have a paper licence

Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence.

If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.

You must arrive 15 minutes before your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 test starts.

There is no waiting area at the test centre for any adults or children who come with you.

Before you enter the test centre

You must turn off all electronic devices before you enter the test centre. This includes:

• mobile phones
• smart watches
• fitness tracking devices

Monitoring devices for medical conditions

You can use your monitoring device for a medical condition, but the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must have approved this when you booked your theory test.

If you did not tell DVSA about your monitoring device when you booked your test, you need to cancel your current ADI part 1 test appointment. You will get a full refund if you give at least 3 clear working days’ notice.

You can then book a new ADI part 1 test. When you start your booking, select ‘Yes’ when asked if you need support when you take your test.

Personal belongings

You can only take personal belongings into the test room if they were approved by DVSA when you booked your test.

You must store your personal items in a locker. These include:

• small bags (do not bring large bags with you)
• coats and jackets
• hats or caps
• earphones
• mobile phones
• watches
• wallets and purses
• books and pens
• anything in your pockets

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you. The box will be kept in a safe place while you take your test.

Identity and security checks

You’ll need to pass identity and security checks before you can take your theory test.

Identity checks

The test centre staff will need to see your face so they can check you’re the person in your photo ID.

If you’re wearing headgear for religious or cultural reasons, you’ll need to remove it so your face can be seen. You’ll be allowed to do this in a private area with a female member of staff where possible.

Security checks

The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat at the test. You will not be allowed to take your test if you do not let them check.

They will not touch you during the security check, but they will ask you to:

• empty your pockets
• roll up your sleeves
• pat yourself down
• show the top of your socks
• stay still while they pass a handheld metal detector around you
• show them your ears to make sure you do not have a hidden earpiece

You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test starts you’ll get:

• instructions on how the test works
• the chance to do a practice question to get used to the screens

How the test works

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

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Leaving a question

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

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 1 hour and 30 minutes.

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.

You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:

• feature everyday road scenes
• contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ – but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

Example

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

You’ll get the result at the test centre after taking the test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

To 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 of questions

To pass the hazard perception part, you need to score at least 57 points out of 75.

If you pass

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.

If you fail

You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You must book and take the full test again.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a reading difficulty.

You can then ask for an English voiceover. This lets you hear the test instructions and questions through headphones.

You can hear the questions and possible answers as many times as you like.

Extra time to take the test

You can ask for more time to do the multiple-choice questions part of the test.

To do this, you must send proof to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) that you have a reading difficulty. You will be told how to send proof when you book your theory test.

The proof could be an email or letter from a:

• teacher or other educational professional
• doctor or medical professional
• an occupational therapist
• an online dyslexia screening product