About the Theory Test

Before you can take your practical driving test, you need to pass your theory test. It’s a really important part of learning to drive: when you get to your practical test, you’ll need to show that you can use what you learn for this test when you’re driving on the road.

It’s vital to prepare for your theory test: there’s a lot to learn about the rules of the road. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to pass first time, which will save you the time and money that retaking the test will cost.

There are two parts to the test

• the multiple choice part
• the hazard perception part.

The questions in the multiple choice test are taken from three books

• The Official Highway Code
• The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – the essential skills
• Know Your Traffic Signs

You’ll need to use all of these when you’re preparing. There are lots of products available that contain practice questions, but it’s really important you don’t just learn the answers without understanding fully why it’s correct because the questions on the actual test aren’t exactly the same as the practice ones.

The multiple choice test covers the following topics

This part of the test checks you can recognise and respond to hazards that could happen while you’re driving. Being out on the road with your driving instructor will help you prepare for this part.

In the test you’ll see a variety of film clips, each shown from a driver’s point of view. You’ll need to spot the developing hazard in each film: this is something that might need you, as the driver, to take some action such as changing speed or direction. For example, a car pulling in to the side of the road ahead of you is a developing hazard because you’ll need to slow down and manoeuvre around it.

Before you start the multiple choice test, you can have a 15 minute practice session if you want to get used to the format of the test.

In the test there are 50 questions: you’ll need to get at least 43 correct to pass. You’ll have 57 minutes for this part of the test.

The multiple choice questions appear on-screen and you’ll use the mouse to choose the correct answer. For some questions you’ll need to select more than one answer- there’ll be a message if you don’t choose enough answers. There are also case study questions: these will show you a short ‘story’ and you’ll need to answer five questions about it.

If you aren’t sure about any of the questions. You can ‘flag’ them and come back to them later.

When you’ve finished the multiple choice part, you can go straight on to the hazard perception part or take a three-minute break. You can watch a short video before you start the test, showing you how the test works.

You’ll need to click the mouse when you see a developing hazard (ie something that would need you, the driver, to take some action such as changing speed or direction): the sooner you spot the hazard, the more points you’ll score. You can score up to five points for each hazard. You’ll need to score at least 44 out of 75 points. Each film shows one hazard apart from one film, which has two.

If you click the mouse too much or if you click in a pattern, you’ll be given a warning message and you’ll score no points for that film.

You’ll be given your results shortly after you’ve finished the theory test. If you pass, you’ll be given a letter with your pass certificate number on it. Make sure you keep this safe because you’ll need the number when you book your practical car driving test.

Your theory test certificate is valid for two years. If you don’t pass your practical driving test in that time, you’ll have to take the theory test again before you can take the practical test.