Free ADI Theory Test

If a serious incident occurs that requires you to use the dual controls, it's vital that the pupil fully understands what happened and how they could have avoided the situation or dealt with it better.

Learning isn't always a continuous upward 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 decide how to proceed.

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.

If you have to leave valuables in your car, always lock them out of sight. If a thief can't see anything of value to steal, they're less likely to break in.

Officially, the flashing of headlights has the same meaning as sounding the horn - a warning of the presence of a vehicle. However, drivers sometimes flash their headlights for other reasons. Make sure you know what's meant by the signal before acting on it.

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.

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.

Anyone who accompanies a learner car driver must hold a full EC/EEA licence for the category of vehicle being driven, and they must have held it for at least 3 years. They must also be at least 21 years old. This applies even if they're just helping a friend and no money is exchanged.

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.

Don't park less than 10 metres (32 feet) from a junction (unless in an authorised parking place). At night, park in the direction of the traffic, so that your car's red reflectors show to passing drivers. You must use your parking lights when parking at night on a road, or in a lay-by on a road, where the speed limit is over 30 mph.

An instructor must normally wear a seat belt during all practical training when there's one fitted to the vehicle, unless they're exempt. However, when a pupil is carrying out a manoeuvre that involves reversing, instructors may release the belt during the exercise; this gives them a little more freedom to teach the exercise safely.

Before you drive a vehicle on the road, you must hold a driving licence for the class of vehicle being driven. You must also be covered by a minimum of third-party insurance while driving that vehicle.

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.

Bright fog lights can dazzle other drivers, so you must remember to turn them off when the fog lifts and visibility improves. Be prepared for patchy fog: you may need to turn the fog lights on again.

When parking, all ancillary controls should be switched off and the engine stopped. Make sure that the handbrake is applied firmly before leaving the vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

A candidate should tell DVSA of any special needs or circumstances when they book their driving test. No matter how serious the disability might be, the candidate will still take the same driving test as any other person. However, more time is allowed for the examiner to discuss the candidate's needs and talk about any adaptations fitted to the vehicle.

One condition of holding a driving licence is that you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland, if your health deteriorates in any way that affects your ability to drive. This also applies if your eyesight deteriorates to the point that you can no longer meet the driver's eyesight requirements.

This is a method used by insurance companies to keep annual premiums down. When you agree to an excess, it means that, in the event of a claim, you'll pay the agreed amount before the benefits of the policy will apply. Generally, the higher the excess you choose to pay, the lower the annual premium you'll be charged.

All driving examiners are trained to assess candidates who have special needs. The physical disability should be declared when the test is applied for. This is to allow extra time for the
- examiner to discuss and understand how the disability affects the candidate's ability to control the vehicle
- subsequent paperwork.

These lines are a device often found on the approach to a roundabout or a dangerous junction. They become closer together as you approach the hazard, warning you to slow down.

As you approach a school crossing patrol, you may see two amber lights, one above the other and flashing alternately. This will be accompanied by a 'school' warning sign. The school crossing patrol will display a 'stop' sign, so you must stop. Don't wave anyone across the road, get impatient or rev your engine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reflective studs on the motorway are there to help you in poor visibility. Different colours are used so that you'll know which lane you're in. These are
- red on the left-hand side of the road
- white between lanes
- amber on the right-hand edge of the carriageway
- green between the carriageway and slip roads.

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.

If you see a vehicle with a flashing green beacon approaching, it means the driver or passenger is a doctor on an emergency call. Allow it to pass when you can do so safely. Someone's life could depend on the driver making good progress through the traffic.

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.

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.

You may use hazard warning lights when you slow suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway, to warn traffic behind of a hazard ahead. Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking.

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.

Selecting a low gear when travelling downhill will help you to control your speed. The engine will assist the brakes and help prevent your vehicle from gathering speed.

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.

To use anti-lock brakes in an emergency, you should brake firmly until you've come to a stop. The anti-lock mechanism will activate automatically if it senses the wheels are about to lock.

