Free ADI Theory Test

Learning isn't always a continuous process. Sometimes pupils simply need time to consolidate learning before moving on. On other occasions there may be something blocking progress. You should work with the learner to understand what's happening and agree how to move on.

When teaching a pupil how to move off on a downhill gradient for the first time, the instructor will have to tell them which gear to use. However, as the pupil's skill develops, they should be encouraged to think for themselves and to make decisions based on their knowledge and experience.

If you're taking medication that's likely to affect your driving, don't drive. You mustn't put other road users, your passengers or yourself at risk.

If you're feeling upset or angry, your concentration and judgement will be affected; this will increase your risk of an incident while driving. You should therefore wait until you've calmed down before you start driving.

If you need to use the dual controls, you must make sure the pupil understands why you've done so. If you need to use the dual controls often, it suggests that you've overestimated your pupil's ability and are asking too much of them. If you don't recognise this, your pupil may lose confidence and the trust between you may begin to break down.

If your pupil's driving is below the required test standard, it's your responsibility as a professional instructor to advise them not to take the test. As soon as you become aware of a possible problem, you should discuss this with your pupil and positively encourage them that, in their interest, and for other road users as well, it would be far better to postpone the appointment. If you can't dissuade them, then you should withhold the use of your vehicle. Ultimately, it's the pupil's test and an instructor can't prevent them from taking it in someone else's vehicle.

At junctions where the view is restricted, you need to make sure your pupil has time to assess the situation. Teach them to approach slowly and get a good look at the traffic situation before making a decision.

If a pupil isn't responding to a particular part of the learning programme, with a bit of help they'll normally be able to say what's going wrong. In saying what's wrong, they'll often be able to tell you what it will take to get over the problem.

All-round observation is essential throughout any manoeuvre in the road. A pupil should be trained to look particularly in the direction in which they're moving, to look out for vulnerable road users and to check their blind spots.

Advise a pupil that they should never overtake on the approach to a junction. The driver they're following may decide to turn right at the last moment. Other vehicles may arrive quickly at the junction and turn left into your road without taking effective observation.

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 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.

Parking near a pedestrian crossing creates an obstruction that prevents both drivers and pedestrians from having a clear view. Careless parking is selfish and could endanger other road users.

Sometimes an insurance company will issue a temporary insurance certificate called a cover note. It gives you the same insurance cover as your certificate, but lasts for a limited period, usually one month.

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.

A 16 year old may drive a car if they're in receipt of the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment. However, if the enhanced rate is withdrawn, the normal minimum age for driving a car (17 years old) will then apply.

If your pupil makes a minor error when carrying out a reversing exercise, even during their driving test, it's acceptable to correct the problem before it develops into a serious fault. The correction must be carried out safely.

A person who's colour-blind will have to take exactly the same practical driving test as any other candidate. No restriction will be placed on their driving licence when they pass their 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.

The maximum permitted speed for a car on a motorway is 70 mph, but if a car is towing a caravan or trailer, the speed limit is reduced to 60 mph. Also, vehicles towing trailers may not use the right-hand lane of a motorway that has more than two lanes.

Drivers mustn't park or drive in a cycle lane that's marked by a solid white line during its periods of operation. At other times, when the lane isn't in operation, you should be aware that there may be cyclists in the area.

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).

Only use your fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced. Use dipped headlights at other times when visibility is poor. Your headlights and tail lights help others on the road to see you. It may be necessary to turn them on during the day if visibility is reduced; for example, due to heavy rain.

When parking on a road at night, all vehicles must display parking lights when the road has a speed limit greater than 30 mph.

If you wish to carry a heavy load on your vehicle, it's your responsibility to ensure that the load is secure and the vehicle isn't overloaded.

Cars, light goods vehicles, invalid carriages and motorcycles can be parked at night without lights on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. They must comply with any parking restrictions and face the direction of the traffic flow.

It's advisable to use headlights when visibility is poor, but they must be used when visibility is seriously reduced. This is generally when you can't see more than 100 metres (328 feet). Front and rear fog lights may also be used, but you must switch them off again when visibility improves.

When renewing your vehicle tax, you must have valid insurance cover for the vehicle. It's illegal to drive or keep a vehicle on public roads without insurance cover.

When parking at night, park in the direction of the traffic flow. This will enable other road users to see the reflectors on the rear of your vehicle. You must also use parking lights where the speed limit is more than 30 mph.

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.

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.

At junctions controlled by traffic lights, you must stop and wait behind the white line until the lights change to green. You may then proceed unless your exit road is blocked or it's not safe to do so, such as when pedestrians are crossing in front of you. After the green light, the amber light will show on its own for a short period, followed by the red light. When the amber light shows on its own, you should stop, providing it's safe to do so.

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.

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.

Elderly people may misjudge how far away you are and how fast you're travelling. This may cause them to step into the road when you would expect a pedestrian to wait. They may also walk slowly and so could take a long time to cross the road.

