Part 1 · Topic 02 of 11
Study materials
The full list of ten publications DVSA draws ADI Part 1 theory questions from — updated in August 2025 to add the two national standards, the instructor code of practice and the examiner guidance.
Key facts
- There are TEN source publications, not six — DVSA added four in August 2025
- The Highway Code is essential reading for Band 1, Band 2 and selected Band 3 questions
- The examiner guidance (DT1) is a source, but sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 15 are excluded
DVSA publishes the list of documents its Part 1 theory questions are drawn from. In August 2025 that list was expanded to ten, adding both national standards, the instructor code of practice and the examiner guidance. If your training provider still gives you a list of six books, it predates that change — and the four additions feed directly into Bands 3 and 4, which is half the multiple-choice paper.
The ten source publications
The Highway Code. Essential reading for Band 1, Band 2 and selected Band 3 questions.
Know Your Traffic Signs. Detailed explanations of all UK road signs you may encounter.
Driving — the Essential Skills. Covers fundamental driving knowledge for exam preparation.
The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Drive. The learner-facing companion — what your pupils are told to expect.
The Driving Instructor's Handbook. Complete reference covering every aspect of becoming and working as a driving instructor.
Practical Teaching Skills for Driving Instructors. Guide to improving teaching and communication skills.
National standard for driving cars and light vans. What a competent driver must be able to do — covered in Part 2.
National standard for driver and rider training. What a competent instructor must be able to do — covered in Part 3.
Driving instructor code of practice. Professional conduct — squarely Band 4 material.
Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance (DT1). How examiners conduct and mark tests. Note the caveat: sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 15 are excluded from the syllabus. The parts that matter most to you are summarised in how examiners decide what to mark.
The last four are the recent additions, and they are the ones least like the learner theory test — which is exactly why Bands 3 and 4 catch people out. See what the Part 1 test covers for how the bands are weighted.
Why these materials matter
Reading the recommended books for the ADI Part 1 exam is crucial for your success, as they provide comprehensive coverage of the key topics you'll be tested on. These resources are specifically designed to deepen your understanding of road safety, driving laws, and instructional techniques, ensuring you're fully prepared for both the multiple-choice questions and the hazard perception test.
The material in these books is often aligned with the official DVSA syllabus, offering insights that go beyond basic knowledge and helping you tackle more challenging questions with confidence. By thoroughly studying these books, you'll be better equipped to master each section of the exam, avoid common pitfalls, and approach the test with the depth of knowledge needed to excel.