When you've driven through a ford or flood, your brakes may be soaking wet. Water can reduce your brakes' efficiency, so check that they're working properly before you build up speed again. Lightly applying the brakes while driving slowly will help them to dry. Before you do this, remember to check your mirrors and consider what's behind you.

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.

When approaching a zebra crossing, drivers should look out for pedestrians wanting to cross. If anyone is waiting, you should slow down and be ready to stop and let them cross.

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.

You mustn't park in spaces designated or marked for specific users, such as registered disabled drivers (whose vehicle will display a blue disabled badge), or in places reserved for local residents.

At a puffin crossing, an electronic device will keep the red light showing until it detects that the pedestrians have reached a safe position. Don't proceed until the green light shows - and then, only if it's safe to do so.

Road humps are there to reduce the speed of traffic. Don't accelerate between them, as their purpose is to slow traffic along the whole street. This is to protect vulnerable road users in the area.

A primary route is a road of national or regional importance and is the major route between larger towns and cities. The direction signs on these routes have green backgrounds. Many maps and road atlases show these routes in green.

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.

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.

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.

In some built-up areas, the speed limit may be reduced to 20 mph. Where there are traffic-calming features, the speed limit may be signed as a 20 mph zone with no repeater signs within the zone. Where there are no traffic-calming features, the 20 mph speed limit is signed at each end of the street and with repeater signs in between. Driving at a slower speed will help give you the time and space to see and deal safely with hazards such as pedestrians and parked cars.

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.

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.

A properly adjusted head restraint can help to prevent whiplash injury to the neck and spine. You're most likely to suffer this type of injury if you're hit from behind by another vehicle.

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.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking, so you can continue to steer the vehicle during heavy braking. ABS doesn't replace the need to plan well ahead and brake smoothly and progressively.

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.

All warning signs are triangular, but the 'give way' sign is the only triangular sign that points downwards; this is to give it greater prominence as you approach a junction. When you see this sign, you must give way to traffic on the road that you're about to join.

When traffic lights are out of order, you should treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be cautious, as you may need to give way or stop. Keep a lookout for traffic attempting to cross the junction at speed.

A convex mirror gives a wide view of the scene behind. However, it won't show you everything behind, or to the side of, your vehicle. Before you move off, look over your shoulder to check for anything that's not visible in the mirrors.

Reflective studs on the motorway are there to help you in poor visibility. Different colours are used so that you'll know which lane you're in. These are
- red on the left-hand side of the road
- white between lanes
- amber on the right-hand edge of the carriageway
- green between the carriageway and slip roads.

If you see a motorcyclist take a quick glance over their shoulder, this could mean they're about to change direction. Recognising a clue like this helps you to be prepared and take appropriate action, making you safer on the road.

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.

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.

Sometimes road markings can be obscured by queuing traffic, or you may be unsure which lane you need to be in. If you realise too late that you're in the wrong lane, don't cut across lanes or bully other drivers to let you in. Follow the lane you're in and find somewhere safe to turn around if you need to.

The hard shoulder of a motorway that's not subject to smart motorway technology is only to be used in an emergency or if you break down. Roadside emergency telephones are placed about one mile apart and they connect directly to a control centre. The control centre will know your exact location from the telephone you're using and will inform the appropriate emergency services for you. Never cross the carriageway to use a telephone on the other side.

Try to plan your journey so that you can take rest stops. It's recommended that you take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. This should help to maintain your concentration.

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.

In fog, you won't be able to see as far ahead as you can on a clear day. You'll need to reduce your speed so that, if a hazard develops, you have the time and space to take avoiding action. If you can, try to delay your journey until the fog has cleared.

Obey any speed restriction in force and don't switch lanes or get too close to traffic in front of you. Be aware that there will be no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic.

