Part 1 ADI Test

If you learnt to drive after 1996, you’ll have had to take a theory test consisting of several multiple-choice questions all about The Highway Code. That’s exactly what the ADI Part 1 test is, however, the standard is much higher. It consists of a multiple-choice test and a hazard perception test.  

Before you can book your Part 1 Test, you must first apply to become a driving instructor and have an up-to-date criminal record (DBS) check. Once you’ve been given the go-ahead from the DVSA, you can book your Part 1 test on the gov.uk website. 

The cost of the Part 1 Theory Test is £81. 

-          UK driving licence number

-          DVSA personal reference number

-          An email address (you’ll have to book by phone if you don’t have one)

-          Your credit or debit card

-          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 have lost your license, you must apply for a replacement one. This can take up to 15 days to arrive.

-          If you only have a paper licence, you will need to bring your passport as proof of identity

You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This includes things like:

-          Bags

-          Earphones

-          mobile phones

-          watches

-          You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:

-          turn off your phone before you enter the test centre

-          put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will

1.       Multiple-choice questions

This part of the test last 1 hour and 30 minutes and consists of 100 questions. It consists of 25 questions in each of the 5 categories:

-          The Highway Code

-          Know your traffic signs

-          Driving – the essential skills

-          The official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) theory test kit for approved driving instructors e-Learning

-          The Driving Instructor’s Handbook

In order to pass this section of the Theory Test, you must score a minimum of 85 correct answers, and at least 20 need to be correct in each of the four categories. 

 

2.       Hazard perception test

Again, if you’ve already had to sit a theory test to gain your driving licence, you’ll be familiar with the Hazard Perception test. The version in your ADI Part 1 exam is similar, although it’s a bit tougher…

 

You’ll be shown 14 videos, each of which consists of a developing hazard. Your task is to identify this as quickly as possible once it becomes apparent. To make things slightly trickier, one of the videos will contain two hazards, so it’s important that you must always stay vigilant and aware even if you feel you’ve already spotted a hazard in a video!

 

The sooner you spot a hazard the more points you’ll score, so it’s important to be on the ball. The maximum score per hazard is 5 points, and ideally, you need to be aiming for at least 3-4 per hazard to be sure you’ll pass. However, and the reason it’s so important to practice extensively beforehand,  is if you click too early, too many times or in a formulated pattern you can forfeit all the points on that video. 

 

There are a total of 75 points up for grabs, and you'll need to score at least 57. 

You’ll be given the result of your Part 1 Adi Test immediately at the test centre. Assuming you’ve passed, you’ll be given the opportunity to book your Part 2 test which tests your driving ability. 

Failed to pass this time? Don’t worry, you can take the Part 1 test as many times as you want, although obviously, you will need to pay each time you need to sit it…so better to revise and get it done the first time around! 

If you decide that you’d like us at My Four Wheels to help you with your approved driving instructor training, you’ll have access to the following to assist you with passing your Part 1 test:

-          Hard copy A4 training manual covering DBS check, DVSA registration and full training guidance for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

-          Unlimited access to Driving Test Success Anytime theory app

-          Unlimited access to Theory Test Pro website

-          Hard copy of the Highway Code

-          Hard copy of Driving – The Essential Skills handbook

-          Unlimited office support