ADI Driving Test Technique — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the UK driving test, how many serious or dangerous faults can a candidate accumulate and still pass?
- One serious fault
- None — any serious or dangerous fault results in a fail (Correct answer)
- Two serious faults
- Three serious faults
Correct answer: None — any serious or dangerous fault results in a fail
A candidate will fail the driving test if they receive any serious or dangerous fault. Up to 15 minor faults are allowed, but a single serious or dangerous fault results in failure. If a minor fault is repeated it may become a serious fault.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the 'show me, tell me' questions at the start of the driving test?
- To test the candidate's mechanical knowledge
- To assess whether the candidate can carry out basic vehicle safety checks — one 'tell me' question is asked before driving and one 'show me' is asked while driving (Correct answer)
- To distract the candidate before the test begins
- To check the instructor's teaching quality
Correct answer: To assess whether the candidate can carry out basic vehicle safety checks — one 'tell me' question is asked before driving and one 'show me' is asked while driving
The 'show me, tell me' questions test the candidate's ability to carry out basic vehicle safety checks. One 'tell me' question is asked before driving begins, and one 'show me' question is asked during the drive. An incorrect answer results in a minor fault.
Question 3: During the independent driving section of the test, what should a candidate do if they take a wrong turn?
- Stop immediately and reverse back to the correct route
- Continue driving safely — taking a wrong turn is not penalised as long as the candidate drives safely and follows the examiner's subsequent directions (Correct answer)
- Apologise to the examiner and request to restart
- Perform an emergency stop to correct the error
Correct answer: Continue driving safely — taking a wrong turn is not penalised as long as the candidate drives safely and follows the examiner's subsequent directions
Taking a wrong turn during independent driving is not penalised. The candidate should continue driving safely, and the examiner will provide directions to get back on route. What matters is how safely the candidate drives, not whether they follow the exact route.
Question 4: How long does the independent driving section of the UK driving test last?
- 5 minutes
- About 20 minutes — approximately half the total driving test time (Correct answer)
- The entire test
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: About 20 minutes — approximately half the total driving test time
The independent driving section lasts approximately 20 minutes, which is about half of the total driving time. The candidate follows directions from a sat-nav (in most tests) or traffic signs, demonstrating their ability to drive independently.
Question 5: Which reversing manoeuvres may be tested during the current UK driving test?
- Only the three-point turn
- Parallel parking, pulling up on the right and reversing, or bay parking (forward or reverse) — one will be selected (Correct answer)
- Reversing around a corner and turn in the road
- Only reverse bay parking
Correct answer: Parallel parking, pulling up on the right and reversing, or bay parking (forward or reverse) — one will be selected
The current driving test (from December 2017) includes one of three possible reversing manoeuvres: parallel parking at the side of the road, pulling up on the right-hand side and reversing two car lengths, or driving into and reversing out of (or reversing into and driving out of) a bay parking space.
Question 6: What should an ADI teach their pupil about the emergency stop during the driving test?
- It is included in every test
- It is carried out in approximately 1 in 3 tests, and the candidate must stop the vehicle promptly and under full control while checking their mirrors before moving off again (Correct answer)
- The candidate should use the handbrake immediately
- The engine must be switched off during the stop
Correct answer: It is carried out in approximately 1 in 3 tests, and the candidate must stop the vehicle promptly and under full control while checking their mirrors before moving off again
The emergency stop is included in roughly 1 in 3 driving tests. The examiner will give a signal (usually raising their hand and saying 'Stop!') and the candidate must stop quickly and safely, maintaining control. Before moving off again, the candidate must check mirrors and blind spots.
ADI Driving Test Technique
During the UK driving test, how many serious or dangerous faults can a candidate accumulate and still pass?