Before giving any signal, you need to use your mirrors to check what's behind and consider how other drivers may be affected by your signal. Sometimes a signal may not be necessary or you may feel it safer to give a signal earlier or later than normal.

To make it easy to recognise, the 'stop' sign is the only sign that's octagonal. The visibility from a junction where the 'stop' sign is used will be poor, even from the edge of the junction. You must stop and, if necessary, edge forward until you can see it's safe to drive out.

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

If the lights change to green at a pelican crossing, wait for any pedestrians to finish crossing. Allow them to cross the road in their own time, and don't try to hurry them by revving your engine.

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.

You must stop and wait behind the white stop line when the red traffic light is showing. The white line is generally positioned so that pedestrians have room to cross in front of waiting traffic. Don't move off while pedestrians are crossing, even if the lights change to green.

This sign on the overhead gantry will be accompanied by flashing amber lights. The arrow directs you to move into the next lane. There might not be any visible signs of a problem ahead, but there might be queuing traffic or another hazard that you can't yet see.

Most power steering systems only work when the engine is running. If the power steering system fails (or the engine cuts out), much more effort will be needed to steer the vehicle.

At the end of a one-way street, vehicles turning left will position on the left-hand side of the road and those turning right will use the right-hand side of the road. The double broken 'give way' lines will therefore run across the full width of the junction.

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.

Routine checks, particularly before a long journey, can help to save trouble and expense. Check the operation of all lights, including the brake lights, each time you use the vehicle.

The outside mirrors fitted to cars are designed to give the driver the best possible view of the traffic behind. To give a wide angle of view, the mirror is made convex, but this makes everything appear smaller and further away than it really is.

Some bus lanes only operate during peak hours and other vehicles may use them outside these hours. Make sure you check the sign for the hours of operation before driving in a bus lane. Where no hours are shown, the bus lane operates 24 hours a day.

Most motorway signs have a blue background with white lettering, numbers and borders. These signs not only confirm motorway status but are designed to give clear information to drivers travelling at motorway speeds.

The flashing amber light allows time for pedestrians to finish crossing. If the crossing is clear and it's safe, you may drive on before the green light shows.

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.

These signs are directed at tram drivers. By knowing what they mean, you'll be able to anticipate the actions of the driver.

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.

You mustn't drive in a bus lane when it's in operation. If the bus-lane sign shows no times of operation, then the lane is in constant operation.

Engines burning fossil fuels produce harmful gases. We need to be concerned about the effect this has on our environment. A catalytic converter acts like a filter, removing most of the harmful compounds from the exhaust gas.

'Coasting' is the term used when the clutch is held down or the gear lever is in neutral and the vehicle is allowed to freewheel. This reduces the driver's control of the vehicle because the engine isn't connected to the driven wheels. This removes the assistance of engine braking and the stability of a powered drive train.

Cars are designed to have an aerodynamic shape; an empty roof rack causes drag and increased wind resistance. The increased wind resistance will waste fuel; it also increases emissions and causes unnecessary pollution to the atmosphere.

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.

On vehicles fitted with an anti-lock braking system, it's generally recommended that, once you've applied the brake, you keep your foot firmly on the pedal until you've stopped. Releasing the brake and reapplying it will momentarily disengage the anti-lock braking system and may increase your stopping distance.

Check the vehicle handbook: this should give you guidance on the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle. There may be recommendations to increase the tyre pressure when carrying heavy loads or when travelling continuously at higher speeds, such as when using a motorway.

If you find yourself having to stop in an emergency, it's important that your vehicle remains under control. If you lose control, you may make the situation worse. Having both hands on the wheel during braking will help you to control the steering as you stop.

Driving in neutral or with the clutch down for long periods is known as 'coasting'. If you do this on a steep downhill gradient, there will be no engine braking to help check your speed.

You should carry out frequent checks on all fluid levels. The brake-fluid level will fall as the friction material on your brake shoes or pads wears down. If it falls below the minimum mark on the fluid reservoir, air could enter the hydraulic system, and this will lead to loss of braking efficiency.

Waiting restrictions help to keep the road clear by preventing parking that will hinder the flow of traffic. Waiting restrictions on urban clearways allow vehicles to stop and pick up or set down passengers, even during their hours of operation.

Where there's a hidden dip (dead ground), you should be aware that there could be oncoming vehicles out of sight between you and the road in the distance. Don't start to overtake until you can see into the dip and know the road ahead is clear.

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.

Late braking and harsh acceleration waste fuel. To avoid this, scan and look well ahead so that you can recognise hazards and anticipate problems in good time.

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.

When it's safe to do so, you may cross the solid white line to pass a stationary vehicle or to pass a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle if they're travelling at 10 mph or less. You may also cross the solid line to enter a side road or access a property.

To make it easy to recognise, the 'stop' sign is the only sign that's octagonal. The visibility from a junction where the 'stop' sign is used will be poor, even from the edge of the junction. You must stop and, if necessary, edge forward until you can see it's safe to drive out.

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.

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

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.

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.

