The Theory Test




You cannot apply for the practical driving test until you have passed the theory test. The theory test is taken at a different centre to the practical test. You cannot take the theory test before your 17th birthday. The theory test is divided into two parts, the multiple choice element and the hazard perception element. You take both parts of the theory test on the same day.
This section answers questions about the two part theory test and getting your results ...

What does the test cover?

The theory test consists of a multiple choice element and a hazard perception element. On the multiple choice element you will cover ....

Alertness, Attitude, Safety and Your Vehicle, Safety Margins, Hazard Awareness, Vulnerable Road Users, Other Types of Vehicle, Vehicle Handling, Motorway Rules, Rules of the Road, Road & Traffic Signs, Documents, Accidents, and Vehicle Loading.

For full details of the syllabus, see the Learning the Theory section.

The hazard perception element tests your ability to look at and understand road scenes and to recognise possible traffic hazards as they develop.

For full details on the Hazard Perception test, see the The Hazard Peception element section.

In the multiple choice element there are 50 questions and you have 57 minutes to answer them.

The pass mark is 43 correct out of 50.

In the hazard perception element there are 14 video clips and 15 scorable hazards (one of the clips contains two hazards to watch out for). Each video clip lasts 1 minute and you only get to view it once. A hazard is classed as something which requires the driver to either change speed or direction.

You are marked on how quickly you spot the developing hazards.

Does everyone have the same test ?

When you take the two part theory test, everyone in the room may have a different test. So don't try to ask anyone else the answers!

The Driving Standards Agency has compiled about 800 different questions for the multiple choice element - your test will be made up from 50 of them. For the hazard perception element, the Driving Standards Agency has taken 200 video clips of actual road scenes from which you will be tested on just 14.

Is there help for people with special needs?

If you have any special needs or difficulties with English then help is available. You can apply for additional time when booking the test. You also can choose to listen to the text being read in English through a headset which should help those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

Fifteen other languages are available including Welsh, Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Gujerati, Punjabi, Urdu, Turkish, Arabic, Tamil, Portuguese, Farsi, Albanian, Spanish and Kurdish.
A video of the test in British Sign Language is also available on screen for candidates who are deaf or have other hearing difficulties.

When will I get the results?

You will be given your results to the hazard perception test and the multiple choice test before you leave the test centre. REMEMBER - You need to have passed both tests on the same day to receive your theory pass certificate.
Your results will include feedback about any topic areas in which you answered questions and hazards incorrectly.

The hazard perception test and the multiple choice test are explained in more detail in the next two sections ....

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