When turning right from a side road across a dual carriageway, make sure that the central reservation is wide enough to contain your vehicle. If it isn't, you'll have to treat the dual carriageway as one road and only emerge when it's clear in both directions. Drivers of longer vehicles and vehicles towing trailers or caravans will need to assess this carefully. If any part of an emerging vehicle obstructs the right-hand lane of the dual carriageway, it could have serious consequences.

An instructor needs to explain that taking effective observation means not only looking but assessing the situation and using sound judgement. These are skills that develop over time. To emerge safely, a learner driver may need a much larger gap in the traffic than an experienced driver.

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.

When a vehicle is facing downhill, it will try to roll forward when the parking brake is released. Applying the footbrake before releasing the parking brake ensures control is maintained.

You can't deal safely with a hazard by looking solely ahead. You'll also need to consider how your actions will affect any drivers behind. As soon as you recognise a hazard, use the mirrors to assess how other road users will affect your planning.

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.

Modern vehicles provide the driver with a good view of the road both ahead and behind, using well-positioned mirrors. However, the mirrors can't see every angle of the scene behind and to the sides of the vehicle. This is why it's essential that you know when and how to check your blind spots, so that you're aware of any hidden hazards.

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.

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.

You'll be putting yourself and other road users at risk if you continue to drive when you're drowsy. Pull over and stop in a safe place. If you're driving a long distance, think about finding somewhere you can sleep before continuing your journey.

If a ball bounces out from the pavement, slow down and be ready to stop. Don't encourage anyone to step into the road to retrieve it, as other road users might not have seen the situation and may be unable to stop if someone steps into the road.

If you see a bus ahead, watch out for pedestrians. They may not be able to see you if they're crossing behind the bus.

If you're driving at night, there will be extra hazards to deal with. Visibility may be very limited and the lights of oncoming vehicles can often dazzle you. If this happens, slow down or even stop if necessary. There may be hazards in the road and, if you're dazzled, you may not see them until it's too late to avoid them.

On a motorway, you should keep to the left-hand lane whenever possible. Only use the other lanes for overtaking or when directed by signals. Using other lanes when the left-hand lane is empty can frustrate drivers behind you.

You shouldn't reverse from a driveway into a main road, because your view will be restricted. When using a driveway, you should reverse in, so that you can drive out forwards.

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.

Sometimes, large vehicles may need more space than other road users. If a vehicle needs more time and space to turn, be prepared to stop and wait.

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.

If you stop for pedestrians and they don't start to cross, be patient and don't wave them across or sound your horn. This could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching and hasn't seen or heard your signal.

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.

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.

On a windy day, the blustery conditions will affect motorcyclists and they may be blown off course. If you wish to overtake a motorcyclist in these conditions, make allowances for them and give them extra room.

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.

Normally, you should travel in the left-hand lane and use the right-hand lane only for overtaking or turning right. Move back into the left-hand lane as soon as it's safe, but don't cut across the path of the vehicle you've just overtaken.

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.

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.

Diagonal stripes or chevrons are painted on the road to help separate traffic lanes or vehicles turning right. When bordered by a solid white line, you shouldn't enter the area except in an emergency. If the line is broken, you shouldn't enter the area unless it's necessary and you can see that it's safe.

If you want to make a U-turn, slow down or stop in a legal place. Make sure that the road is wide enough to carry out the manoeuvre safely. Check all around to ensure that the road is clear in both directions and that you're not going to endanger anyone as you turn.

At the scene of a crash, your first priority is to warn approaching traffic of the obstruction ahead. You can do this by displaying an advance warning triangle (but not on a motorway), switching on hazard warning lights or any other means that doesn't put you or anyone else at risk.

When someone has stopped breathing, their airway should be checked and unblocked if necessary. Gently tilting their head back will ensure it's kept open.

If possible, lay the casualty down. Once you're sure there are no objects in the wound, apply firm pressure using clean material. Raising the arm above the level of the heart will also help to stem the flow of blood.

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.

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.

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.

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.