Keeping a safe distance behind a large vehicle will increase your view of the road ahead and allow the other driver to see you in their mirrors. This will help you both to see, and act safely on, any hazards that might occur.

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.

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.

If you're turning into a side road, pedestrians already crossing the road have priority and you should give way to them. Don't
-wave them across the road
-sound your horn
-flash your headlights
-give any other misleading signal - other road users may misinterpret your signal and you might lead the pedestrian into a dangerous situation.
If a pedestrian is slow or indecisive, be patient and wait. Don't hurry them across by revving your engine.

If you intend to overtake on a two-way road that has three lanes, you must consider that approaching traffic could be planning the same manoeuvre. When you've considered the situation and have decided it's safe, indicate your intentions early. This will show the approaching traffic that you intend to pull out. Some of these roads have solid white lines marked to allow for overtaking in one direction only, usually for uphill traffic.

Where a motorway has a steep uphill gradient, slow-moving, large vehicles might get in the way of other traffic. An extra lane on the left may be provided for these slow-moving vehicles. It allows faster-moving traffic to flow more easily.

Long vehicles might have to take a slightly different position when approaching the roundabout or going around it. This is to stop the rear of the vehicle cutting in and mounting the kerb. Horse riders and cyclists might stay in the left-hand lane although they're turning right. Be aware of this and allow them room.

You can overtake other traffic on either side when travelling in a one-way street. Make full use of your mirrors and ensure that it's clear all around before you attempt to overtake. Look for signs and road markings and use the most suitable lane for your destination.

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.

Serious incidents have occurred when vehicles or people on the hard shoulder have been struck by vehicles using the left-hand lane of the motorway. While using the emergency telephone, be alert and watch for approaching traffic.

Always carry an advance warning triangle, or other permitted warning device, in your vehicle. Use it to warn other road users if your vehicle has broken down or there's been an incident. You're advised to place it about 45 metres (147 feet) behind the vehicle, on the same side of the road. You may need to place it further back if the vehicle is hidden by, for example, a bend, hill or dip in the road. Never attempt to place any warning device on a motorway.

Hazard warning lights are an important safety feature. Use them if your vehicle has broken down and is causing an obstruction. You can also use them to warn traffic behind of danger ahead when you're driving on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway.

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.

Immediately after joining a new road, you should check to see what's happening behind you. This will help you to judge how briskly you need to accelerate to avoid causing any inconvenience to traffic behind.

Any vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder of a motorway is at risk from passing traffic. For this reason, don't attempt to make repairs to your vehicle while it's on the hard shoulder. Make your way to the nearest emergency telephone to call for assistance.

When moving off from the side of the road, you shouldn't drive out into the path of an approaching vehicle, either behind or ahead. To make sure there's no vehicle in the blind area, drivers need to look around just before moving off.

Always stay in the middle of your lane until you need to change course. This is even more important when in narrow lanes; for example, at roadworks. Be aware of large vehicles that may have to straddle more than one lane.

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.

Before you move out to overtake, you must be sure that it's safe to complete the manoeuvre - and in order to be sure, you must be able to see far enough ahead. If anything is obstructing or restricting your view, you can't know whether the road ahead is clear and, therefore, you shouldn't overtake.

Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. If someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you, drop back to maintain a two-second gap.

Don't ignore feelings of drowsiness while driving. You'll need to find somewhere safe to stop and rest until you feel alert enough to continue your journey. On a motorway, you can either stop at a service area or leave the motorway and then find a safe place to stop. Until you reach a safe place to stop, make sure the vehicle is well ventilated. Don't stop on the hard shoulder to rest.

The interior mirror of most vehicles can be set to the anti-dazzle position. You'll still be able to see the lights of the traffic behind you, but the dazzle will be greatly reduced.

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.

When approaching a contraflow system, slow down in good time and obey reduced speed limits. You may be travelling in a narrower lane than normal, with no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic. Be aware that the hard shoulder may be used for traffic, and the road ahead could be obstructed by slow-moving or broken-down vehicles.

Always use the Mirrors - Signal - Manoeuvre routine before turning at junctions. Just before turning right, make a final check for any traffic that may be overtaking you on your right, as the driver or rider may not have seen your signal.

Your vehicle's tyres have very little grip on icy roads. Stopping distances can easily be 10 times the normal distance on a dry, firm surface. Anti-lock brakes may prevent the wheels from skidding, but they can't increase the tyres' grip.

Although there will be times when it's necessary to check blind spots on the move, turning right around is unnecessary and could be dangerous. Regular and sensible use of the mirrors, with a quick sideways glance as necessary, will keep a driver up to date with what's happening all round.

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 someone's been injured, the sooner proper medical attention is given, the better. Either ask someone to phone for help or do so yourself. Only move an injured person if there's a risk of further danger. Don't remove an injured motorcyclist's helmet unless it's essential.

Treat an unmarked crossroads with great caution, since neither road has priority. Never assume priority if there are no road markings - other drivers may do the same and a collision could result. Look, assess, decide and only proceed when you're sure it's safe.

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.