How hard is ADI Part 1?
Difficulty is personal, so this page sticks to what DVSA publishes: how many candidates pass, and the scoring rules that decide a pass or a fail.
What the pass rate shows
- The figures are DVSA's own statistics for ADI Part 1 (theory) tests in Great Britain, by financial year running April to March. [1]
- In 2025 to 2026, 31,081 tests were taken and 11,512 were passed: a pass rate of 37.0%. [1]
- The pass rate has fallen over the long run. In 2007 to 2008 it was 61.8%, from 9,648 tests. [1]
- The most recent quarter in the table, April to June 2026, had a pass rate of 30.8% from 9,613 tests. That is one quarter, not a full year. [1]
- The table gives numbers only. It does not give reasons for the pass rate, so we do not guess at them.
The rules that make it strict
- These rules apply in Great Britain. The ADI part 1 test works differently in Northern Ireland. [2]
- You have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions, with 25 questions in each of 4 categories. [2]
- To pass the multiple-choice part you need an overall score of at least 85 out of 100 and at least 20 out of 25 in each of the 4 categories. [2]
- You fail if you score 85 or higher overall but do not score high enough in each of the 4 categories. One weak band is enough to fail. [2]
- To pass the hazard perception part, you need at least 57 points out of 75, and you must pass both parts to pass the test. [2]
If it does not go to plan
- If you fail, you must book and take the full test again, and wait at least 3 working days before taking it again. [2]
- You pay the full test fee again for every retake. The ADI Part 1 test costs £81. [3]
Find your weakest band before the test does. Free 25-question diagnostic, scored using the same ratios as the real multiple-choice pass rule (hazard perception not included).
Take the free diagnostic