Theory Test
New Driver
Theory Test
You can book the theory driving test in 3 ways
- You can book online at www.gov.uk/book-theory-test. To do this you will need your provisional driving license number and a form of payment, either credit or debit card.
- By phone on 0300 200 1122 again you will need your provisional driving license number and a form of payment, either credit or debit card.
- Or by post. You can get a form from your local driving test centre or by downloading it from www.dsa.gov.uk (under the “forms and publications” sections) fill it in and post it to Driving Standards Agency, Booking Department, PO Box 381, Manchester, M50 3UW. enclosing a cheque made payable to Driving Standards Agency.
You’ll be expected to show both parts of your valid driving license (the photocard and the paper counterpart) at the test centre. If you have an old-style license without a photo you must also bring a valid passport.
If you don’t show the required documents you won’t be allowed to test and you’ll lose your fee.
Old-Style Driving Licenses
An old-style license consists of one paper document which does not display your photograph. If you have an old-style paper license you must also bring a valid passport with you – no other form of photographic identification will be accepted.
At The Test Centre
Once you have been registered at reception you’ll go through to the test room. You may not take anything into the room with you; all personal items must be stored in the lockers provided.
Once you’re in the test room you may not talk to or distract other candidates. The computer screen will display your name and the category of test you’re taking.
If you have any problems during the theory test, you should raise your hand to attract the attention of the test invigilator.
The current theory driving test fee is £23.00
The theory test has two parts. The first part is 50 multiple choice questions and the second part is a hazard perception test.
Multiple Choice Questions
For the 50 multiple choice questions you have 57 minutes to complete the test. You have to answer 43 questions correctly to achieve a pass in this part of the test and the only way to do this is to study the recommended books. The questions are separated into four categories.
- Driver attitude and awareness
- Traffic signs and regulations
- Effects of alcohol, drugs and tiredness on driving
- Safety and environmental aspects of the vehicle
As you probably know already the test is conducted on a touch screen computer system. Don’t worry, before the test begins you are given full instructions and have a chance to practice so you can get used to the system. If at anytime during the test you are having problems you just need to raise your hand and a member of DSA staff will come to help.
Only one question will be on screen at any one time. Some questions do require more than one answer though so make sure you read the question fully but if you try to move on without marking the correct number of answers the screen will inform you of this. If you answer a question and you are not sure that you have selected the right answer you can “flag” the question and go back to it once you have reached the end of your questions. You can do this to as many of the questions as you wish. You can move backwards and forward though the questions and at the end you have a option to review all of the test.
At the end of the test you are given the chance to have a short break before starting the second part of the theory driving test. You wont be given the results of the first part of the test until after the second part is completed.
Hazard Perception Test
The next part of the theory driving test is the hazard perception test. For this part of the test, again, you will be given instructions and shown a demonstration.
A hazard is defined as any other road user (pedestrian, cyclist, or motor vehicle) that may potentially cause the three S’s (slow down, stop or swerve). You will be shown 14 real life film clips, each filmed from a moving vehicle. 13 of the film clips will contain 1 hazard and 1 will contain 2. As soon as you see a hazard developing you must click the mouse button. If you click on the hazard as soon as it appears you will get 5 marks. The longer you leave it without clicking the less marks you get i.e. 4 marks, 3 marks, 2 marks, 1 mark until the hazard has fully developed and you get no marks at all.
The hazard could be a pedestrian, cycle or another motor vehicle. A simple example could be a football roles out from the pavement and onto the road, followed by a young child. If you click the mouse as soon as it appears on the screen you will get 5 clicks. If you haven’t clicked the mouse before the child is right in front of the car you will receive no marks. There is a possible 75 marks and you must get at least 44 marks to pass this part of the test. WATCHOUT – If you click the mouse for the sake of it or continuously you will receive 0 marks and this will appear once that clip has been completed.
You will be given your test result on completion of the test and if you have passed you will be given a certificate. The number at the top of the pass certificate will be needed to book your practical driving test. The certificate is valid for two years. If you have not passed your practical driving test within this two years you will have to take the test again.
