Stage 1: The ADI theory Test
Your first step to becoming a driving instructor — the format, the pass marks, how to prepare, and how to walk in already passing.
Open the quiz bank — 88 questions freeStage 1 — Theory Test Explained
Everything you need to know about the ADI theory test, including its format, pass requirements, costs, and preparation.
Stage 1 of the ADI qualification is a computer-based theory test of 100 multiple choice questions across five sections, each with its own pass mark — failing one section fails the whole test. It costs €150 per attempt, is available at 41 Prometric test centres, and pass rates average 73–74%. Stage 1 is well suited to self-study: free RSA materials plus structured question practice cover the ground without an expensive course.
multiple choice questions
per attempt
Prometric test centres
historical pass rate
What is Stage 1 Theory Test
The first of three stages in the ADI qualification process.
The Stage 1 theory test is a computer-based examination covering driving knowledge, teaching ability, road safety and vehicle maintenance. It is the gateway to your ADI career — you cannot proceed to Stage 2 without passing it.
The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions divided across five sections. Each section has its own individual pass mark, which means you must demonstrate competence in every area — a strong overall score with one weak section still fails.
Stage 1 is well suited to self-study using free RSA resources and focused question practice — there is no need to pay for a training course at this stage. The test is available in English or Irish (you indicate your preference on the ADI registration form). For the bigger picture, see how the full qualification fits together and our study resources for aspiring instructors.
Exam Format And Pass Criteria
Five sections, each with its own pass mark — the reported thresholds:
| Section | Pass mark |
|---|---|
| Driver Testing Procedures | 70% |
| Road Safety Knowledge | 72% |
| Teaching Ability | 60% |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 70% |
| Category-Specific Knowledge | 70% |
Pass every section individually. Failing one section means failing the whole test — regardless of how strong your overall score is.
What That Looks Like On a Mock
Four sections clear, one under its mark — the result the table above turns into a fail.
Mock exam · section report
100 questions · 90:00Driver Testing Procedures
pass mark 70%78%
Road Safety Knowledge
pass mark 72%81%
Teaching Ability
pass mark 60%74%
Vehicle Maintenance
pass mark 70%64%
UNDERCategory-Specific Knowledge
pass mark 70%76%
Four sections clear. One under its pass mark. In the real exam that fails the whole test — so we show you the weak section while there is still time to fix it.
Pass marks are set by the RSA. The test includes 100 questions, and the €150 fee is only part of the overall qualification cost.ADI training costs breakdown.
Section pass marks as reported by training providers — the RSA does not publish an official table, and some sources cite up to 75% for Driver Testing Procedures. Every PassADI mock scores you per section against these thresholds. Confirm at rsa.ie.How To Prepare
Stage 1 rewards structured self-study — free official materials, one or two good books, and lots of question practice.
01
RSA Rules of the Road.
Free to download from RSA.ie — Stage 1 expects command of the detail, not a learner-level skim.
02
Free RSA ADI resources.
The RSA publishes ADI guidance and reference material online at no cost.
03
The ADI application pack booklet.
The official description of the scheme, the exam and the rules you are signing up to.
04
One or two comprehensive guidebooks.
Around €100 maximum — there is no need to spend more on books for this stage.
Explore our full list of study resources and the free PassADI study guides.
Test Day — What To Expect
A walkthrough of what happens on the day of your Stage 1 theory test.
Arrive at your chosen test centre — around 30 minutes early for check-in — with your ADI eligibility number and original photo ID: full licence, passport or Public Services Card. Wrong ID means no test and a lost fee. There are 41 centres across Ireland, so choose the one most convenient for you.
Before the test begins, you get 15 minutes to familiarise yourself with the computer system — this time does not count towards your test duration. You then have 1.5 hours to complete all 100 multiple choice questions, displayed one at a time on screen.
Your result is provided after completion as a performance report — no waiting weeks. If you pass, you can proceed to book Stage 2. If you fail, you can retake by paying €150 again after a minimum wait of three business days; a rescore can be requested within 10 days for €15.
This Isn’t The Learner Theory Test
Why the usual prep falls short — and what a dedicated Stage 1 platform does instead.
What goes wrong
Theory apps drill the 40-question learner test. Stage 1 is 100 professional-level questions.
Training schools focus on Stages 2 and 3, and tell you to self-study the theory.
The syllabus is broad — testing procedure, road safety, teaching theory, mechanics and category-specific knowledge.
The real exam is timed, and stamina fails people who only did casual quizzes.
What works
1,000 exam-style questions written for the ADI syllabus — instruction theory, test procedure, professional rules of the road.
PassADI is that self-study, structured: practise, mock, pass.
Study by section so nothing is left to chance. The PassADI bank mirrors the five-section structure.
Sit full-length timed mocks until the real 100-question paper feels routine.
Life After Your Stage 1 Pass
Your next steps once you have the result in hand.
Once you pass Stage 1, your next step is to book the Stage 2 practical driving test. This is where preparation changes character: Stage 2 is an advanced driving assessment, and most candidates take professional in-car training for it — while keeping the theory sharp, because the technical questions on the day draw on the same knowledge Stage 1 tested.
Read our detailed guide on what to do after passing Stage 1 for a complete walkthrough of the next steps, or review the full qualification journey for an overview of the entire process.
The 24-month clock starts here. You have 24 months from passing Stage 1 to complete all remaining stages, and each subsequent stage must be completed within 6 months of the previous one — run out of time and you sit (and pay for) Stage 1 again. Between Stages 2 and 3 an optional trainee instructor licence (€50, six months, once only) lets you teach under a sponsoring ADI. Do not delay in booking Stage 2 once you have your result.
