To be successful at the Part 1 you must pass the 2 part test of Multiple Choice questions and the Hazard Perception test. 

The questions in the Theory Test are based on the following publications :

The Highway Code

Driving the essential skills

Know your traffic signs

Driving Instructors Handbook

The Official Theory Test for ADI’s Pack

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

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

Before the test starts you will get:

Instructions on how the test works

The chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

There are 25 questions in each of the following 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 correct answer.

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

At the end of the Multiple-choice questions you can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Hazard Perception Test

Before you start the Hazard Perception Test you will be shown a Video to explain how it works.

You will then watch 14 video clips which feature everyday road scenes. The videos contain at least on “developing hazard” with one of the clips features 2 “developing hazards”.

You will score points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen in each video. 

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

An example would be a Vehicle is parked at the side of the road is remaining stationery and is not doing anything. It would not cause you to take action, so is not a “developing hazard”. When you get closer the vehicle’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and the vehicle starts to move away. You would need to slow down so now it would be a “developing hazard”. 

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 do not lose points if you click and get it wrong but you will not score anything for that clip if you click continuously or in a pattern.

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

Pass mark and test result

You will get the result at the test centre after taking the test. You must pass both parts at the same time to pass the test.

To pass the multiple-choice part, you must get both:

An overall score of at least 85 out of 100 and at least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories of questions.

It is important to note You would fail if you got an overall score of 85 or higher but did not score high enough in each of the four categories.

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

On passing you will get a Pass certificate letter. Your Pass Certificate lasts for 2 years. You must qualify as an ADI by Passing Part 2 and Part 3 in that time, otherwise you will have to start the whole application process again.

The next stage is the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 2 Test.

There are 5 parts to the approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 Test:

The Test takes around one hour.

· An eyesight check

· ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions

· General driving ability

· Manoeuvres

· Independent driving

You will have to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of:

· 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

· 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

You will fail the test if you do not pass the eyesight test. It will count as one of the 3 attempts you are allowed at the ADI part 2 test.

You’ll be asked 5 vehicle safety questions known as the 2show me, tell me” questions.To test that you know how to carry out basic safety tasks.

You will be asked:

. 3 ‘Tell me’ questions at the start of your test, before you start driving

. 2 ‘Show me’ questions while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers

You will get a driving fault for each incorrect answer you give.

You will get a serious fault and fail the test if you answer all 5 questions incorrectly, or if you lose control of the car while answering any of the ‘show me’ questions.

You will have to show the examiner all of the following:

. Expert handling of the controls

. Use of correct road procedure

. Anticipation of the actions of other road users and then taking appropriate action

. Sound judgement of distance, speed and timing

. Consideration for the convenience and safety of other road users

. Driving in an environmentally-friendly manner

You will drive in varying road and traffic conditions, including motorways or dual carriageways where possible.

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

The examiner will ask you to do 2 of the following exercises:

. Parallel park at the side of the road

. Reverse into a parking bay and drive out

. Drive into a parking bay and reverse out

. Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

You will have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

. Directions from a sat nav

. Traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to do.

The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up for you.

You cannot follow directions from your own sat nav during the test.

Your test result will not be affected if you take a wrong turning, unless you make a fault while doing it. The examiner will help you get back on the route if you do.

If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

The examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

There are 3 types of faults you can make:

· A dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property

· A serious fault - something potentially dangerous

· A driving fault - this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault

The examiner will tell you what faults you made.

You can take the test again if you fail at either your first or second attempt.

You have to pay again to book another test.

You have to retake and pass the ADI Part 1 Test again if you fail the ADI part 2 test 3 times.

You have to wait 2 years from when you first passed the ADI part 1 test before you can take it again.

You’ll pass your approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 test if you make:

· no more than 6 driving faults

· no serious or dangerous faults

If you pass your test the examiner will:

· tell you what faults you made, if any

· give you a copy of the driving test report

You can then either:

· book your ADI part 3 test

· Apply for a Trainee Driving Instructor Licence

A Trainee Driving Instructor Licence can help you prepare for the ADI Part 3 Test.

PART 3

A DVSA Examiner will watch you give a client-centered driving lesson lasting about one hour to one of your pupils. The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

The pupil that you present for the lesson can be a learner or a full licence holder. They can not be an approved driving instructor (ADI) or someone else who is preparing to take the ADI part 3 test.

During the lesson you will be marked on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

. Lesson Planning

. Risk Management

. Teaching & Learning Strategies 

You will get a score of 0 to 3 for each of the 17 areas of competence which are added up at the end of the lesson.

You will automatically fail if:

· you get a score of 7 or less in the ‘risk management’ category

· the examiner stops the lesson because you have put yourself or someone else in danger

After you give the lesson, the examiner will discuss your performance and give you your result.

You will get your grade, along with your completed approved driving instructor (ADI) part 3 test report form.

Grades are as follows:  

A score between 0 and 30 would result in a Fail. your performance is unsatisfactory and you would not join the ADI Register.

A score between 31 and 42 would be a Pass at Grade B and you will be allowed to join the ADI Register.

A score between 43 and 51 would be a Pass at Grade A. You have shown a high standard of instruction and you will be allowed to join the ADI Register.