ADI theory test sample questions

Driver Testing Procedures and Documentation

1. Which statement about the ADI registration scheme is correct?

1. Only a person entered on the RSA register of Approved Driving Instructors may provide paid driving instruction as an ADI.
2. Attending an instructor training course is itself authority to work as an ADI.
3. An old registration proves current entitlement without checking.
4. A full driving licence alone permits instructing for payment.

Answer: A. Since 2009 it has been an offence in Ireland to give driving instruction for hire or reward unless you are entered on the RSA register of Approved Driving Instructors. Registration — not experience, not a course certificate, not a full licence — is what legally authorises a person to teach for payment.

2. Before describing someone as an ADI, what should be confirmed?

1. That they have completed an instructor course.
2. Their registration status and the current RSA requirements.
3. That they were registered at some point in the past.
4. That they hold a licence in at least one category.

Answer: B. Because only registered instructors may teach for reward, registration status and current requirements should be confirmed before a person is described or engaged as an ADI. Registration in one vehicle category also does not automatically cover every category.

Road Safety Precepts and Practices

3. Who is included within the road-user scope described by the Rules of the Road?

1. Only drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles.
2. Drivers and pedestrians, but not cyclists or horse riders.
3. Drivers and other users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders and people in charge of animals.
4. Only people who hold a driving licence.

Answer: C. The Rules of the Road addresses a broad range of road users, not only licensed motor-vehicle drivers. A surprising number of Road Safety questions turn on this scope.

4. A candidate owns a printed Rules of the Road book. How should they check whether its rules remain current?

1. Assume a printed edition cannot become outdated.
2. Check the RSA Rules of the Road page for updates.
3. Rely on informal advice from other candidates.
4. Wait until the test centre identifies any changes.

Answer: B. The RSA directs readers to its Rules of the Road page precisely because rules can change after a printed or downloaded edition is published. This is worth acting on rather than just answering — an out-of-date book produces confident wrong answers.

Pedagogy – Teaching Ability

5. An instructor is planning a first lesson with a new learner. What should determine the starting point?

1. The lesson used most often with other learners.
2. Evidence about this learner’s current skills and knowledge.
3. The most advanced exercise available.
4. A fixed sequence that cannot be changed.

Answer: B. Planning begins with assessment evidence about the individual learner rather than an assumed standard starting point. This single principle resolves a large share of the pedagogy section.

6. Two learners have different identified needs. How should their lesson plans be prepared?

1. Use the same unchanged plan so both receive identical instruction.
2. Develop each plan from the individual learner’s identified needs.
3. Let each learner choose exercises without assessment.
4. Plan only for the learner with more experience.

Answer: B. An individual lesson plan responds to the learner’s assessed needs instead of being applied unchanged to everyone. Note that option C is also wrong: learner-centred does not mean unplanned.

Basic Mechanics and Maintenance of Vehicles

7. Which group contains only safety-related items a driver should check regularly?

1. Steering, brakes, lamps, tyres and wipers.
2. Radio presets, seat fabric, boot carpet and paint.
3. Navigation history, phone holder, cup holders and trim.
4. Air freshener, floor mats, badges and wheel colour.

Answer: A. Regular safety checks include steering, brakes, lamps, indicators, mirrors, belts, tyres and wipers.

8. A vehicle has passed its roadworthiness test but now has a serious safety defect. Who remains responsible for keeping it safe to drive?

1. The driver, because a test does not remove the duty to maintain the vehicle.
2. Only the test centre, until the certificate expires.
3. The manufacturer, for the life of the vehicle.
4. Nobody, while the test certificate is valid.

Answer: A. It is an offence to drive an unsafe vehicle, and a roadworthiness certificate does not remove the driver’s maintenance responsibility. The same duty applies to a vehicle you present for assessment or use for instruction.

Category B

9. Which statement about cockpit drill reflects safe driving technique?

1. The driving position, restraints, visibility and controls should be set up before the vehicle moves.
2. Mirrors should be adjusted before the seating position is final.
3. The internal setup is enough; the external environment need not be reassessed before moving.
4. Seat adjustment can be rushed if a passenger is waiting.

Answer: A. The cockpit drill sets the seat, restraints, mirrors and controls before moving, so the driver starts with full control and a clear view rather than adjusting in traffic. Option B is a real trap: mirrors set before the seat is final will be wrong once the seat moves.

10. Which statement about cockpit drill is accurate?

1. Completing the internal setup without reassessing the external environment is sufficient.
2. A calm cockpit and safety setup should be completed in a logical order while the vehicle is stationary.
3. Seat adjustment can be rushed when running late.
4. The engine should be started before checking that all doors are closed.

Answer: B. The safety setup is done in a settled, logical order while stationary, so nothing is missed and the driver is not distracted by adjustments once under way. Category B questions generally reward the technique as it should be taught, not the compressed version an experienced driver actually performs.

What to notice about these

Across all five sections the same pattern recurs: the distractors are not silly. They are plausible shortcuts, habits that work in practice, or half-right statements. That is why learning the rule beats memorising answers — the real paper will offer a shortcut you have not seen before, and only the rule tells you it is wrong.

The guides that sit next to this one are Sections and pass marks and The ADI Stage 1 theory test.

Frequently asked questions

Are these real ADI theory test questions?

No. They are independently authored practice questions written to match the style and reasoning of ADI Stage 1. They are not official assessment questions, and no published bank of real Stage 1 questions exists.

How many practice questions should I do before ADI Stage 1?

Volume matters less than coverage and margin. What matters is that every one of the five sections clears its threshold with two or three marks of margin on a full-length, section-structured mock, repeated on two different mocks.

Independent guide: TritonApps is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Road Safety Authority or Prometric. This page summarises published RSA guidance for convenience and is not official advice. Always confirm current requirements, fees and dates with the RSA before you book.