Getting Ready for the Theory Test
A structured study plan using official resources and regular practice is the best way to prepare.
A full licence, held 2+ years
In every category you want to instruct in — category B for car instruction.
ADI registration applied for
Your application submitted and your eligibility number received — you need it to book.
Tax compliant
A Revenue tax clearance access number the RSA can verify with your application. You must also be normally resident in Ireland with a PPSN.
Garda vetting passed
The NVB1 form, presented in person, plus a character assessment. A record is weighed, not an automatic bar.
Five Real Questions From the Bank
No signup, no card — answer each one, then see your result and the corrections
On Test Day
Know what to bring, how the test is conducted, and what happens once you finish.
Arrive at your chosen Prometric test centre at least 30 minutes before your appointment with your ADI eligibility number and valid original photo ID, such as a full driving licence, passport, or Public Services Card. After check-in.
you will have 15 minutes to familiarise yourself with the computer system before beginning the 100-question multiple-choice theory test, which must be completed within 90 minutes.
Everything The Stage 1 Tests. In One Bank
1,000 questions across the categories the RSA draws from — organised the way the exam is, not the way a learner app is.
Stage 1 Mock Exams
Full-length mock papers timed to real exam conditions, scored to the 75% pass mark.
Stage 1 Cores 1–3
Test procedure, documentation and the Stage 1 cores — question banks mapped to the RSA.
Essential Driver Training (EDT)
The Essential Driver Training syllabus and the car knowledge every instructor is tested on.
Rules of the Road & Licensing
Licence categories, codes and road-traffic law — at the professional depth Stage 1 demands.
Pedagogy & Pupil Assessment
Teaching skills, questioning techniques and lesson. Preparation that carries into Stage 3.
Cores 4 & 5: Vehicle Mechanics
Vehicle mechanics and technical knowledge — the cores that catch out non-mechanics.
Mixed Revision
Mixed banks drawn from every category, built for spaced revision between your mocks.
Go Beyond The Taster With The Quiz Library
Enjoyed the quiz? Explore PassADI's practice library for all five ADI theory sections.
01
1,000 practice questions
Across all five RSA sections, covering the full syllabus with focused practice for every topic.
02
30 weighted mock exams
Mirroring the real 100-question test, with section scoring aligned to the official pass marks.
03
Free study guides
Covering EDT, Stage 3 and instructor skills, with clear guidance you can use without an account.
04
Open to everyone
No invitation or course enrolment needed. Start with six free quizzes and upgrade when ready.
Browse the quiz library or start with the free study guides — no invitation needed.
Get Your Free ADI Starter Kit
Become an Approved Driving Instructor in Ireland — free, online.
Built for the current exam cycle — weighted like the real paper.
Every question is tagged to the five RSA sections, and the 30 mock exams mirror the real 100-question weighting.
What’s inside the starter kit
Five things you’ll have open in your browser within the next minute — no email to wait for, no PDF to download.
Full three-stage qualification roadmap with timelines
ADI cost breakdown — €800 minimum
The five exam sections and their pass marks, explained
88 free practice questions plus the free study guides
Earning potential and career outlook for ADIs
Get your free starter kit
Takes 30 seconds1,000
Questions in the bankAll 3
Stages covered30
Weighted mock examsmultiple choice questions
per attempt
Prometric test centres
historical pass rate
The Sate 1, answered
€150 per attempt. If you need to retake, you pay €150 again. The fee is payable when you book your test at theorytest.ie once you have your RSA eligibility number. See the ADI training costs breakdown on our homepage for the full bill.
Five sections: Driver Testing Procedures, Road Safety Knowledge, Teaching Ability, Vehicle Maintenance, and Category-Specific Knowledge. Each section has its own individual pass mark, and you must pass all five to pass the test overall.
Each section has its own reported pass mark: Driver Testing Procedures 70%, Road Safety 72%, Teaching Ability 60%, Vehicle Maintenance 70%, Category-Specific 70%. You must pass every section individually — failing any one section means failing the whole test.
1.5 hours for the test itself, plus 15 minutes of familiarisation time at the beginning to learn the computer system. The familiarisation period does not count towards your test time. The 100 questions are presented one at a time on screen.
Stage 1 is well suited to independent study — the free RSA Rules of the Road, the ADI information pack and one or two guidebooks cover the syllabus, so there is no need to pay for a training course at this stage. Structured question practice then turns that reading into exam readiness.
At any of the 41 Prometric test centres across Ireland. The test is computer-based so it does not require specialist facilities. You can book online or by phone once you have your ADI eligibility number — confirm current booking details at rsa.ie.
Pass rates have averaged 73–74% historically — around three quarters of candidates pass on their attempt. With thorough self-study and timed mock practice, you give yourself the best possible chance of passing first time.
Unlimited — but each costs €150, needs a new eligibility number, and carries a minimum three-business-day wait. The 24-month completion clock only starts once you pass.
At the test centre, the same day, as a performance report. The RSA then emails your result with the Stage 2 application form.
Original photo ID — full licence, passport or Public Services Card — plus your ADI eligibility number, and arrive around 30 minutes early. Wrong ID means no test and a lost fee.
Harder than people expect — professional-depth rules, teaching theory and mechanics, with every section needing its own pass. Most who fail were strong in three sections and blind in one.
After passing Stage 1, you have 24 months to complete Stages 2 and 3. The RSA will send your result along with the Stage 2 application form, allowing you to book your practical driving test once you are ready.
Sit the mock before you sit the exam
1,000 exam-style questions and 30 weighted mocks for the ADI theory test
