ADI Part 1 band 1: Road procedure
Road procedure is one of the 4 question categories in the ADI Part 1 multiple-choice test. On this site we call it band 1, because it is first in the GOV.UK list.
What this category is
- These rules apply in Great Britain. The ADI part 1 test works differently in Northern Ireland. [1]
- The GOV.UK guidance names this category as "road procedure". It is first in its list of 4 categories. [1]
- The guidance gives the category name only. It does not describe the topics inside it, so we do not add any. [1]
- The other categories are: traffic signs and signals, car control, pedestrians and mechanical knowledge; driving test, disabilities, and the law; publications and instructional techniques. [1]
How many questions, and the score you need
- There are 25 questions in this category, out of 100 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour and 30 minutes. [1]
- You need at least 20 out of 25 in this category, so you can get no more than 5 wrong in it. [1]
- You also need at least 85 out of 100 overall. A score of 85 or higher overall still fails if this category is below 20. [1]
- If you fail, the letter you get at the test centre tells you which parts you did not score enough points on. [1]
What to study
- GOV.UK lists the publications for the multiple-choice questions as a whole, not for each category. The full list is on our theory test questions page. [1]
- You can also study using the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency theory test kit for approved driving instructors e-Learning. [1]
Sample band 1 questions
Our own practice questions, each checked against its GOV.UK source. These are not questions from the real test.
1. You need to stop because of a breakdown while travelling on a motorway. According to the Highway Code, what is the safest place to stop?
- The hard shoulder
- An emergency area
- The verge beside the left-hand lane
- A service area
Show answer
D: A service area
Rule 275 says the safest place to stop on motorways and other high-speed roads is a service area; lay-bys, emergency areas and hard shoulders are other places of relative safety, with hard shoulders giving less protection because they are so close to high-speed traffic.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 275
2. According to the Highway Code, many large vehicles may be fitted with speed limiting devices. To what speed will these restrict them, even on a motorway?
- 56 mph (90 km/h)
- 50 mph (80 km/h)
- 60 mph (96 km/h)
- 65 mph (104 km/h)
Show answer
A: 56 mph (90 km/h)
Rule 222 says many large vehicles may be fitted with speed limiting devices which restrict speed to 56 mph (90 km/h) even on a motorway, so be patient with them.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 222
3. You park a manual car on a hill, facing downhill. What should you do with the gears and steering?
- Select reverse gear and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb
- Select a forward gear and turn the steering wheel away from the kerb
- Select reverse gear and turn the steering wheel away from the kerb
- Select a forward gear and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb
Show answer
A: Select reverse gear and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb
Facing downhill you should select reverse and turn the wheel towards the kerb. Facing uphill it is a forward gear with the wheel turned away from the kerb.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 252
4. Another driver is trying to overtake you. What does the Highway Code say you should do?
- Speed up slightly so they can complete the overtake more quickly
- Maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass
- Move towards the centre of the road if you think it is unsafe for them to overtake
- Pull onto the verge to give them more room
Show answer
B: Maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass
Rule 168 says that if a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass; never obstruct drivers who wish to pass, and speeding up or driving unpredictably while being overtaken is dangerous.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 168
5. You are driving on a single-track road and a vehicle is coming towards you. The nearest passing place is on your right. What should you do?
- Pull into the passing place on your right
- Flash your headlights so the other driver waits for you
- Wait opposite the passing place on your right
- Carry on, because traffic on your side has priority
Show answer
C: Wait opposite the passing place on your right
Rule 155 says that on single-track roads you should pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right, when a vehicle is coming towards you or the driver behind wants to overtake.
Source: The Highway Code, Rule 155
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